It is said that ornaments worn by women in Uttarakhand have much resemblance to states like Rajasthan. But, as is the practice these days everywhere else, in Uttarakhand too women wear jewellery mostly on functions, marriages and religious occasions & festivals. Traditional jewellery of Uttarakhand are very intricately designed. There are two major parts of these ornaments- a nose ring (this is called 'nath' locally and almost in every part of the north). It is more popular in the Kumaon region. But they are worn in Garhwal region as well. It is at many times attached to the similarly big ear rings. Overall it becomes very heavy but they wear them with relative ease. Another major ornament is a big necklace like jewellery called locally as 'Galoband'. Galobands made of gold will
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Summer in the northern part of India seems to be peaking a bit early. Such a weather instigates desperate search for cooler vistas. With annual summer vacations just round the corner, we bring you our choice of top ten ideas for the month of May- first of India’s traditional two months of summer vacations. Many festivals around and a few adventures to calm you down. Go ahead. 1. Malwa Festival, Indore, Ujjain Celebrated with great enthusiasm, Malwa Utsav is one of the biggest and most spectacular events of Madhya Pradesh. The festival restores the age old culture and the tradition of India through its various classical dance performances and traditional music. Performers and entertainers from different parts of India charm the cities of Indore and Ujjain for a remarkable five day cel
Read MoreIt is one of the greatest mysteries of our times. It has been chronicled so much by historians, sociologists and scientists, alike that one can find internet abuzz with the different stories and theories. Hence makes not point for me to try to tell the history, at least not more than this that lake is usually called the ‘Mystery Lake’, since centuries old human skeletons and remains of horses are found here. By most accounts, these skeletons are almost 1200 years old. But besides this, Roopkund is also one of the most fascinating treks in Uttarakhand Himalayas, so much so that it always ranks among the top 10 treks in Indian himalayas. Hence it was always in my wish list for years, that ultimately got fulfilled. Roopkund in this reference also becomes a mythological place and it ind...
Read MoreBugyals are the meadows in the lower himalayan region- lush green, out of nowhere on the top of the mountain or on its edges, surrounded by heavy forest of pines and deodars. All of sudden tree-line ends and meadow begins. Uttarakhand has many of them in its higher reaches. Many of them are very popular and few quite obscure & less visited. Ali Bugyal perhaps lies in the later category. Ali Bugyal is near Didina village in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Said to be arguably the largest meadow in India, Ali has often remained forgotten to its nearest cousin the Bedini Bugyal, which is perhaps among the most popular meadows in India. Locals also say term Ali is one of the most beautiful meadows in India and having seen it, I don't doubt this claim. It is indeed very beauti...
Read MoreOne of the many lakes the lower himalayan region of Nainital is famous for- Naukuchiatal (नौकुचियाताल) is one of the biggest among them and perhaps most serene. The only lake comparable to this in serenity will be the Sattal. Located at an altitude of 1220 metres, this is also the deepest lake in the region. Fed by underground perennial spring, this lake is an all the year round spot to be. Might not suit those bubbly-shubbly north Indian tourists who prefer to have some 'happening' spot, but will certainly be liken by all those who want to spend some quite quality time in the lap of nature. This lake is within a beautiful valley offering tremendous opportunity for angling and bird watching. Off late many adventure activities like paragliding, rowing, paddling or yachting have also ...
Read MoreKausani is all famous for its Himalayan View- a panorama of the Nanda Devi range from Chaukhamba peak to Panchachuli. I am somehow fond of this place and have done many posts about it. But I have always loved these himalayan cities for their flowers too. So bright, blooming. They make such a beautiful contrast with dust & noise free atmosphere, blue sky and white mountains. Range of flowers too is so wide, which we normally don't find in the plains. A look at few of them, which I could find around me every time while we stayed at TRH, Kausani. What a wonderful stay it was! ...
Read MoreTrishul peak and Indian Tricolour, what a perfect match- both in awe of each other. Something of a rare sight this is, as seen from Kausani in Uttarakhand, one of my favourite places and among the best ones in India to have a sight of full glory of Nanda Devi ranges of Himalayas. So, unfurled Tricolour at Anasakti ashram in Kausani and mighty Trishul peak under blue skies in the background make a very beautiful picture, isn't it! As it is not everyday that tricolour is unfurled here and it is also not everyday that you find such a clear view of Himalayan peaks. Here we have both... An independence gift for the readers from my side- a small photo gallery of India Tricolour. ...
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How to celebrate the announcement that my blog has been included in list of Top Travel Bloggers of India by Holidify.com (http://www.holidify.com/blog/top-travel-bloggers-india/)? What better could be than to post a another beautiful photo story (my blog is in list of Top Photo Blogs). Photographing sun is one of my favourite photo works. This one was recently done and where else than the place which I consider as one of the best places in India to view a sunrise- Kausani (in Kumaon region of Himalayan state Uttarakhand). Whether or not there is a clear blue sky to let golden hue of Trishul and Nanda Devi peaks mesmerise you, but sunrise here will definitely throw some amazing colours. Astonishing drawings- You will always be surprised by the beauty, how the moun...
Read MoreIts rare for a Bougainvillea bush to become a landmark. But it actually is. This is one happy, big Bougainvillea bush right in the middle of the market at Almora in Uttarakhand. Its said that more than 35 years ago, this bougainvillea wrapped itself around a deodar tree. Their love story continues. Actually people in Almora consider this as symbol of love. Now it has turned into a massive bougainvillea on Mall Road. So much so that, one has to actually look deep to search for the deodar tree, beneath it. It has turned itself into an attraction of sort for the tourists coming to Almora. It always fascinated me ever since I had my first visit to Almora, many years back. Its so big, so lush that perhaps it is one among very few things of the city that can be spotted and identified from...
Read MoreThese are tough times, when there is a big tragedy so close, as seen in Nepal. Wouldn’t it have been first choice for many of us to visit in summer vacations, had it not been for this earthquake! In this modest mood we bring you our choice of top ten ideas for the month of May- first of India’s traditional two months of summer vacations. Many festivals around and a few adventures to boost the adrenaline. Go ahead. Escape the heat at Coorg Escapade A perfect one for those who love fitness and the great outdoors. Organised for the first time in 2014, the Coorg Escapade is set out to be India’s premier outdoor sports festival. Last year the Coorg Escapade was but was restricted to a 10K Trail run. This trail run took runners through coffee plantations, waterfalls and hills. Focus was o...
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