Himachal Pradesh - The land of Celestial Beauty

Himachal Pradesh is famous for it's diversity and mind-blowing scenery.  It's a trecking lovers paradise with Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal and Western Himalayan ranges stretching far and wide quenching their thirst of trecking.  In central Himachal, manali and Kulu and Parvati valleys are a feast for the hippies, honey mooners & thrill seekers.  It also has many forts, temples & palaces.  Though time consuming, travel around HP is wonderful experience which every individual will desire to cherish.   

Useful Facts :

Capital : Shimla
Population : 55,673 sq km
Languages: Hindi, Pahari and Punjabi
When to go : May to June, September to early November

How to fulfull our dreams?
1. The Himachal's adventure-sport capital, Manali can be reached by skiing, treking, climbing, paragliding, rafting or zorbing.
2. Stay in Parvati Valley and trek to the mountain village of Malana.
3. Centuries old temples of Chamba and Bharmour add spirituality to the serene beauty of mountains
4. Marvelous mountains passes of Rohtang La & Kunzum La should be crossed to Tabo monastery & unimaginably remote spiti valley.
5. A summer retreat in the green glades of Shimla


Appropriate time to go:
The main seasons being May to July & September to early November.  Advanced reservation recommended. During monsoon the hills can be too chill & damp.  Snow closes from NOvember to April.  This is the peak skiing season at the modest resorts near Manali & Shimla.

Must for travel: PERMIT
Permit is a must for the travel in the sensitive border between India and Tibet.  Inner line permit to travel between Rekong Deo in Kinnaur & Tabo in Piti.  Permit can be obtained easily with two passport photographs & photocopies of identity in Shimla, Kaza & Rekong Deo.

How to reach here?
Main routs into Himachal are by bus but small airtrips near Shimla, Kullur & Dharamsala receive flights from Delhi with Kingfisher airlines(www.flykingfisher.com) & Jagson Airlines (www.jagsonairline.com)

THE OFFICIAL DISTRICT WEBSITE IS http://hpshimla.nic.in


FESTIVALS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

1. Losar: (Jan/Feb); Lahual & spiti)
2. Shivaratri Festival ; (Feb/Mar);Temples of Mandi & Baijnath celebrate this festival as a tribute to Lord Shiva.
3. Suimata Mela : Apr;Four days of celebration to honour Sui Meta who sacrificed her life to save the people of Chamba.
4. Dhungri Mela : May;Manali
5. Himalayan Hang - Gliding Rally : May; Billing
7. Lahaul Festival : Jul; keylong - cultural and trade festival in Lahaul.
8. Minjar Festival : Jul/Aug;Harvest festival in Chamba.
9. Ladarcha Fair : Aug; Kaza ancient trade fair
10. Pauri Festival : Aug; triloknathtemple is lit with giant butter lamps in Honour of Lord Shiva.
11. Manimahesh Yatra : Aug/Sep;Near Bharmour.
12. Phulech Festival : Sep/Oct;villagers of Kinnaur fill temple courtyard with fragrant flowers and carry out sacrificies.
13. Dussehra or Durga Puja : Oct; Kullu
14. Lavi Fair : Nov;Rampur trade fair
15. Guktor Festival : Nov;Dhankar
16. Renuka Mela : Nov; six days festival culminatin the ritual immersion of idols of Parasurama(Vishnu).
17. Internal Himalayan Festival : 10-12 Dec; celebrate Dalai Lama's  Nobel Peace Prize  
18. McLeod Ganj: Dec/Jan; Tibetan New Year Celebrations

Jammu and Kashmir - Paradise Lost

This land has been called a paradise on earth by many who travelled here. The serene landscapes, the snow capped mountains, the fertile valleies blooming in the youth of spring, truely make us feel that Gods too came down to roam these lands. The people here are humble and modest and quiet friendly. But there has been trouble in paradise for many years. The dispute of border with the neighbouring country has caused quiet an unrest in these areas and scarred the beauty of this land. Jammu and Kashmir is suffering under territorial disputes since the independence of India and three major wars have been fought while countless minor disputes erupted since then.

The known history of Jammu and Kashmir dates back to the post Ice age that is when they say the 140 km valley of Kashmir which was a lake back then was drained by an earthquake. In 3rd Century BC Emperor Ashoka transformed this Hindu kingdom to a major Buddist learning Center. Islam arrived into this region in the 13th and 14th century AD. 

The population of southern Kashmir is mainly Hindu and Sikh and its are visited by floods of piligrims. Zanskar is famed for its splendid isolation, the greatest attraction of this majestically mountain-hemmed, rugged Ladakhi-Buddhist valley is the week-long trek in or out. Indeed, when snow blocks Zanskar's one precarious road from Kargil, the only access is on foot along the frozen Zanskar River. Be prepared for cold nights even in summer.

The population of southern Kashmir is mainly Hindu and Sikh and its are visited by floods of piligrims.

FactsPopulation 10.1 million
Area 222,236 sq km
Capitals Srinagar(Summer), Jammu (Winter), Leh (Ladakh)
Main Languages Kashmiri, Urdu, Ladakhi, Hindi, Purig, Balti, Dogri, Punjabi and Pahari.

When to visit May to October(Srinagar), July to early September(Ladakh), December to March (skiing at Gulmarg)

NOTE: Before arriving read a wide range of sources to get a feel of the Situation. The problem is situations could esculate within hours with the intercommunal tempers ever raw, so caution must be maintained. Beware travel insurance policies might be voided if your home governament has issued specific advice against travel here.

 - Murmur meditative mantras in the mural decked gompas of the Indus valley

 - Ladakh's capital Leh is an escape from the daily humdrum of urban life. A peaceful and tranquil place to be.

 - Experience the stark magnificence of Ladakh or Zanskar on an unforgettable high-altitude trek.

 - The relaxed stay in the boat house over the silver sheeted Dal Lake in Kashmir.

 - Gasp at the unbelivebly beautiful valleies of Pangong Tso and the splendid Nubra Valley.


Festivals exclusive to Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu Festival (April, Jammu) three days of eating, drinking and dancing
Sri Amarnath Ji Yatra (Jul-Sep; Amarnath)  Especially in the eve of new moon when thousands of devotees come to venerate the Lord
Vaishno Devi Yatra (early OCt;) Hindu piligrim numbers swarming towards Vaishno Devi reach a climax in early October.

Festivals exclusive to Ladhak & Zanskar

Losar (Dec) Ladhaki New Year, celebrated in Buddhist homes  and gompas with feasts, rituals and dances.

Gu-Stor Rituals and masked dances celebrating the victory of good over evil are celebrated in gompas, including those at the following:

• Spituk
• Karsha
• Korzok
• Thiksey

Dosmoche (wide spread from feb to march) Buddist New year, masked dances, effigies representing the old year are burnt and cast into the desert.
Guru Tse-Chu (feb - mar) Masked dances and predictions of the future by oracles.
Matho Nagrang (Matho) Celebrated by monastry oracles performing blindfolded acrobatics and ritual mutilations.
Yuru Kabgyat (Lamayuru) Monastic masked dances.
Tse- Chu (Hemis) Birthday of the Padmasambhava celebrated for three days. Includes masked dances and the unfurling of Hemis famous three - storey, pearl encrusted painting on cloth called the Thangka.
Phyang Tsedup (jul-aug; Phyang Gompa) Ritual masked chaam dances celebrate the victory of good over evil and of Buddism over preexisting religions. Phyang's gaint thangka is unfurled every third year.
Ladakh Festival (1-15 sep) Unrepentingly touristy but entertaining cycle of events starting with a colourful, carnivalesque parade through Leh, then a repeating program of buddhist dances, polo, archery and music.
Chemrey Thekchhok Festival (nov; Chemrey Thekchhok Gompa) Masked dances and mystic rituals.

Trekking in Zanskar
Trekking is the area's top recreational activity. The area is filled with splendid scenery with its tiny hamlets surrounded by nature. Tents and essential provisions must be carried with you.
Summer Routes- Zanskar to Darcha
- Zanskar to Lamayuru
Winter Route- Chadar Trek

Rajastan - Land of Kings

Rajastan - Raja's sthan, the place of kings, aptly named as it is the home of the most valient Rajput clans, who claim to originate from the sun, moon, and fire. The fabulous realm of maharajas and their majestic forts and lavish palaces. The remanants of rich and romantic past, either in evocative ruins or restored to former splendour, have earned Rajastan a place on most traveller's list. It is a land of deserts and jungle, camel trains and tigers, glittering jewels, vivid art and vibrant culture. The home of spectacular and colorful festivals, amazing shopping expirience and a wide variety in the cuisine of Rajastan. Rajastan is a must see state if you are looking for a romantic royal experience.

 - Be mesmerised by the magnificence of the cliff-top fort of Mehrangarh, looking over the blue city of Jodpur.

 - A ride over the sea of the desert to the sandstone castle of Jaisalmer.

 - Visit the fairytale city of Udaipur and get lost in it's luxury and splendor and those romantic lakes and palaces.

 - The chaotic Capital, the Pink city of Jaipur offers an adventure and an amazing shopping experience.

 - The mystical small quaint town of Pushkar around the holy lake hosts India's most famous fairs.

 - Let your imagination run wild in the storybook world of frescoed havelis of Shekhawati.

 - A relaxed holiday in Bundi is exactly what you need after the cultural rollercoaster experience of Rajastan.

Other Locations You might like to visit :

• Bharatpur
• Deeg
• Alwar
• Ajmer
• Kota
• Chittorgarh
• Mt Abu
• Jodpur
• Bikaner

Facts
Population: 56.5 million
Area: 342,239 sq km
Capital:  Jaipur
Main Languages: Hindi, Rajastani
When to go: mid October to mid March


Festivals in Rajastan

• Jaipur Literature Festival  (jan; Jaipur; www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org) Featuring international and Indian authors and a pragram of talks, films, debares and theater.
• Camel Festival (Jan - Feb; Bikaner) Best of breed competitions, races and decorated camels.
• Nagaur Camel Fair (Jan/Feb; Nagaur) Camel and cattle fair that focuses on livestock trading but still colours the town with festivities.
• Desert Festival (Feb; Jaisalmer) A chance for moustache - twirlers to compete in the 'Mr Desert' contest, and a host of other desert delights.
• Elephant Festival (Mar; Jaipur) Parades, polo and human-versus-elephant tugs-of-war.
• Thar Festival (Mar; Barmer) Just after the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, this features cultural shows, dancing and puppetary.
• Gangaur (Mar/Apr; Jaipur) a statewide festival honouring Shiva and Parvati's love; it's celebrated with particular fervour in Jaipur.
• Cattle Fair (Mar/Apr; Barmer) One of Rajastan's biggest cattle fairs.
• Mewar Festival (Mar-Apr; Udaipur) Udaipur's version of Gangaur, with free cultural events and a cultural procession down to the lake. Local women step out in their finest.
• Summer Festival (May; Mt Abu) The summer is dedicated to Rajastani Music.
• Teej (Aug; Jaipur & Bundi) Celebrates the arrival of monsoon.
• Dussehra Mela (Oct; Kota) Commemorates Rama's victory over Ravana (the demon king of Lanka). Its a spectacular time to visit Kota - huge fire-cracker filled effigies are burnt.
• Marwar Festival (Oct; Jodhpur & Osiyan) Celebrates Rajastan heroes through music and dance; one day is held in jodhpur and one in Osiyan.
• Bundi Ustav (Oct/Nov; Bundi) Cultural programs, fireworks and processions.
  Kashavrai Patan (Oct/Nov Bundi & Kota) Held in the month of Kartika, attended by thousands of piligrims.
• Pushkar Mela (Nov; Pushkar) The Pushkar camel fair is the most famous festival in the state; its a massive congregation of camels, horses and cattle traders, piligrims and tourists.
• Kolayat Mela (Nov; Kolayat) Held at the same time as Pushkar Mela, but with sadhus rather than camels.
• Chandrabhaga Mela (Nov; Jhalrapatan) A cattle fair chance for thousands of piligrims to bathe in the holy Chandrabhaga river.
• Winter Festival (Dec; Mt Abu) Focuses on music and folk dance.