**Goodbye, Pahalgam!** We were emotional about bidding goodbye to Saba and his folks. Although it had been only two nights, it seemed we were leaving good friends. The memories of Pahalgam, with its serene beauty and the warm hospitality that made us feel so welcomed and appreciated, still linger in our minds. As we set... Continue Reading →
**On the way to Pahalgam** After our long journey to the Vaishno Devi shrine, resting was our top priority. We enjoyed chatting about our experiences over lots of pakoras (vegetables fried in chickpea flour) and tea. Our next host for the Kashmir tour was Riaz, who had already arrived with the driver, Gulzar. They travelled... Continue Reading →
**The anticipation for the journey to the dreamland** Gulzar announced, "That's it; the bus won't move anymore." Our journey was abruptly interrupted when the bus, after a slow drive, suddenly came to a halt. All the vehicles ahead were in chaos and queued up at a standstill. 'Breathtaking!!!' Peering through the bus window, I was terrified... Continue Reading →
Iconic Key Monastery: We were supposed to stay in Chicham for two nights. However, the hotel's inconvenient location forced us to leave after a night's stay and to reshuffle our itinerary. 'We have to go to the next destination for the overnight stay. Arpit, can we stay in Losar or Chandrataal?' I was determined to... Continue Reading →
Nature's melting point Khab Bridge - The confluence of the Sutlej and Spiti Rivers: We were thrilled as we geared up for our high-altitude adventure. Our destination was the captivating Spiti Valley, a region renowned for its awe-inspiring beauty at staggering altitudes. We met a couple in Kalpa, fresh from their Spiti Valley escapade, and... Continue Reading →
Discovering Sublime Shrikhand Mahadev Mountain Ranges in Sarahan: Jetlag woke me up at 4 am. As I stepped out onto the balcony, I was greeted by the spectacle of dawn breaking. The horizon is coming into focus. The Sublime Shrikhand Mahadev Mountain view filled me with wonder. Our guesthouse, a cozy and modest establishment, though... Continue Reading →
Overcoming Travel Setbacks: A Himalayan Adventure 'Landslide again?' I was disheartened to hear the news two weeks before our trip to Kinnaur, Spiti, and Lahaul. Travelling to the Himalayas region post-monsoon is a test of determination due to the threat of landslides. Yet, this is when the Himalayas reveal their true beauty. The landscape transforms... Continue Reading →
According to legend, Maha Kali (the Goddess of Power), Maha Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth) and Maha Saraswati (Goddess of Wisdom), different incarnations of Ma Durga (Principal Hindu Goddess) merged into one force to destroy evil energies (demons). This combined spiritual strength created a bright aura, and a beautiful young girl appeared. The girl asked... Continue Reading →
Continued from Call of the Mountains – Enchanting Himachal Pradesh Part 5 On the way to Dalhousie, a spectacular landscape in the lap of Nature: Bhagshu Falls: Bhagshunag Temple of god Shiva situated around 2 km from McLeod Ganj Bazaar. Very next to Bhagshunag temple there was a waterfall, called Bhagshu falls and we didn't... Continue Reading →
Continued from Call of the Mountains – Enchanting Himachal Pradesh Part 4 On the way to Dharamshala -a spiritual sanctuary: Suvra found a place on the internet called Manali Garh and requested Anil to take us there first. We went through the narrow local roads, wasting an hour up and down only to find a... Continue Reading →
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