Chardham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra-2014

Kedarnath Temple

Badrinath Temple

Gangotry Temple

Yamunotry Temple

The popularly waited Chardham Yatra begins once again after a year's gap due to the natural disaster.Uttarakhand tourism and Govt. of India jointly took several steps to unite pilgrims and god.

Yamunotry – Date of opening: 2^nd May 2014

Gangotry – Date of opening: 2^nd May 2014

Kedarnath – Date of opening: 4^th May 2014

Badrinath --- Date of opening: 5^th May 2014

Hemkunda Sahib – Date of opening 25^th May 2014

The special services for the pilgrims started by Uttarakhand Tourism:-

1. Chardham control room – Pilgrims has to register here before their journey for their safety.Every information about the route will be provided to them in detail.

2. Police and Combined force of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi - For the new trake route between Bhimwali and Kedarnath they will  be up for the safety of the pilgrimage.

3. Mobile Tower and P.C.O. in every 15 km. Mobile health service for the connection of entire area.

4. Health camp in Guptakashi, Sonprayag and Gourikunda for the pilgramage.

5. Helicopter service for Kedarnath by a private service provider.

6. Pilgrim helpline: 1364 (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board:-

Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Paryatan Bhawan,Near ONGC Helipad,Garhi Cantt.,Dehradun-248001.

Tel-91 135 2559987,2559900

For more information please visit-www.uttarakhandtourism.gov.in

Gangtok is knocking

View of Gangtok

Mt Kangchendzonga

Gangtok is situated at 5,047ft, in the Eastern Himalaya in the little state of Sikkim. It is 97km from Darjeeling, 114km from Siliguri. Gangtok offers much to do, there are many sightseeing spots like Ganesh Tok, Hanuman Tok, Tashi View Point but to truly enjoy the town, walk a lot. Take a walk from the main bazaar to the Ridge, stroll on the Ridge itself, or walk up from there towards Enchay Monastery. On a good day after the monsoons, one can see Mt Kangchendzonga and the rest of the range in all its majestic glory. The peaks change colour through the day. For the best views of Mt kangchendzonga in Gangtak, visit after monsoon, in the month of October.

The Ridge :- Just above the main town, and a few minutes walk up from the main bazaar is the Ridge, a small but delightful stretch of flat road lined with trees. Everyone, either local or tourist comes here for a stroll.On the end of the Ridge are the chief minister’s official recidence and the White Hall. Near the White Hall is the Flower Exhibition centre where there is a display of variety of orchids.

Enchey Monastery :- This Monastery is located a 10-minutes walk above the Ridge. In the morning here listening to the hypnotic chants of the monks during morning prayers.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology :- Every tourist must visit this place where there is museum that exhibits a rare collection of ancient manuscripts, statues, ritual objects and thangkas.

Himalayan Zoological Park :-This open zoo sprawls across an area of 205 hectares in mountainous terrain and is a delightful place for long undisturbed walking as well as spotting some rare animals. Asnow leopard, Tibetan wolves, red pandas, Himalayan palm civets, leopard cats and many colourful Himalayan pheasants are the main attraction of the park.

Rumtek Monastery :- It is the largest monastery of Sikkim which is located 24km from Gangtok on a picturesque road across the Rangeet River.

Getting There:-

Bagdogra  is thenearest airport which is connected to Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati by daily flight. Taxi to Gangtok is around Rs 1,500.

New Jalpaiguri is the nearest Rail station which is connected to Kolkata by Darjeeling Mail, Kanchankanya Express, Kanchanjunga express and Delhi by Guwahati rajdhani express. Taxi to Gangtok costs about Rs 1,500.

Accommodation :-

1.The Royal Plaza (Tel: 281571,280032; Tariff; Rs 6,500-20,000).

2.Hotel Tashi-Delek (Tel: 202991; Tariff; Rs 3,375-5,750).

3. Hotel Chumbi Residency (Tel: 226618-19; Tariff; Rs 2,950-3,450).

4. Hotel Sonam Delek (Tel: 202566; Tariff; Rs 1,000-3,000).

Besides these there are many hotels in Gangtok.

Kaziranga National Park

In Kaziranga National Park

Elephant safari in Kaziranga

A group of  Elephant in Kaziranga

 One  horn Rhinoceros 

Kaziranga in Central Assam is the state’s premier wildlife habitat and stretches east to west along the south bank of the Brahmaputra, which marks its northern boundary and the Karbi hills run along its southern boundary.  It spreads across two districts, Nagaon and Golaghat. The best tourist season is from November to early April.

Kaziranga is internationally acknowledged as one of the last undisturbed habitats of the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. There are over 1,500 rhinos n Kaziranga. It is also home to over 70 percent of the world’s wild buffalo population. The rare swamp deer is also found in plenty here. Kaziranga National Park is demarcated into three main tourist ranges---Kohora,Baghori and Agaratoli. Kohora is the central range, and most tourist facilities and park entry formalities are based here.

There are three tourist routes that you can choose for inside Kaziranga, and you can go either for a jeep or an elephant safari.The jeep and elephant safaris are must-dos’ if you have  go to Kaziranga. In the right season, you can spot many animals in just two days.

Kohora is the longest tourist routes, a 3-to 4-hr safari in this range offers almost a complete sense of Kaziranga and its wildlife. You may see rhinos, elephant and wild buffaloes. The large water bodies here offer different sights in different seasons. Catching elephants at play in these water-bodies is about the most rewarding experience there can be in Kaziranga.

Baghori is in the western end of the park. This circuit is known for guaranteeing sighting and its strategic watchtower. An evening trip on this route is almost always a gift for the wildlife tourist. Head to the watchtower before sunset to take in the view of the large clearing beyond the water, bathed in a golden light.

Agaratoli is the easternmost of the three routes and is 21 km from the Kohora base. This range is more wooded than the other two and animal sightings are slightly less frequent. Birds are abundant along this route.

A lesser-known fact about Kaziranga is that it is also a birdwatcher’s paradise. There are over 450 species of birds here, with the usual wetland resident and migratory birds. The endangered Bengal florican, the pied hornbill, raptor and owl species are found here.

Non-wildlife options could include a visit to a nearby tea plantation and factory and a trip to a local Karbi or Mising village where you can spend a day with the locals and see some of their craft and weaving. It is also possible to take a boat cruise on the Brahmaputra River.

GettingThere

:

The nearest airport is Jorhat which is connected to Kolkata. Guwahati is the option, convenient for visitors from Delhi and Mumbai. Car hire to Kaziranga is Rs 3,500 for a drop.

The nearest rail station is Jorhat.

  

Accommodation:

1. Aranya Tourist Lodge(Tel-03776-262429)

Tariff-Rs.600-2300

2. Wild Grass Lodge(Tel-262085; Tariff: Rs 850-1,650)

3.Hotel Bonhabi (Tel-262710, 262575; Tariff- Rs.1,000-1,650)

4. Soil inspection Bungalow (Tel-262409, Tariff- Rs.450-500)

Goa of East...Digha

Tourist enjoying at the sea

A day ends in Digha

Digha is a seaside resort city in the state of West Bengal,India. It lies at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal. It is the most popular sea resort in the West Bengal. Renowned for its beaches, Digha is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Digha is the nearest and most popular sea resort of West Bengal. It is mostly famous as a weekend destination for Calcuttans.It is around 187 km away from Kolkata which takes a mere 5 hrs or so.It is one of the most beautiful hotspot located in the country.

Nearby places of interest

1.Mandarmani.

2.Shankarpur.

3.Junput.

4.Tajpur.

5.Udaipur.

Modes of transport

1.Trains.

In 2004 train service has been started in Digha(DGHA) 

Howrah - Digha Superfast Tamralipta Express (12857 UP) departs from Howrah at 06:40 hrs and arrives at Digha station at 10:00 hrs. Return train (12858 DN) Digha station at 10:35 hrs to arrive Howrah at 13:50 hrs. Check current actual timings with railways

Howrah - Digha Kandari Express (18001 UP) departs from Howrah at 14:10 hrs and arrives at Digha station at 17:50 hrs. Return train (18002 DN) Digha station at 18:20 hrs to arrive Howrah at 21:50 hrs.

New Jalpaiguri - Digha Paharia Express (15722 DN) departs from New Jalpaiguri station at 21:00 hrs and reaches at 12:00 hrs. The train runs from New Japlaiguri on Friday. Return train (15721 UP) which runs on Saturday only starts from Digha station at 16:20 hrs and reaches New Jalpaiguri at 08:45 hrs.

Santragachhi - Digha Passenger departs from Santragachhi at 18:15 hrs and arrives at Digha station at 22:15 hrs. Return train Digha station at 5.30 hrs to arrive Santragachhi station (about 8 km from Howrah) at 9:45 hrs.

Howrah - Digha Duronto Express Train - An AC special train for tourists has been introduced. It departs from Howrah station at 11:15 hrs and reaches Digha at 14:15 hrs without any stoppage in between. The complete train consists of 1 1A, 7 CC and 2 EOGs. 

2.Buses.

There is frequent bus service to Digha from Dharmatala bus stand of Kolkata and many other parts of West Bengal. It is almost a 5 hour journey from Kolkata. Bus service is also available from towns across West Bengal such as Midnapore,Bankura,Asansol,Bardhaman, Howrah, and, also from Orissa via Cuttack and Balasore (Baleswar).plz note Digha to kolkata last bus service (day) 4.00pm. from old Digha. and 3.30 pm. from new digha. 

Accomodation.

1.WBTDC Digha tourist lodge.

Ph.03220 266255/56

AC(D)-Rs.1000-Rs.2000

(F)-Rs1600,NAC(D)-Rs.700,1000,200

Tents-Rs.600

2.Larica Holiday inn.

Ph.03220 266481

NAC-Rs.800-1450

AC(D)-Rs.1000-1250

Suite-Rs.3500

3.Hotel Seagull

Ph.03220 2267195,9433020438

AC(D)-Rs.1500-2800

Cot(D)-Rs.2800-3500

4.Hotel Sea Hawk

Ph.03220 266235/46

NAC(D)-Rs.500,700,100,1200,1500

AC(D)-Rs.1200,1500,2000

5.Sonar tori guest house.

Ph.033 22311504/5503

NAC(D)-Rs.550,700

AC(D)-Rs.1320,1850 

and many more...