Caleidoscope Cultural Contest Results

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December 3, 2014

Hi Folks,

Our Caleidoscope Cultural Contest has reached its culminating point. We were seeking Cultural Crusaders who are always on the hunt to discover something unique about India and tell the world about it.

We have found some great writers who sought and dug out the hidden secrets of an offbeat travel destination. They understood a region’s art & culture and wrote about it crisply. Some of them clicked vivid pictures that enticed viewers to visit the place.

Here are the participants of our Cultural Contest –

Anubhav Sharma:– Connect with Local – Serving Authentic Maharashtrian Food
Anuka Roy: Kissa kiss ka – Kiss of Love Protests
Alina Jersey: Unusual Historic Religious Monuments in India
Rutuja Chaphekar: Mystic beauty of Bhuleshwar temple
Nischitha Sharath: Fiery folk art form – Bhoota Kola
Shristi Rai: Alpine skiing in Narkanda – Himachal
Gayatri D: Borra Caves near Vizag – a natural wonder
Keerthana Muralidhar: Holidaying with family or friends?
Ishita Gupta: National Adventure Festival

Participants of Cultural Photographer Contest are:

Shilpa Sharma: Sojourn to Bewitching Bhuj
Mamta Naidu: Annapurna Circuit before the Avalanche
Sandip Bose: A Day with Channapatna Toys Makers

And the Consolation Prize winners are –

Shristi Rai – Alpine skiing in Narkanda – Himachal
Anubhav Sharma – Connect with Local – Serving Authentic Maharashtrian Food
Mamta Naidu – Annapurna Circuit before the Avalanche
Sandip Bose: A Day with Channapatna Toys Makers

Prize winners can await their prizes to arrive by post early next week!

*Note: Since we did not get a minimum of 10 entries for each contest, we are forced to cancel the announced cash prizes and offer only consolation prizes. Some of the unpublished articles will be uploaded soon.

Top 7 Offbeat Travel Destinations in Himachal Pradesh

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Caleidoscope

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December 2, 2014

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The mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh in India nestled in Himalayas is a paradise in itself. The beauty and grandeur of its hills, the serenity of its lakes and the hospitality of its people will entice you to visit again and again. Although Himachal is a busy tourist hub, you can still sample some of its offbeat destinations that have remained unexplored. Here are a few popular offbeat travel destinations in Himachal Pradesh:

1. The Rohtang Pass

One of the most popular spots in Manali, the name ‘Rohtang La’ literally means pile of corpses! The pass was named so due to the numerous deaths that happened here because of bad weather, when people tried to cross it. Rohtang La connects the lower Kullu Valley with the upper regions of Lahaul and Spiti Valleys, and is open between May-November. Although still a difficult stretch to traverse, the Rohtang pass is among the comparatively easier terrains in the Himalayan region. Sipping on a cup of hot tea that does not remain hot for more than a minute, with the icy thin air blowing over your face and gazing at the spectacular view of the valleys before you is an unforgettable experience!

2. Lahaul and Spiti

The district of Lahaul-Spiti is famous for its ancient monasteries and natural formations. Lahaul is more on the greener side of the valley and is populated by people of Tibetan and Indo-Aryan descent, while Spiti is an elevated cold-desert valley. The village of Spiti is also known as ‘little Tibet’ due to the Tibetan Buddhist influence visible in its culture and landscape. The region celebrates ‘Losar Festival’, the Tibetan new year in a grand manner, which is a feast to watch out for.

3. Dharamkot

For those visiting Mcleodganj, there is an option to pass through Dharamkot, a small village offering scenic views of the valleys. The village has become a popular offbeat travel spot for tourists due to the availability of marijuana, smoked by the villagers. Apart from the friendly Pahadi people, you can sample the local cuisine inside cafes located in the jungle. Another experience here is to trek to the top of the Triund mountain.

4. Sangla / Baspa Valley

It is located in the greater Himalayan range and provides a breathtaking view of the mountains. Sangla provides overnight trekking and numerous adventurous stay options. This valley abounds in apple orchards, apricot, walnut and cedar trees and is famous for Kinnauri shawls and silver jewellery studded with Tibetan pearls. The crystal clear waters of the Baspa river that flows through the Sangla valley is ideal for trout fishing.

5. Kasauli

While Shimla is the most popular hill station in Himachal, Kasauli town in Solan district with its diverse forests of pine, oak and horse-chestnut trees, colonial ambience and little gardens with a 19th century feel, which distinguishes it from other commercialised destinations. Around 15 kms from Kasauli is the fort of Kuthar. It is more than 800 years old and once served as the residence of the royal family of Kuthar. The exteriors of the fort showcase intricate Rajput architecture and the interiors display alluring wooden carvings and fine paintings that will take you back in time to the British colonial era.

6. Tirthan Valley

Tirthan Valley has become popular in Himachal, since it retains a unique nature that lies undisturbed. The valley is surrounded by the Great Himalayan National Park where you can spot wildlife. The valley is carved by the Tirthan River where you can relax and experience purest form of Mother Nature. Good news is that the valley remains open throughout the year, but the blooming flowers during spring would be the best time to visit.

7. Sarahan

One area that remains unexplored in Himachal is Sarahan. Sarahan is a tiny town in Himachal Pradesh, which is known as the gateway of Kinnaur. It is the site of famous Bhimakali temple, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali. Another point of attraction here is the Daranghati wildlife sanctuary. However, since the place lacks proper accommodation, you may plan a day visit here and leave in the evening. Driving through offers a great experience.
So pack your bags and visit these amazing offbeat travel destinations in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh today!

Author Bio –
Anita Joseph is a passionate blogger who works for Australian Visas. She has been writing content for the web professionally since 2006. She loves to travel and as an avid reader and blogger, she shares her experience through her articles on travel, education, technology, parenting and many more.

Factfile –
Image Sources
Rohtang Pass – Image Source sandeepachetan
Lahaul – Image Source commons.wikimedia.org
Dharamkot – Image Source en.wikipedia.org
Sangla / Baspa Valley – Image Source en.wikipedia.org
Kasauli – Image Source Debraj Ghosh
Tirthan Valley – Image Source en.wikipedia.org
Sarahan – Image Source commons.wikimedia.org
http://www.himachaltourism.gov.in

Imagining A World Without Art?

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Caleidoscope

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November 28, 2014

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Author – Aarohi Mekvan

Indian Art Festival – Courtesy: sandsarts.blogspot.in

A friend of mine informed me the Indian Art Festival is happening in city. Being a fine art fanatic, I was quite eager to participate in it. While he made an effort to inform me about it, he was cynical about the purpose the festival serves. Being an extremely pragmatic person, he felt art has no role to play in our society where everything is driven by economics. Is it?

Art is an expression of human forms to depict the neural connections developed in the left hemisphere of the brain which solicits creativity. It is in every form of existence ranging from an author writing a book that would never be published, to a social networking freak trying to crack a witty comment, to a tailor stitching a blouse for his client, to a guy cooking dinner for his woman, to an artist’s painting the street walls on a theme, to a guitarist collaborating the chords to the music created by the song writer of his band, to the blind weaving beads to make some jewellery, to the stunt rider performing for a mass of riders, to making love.

Imagining the world without art would be imagining our own self without eyebrows. There would be nobody who would make movies, music or paint. There would be nobody who would watch movies, listen to music or go to art galleries. Art binds the eternity into one soul, so without the art present among us, the evolution would be like the lubricating agent that causes friction, making no sense at all. Foremost, there would be no designer labels and neither the models walking the ramp on fashion shows for them.

I mean, there would be no teenaged guy watching Fashion TV with open wide eyes and awestruck mouth. There would be no magicians challenging the law of nature which would make many of us loathsome due to disuse of the artistic creativity. There would be no captured memories as there would be no words and no photography. People would not travel and cause the cultural diversity that makes so many of us identical on the footwear we wear.

Shakespeare and Mozart would have been mere names. Dinners would be like somebody eating the weeds from their garden everyday and claiming malnourishment as a trend. There would be nobody who would think about death and birth after getting high on Mary Jane. Sans art the Earth would not have been round and Newton would still be staring at the rotten apple sitting under that tree.

A world without art would be weird. The world without art would be “eh!?”

If you like fancy text and would like it to create one for yourself, try this Word art generator app available on google Play store.

Factfile –
http://www.indiaartfestival.com/

Alpine Skiing in Narkanda – Himachal

By

Shristi Rai

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November 26, 2014

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“The wind longs to play with your hair”

When someone says, let’s go skiing, more often than not you would think, an expensive trip! That’s because we’ve been accustomed to relate snow with Switzerland thanks to Yash Raj Films. That is far from reality. If you are ready to explore your own country, there’s skiing in India!

Skiing in Himachal | Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

A few years ago, I got an opportunity to go skiing in Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh. In a fascinating search, I found that there are not one or two, but five locations across India that offer professional training: Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir; Auli, Uttarakhand; Manali, Narkanda, and Solang Himachal Pradesh. We chose to go to Narkanda, the least inhabited of the lot, for a 22-day basic skiing course.

In order to reach Narkanda in those days, we took a good three days: 36 hours train journey from Mumbai to Ambala, Haryana, followed by an overnight bus journey via Zirkapur crossing over to Kalka and finally Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. After a halt at Shimla, we resumed our journey uphill via Kufri where. Narkanda is just at a distance of 65 km from Shimla and yet the drop in temperature was easily 10 degrees in March, as we climbed an altitude of 2708m. Being a mountain road, the route was full of steep hairpin bends and breathtaking valleys, with glimpses of the snow peaked mountains of the Himalayas at a distance with every turn. At one of our halts, I touched my very first snow, which surprisingly wasn’t soft at all!

On our arrival at the Himachal Mountaineering Institute, Narkanda, we were greeted by the warmest smiles of the Pahadi community. The institute has an old world charm with its unmaintained yet sturdy structure of two floors. On the ground floor is a cosy kitchen and dining area with an old TV, where the instructors spend their free time. Upstairs are the dorms for students. Weather conditions are so severe that no water comes out of the tap and hot water is a luxury for us. We are welcomed, shown our rooms, given our sleeping bags and other winter clothing.

The next day morning at 6 am, they make us trek with our snow boots on the ski slopes about 5 km away. The skis weighing 6 kg each are strapped over our shoulders. The ski boots weigh 5 kgs each and have an inner shoe and outer shoe with a hard shell. To balance in them even on plain ground requires the skills of a ballerina dancer! Wearing them, along with all our windproof jackets, woollen sweaters and inners, we head to the slopes super excited to see and touch snow.

As we slip and tumble on our way towards the slopes, losing our enthusiasm initially, we are told that the snow must first be broken as it is frozen and not fit for skiing. The powdered first layer must be removed to make the snow more accident free. We clamp on our skis and start to bang the snow with it, much like our PT exercises at school. It is hard work we realize, far from what we’ve seen on TV and movies. The sun comes up overhead and the snow glistens like an ocean of diamonds. Total internal reflection, I recall with a smile as I put on my goggles.

This daily routine lasted 22 days, with more than eight hours of training each day on the snow. They taught us to side step, traverse, snow plough, keep our backs arched, the signals to be communicated to a far off skier, ways to break our fall, to ski among scrubs, to learn from a five year old son of an instructor ski fearlessly, fall even more fearlessly, the use of poles, the use of flags, the science behind an avalanche and finally the lunch at 2 o clock!

Hot parathas with achar and sabzi would be brought to our slopes. We ate like our stomachs knew no bottom and had the yummiest coffee on those slopes. By the end of training, we would be sweating despite the 10 degree Celsius temperature and be tanned black, yet our hearts would be singing as we trekked back to our institute. The evenings were spent bonding, watching TV, having Maggi noodles and the most amazing bread omelette sandwiches for just Rs. 20 nearby by the chulha. People from all walks of life and of all ages would gather there to discuss their one common love, mountains.

Skiing in Narkanda | Courtesy: yoyowall.com

We had a test on the last day and we passed with good grades. We had become a family, we had three bonfires, we danced together, ate together, drank together. The Pahadi instructors never ever stop smiling. It is the way of the mountains.

When you return to the city, you are again overshadowed by mundane problems, water, electricity, traffic, deadlines, etc. But when you think of those mountain inhabitants who walk for miles together to collect firewood or groceries, live without running water, electricity and all the necessities that we are used to, you remember how they never forget to give a warm smile to make another person happy, you find your problems melting away and feel blessed that you got to cherish a few moments of your life with them.

Article submitted as part of the Indian Cultural Crusader contest!

Factfile –
http://www.adventurehimalaya.org/skiing.asp

Connect with Local – Serving Authentic Food of Maharashtra

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Anubhav Sharma

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November 24, 2014

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I am a big-time foodie; that doesn’t mean that I hog all the time and eat whatever is being served. Rather I have a craving for authentic food. I am so much inclined towards authentic Indian cuisine that I tend to ignore the price and place sometimes. I fancy those places that provide food that satisfies my tongue.

Every region in India has its own cuisine. The dish may be the same, ingredients may be same, but the preparation differs, which brings out the distinct taste in that dish. This distinct taste of a regional delicacy is what attracts me. However, thanks to the cosmopolitan affect, all these distinct dishes from various Indian regions have begun to lose their essence in the recent years. People have started to experiment with dishes and add their feature to it, which further changes the distinct taste of that dish. To people like me who are particular about their food, that isn’t great news!

Recently, I came across a group named ‘Connect with Local’ in Pune, who introduced me to various authentic foods. This certainly was a big relief for me. The Connect with Local website started off with a motive to bring people of different religions and regions together. Shreeram Kunte and Mangesh Wagh, the people behind this concept believe that food is one platform that can attract people from different regions to come together not only to enjoy what they like, but also to exchange ideas and culture among themselves.

The organizers explained that there are two sets of people: the hosts and the guests. Since both parties are don’t know each other, hosts puts up an advertisement on Connect with Local along with the details of the dishes they would be serving with a price per person. Guests browse through the website and seek food events that are happening in the city. Then, they decide to visit an event based on the information provided by the host. They pay, and book a place for themselves. On the day of event, they reach the venue, which is the host’s house and interact.

I was thrilled to hear about such a unique idea! I decided to witness a food event myself and I booked for an event that was being organised at Bavdhan-Pashan link road. The host was serving authentic traditional cuisine of Maharashtra. The menu included Puran poli, Katachi aamatee, Varan bhaat, Aloo wadi, Batataa bhaaji, Papad kurdai, Panchamrut, Naral chatni and Khamang kakadi koshimbir.

Reaching the venue, I was heartwarmingly welcomed by an elderly lady putting ‘kumkum’ on my forehead, to adhere to Indian tradition of ‘Athiti Devo Bhava’. We were served with welcome drink of buttermilk. I was joined by six other guests from different backgrounds. Our hosts ensured that we felt comfortable despite being total strangers. We started discussing and shared our experiences. As we started to converse, I realized that we were no more strangers. At that point I realized that it is not hard to begin a conversation with a total stranger. We are brought up to welcome our guest without discriminating about their origin.

When the food was served, I wasn’t surprised at all. Be it Puran poli, or Naral chatni, every dish was prepared just the way they should be. I could easily make out the distinct Maharashtrian taste of every dish. Since I had eaten at a restaurant that claims to serve authentic Maharashtrian food, I could easily make out that this dinner was far better. Furthermore, I was sitting among people with similar likes and tastes. We relished not only the delicious food served in a homely environment, but also discussing about various things. What more can a foodie ask for?

We Indians feel in pride when we speak about perfect amalgamation of various cultures. We try to blend various cultures together in the name of cosmopolitan. But, we forget that in this blend, we are losing out the authenticity of our culture and cuisines that is the identity of each region.

I am not against two cultures coming together; but I am for preserving the true taste of food that is vanishing in the current scenario. However, with platforms like Connect with Local, foodies like me will never be disappointed. Despite the numerous eat-outs, it is hard to find a good restaurant that can serve you with such authenticity in a homely environment where you can relax and exchange cultural ideas with people from different regions or culture!

Pet Cats in India – Intelligent Companions

By

Caleidoscope

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November 21, 2014

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Author – Amit Borse

It is said that humans have seven lives and cats have nine. Well, keeping aside the eight lives, you can ensure that your kitty has one long and healthy life with the proper care. Cats are wonderful pets due to their intelligence, self-sufficiency and companionship. Many people consider their pet cats as family, and treat them with love and respect. This feeling is mutual as cats like to be petted, pampered and they purr away in your lap. Moreover, unlike dogs, cats are much quieter, they do not smell, they treat your guests politely and they need much less maintenance!

Choosing a Cat

Choosing the right cat can be a big decision. Cats can live up to 20 years and that would mean a big commitment. One should know the difference between having an adult cat or a kitten. Determine if you want a pure breed or a street cat, where do you want to keep it, outdoors or indoors, will it suit your lifestyle and most importantly, will you be able to keep it safe?

Cat Breeds in India

A cat belongs to the feline family just like a tiger. Their body is covered with silky, soft fur that is comforting. They have lovely eyes that will add a spring to your dull mood. There a few variety of breeds that are ideal as pet cats in India.

Himalayan Cat Source commons.wikimedia.org

Himalayan Cat – Also known as ‘Colourpoint Persian’, these cats mostly have a white body, although brown, red and cream colours are also found. The name may scream Indian, but its origin is Persia. They have delightfully fluffy hair, enchanting blue eyes.

Bombay Cat – Source ja.wikipedia.org

Bombay Cat – An Asian breed originating from black cats. In India, we have 2 varieties – the British & the American Bombay.

Siamese Cat

Siamese Cat – An ancient Asian breed originating from Thailand. It is a medium sized cat with a long, lithe and well-balanced athletic body. Typically, the cat has a brownish cream body with a black face and black legs.

Rusty Spotted Cat – Source en.wikipedia.org

Rusty Spotted Cat – They are easily found in India. They have grey fur with rusty spots all over the back and flanks, while the underbelly is white.

Bengal Cat – Source commons.wikimedia.org

Bengal Cat – This is a new breed created by crossing an Asian Leopard Cat with an American Shorthair. This miniature leopard with a golden, black-spotted coat is an excellent swimmer and fisher.

Right Cat Food

Feeding is a crucial responsibility of the cat owner. To begin with, remember to put food only in the cat’s bowl everyday. You have to be careful about what she eats and ensure she doesn’t get sick. Right food at the right place, right time and in right quantity should be your goal.
If you feel your cat is podgy, do not put her on a diet on your own, since it is not safe for her. Consult a veterinarian and get appropriate food. Do not habituate it to human food. Give her plenty of water and remember it is a misconception that cats can digest milk. Consult your vet on these issues. You can go for homemade cat food as well.

Cat Care in India

Cats are very clean animals. However, this does not mean you can skip their regular grooming, since it is important as it prevents hairballs, stimulates your cat’s blood flow and is a great bonding moment. Determine the type of fur on your cat and choose the brush accordingly. Cats do not have to be bathed. Aside from the occasional grooming, most cats are able to clean themselves. Provide your cat with a scratching post or a tree they can climb. Cats will naturally want to scratch; it is a behaviour inherited by their wild feline ancestors.

Simply feeding, grooming and taking a cat to the vet isn’t enough; make sure you pet them every now and then. Make sure that you take your cat to the vet regularly for vaccinations needed, and a general check-up.

We Recommend…

PETMAKER Cozy Kitty Tent Igloo Plush Enclosed Cat Bed

Make home Cat Proof

Let your cat be a cat. Like it or not, your cat is going to do certain things that may bug you. Your best option is to give your cat a positive outlet for its behaviour. If your cat scratches your furniture, make sure it has a great scratching post to use instead. If it uses the spot behind the chair as a bathroom! Put a litter box there and keep it clean. Your home can be a veritable obstacle course for your cat. While your cat may live happily in your house for many years without encountering an accident, that doesn’t mean there won’t be any in future.

Kissa kiss ka – Kiss of Love Protests

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Caleidoscope

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November 19, 2014

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Author – Anuka Roy

Kiss of Love protests | Courtesy: HT-PTI

‘Kiss of love’… hope you have already been bombarded about this protest that made our country debate about our ancient ‘Indian culture’. It all began when a Malayalam TV news channel showed a couple kissing and hugging each other in the parking space of a café in Kozhikode. It was shown as an exclusive news report on the alleged immoral activity in the café. Soon, the café was vandalised by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of BJP.

This vandalism was one of the many moral policing acts witnessed in our country over the recent years. This led to a protest initiated through a Facebook page named ‘Kiss of love’, which got huge support among youngsters across the country. Kochi was the first place where activists gathered peacefully to protest. However, the protesters were arrested by the Kerala police claiming they actually saved their lives from the rival protesters. Soon, other cities have joined in organising their own Kiss of love protests.

When these news reports along with pictures of couples kissing in public were flashed on prime time news, I could clearly see the discomfort on my parents’ faces. My mother asked my opinion on this issue, and I stated my support for the cause that these youngsters are protesting against moral policing and if the chosen method is kissing in public, then I am okay with it. Clearly, she wasn’t happy with my answer!

Personally, even I am not comfortable in displaying my emotions so publicly, but it’s high time that these self-appointed moral policemen be given a befitting answer. These culture vultures argue that it is against Indian culture to kiss in public and show Public Display of Affection (PDA). Really? Who decides what is in favour of Indian culture? Most importantly, what is Indian culture?

The Supreme Court in response to a petition filed by Richard Gere made it clear a case cannot be filed against two consenting adults hugging and kissing in public place. In 2007, Richard Gere had kissed Shilpa Shetty on her cheeks during an AIDS awareness programme. Kissing and hugging are both natural human emotions; they have nothing to do with a country’s culture. If our extremist culture protectors are so concerned about the country’s culture getting affected by PDA, then what about the rape cases and other heinous crimes that are on the rise in our country? Aren’t they affecting our country’s culture?

What was so exclusive about a young couple kissing that a news channel had to report and the youth wing of a national political party had to vandalize a café? I don’t how much of this kissing in public as a protest against moral policing will work, but these unwanted moral policing acts need to be prevented. If they really want our country to be culturally rich, instead of making a non-issue a national issue, they should address the burning issues that are of greater concern!

Factfile –
wiki/2014_Kiss_of_Love_protest
http://news.bbc.co.uk
http://www.financialexpress.com

Sojourn to Bewitching Bhuj, Gujarat

By

Shilpa Sharma

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November 17, 2014

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Bhuj-Gujarat — Image – Saurabh Chatterjee via Flickr

A warm gust of dusty air stroked my skin as I adjusted to the noise of rustling auto rickshaws, lovingly named ‘toofans’. Just as in most tourist destinations in India, the auto drivers made a beeline for the tourists who alighted from their bus in order to begin their pestering ritual. This was the homely welcome I received in Bhuj – a place that is famous for historical yet pauperized monuments, delightful food, unique handicrafts and rich cultural roots!

Bhuj - Bhujia fort — Bhujia fort – Source: aif.org

Kutch – the name brings to mind a quintessential village of India, one that’s adorned in vibrant colours in the form of Bandhani cloth and the mesmerizing marshy desert of Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Nestled in this vast district is the town of Bhuj, the proud district headquarters. This offbeat destination is famous for its ancient culture, historical roots and the unfortunate earthquake of 2001. Today, you will find that Bhuj has emerged from the tragedy and is rearing to take over the spotlight in the tourism facet of India.

Bhuj - Leather Work — Leather Work – Bhuj

Bhuj gets its name from Bhujia fort, a citadel that sits atop a hill, overlooking the village. Bhujia has been a vigilantly guarding its people since medieval ages when soldiers kept an eye on the entire town from this fort. Let me take you down the memory lane when I visited this rustic part of Gujarat.

Kutchi people are amiable in nature. Kutch buzzwords like ghaghras, dabelis and dhoklas had me at their mercy. The colourful attire ‘ghaghra’ had me gawking for considerable length of time. My first day of exploration began from Umed Bhavan – the government circuit house.

Bhuj Woman — Megwhal Woman Bhuj – Source: Flickr

I stepped out into a rare combination of spongy clouds and scorching heat. To satisfy my salivating taste buds, I followed my nose to a food street with hawkers screaming out “Dabeli”. I decided to jump right into it and try out the local taste and one dabeli was just not enough!
I spotted a rickshaw stand, and chose my ride, while I began working through my to-see list.

For Rs.400, I had a wonderful day that included Bhujodi – an art & craft haat mela, (local fair), Tridevi Mandir, Aina Mahal, Parag Mahal, Hamisar Lake, Kutch Museum, Bhuj Memorial and a visit to the folk museum. I returned to my home bed with a tired body and a smile on my face.

Bhuj - Rann of Kutch — Rann of Kutch – Source: wikipedia.org

Sleeping outdoors at night was like a dream to me. The crystal clear starry sky and dry weather was truly memorable. I got up early morning, excited and wondering what else to catch up today! First place for the day was the Ramkund Step Well, from where I headed to Khavda – the village of potters and craftsmen. Here I experienced the iconic camel ride, (yes, it was bumpy!).We went all the way till flamingo’s colony, though I did not spot very few of them, a few cranes and some colourful birds.

After this I moved on towards ‘the black hills’, located 25 kms from Khavda. The view was awesome. The strong gusty air current and the soulful wind rustling the trees gave out a feel of achievement as this is the highest point of Kutch around 462m above the ground.

What’s a tour of Gujarat without the Garba dance! I did experience this local dance and enjoyed a few twirls. My inhibition melted away as I found many friends, dancing to the feet-tapping tunes of the local music.

Keeping the best for the last, I visited the world’s famous “Rogan Art”, the Khatri family on my last day in Bhuj. To meet pioneers, I headed to a village named “Nirona”. The name Rogan Art was emphasized in bold far from the entrance street. After visiting Gaffur Bhaiya’s Rogan Museum I understood why it’s unique and why Mr. Narendra Modi always presents “the tree of life” at all national level meets. It’s a must to visit place for all travel lovers.

Bhuj - Tradition-dolls — Tradition dolls – Bhuj

According to Indian culture, copper bells and its relaxing tingles brings happiness home and keep evil away. With this premise, I bought a copper bell from the local craftsmen. Next, I stopped at wooden art and craft community where I was baffled by the speed and accuracy of their talent. In the end I treated myself to a sumptuous Gujarati lunch thali (Yes, it was unlimited!) and doodh mawa was like cherry on top.

When a place is an amalgamation of ancient tradition and history, there will be ample reasons to explore. After my trip to Bhuj ended, my backpack boasted priceless memorabilia and my mind struggled to digest the fact that the trip had come to an end! However, I was excited about my next destination: Junagadh!

Annapurna Circuit before the Avalanche

By

Mamta Naidu

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November 10, 2014

4

I say this at every opportunity, “Not for nothing people associate the Himalayas with renunciation of the material world.” If you spend enough time in the mighty mountains, renunciation becomes a natural process. When you are up there, in the lyrics of Metallica, “nothing else matters!”

The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal was one of the most difficult yet most beautiful trekking trails I have hiked. Being an offbeat traveller, I had to take up this challenging trek. Needless to say, it was beautiful because of the out-of-the-world Himalayan landscapes that included, green valleys, glistening glaciers, flowing rivers and the inner peace it comes with. It was certainly difficult because of the steep climb across the Thorung La Pass stuck in the snow under horrid weather conditions.

Exactly a year later, I heard the news about the severe cyclonic storm “Hudhud”, the second strongest tropical cyclone after Nargis 2008, struck Andhra Pradesh, my hometown and even Nepal. My heart sank when I heard trekkers were marooned in the Annapurna Circuit, and some of them were killed by an avalanche at the Thorung La Pass.

However, I only have fond memories of this place. I quickly flipped through my photo gallery and it pained me to realize that such a beautiful place had suffered and is now inaccessible to the trekkers and the locals alike.

Most people I met in Nepal depend on tourism for their livelihood, which include people working as Nepalese sherpas (porters), guides, tour agents, people running tea-cafes, Tibetan hawkers and Nepalese sherpas selling knickknacks, etc. I have heard individual stories of such porters and shopkeepers personally and feel it is important for this place to revive as soon as possible.

Here’s hoping that both Andhra Pradesh and the Annapura Circuit recover and get back in business quickly.

Factfile –
Map courtesy: Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expedition
http://www.nepaltrekkingtours.com

Benefits of Ecotourism in Preserving Environment

By

Caleidoscope

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November 7, 2014

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Exploitation of Mother Nature in our quest for material wealth has resulted in global warming and massive pollution of our environment. There has been massive destruction of forest habitats in the name of development and tourism. Fortunately, ecotourism is emerging as one such responsible endeavor in India in order to undo some of this damage.

ecotourism-in-India — Thenmala Ecotourism Bridge, Image Wikimedia

Ecotourism can be defined as the travel of natural areas, which can conserve the environment and can also improve the well being of the local people. People are today more conscious about undertaking ecotourism and their main aim is to ensure environmental safety. This type of tourism involves different forms of visiting natural areas, located in a rural environment or remote wilderness. There are some major characteristics that should be the main areas of concern in terms of eco travel zone.

There are several significant characteristics, which are to be considered in order to ensure the positive impact of ecotourism. This field of eco travel involves traveling in ecologically sensitive zones, which might result in minimizing the impact on the native people. Moreover, you can also create environmental awareness to help people realize the importance of the environment and natural products and also the ways to preserve such natural treasures. You can also provide direct financial benefits of ecotourism, under the zone of conservation, which will empower and provide economic benefits for the local people.

ecotourism-in-India-2 — Jim Corbett National Park, Image Wikimedia

Being sensitive to local culture

Apart from the points mentioned above, there are some other significant options, which are to be focused at, when the main area of concern is related under the notion of eco travel. With proper services, you will learn to respect the local culture and the indigenous people, as well. Moreover, you will also support the human rights and the movements, under the democratic rule in order to protect the natural treasure of the world. You can start conserving the biological diversity area along with cultural zones, under ecosystem protection. Moreover, you can even take some time out from your busy schedule and enjoy the promotion of the sustainable use, related with the zone of biodiversity. This can take place by providing local jobs to the natives.

Empower the local communities

It has also been found out that sharing of some of the best social, economic benefits can empower the local communities. This can also help the indigenous people through informed consent and also participation in the zone of ecotourism management enterprise. On the other hand, you can also try and look for unspoiled natural resources, which can easily give rise to minimal impact, related with the environment, as this is the main concerned region. You can even try and minimize the environmental impact due to tourism allotted under the same zone.

Minimize the environmental impact

It is also an inevitable truth that with proper eco travel services, the adverse impact on the environment is going to lessen, as the people are going to look for different ways to a safe environment. Moreover, the main aim of such tour is to help in preserving the natural environment from any natural and manmade calamity and also lack of any waste due to extravagant lifestyle.

Back Water Sulthan Bathery, Image Wikimedia

Preserve endangered animals

There is another major reason behind the growing popularity of the eco travel zone. The wild animals are becoming extinct due to human intervention and habitat destruction. Forests are lost forever and wild animals are losing their habitat. By preserving wildlife sanctuaries and enabling ecotourism, we can help prevent the death of endangered animals and safeguarding them for future generations.

You can easily visit www.tigersheavenresort.co.in in case you want to know more about this section.

Guest Author : Mark Hayden will lead you through the best ways, which can make you understand the importance of eco travel sources. He is also here to guide you through the best ways to enjoy such travel like Tadoba tiger reserve and many more.