All posts filed under: EXPLORE

#FACES | The Vibrant Spirit of The Sikh Hola Mohalla Festival in Punjab by Gursimran Singh

Published by Samyama

“Hola Mohalla, also called Hola, is a Sikh festival which falls in the month of March (usually). Celebrated widely around the world, it was started by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, as a gathering of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles on the day following the festival of Holi. Even today it reminds the people of valour and defence preparedness. On this three-day festival, mock battles are held followed by music and poetry competitions. The Nihang Singhs (armed Sikh warriors – members of the Sikh army that was founded by Guru Govind Singh) carry on the martial tradition with mock battles and displays of swordsmanship and horse riding. They perform daring feats, such as Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging, bareback horse riding and standing erect on two speeding horses. The festival takes place in the city of Ananadpur Sahib in Rupnagar (Ropar), it usually stretches out to a week as everyone loves to camp out and fully immerse themselves in the palpable energy. The event concludes on the day of Hola Mohalla (third …

Meet Karuna Mira Sah, A Glaciologist In Training and A Rock Climber, From Nainital

Published by Samyama

Karuna Mira Sah, a 23-year-old from Nainital, has chosen a rare yet exciting path in life. She’s training to be a glaciologist, and is also a rock and ice climber and a passionate photographer. It was her love and deep-rooted connection with the mountains that led her to this path in life. Her college allowed her to study and discover remote areas across the world, and all exposes her to some breathtakingly picturesque views! She recently graduated in Earth Sciences from the US and plans to do her Masters and research in Glaciology. Her expeditions have taught her much about life and further inspired her to work for environment issues. We chatted with this charming young woman in detail. Tap on the link in bio and below to give it a read!    Hello Karuna, thank you for chatting with us! Please introduce yourself to our readers.  Hey! I’m Karuna, an aspiring glaciologist, a mountain climber and most of all, a nature lover. I grew up in Nainital, Uttarakhand. I have been hiking with my …

Explore Khaama Kethna – A Holistic Centre Nestled in the South Goan jungle

Published by Samyama

Panta Ferrao is a 61 one-year-old, local Goan entrepreneur, yoga enthusiast and spiritual practitioner from Mapusa, North Goa. He is the founder of Khaama Kethna, a well-being retreat centre in South Goa. He was a successful lawyer but gave it up to pour his passions into something that truly drove him and made him happy. We caught up with this lovely man and heard his story about how he founded Khaama Kethna.  The journey so far Panta Ferrao set out to create and demonstrate the possibility of living in harmony with nature and the Earth. This was his endeavor to create a new way to live and earn a living without compromising on his truth. He began by creating an eco-resort, focused on health and nature, in South Goa.  This resort, Bhakti Kutir,  was built from sustainable materials and incorporated the local flora and fauna. It encourages wellness through yoga and healthy practices, including Ayurveda,  in a natural setting to inspire spiritual development.  For the last two decades, he has been trying to engage and share his …

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Experience The Ultimate Summer Escapade At ‘Weiing – The Lakefront Camp’ In Meghalaya

Published by Shanmi

Are you planning to take an adventure trip this summer? Well, we’ve got the perfect place for you tucked in nature. Weiing – The Lakefront Camp is located at Meghalaya, very close to Mawsynram – the wettest place on Earth. They host a range of adventure camps for all ages, with various activities such as trekking, swimmimg, fishing, etc. We had a chat with Aaron Russell Laloo to know better about the place, the services and how it all started.  Weiing opened in June 2018 with 3 cottage tents and a campsite that can accommodate a group of 30 people. The idea for starting Weiing came about after the Secretary of the local village cooperative society, Mr. Iasohlang Malngiang and the proprietor of Campfire Trails – Travel & Adventure, Mr. Aaron Laloo met coincidentally and discussed the possibilities and viability of such a venture. Hence, Campfire Trails – Travel & Adventure partnered with The Phlangmawsyrpat Integrated Village Cooperative Society to develop the area locally known as ‘Weiing’ into a destination for eco-rural tourism with a …

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Anjita Nath and Her Classmates Visit Deopani River in Arunachal Pradesh

Published by Shanmi

“We are the students of Masters of Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Science. We barely get any holidays and as we are in our 2nd semester, we need to go for rural practicum where we stay in villages to learn about the community and the culture. There are 13 of us, out of which 4-5 belong to the northeast region and remaining are from different places like Delhi, Goa and Bihar. These photographs are taken at Deopani river aka Eze river which is located 3-4km away from the Riong town of lower Dibang Valley district, Arunachal Pradesh. We visited this place in the monsoon season, so the weather was quite pleasant.  It was refreshing and calming to see pure water running through,  just before we started with our work. A very beautiful sight indeed! The place radiates happy vibes with the fresh air and lush greenery. We enjoyed every moment. This trip was even more special because we got to spend more time with each other.” ~ Anjita Nath from Arunachal Pradesh A …

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Documentcherry: ‘Hanami’- Flower Viewing (In Japanese) | Longkum Village, Nagaland

Published by Kumti

Longkum, a village in Nagaland, is known for its many tourist hotspots, especially the Cherry Blossom viewing! During the autumn season, between September and October, the cherry blossoms are in their full glory. The route alongside Longkum village is lined with vibrant pink flowers, making it a picturesque scene. Folks from across the state and from other parts of the region flock into the village to capture this breathtaking sight! This autumn, we suggest you to head over to this pristine village for some amazing views!  Route across Longkum Village, Nagaland Longkum, an Ao village, in the regions of Ongpangkong is making its visitors gasp in admiration with the joyous sight of the cherry blossom trees. The stretch of Alichen village till Longkum village is heavenly sight during autumn. Longkhum village already has tons of tourist hotspots in its arsenal and the sight of cherry blossom is an icing on the cake! For your next autumn gateway, you should definitely check out this clean and lush village of Longkhum, not very far from Mokokchung town. …

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Explore Lachung, a Pristine Mountain Village in Sikkim

Published by Kumti

If you ever visit Sikkim, you may not want to miss out Lachung. Whether you want a soul-searching experience or an off-beat adventure, Lachung has got it all. If only words could do justice on this breathtaking clean village – be it trekking, strolling around, taking photographs or just sit back and relax with a cup of tea and book — simply immerse in the breathtaking views!  An overview of the spectacular Lachung village in Sikkim When you’re there, do not forget to visit the famous Samten Choling monastery. This monastery is known to be one of the hot-spots for tourists seeking peace and quiet for decades. It is said that over a century ago, Lachung was a popular spot for spiritual practices. The Samten Choling monastery in Lachung dates back to 1850. As per Chinese astrology, it was built in the year of the metal dog and this holds much religious significance. Buddhist worshipers who visit the monastery are said to be blessed with happiness and inner prosperity after doing so. In 1930, the …

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Visit Dzuleke at Nagaland – The Best Spot for Picnic, Camping and Relaxing

Published by Kumti

If you’re looking for the perfect getaway this weekend, we’ve got you covered! We’re talking about Dzuleke Village, nestled in the mountains and covered in lush green forests. A well-known place, this quaint village is certainly every traveler’s paradise! Abundant in flora and fauna, the village is surrounded by looming mountains covered in mist, scenic landscapes, wildflowers, the streams, adorable home-stays, the farmland. This picturesque place is a treasure trove for photographers or photography enthusiast. Located about 10 kms away from Khonoma village, Dzuleke in Nagaland Most of the houses here are surrounded with colorful begonia and geranium flowers. If you’re in the mood for a sightseeing trip, picnic, camping or just to take a short break from the mad rush of life, Dzuleke is the best bet for you to unwind. Trust us when we say that every sight of this place is a feast to the eyes. Although, the road to Dzuleke can be quite challenging but it is worth every bit of the adventure. Tourists stopped for sight-seeing on the way to …

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Take a Trip to One of the Cleanest Villages in Nagaland – Mopungchuket

Published by Kumti

Hello Fam! Looks like we’ve just discovered the perfect place for you to wind down this weekend. We’re talking about Mopungchuket, an Ao village, 13 kilometer drive from Mokokchung. Trust us, spring is a good time to travel to Nagaland before it gets too muggy over the summer. This place is perfect when you just want to soak in a little bit of nature and pleasant sunshine! So, what is this whimsical village all about? Find out below: This village is said to be the cleanest village among the Ao villages, in fact in the entire Nagaland. It is known for its clean living, picturesque landscape and the warmth of the local people. Folks! Grab your bags already. While you’re here, don’t forget to learn about the legendary romantic story of Jina and Etiben! What can you expect when here? Expect a lot of delectable local cuisines, happy kids strutting around, abundance of seasonal flowers in almost every household, and of course, the village attractions such as the pillar/ village tower, cultural museums, historical artifacts, …

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“Getaway to the Snow-Covered Dhauladhar in Himachal Pradesh During My Stressful Medical Internship was Like Hitting the Jackpot for my Soul” – Dr. Deepshikha Chhettri

Published by Shanmi

“It was one of the most beautiful day we have experienced together. The one on the left is Arshika – my best friend of ten years, and the one on the right is my sister Ruchika. It was around 3 PM in the evening, and this photo was taken during our trip to Dhauladhar trails in Himachal Pradesh enroute to Triund top. The evening had a very pleasant and warm vibe despite the chilly weather. The chill made us hungry so we stopped on our way to rest for some time and eat. This moment is all the more special because I was with my two favourite people. The entire trip was mind-blowing – with so much to discover – and with an abundance of nature’s beauty to soak in. Memories from the trip will be forever etched in my memory as one of the best treks of my life. Moreover, this was at a time when I was a medical intern in Delhi, and anything remotely green and quiet felt like heaven for me. …