Name: Sumana Chakraborty
Place: Kolkata
1. Ravangla – A melody of solitude
An insane love for nature! This is what has always drawn me towards the Himalayas every year. Rolling mountains, mists swirling down, humming rivers, wild scent of orchids… Himalayas are a mix of dazzling spirit and tuneless melody.
Day I – A Journey to the land of unmatched beauty
So little did I know that I would be greeted with all these and more as I began my journey towards Ravangla from Siliguri. My heart was pounding with joy every moment as the car took twists and turns ascending the hill top. It took a little over 4 hours for me to reach the sleepy little town of Ravangla, located at a height of 8000 ft in Southern Sikkim. Located amid the folds of Himalayas, Ravangla, lures its visitors with cascading ranges, hilly trails and some unforgettable scenic beauties.
I had my boarding arranged at Hotel Mt. Narsing. 4 km away from the main town, this village resort is located on the Ravangla Pelling connecting road. It was already lunch time when I reached and I was hungry. So I did not waste much time before delving into a large bowl of Thukpa, a traditional Tibetan dish. The next moment I was strolling in the landscaped garden of my resort exploring the natural beauty of the surroundings.
My bedroom had three wall to wall glass windows, each one of which framed a different view of the snow capped peaks of the Greater Himalayas. Surrounded by Rangit river valley and picturesque ranges this is the best place to stay at Ravangla.
Day II – Exploring the panorama
The temptation of capturing scenes from this beautiful hilly town in the celluloid was so strong that I woke up earliest the next morning. The beauty that I witnessed completely deserted my vocabulary, perhaps due to the over use of adjectives like “fantastic”, “superb”, and “marvelous”. I was greeted by the morning mists swirling down the mountains softly blanketing the winding ways. The virgin landscape was covered with pine and spruce that stood proudly looking at the azure sky. Soon the faint streaks of light started coloring the mountain golden. I took a series of bracketed exposures in the hope that at least a few perfect images would come.
Just as I finished my breakfast my car arrived and we began our journey for exploring the various sightseeings in and around Ravangla. Our first halt was at the Ralang Hot Spring. A drive of about 26 km from the main city brought me to this place of extraordinary beauty. I got down from the jeep and went for a short stroll around the spring. This is a perfect place to get in touch with your senses.
The other places we stopped were the Mangbrue Gompa and view point and Tashiding Monastery. The Gompa is a drive of 8 km above Kewzing and is the best view point to secure an overview of the whole town. Tashiding, which means ‘Central Elevated Glory’ is located at a distance of 39 km from the main town of Ravangla. This is regarded as the most sacred and the oldest monastery in Sikkim. The annual festival of ‘Bumchu’ is also held here.
Day III – The trek
Although I thought I would not require a guide here, as north Bengal and parts of Sikkim has become my second home now, the manager at Hotel Mt. Narsing advised me to take someone along as I planned for a trek to Mainan and Tendong Hills. He arranged for a young Nepali lad, Raju, who arrived no sooner did I finish my breakfast. On our way to Damthang, from where our trek to Tendong hill began, Raju, whom I preferred to call my companion than guide, gave me ample information about the Tendong hill.
Damthang, with several grocery shops, some scattered cottages, a school, and a few Buddhist monks walking briskly, has strong resemblance with any other Himalayan villages. We began our trek right from here following the paved footpath of 1.5 km long. It was easy for me and my companion to walk till here. But ascending the rugged and hilly trails through thick grown forests that housed more than 90 species of birds, red pandas, leopards, Himalayan bears and specular oak, fir, pine and rhododendron trees was nightmarish. The elevation was so rapid that we reached a height of 8000 ft by just walking 3 km. On our way further up, Raju showed me the caves where Lamas used to meditate some thousand years back.
We reached our destination, the summit of the hill, at 2 pm. I couldn’t resist myself to catch the glimpse of the 360 degree view from the three storey watch tower. It was the spectacular Himalayas all around me. The east was flanked by Chola range and on the west lied the majestic Kanchenjunga along with the entire Singalila ranges. Parhunri peak in the northeast looked most dreamy with its misty peaks. I began photographing with wide angle compositions and then cutting down to longer focal lengths for tighter frames.
Suddenly dark clouds started blanketing us. Raju said that rain was a common phenomenon here. My heart was engulfed with the feeling of love for nature. Rain…..Himalayas….and Romance….What else one needs in life to survive? After a brief downpour the rain stopped presenting to us an unforgettable view. Glittering snow capped Himalayas, bewitched forests, lush green valleys, scent of wild flowers – the endless panorama created a mesmerizing spell around me. Raju suggested we should get back before its dark. The time had come to park and I began my way back to the hotel with memories never to be forgotten.
Day VI – Sunrise and some leisurely walks
The alarm clock rang at 3.30 am in the morning. I woke up with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. My morning soon arrived while i was getting ready. The first sip on the flavored Darjeeling Tea made me feel absolutely refreshed. I felt euphorically divorced from the hustle bustle of my everyday world. My car arrived at 4 am as was scheduled. It took me ten more minutes to get started for the Rayong Sunrise View Point. It is a drive of 8 km from the main town of Ravangla.
As I reached, I witnessed the majestic Kanchenjunga and snowy peaks of Narsing, Kabur, Pandim and Rathong standing tall reflecting a pale blue color. Soon the faint streaks of sun started coloring the snow capped mountains. It seemed like the nature was painting the peaks with orange, golden, pink and finally silvery white hues taken from the pallate called sun. I sat there for long adoring the the rolling hills. On my way back home I stopped at a small roadside tea stall and had my breakfast there with flavored Darjeeling tea and amazingly tasty momos.
After returning to the hotel I decided to go for a walk around the town. I had planned earlier to stock a day for exploring the unknown trails with a hope that I might just have a rendezvous with inexplicable vistas of beauty. This is something I love to do on all my trips. And trust me I have never been disappointed. Walking through some hilly slopes I came across a number of local people. I learnt from them about their occupations and interesting stories of the hills. I returned hotel with tired legs but bag full of films that had several long, tight and interesting frames etched on it.
After lunch my car had arrived. It was time for me to pick up a few souvenirs for my dear ones. I wanted to buy something unique so my driver took me to Khuenpheling Carpet Centre. Locate at the Tibetan refugee settlement camp, this is a small carper weaving centre. I check out a few ones and then decide upon purchasing a small rectangular carpet of bright red, black and beige colors that suit my budget.
Day V – Pain of Departing
My visit draw to close. This was my last day here. It was difficult to tear myself away from Ravangla’s thickly forested hills, picture perfect villages nestled on the slopes, warm hearted people and the beautiful Himalayas against the backdrop of azure sky. But like every good things come to an end mine came too. Time and again, planned or unplanned I have found myself amidst this land of misty mountains – in different moods, different seasons, alone or with friends and family. My heart ached as I began my journey towards the NJP station. I promised myself to come back to this mysterious land soon.
2. Kaziranga National Park
The Kaziranga National Park, India is a national reserve park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India. A World Heritage Site, the Kaziranga National Park is a home to two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned Rhinoceroses. Kaziranga boasts of the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world and was declared as the Tiger Reserve in 2006.
The park now also houses large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp deer. The Kaziranga National Park, India is recognized as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International for conservation of avifaunal species. Compared to other protected areas in India, Kaziranga has achieved prominent success in wildlife conservation. Located on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya a hotspot of biodiversity, the park combines high species mixture and visibility.
The Kaziranga National Park, India is a vast stretch of tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical humid broadleaf forests, crisscrossed by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra. The park includes numerous small water bodies.Kaziranga has been the theme of several books, songs and documentaries. The park celebrated its centennial in 2005 after its establishment in 1905 as a reserve forest.
The Kaziranga reserve forest contains significant breeding populations of 35 mammalian species, of which 15 are threatened as per the IUCN Red List. The park also has the characteristic of being home to the world’s largest population of the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros (1,855), Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo (1,666) and Eastern Swamp Deer (468). Significant populations of large herbivores include elephants (1,940), gaur (30) and sambar (58). Small herbivores include the Indian Muntjac, wild boar, and hog deer.
3. Memoirs of Darjeeling
Low rolling hills gradually soaring to touch the core of the himalayas…the beautiful district of darjeeling encompasses in its fold, a series of magnificent valleys, rain forest, and towering peaks…some of which never fail to rise up to the azure sky…
The lush green surrounding and the fresh cool air of the mountains have made me come back to this land again and again. this is my 9th visit to darjeeling. after finishing off some urgent work in silligri, we began our journey for the queen of hills. it was already dark when i reached my hotel – new elgin. located at the hill top, about half a kilometre from the mall, Hotel New Elgin reflects a british colonial architecture. i settled to my room and waited for my fuming cuppa black coffee to arrive…
My every visit to darjeeling has been showered with new surprises. the nature here never fails to present you with its new colors and you would never get tired of walking and looking around this hilly township. this is just an ideal place for the photographers. with a tremendous seasonal variety, this enchanting land will offer you to explore more than you would have imagined.
I did not have much to do for the evening and was too tired to keep my eyes open. so i quickly took a shower and ordered for my dinner, a warm bowl of tukpa – a bland tasting tibetean cuisine – noodle soup – as soon as my coffee arrived. it would be a wait of another 45 minutes and then i can finally settle on the king sized bed placed right beside the window.
The next morning was not what i had expected it to be, but it certainly did not disappoint me either. there was no sign of sun anywhere, and i was sure i wouldnt get a glimpse of the majestic kanchenjungha throughout the day. mists all around, with a grey shade covering the azure sky. the exuberance of the monsoon had transformed the landscape into an abundance of miracle. the beauty of the swirling mountain mists and the soft soothing sibilant of falling rain engulfed me throughly.
I took as many phtographs of bracketed exposures as i could. the relatively thin presence of tourists gave me a secluded feeling…away from the hustle bustle of the city life, the monsoon in darjeeling gave me a perfect option to get connected to the nature…a walk of about 35 minutes from my hotel took mee to a beautiful place offering the most breathtaking view of the green hills covered with mists….
4. Departing from Assam
Everything, beautiful or ugly, that begins comes to an end sooner or later…like my 10 day “on the wheels” trip to assam came to an end…i was happy to go back to kolkata but all in tears to leave this nature infested ‘country’…i had traveled much of upper assam this time..and all that on roads…the journey began 10 days before from Guwahati…and this halting and stopping to spend a night or two at places like tezpur, nagaon, kaziranga, jorhat, golaghat, dimapur, khatkhati, dibrugarh, tinsukia, mangaldoi….
Sometimes we got grilled in the scorching sun sometimes the rain drenched us completely…there would be bright sun and the very next moment dark clouds would engulf us…every moment was magical…giving space to rebuilt new images….nature here is so fascinating that it keeps talking to you in its own intriguing way…you have developed a deep rooted connection with the nature even before you have realized it…
Wake up to sip over a cuppa assam tea or some warm coffee and deluge yourself into the tranquil piece of land….i couldnt stop thanking for such a mesmerizing creation….but life is not only about beauty and joy…and “on the wheels” trip to assam offered mee a varied contrast of life….
5. Kovalam Beach in Kerala
Kovalam beach in Kerala is perhaps the most famous tourist attraction of the state and India’s most famous beach. Getting to Kovalam is very easy due to its proximity to the state capital. The main attraction of the Kovalam beach is the three crescent-shaped beaches, which are separated by rocky cliffs. The picturesque scenery and Ayurveda centers that have mushroomed around the beach make Kovalam all the more enticing. A promise for all your mental and physical ail, Kovalam beach in Kerala is a must visit tourist attraction for all the beach lovers.
Digging in the past you would find that Kovalam was a pretty fishing village. Today, one of the best places in India for sun, sand and surf, Kovalam offers mostly every modern facility to attract international tourists. During late 70s the beach’s mesmerizing beauty was discovered by the hippies since when it has grown into a happening tourist spot of the state. Climb up the rocky headland to Halcyon Castle and you would be presented with the most amazing views of the sea.
Today Kovalam has grown into a modern beach with seaside eating joints serving Italian food and a couple of signboards in foreign languages. Although the city of Kottayam has changed its rural charm the beach still maintains its rustic look amid a modern setting.
Accommodation is the last thing that you should worry about if you are in Kovalam beach. There are an array of 5 star and luxury hotels and resorts located close to the beach. Le Meridien, the Travancore Heritage, Hotel Sea Face and Hotel Samudra are among the top hotels of Kovalam beach. From restaurants & bars to Ayurvedic centers, shopping arcade, beauty salon, beach dining, money exchange, fitness centre and travel desk you would find everything that is required to take you to the lap of luxury. Besides the restaurants, housed by each of the hotels, you would find a number of food joints on the beach. From traditional Kerala food to continental, these restaurants serve anything you are looking for.
The best time to visit the Kovalam beach is from October to March. If you want to rejuvenate yourself with an Ayurvedic message then the best time for your visit should be from June to September. The nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport. Trivandrum Central is the nearest rail head from the beach. A half an hour drive from the airport and the railhead will take you to this most magnificent beach.
Related posts:
- Top 10 Favorite Budget Places to Go in India by Ralph
- Ten Do-not-miss Attractions in India
- Must See Places by Rajini
- The Seven Sisters of Northeast India
- The Seven Sisters of North-East India
Comments:
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Great writings that are full of inspiration. I am so full of joy that I mistakenly found your website.
Jeniffer
NY