When we hiked up to Jakhoo, the temple to Hanuman way up the hill in Shimla, we participated in the puja, which is a hindu prayer ceremony. James’ tika came out beautifully comma shaped, and I snapped this on the way down.

I’m nothing if not excited by rich colors, and of course the blue hour (not even a full hour, really) just after sunset delivers. This church is just atop the hill in Shimla, which seems out of place until you realize that Shimla is a British hill station in the Himalayas, and was the British summer capital of India. Who wants to stay in Delhi May through September?

While we were in Shimla, and James was falling for beautiful Himalayan princesses, I was busy losing my senses over the spectacular colors of the sunset. I’d like to share a few of these with you — 3 to be exact. I took so many pictures I couldn’t pick one that really outshone the others. So let me know which one you like.

With Twenty20 and IPL hellbent on pulling down the gentleman’s sport to new lows, where does one go if they want to experience the highs of cricket?

2250 metres above sea-level and dotted with pine and deodar trees, Chail itself is a a pretty, quieter hillstation 45 kms away from Shimla. For those on a tight schedule, it’s usually just Shimla and Kufri, 16 kms away. Those who have more time and less tolerance for the crowds of the more popular destinations could do well to spend a day checking out this summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh. When the Britishers imposed an exile on him from Shimla, he chose Chail to build his palace.

Besides the Maharaja’s palace (now a luxury resort), tourists also pay a visit to Sidh Baba ka Mandir, a temple nearby. There is also the Military School that is housed in the heritage buildings built by the Maharaja. But what really catches everyone’s attention is the  cricket ground, the world’s highest! Built in 1893, the ground is far removed from the crazy, money spinning version of the gentleman’s game that we see today.  Also used for polo matches, the ground is never without action – if nothing, there are the odd groups of tourists who either stand and stare at the flat green patch in the mountains, or even try out an impromptu game.

Check out Chail for the peace and quiet, for the towering mountainscape, for the heritage buildings and the possibilities of long walks around. But if you still want to see a setting for cricket without the hustle-bustle thrust upon the game by rampant, ugly commercialism and money-power, the ground at Chail can still show you glimpses of how a classic game of cricket can still be played today.

Sorry it has taken so long to post, but we are living in true Bollywood fashion here in Bombay. Playing catch-up, let me fill everyone in on our trip to Shimla earlier this week.

Shimla is a hilltown located smack dab in the middle of the Himalayas. It’s partly famous because the decision to partition India and Pakistan occurred at their town hall, and because the British Raj used the town as their summer capitol. It’s also a choice retreat for honeymoon couples and Indian vacationers, and boasts several colleges. Shimla, the town, sprawls across several horizontal layers of the mountainside. Monkeys crawl across the tin roofs and skip along power wires, while ruddy-cheeked natives call out from their bazaar stalls featuring native clothing styles. Shimla is the first place in India where we could actually remember what the cold felt like. While the sun streamed down, we could wear just our t-shirts, but when night fell we were reminded that we were on top of a mountain range.

And no mere mountain range, at that. Elliot waxed ecstatic about the properties of the light settling over the nearby ridges, frantically searching for the best vantage point from which to take his photos. He and I would joke constantly about the fact that we were in the Himalayas:

“Hey Elliot, are you having soup right now?”

“Yep.”

“Elliot, would you say that you’re having soup in the Himalayas?“

“Yes, James. I would say that.”

For dinner, we scored some Tibetan food at a small restaurant. For more information about what happened there, I recommend you read my previous post.

Aftwerwards, we went up to Jakhoo temple. Jakhoo temple is a shrine set up for the Hindu monkey-god Hanuman, who supposedly rested there during the events of the epic Ramayana. The temple is at the highest point in all of Shimla, and we found ourselves climbing for a good twenty minutes before reaching the top. At points, we would stop and stare at the lights of Shimla town below us; the sun had already set and Shimla appeared like any American town. We had to remind ourselves that Shimla looks completely unlike any American city, being so stratified into horizontal bands of housing.

We continued to climb, our friend Manbhir joking that he was going to start working out once we reached the bottom. “Superbly fit” people are supposed to make the climb within thirty minutes. We took this as a challenge, and clocked in at around 28 minutes.

Jakhoo is dedicated to the monkey-god, so it fitting that it has a lot of monkeys. They stood on the roofs, singly and in groups, watching us approach their shrine. Danish informed me that I probably shouldn’t look them in the eye, so we walked past the monkey mob like a group of gunslingers. When we reached the shrine, we took off our shoes, rang the bell, and entered. We then received a traditional Hindu blessing; the priest put water in our hands, then food. He then gave us the ‘tikka’, the recognizable red dot in the middle of our forehead. Danish and I also received a red string around our wrists. Danish continued by telling us the story of Hanuman, which was conveniently displayed in several lavishly rendered pictures.

We went back down after that, joking that our knees were going to give out from all the downhill walking. We went to sleep early that night, waking up at dawn to see the sun break over the surrounding mountain tops. Again, Elliot hunted for his photo opportunity as if it some type of small animal that goes well with onions and potatoes. Finally, we left Shimla, playing the Boston comedian Dane Cook for our Punjabi friends.

“Hey Elliot, we’re listening to Dane Cook. In the Himalayas.“

“Give it a rest, James.”

-J. and E.

In an unfortunate road accident at least 30 passengers were killed and 26 others injured as an overcrowded 32-seater bus fell into a 100-ft deep gorge in northern India Friday. The injured had been rushed to hospital in the hill town of Dharamshala. Six of the injured are in critical state.

The incident happened in the Haripur area of Himachal Pradesh, about 210 kilometres (130 miles) from the state capital Shimla. While the authorities are still investigating the cause of accident, as per the initial reports the bus was overcrowded and while negotiating a turn the driver lost control of the bus.

According to the report relased by the World Health Organization this year, more than 105,000 people were killed and more than half a million were injured in traffic crashes in 2006 in India. The India government has a plan to curtail the number of road accident deaths by 50 per cent by 2012 and has launched campaigns to achieve the target.

NowPublic

My heart swelled beyond its borders the moment I met you, tucked into the side booth at the tiny Tibetan restaurant upon the Himalayan mountainside. Your skin was the slightest touch of cream, as if the Sun had gently brushed its lips across you at birth. The light bounced off your hair like the rays of the moon illumining the night sky. Your eyes, which timidly rose to meet mine, brought me unresisting to the altar of your beauty.

You left, bumping into my chair as you did so. We muttered, embarrassed, as you raised my sweater to me and gazed full into my face.

Oh, that the entirety of my being could be compressed into that glorious hopeful moment! That I could stand in awe before your silent smile! That the nearness of your presence could remain my utmost blessing!

And then you were gone. After a moment of indecision, I ran after you. But some cruel and insolent spirit, deciding to meddle with childish intent in the great affairs of love, kept you from me

My beauty, my grace, how can I forgive myself for ever letting you leave me? The majestic mountains of the Himalayas no longer hold any power over my eyes, which spend their moments in vain search of another glimpse of your beauty. Other have their breath removed by the altitude, but with each breath of mine, I sigh my longing for you into the sky. I cannot stand still; my heart is restless. I cannot find peace; my soul is on fire.

By not finding you, I betrayed my destiny, for our love was written in the stars. Until the day we meet again, I strive to be worthy of your affection. A mere mortal, I am undeserving to stand before your exquisite beauty. Surely patience is the only virtue which affords me any relief from my spiritual torment.

Oh, my breath, my soul! I pray that you should think of me with fondness. Take care, for you hold my heart within you.

With hope and tenderness,

James Tager

Shimla: Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister Himachal, released the Shimla Declaration on sustainable Himalayan Development, after taking cognizance of recommendations from the four thematic groups, the Himalayan Chief Ministers’ Conclave 2009, has resolved to jointly face the challenge of climate change and sustainable development. The Conclave agreed to Establishment of a Himalayan Sustainable Development Forum; Setting Up State Councils for Climate Change; Catalyzing research for policy action; Payment for ecosystem services; Managing water resources for sustainable development; Challenge of Urbanization; Green Transportation; Dealing with impacts of Climate Change on livelihoods; Decentralised energy security; Managing growth of eco-friendly tourism and pilgrimage; Green Industry and Green Job Creation.

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, gave a clarion call to all the Himalayan States of the country to come forward to constitute a Himalayan Development Forum to protect their interests by developing an institutional mechanism to jointly try and work out strategies to meet the challenge of climate change. He was delivering his welcome speech on the concluding session of the two-day Himalayan Chief Minister’s Conclave jointly organized by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment and Leadership for Environment and Development – India (LEAD) at Peterhoff, here today.

He said that Community LED Assessment, Awareness, advocacy and Action Programme (CLAP) had been launched in the State to mobilize people at grass root level and associate them in environment protection. He said that three vehicle Paryavaran Chetna Karwan had also been launched for visiting remote corners of the State to mobilize the movement.
Prof. Dhumal said that the state had made it mandatory to all power projects constructed as run of the river and to preserve down stream riverine ecology prescribed release of 15 percent minimum water flow down stream. He said that use of plastic bags had completely been banned in the State besides the State had successfully implemented the Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna providing four CFL bulbs free of cost to every domestic consumer in the State.

Dr. Ramesh Pokharyal “Nishank”, Chief Minister of Uttrakhand, supported the proposal of his counterpart Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal of constituting a Himalayan Development Forum. He said that Uttrakhand was promoting eco-friendly eco-tourism, ayurved, health tourism etc. He said that different parameters were required to be adopted by Centre to determine the developmental requirements which should not be equated with the other States. He said that the Himalayan States were contributing significantly towards preservation and conservation of Himalayan ecology which was required to be compensated suitably. He said that out of 9000 glaciers in Himalayas 1439 were in Uttrakhand and were releasing about 500 cubic kilometers of fresh water. He said that global warming was melting Himalayan glaciers speedily threatening the flora and fauna of the Himalayas. He underlined the need for change in modern life style of the people, reduce emission of green house gases and increase green cover to compensate the damages. He said that Uttrakhand had 65 percent of its area under forest cover which was being affected with the global warming besides many of the rare herbs were also getting extinct.

Dr. Nishank said that the habitants of Himalayan States needed to be provided additional opportunities in development activities so that their energy was channelized for constructive activities while all basic amenities were available to their families back home. He said that Himalayan States had limited resources at their disposal and needed to be provided economic incentives to keep pace with the developing world. He hoped that the Himalayan Chief Minister’s Conclave would achieve the objective of its constitution by active involvement of all environment conscious people.

Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests, said that the Government of India was considering release of Green Dividends/Bonus to the Himalayan States from next financial year as a compensatory measure for protecting the Himalayan ecology. He said that Finance Commission and Planning Commission of India had also been approached to approve the move. He said that the Union Government was also considering taking the snow covered areas above 4000 mtrs. out of the definition of forest land which would benefit all the 12 Himalayan States of the country having population of about 6 crores and covering 15 percent of the geographical area of the country.

Union Minister said that the Himalayan eco-system was important for the nation and should not be overlooked. He said that the Union Ministry was clearing all projects after getting satisfied with the full environment assessment report. He said that Governance for sustaining the Himalayan Eco-system (G-SHE) would be the base for implementation of the Himalayan eco-system. He said that NGOs and civil societies had to be involved actively for preservation of the environment. He advised the Forum to associate north-eastern States also with it so that its area of operation was expanded to entire Himalayan region in the country. He assured the Forum that all out effort would be made at his level to implement the Shimla Declaration in right perspective.

Mian Altaf Ahmed, Minister for Environment and Forests, Jammu and Kashmir, apprised the Conclave of the environment protection endeavours in his State. He expressed concern over the climate change which was adversely affecting the horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir.

J.P.Nadda, Forest, Science and Technology Minister, proposed vote of thank and hoped that the outcome of the conclave would go a long way in furthering the outcome of the Conclave.

Dr. Sunita Narayanan, Director, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi and an international environmentalist said that environment was a new global science which needed to be taught to every individual. She said that forests of Himalayas were the limbs for the rest of the country which had to be preserved and conserved for the benefit of all living beings. She said that the environment had emerged the global political issue which needed to be taken in right spirit for the benefit of all.

Gajanand Pathmanathan, World Bank representatives from Washington DC, deliberated upon the South Asia Region – Sustainable Development Operations on Climate Change in the Himalayas: Opportunities for Trans-boundary Cooperation for Sustainable Development besides various environmental activities being undertaken by the World Bank.

Smt. Sarojini Ganju Thakur, Additional Chief Secretary, also welcomed the participants and thanked them all for attending the same and draw attention of the world towards global warming and climate change and how to protect the environment in the Indian Himalayas through a presentation on the occasion.

From NVO News

Shimla is a magical hill station of enchanting beauty with romantic climate round the year. Framed by high peaks, surrounded by thick forests of pine, Himalayan oak, flowering rhododendron and tall cedars, it offers mixed charms of captivating scenic attractions, along with a splendid built heritage in the northwest Himalayas. Enchanting resorts within easy reach, golf at Naldhera and skiing at Kufri and Narkanda make it an attractive destination throughout the year.

From a little known village whose name is variously quoted as Shimlu, Shemalaya, Semala, Shumla and Shemla, the town went on to become the summer capital of British India and today, this is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. According to another version, the name of the place is derived from Shamla, blue or dark lady, another name for the Hindu goddess Kali who is held in high veneration in these hills.

Shimla is a visual delight for all seasons. Varieties of colorful flowers bloom in spring and impregnate the air with sweet aroma, while tourists are rewarded with the best sunsets in monsoon. Winter is known as the season of Long Moonlight here. Dark clouds announce the arrival of snow, and when one wakes up the next morning, one can see the whole town transformed into a fairy land of white beauty.

Tourist attractions:

All tourists certainly take a leisure stroll down the Mall, the main promenade that runs along the top of the ridge. All colonial structures are located on the Mall Road. The Mall Road also has all major hotels, restaurants and recreation centers, not to speak of the many shops that sell woolen clothes, branded clothes, handicraft items, pottery items, jewellery, books, and wooden furniture which looks like antique. The restaurants lined up on the mall specialize not only in local cuisine but also delicacies from the nearby regions.

At the top end of the Mall is Scandal Point, a large open square with a view of the town, a favourite meeting place for visitors and the local people. The post office, the town hall, the library and the Gaiety Theatre stand close by.

The Gaiety Theatre abuts both the Mall and the Ridge. The first recorded amateur dramatic performance in Shimla took place here on 9^th June 1838. The Amateur Dramatic Club was formally housed in the Gaiety Theatre in 1887. The theater is renowned for its fine acoustics and without the aid of an amplifier; a whisper on the stage will carry to every corner of the hall.

Shimla is strung out on a long crescent shaped Ridge which connects a number of hilltops: Jakhoo, Prospect Hill, Observatory Hill, Elysium Hill and Summer Hill. The Ridge is a maze of narrow streets and bazaars clinging to the south facing hillside. There is a statue of the Punjabi Nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai, at the point where the Mall meets the ridge.

On Shimla’s prominent Ridge lies the neo-Gothic Christ Church. Its first cornerstone was laid on 9^th September 1844; the church was designed by Col J.T. Boileau, and was consecrated on 10^th January 1857. Later it was extended with the addition of a clock and porch. It dominates the eastern end of town. Even today the church has some interesting memorial tablets while the pews still mark the seats of British Viceroy of India, the Commander-in-Chief and the Punjab’s Governor. The town’s other important church are St. Michael’s Cathedral and Roman Catholic Cathedral, just off the Mall.

The Viceregal Lodge now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, India’s premier academy for higher research. The site was selected by Lord Lytton, the British Viceroy of India between 1876 and 1880. in Lord Dufferin’s tenure (1884-88), its plans were redrawn and the Lodge built. Henry Irwin was the architect of the building that resembles a Scottish baronial castle. The interior has a remarkable woodwork and this was the first building with electric light in Shimla. After independence in 1947, the building became the property of the President of India and was renamed Rashtrapati Niwas. In 1964, the Indian Institute of Advanced Study was created and housed here.

Very close to the institute in a colonial buildings set in spacious lawns, is the Himachal Museum. It is an hour’s pleasant walk down from the church on the Mall. It has collections of Pahari miniatures, stone sculpture, local handicrafts, textiles and embroidery. It is closed on Mondays.

From the Boileauganj, near the Institute of Advanced Studies, begins the climb to the temple of Kamna Devi on Prospect Hill (2145 m), which offers dramatic views of the surroundings.

A steep climb to the Jahkhoo Hill (2438 m), Shimla’s highest point offers superb views of the surrounding valleys, out to the snowcapped peaks and over Shimla itself. At the top is a Hanuman Temple, a 45 minute walk from the Mall. It is also the home of countless playful monkeys waiting to be fed by all visitors. Jakhoo is a vantage point for witnessing the changing skyline during sunrise and sunset.

The quiet and lovely suburb of Summer Hill (1982m) has secluded, shady walks and charming views. It was here that Gandhiji stayed on his visits to Shimla, in the elegant Georgian mansion that belonged to Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. Summer Hill is located on the Shimla – Kalka Railway Line (5 km). This railway line was built in 1924 and toy trains still ply on this line. The trains pass through 105 tunnels and the passengers are amply rewarded with beautiful sights, on this line. The glowing lights look like studding jewels amidst the luxuriant green mountains of Shimla.

The Annadale Ground is located in a deep valley in the suburban village of Kaithu, Shimla West, 2-4 kms from the Ridge at height of 1864 m. Its true name was Annadale and its present name Annandale is a misnomer. Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy, one of the first incomers to this place was so awestruck by the beauty of the place that he named it after the name of her young lady. Her name was Anna and ‘dale’ means a valley. So he called the valley as Annadale. Since 1840’s it has been the favourite place for picnic parties, fancy fairs, flower and dog shows, races and gymkhanas and polo matches. Presently there are no more races and the field is utilized as a helipad and for parades and sports and Dussehra Festivities.

Glenn (1830 m) is located 4 kms from Shimla and is just beyond Annadale. Forest trees of pine and deodar surround it and act as a shade for picnickers. A bubbling stream known as Chadwick Falls flows through this place in which tourists take a joyful bath. . The falls are 7 km from Shimla and reached via summer hill.

A serene location with delightful walks, Sanjauli (2257 m), is ideal for a tranquil weekend. There are fine vistas and the lights of Shimla and Chail can be seen twinkling at night. On the other side, Mashobra and Naldehra are visible (3 km).

Attractions around Shimla:

Tara Devi Temple (1851 m) is dedicated to the goddess of stars on the top of the hill, 7 km from Shimla. It is accessible by rail or car. A PWD rest house, a military dairy town and the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides stand close by. It is an ideal place for a person longing for peace and solitude.

Wildflower Hall (2593 m), 13 km from Shimla on the road to Kufri, was the former residence of Indian Commander-in-Chief Lord Kitchener. It offers fine views of Shimla and mountain peaks in the Pir Panjal and Badrinath ranges. Sankat Mochan (1875 m) has a Hanuman temple and can be reached on foot or by car (7 kms from Shimla).

Noted for its apple orchards and thick woods of oak and pine, Mashobra (2149 m) is a sylvan retreat with pretty forest walks and picnic spots. It is 14 kms from Shimla and is accessible by car. Through thick woods, a side road leads to Bekhalty. From the heart of Mashobra, a pedestrian track leads down to Sipur, a grassy glade with a stream wandering through it. An annual fair is held at Sipur every April. A trek to the Shali Peak - the highest in area – can be made from Mashobra. Carignano, with its rest house of an Italian confectioner is close to Mashobra.

Kufri (2622m) is a noted summer-winter resort and a winter sports capital, with its glorious views of forested slopes and tall ranges, iced on a covering of perpetual snow. During winter (best in January and February), tourists can enjoy skiing in and around Kufri. Equipment for skiing is available from local HPTDC winter sports club. Apart from skiing, Kufri is a lovely picnic spot with a beautiful view of the hills around and the snowy peaks. The zoo here is a children’s delight.

The scenic, nine-hole golf course of Naldehra (23 km) with its springy turf and crown of deodar was laid out at the instance of the Viceroy, Lord Curzon. So enamored he was by the beauty of the spot, that he renamed his younger daughter as Alexandra Naldehra It is a lovely popular picnic spot and the Sipi Fair held in June attracts tourists in large numbers.

45 kms from Shimla, Chail is known for its cricket pitch, the highest cricket ground in the world. Chail was the summer capital of Maharaja of Patiala before Independence. The forests of Chail are home to many species of birds and deer.

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How to reach Shimla

Shimla is:

332 km from Dharamsala                 345 km from Dalhousie

235 km from Kullu               280 km from Manali            143 km from Mandi

568 km from Agra               166 km from Ambala          342 km from Amritsar

119 km from Chandigarh 368 km from Delhi               482 km from Jammu

787 km from Srinagar        629 km from Jaipur             867 km from Lucknow

Air: Shimla Airport 23 kms from the city is connected by daily flights from Delhi and Kullu.

Rail: The journey to Shimla by rail involves a change from broad gauge to narrow gauge at Kalka. The broad-gauge trains run up to Kalka. The Kalka Mail (coming from Delhi reaches Kalka) in the early morning and from Kalka, one has to catch connecting trains on the narrow-gauge to Shimla. The rail car is the most luxurious way to reach the Shimla. The narrow gauge trip to Shimla takes nearly six hours.

Road: All deluxe buses should be booked from the tourist office in the Mall. A variety of buses run between Delhi and Shimla. There are frequent departures from Chandigarh. There are buses north from Shimla to other hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, like Manali, Dharamsala and Mandi. By road Shimla is also well connected with Kalka (95 kms), Amritsar and Jammu.

Getting around

Local bus services operate from the Cart Road Bus Stand on the north side of the ridge. It’s just below the ice skating rink, on the path which leads off the Mall from besides ANZ Grindlays Bank. Half a km to the east of the main bus stand, a two part `tourist lift’ takes you up to the Mall for Rs 2. It saves a long and tedious climb

Shopping

Shimla is a shopper’s paradise where one can get good wood carvings, shawls and handicrafts of Himachal Pradesh. The Tibetan Refugee shop, located between the lift and Oberoi Clarke, is worth a visit. It also has weaving bags and clothes and good selection of earrings and other jewellery.  Woollen and Pashmina shawls, decorative items, handmade shoes, dolls, woollen caps, carved wooden sticks, toys and other items made form wood are made in Shimla itself and are put on sale in the Lakkar Bazaar. Tibetan jewellery and trinkets are found in the small Tibetan shops near the Ridge.

Festivals

Shimla has the only natural ice-skating rink in India. An Ice-skating Carnival is arranged every year by the Ice-skating Club during January. Members display their skiing skills on ice and participate in a fancy dress competition on this occasion.

The Summer Festival in Shimla offers the best entertainment. Artistes are invited from all parts of Himachal Pradesh and from other parts of the country to entertain visitors with song, dance and music both Indian and Western. Besides the summer festival, regular cultural programmes are organized in Shimla during the tourist season.

-Md. Masarrath Ali Khan.(Courtesy India Insight)

Mashobra is Himachal Pradesh’s beautiful retreat hideout for centuries. Mashobra is one of the two presidential retreats in the country. This small hill station is the most high profile hill stations in Himachal yet it is lesser known to the normal tourist crowd. Mashobra is filled with beautiful dense coniferous forest which gets covered in snow during winter seasons. A trip to Mashobra will give not only peace of mind but also gives an insight on Himachal Pradesh’s culture and traditions. There are several temples to visit in Mashobra. Imperial mansions like Wildflower Hall which was the residence of Lord Kitchener and Lord Ripon during the British era is another attraction. Today this mansion is part of Oberoi Properties. Mishobra is part of Shimla Reserve Forest sanctuary. The hill station is rich with flora and fauna. Mashobra is the best choice for spending a hustle free peaceful vacation. Mashobra is accessible by air and rail the nearest airport and Railway station is in Shimla which is just 10 km away from the hill station. There are also several hotels and resorts in Mashobra for tourists to have a memorable vacation.

‘Now go tell the world, You’ve got a Philips!’ proclaims this ad mural. It reminds of yester years and boomboxes. While I was growing up, these were mostly fading. I missed the eighties mostly as I was too young to understand the gadgets of that time. However, a trip home this summer revealed my dad’s old National Panasonic boombox gathering dust. Some things must ultimately end but for now go tell the world, you’ve got a Philips.

munky is missing the retro stuff!

Shot this one early morning in Shimla. The sun had not completely risen over the mountain and the morning haze was casting a soft focus on the background. It was the perfect time to whip out my zoom lens and train it on single objects against the naturally soft background. I regretted not trekking out further to shoot some more today. The little I have is no good but its a great reminder of why I love Shimla, as much as I do.

munky is wishing he had shot more on that day!

Exotic View of Manali

Hill Station Manali in Himachal Pradesh has always been traveler’s paradise. Often travelers find themselves drawn to Himachal during Christmas and New Year. Himachal is famous for its cultural, ancient historical finds and unspoiled natural places. The idea of traveling is getting away anytime and anywhere. All you need is a good package that provides simplistic planning and spontaneity travelers find it attractive. A good package deal is one where you pay less and receive more. Icy mountains are opened for the excursion to the mountaineers.

There are lots of hotel packages in Himachal and one of these hotels that offers special packages is the Hotel Snow Valley Resort in Manali. Christmas and new packages provided by this hotel will surely be enjoyed by the whole family who wish to have their vacation a significant and memorable one. The resort is the most prestigious hotel in the center city of Manali. It is located near hidimba road. The ambience of surrounding, the lobby and the hotel rooms plays an important role here.

Are you a bit tight on the budget, here are some tips on how to still have wonderfully enjoyable holidays at Manali in Himachal:

Snow Valley Resort

Venue: Hotel Snow Valley Resort in Manali

Travel:  By Air: The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is about 50 km (31 mi) from Manali. Kingfisher Red operates daily nonstop services from Delhi, Air India provides twice a week nonstop services and MDLR Airlines provides services to Delhi six days in a week.

By Bus: Overnight Bus Services, both private and Volvo are available from Delhi to Manali or Chandigarh to Manali everyday.

By Car: Manali is well connected by road to Delhi through NH-21 and NH 1.

Places to visit: Manikaran and Vashisht hot springs, religious shrines like Hidimba Devi Temple, Rahla waterfalls and Tibetan Buddhist temples like Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa.

Adventure sports offered: Skiing, Hiking, Mountaineering, Paragliding, Rafting, Trekking, Kayaking, and Mountain biking.

Package: 3 Nights & 04 Days

Validity of the Package: 28th Dec’09 to 02nd Janaury’2010

Discount on Accommodation and Tariff:

Standard Room (2 Pax)                     Rs 9290/-

Luxury Room (2 Pax)                        Rs 10,290/-

Presidential Room (2 Pax)                 Rs 11,990/-

Maharaja Room (2 Pax)                     Rs 13,490/-

Royal Duplex Suite (02 Pax)             Rs 18490/-

Luxury Duplex (4 Pax)                      Rs 17,990/-

Snow Valley Spl Duplex (4 Pax)       Rs 19490/-

The Package Highlights:

1) Welcome basket of fresh local fruits upon arrival.

2) Morning tea, Buffet Breakfast and Buffet Dinner.

3) Live DJ with Bon fire on 31st Dec’09.

4) Gala dinner on 31st Dec

5) Free holidays at leading Hotels of India for winners in various competitions like best dancing couple, best dressed couple, best child dancer, lemon dance on 31st Dec’09.

6) Enjoy display of fire works on the 31st Dec. midnight.

Bonus: 10 % discount on additional food, beverages and laundry.

Indulge and experience the premier accommodation and special packages of Hotel Snow Valley Resort offered by Himachal Hotels.

I’ve already stated in the past that Shimla is my favorite place to be. I managed to capture this on my recent trip there in the Summer. Shot it from the benches beside Indira Gandhi’s statue on the Ridge. Its been a while since I’ve posted black & white and this was a good shot to comeback with.

munky has been itching to capture a shot like this!

Day 01: Delhi – Shimla
Arrival Delhi, Meet n greet at Rly. Station or Airport, drive to Shimla, 8 hrs. Arrive Shimla in the evening. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 02: Shimla Sightseeing
After Breakfast Excursion to Kufri. Kufri is famous for its Himalayan National Park, Poney and Yak Ride and One can see the endless Himalayan Panorama from Kufri, after lunch sight seeing of various places in and around. Shimla mosques built in (1830), Vice regal Lodge built in (1885), Christ Church built in (1844), The Gaiety Theatre- the first beauty contest of world was supposed to start (1887), The Grindlays Bank (1912)- the world wide bank started by Robert Melville Grindlay, The Scandal Point and The famous Shopping Plaza of the North The Mall. O/N Hotel

Day 03: Shimla – Manali
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Manali, distance of 265 km 7 hrs. Arrive Manali in the evening and check into the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 04: Manali
After breakfast sightseeing of places in and around Manali, Like Hadimba temple, Manu temple, Vashisht Bath, Van Vihar and evening shopping at the local market. O/N Hotel.

Day 05: Rohtang Pass excursion
Excursion to Rohatang Pass. Situated at an altitude of 3979 mtrs above sea level and 51 kms outside Manali is the mighty Rohtang Pass – the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti valley. It affords a wide panoramic view of the mountains. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of the pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul valley. Evening at Leisure. O/N Hotel

Day 06: Manali – Chandigarh
(320 Kms). Checkout from the hotel drive to Chandigarh. Chandigarh is the 1st planned modern city of India designed by the French architect Le Corbusier. The city was named after the mother goddess of power, Chandi, whose temple Chandimandu is a feature of the new city. Evening free for shopping and own activities. O/N Hotel

Day 07: Delhi
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and visit Rock garden and Rose garden. Later drive to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and you are dropped at rail station.
Valid Till March 2010 (Except Xmas and New Year)
18,900 /- Per Couple On Words

Cost Includes:
* 2 Nights Stay in Shimla at Hotel Woodland with Breakfast & Dinner
* 3 Nights Stay in Manali at Hotel Manali Palace with Breakfast & Dinner
* 1 Night Stay in Chandigarh at Hotel City Heart 18 with Breakfast & Dinner
* All Transfer & Sightseeing by Non a/c Indica As Per Itinerary

Excludes:
Personal expenses / Train / Air fare / Gov.Service tax 3.9% / Guide / Entry Charges
TAC 10%

..and drinks and dinner and breakfast and a nice resort to hog all that and air tickets to transport you to that paradise.

I am talking about the all expenses paid trip that I won ,courtesy Club Mahindra Trip of a Lifetime travel writing contest.     (My winning entry is on that link,if you care to click)

My childhood has been peppered with winning consolation prizes of ball point pens,sieves (yes I won a tea seive in a lucky dip contest),handkerchiefs-basically if there is any prize worth less than INR 1,chances are ,I have bagged it.So if you count in the copious amount of alcohol I imbibed, the kebabs I wolfed down this must be one of the most expensive prize I have won.

Three of us winners (including,my sister-good coincidence no?) and the judges were flown down to the Club Mahindra Resort in Mashobra,near Shimla.And from there we were pretty much left on our own. Thank god for that.!! 

Frankly I was a bit wary of the whole trip.The cynic that I am (infact I was labelled a cynic in the the group -as if that’s a bad thing, hrrumph) I was undecided about going till the last moment.

Why?

a)The timing was just not right for me, and going for this trip meant I had to postpone other things.

b)Meeting new people, in what I thought would be a stifled formal environment,is a nightmare for me.Yes, I talk a lot in real life, I am gregarious and outspoken to the point of being rude.BUT, I need a familiar face around me.Else I go into the “Leave me alone” zone.

c)Club Mahindra. I have had this aversion for hotel chains, and nothing puts me off more than amenities like “conference rooms”, “kids play area”,”activities room”,”fun for the entire family”. I would rather stay in a simple homestay with no hot water or T.V, but spare me the monotony of a hotel chain. Somehow I have always associated Club Mahindra with bored family get togethers.The busy executive taking his family on the mandatory trip to a hill station.Can I get more opinionated?

Point a was taken care of easily.

Point b – oh well, quite an interesting bunch I met.

Radha , one of the 3 winners, an amateur photographer, who got a good mentor in Arun Bhat of the Painted Stork fame.Try as I did, I couln’t get the taciturn Arun to teach me photography but he redeemed all that by uttering the famous last lines, after downing 3 tall LITs. ” I think it all ended pretty well,considering how bored I was in the first day”. After we shared a few smokes, I was ready to give him a bear hug.

Lakshmi Sarath, a travel writer gave us quite an interesting talk on a few ancient dynasties of South India tracing their ruins in nondescript towns all over the South.I love history and I love travelling, and I lapped it all up.

And then there was Cdr.Satyabrata Dam. When this naval officer is not protecting the Indian coastline in his submarine, he is climbing mountains.He is the only Indian to have done the -‘The Three Poles’ – Mt Everest,  South Pole  and North Pole and has also scaled the ‘Seven Summits’ (climbing the highest peaks in all the seven continents). Need I say more about this guy who has climbed the Everest twice, first one when he was 22. At 22, my achievements in life included ..umm..hmm…(we shall fill up this space soon).Appropriately enough, he was the one who called me “the cynic”. Wonder why?

Kiruba Shankar of the Tweeter fame was there. If he could not convince me about Tweeter, I guess no one can.I don’t know what exactly he does, but it involves ’social’,'media’,'interaction’,'consultancy’,'wikipedia’,'tweeter’,'conference’,'open sourcing something somewhere..’.

Kiruba is currently practicing to reach the Everest at the shortest time.Considering he takes around 20-30 minutes to reach a house perched on top of a hill at the end of a valley, we are giving him 2 hours to reach Everest from the Base Camp.

And getting us all together was Arun Nair, the face of Club Mahindra.Poker Faced.Understated Wit.Gave me a crash course on photography.Alas I lost that sheet which explained all about “Depth of field”,”exposure”,”aperture” .Thus ended my short stint in photography.

And of course there was the main Gypsyfeeter, Kanchuki.

Finally Point c…Hmm..It will take a lot more convincing to make me part with a small fortune to get membership to an uninspiring hotel room

DISCLAIMER: Have been getting a few comments, on the blog and over mails.To clarify, not even for a second, did Club Mahindra try to push any of its packages. You think I would be polite and NOT write about it if they dare pull such cheap tricks? We did have a presentation, and (rarely do I gush about these things) it was mind-blowing. We got to hear people who otherwise charge people for it.No kidding, one of the members has been nominated as TED fellow for 2009.Any idea how much a TED fellow can charge just to open his mouth. This particular TED fellow not only talked but also sang!! And with seasoned photographers giving you tips..what more could I have asked for

When you have professional photographers with you on the trip, the burden of taking good pictures lessens considerably. Here are a few I have taken

(Room with a view- Whispering Pines, Mahsobra)

(If you are forced to get up at 5 in the morning, you might as well click a few pictures to record the moment)

(Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, 2009)

(Viceregal Lodge, pre 1947) (Breakfast,on grassy meadow,by a babbling brook? Not quite. A bird distracts us though)

(Now I know what it means when travel books talk of hills being resplendent with wild flowers)

(To wax eloquent, it was a fucking riot of colours)

(Shamelessly we took a tour of her house,which had killer views of the valley below)

(Camp Fire, where many stories were exchanged- real and supernatural.The real were more macabre and unrealistic).

So,that’s what kept me occupied last week.

Himachal Pradesh is known as Deva Bhoomi the land of the gods. Himachal is

View of an Untouched Beauty

situated in the western himalayas. Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state elevating about 350 meters (1,148 ft) to 6,000 meters (19,685 ft) above the sea level. Tribes such as the koilis, kinnars and kirats inhabited the region from pre-histotic era. Himachal Pradesh was established as a state on April 15, 1948.

Himachal Hill Stations is the favored destination for anybody who wanted to cool their mind and senses off the heat and sultry of Indian summers. Himachal Pradesh has been bestowed with picturesque beauty that is incorporated in the various hill stations. You can experience peace and serenity by visiting various pilgrimage destinations like temples and monestery in Himachal Pradesh that are really stupendous. There are many colonial monuments that form the monumental heritage of the region.

The drainage systems of Himachal Pradesh are sutlej, ravi, chenab, beas and yamuna. This Hill Station experience three seasons hot weather season, cold weather season and rainy season. It is considered as a fruit bowl of the country. Himachal Pradesh is a well known habitat to a variety of animals. There are around 1200 bird and 359 animal species in the state. Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts namely, kangra, hamirpur, mandi, bilaspur, una, chamba, lahul and spiti, sirmaur, kinnaur, kullu, solan and shimla. Roads are the major mode of transport in the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh.

Raju Kher is an Indian actor and better known as actor Anupam Kher’s younger brother. He has worked in a number of television shows and Bollywood films. He was born on September 11 in Shimla, India. When it comes to films, he usually acts in supporting roles and is not as famous as his sibling.

Noted films:
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005)
Ghaath (2000)
Ghulam (1998)
Prem (1995)
Kaash (1987)

A high dynamic range (HDR) composition of the Shimla Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam), I shot last month on my trip to Shimla. I have a thing for Shimla that is hard to put into words. Perhaps, its the only place where I feel truly at home. No other place has given me that feeling. I’ve spent the better part of my life in Dubai and now Ann Arbor but neither conveys the feeling of home as does Shimla even though I’ve never consciously lived there long enough to call it home.

munky has been itching to shoot HDRs in Shimla all year!

I was in my beloved Shimla recently. Its an all-year tourist city nestled in the Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh, India. If you happen to go there, you will inevitably end up going to Mall Road, the delight of scores of shoppers, tourists and locals. At the beginning of the ‘Mall’, there is ‘Scandal Point’ by which you will find one of the smartest dressed tourist policeman, you’ve ever seen.

Here, Rajesh Thakur of the Himachal Tourism Police stands guard in his colorful uniform dating back to colonial times. Ask him for something, he won’t mind – unlike the police who will probably turn you away, these guys are excellent to talk to. Also note the shining silver whistle in his leather shoulder belt.

munky will vouch for tourist police over local police anyday!

Major Himalayan Hill Stations

Gulmarg & Sonamarg
The beauty of this place can only be seen to believe. No words, no phrases would be enough to capture the sheer brilliance of this unimaginable canopy crafted by the God. Resembling a huge bowl of meadow, lush and green, where the only voices that you hear are the cowbells tinkling away in the fields, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy world.

Srinagar
This place is the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and is also the largest city in the state. Situated at an altitude of 1730 meters from the sea level, this place is world famous for its Dal Lake and the floating House Boats in its waters. Also home to one of the most exquisitely designed landscape of flora and fauna; Mughal Gardens, the city has a sleepy yet energetic charm about it.

Ladakh
A land like no other, Ladakh is guarded on both sides by two of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges, the Himalayas and the Karakoram Range. A place full of breathtaking sights, Ladakh is a different world with its strange Gompas perched on heights; the barren and rocky surfaces sprayed with patches of grass in between, and also the patches of white powder snow that seem too hard to resist for the on-lookers to play with.

Shimla
Just think of anything beautiful related to the mountains, and the chances are, that you will see and hear all those sights and sounds here in this Capital of Himachal Pradesh. The amazing town of Shimla, which was also the summer capital in pre-independence era of the British Raj, is certainly full of with all the natural beauties that you can imagine.

Perched on a scenic hill location overlooking a deep valley, the hill town has plenty of green pastures around it. The added beauty of this place is the Narrow Gauge rail that connects it from the town of Kalka located in the foothills.

Kullu
Once known as Kulanthpitha, the end of the living world, Kullu is nestled in the valley on looking the vast Himalayan range. Situated on the banks of the Beas River, this town is famous for the Kullu Dussehra which is annually held with celebrations lasting almost a week. Travel Articles

Manali
This is another hill town of Himachal Pradesh which is very popular among tourists due to its closeness to the snow capped region of the Himalayas. Also famous for its apple orchards, this town is a popular honeymoon destination and also serves as a base camp for numerous treks in the higher peaks of the Himalayas.

Dharamshala
A place which is more famous for the exiled Tibetan Leader Dalai Lama; Dharamshala is a pretty place with its dense pine trees and Deodar forests. Surrounded with plenty of fresh water streams and a bustling bazaar, Dharamshala is a perfect place to unwind and exploring the Tibetan temples.

Dalhousie
This is a quiet mellowed town, with a great sense of serenity. This hill station is also a place to spend a nice weekend at a relaxed and easy pace.

Nainital
This is a fairytale town situated around a big reservoir of water which is Called “Naini Tal”. The Tal is actually the main attraction of the hill town, which is thronged by plenty of tourists every year. Situated in the hills of Kumaon, Nainital is also surrounded by Bhim Tal, Sat Tal, Naukuchia Tal and Khurp Tal.

Mussoorie
This hill station is located just 35 kilometers from Dehradun, the capital city of Uttranchal. Owing to its majestic beauty, this place is also famous among tourists as the queen of hill stations. AN excellent place to chill out away from the sweltering heat of the plains, this place presents a very good option of catching a quick chilling tour because of its easy accessibility from the plains.

Rishikesh
This religious and yoga centre is located just 24 Kms away from Haridwar. This place is famous for its Ghats and Sadhus, and also serves as the vantage point for deities going to pay their prayers to the Chaar Dhams of Badri Nath, Kedar Nath, and Yamunotri & Gangotri Dhams.

Kailash Mansarovar
The mystery of this vast reservoir of almost frozen water perched on the Tibetan plateau still beckons hundreds of visitors every year. The story of Lord Shiva’s abode Kailash Parvat over-looking this Sarovar also attaches a religious significance to the place for Hindus.

Und das ganz ehrenamtlich. So zum Beispiel gestern, als ich drei jungen Schweizer begegnet bin. Spontan wie ich bin, habe ich sie einfach angesprochen, weil ich meinte ein schweizderdeutsches Wort gehört zu haben. So war es dann auch. Ich habe ihnen Shimla gezeigt und dabei herausgefunden, dass ich es gar nicht so gut kenne. Wie auch, wenn ich ständig Unterricht habe?
Ich glaube sie haben sich dennoch gefreut.
Doch damit nicht genug, beim Rückweg half ich einem israelischen Rücksacktourist ein günstiges Hotel zu finden und offerierte ihm meine Dusche, die er aber dankend ablehnte. “Tu’ jeden Tag eine gute Tat” war irgendwie mein Motto, wer weiss vielleicht werde ich ja bald “Wölfli”…