Yatra – VAGABOND IMAGES

Lockdown effect | A yatra without yatris!

Upendra SwamiMay 25, 20201808 Views2

Chardham yatra is one of the India’s major pilgrimage and it is second time in last eight years that it has to be shelved. Last time in 2013, it was due to an altogether different reason as Yatra has to suspended and finally called off due to devastating floods in Uttarakhand. But that year, Yatra started in usual manner with all customs and rituals, but met a catastrophe on 16th & 17th June when extremely heavy rainfall and sudden melting of glaciers created a havoc like never before. Thousands of lives were lost and villages after villages were washed away. So, that year Yatra didn’t resume. Now this year again Yatra has been suspended because of lockdown due to Corona pandemic. The temples have been opened but routes are closed for yatris as no travel is allowed for this purp...

India

Traditional dance of Garhwal- Jhora at Waan

Upendra SwamiSeptember 29, 20142063 Views0

Traditional folk dance at Waan during Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra 2014. Last inhabitated village on Rajjaat route towards Bedini Bugyal, Waan is famous for its Latu temple. Latu is considered to be brother of Goddess Nanda Devi. Here onwards Latu leads the Yatra till Homkund. The video here is of traditional 'Jhora' in Nanda Devi's praise by men & women in traditional attire. Most special are women ornaments, these ornaments also reflect their social status. Sung in local dialect, group of men first recite a couplet, which is repeated by the women folk. This can go on for hours, the flow of words and rhythm (steps as well) of dance keep on changing, but tempo remains the same. Normally it is a slow paced dance. People keep on joining or moving out of the sequence as per their conve

IndiaNews

Thousands accompany Nanda Devi on its mythical journey

Upendra SwamiSeptember 10, 20142218 Views2

Rajjaat concludes amidst enthusiasm braving tough weather Thousands of people gave an emotional send-off to their mythical daughter Nanda Devi at Homkund at an altitude of almost 16 thousand feet right at the base of Nanda Ghunti peak (in Uttarakhand in Himalayan India), bringing to close a much awaited Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra which takes place in not less than 12 years. Called as Himalayan Kumbh and longest religious procession in Asia, this 290 km Yatra started from Nauti near Karnprayag in Uttarakhand on 18th August and ended at same place on morning of 7th September after customary rituals. Nanda was bid adieu at Homkund on 3rd September. Comparing to last two occasions in 1987 and 2000, number of pilgrims as well as the Chantolis (canopies) representing various goddesses in Ku...

IndiaNews

Two Udaipur hotels get top tourism awards

Upendra SwamiFebruary 19, 2014950 Views0

States of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have jointly been declared as the best in Comprehensive Development of Tourism at National Tourism awards in India. Awards, considered to be showcase of the Indian tourism industry were given on Tuesday. Two hotels from the city of lakes Udaipur were also among the winners in their categories. Although the Indian Tourism Minister Chiranjeev stayed away from the awards function because of seemingly larger issue of bifurcation of his state Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra stamp writ large in the Awards. Andhra Pradesh shared the first prize for Best State for Comprehensive Development of Tourism with Madhya Pradesh, while Kerala came second, and Gujarat at the third place. In the Best Heritage City category, Tourism Minister’s own constituency, ...

IndiaNews

Katrina, Ranbir are dream travel partners!

Upendra SwamiDecember 21, 20131903 Views0

When it comes to a perfect vacation, given a choice, people all over the world would love to travel with their dream partner. Yatra.com in their recent survey on winter holidays, asked travellers which celebrity they would want to be accompanied by for their dream holiday. The 31 year old, 6ft plus youth icon, Ranbir Kapoor, recognised for his versatile acting abilities and his passion for cinema, came out on top for being the most desirable male celebrity to holiday with stealing 19% of the votes. Interestingly, Ranbir played a role of a travel show host in his recent film 'Yeh Jawani Hey Deewani'. Following closely with over 25 years of acting behind him, the most sought after hero, one of the hottest hunks of Indian Cinema, and termed as the most bankable actor of all time, Salma...

IndiaNews

Beach destinations are the top choices this winter

Upendra SwamiDecember 6, 20131088 Views1

The top domestic destination choices for Indians this season include Goa, Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar islands. Indians are still keen to travel this winter in spite of there being no respite from high airfares or the rupee valuation. Findings from a survey by Yatra.com, among India’s leading online travel portals has revealed that 69 per cent Indians are still keen on travelling this winter. India is the most preferred destination this winter season with three fourths of the respondents willing to take their year-end holidays within the country. Rest one-fourth respondents would like to plan their vacations abroad to destinations like Dubai, Europe and South East Asia. While about 59 per cent of the respondents are looking forward to a relaxed holiday at some exotic location (wit...