Panch Prayags of Uttarakhand (5 Holy Points of Confluence)

In the Indian region of Garhwal during the days of sages & goddesses, once upon a time lived a powerful Vedic sage named Kapila, It is said she turned 60,000 sons of a Vedic King Sagara to ash & told the only way to give peace to these souls was if a goddess came down to earth, after several generations a young King named Bhagirath whose austeritive nature towards freeing the souls of his ancestors praised Lord Vishnu and he offered Goddess to go down to Earth but she was scared she would stream off to hell(Patal Lok) so she advised to talk to Lord Shiva, King Bhagirath then started preaching for Lord Shiva and he too was convinced so he held goddess ganga on his head in the Himalayas & stopped the flow of Ganga, now known as Gangotri Glacier & Then Lord Shiva pulled out a strand of his hair and the Goddess could flow the ashes of King Bhagirath’s Ancestors from where they laid, after Ganga split into 12 different streams and these stream meet again at 5 different points in the Garhwal region called Vishnuprayag, Devprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag. These five points of confluence in the modern days are used as a place of ablutions before heading up to worship the sacred temples & for performing last rites of loved ones. Each point leads to a sacred place of worship and offers a magic of nature to see how two different colors mix so efficiently into a single powerful forced stream of water. All the confluences have their own stories of events happened after that, these points are known to have a very positive subconscious effect on our vibes, great things have happened here and still remains a sanctum of peace within India. So, come across these mystical points of eye-catching views of two river meeting and unwind amidst nature.

Siliguri (Gateway to 4 Countries from India)

A Throbbing town of India and the most geographically vulnerable nodal converging point of the gateway to four neighbouring countries Nepal, China, Bhutan & Bangladesh and all the north-eastern states of India, a military stronghold of the country’s Broder Security Force and the starting point to the foothills of Shivalik Mountain Ranges of Himalayas. Siliguri is one of the main international trade hubs for India for its neighbouring countries in terms of Logistics & Transshipment of goods.  It’s a super cool town you drive in any direction from the city for an hour you’ll be in the mountains and glimpse the beauty of the Local Flora & Fauna. After the Independence of India in 1947, this town changed to a city and was a great opportunity for people to find an occupation and grow a business. From a mere agricultural town during the reign of The Kamata Kingdom present day Cooch Behar in the 16th Century, it became a strategic point for the British after they took over Bengal in the Battle Of Plassey in 1757 and the population then consisted largely of Military Personnel and Government Officials but the boom of the business came with the New Road named the Hill Cart Road and the Railway Line that connected to all major north-eastern parts gave birth to this to be a tourist paradise of today.

The Local markets flourish with an avid range of branded apparel and Import goods the city also offers a range of hotels, Pubs, and Bars to keep you entertained. Siliguri is a place of history starting from the Independence movement to the commencement of Communist Movement in India that lasted till 2011, many leaders and celebrities have been to this amazing city like Gandhiji, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekanand, Rabindranath Tagore, Mark Twain leaving their sense of ideals and thought to this charming city.

Munsiyari (Mahabharata’s Ode to heaven)

 

It’s a place rich of nature and Less of human involvement here people Live in equilibrium with the nature that is baroque in Flora and Fauna and is home to Bears, Leopards, Musk Deer, the place was also a thriving spot during the old silk trade route done by the Local Shauka tribe decedents of the Bhotiya tribe and named themselves different after they settled in the Johar Valley and Munsiyari is the Gateway to the Johar valley that takes you to three different glaciers and which are being promoted by the Uttarakhand Government as the Kumaon Region in Pithoragarh District of the state.

In the texts of the famous Hindu Religious Tale called Mahabharata, it is written the Five Valiant Brothers called Pandavas ascended to heaven from this holy place called Munsiyari, It means a place of snow and it’s home to a lot of great tribes of men who were traders but due to the capture of China over Tibet they lost all their trade and some even had to leave due to this unfortunate circumstance and a flock of villages were had to be abandoned that remain in the same way today since the year 1962, some remains of those forgotten tribes still lie in a museum in the town. It’s the best place for acclimatization for trekkers to begin their journey to the three glaciers and is a well-equipped town with its distinctive flavor of Cuisine, Culture & Convenience.

Pin-Parvati Trek (A Bewildering Journey Between Two Valleys)

During the terraformation era of our planet 50 Million Years ago when the Eurasian Plate Collided with The Indian, Plate formed the staggering 29000 Ft High Himalayas; these mountains are the roof of the world and home to many Indigenous valleys Among them the Indian part consists of three mountain ranges Himadri, Himachal, Shivalik which lie parallelly with each other complementing each other with their heavenly views.

Among the three Himachal is the most famous for its exemplary culture & astounding high-altitude panoramic views which make it an ideal choice for trekking and the two most prominently touristic Parvati valley & Spiti valley have been proven very rejuvenating for a lot of people for a long time. In the year 1884, a man named Sir Louis Dane came to Parvati Valley, a British administrator who was trying to find a faster & alternate route to Spiti Valley and he ended up discovering the shortest route between both the valleys.

It’s not an easy task as you are going to have to climb to 16000 ft height above sea level on your own two legs so make sure you are acclimatized to the Climate and the terrain before starting your journey that will compliment you in the most amazing ways this splendid trail of the Himalaya offers Natural Sulphur Baths, the sight of Mantalai Lake origin of the 200km long Parvati River, Forest trails and wide valley views and the best snow cover plains. So, test yourself on this journey and you’ll be awarded all this Natural Beauty!

Dharamkot (A Refuge turned spiritual paradise)

In the 1940s when India was being relived from the British rule and going through the partition phase, it’s peaceful neighbor Tibet was being evicted of its freedom by China’s Communist Regime. Monasteries were being destroyed and practicing religion was banned & to save its leader the Dalai Lama fled to India from his city Lhasa which is now claimed an integral part of the Republic of China. In the 1980s when the China government opened Tibet for tourism, India saw a movement of more refugees from Tibet following their leader in exile in Dharamshala Himachal Pradesh and settled in outskirts and eventually ended up in a small valley 2 Kms over McLeod Ganj overlooking the Kangra Valley & Dhauladhar Mountain Ranges and it’s a starting point to a lot of trekking trails like Triund. Today Dharamkot has become a place of peace and where Buddhist monks live their way of life. Dharamkot has only one road that leads to the place from Dharamshala it’s a very eco-friendly place and everyone is welcomed with a very positive vibe of Buddhist enchantings, Yoga Classes, Distinctive Cuisine & very pocket-friendly experience for any kind of tourist to come and add to its message of a peaceful way of life. Yoga became a prominent practice and now one can take Yoga lessons, sip in the local tea, enjoy the Hippie Vibed cafes & Beautiful Guest Houses overlooking the valley and attain solace as the Tibetans felt after coming to India.

Chitrakote Falls – The Niagara of India

The Chitrakoot falls are natural waterfalls on the River Indravati -which originates in the Kalahandi district of Odisha, located 38 Kms West to Jagdalpur in the Bastar District of Chhattisgarh- India. Settled in the mountain and hills rages of Vindhyachal, the glorious Chitrakoot Waterfalls is one of the most mighty natural fall in the world.

The height of the falls is about 29 metres (95 ft). It is the widest fall in India, reaching a width of nearly 300 metres (980 ft) during the monsoon season. Because of its width and its widespread horseshoe shape during the monsoon season, it is often called the “Niagara Falls of India.

The fall can be enjoyed throughout the year with the different force and the beauty, the sunset time is the best each day. Boating facilities are there below and under the falls in a misty atmosphere provide views of the falls under an early morning sun in echoed sunlight and in a blue shade..

Feel the mist and enjoy the view …a must visit.

Jatayu Earth’s Center

         The Valiant Warrior – Jatayu

When Ravana was abducting Sitaji, Jatayu – the Vulture, bravely fought but was wounded and fell on the rocks of Jatayumangalam which is now known as  Chadayamangalam To mark the saga … there is now -the Jatayu Earth’s Centre that presents the world’s largest bird sculpture. Traversing over 65 acres across the hills.

The monumental statue of Jatayu reposing high up the hill which you can’t miss it even from a distance. There is the museum and the 6D theatre inside the sculpture.

This is a perfect weekend escape! Enjoy adventurous games with the breath-taking views. Be it Burma bridges, commando nets, log walk, vertical ladder,  so much more to do One can also opt for camping, trekking, and make the most ….

 

Pong Dam (India’s Best Water Sports School)

Situated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh lies India’s Highest Embankment Dam and one of the first hydroelectricity projects in the country established in 1975. Pong Dam is also home to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering & Allied Sports (ABVIMAS)’s Regional Water Sports Training Centre,

This Institution was founded in 1961 by the name of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and later changed the name to commemorate Late Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the establishment holds a hostel, a huge mess and a small tourist camp along with the huge training centre. The Regional Water Sports Training centre has three levels of courses Basic, Intermediate & Advanced and teaching an array of different water sports like Kayaking, Jet Skiing, hydro foiling, Canoeing, Wave Boarding, Sailing, Wave Surfing, Rowing & Swimming and is training and sending players for International Tournaments allowing them to show their talent, the Instructors are the most experienced and some of them have represented India in  Various International Events as well! Some Hold International RecordsToo!

So if you are looking to upgrade your skill under India’s foremost water sports players this is the place. The duration of the Basic Course is just 15 days and costs you about 15k INR for everything lodging, boarding & food along with all the training & safety equipment, Ain’t that a Steal! 

Bundi (An authentic vibe of Rajasthan)

Town in midst of wonder filled with culture, ethnicity & natural beauty. Bundi is a small city surrounded by Aravalli Hills on three sides of the town and a gigantic 13th Century Taragarh Fort also home to two lakes and surrounding parks.  It’s home to the most exquisite hospitality in terms of Cuisine, History, Culture & Art, To see this one needs to check out the local café’s and market, Eat the piping hot fresh “Kachori” and experience the unexplored terrain around the town off-roading in your 4×4 or hiking up to the old fort’s walls and observation points called “Chhatri’s” also means umbrella. A traveler can also take up the local art classes as Bundi is home to a lot of indigenous art techniques carried forward by many generations. The town lives a life of the early ’90s or 80’s small streets, a successive attitude & sheer will of connecting & communicating synonymously to the old ways of life & simply driving on the narrow streets can be an adventure so just imagine what lies for you to explore in this vividly charming atmosphere of Rajasthan’s Culture.

Cherrapunji Living Root Bridges

The Bridges that are not Built but Grown – Unique to the World

A story of a young lad Lunshai and the Beautiful Olari of the Khasi tribe.. Fell in love.. But the flowing stream was an obstacle every evening. As both their villages were located on either side of the stream… which used to make them very sad… they sang songs and expressed their love. One day both of them thought. Of how could they cross the stream and meet each other … and noticed the huge healthy trees which had aerial roots which they wound around bamboo and directed towards the opposite bank. They sang to the roots to grow faster … and by more than a decade they reached the other side, and formed a bridge…That was the day when the sky was clear and Lunshai and Olari met. The villagers danced and had a big feast…

The natural Wonder which quite goes unnoticed the Living root bridges of southern Meghalaya are there in existence in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. They have been known to grow as long as 170 feet, and high as 80 feet above the streams that they cross. Most living root bridges only have a single span, yet several have more than one, arranged as either as two parallel spans or as two bridges, one over the other.

Tangles of thick and overwhelming roots are later joined to make a solid and strolling span. Individuals of the Khasi and Janita tribe hold dominance in plaiting these extensions through ages, obviously, these Bridges are way preferable and more grounded over the wooden ones and have no negative impact of downpours on them. These roots have come out of some genuine antiquated rubber trees, which are one of a kind to upper east locale in India. Some of these are accepted to be over 500 years of age!

Some of the Famous ones are Ritymmen Root Bridge, Umshiang Double Decker Root Bridge, Ummunoi Root Bridge. Umkar Root Bridge and a few more. These are the few ones that can be easily accessed.

A wonder that is worth the visit …!!