Author: Adityam

A suburb of Dharamshala and aslo referred as the Upper Dharmashala, the small hill-station of McleodGanj has its fame worldwide for catering the residential needs of his Holiness The Dalai Lama. A hub for the Tibetan ethnicity, traditions and Buddhism; Mcleodganj has an exquisite ambiance that makes your trip to this place etched in your mind forever. Having natures never splendor, Mcleodganj is a perfect dwelling for countryside enthusiasts.

If you are seriously in need of some escape time from your busy boring life then come here to breathe in the fresh air of Mcleodganj and experience the vibe of romance and adventure knotted together. So beautiful that the biting winter will stick to you at night, clouds like the flower petals and the Sun sparkling like strands of gold will make you fall in love with this heavenly land. Besides these natural incredulities the tempting smells of the freshly baked Tibetan food and the walk through the busy markets will teleport you to some other dimensions.

A trendy destination for trek and hikes, Mcleodganj is always open for the wayfarers. Letting you explore some pretty places of natural bounty, Mcleodganj will let you have some arduous trails while you set your expedition to the treks of Dharamkot, Bharmour, Bhagsu and Triund.

If you have serious spiritual motives during your trip to Mcleodganj and dying to meet his holiness the Dalai Lama, then you can plan your trip according to his availability in the town. Check out for his presence and annual schedules in Mcleodganj at www.dalailama.com and accordingly you can register yourself for the appointment. To be a part of this serene exchange of thoughts you require to register yourself in the Branch Security Office of the Dalai Lama’s residence. And if you’re blessed enough you shall get an opportunity of lifetime to meet this great holy spirit.

Mcleodganj is comfortably within reach from Dharamshala and is very much well connected with New Delhi (510 Kms), Chandigarh (245 Kms) and Dehradun (279 Kms) .

Having some appealing features nearby Mcleodganj has a lot to show you apart from the natural surroundings. Look out for the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Dal Lake, Bhagsu waterfall, Bhagsunath Temple and the Tibetan handicraft markets.

If you are arranging a travel plan for Mcleodganj, devise it wisely. Though the best time to come here is throughout the year depending upon your taste of weather. From March to June the climate is well suited for all. With rainfall and pleasant climate during this period tourists pour in here in large numbers. While from October to February the temperature is nippy with snowfalls.

Proffering you with some appetizing cuisines, Mcleodganj is a paradise for the foodies. Having dishes both Indian and International, the food Cafes here lets you test your taste buds with foodstuffs ranging from the authentic Tibetan food to Italian.

Look out for :-

• Black Tent Café
• Peace Café
• Coffee Meal
• Lhamo’s Crossiant
• Tibetan Yak Restaurant, and
• Jimmy’s Italian.

On the westernmost part of Arunachal Pradesh lies a stunning land having a continuous chain of hills and mountains. Physically bounded by Tibet to the North, Bhutan to the South-west and the Sela mountain ranges in the east, Tawang is a place to set your trip.

Well connected through roads from Guwahati (capital of Assam), Tezpur and Itanagar (capital of Arunachal Pradesh); Tawang has always been an integral part of our great nation.

Having sky kissing mountain ranges all around, Tawang is very much shielded in terms of barriers. However these high altitude features remain snowcapped the whole year round and no habitation is found to exist. Fed by their turbulent distributaries, the Tawang-Chu and Nymjang-Chu are the two mian rivers of Tawang that gushes through the mountains and gorges of the place. The highest mountain peak in Tawang till date is the Gourichen, which is 22,500 feet above sea level. While the other mountain and hills generally have altitudes ranging from 3,500 feet onwards.

In terms of biological diversity, you shall catch sights of a wide variety of flora and fauna species flourishing and nurturing in its surroundings. Among the popular picks are the floral species of Blue Pines, Orchids and some local medicinal herbs. While the fauna world consists of the Snow Leopard, Must Deer, Barking Deer and few other high altitude mammals, reptiles and birds. Quiet interesting to see here that the flora and fauna species does well and enjoy the atmosphere without fear as the ethnic people never opt for hunting and trapping practices.

The residents of Tawang are predominantly the ethnic Monpa tribe who belongs to the Mongoloid race. Fair in complex and medium to tall in height, these people are very much friendly, gentle, courteous, mild and offers you an wonderful hospitality to the guests visiting by this place. You shall find in their settlements that there is a Monastery at the top of the hill surrounded by prayer flags and stone shrines along the road side.

Famous for the Great Monastery founded by his Holiness The Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso, tourist mainly flocks in here for this giant structure which has a pure essence of peace and harmony. Often you shall see that the prayer flags are printed with the words – OM MANE PEME HUNG, meaning ‘Hail to him who is born as a jewel in the Lotus’ which the locals believe that whichever direction the prayer flag flutters, the air gets purified.

Fairs and festivals are an integral part of Tawang’s glowing fame. These events are mainly related with the religion and the agricultural practices of the people. Two major festivals namely – Dungyur and Torgya are celebrated in the Tawang Monastery premises. While the Dungyur festival is held once in three years, the Torgya festival is celebrated annually in the month of January. People from every corner come here especially on these occasions to enjoy with sheer joy and peace. During these festivals the famous monastic dances are performed in the courtyard of the great Tawang Monastery. Also the Losar festival is celebrated every year at the end of February or at early March to commemorate the New Year.

Other festivals of Tawang includes the – Choekor, Ganden Ggamchoe, Drukpa, Tseze and Zhepa Saka Dawa.

Perhaps the most common name in our knowledge that happens to represent the whole of northeastern India is the city of Guwahati. Serving as a pathway to all the dwellers going to the other places of interests in this region of India, Guwahati city is a hub for all your solutions. Entertaining a busy crowd in the whole city right from the airport, bus station, railway station or the ferry ports; this city is a vital bridge connecting the logistically challenged areas of the other northeastern states to the mainstream landmass of India.

Guwahati has been recently listed as one of the top 20 cities of India that are to be polished into smart cities. Also the Guwahati railway station has been recently boosted with the Google initiative of providing free-and-fast WiFi to the commuters. Apart from these current upshots, the city is having one of the IIT’s and IIIT’s in it; and other premier institutes of the country. So you can surely make it out that even though we get to hear less and sometimes the least from the Northeast, the places are not that isolated as we expect them to be.

IIT Guwahati is one of the core IITs that is contributing towards excellence of technical education

Adding shine to the silverwares, the city has been recently gifted with an International cricket stadium built by the BCCI and the Assam Cricket Association at Barsapara. In its final phases of completion, the stadium shall start hosting some high profile matches from the New Year of 2017 onwards.

May look like the MCA, Australia; but it’s the newly built Barsapara Cricket Stadium

Besides that, the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium at Sarusajai has already hosted a series of top notch football tournaments and some classic clashes of the Northeast United FC (NEUFC) in the Hero-ISL. Home ground for the John Abraham owned NEUFC, the stadium witnesses the influx of all the football fans coming from the other northeastern states with the team’s flag and banner flying and waiving high. The stadium has been also very recently confirmed as one of the venues of the Fifa U-17 World Cup, 2017.

A glittering moment from the Inauguration of the Hero ISL – 2017

Step foot on the busy ports of Guwahati and witness the mighty Brahmaputra River from its bank. Just near to the Pandu Port is the famous Saraighat Bridge, connecting Guwahati with Lower Assam. It is here that the famous Saraighat Battle was fought between the Ahoms and the Mughals where the fearsome leadership of Bir Lachit Borphukan helped the Ahom Army defeat the Mughals and prevented them from invading this diversified land; and thus becoming one of the few areas where the Mughal architecture was not accessible.

The lifeline connecting Guwahati from the past 55 years – Saraighat Bridge.

Having access to all the destinations of the unexplored paradise, Guwahati has a strong hold over the tourist population. One has to get through here if you plan to visit some place of the Northeastern India. Providing some scenic routes both by road and railways, the trip to any of your destination plan here is something to fantasize about. The roads and surroundings so serene that you can achieve nothing but the peace of mind which is searched by all.

The most prominent fascinations in Guwahati you should try not skipping it will be :

• Kamakhya Temple:

Stationed in the Nilachal Hills, this temple is dedicated to the Indian tantric goddesses and is one of the 108 Shaaktipeeths of India. The famous Ambubachi is held annualy in this temple around the mid-days of June. Devotees or Bhakts from every corner of the globe comes here during this mela and offers their respect to goddess Sati.

• Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden:

The largest and the oldest zoo in the Northeastern India, this wildlife hub is home to around 1000 species of animals, reptiles and birds; out of which many of them are endangered and indigenous species. Considered as one of the complete zoos, the place here nurtures a variety of free ranging wild species. Located from the dense population, the zoo has some convenient pricings as well as a promising ambience to cater the need of the visitors.

• Umananda Island:

Ferry journey to the Island.

Being the world’s smallest inhabited island, Umananda is not that far and also not too close to Guwahati.  Standing in between the Brahmaputra River, the island is well connected to the visitors with ferry/motor boat services. The island is also home to the Golden Langurs, which is considered very much sacred by the Himalayan people.

• Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshtera:

Treasuring the artistic as well as the ethnic caliber of Assam, the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra is a cultural museum which entices tourists in large numbers. The cultural complex and its campus is a splendid interpretation of the life and the culture of ethnic groups of Assam. Named in the tribute of one of the greatest integrators of the Indian society Srimanta Sankardeva, the establishment here aims to preserve, promote and develop the rich cultural patrimony of the ethnic community of the state of Assam.

• Tirupati Balaji Temple:

Built in resemblance of the famous Tirupati Temple of South India, the Balaji Temple is one of the center of Guwahati’s attraction. The whole temple is made of pure white marble stone. The glittering white colour adds more to the beauty of the temple.

• Sualkuchi:

An ancient craft village and home to the famous silk heritage of Assam, Sualkuchi is just a 40min drive from Guwahati. The famous Mekhela Chador and the Gamusa made here is too high on demand in all parts of the world.

Rest assured you will surely stick around for some moments of awe when you unearth more areas of attractions near and far by the city.