Archive for the ‘Travel & Tourism’ Category
Monday, March 24th, 2008
In a world that’s going grey about grime and industrial waste spoiling the lungs of the city-weary soul, we’re glad we have one of the world’s cleanest villages surviving yet, in the Northeast that is slowly going the commercial way.
Nestled cosily between the plains of Bangladesh and the foothills of the War region, Mawlynnong which is a good three hours drive from Shillong is a cute, colourful little village renowned for its cleanliness. Autumn is the right season to visit this paradise on terra fi rma. The village is a picture perfect painting with a splash of colours. Vibrant red, yellow and green Coleus and Japonica grow profusely by the roadside giving the whole village the scenario of a piece of Eden.
DISCOVERY BY OVERSEAS TOURISTS
An unmistakable aroma of bay leaves invades your senses as you get closer to Mawlynnong. The pleasant climate is just right for some of the most exotic flora and fauna. Interestingly the first tourists to have visited Mawlynnong came from across the oceans. Several international visitors have come and gone leaving their imprints behind in a little journal. Every tourist narrates his/her unique experiences. A ninety-eight year old lady from Israel came to Mawlynnong to soak in its serenity. She even asked the local tourist guides to take her down to river Thyllong, a pristine piece of water body, perhaps one of the few left in our state. The matriarch wanted to see for herself the living root bridge that spans the banks of this river, not unlike the one you see in Laitkynsew village, albeit not so challenging and not a double decker, so it is easier to negotiate.
GUEST HOUSE
Mawlynnong’s fame is now drawing an endless stream of guests ranging from bus-loads of school kids to curious visitors from across the country. Although residential facilities are still scarce and are in the process of being developed, the existing one constructed from bamboo and thatch is quite hospitable and restful; the best part – it’s a tree house! It has a little machang (a sort of verandah) giving you a view of the river flowing beneath, and also rendering a cool zephyr. Mawlynnong is an artist’s delight and the sort of getaway that would titillate creative writers and poets, no less than it would attract serious researchers wanting to fi nd out how tourism has caught on in this remote destination.
Young men from this village have taken to being tourist guides, learning their trades through trial and error, and are eager to receive tips from experienced tourists. A crash course on tourism would defi nitely be benefi cial for these young lads. Mawlynnong has a range of sights and sounds, all natural. There are water falls, treks and picnic spots. The sparklingly clean streams and rivulets of this village are reminiscent of the good old days when all the rivers in this hill state were crystal clear and you could drink the water without the fear of it being polluted.
FRUITFUL SOUVENIRS
Mawlynnong is not just about sight seeing. There is a profusion of fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemon, and a range of vegetables growing in the village that tourists would like to take home. People pursue their traditional livelihoods growing betel nut, betel leaf and a host of spices. Bamboo crafts specific to the place are also gradually coming up.
Broomstick farming is a common occupation. This grass is easily cultivable and does not require the kind of care nor manure that other crops do. In January every year, which is the time when the harvested broomstick is suffi ciently dried and ready for sale, the mahajons or traders from Shillong come to pick them up in bulk. Farmers earn roughly Rs. 400 per quintal of broomstick. Mawlynnong is still largely forested with stretches cleared for plantation crops. People are enterprising and find something to grow all the year round.
THE OTHER SIDE OF TOURISM
But there is a flip side to this tourist friendly environment too. Promising a haven away from the rough and tumble of city life, Mawlynnong raises the expectations of the tourists who might like to determine their own comfort levels that the villagers may not be able to provide. It is here that Mawlynnong needs to assert its niche attraction. The idea is for tourists to live as close to nature as possible without looking for five-star comfort. Hopefully, Mawlynnong will preserve its simple lifestyle and not get carried away by the onrush of tourist expectations.
THE ROLE OF ECOTOURISM
At this moment what fears the concerned, is the propensity of the villagers to clear up virgin forests for broomstick cultivation. A tourist destination like Mawlynnong will be viable as long as there are forests to provide the ambience of serendipity. This is where ecotourism comes in as a strong contender and conserver of natural resources. If the Tourism Department works in tandem with the Forest Department, and the education of the people is taken seriously, they would be aware of the huge gains that come from eco-tourism and hence refrain from cutting the timber for earning money.
In states like Meghalaya with fragile bio-diversity, eco-tourism is the only alternative to logging and the rampant clearance of forests for mono-cropping. If Mawlynnong succeeds in drawing a steady stream of tourists throughout the year, the remuneration will spread more evenly across families. Even today the local villagers are earning their bit from providing hospitality and cooking the local cuisine.
TAKE A VACATION
Mawlynnong is a wonderful place to unwind and refresh one’s tired nerves. A brisk walk to any of the vantage points, and there are plenty, would not only churn up a good appetite but also give the tourist a rewarding experience of a good, sound sleep. Without your cell phone to disturb the even tenor of life and with just a transistor to keep abreast of the world, Mawlynnong is guaranteed to rejuvenate the bone weary and stressed-out city dweller. Here you are lulled to sleep by the chirping of the cricket and a dozen other fascinating sounds from the forest; sounds that this generation no longer recognizes.
Mawlynnong beckons those bitten by the adventure bug. A good number of visitors today are from Shillong. And many others come from different corners of the nation and abroad to soothe their frayed nerves in this home away from home. The prototypical Eden shall bring greater benefits, if only man upholds the gifts that Nature has over-
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Monday, March 24th, 2008
BRITISH AUTHOR JAMES HILTON IN HIS NOVEL, ‘LOST HORIZON’ INTRODUCES THE CONCEPT OF “SHANGRILA”, A MYSTICAL, HARMONIOUS VALLEY, GUIDED FROM A MONASTERY. IT HAS NOW BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH AN EARTHLY PARADISE, PARTICULARLY A MYTHICAL HIMALAYAN UTOPIA—A PERMANENTLY HAPPY LAND, ISOLATED FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
The nearest thing we can come close to experiencing Shangri-la in real life, is Sikkim – the only brother state of the seven Northeastern sister states. Perched in the midst of the twin mountain kingdoms of Bhutan and Nepal is the tiny state of Sikkim, beckoning the weary travellers with its misty mountains and undulating hills. There is always something that escapes the common eye and attracts the weather beaten traveller to this mystical land.
And it’s only when we delve deeper into its hidden secrets that we come to know and feel its full grandeur. The starting point of our journey is the capital city, Gangtok. The mere mention of this name conjures images of the mist hidden hills, tall gompas and the mystique of Orient. A mere four hour journey from Siliguri, lands one in Gangtok, Which means ‘High Hill.’ Gangtok became the capital in the mid 1800s (previous capitals were at Yuksom and Rabdentse). Sikkimese life is centred around this place. Its Buddhist past is the root of its appeal for visitors, and remains evident at the impressive Institute of Tibetology, the Enchey Monastery, Pemayengtse and the marvellous Rumtek Monastery not far away, the last a thriving centre of Mahayana Buddhism. Sikkim’s pride, the orchid, is nurtured at the Orchid Sanctuary and other sites in and around Gangtok.
With the Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain and the protective deity of the Sikkimese people - towering overhead and blessed with a magnifi cent landscape of fastflowing rivers and lush forested hills, Sikkim has evolved into a very popular destination in recent times for both domestic and foreign tourists. Let us follow the trail to fi nd out something more about the notable sights basking under the Gangtok sun.
INSTITUTE OF TIBETOLOGY
Just a mile from Gangtok, is the Institute of Tibetology, an organisation dedicated to furthering Tibetan studies, Buddhist philosophy and region. It attracts scholars from all over the world and houses a rare collection of 30,000 books, Tantric documents, rare manuscripts written in gold on the bark of a poisonous tree!
DUL-DUL CHORTEN & JHANG CLUB CHORTAN
Near the Deorali bazaar, are two exquisite stupas, the “Dul-dul-Chorten”, to commemorate the victory of good over evil, and the “Jhang Club Chorten”, built to perpetuate the memory of a great spiritualist of today. Th rul-Shik Rinpoche an ardent devotee of Buddha and one of his best interpreters died in 1962, and the stupa immortalises Rimpoche in the land of his birth.
TSUK-LA-KHANG MONASTERY
This monastery is located in the palace premises near the ridge in Gangtok. It is two-storeyed and was used during royal functions like weddings and coronations. Th e Phang Labsol and the Lossang festivals are celebrated in the ground adjacent to the monastery once every year, with the performance of the ‘Chhams’ or the masked dances.
ENCHEY MONASTERY
It is situated in Gangtok on a hill top. It was built during the reign of Thutob Namgyal.
DEER PARK
Embraced by gardens of flowers, lies a beautiful Deer Park – an ideal place to feel solitude, beside the Secretariat. Built to commemorate the Buddha’s reincarnation as a musk deer, it has a large fi elded statue of Buddha under a beautiful canopy in preaching posture, a replica of the statue at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, where Lord Buddha delivered his fi rst sermon. It is a popular viewpoint on the edge of the ridge.
A unique feature of Sikkimese culture are its famous mask dances which provides a spectacle, perhaps nowhere to be experienced in the entire world. Performed by lamas in the ‘Gompa’ courtyard to celebrate religious festivals, these dances demonstrate perfect footwork and grace.
For the more adventurous kind, a little detour outside Gangtok offers a plethora of varied images in the form of the famed monasteries of Sikkim, some of which are –
RUMTEK MONASTERY
About 24 km from Gangtok, by meandering roads through emerald green rice terraces, lies Rumtek, the main monastery of Kagyud or ‘Black Hat’ sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Built in 1959 by His Holiness the 16th Reincarnated Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyud sect, it is a replica of Tsurphu Monastery from the Kham region of Tibet.
PEMAYANGTSE MONASTERY
Built in 1705, it is Sikkim’s second oldest monastery and second most important. This ancient monastery is the headquarters of the Nyingmapa Buddhist sect of Sikkim. Inside are great murals fi lled with thousands of deities from the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. On the top fl oor is a wooden sculpture, the Zandog-Palri, which depicts the heavenly abode of Guru Padmasambhava.
YUKSOM
Yuksom, in the west of Gangtok, is an historical town set amidst pristine hills and lakes, where the first King of Sikkim was crowned in AD 1642. From here the adventurous can trek to Dzongri and Gochi-La. Th e reward for undertaking this strenuous excursion is an unequalled fi rst-hand experience of the high Himalaya peaks, glaciers and icefalls. A superb panorama of the Eastern Himalayas awaits the trekker.
A top spot on the ‘not to be missed’ list while in Sikkim, is the TSOMGO LAKE. Tsomgo lake in Sikkim is a holy lake worshipped by the Sikkimese. Tsomgo (Changu) lake, which is hardly 20 km away from the famous Nathula Pass and about 400 km from Lhasa. Its cool, placid water is in perfect harmony with the picturesque beauty around, which is increased by its refl ection in the lake. A small temple of Lord Shiva is built on the lakeside. Primula flowers and other alpine plantation grow around the Tsomgo lake. During the winter months, the Tsomo Lake becomes frozen.
Wonders never cease in North Sikkim with each turn, each valley, each rivulet trying to outdo the other in the scenic beauty that it off ers. Another much sought after spot in the north is the LACHUNG village. Hidden away from the prying eyes of the tourism department is this gem of a place, unravelling its secrets only to the few discerning travellers. An idyllic mountain village set amidst apple orchards and lofty peaks on both sides, Lachung, at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level, permeates an ethereal alpine glow.
For those worn out by the morbidity of routine urban life, a few days in this pristine setting is guaranteed to recharge the batteries. But more than that, is the sweet taste of lingering memories, one carries back with him, of a place hidden in the hills, a place they call Sikkim…
Tags: beauties, british author, earthly paradise, fi nd, forested hills, gems, happy land, hidden secrets, highest mountain, james hilton, kanchenjunga, mahayana buddhism, misty mountains, mountain kingdoms, mystical land, mythical himalayan, protective deity, siliguri, sister states, state of sikkim, tiny state, weary travellers
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Monday, March 24th, 2008
If there is one place in the Northeast where nature seems to be at its best, it must be Arunachal Pradesh. Blue-green hills, gurgling streams, winding rivers, and breathtaking scenery – Arunachal Pradesh presents a serene and tranquil atmosphere, offering respite to weary souls.
Boarding a flight from Kolkata we reached Guwahati, from where we drove to Tezpur which is about 200 kilometres away. The very next morning we hit the trail, and 60 kilometres later, we arrived at Bhalukpong, the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh. It is still a restricted area; foreigners need a government permit and even Indians are required to carry an inner line permit. Located at the farthest point in the Northeastern part of India, Arunachal Pradesh occupies a strategic position amongst the other Northeastern hill states of the country. Known as the Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains, it shares its borders with Bhutan in the west, China in the north and northeast, and Myanmar (former Burma) in the east and southeast. Assam lies to its south.
AMAZING SIGHTS
Our destination for the day was Dirang via Bomdila. An interesting stop-over point is Tipi which boasts of some rare collection of orchids. The journey from Sessa and Neciphu (two sleepy hamlets), and Tenga (an army camp set in sylvan surroundings), was uneventful. But gradually, as the plains gave way to the rugged terrain, we began to ascend the hills at regular intervals. If at one point we were at 5500 ft, fifty minutes later we would descend to 2500 ft. Such a big difference in altitude was thoroughly supplemented by visual treats that were as amazing as they were almost unbelievable. The alpine features of the lofty Himalayan ranges are plenty, and the rocky formations are interspersed with streams and cascades that seemed to leap, dance and flash silver in the sunshine, lending an interesting slant to the mountainscape.
Two very beautiful rivers – the Kameng and the Tenga – provide a soothing sight to the eyes. The intense blue of the river waters finds a pale echo in the canopy of the sky. Turn in any direction and as far as you eye can see, the picture is a motif of a green stretch of vibrant flora. Even for the most absent-minded traveller, it is difficult to miss this amazing kaleidoscope of nature’s bounties.
BOMDILLA
Standing at an altitude of 8500 ft, Bomdilla – situated 109 kilometres from Bhalukpong – is surrounded by rolling hills. Adding charm and mystique to the town is the presence of two Buddhist monasteries : the upper monastery and the lower monastery. Sombre, holy and exclusive, the upper monastery is a world far different from the one we live in. In the lower monastery, a gaggle of young lamas adopt us as their new friends. The craft centre here is an interesting display of woodwork, carpet-weaving, spinning and items made of silver. But, perhaps the most stunning spot in the town – both for researchers and laymen, is the district museum.
Arunachal Pradesh with its screen of wilderness, hides a population of numerous tribes. And this museum, with its limited but valuable collections like pakcha, chandung, chuskar – which are native gadgets of the tribes – speaks volumes about their inscrutable world.
A mysterious and poignant note of melancholy floats in the air in Bomdilla. In 1962, the Chinese had reached up to this point, halted and retreated. They left behind a trail of destruction, and several hundred Army men who were martyred. Along the entire route are war memorials, erected in honour of the dead soldiers.
Further away from Bomdilla is Dirang located at 5500 ft. It provides a picture of idyllic bliss. The gurgling Dirang river and the foot suspension bridge present an amazing sight and are waiting to be savoured.
THE MONPAS
The route we are traversing belongs to west Kameng district, inhabited mainly by the Monpas. The age-old Monpa houses with orange corncobs, hanging in branches from verandah roofs, are a sight for sore eyes. Prior to our trip, our doubts about a potential language problem were laid to rest by officials who assured us that the Monpas understand Hindi perfectly. But, it would not have been difficult to converse otherwise in the universal language of smiles with which the Monpas greet a stranger.Th eir gestures are a stark reminder to the decreasing trend of cordial hospitality. Evidently, the world of Monpas is a nice balance between traditionalism and hi-tech modernism, a world not frozen in time but that which is tranquil.
Next morning after crossing Sangrila, an Army camp which is located at 11,000 ft, we are on our way to Se-La. La stands for pass in the local language. Sixty-four kilometres away from Dirang, it is a very diffi cult and rugged terrain. To add to our woes, our car had to negotiate the bends through a dense fog, making it almost impossible to see if we were going the right way. Inside the car, a chilling awareness engulfed us that invisible gorges were lying beside, and one wrong move would have meant certain death.
The sight of the entrance to Se-La was a pleasant relief to us. From here onwards, began our ascent to Tawang. At a height of 13,714 ft, you feel a biting cold in Se-La. As we raced towards Jang, we came across a martyr’s corner. In the war of 1962, rifleman Jaswant Singh gave away his life to save a place called Nuranang. A memorial has been erected here in his honour called Jaswant Garh – the Bastion of Sacrifice.
As we moved on, the sight of cool and mossy nooks gurgling with crystal springs, the winding hilly road, picture-perfect villages nestled on distant slopes and the sound of the crickets’ song – made us lose track of time. However, we realised later that this enchanting panaroma was just a preface, and that, an even more breath-taking scenery awaited us as we approached Nuranang waterfall. Cascading down a steep green rock, this milky-white, magnificent and majestic cataract merging into the azure Tawang river was enough to mesmerise us. I blinked several times to make sure it was not a dream.
Another eighteen kilometres later, we reached Lohu, a hamlet of pristine beauty. From here, Tawang was just twenty kilometers away
TAWANG
The origin of the name Tawang is steeped in a queer legend. The site for the local Gaden Namgyl Lhatse Monastery which is now more than 400 years old was initially spotted with the help of the horse of Mera lama. The lama gave the name Tawang to this place which means “blessed by the horse”.
From a distance, Gaden Namgyl Lhatse Monastery popularly known as Tawang monastery, looks like a fl oating ship. Once you enter it, the awesome interior makes you feel that it is a collage of mystery and aesthetic charm. The museum inside is a vast treasure-trove of rare manuscripts, scrolls, ivoryware, coins of Tibet and other curios.
The Tawang war memorial is also worth a visit, even if only to serve as a reminder of the army men who were martyred in the 1962 war. Photographs of the mortal remains of the soldiers being carried by yaks were a poignant reminder to us and a sadness gripped our hearts as we left the place.
Tawang town at a height of 10,800 ft is like any other found in the hills. But, excursions around the town will take you to peripheral places where one encounters sudden and inexplicable vistas of beauty.
Arunachal Pradesh receives the first rays of the morning sun. A dazzlingly bright sunny day greets us the moment we peep out of the window at 5:30 a.m., and we decide to head for Pankang Teng Tso (P. T. Tso – tso stands for lake) and Shungatser lake. Along the way, we could see abandoned bunkers on the road which are also a reminder of the war.
Stopping at Nagu-La, 16 kilometres from Tawang and standing at 14,500 ft was the frozen P. T. Tso, topped with snow. Never before had we seen such bewildering nuances of snow – snow like white satin, white lather, snow falling like tiny white balls and like white marble. The adjoining black and brown foothills, the seasonal flora with flaming and fi ery colours of red, yellow and green and the ravishing snow provided such a beautiful contrast – it was enough to keep our eyeballs popped.
SHUNGATSER LAKE
We had to move on as we had yet to see Shungatser lake. We reached Bumla point at a height of 14,615 ft which incidentally was the highest spot on the trip. After quite a long drive in another direction, one can reach the Chinese border. But, this zone is off -limits for civilians. A little later, we began descending the mountain and fi nally reached Shungatser lake. Nestled at a height of 13,500 ft, the sight makes you speechless. You can feel it, admire it but can never express it eloquently.
If you want to experience what ecstasy stands for, then Tawang is just the place for you. It is a place with music for the heart, soul and body. Here, every spot will off er you a stopover point to realize how much more incredible than dreams can reality be.
Tags: army camp, assam, beauties, breathtaking scenery, farthest point, hamlets, hill states, himalayan ranges, intense blue, kameng, rare collection, restricted area, river waters, rocky formations, rugged terrain, sessa, sylvan surroundings, tezpur, tranquil atmosphere, weary souls, west china
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
Goa is a land blessed with its own natural and breath taking beauty. It is not only the sun, sand and blue sea that puts Goa as one of the best holiday destinations in the world but also the scenic beauty of the land makes it a Paradise on Earth.
WeatherGoa enjoys wonderful climate, best experienced during the winter months from October to end of March. During this time, the tourists love to lay back and enjoy the peaceful and solemnity of the land cruises and bathes in the pleasant sunshine of the fabulous beaches.
The monsoon in Goa is awesome. It is a different experience to feel and see the countryside wrapped up in a green carpet decorated with different flowers and rainbow paintings in the sky. It is the greenery of Goa that attracts tourist in large numbers to this land. In other words whether it is monsoon or winter or summer tourist rush to experience different season, as this is one place on earth where travelers completely surrender to the spirit of land and its hospitable people.
Beaches
125 kilometers coastline of Goa has beautiful beaches in the world that offers glistering sands, swaying coconut palms and mouth-watering seafood. The unique mixture of sun sand and sea coupled with essence of local culture gives each beach a very distinct identity. Goa’s beaches always remain fresh, breathtaking and exciting because the tides washes these beaches twice a day and cleans out the dirt thus making it a clean and beautiful to lay on.
Culture
Goa has a very unique culture of its own influenced by 450 years of Portuguese rule with the different customs and tradition laid down by them. It is Iberian aura, the cultural alloy of Latin and oriental, the co-existence of Hinduism and Christianity that epitomizes the identity of Goa.
People and lifestyles
Goan people are famous for their warmth and their hospitality. They are easy and fun going and live their life in style and at a leisurely pace. Being passionate about dance and music they enjoy their lives at the fullest they love their food and drink feni ( Goa is famous for alcohol name Feni- It is distilled from cashews) Goan enjoys a unique lifestyle which reflects the perfect blending of the cultural influences that they have experienced over the centuries.
Heritage
Goa is famous for its rich architectural heritage and has lots to offer to the tourist as it has historical values. The richly preserved churches, the 16th century temples, forts, traditional homes and villages which has its reorganization as world heritage. So it is for these historical reasons people from all walks of life throughout the world come to visit these places.
Goan Food
Goan food is a blend of the Indian and Portuguese taste. Goan cuisine is simple and tasty and some of the dishes are a little spicy and pungent. The stable food in goa is Fish curry rice. Curries are given different Portuguese names such as caldeirade, temperado, Amotik, Xacuti, vindalho and so on. Seafood such as prawns, lobsters, crabs, pomfrets, clams, ladyfish, mussels and oyster are used to make variety of curries, fries, soups and pickles.
In Goa one can taste and enjoy the magnificent culinary delicacies like prawn balchao, sorpotel and fried reachardo fish. The Goan use a lot of coconut in their cuisine and also in sweets like bebinca and dodal, which is a coconut milk delicacy, the specialty of Goa, which is also served as a desert. The tourist thrive on the Goan cuisine as it is cooked with combination of different spices giving the food a flavour and mouth watering taste.
Wild life sanctuaries
Nature has endowed Goa with magnificence of gentle wildederness, lush green hills, rich vegetation, beautiful flora and fauna which all makes Goa a paradise for nature lovers. Goa has six big wildlife sanctuaries and amongst them the Bhagwan sanctuary is the largest sanctuary in the state.
Goa has overall best wild reserves and bird sanctuaries as it lies at foothill of the Western Ghats. It also has dazzling variety of flora and fauna which tourist love to discover so when you are in Goa it is a must that you attend the call of the wild
Adventurous and water sports
Goan beaches are full of activities. Water sports are offered in many of the beaches in Goa. The private operators offer parasailing, water-skiing, wind surfing, scuba diving, water scooters, boat rides and river cruises. Star resorts also have hill climbing adventurous activity thus making visitor’s holiday a rare choice of entertainment and sports.
Nightlife
Music is an integral part of Goan life. It is said that Goan is born with music in his blood. Goan music is distinctive. They play western as well as Indian music but young muisican have also taken to western rock music. Therefore nightlife in Goa is unbelievable. There are number of discotheques and clubs where we have the best of Dj’s performing From whole of India. In addition we have the live bands giving you live music entertainment all night long. Also one man bands performs at the famous restaurants in Goa while you drink and dine.
Art and crafts
Goa is called a “ land of crafts” where aesthetic quality of craftsmen finds natural expressions. The art and craft of Goa symbolizes the complete harmony between the Indian and the Portuguese cultures. In fact the art and craft of a region is what reflect the richness of cultures. During the Portuguese colonization, local craftsmen play a major role in the development of exquisite furnishing and decoration used in residential houses, churches and chapels. The exquisite items of art and craft include items of seashells, terracotta, figurines, metal embossing, cotton dolls and coconut shell carvings.
Shopping in Goa
Shopping in Goa is amazing. The vistor’s gets fascinated when they get to shop and roam in the traditional Goan Weekly Market. Anjuna’s flea market and also Mapusa’s weekly Friday market are fantastic place for souvenir shopping. In addition Saturday nite bazaar at Arpora is also popular since it is the meeting place for all tourist who come from all parts of Goa to get together and have fun. Hence, it is just a great place to sit and watch the world go bye.
EVENTS, FESTIVALS AND ENTERTAINMENT IN GOA
If one goes through the Goan calendar you will find it full of Events, Festivals and Entertainment. Since India is a secular country and Goa has a cosmopolitan population there are various religions and hence different festivals are celebrated through out the year according to their regilious calendar. Christian festivals occurs on the set dates while Hindus and other religions follow the lunar calendar and therefore their festive dates varies from month to month.
Following are some of the festivals and local village events apart from national, state and local holidays.
January/ February/March
Festa dos Reis - Popularly known as Feast of the three kings- this feast is celebrated on 6th January every year. This is first feast of the year celebrated in three villages i.e Reis Magos, Cansaulim and chandor on a grand scale where three local boys enact the feast dressing up like 3 kings and goes to worship infant Jesus with the Gifts..
Jatra - Jatra is a Hindu festival where people dedicate the importance of temples to God through various pujas and prayers performed. This festival is celebrated with a big fair, which last more than a week. During the fair the cultural programme is also held to entertain the public.
Republic day - India became republic in the year 1950 and this anniversary is been celebrated in spectacular way through out India. Hence it is a public holiday. In Goa republic day is celebrated with flag hosting ceremony followed by Governor’s speech to the state. This ceremony is followed with great gaiety and enthusiasm of March past parade and the cultural programme.
Fontainhas Art And cultural festival - Fontainhas is place known for Portuguese heritage. The importance of this festival is the artists from all walks of life display their works ,participate and performs. This festival is celebrated in the first week of February for almost a week.
Pop, Beat and Jazz Musical festivalis held over two days in February at the Kala Academy-Panjim.
Carnival - This is an exciting and unique four-days non stop extravanganza of fun, frolic, song, music and dance before the start of lent. The celebration begins on Sabado-gordo or known as Fat Saturday with the colourful procession of floats. This event is opened by king Momo who makes a traditional declaration to the people to have fun ,good time and forget about their worries. Foreign Tourists specially fly to participate in this event.
Shigmotsav - Popularly known as Shigmo is a Hindu festival. Shigmotsav or Shigmo is a festival of colours and the celebrations extends to five days in the cities of Panaji, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco and all the villages. During Shigmotsav or Shigmo, a parade dance is performed by the traditional folk dancers that are joined by the street dancers. The dancers carry handcrafted floats that have mythological and religious significance. People celebrates this festival by throwing coloured powder at one another.
Vasant Panchami Jatra is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the wife of Brahma. Vasant Panchami is referred to as the spring festival, and signifies the beginning of Vasant Ritu (spring season).Best Celebrated at Shantadurga Temple at Ponda and in Mangesh temple at Priol.
Mahashivrartri Jatra . These festival is a festival of Hindus celebrated in Goa and whole of India with great splendour. Mahashivratri festival (literally means ‘the Grand Night dedicated for the worship of Lord Shiva’). is looked upon with greatest reverence and respect by the devotees of Lord Shiva. Best Celebrated at Ramanth temple in Ponda and also at Harvalem, kavlem and mangesh temples.
Ramanavami :- This is a Hindu major festival celebrating the birth of Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu was born on the ninth day of the bright half of the Chaitra (March - April) . This festival is celebrated at the temple of Partagal in Canacona.
Mahavir Jayanti :- Its a Jain festival, where Jain community marks the birth of Mahavir. The founder of Jainism. It is a public Holiday.
April /may / June
Good Friday - This is a international holiday observed to mark crucifixion and death of Lord Jesus Christ
Easter - Easter is celebration of victory for Christianity as the Lord risen from the dead to gives salvation.
Feast of Jesus of Nazareth - this feast is the first feast held in Siridao (Siridao has beautiful beach) on the first Sunday after Easter. This feast is very famous and celebrated on a grand scale by the villagers.
Feast of our lady of Miracles - This feast is celebrated in great devotion and faith as this statue of our lady is very miraculous. This feast is not only celebrated by catholics but also people from other faith. There is lots of entertainment as the cultural program and also big fair is held.
Beach Bonanza - From mid April onwards successive Saturday and Sundays ,the entertainment gets hotter in Goa with live music, dance , beat shows everywhere.
Goa Statehood Day - Celebrated on 30th May, Its a Public holiday since Goa got statehood and became 25th state of Indian union in 1987.
Igitun Chalne - It is a unique festival of Goa celebrated by Hindus in the month of May. It is celebrated as thanks giving day and devotees of “Lairaya” dress up in simple dhoti and walk over hot coals at the village of Sirigao, Bichloim in a trance.
Festival of St. Anthony - This feast is held on 13th June. St.Anthony is the national saint of Portugal and hence this celebration has come to Goa because of Portuguese rule. Many Christians believe in St. Anthony for Favours. St Anthony’s feast marks the onset of the rains. If The Monsoon dosent arrives before this date a statue of saint is lowered into family well for the arrival of rain.
Feast of St. John the Baptist is held on 24 th June. This feast of St. John is a Thanks giving for the arrival of the monsoon.
Feast of St. Peter And St. Paul - Feast of St. Peter And St. Paul is celebrated by the Fishing community of the state on 29th June. It is a big celebration in Goa.
July/August/September
15 th August - On 15th August, we celebrate India’s independence day. India Got liberated from British rule in the year 1947. On this special occasion The Prime Minister of India delivers the message to the country from ramparts of Delhi’s Red fort. Its a Remarkable day in the Indian history. It is a national holiday.
Bonderam - This is a colourful festival, is celebrated on the island of Divar on the fourth Saturday of August. This festival is celebrated in memory of victory over Frequent disputes which occurred between two wards (section of the village) - Piedade and Sao Mathias - over property matters. Bonderam festival takes place in two sectors of the village. Sao Mathias sector celebrates one-week prior from Piedade.
Each Ward from the village puts up the float at the colorful parade and live band performs where large attendants dance and have fun. This festival is celebrated with Great enthusiasm and like carnival, ambience is created for the event.
Navidades - Held on 24 th August . It is the thanks-giving offering of the first harvest of the year.
Ganesh Chaturti - Its a Hindu festival celebrated through out state to mark the birth of Lord Ganesh. Clay idol of Ganesh is brought home and the devotees perform various puja’s before immersing the statue in the water. Its minimum 1 day celebration and it goes upto 10-11days .It is the biggest Hindu festival in Goa to such an extent even the school and colleges are closed for a week.
October/November/ December
Gandhi Jayanti - This is a public holiday to celebrate the birth of Mahatma Gandhi known as father of our nation. Prayer meetings are held at the memorial site in Delhi. As a mark of respect dry day is observed all over India
Dussehra/ Dharostav - Dussehra is normally a 10 day festival but sometimes as per Hindu calender it goes upto 11 days. Festival begins on the first day of Hindu Month of ashvina. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil and culminates in the burning of effigy of the demon king Ravana. It is preceded by nine days called navratri where they have the famous dandiya and garba dance.
Diwali - This festival is known as the festival of lights. Symbolically lamps are lit in the homes of worshippers. School and colleges are closed for 3 weeks.
Drama Festivals - It’s a Drama competition among the villages. Drama is 3 hours play where villagers perform. The best play gets the award. It is held at kala Academy during November to December.
Food and Cultural Festival - A five day event is held at anyone of the famous beaches in December to highlight Goan cuisine and entertainment.
Feast of St. Francis Xavier - St Francis Xavier is the Patron Saint of Goa. This feast is celebrated on the day he died.. Preceding the feast, nine days of novenas are held, attended by pilgrims from all over the world. 3rd of December is big day for Goans as his body is still preserved in the silver cascade in the shrine of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. It is a state holiday
IFFI - Its a 10 day international film festival where films from all over the world participates in this festival. All the Bollywood actors from the film fraternity is seen in Goa during this time. People can watch the movies free of cost.
Feast of our lady \of Immaculate Conception - Its a grand festival celebrated in the capital City of Goa on the 8th of December.
Christmas day - Catholic flock celebrates the tradition mass services called Missa de Galo in the memory of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. This service goes on well into early hours of the morning followed by Christmas hop.
New year’s eve- Its Jubilant celebrations on the 31st of December, to welcome the New year.
Tags: Festa dos Reis, Fontainhas Art And cultural festival, Ganesh Chaturthi, Goa, Jatra, Paradise on Earth
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Saturday, December 8th, 2007
There exists in India, a tropical evergreen rain forest with an unbroken evolutionary history of 50 million years. Steep escarpments and ridges on all sides ensured that this plateau remained unsullied by man, thereby preserving its rich bio-diversity. The multi-layered canopy harbors a variety of plant and animal species, many of them hitherto unheard of by Science. A new frog genus supposed to be of the Jurassic era was discovered in the year 2003. It is no wonder then that scientists have described Silent Valley as ‘the richest expression of life on Earth’.
Silent Valley is a virgin, fragile forest, nestled in the mountain folds of the Nilgiris in Southern India. In God’s own country, Kerala, Silent Valley is surely God’s own abode. It has etymological connotations to the absence of noisy insect cicadas that are generally abundant in tropical rain forests, although now, cicadas form an integral part of the forest. The local names of the valley and the river that flows through it, resurrect the grand tale of the Mahabharata. In the local lingo, Silent Valley is called Sai-randhi-vanam or Sai-randhiri (synonymous with Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas) and the river is called Kunthipuzha (synonymous with Kunti, mother of the Pandavas).
Nature’s Bounty
Cut-off from civilization and commercialisation, Silent Valley is an ideal destination for nature lovers, researchers and gutsy trekkers. Undulating mountains and lush greenery greet the eye at Silent Valley. View from the watch tower at Sairandhiri is panoramic and the entire valley below appears to be a wavy green enormous carpet. A silver line that runs through is the Kunthipuzha.
The interpretation centre at Sairandhiri imparts information on various rare species of orchids, plants and animals. Kunthipuzha is a 2 km down hill trek over a suspension bridge. With fresh elephant dung strewn around on the path leading to Kunthipuzha, it is the nearest one can get to wild elephants. Lone male tuskers are a dangerous proposition as can be judged from the frenzied paths they pave through thick foliage. However, there is no danger from them unless of course, you bump into them.
The most famous resident of the park is a medium sized species of monkey, called the lion tailed macaque. Other animals include tigers, leopards, snakes, Malabar squirrel, Nilgiri langur and the malabar laughing thrush. The only nest-building snake, the king cobra is a prized possession of the park. Vibrantly coloured butterflies, fluttering their enormous wings create an artistic mosaic, which is a sight to behold. Early mornings and evenings are the best time to spot animals.
Silent valley was once a battlefield, when the proposed construction of a dam on the river Kunthipuzha by the Kerala government for its hydroelectric project, constituted headlines in almost every national daily in the late 1970’s. The dam was to submerge the verdant valley together with its prized fauna. The debate between environment and development attracted international attention and continued for over a decade. Scientists, researchers, ecologists and nature lovers the world over united to preserve Silent Valley and a ‘Save Silent Valley ‘ campaign was launched. Their efforts paid off, when in 1984, Silent Valley was declared a national park. Today, the park is well conserved and has been declared a biodiversity hotspot. Two of its prized animals, the lion tailed macaque and the Nilgiri langur are listed in the IUCN’s (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) red list of threatened animals.
Do’s and Don’ts
As the park and adjoining areas are declared polythene free zones, polythene going in must find its way out. Animals, which are unfamiliar with polythene and plastic may choke on them and die. The forest abounds in leeches. These 1-inch long, dark-brown thread like creatures latch on to any open area of your skin and bloat on your blood. If possible, wear high ankle leech proof jungle boots. The experienced forest guards however, roll up their trousers till their knees to easily spot leeches clinging on to their skin.
Procure all required permit slips from the forest department office at Mukkali, before entry into the park. Mukkali, 23 Km from Silent Valley, is the starting point. A forest guard accompanies each group as a guide and also ensures that no damage is done to the fragile flora and fauna. It is also safer to stick to your group. Silence pays, as chances of sighting animals are heightened. Do not be disappointed if you don’t see animals, as they are shy of humans. Be patient, observe keenly and you will find the forest teeming with various life forms.
Information for Trekkers
Only serious trekkers find their way to Silent Valley, as trekking in this undulating terrain with thick vegetation is no cakewalk. Trek to Poochipara (Cat’s rock, 7-Km steep climb from Sairandhiri) takes 3 hours. Trekker’s are allowed to stay in the five camps of the forest department set deep inside. Trek routes can be chosen based on the duration of stay (1-4 days). A 4-day trek route starts from Mukkali and goes through Sairandhiri-Poochipara-Walakkad-Sispara and Anginda. Trekkers must procure all requisite permits from the forest department office at Mukkali or from the Wildlife Warden at Mannarkkad. For treks starting from Mukkali, all permits and payments are made at the forest department office, Mukkali. A guide-cum-cook accompanies trekkers through the trek route for the entire duration.
Getting There
Silent Valley is situated in the northeastern part of Palakkad district, Kerala. The nearest town is Mannarkkad (66Km). Bus transport is available to Mukkali(23 Km). You can hire a private jeep from Mukkali to Sairandhiri or trek right up. Jeep takes 1 hour while a trek uphill takes between 4-5 hours. Visitors are few as the place is totally non-commercialised. Forest officials are helpful and dedicated.
Entry fee per visitor is Rs 20/-. Private jeeps from Mukkali to Silent valley and back cost Rs 450/-. You can also take your own vehicle with permission from forest officials (Vehicle entrance fee-Rs 100/-). On the way uphill you see the Karivara farm inhabited by the Mudukar tribes of the Attapadi forest reserve.
The forest guest house at Mukkali has dormitories and 3 rooms. The inspection Bungalow at Sairandhiri has 4 rooms with solar powered electricity. Room rent for a couple at both places is Rs 400/- and rooms are quite basic. There is no other private lodging facility available anywhere nearby. Hence it is best to book your accommodation in advance.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Nearest town: Mannarkkad-66 Km
Nearest Airport: Coimbatore (68 Km)
Nearest Railhead: Coimbatore (68 Km), Palakkad(106 Km)
Best time to visit: September to March
Tags: India, Kerala, Travel & Tourism, Tropical Rain Forest, Valley of Silence
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