Diphu Hill Station Assam | Image Resource : blog.via.com
Diphu Hill Station Assam : The fascinating and charming views from Diphu Hill Station are a true feast for one’s eyes. I’m glad I visited this hill station on my last visit to Assam. I could capture some of earth’s divine beauties. The misty and foggy atmosphere creates a heavenly ambiance.
After spending a day relaxing and exploring the areas close to the hotel, we had a solid sleep and got up early the next day. This is because we didn’t want to be late in beginning our wonderful trip and we had many places to cover. We had breakfast at the hotel and left for our first destination which was the famous Kamakhya Temple. It is basically a temple made for Hindus with Goddess Kamakhya being the main deity worshipped.
Kamakhya Temple Assam | Image Resource : religiousportal.com
We came to know that the locals also call it by the name of Kamrup Kamakhya and regard it to be a part of the very old 51 Shakti Pithas. One of the best things about the temple is that takes the centrestage in a complex full of temples dedicated to ten different Mahavidyas namely Baga lamukhi, Sodashi, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Tara, Kali, Matangi, Kamala, Dhumavati and Bhuvaneshwari. We came to know that many people, especially believers of Tantric magic, visit the temple from different corners of the country.
Kamakhya Temple | Image Resource : dainikbhaskar.com
One of the administrators of the temple informed us that the responsibility of the activities of the temple has been handed over to Bordewri Samaj from Kamakhya Debutter Board according to the directives of the SC. We knew that the temple has been built in a style known as Nilachal type which has resulted due to the combination of the constructional features and the numerous modifications that have taken place between eighth and seventeenth centuries. The temple basically stands as a cruciform base over which there is a hemispherical shaped dome.
There are four chambers inside the temple and these include three mandapas namely natamandira, pancharatna and calanta in addition to the garbhagriha. The garbhagriha is in the form of a pancharatha resting over plinth moldings.
We could find many beautiful sculptures of Ganesha and many different Hindu Gods. One of the locals informed us that the temple is a great place for practicing tantric and attracts a large number of devotees during the annual festival called Ambubachi Mela. Other festivals celebrated inside the temple include Manasha Puja, Navaratri and Durga Puja.
Being a financial advisor by profession, I am able to earn enough to support my family well. With the passage of time, I have grown to be wise enough to learn that family and friends are way more important than money. I have seen many of my colleagues involved in the same profession who have dedicated their lives only to earn more and more money; and in the process, have sacrificed their loved ones. But I believe in the fact that everything should be given the attention it deserves.
Money is important to lead a happy life but it’s your friends and family who are going to remember you for the amount off live you show to them. Whenever I get an opportunity such as a vacation of a weekend break, we make plans to explore different parts of India. During such trips, I explore the luxurious of facilities available.
I also love to stay fit and fine with various practices such as meditation and yoga. Another thing which mesmerizes me a lot is photography. Whenever I travel to any new destination, I love to keep the moments captured with my high quality DSLR.
Jet Airways Flight | Image Resource : emirates247.com
Since my son had his summer vacations, I took leave from work for some days so that we could enjoy a family trip to Guwahati. This is due to the fact that we had never been to the north eastern part of the country. Additionally, Guwahati is considered to be one of the most serene and beautiful spots and has the ability to charm you with its pleasant weather. There was no direct route to travel from Ahmedabad to Guwahati. So I opened the flight booking app and searched for ways to reach Guwahati. We decided to make a break journey through Jet Airways.
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport | Image Resource : rackcdn.com
We boarded the first flight from Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Airport Ahmedabad (AMD) at 2:35 PM and reached Delhi at 4:05 PM. From there, we boarded our next flight at 8:45PM and reached Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport at 7:20AM the next day. Both the Jet Airways flights were right on time; and I thanked the flight booking app as it had enabled me to make all the arrangements without any hassle.
In this blog, I will be sharing some of the most valuable tips for budding photographers. While I was learning photography these points help me a lot.
Photography Tips | Image Resource : youtube.com
Photography tips :
As a beginner, it is not logical to go and buy the most expensive/advanced camera. You should buy a simple camera that suits your type of photography. Get your photography basics clear and then buy a camera later according to your needs.
Basics are foundation of your knowledge and expertise. If you learn your basics, you can easily be an expert photographer.
Newbies often have shaky hands which can affect the quality of their photography. Buying a tripod allows you to take steady pictures at different setting and you don’t have to worry about the angle of your lens.
Tripod Photography | Image Resource : dpshots.com
Having a small camera that is portable allows you to carry it anywhere you go. Just keep it in your bag, backpack or purse.
Take time, sit down and think about things and places that you want to capture. This allows you to plan and achieve your goals in a better way.
Photography is an art and every art has a different audience. So if you don’t understand a picture, don’t go on criticizing it. Learn how to respect and find meaning in another person’s work.
If you love something then the learning process will be intriguing and fun. To get the best out of your photograph, it is important that you enjoy it. If you don’t love it then leave it and find a different passion.
Try to teach yourself, research and learn from your mistakes. This will help you grow your photography skills. Browse the web, read blog and check out various video tutorials on photography.
Often camera setting can play an important role in producing the perfect picture. Therefore, it is important that you try out and learn about different camera settings.
Photography Practice | Image Resource : fastweb.com
Practicing daily/regularly will allow you to brush up your photography skills. This will allow you to experiment and raise curiosity in your mind.
These are my advice for budding photographers. Please let me know your thought on this post and feel free to share your opinions and doubts.
Talatal Ghar Assam | Image Resource : junglekey.in
Summarization : I visited this palace while touring Rangpur. The Tai Ahom architecture will attract anyone. I clicked some amazing shots of the various structures. The ancient designs and infrastructures are majestic and royal. I recommend anyone to check this palace out while visiting Assam.
Thought | Image Resource : getasixpackdiet.blogspot.com
Apporva Dubey sends a strong message to everyone through this quote. We tend to get easily disappointed when an ongoing plan fails but the real failure lies in not kicking off on goals that could have been achieved.
For the Indians and the Buddhists, Parikrama is circumambulating holy mountains, temples, and divine places. The mount Kinner Kailash is also known as “ the eternal house of Shiva”. This Parikrama is one of the most famous treks of Kinnaur. The Parikrama starts from Kalpa via Triung Valley and back to Kalpa via Sangla Valley. And so, we have geared ourselves for the trek, guides and every little need.
Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama Trek | Image Resource : colorodyssey.wordpress.com
The trek took us through rural villages on Indo Tibetan border, following the pilgrimage trails, freezing rivulets, glacier terrains on to the top of the Charang Pass and then a deep descend into the Bapsa Valley where the river Bapsa flows and on to Chitkul Village. This is the last point of the Parikrama. A beautiful place, indeed! Who would have thought that such beauty even existed on Earth.
Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama | Image Resource : adventureclicknblog.com
From Charang Pass till you reach the Chitkul Village you rarely get to see anyone.
It is a 60-Km walk with 30 Km on a standard trek path, the other 30 Km on a boulder terrain. This restricts the distance that can be covered on an average.
Inner Peace, Tranquil and the best trek ever.
The rivers or lakes that one has to cross are knee deep and freezing. They are so freezing cold, when you walk through the icy water you feel as if you have lost your limbs and are floating over the water. The trekking is in such a remote place, unless you know the terrain or have a guide and porters, there are chances of getting lost. We were not so adventurous to take that risk.
Camping at Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama Trek | Image Resource : colorodyssey.wordpress.com
At the Charang Pass Crossing, we were cautioned of loose rocks that could cause an accident. We moved on with utmost care with the help of our guide. At Charang village we visited the Devi temple where the deity worshipped is a goddess. The climb starts as soon as you exit the village border gate. The descend gave us a breathtaking view. The sun playing on the Snow is a worthwhile watch. The final Parikrama point is Chitkul Village which is marked by the ancient Buddha temple. It is mandatory for the Parikramis to pay respect to the non Buddhist Goddess.
A day that anyone will enjoy is one with flora and fauna. And what better a place to have that day than at the Rakchham Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary. When I told my kids that today we would be visiting the animal kingdom, they erupted in joy and ran to the car. Definitely thanking myself for having thought of this tour.
The Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary is located at an altitude of 3200 to 5486 meters above sea level. A home to diverse vegetation, the Chitkul sanctuary is also the guard for several nearly endangered species of wildlife such as the Snow leopard, blue sheep, Himalayan Bear, the goral, the musk deer and more.
Rakchham and Chitkul are 15 kilometers apart on the banks of the Baspa River. It spreads over an area of 34 square kilometers. We also came across several temples around the sanctuary and had a spectacular close up view of the Kinner Kailash as we enjoyed the avifauna.
Wild and Wilder in Chitkul
The best part of the trip to the sanctuary is the trek to the destination. No cars, no buses. Not that you would find cars and buses going places in Kinnaur, but trekking is the best way to go about your trip. We were given several routes to reach the sanctuary.
The Lamkhanga Pass connecting Kinnaur to Uttarakhand in the Gangotri region is a very treacherous and daring route to reach the wildlife sanctuary. Bachelors and those who dare to give their adrenaline the ultimate rush may choose this path, although people are advised against this route.
Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary | Image Resource : itslife.in
While Chitkul happens to be the last village ever on the Indo-Tibetan border, many tourists and bikers are often seen in the sanctuary. Placed in a dry zone, this sanctuary is not subject to monsoons unlike the other sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh. You are welcome throughout the year to come close to the wild.
We have had a fun day today and there are some stunning pictures I must share with you. Who knows, I might just have inspired you to plan your own trip to Kinnaur with your friends and family.
Spicy Lotus Stems Shimla | Image Resource : thefoodfairy.wordpress.com
Spicy Lotus Stems Shimla : I had heard quite a lot about this fascinating dish and was dying to try it out. I finally got a chance on my last visit to Shimla. I tried it out at a local hotel and was totally amazed by the Pahari style preparation. The taste is truly one of a kind and I recommend anyone to try it out.
Yes, it is day eight, our trip is almost to its close and I needed to plan a very meaningful day. So guess what, we are about to visit the Lippa Monastery. Placed close to the Taiti Stream bank, this monastery is also home to three temples. I have with me a guide who is explaining every aspect of the monastery, its history and its importance.
This monastery too has its importance in the Kinnaur District. Built by the renowned and revered astrologer Lama Devarama, the Lippa Monastery was completed by the Lama’s son. Two of the three temples in the monastery are filled with sacred scriptures of Kangyur and Tangyur. The last temple is dedicated to ‘Goldang Chakodar’, while the other two are in dedication of Dunguir and Kangyur. There was also a very old sanctuary dedicated to the local deity, Tangtashu.
Lippa Monastery Kinnaur | Image Resource : globalvisiontours.com
Lippa and the Monastery
Lippa is a small village located in the Pooh Taluk of Kinnaur. The grass that grows by the Lippa Monastery is believed to be very nourishing to the cattle and the horses. The Ibex is found in abundance in the forests behind Lippa. With very low population, this little village is charm itself and has a natural aura and magic in the air. You wont find much of modernization in the village, leaving it untainted by the filth and waste from our advanced technology and diet.
It was a big change for me, especially running around and meeting people, phone calls and the whole package. The peace and quiet, the serene environment, the small gathering in the evening, no loud sounds from vehicles or blaring loudspeakers all sound way too inviting and beckon me to stay here forever. The fresh air filled with the yum aroma of locally ground spices can make a man drool from a mile away.
Lippa Village | Image Resource : allaboutkinnaur.blogspot.com
With the day at a close and as we walk back the path to our hotel I reminisce the simple and yet fulfilling day that we have had the opportunity to experience. Perhaps the pictures I clicked might help you enhance the image.
Travel with Darshik 