Is 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 recorded memory), the journey will stretch from the western border of the Indian Himalayas in Kashmir to the eastern end in Arunachal Pradesh. It will also go through Ladakh, Lahaul Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.
The journey has been made possible with sponsorships from TripAdvisor.in and Yatra.com. Keen to know more about the trip? Click here…
Tagged as:
Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam,
Bhutan,
Himachal Pradesh,
Kashmir,
Ladakh,
Lahaul,
Manipur,
Nagaland,
Nepal,
road trip,
Sikkim,
Spiti,
The Great Himalayan Drive,
uttarakhand
Evening Arati (Prayer) during the Maha Kumbh Mela (Fair) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand located along the holy river Ganges
This set of photos were taken at the Maha Kumbh Mela (fair) at Haridwar, a once-in-12-year event. The 2010 edition started on January 14 to end on April 28. This photo was taken on January 15. Click on any image for a larger view.
It is an occasion for Hindus to come to Haridwar and take a dip / bath in the River Ganges, considered holy by them. And freezing temperatures rarely dissuade them from doing so. View more images on Facebook or Flickr. Click here to see some more images
Tagged as:
festival,
Ganges,
Haridwar,
Himalayas,
Hindu,
Hindusim,
Holy,
Kumbh Mela,
Mahakumbh,
religion,
uttarakhand,
uttaranchal
I am off to the Haridwar Mahakumbh Mela starting January 14. Will be there till January 17. Hope to post some interesting stories and pictures from there. The once in 12 year event will continue till April 28, 2010.
The following is a travel advisory and list if important dates I received from a diplomatic mission in New Delhi. Appending the same should this interest you. [continue reading…]
Tagged as:
Fair,
Haridwar,
Hindu,
Mahakumbh,
Mela,
religion,
uttarakhand
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxn1tZi_G7c[/youtube]
Shot in the heart of Corbett National Park, Wild Saga of Corbett is the only comprehensive travel guide on Corbett National Park. Loaded with safari tips, the film also showcases how we as tourists can help in the conservation efforts of the park authorities.
So in case you are planning a visit to Corbett and wondering what is the kind of preparation you need to do for your trip, grab a copy of this DVD by contacting the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) – India’s leading non -government organisation (NGO) or just call Nature Wanderers at +91 9871367945.
(Visit us at www.naturewanderers.com / www.flickr.com/photos/shivangmehta)
Tagged as:
Corbett,
Elephants,
Himalayas,
Tigers,
uttarakhand,
wildlife
Setting Sun Behind Saunf Tree in Abbott Mount, Uttarakhand
This image of the setting sun behind a Saunf Tree (no higher than 6 feet) was taken in Abbott Mount in the Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Click on the image for a larger view. You can view and order more such images at the Kunzum Gallery.
Tagged as:
abbott mount,
Himalayas,
Landscape,
Sun,
uttarakhand,
uttaranchal
“We’ll be landing in Pune in a few moments. The outside temperature is 37 degrees centigrade”.
Surely, the pilot was making a mistake. 37 degrees in mid-March! A surprised murmur ran through the passengers. And I, who only two days ago would have given anything for a little more warmth, was amongst those who had sighed the loudest. As the Airbus began its descent, I relived the extreme cold temperatures of Harsil where Sushil and I had camped only last week.
Our plan was to travel without any plans. Many saints and rishis trek up to Gangotri and we wanted to be with them for a while. Uttarkashi was our last “civilized” halt where we could still make STD calls and eat oily food. And then we were on our way to Gangotri which is as far as the motorable road would go. After that? No questions were asked – everything was left open. Anything could happen. We were living only in the moment. Here and Now! (Thanks, Osho). [continue reading…]
Tagged as:
gangotri,
harsil,
Himalayas,
uttarakhand
Image taken in Munsiyari
Explore some of the lesser known and frequented areas of Kumaon in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand and be up close and personal with the lesser touched nature. And enjoy some stunning views of Himalayan peaks in their full majesty while you drive through wooded terrain where rivers and waterfalls give you company all along.
Delhi to Munsiyari
DISTANCE
706 km
DRIVING TIME
23 Hours [continue reading…]
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abbott mount,
Advaita Ashram Mayavati,
Bageshwar,
Baleshwar,
Champawat,
Delhi,
munsiyari,
Patal Bhuvaneshwar,
uttarakhand,
uttaranchal,
Vijaypur,
Wayfarer Resort
If the idea of a surprise visitor in the form of a giant spider under the quilt covers does not bother you, plan a trip to Abbott Mount and stay in Abbott Mount cottage. It is nearly as perfect a get-away as you can imagine, and your experience of staying in this cottage will only leave you desiring for more (not spiders!!) when it is time to head back. Continue reading the review
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abbot mount,
abbotmount,
cottage,
Himalayas,
holiday,
Hotel,
india,
resort,
Review,
tourism,
tourist,
uttarakhand,
uttaranchal
Early morning shot in the Himalayan town of Munsiyari in Uttarakhand
Click here, to see a series of images I took on a trip to Munsiyari in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in India in early June 2008. These were all taken during the morning and evening hours. If you like any of these, and would like to place orders, do contact me at ajay@ajayjain.com or visit my gallery. Click on the image for a larger view.
Tagged as:
Himalayas,
Images,
india,
munsiyari,
skylights,
stock,
sunrise,
sunset,
uttarakhand
