Sattal meaning ‘Seven lakes’ in Hindi is a collection of seven interconnected freshwater lakes, located in the Kumaon Lake region, around 22 km from Nainital, in the State of Uttarkhand. The seven lakes of Sattal are Panna Tal or Garud Tal, Nal-Damyanti Tal, Purna Tal, Sita Tal, Ram Tal, Laxman Tal and Sukha Tal or Khurdariya Tal. (more…)
Archive for January, 2010
Sattal: Garland of Seven Lakes
Saturday, January 30th, 2010Ice Shiva Lingam at Solang Valley, Manali
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
The Solang valley, 13 km north of Manali, is a spot straight out of a picture post card complete with tall coniferous trees, and splendid views of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains. One of the main attractions here is the Shiva Lingam made of ice. (more…)
Mount Abu: The Switzerland of Rajasthan!
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Mount Abu, the only hill-station in Rajasthan, India, is situated on an isolated plateau of Aravali range of hills about 4000 feet above sea level. It’s a summer capital of Rajasthan and is home to lakes, waterfalls and green forests. It has a very cool climate due to its rich flora covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. (more…)
Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon!!
Saturday, January 16th, 2010Bhutan, “The land of the thunder dragon” as its known is a nature lover’s paradise and an environmentalist’s dream. With 72 percent of the country under forest cover, Bhutan’s pristine ecology is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. It’s the main center for the Vajrayana school of Mahayana Buddhism which around 750,000 people follow and abide by. Bhutan is a unique blend of the old and new and slowly opening up to the modern world in a fine balance with its ancient traditions. (more…)
Tawang: Bliss in the Mountains!!
Saturday, January 16th, 2010
Arunachal Pradesh is probably the least publicized travel destination. But once you’re there, the “land of the dawn lit mountains” what Arunachal means in Sanskrit, will leave you mesmerized with its beauty. Most of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by the Himalayas and the ranges that extend up to the eastern Arunachal separate it from Tibet. (more…)
Amber Fort, Jaipur
Friday, January 15th, 2010
Amber Fort, also known as Amer Fort) is 11 km from Jaipur, in Rajasthan , India. Built in the 16th century by Raja Sawai Jai Singh I, it was the ancient capital of the Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted to Jaipur. Bordering the Maota Lake, the Amber Fort is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim elements, and its ornate and breathtaking artistic mastery. (more…)
Dal Lake: A Floating Microcosm
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
In the heart of Srinagar in Kashmir glitters Dal Lake like a turquoise jewel. Spread over 16 sq km and 10 ft deep, the Dal lake is fed by hundreds of natural springs, from the melting snow on the surrounding mountains and the excess water is released into the Jhelum that flows through Srinagar. The beauty of the lake knows no boundaries. There are beautiful long Shikaras that look majestic. These houseboats offer good scope of riding in the serene waters to all the tourists. (more…)
Kanyakumari: Confluence of the Three Waters!!
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Kanyakumari located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, in Tamil Nadu State, is also known by its former name Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari is named after the Kumari Amman or Kanyakumari Temple, which the Paravar rulers had built on the very confluence of the three water-bodies – the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The sparkling diamond nose-ring of the deity is said to be visible even from the sea. (more…)
Elephanta: Island of the Gods!!
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010The journey to the legendary Elephanta caves starts from Gateway of India in Mumbai. It’s a 10 km/ 1 hr, 15 minutes ride on a ferry boats that offers spectacular views of the Mumbai coastline. After disembarking on the island jetty, you have the option of either riding the toy train or walking up ½ km up the hill where the caves are excavated. Souvenir and food stalls fringe the flight of steps that lead up to the rock cut temple. There are also palanquin bearers who offer to carry you up to the summit for a price. (more…)
Jantar Mantar (Jaipur): The Medieval Astronomical Observatory
Monday, January 11th, 2010
The Jantar Mantar is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in Jaipur between 1727 and 1734. It is modeled after the one that he had built in Delhi. There are five such observatories in different locations and the one at Jaipur is the largest of these. Initially Jantar Mantar was named as Yantra Mantra, which means instruments and formulae, but due to mispronunciation of the term, it is changed to its current name. (more…)
