
Summer in Sikkim- Part V – Yuksom and away
This is my yet another post on Sikkim, about second day of trekking in Yuksom which was our fifth day in Sikkim. There is…
Read MoreThis is my yet another post on Sikkim, about second day of trekking in Yuksom which was our fifth day in Sikkim. There is…
Read MoreIt was fourth day of our W.Sikkim trip in May 2007. We woke up early and jumped out to see Mt kabur. It was…
Read Moreनवीं सदी में बने इस मंदिर में पहुंचने पर तुम्हे वहां विराजमान देखकर बच्चों को समझ आ गया कि भगवान शिव का मंदिर है. और ये भी कि नन्दीश्वरा का अर्थ है नंदी के ईश्वर। किन्तु एक बालिका को तुम्हारे कान में कुछ कहता देख अचरज़ हुआ. कौतूहल
Read MoreThere is a barricade at the brink of the ‘sunset point’ hill, lest people fall in the valley, mad by the red in the sky. There is ample space to enjoy the sunset for all: men, women, children, horses and monkeys. Everyone has more or less a chance of finding a good corner to sit but in solitude. It so happens that monkeys decide to practice acrobatics at the barricade and thus occupy the prime position, sending all the humans back.
Read MoreWe crossed the border to enter Sikkim. Smooth good road replaced the bumpy and potholed road, air became cooler, traffic lighter and River Rangit replaced Teesta. Soon there was no traffic at all. We were the only one on the road and River Rangit was there, revealing its beauty to prove Aaroop right. Yes!!! Rangit was dancing, flirting and romancing with us. I have traveled along rivers in Uttaranchal, Himachal but nothing like this.
Read MoreA few more photo-stops and we realized that by the time we would reach up, it would be well above three hours. The hike was relentlessly steep but we had no way out now. To aggravate the difficulty, path was paved with rough stones and we had to look where we put our feet.
Read MoreIt was our last day in Pelling. Manish returned after finalizing plans for next day to reach Yuksom. We set alarm in the mobile…
Read MorePemayangse means “ the perfect sublime lotus”. Lhatsun Champo, one of the three Lamas of Yuksom, founded the monastery in 17th century. It is the most important gompa in Sikkim and belongs to Nyingmapa sect. As we entered the gate we explained to Rachit about Prayer Wheels that were on both the side of gate. After this, a winding and climbing road is lined with fluttering prayer flags in all colors, sending the wishes riding on the horses of air in all the directions, till it reaches to Gompa.
Read MoreAs you will make your inventory of these 20-30 birds you will learn a lot about birding. Then wherever you travel- from Himalayas to the Sea, from desert to the forests, cities or villages, just get out of your hotel in early morning and take a small walk to look for local birds. There is always some nature walk-easy to moderate to difficult- near most of the places. Many places keep a check list/photo list of birds found in and around. For example, Anil Farm House in Gujarat had a Board pinned up at the reception showing the birds which prompted us to take morning and evening walks along the river to look out for birds, although it was not a birding trip. Similarly we spotted Eurasian jay while trekking at Chaukori, while Asian paradise Flycatcher was spotted while boating in Saattal. As you start birding your eyes and ears become adept at observing birds wherever you are. Then of course there are specific birding sites and sanctuaries where an organized birding trip can be very rewarding.
Read More“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over civilised people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is like going home; that wilderness is…
Read MoreHow does one start after a sabbatical of week…months…or rather years. I found it difficult and had to force myself to at least finish…
Read MoreI have seen jungles in real and watched wildlife on National Geography and Discovery channels. But none could match the impressions of that moment. Dear reader, it all happened in our very neighborhood: Corbett which till then (to me) meant Dhikala, Bijrani, jhirna and nth number of resorts. It all happened in its Sitavani area which is a buffer zone of Corbett.
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