An Expedition

Home to Dalai Lama and Tibetan Government in exile and the starting point of some of the exhilarating treks into the Himalayas, McLeod Ganj is the upper town of Dharamshala. Spread across the wooden ridges beneath the Dauladher Range, the town is divided into two distinct sections. Originally a British Hill Station, McLeod Ganj has been converted into a Tibetan Home by the influx of Tibetan Refugees who left China fleeing the Chinese Oppression. McLeod Ganj is a place which attracts a lot of homeland people as well as foreigners. Its a preferred place for Hollywood Actors with a number of them already visited the place. Despite low temperatures between December and March, it attracts a lot of people throughout the year. Seeing the low temperatures, you will require loads of very warm clothes. Dalai Lama Settled temporarily in Mc Leod Ganj in 1960, four decades later he is still here. Because of his presence the place has become prestigious. His house is one the south edge...

Either it is contemporary or its is esthic – in whatever way you can accept it, the sculptures of Khajuraho has always been a question for the mankind. A superb example of the Indo Aryan Architecture, the embellished carvings on the walls of the temples has made them famous. The liberty given in the idols of the not – so liberal Indian society has always been a source of curiosity. Two elements have been highlighted in the temples – women and sex. But why so, Why there are no idols of the gods worshiped in these Temples except Lord Shiva. (There is a separate Temple for Lord Shiva in Khajuraho Temples). Some say these sensuous posturing idols are in fact Tantric Images (Black Magic), pertaining to the fact that they are not limited to Khajuraho. As per this Cult, gratification of the basic instincts is one way to transcend the evils of the world and thus achieve Enlightenment. Bhoga (Physical enjoyment) and Yoga (Spiritual enjoyment) – both are seen as equally valid in the Quest fo...

Constructed in the 3rd Centuries, it still has the Charms of a New City. I have seen a number of movies ( as per my say) on the nomadic Arabs, but as i stood in front of this one - its was as if standing in front of a gold mine - which shone more in the bright sun light. As i put my foot ahead in the only entrance of the City of Petra, i could sense what next i am going to see will be mindblowing. The siq - a long narrow gorge took me to the lands of Petra City. The huge city has many facets in its intact forms like the Al Khanez - the treasury. This treasury is fully bathed in the sun light in the morning hours. Glowing like gold in the morning; it turns into a pink shadow in the evening. Large shells indicate sort of lockers where wealth used to be put up. Next to it is the road which takes you to the Old Market. The huge lanes on the both sides, indicate a large no of shops and shopkeepers in it. My imagination suddenly runs what might have been the Market of City of P...

When I last visited the lands of Wayanad - see my last collective, i was naive of the Caves of Wayanad. These caves discovered by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintend of police of Malabar, discovered the caves. On a Hunting Trip to Wayanad in 1890, ha found a Neolithic Stone Axe in a Coffee Estate. This led him to the Rock Shelter 1,001 ft up the Hill. With the Neolithic Paintings and Carvings on the walls, these caves became the Center of Attraction. Today, these have been converted into a beautiful restaurant. You can take your vehicle only upto a part. Then after parking your vehicle in the Parking Lot provided, you have to hire a Jeep which comes only for Rs 70 ( Rs 40up/Rs 30 down the hill). Its an adventurous ride up the hill with the Telescope (provided) adding to the thrill. Once to land down the Jeep have a cool drink of the Ginger Juice or Herbal Soda being sold here. Once inside the Cave, see the second floor of the cave - which has the ancient paintings of the King and the...

It couldn't have been better - me standing at a Height of more than 14,000 ft from the sea level. Though there is no snow, still the beauty of the hills is incomparable.... Its been days since i have been in Gangtok but I haven't seen the boundaries of the two countries - the so called Brothers - India and China. And as today my guide told me we have got the Pass/ Permit to see the Nathula Pass, I can't see anything better. Nathula Pass is the Indo China Border at a height of more than 14,000ft. To reach this one needs at least 4 hrs from Gangtok . Passing through many beautiful places one reaches the No Mans Land - the Nathula Pass. Time flies as we pass through Hanuman Tok ( Hanuman Temple in Gangtok), Tosmgo Lake and the Natural Beauty of the Hills. From a distance I could see the large Board with Chinese and English Translation of these written on it. Like - Ni Hao means How do you Do? I finish...

How many times have you been to Calcutta. It reminded me of the city - the movie - City of Joy. As i watched the movie i could see the lanes of calcutta running before my eyes The Lindsay Street, the Victoria Memorial, the Rabindra Badi, the Church near the Birla Planitorium.....the list is long. Calcutta begins itself with the steps of Horse Tapping, then it moves to the local EMU - the lifeline of Calcutta people and then the last - the Metro. I still remember the Metro Station Senior Engineer telling me how it was in the beginning when Metro came. Slongans of - ETA CHOLBE NA - IT WON'T WORK - was all around; and see these days - same people, same place - people can't live without the Metro. So do cities change? Calcutta is a slow city, I say this as when i was back in the city after a couple of years, i could remember even the small galis - the narrow lanes, with the names chucked on them. The same banner painted in red saying - Welcome to Calcutta, the same wooden buses -...

It seemed a long while as I was outside the Ghoom Station. It looked like a Toy Station, the first time I saw it from outside. It was morning, 5 O clock – there was mist and fog. Stark fluorescent lamps lights with yellow lights covered the entire station. A strange feeling filled my mind. The Driver told us, “ It opens at 10: 00 a.m”. The next time I was standing there, number of voices were filling the area. The silence had broken and i could clearly hear the dripping voice of the rain drops. It was a cloudy day but we didn't expected the rains – the only good thing about it was that it was drizzly. Carrying my trekkers bag I strolled towards the Railway Line – it was small; unusually tiny – meter gauze – nothing more than a Toy Trains Path – but then I suddenly realized that it was a Toy Train I was here for. Small, mystic and charming. I should be beautiful - indeed. Breaking the silence of the Station, from quite a distance I could see the Engine – it was cute –...