SHIV BHOOMI JAGESHWAR via NAINITAL

JAGESHWAR via NAINITAL

TOUR SUMMARY

Delhi - Moradabad - Kaladungi - Nainital - Almora - Jageshwar

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"Everybody needs places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul"
- John Muir

TRIVIA : John Muir, also known as "John of the Mountains", was a Scottish-American naturalist, author & environmental philosopher.

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CONTENTS

INTRO : A crisp Introduction to the Destination & Super Stop.

THE JOURNEY : Driving experience, General Information(Trivia) & Suggestions etc (Notes).

GROUND REPORT : A summary of the Destination & important Stopovers. Safe pitstops(refreshment breaks)during the journey. Details like Altitude,Distances, HOTEL information WITH TELEPHONE NO, Pit Stops During Journey & Tourist Attractions etc.

THROWBACK : A Connect Between My Past & Present Tour Experiences.

INTRO

DESTINATION

JAGESHWAR

Jageshwar Temple Complex

Situated at around 100 kms from Nainital,where the towering Himalayan Cedars with large barrels, dropping branches & alluring fragrance would overwhelm you...

...driving under the canopies of such massive Deodars, to reach the abode of Mahadev...where the Devine presence of the Lord is in the air...

...the tapovan of Omniscient Adiyogi...JAGESHWAR welcomes you


NOTE : For a detailed information of THE TWELVE JYOTIRLINGAS, see GROUND REPORT below.

SUPER STOP

NAINITAL

Naini Lake, NAINITAL

Situated at less than 300 kms from Delhi, this 'Lake District' of north India, traces its origins back to the ancient mythology.

The pear shaped NAINI LAKE (approx. 2 miles circumference) with Naina Devi Temple(a Shakti peeth)on its north shore, offers a mesmerizing view.The intense rays of the Sun produce scintillating shows throughout the day on the choppy lake. And at night...the city lights continue with the job.

Time wasted at this Lake is time well spent!


THE JOURNEY

Month: November 
Starting point: New Delhi
Destination: Jageshwar via Nainital
Mode of transport: Car

A month after the excitingly beautiful journey of Munsiyari & Chaukori, SHANVI, my a year and three months old granddaughter, was ready for her third tour to the hills. With her new friend, a lovely Barbie doll, gifted by her Masi(aunt), HINA, she was running around to help everybody un-pack, whatever had been packed. Finally, we left at 4:30 am.

Delhi-Hapur-Moradabad highway is a very smooth stretch. From Moradabad, we took Kashipur-Tanda route. Mostly, the roads were fine.

NOTE : Avoid Rudrapur-Haldwani route. Though the shortest of the lot, the road conditions are terrible.

From Tanda on to Ram Nagar & from Ram Nagar, we turned towards Kaladhungi road(adjacent to Jim Corbett national park).

NOTE : Though we avoided it because of SHANVI, a morning jungle safari(6 am) can be enjoyed at the Corbett national park, on the way to Nainital, if we leave Delhi early(approx 250 kms & around five hrs drive). Or, while coming back, you can catch evening safari(2 pm). The safaris can be booked online.

Once we crossed Kaladhungi, we were straight into the business. With hot water thermos, paper glasses, tea bags, coffee pouches,suger & condensed milk sachet, namkeen etc, it was a full-on party on the terrace of mother nature.

NOTE : In hills, controlled & safe driving is a prerequisite. Relax, avoid overtaking at sharp turns. Drive slow, drive safe, follow the signs. Have BREAKS to keep fresh, & along the way, soak the beauty of the nature around you.

12 kms before Nainital, we were at another beautiful water body, the KHURPATAL. At an elevation of 1635 mts(5500 ft), it is an anglers paradise with a good harvest of fishes.

We checked in at around 2 pm. With a splendid view of the lake, Alka Hotel is right at the mall road. After three hours of rest, we decided to have our evening tea on the mall road. The golgappas & aloo tikki, then a steaming hot cup of tea, tasted divine in the chilly weather of the lake city.

KASAULI - HIMACHAL

WEEKEND HILL-STATIONS around DELHI (THE 7 HOURS' DESTINATIONS), visit: https://hillheart.blogspot.in/2018/04/weekend-hill-stations-around-delhi.html

In the month of November, the nights were growing longer & the days shorter. With winter's finger on the doorbell...the boat traffic had definitely dwindled...the lake was finally getting a break from the summer & Durga Puja(an Indian festival) rush...the water of the Naini Lake remained serene and rays of the Sun were producing a scintillating Evening Show.

The Mirror!

A month ago, tourists would have filled up the local restaurants and shops, with many queuing up for the turn. In that respect, we were receiving a VIP treatment. Sometimes it is good to be a latecomer. We did a lot of window shopping, tasted almost everything available at the mall, including ice-cream and finally, we had our dinner at a lakeside restaurant.

Next morning we visited the NAINA DEVI TEMPLE. A Gurudwara next to the Temple & a Mosque opposite to it was a heart-warming sight. Located on the northern shore of the lake, this temple is a nice place to catch the glorious morning view of the lake. After offering our prayers we enjoyed aloo paranthas at a restaurant near the temple.

CHAUKORI

MIGHTY HIMALAYAS & FAIRYLANDS around DELHI, visit: https://hillheart.blogspot.in/2018/04/long-drive-hill-stations-around-delhi.html 

There are a lot of things that one can do in Nainital. Satisfy your Shopping instincts at the mall road & Tibetan market. Trek to the Tiffin Top(Dorothy's Seat,4 kms) located on Ayarpatta hill at an elevation of 2290 meters. Catch the cable car to reach snow point(elevation 2270 mts) & enjoy the panoramic view of the majestic Himalayas. Also, along the way have a bird's eye view of the lake. Or, just sit on the strategically placed benches...or do a boating adventure with your family...or simply slip into your walking shoes & stroll along the circumference of the lake...we selected the last option.

Naina Devi Temple

Silent Turbulence...Underneath

Colourful boats gliding on the shiny waves of the lake, lovely sight of the family of ducks paddling through the green waters & a lot of playful small and big fishes underneath, made a perfect show for us.

A lake, certainly, is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature.

Quite tired after approx two km walk, we went back to the hotel to have lunch and also, to catch a nap.

The nap turned into a nice winter's sleep. In fact, we all woke up quite late that evening. And as I looked out, there was fog all over.

Once out of the hotel, we were embraced by the mysterious splendor of the Mother Nature. A spellbinding view of the mist floating over calmness of the wonderful lake was undoubtedly a mesmerizing sight.

The Mall Road borders the lake with trees on one side and restaurant, hotels and shops (selling honey, wax candles, toys, fast food etc) on the other.  With a bit of shopping (some beautiful candles, a bottle of honey & a wooden toy for SHANVI) & a lot of eating, we spent memorable couple of hours at the mall. We even got a personalized nameplate made by an artist and took it home as a souvenir.

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Bhulla Lake, LANSDOWNE

FOR ALL INFORMATION ABOUT LANSDOWNE, visit:

https://hillheart.blogspot.in/2018/04/misty-lansdowne-zenith-of-monsoon.html

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It was the end of our entrancing journey to Nainital. We were leaving for Jageshwar, which was our destination for the tour. But there was a minor change in the itinerary. On the suggestion of a shopkeeper, first we will go to Kilbury & from there we will head towards Jageshwar.

A steep drive of approx 13 kms took us to an elevation of 2528 mtr. With more than 580 spices of birds, Kilbury is known as a peaceful tourist destination. We were told that on a clear day one can view the majestic Himalayan range covering Trishul, Mrigthuni, Nanda Devi, Nanda Devi east, Nanda khat, Rajramya & Panchachuli peaks. But as luck would have it, it was foggy at Kilbury. So obviously, we could not enjoy the grand Himalayan view. After spending some time, we moved on...without any regrets though, as we had found a station for our next tour to Kumaon.

Tarkeshwar Mahadev...LANSDOWNE

To plan a journey with me to 22 SPECIAL TEMPLES around famous HILL-STATIONS, just click here:

https://hillheart.blogspot.com/2018/05/18-special-temples-around-famous-hill.html

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NOTE : Avoid driving in low visibility. In unavoidable circumstances, drive at slow speed with blinkers and fog lights turned ON & high beams turned OFF. Keep a safe distance from the vehicles ahead.

While driving towards Jageshwar, we had to pass through few important landmarks of the Kumaon region, the most famous being Almora. While moving through the lush green landscapes, our first BREAK was at KAINCHI DHAM MANDIR. 30-32 kms from Kilbury & 17 km from Nainital, Kainchi Dham is a religious pilgrimage center, located at the banks of river Kosi. Built in 1964, the founder of this temple & a Hanuman devotee, sh. Neem Karoli Baba or Neeb Karori Baba has many temples around India & abroad. Kainchi ashram is a placed at an altitude of 1400 mts above sea level.

For more information about Kainchi Ashram, visit: 

https://hillheart.blogspot.in/2017/11/destination-munsiyari-via-chaukori.html

After offering our prayers at the temple, we moved further. Hopping & snaking through the rocks of all sizes, the River Kosi was making the landscape look like a flawless painting. The picturesque surroundings literally forced us to have another baby BREAK after just a few minutes drive from the ashram.

Moving on, to avoid city traffic, we used Almora bypass. The 'very-very lazy' snow-capped Himalayan peaks were still 'sleeping' under the blanket of thick clouds. So, we missed their glorious silvery presence during the journey.

Chitai Golu Devta Temple...Bells of faith

A less than 10 kms drive post-Almora, took us to CHITAI GOLU DEVTA TEMPLE.
Golu Devta is seen as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Golu Devta is prayed as Kul Devta in Kumaon and Garhwal. Regarded as a quick dispenser of justice, Golu Devta is offered Ghee, Milk, Curd, Halwa-Poori, Pakauri and head of Goat.  Golu Devta is offered White Cloths, white pagari, and white shawl. Devotees also offer bells. Thousands of them, of every size can be seen hanging over the temple premises. Written letters by the devotees to their devta, can also be seen hanging alongside.

After having an early lunch at a local dhaba, we left for Jageshwar.

Way to Jageshwar

Spiritual Nirvana lay ahead...

Driving through the lush green valleys on serpent black roads of the DEV-BHUMI, we were snaking smoothly towards the Shiv Bhumi...the Bhumi of Devo Ke Dev...MAHADEV.

As we entered deeper into the hills, We were tempted to have BREAKS at many places, which as usual, we took. Suddenly, Pines started giving way to Deodars.
And in no time, the divine feeling of Shiv Bhumi was evident as we drove through the tunnels of the mammoth Himalayan Deodars.

                                                                                 Land of  Towering Deodars                                              

TRIVIA : The name Deodar comes from Sanskrit 'deva daru'(deva-God & daru-wood), i.e., the wood of God. Tall Himalayan cedar often referred to as 'landscape specimen', is one of the most graceful cedar. Deodars are reasonably wind-firm too - some branches may break off occasionally, but a healthy tree, generally, can't be blown away.

Through the canopy of towering deodars, the salubrious mountain air, introduced our lungs to the precious riches of mother nature. In such dense forest, it would be a task for the sun rays to touch the lands of Jageshwar.
On the almost traffic less, lonely road, I was driving at 10 kms/hr. My wife, MADHU was busy making a video of the most beautiful mountainous terrain of the tour. With SHANVI in the most playful mood, her mother, HIMANI was having a difficult time controlling her. So, as soon as I saw a lush green small meadow, I parked. We took a BREAK.

NOTE : Someone said "Sirf manzil ka hi nahi Safar ka bhi lutf Lena zurori hi (Enjoy the journey along with the destination)"...So, Drive slow, Drive safe, make the journey more beautiful, the destination has to follow.

We spent memorable 40 min there enjoying tea, snacks & playing with SHANVI. Jungle's Sweet perfume, mixed into the breeze with a mild chill, was invigorating.

Seven hours of the journey, to cover only one hundred kms with fine road conditions, was refreshing...! We checked in KMVN tourist rest house at 4:30 pm sharp. After settling in the hotel we ordered tea with pakoras. 
Post refreshments, we decided to visit the temple. At 5.45 pm, it was pitch-dark outside, as the street lights were not working. The temple was a couple of minutes walk from the hotel. After offering our prayers, we also attended the aarti at the temple, a soothing experience as always.

KMVN TRH, Jageshwar

NOTE : Must keep good quality torch(mobile phone etc. may have charging issues) readily available to you at the hill stations. Many patches of the road may be poorly lit or even pitch-dark, which can be fatal. I learned this lesson in Jageshwar, two decades back.

Lord Ganesha Tree

Jageshwar is a religious place. So, only vegetarian food is served here. While ordering the dinner, we had no choice but to accept urad dal, jeera aaloo, chapattis & Maggi. This was going to be the menu there. But we were fine with it.
Tourists, come here for the 'day tour'. So, except for a few hours of the rush (from 12 noon to 3-4 pm max.) rest of the day, this wonderful garden of nature was ours.

Jageshwar Temple enveloped by deodar forest

Dandeshwar Temple

Kuber Temple

...To satisfy wanderlust genus, Jageshwar is a wonderland. With Devine serenity in the vicinity, Jageshwar has historical as well as spiritual significance. Though the Godly Jata Ganga, not as serene as it used to be two decades ago, is & will remain an attraction in this narrow valley.

LOST...!

All Mine...

Way to Vridh Jageshwar

Vridh Jageshwar Temple

NOTE : For the name & place of THE TWELVE JYOTIRLINGAS, see GROUND REPORT below.

The next morning, a lively trek, through easily manageable slopes & almost lonely forest, in the company of a local dog, dropped us at VRIDH JAGESHWAR. It is believed that Vridh Jageshwar temple is older than Jageshwar temple, hence the name Vridh (Old) Jageshwar. It is said to be the abode of Shiva before he came down to Jageshwar. Vridh Jageshwar is a less than three kms uphill trek from Jageshwar group of Temples. A beautiful panoramic view of the Trishul range of the Himalayas can be seen from Vridh Jageshwar. An almost traffic-less drive of 14 kms can also drop you there. Time taken during the drive entirely depends on the driver & Co.

For bird watchers, Jageshwar is an awesome place.

Snow Capped Himalayas from Varidh Jageshwar

TRIVIA : Bird in & around Jageshwar - Himalayan Woodpecker, Long-billed Thrush, Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Fire-capped Tit, Rufous-Breasted Accentor, Vinaceous Rosefinch, Brown Bullfinch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Black Francolin.

 A couple of days well spent. Tomorrow morning we will head back to our permanent address.


GROUND REPORT

PIT STOPS

Gajraula : Approx 125 kms from Delhi. Besides Bikanerwala, here one can find a number of good restaurants & dhabas.

Moradabad : Approx 175 kms from Delhi. Tadka restaurant(at Bharat Petroleum), McDonald's.


TOP STOPS

ALMORA

Altitude - 1,642 mtr (5,387 ft)
State - Uttrakhand
District - Almora
Division - Kumaon

DISTANCE
Almora Delhi- 365 km
Almora Nainital - 63 km

Main attraction - Almora is famous for its picturesque landscape, panoramic view of the Himalayas, rich cultural heritage, handicrafts & baal-mithai(a sweet dish) etc.

WHERE TO STAY*

KUMAON MANDAL VIKAS NIGAM (KMVN), Delhi Office (booking, information & guidance)-
Address #103, Indra Prakash Building, 21, Bara Khamba Road, New Delhi. Phone No.: (011) 23319835, 23712246. +91 9312633181(M). Fax No.: (011) 41519366. E-mail: kmvnnewdelhi@yahoo.com, kmvnjanpath@yahoo.co.in

KMVN tourist rest house, Almora, Uttrakhand. Ph : 05962 263 028
Many Luxury & budget hotels & resort.

SUPER STOP

NAINITAL

Altitude -2,084 mtr.(6,837 ft.)
State     - Uttrakhand
District - Nainital
Division - Kumaon

DISTANCE :

Nainital Delhi - 298 km.approx.

Nearest railway station - Kathgodam(41 km)
Nearest airport - Pant ngr.(72 km)

MAIN ATTRACTION : 

Pear-shaped NAINI LAKE (approx. 2 miles circumference) with Naina Devi Temple on its north shore.

An introduction to some other lakes of the area :

# Khurpatal - 12 kms from Nainital, at an elevation of 1635 mts(5500 ft), it is an anglers paradise with a good harvest of fishes.

# Sattal is, perhaps, the most beautiful, but least visited, cluster of seven lakes, each in a different hue of green and blue.

# Naukuchiatal is a nine-cornered lake situated at an elevation of 1220 mts above sea level.

# Bhimtal, 22 kilometers from Nainital, is a lake with an island in the middle that’s accessible by boat.

# Sariyatal is a small, heart-shaped lake located at a distance of just 5 kilometers from Nainital.

Nainital, besides nature's wonderful assets, is also famous for its educational institutions like St. Joseph's College, Birla Vidya Mandir,  Sherwood College etc.


WHERE TO STAY*

1. Alka hotel
Add.: The Mall, Nainital, Uttrakhand -263002
Ph.- 05942 235 220

2. KMVN, Oak Park House, Mallital
Ph - 07055 715 251/08650 002 501
3. KMVN, Thandi Road, Nainital
Ph - 05942 231 436
Many Luxury & budget hotels & resorts.


DESTINATION

JAGESHWAR

Altitude  : 1870 mtr.(6140 ft.)
State  : Uttrakhand   
District : Almora

Distance from :

Delhi : 400 kms
Nainital: 100 kms
Almora : 36 kms

Best time: Throughout the year.

Nearest Railway station : Kathgodam, 125 kms.
Nearest airport: Pant Nagar, 150 kms.

Main Attraction :

Situated amidst dense deodar forest, with JATAGANGA flowing at its backyard, Jageshwar is an ideal center for meditation because of its tranquillity & calm environment.

Most Hindus believe that Jageshwar is the place of NAGESH, 8th of the 12 Jyotirlingas of SHIVA established by VISHNU.


THE TWELVE JYOTIRLINGAS :

1. Somnath at Saurashtra, Gujarat.
2. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam, near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
3. Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain(Avanti), Madhya Pradesh.
4. Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh.
5. Baidyanath Temple at Deoghar, Jharkhand.
6. Bhimashankar in Dakini and located in the Sahyadri hills, near Pune, Maharashtra.
7. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Setubandanam, Tamil Nadu. This is situated on vast temple island of Rameswaram.
8. NAGESHVARA JYOTIRLINGA IN JAGESHWAR.
9. Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
10. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga shrine, Nasik, Maharashtra.
11. Kedarnath in Himalayas, Uttarakhand.
12. Grishneshwar in Devasrovar, near Ellora, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

The temple complex contains 125 (earlier 124) different small and large temples and in them, there are 108 Shivlinga. Most of the 124 stone temples are of Nagar Architecture.

According to the ASI, they belong to the post-Gupta and pre-medieval eras. Approx. 450 yrs old. These temples range in the period from the 7th century (early Katyuri Dynasty) to the 18th century (Chand Dynasty).

It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya visited Jageshwar and renovated and re-established many temples before leaving for Kedarnath.

Over 25 inscriptions of different periods are inscribed on the walls and pillars of the Jageshwar temples. Most of these belong to the period between the 7th century AD to 10th century AD.

The temple complex is under ASI(archaeological survey of India) control. ASI also has a museum near the temple complex. Here the statues found in other smaller temples around the complex, are placed.

Tarun Jageshwar is an important temple in the temple complex. The temple has two dwarapalas (door guardians) in the form of the armed Nandi and Skandi. This is a west facing temple. Here, Shiva is worshipped in the form of Nagesh/Jageshwar.

The Mahamrityunjay temple is the largest and oldest temple in the Jageshwar complex. This Shiva temple is east facing and the Linga is worshipped as the savior from death. The unique linga has an eye-shaped opening.

The other temples situated around are- Dandeshwar temple, Kuber temple, Surya temple, Chandi-ka-temple, Nanda Devi or Nau Durga, Nava-grah temple, a Pyramidal shrine & many more. The oldest is Mrityunjaya & the biggest is Dandeshwar temple.

WHERE TO STAY*

1. KMVN tourist rest house.
Add.: Jageshwar
Ph.-05962 263 028

2. Tara Guest House
Add : Jageshwar, Uttrakhand - 263623
Ph -05962 263 068

3. Mystic Mountain Resort
Add : Jageshwar, Uttrakhand -263623
Ph - 09536 559 002

4. Van Sarai
Add : Dandeshwar Jageshwar road, Jageshwar range, Uttrakhand-263623
Ph - 08057 237 825

5. Jageshwar Jungle Lodge
Add - Vill. Khali, Jageshwar, Uttrakhand - 263623
Ph : 09818 069 440

6. Shubham Guest House
Add - Jageshwar, Uttrakhand
Ph : +91-945830 7777, 05962 263 233

7. Bharat Residency
Add - Dandeshwar Jageshwar Road, Jageshwar range, Uttrakhand -263623

NOTE : DIFFICULT TO FIND AN ATM. NO PATROL PUMP IN JAGESHWAR. GET THE CAR TANK FILLED AT ALMORA.

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NOTE : ALWAYS drive carefully there...remember, mountains have a way of dealing with overconfidence.

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To enjoy all my posts...click your preferred  link below:

PHOTO GALLERIES

1. NAINITAL & JAGESHWAR...the lake city & the land of Shiva 

2. MUSSOORIE & DHANAULTI

3. MUNSIYARI...the lofty Himalayan sequence

4. CHAUKORI...a grand bouquet gifted by Mother Nature

5. DEORIATAL & CHOPTA...here the treks run parallel to the Himalayas

6. KHIRSU & UKHIMATH...rest house in the Himalayas

7. MUKTESHWAR...Shiva's land of salvation

8. Misty LANSDOWNE...the zenith of monsoon

9. KASAULI...nature's health resort

10. KANATAL, CHAMBA (Uttrakhand) & TEHRI LAKE

QUICK READS

# Checkout 15 LESS CROWDED hill-stations around DELHI

# 22 SPECIAL TEMPLES around famous HILL-STATIONS

# 13 WEEKEND HILL-STATIONS around DELHI

# MIGHTY HIMALAYAS & FAIRYLANDS around DELHI

PILGRIMAGE in HIMALAYAS 

# MUSSOORIE pilgrimage

# NAINITAL pilgrimage

# LANSDOWNE pilgrimage

# KASAULI pilgrimage

# PITHORAGARH pilgrimage

# DEV-BHOOMI pilgrimage

DETAILED BLOGS

1.  MUNSIYARI...the lofty Himalayan sequence

2. CHAUKORI...a grand bouquet gifted by Mother Nature

3. KASAULI...nature's health resort

4. KANATAL via CHAMBA...Hi-Land weekend

5. MUSSOORIE & DHANAULTI...the family destination

6. JAGESHWAR...the eighth Jyotirlinga

7. NAINITAL...the lake city

8. RISHIKESH via HARIDWAR...divine weekend

9. KHIRSU & UKHIMATH...rest house in the Himalayas

10. DEORIATAL & CHOPTA...here the treks run parallel to the Himalayas

11. Misty LANSDOWNE...the zenith of monsoon

12. MUKTESHWAR...Shiva's land of salvation

13. CHAKRATA via DEHRADUN

Respect Nature. She Reciprocates!

Mountains are the World’s Water Towers. Water, stocked as Glaciers, flows downwards in form of rivers. Besides satisfying our thirst, it also sustains most of the food production in addition to the maintenance of various green belts that generate the basic requirement of our life, the oxygen.

My birthplace, Delhi is a wonderful place, just a few hundred kilometers away from world's most famous water towers, The Towering Himalayas. And whenever we want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city we head straight into the lush green wilds of the Himalayas to breathe easy in the lap of raw nature. With an almost endless list of destinations, blessed with delightful landscapes and colourful trails for all tastes, capacities & capabilities, Himalaya, we believe is the abode of Gods. However, spending time in such serene surroundings brings its own responsibilities too...

...avoid littering around. Use eco-friendly produce during the journey.

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The Himalayan escape...around Delhi

"Tourists don't know where they've been. Travellers don't know where they are going"

-Paul Theroux

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Wanderer's Wonderland

* Compiled from Google