Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Tanzania
Bishnois of Jodhpur
Living on the edge of desert is not easy, but
Bishnois have created a wonderful self-sustained ecosystem and are not
dependent on external means for their daily requirements. We in cities
might not value water so much, but the importance of water preservation is
exemplified by these simple people. Hats off. Khejri tree is a
prominent plantation in this region. A tree which grows/ survives/ flourishes
by only rainwater. No extra water is required. Sangree is obtained from this
tree, which is one of the most consumed vegetables here.
While moving around on narrow but well built roads, we were often coming across freely roaming chinkaras, black bucks and other animals. Amazed by the culture, we moved ahead to see the craftsmanship of these people, check out:
- Pottery work; beautiful toys, images of Gods/ Goddesses, piggy banks, lanterns and utensils are much sought after. Crocodile visible in the back is also hand made by potters here. Prepare one crocodile is very time consuming and generally takes 2-3 months to make one.
Block Printing: Bed sheets with a rich mix of colors is prepared by traditional methods. these bed sheet go with number of steps and then finely a beautiful bed sheet form. You are free to buy bed sheets, good thing that they will show you bed sheets as many as you want to see, but will not insist slightly even to purchase even one.
Bishnoi family was kind enough to show us the Dari
weaving facility and told us the intricacies involved in the process. This is a
community co-operative where most of the community members take part in Dari
weaving. It ensures livelihoods for all of the families in this village. By
this time, we were very hungry and excited as it was the time to have
our lunch with a bishnoi family. Menu was Bajre ki roti, kair sangree ki
sabzii, Yellow Dal and Besan ki Kadhi. Every dish was yummy and much tastier
than any exotic meal in any restaurant or hotel.
Nahan - for real vagabonding
While in middle of such a temptation, I decided for some real vagabonding in the himalayan ranges in Nahan region. Totally secluded from the hustles of any type, Nahan is an ideal place to roam around like a free bird. Once out of Delhi the excellent highway ends up adding to your impatience of reaching Nahan as soon as possible. "Resist the temptation". Nahan is a small town and headquarter of Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Lytton memorial is the entry point and a renowned landmark of Nahan.
There are a few accommodations available here, however locales advised us to go uphill 14 kms. and stay at Jamta. As we had no obligation for destination, we started meandering uphill along the snaky roads.
This is a place to enjoy your evening tea, morning
breakfast alongside the green airs of the hills. One here it was the time to
further explore the virgin beauty of this region. We were surprised to know that the
largest lake in Himachal Pradesh, "Renuka Lake" is separated from us
by a distance of only 27 Kms.
Next morning it was the voyage downhill to Renuka Lake. Every turn of the serpentine drive in the hills will surely keep your cameras in overdrive. Each click of the immensely artistic panoramic caricatures will only lead to click more and more. Enjoying the voyage also bought some envy, it was natural to envy the fortunes of the people living in such a heaven.
While enjoying our drive, we came across a pleasant surprise in the way. Check out the temple situated in middle of a waterfall - "Bedolia Waterfall".
Renuka Lake is the largest lake in
Himachal Pradesh and is 672 m above the sea level. Renuka Lake is named after
Goddess "RENUKA", mother of lord Parshuram. Welcomed by naughty ducks
in the pond called "Ram Sarovar", you have entered the place
of Renuka Lake which is also very sacred and is worshipped as a holy place.
This place is also birth place of Lord Parshuram. Check the history associated
with it...
With a circumference of about 3214 m. this lake is surrounded by a sanctuary too. A leisurely walk into the sanctuary will not disturb the inhabitants, Lions, Bears,...My favorite turned out to be bulky "Mithun Cow"...
The range of flora and fauna in the sanctuary is amazing.
This region can be described as land of valleys, meandering water streams and a place where you can drive throughout the day without getting enough of the place. This was turning out to be more wonderful than any of the expectations. As evening was approaching, settling mist was making the valleys more gorgeous. You can have the liberty of stopping your car, walking down to the bed of the streams and cherish the twilight in the woods...Once you are back at Jamta, evening and morning tea is also a pleasure. Immerse yourself in an isolated walk in the Shivalik hills and relish the ambience.
To reach Nahan:
Hit the Roads: 270 Km from Delhi Via: Sonipat-Panipat-Kurukshetra-Karnal-Shahbad Markanda-Kala
Amb-Nahan-Jamta
By Train: Nearest railway stations are Ambala, Chandigarh and Kalka and regular bus services connect these stations to Nahan.
While returning to Delhi take the other route (via Dhaula Kuan, Poanta Sahib and Dehradun) and
continue exploring more and more.
Another wonderful lake in Himachal Pradesh; worth exploring is Lake Rewalsar which is lying hidden in the mountains, 23 km. from town of Mandi...
Green side of Jamshedpur...
By this time, we both were a bit rejuvenated and started for our next destination, THE ZOOLOGICAL Gardens. Any doubts about the garden, it is indeed a garden; that was the first thought came to my mind when I was treated to such a beautiful portrait.
and large number of ducks to welcome us...
Mesmerized by the awesome greenery, I have forgotten for a moment that there are other commitments waiting for both of us.
Seeing the king of jungle in the cage, reminded me one famous dialogue of hindi movies:
(even small children can throw pebbles at caged tigers)
You might take your luck for granted with these tigers. However if you have it in you, try with him.
I am too adventurous, but this time I could not get any closer to the royal king of the jungle.
Innovation is not a patent of anyone, check out this simple yet effective way devised by this intelligent monkey to keep himself cool in this scorching heat:
It was the first time I had been to a zoo, but nonetheless I was cherishing the every moment of it. For the first time in my life I met with the following:
NEELGAI
BEARS
Looks like they were also delighted on meeting with me. Don't you all feel that these lives will be better off in their original homes, i.e. the forests.
While returning back, I was thinking that God has given me another venue to travel. This might be a humble beginning, who knows next time I will get a chance to go to Gir Forests or Ranthambore or Kaziranga Parks.
On one hand humans are destroying their dwellings to showcase their growth and later on to oblige these animals we are setting up sanctuaries, parks and zoological gardens. Whom are we trying to please or cheat..? We need to wake up in time, else when nature will seek back its due, human race will found itself too helpless and small.
Safari at Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
It was yet another visit to Agra when I spotted the sign board for "Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary", around 25 Km. from Mathura.
It was the first time I got the chance to tread into the forests. Whistling woods had created a magnetic field around us and we were getting sucked inside the forests despite the warnings that tourists should not go too inside the forests. Though there were occasional sounds of snakes hissing and other animals, but those were far too small and weak to dampen our spirits.
Where there is a will there is a way. I am not a wild life expert, but still I was exploring whatever was coming my way:

We took no time in reaching the bears' place. The fenced boundary wall visible in the below picture is the official residence of the "Bears".
However to meet the resident we had to walk to the nearby watch tower. But it was very difficult for me to resist the temptation, so I tried to see the animal by going atop a tree. My efforts went in vain as I was not able to get any sight of the Bears. Hard luck, I started to walk again.
All is well that ends well. The moment we reached at the top of the watch tower, there was a very huge bear in front of us, Bear did not kept us waiting.
With that we were almost at the limit of our available time. It took us around 2 hours to go around the Sanctuary, but the memories gathered were much more. When ever you plan to drive to this side keep some time for romancing the woods.
From the next time on wards whenever I will be driving to Agra a stop at this Bird Sanctuary will be a necessary part of the schedule.
So Friends keep on enjoying the world and keep travelling....
Romancing the Wilds "JIM Corbett"
To be honest we all crave for such delicacies of lives. What a life it will be if I get a chance to say at such a place. However our cities have become a concrete jungle, where even getting fresh air is a luxury. In the race to achievement we become so occupied that we miss out the charming aspects of the life.
Isn't it enticing... |
By 1:30 PM, we were inside the resort. If this was the indication for the things to come, the "Club Mahindra" resort was as beautiful as anything.
A swimming pool and a well equipped Gym was like icing on the cake. I was imagining the extent of enjoyment I will be having for the next 2 days.
Also I got the rare chance to stand on the riverside, watch the mountains out of the balcony and see the falling rains. What more you need for a weekend trip...? The resort is strictly for families.
Day 1: Hopping around
After taking the breath and our lunch, we started looking out for nearby spots. Hardly 100 m. from our resort, we were in for a surprise in form of a signboard in right hand side, pointing towards a Lord Shiva Temple. Without a second thought our feet started following the direction.
In store for us was an out of the world trekking adventure. We were going up the stoned way, which used to get constricted too much and at places it we had to cross the falling waters. It was like a walk in the woods at places and at some places we used to use our hands to move ahead. Well, Manual trekking is indeed enthralling.
By the time we returned back, it was all dark. Since the swimming pool had closed by then, we decided to hit the Gym. After sweating out for an hour we went back to our apartment. By then our stomachs had started craving for food, food food....Dining under the skies was our moment which we will cherish for rest of our lives. Thanks to Club Mahindra for the memories
Amazing Natural beauty at this place |
Walking over the bridge to cross Kosi river to reach the temple presents you with a panorama par excellence. It is easy to get carried away, but please keep our concentration intact. I would not give too much efforts in describing in words the Magnificence of this pace. Check out for yourself:
Feeling the chilled waters of river Kosi bestow you with a heavenly experience. However I was unable to enjoy it for long as the temple personnel asked me to come out as the river was flooded at that time. Well big things come in small packages.
I failed to notice that it had started to rain. What can be more amazing than having the snacks in a make shift dhaba (hotel). Chowmein and Tea never ever had or will taste better.