McLeod Ganj, popularly known as Little Lhasa, a village in the suburbs of Dharamshala, is situated in the hilly terrains of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh and is a popular Tibetan colony. McLeod Ganj is bustling with life yet serene and calm. In the upper recesses at 1,770 m is the residence of His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. The lower Dharamshala (1,380 m), in contrast, is a busy commercial hub.
Make your way to one of the many budget hotels, homestays or guesthouses tucked into the narrow alleys depending on your purse and taste. Most offer clean, tastefully furnished accommodation with views to refresh the soul. Worth mentioning for a stay are the Tibetan themed ones that resonate with its culture. From décor to hospitality, all have a distinct flavour and bring Little Lhasa a little closer to the visitor in spirit.
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Spring is in the air. The long damp, dark days of biting cold are come to a welcome end…well almost. The days are bright and warm and well the blues beckon—the lakes, the lagoons, the seas and the coasts. Coastal Karnataka, the almost 320 km of the most vivid coastal stretch of golden-white beaches and breathtaking sights that can ever be found in a single place! Bordered by the Arabian Sea on the west and bounded by the plains of Kerala on the south, Konkan on the north and Western Ghats on the east, coastal Karnataka has the most mesmerizing landscape that runs from Mangalore in the south all the way to Gokarna in the north.
Coastal Karnataka is idyllic most parts of the year. Yet March to August is the best time to plan a visit to its many famous beach destinations. Most of the beaches are at an easy distance from Mangalore, which is the nearest airport and railway station. Mangalore is also well connected to all the major cities of Karnataka like Bengaluru, Shimoga, Hassan and Chickmagalur, via road.
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The charm is legendary. This tiny lake city, said to have sprung up from the petal of a lotus flower of Lord Bramha, is mystical and magical. It attracts millions, and in droves, especially in the holy month of Kartik for religious reasons and others, to the Pushkar Mela, the largest camel fair in the world, for all the fun and frolic that it promises. The history too of this ancient, tiny and sleepy town is fascinating. “Pushkar Fair is one of the most iconic travel destinations in Asia, with a uniquely exotic appeal for visitors, a chance to see one of the greatest traditional melas and livestock trading fairs. It draws visitors from all over the world,” said Mr Pankaj Sharma, CEO, Indian Moments, a tour operator specialising in Pushkar tours.
A natural lake amidst hills and sand dunes is itself a miracle, but Pushkar’s sacred importance in Hindu mythology is such that it finds mention in both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Camel rides and races, giant Ferris wheel rides, the longest moustache contest, the pagadi contest, the horse and donkey races, and balloon rides up in the clear desert sky, are just among the few activities that keep the visitors returning day after day, hankering for more excitement. The local wares bazaar offering ethnic jewellery, utensils, household items, and garments richly crafted with local designs, is a great attraction for souvenir hunters.
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The 'Fragrant One' from the land of the Blue Mountains lingers on the tastebuds. The colour is a brisk orange and the taste a distinct honey-sweet, not sharp and tangy but sweet and mellow. Just the right kind of tea, yes, it is the Fragrant One, a tea to sip through the day to beat the slight chill of the mountain air! But there's certainly more to the Nilgiris than its tea. It's a destination that is simply exquisite in its beauty. The Nilgiri Hills are a part of the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats, located bordering the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Nilgiri District, part of Tamil Nadu, is situated within these hills. The English name of the Nilgiri Hills is Blue Mountains—their literal translation.
The region has reasons galore to celebrate the Nilgiris. The world-renowned travel destination is blessed with not one but several hill stations, each at a different altitude. It is a retreat that packs the thrill of high mountains, deep valleys, sparkling water bodies, dense forests and steep slopes, rich biodiversity, the peace of tea gardens, and the adventure of trekking and mountain cycling, et al. It is home to Ketti, the world's widest valley, as well as the famous Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
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For the best view of four of the five highest peaks in the world and the adventure of a lifetime head to Sandakphu.
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Spiti Valley is a perfect summer getaway offering unrivalled delights.
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Stepping into Nagaland is akin to walking back in time. It's fascinating to see an almost medieval tribal island in a sea of 21st century modernity
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The The hills of Wayanad resonate with history. The salubrious air smells of spices—a whiff of coffee mixed with cardamom.
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India's French Coast! The French Riviera of the East retains its flavour. There's a distinct yet mellow air that blows here gently, slowing life to a leisurely pace. Pondicherry, the capital city of Puducherry, strikes a different chord-but not a discordant note.
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Himachal Pradesh (HP), without doubt, is a "Dev Bhumi—Land of Gods". With its vast tracts of high-altitude trans-Himalayan desert, dense green deodar forests, apple orchards, cultivated terraces, snow-capped high Himalayan mountain ranges and snow-fed lakes that gush down in rivers, HP is a geographic marvel.
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A trip on the famous Palace on Wheels is truly a journey of opulence and pageantry, through the cities and stories of Delhi, Agra and captivating Rajasthan.
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Mumbai renamed from Bombay, pulsates with a rare and potent vibrancy. Numerous books, songs and movies have eulogised and romanticised this sea-side financial hub, which could be called as the 'New York of India'.
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Kullu is known for its lush forests, flower-carpeted hillsides and hovering butterflies. In Autumn, Kullu's famous, 10 day long Dussehra festival is a must watch. Various performances like dancing and singing happen during this period and the Gaddi shepherds participate in the same.
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Within Rajasthan is a quiet village en route to the well-known Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Bhangarh or locally referred to as the haunted city – a world so different and so nestled deep into the mountains and literally the sands of time that it almost seems a lost civilization.
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The Madhav National Park in in Shivpuri, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, is situated on the gentle slopes of the upper Vindhyan hills. The terrain definitely sets the mood - of unhurried ease, such is the magic of the Park.
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Wherever you go in Rajasthan, you can't remain untouched by its vivaciousness. The deeper you drive into the desert, the softer the language will become. Rajasthan is easy to spot. Women and men dressed in the brightest of colours, in defiance of the desert's arid brown.
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Goa conjures up images. It is a perfect holiday place by the beach. In addition is its hospitality, cuisine, heritage and adventure sports. Goan cuisine is a fine blend of Indian and Portuguese influences.
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Kerala redefines the colour green, washes it and presses it till it shines. The state is as lush, as it is silent—soulfully so. In the plains there is the hegemony of coconut. Drink it, eat it, sleep on it or wear it—the tree and its fruit are an integral part of life in Kerala. A small state with a large heart – Kerala.
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Darjeeling is perched on the Himalayan foothills, at the northern tip of the West Bengal State, but you can easily call it the soul of Bengal. Darjeeling offers a handful of eateries and watering holes that down shutters early. Local cuisine is as tasty as it is cheap at the tiny Bhutanese and Tibetan restaurants—try their unique pancakes and bread.
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This article has been taken from IBEF's bi-monthly magazine, India Now, Business and Economy.
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