TweetIf there is one thing to be envied in earlier generations, it is their good fortune to have seen Kashmir at its bountiful best. Over the last quarter of a century, terrorism and global warming – not to forget unplanned growth – have taken a toll on what was described as paradise by the Mughal rulers.
TweetThe Martanda (Sun) Temple near Matan is another of the many hidden wonders of Kashmir. The first thought to cross my mind when I saw it: why is this not more famous? The Sun Temple in Konark in Orissa is known to all, and this one deserves no less attention. Again, well maintained by the ASI. I even found a [...]
Tweet Click on the image for a larger view The Kunzum Travel Pix is a series of images from our travels – where we illustrate an attraction with a picture and some teaser text. To know more about these, browse around Kunzum.com or contact us at mail@kunzum.com. Happy travels! Something more for you to consider: * Our weekly e-newsletter: Click [...]
Tweet Click on the image for a larger view The Kunzum Travel Pix is a series of images from our travels – where we illustrate an attraction with a picture and some teaser text. To know more about these, browse around Kunzum.com or contact us at mail@kunzum.com. Happy travels! Something more for you to consider: * Our weekly e-newsletter: Click [...]
TweetOpen publication – Free publishing – More airlines The third edition of the Kunzum Travel Mag dated September 2011 is here. As before, it takes a refreshing approach to travel writing, it goes with you in your gadgets, and it’s FREE. Travels will never be same again.
Tweet The Kunzum Travel List is out. Travellers rejoice. You will now never be short of ideas when planning your next holiday. What is the Kunzum Travel List? It is a compilation of great holiday ideas for you in India and neighbouring countries. Each of these are a complete experience in themselves and include cities, train rides, driving circuits, wildlife [...]
Tweet If you are headed to Srinagar this summer, or even later for that matter, then Club Kunzum strongly recommends you stay at Almond Villa. It is a lovely homestay set in the midst of orchards along the Dal Lake away from the noise of the main town and yet not too far from it.
Tweet The Almond Villa in Srinagar in Kashmir is literally a jewel in the crown.
TweetLimited edition prints of this image are for sale. Ordering info is given at the end of the post. Click on the image for a larger view. I had driven to Kashmir during April (a great time to be there) and could but help falling in love with the Dal Lake in Srinagar. I went on multiple Shikara (local boats [...]
Tweet Need to touch and feel snow – not just see. After all I am in the Himalayas. So off to Gulmarg it was. An eventful day – here is why: * Conned by shop renting gumboots for the snow – paid Rs. 75 against official rate of Rs. 45. * At Tangmarg, 12 kms before Gulmarg, I was told [...]
TweetAaarrrrrghh! Its 4:30 am and the alarm is not giving up. If only I had not booked a Shikara for 5:00 am! But get up I had to – after all I am a travel writer out to cover the daily vegetable market in the Dal Lake. But once in the boat, was I glad for it.
Tweet Click on any picture for a larger view The best time to go boating in the Dal Lake is in the evening. Start about half an hour before the sun starts setting behind the peaks. This will give you enough light to look around and for any shopping. What shopping? Before you realize it, ‘shikara shops’ will float up [...]
Tweet Click on any image for a larger view The day turned out to be one marked for visiting some holy spots – and what a revelation they were. Hazratbal The first thing to strike me about Hazratbal: it has a dome and a single minaret – not a common architectural feature. It is the most sacred of Muslim shrines [...]
Tweet Click on any image for a larger view The day was dedicated to exploring historical Srinagar – or at least as much as I could cover in a day. What will it take for the city to take a pause from impressing me? Show-off city!
Tweet [View many more images on Facebook even if you are not a member] Want to see tulips? Here are two possible options: 1. Keukenhof Flower Gardens near Amsterdam in Holland: Over 7 million bulbs planted, best viewed for two spring months starting end-May. 2. Tulip Garden in Srinagar: Smaller by comparison, best viewed for 2 weeks starting end-March. With [...]
Tweet If I ‘discovered’ the ancient temples at Kiramchi, it was only because I was told they exist. Not that anyone – including the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) – knows much about these. For anyone with even a passing interest in ancient structures, this site is a must-see. They are a work of art. And hats off to ASI [...]
Tweet “If there is a heaven on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here,” uttered Mughal Emperor Jahangir when he first set his eyes upon Kashmir in the 17th century A.D. There have been no dearth of expressions to describe the most prolific of all Himalayan regions since then. The state’s highways abound with signs reading Kashmir [...]
TweetIs it possible to cover the entire span of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh as one unbroken journey by road? Yes, it is. And I am setting out to show how it can be done, starting January 29, 2010. And I will drive for approximately 120 days. Billed to be a trip never done before (certainly not in [...]
Tweet The longest and most interesting dance at the Hemis Festival depicts the eight forms of Padmasambhava, or Guru Rinpoche, who is credited with establishing Buddhism as the religion of the people of Tibet and Ladakh in the eight century A.D. [Click on any image for a larger view]
Tweet By the ninth century A.D., the rise of Buddhism at the expense of the Bon religion prompted the Bon King of Tibet, Langdarma, to prosecute Buddhists; monks were forced to shed their robes while they saw their monasteries being dismantled. In frustration, a powerful monk Palji Dorge came dancing dressed in a wide brimmed black hat, high boots and [...]
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