Lal Bagh

                          The Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore is of royal origin and was started initially as a private garden in an area of 40 acres by Hyder Ali, one of the most famous rulers of old Mysore in 1760. Initially designed in Mughal style, on the model of an extensive garden at Sira in Tumkur near Bangalore, this garden was further developed by Hyder Ali’s son Tipu Sultan and subsequently by the British and Indian doyens of horticulture by extension of area and addition of a number of plant species. Of them, Major Waugh, Dr. Wallich, William Munroe, Sir Mark Cubbon, Dr. Cleghorn, William New, A. Blck, John Cameron, Krumbeigal, Rao Bahadur H.C. Javaraya, K. Nanjappa and Dr. M.H. Marigowda, as the Superintendents of the garden, have made noteworthy contributions to the development of Lalbagh.
                         Lalbagh is currently under the aegis of the Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka. The Directorate is housed amidst the splendid environs of the botanical garden. Lalbagh was given the status of a Government Botanical Garden in 1856, and since then, it has been an internationally renowned centre for scientific study of plants and botanical artwork and also conservation of plants. Formal and informal styles dominate the garden in perfect harmony, which is a testimony to the beauty of nature. Today, the garden is a lush green paradise with an area of 240 acres in the heart of the city.

                            Lalbagh, for its unique achievement in nurturing the concept of horticulture and aiding the development of horticulture, has earned a pride of place among the gardens of the world and it has come to be regarded as one of the best gardens in the East for its layout, maintenance, scientific treasure and scenic beauty. It is the place of legends and beauty, a place of rarity and wonder, a place of paradise and landmarks. It is an important genetic resource centre for introduction, acclimatization and maintenance of plants; it envisages documentation of the variations available in plants of ornamental and economic value. It is an important centre of dissemination of scientific, technical and popular information on plants including offering of regular courses. It aids the development of horticulture in the state. It is a valuable adjunct to botanic study in educational institutions, a vital lung space of Bangalore, a place of beauty that provides healthy recreation to the public and it provides a venue for people to get close to plants and nature. The garden with well-laid out roads, paths, open spaces, shade and a good collection of many types of plant species attracts a large number of visitors. Lalbagh is well protected with stone walls as enclosures and it has four approach gates. The main gate is at the North facing towards Subbaiah circle, the West gate is towards Basavanagudi, the South gate is towards Jayanagar and the East gate is towards the Double Road.

                 
                             During the reign of Hyder Ali in 1760, the construction of this garden started but was later on completed on the orders of his son, Tipu Sultan. During that time Mughal gardens were capturing great popularity due to which Hyder Ali wanted to cultivate this exquisite botanical garden. The garden gained more importance when his son Tipu Sultan added the concept of horticulture in the garden. Many different species of plants were imported from different countries making this garden the apple of everyone’s eye. The garden is built similar to the design used in Mughal gardens.

                                   Biannual flower shows are organized every year in January and August on the occasion of the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations respectively. Details can be had from the Directorate of Horticulture or the Mysore Horticultural Society Office. The garden is an institution of botanical and environmental importance, a treasure house of our state and nation, an important lung space of Bangalore –it is the duty of every one of us to protect it from deterioration and to keep it clean. Videography is prohibited.

Pangong Tso

                         

                            Do you remember the last scene of 3 idiots? Want to know about the location where Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor were snogging in the last scene? For those who are besotted by the background that acted as a catalyst for Kareena Kapoor’s love confession, the place is located in Ladakh. Situated at a height of 4,250 meters, far away in barren land in Ladakh, Pangong Tso is one of the largest brackish lakes in Asia. The crystal clear blue lake sprawls over an area of 100 kilometers across the borders of two countries in India and China. It is one of the charismatic lakes situated on the Changtang plateau in eastern Ladakh region.

                           Pangong Lake is also known by the name of Hollow Lake and appears as a clear symbol of nature craftsmanship. The brackish water plays with sunlight to produce different effects of light. One-third part of the lake lies in India while the remaining two-third lies in Tibet, a region controlled by China. A large chunk of streams that fill the lake are located on the Tibetan part. The lake is located just 5 hours drive from Leh in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. The first glimpse of the tranquil, azure blue waters and shaky lakeshore remains etched in the memory of tourists. This area falls under army control and requires pass from deputy commissioner of Leh. During the winter season, the lake and its surroundings are engulfed by freezing temperature. The surface of the lake becomes so solid that one can’t walk over it. On the surface of frozen lake a gala festival of ice skating is organized. It calls on large number of skiers and ice skaters from several parts of the world. During this festival, tourists also get to see the local culture of the native people. 

                            The Pangong Lake falls on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control and to visit this beautiful lake you are required to get Inner Line permission. Also because the Pangong Lake is situated very close to the border, you will be allowed to visit only up to a certain area. You can explore the lake till the Spangmik village. Whenever you plan to visit this magical place, make sure you do carry a lot of winter clothes. The climate is cold and after dawn it gets harsher. Do not expect any kind of boating activities here. Being situated so close o the border, the Pangong Lake is still considered to be a very delicate region to visit. Visit this place only for its beauty and magnificence. And for any kind of adventure, the only option that you got is to camp on the shores of the lake. If you love photography, this place is going to be an absolute delight.

                              Another great accommodation is the Pangong Inn that is also located in the vicinity of Pangong Lake.The location is what makes this place so beautiful. Usually you will find tent accommodations near the lake, but the Pangong Inn is a concrete structure with basic facilities provided. The food is decent and the staff is also friendly. The tariff is Rs 3500 onwards. The other option that you can consider is booking accommodation in Leh. Leh has many hotels since it is one of the biggest tourist destinations of the country. People from all over visit Leh and it has been a favorite among bikers and explorers. So if you have put Pangong Lake in your itinerary, then there is nothing to worry about the accommodation. We have listed down some of the best hotels in Leh for you. Grand Himalaya (094192 08786, Tariff- Rs 7400 approximately) is a great, luxury hotel n Leh.
                             This hotel has spacious rooms that are designed elegantly. The rooms overlook some really scenic views and the staff is very forthcoming and helpful. The Hotel also serves some delicious food and hence it is one of the best hotels in Leh. So you now know that if you want to visit Pangong Lake, you must look for accommodation options in Leh.

                               Always pre book your accommodation since most of them are always full. It usually is very difficult to find accommodation near the lake as most of the tents are also occupied. So always pre book hotels and if not you could also opt for home stays in Spangmik and also Tangste villages. They may be a tad less comfortable than your other hotels but the location of the hotels will make you forget all your other woes. Some bathrooms may not be western and some rooms may not have an attached bathroom- these are some facts that you must keep in mind. You can also carry your own sleeping bags if you are hygiene conscious.
                              If you are like any other backpacker who finds comfort in whatever given then do not bother carrying these. During the peak season, since Pangong Tso has just one accommodation that is cemented, pre book here. If prefer cemented building accommodation with all the facilities and with the lake at a closer proximity, this is the only option you have. So be smart and get your rooms booked in advance. Carry adequate winter clothes and a medical aid ready in case of any emergencies. Keep woolen clothes and also sweaters since the temperate of this region is quite fluctuating.

Valley of Flowers National Park

                             Valley of Flowers is a vibrant and splendid national park reposing in West Himalayas. Nestled in Uttarakhand, this alluring place is famous for its charming meadows of alpine flowers. Endowed with a diverse range of endemic flora, it is picturesque in its beauty. This lush region is also home to some rare and endangered animal species. You may spot animals like Asiatic black deer, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, brown bear and blue sheep. High in the lofty Himalayas of the Garhwal region sprawls this enchanting valley. Legends believe it to be the place from where Hanuman had collected the Sanjeevani buti for curing Lakshmana. This place has floral pastures, running streams and beautiful backdrop of the mountains. Valley of Flowers is located 300 Kms North of Rishikesh, near Badrinath. You need to Travel by Road till Govindghat and from there the trek to Valley of Flowers starts. Govindghat is 20 Kms before Badrinath. Till Govidghat there is a motor-able Road. Rishiksh is 6 Hours Drive from New Delhi, India. Valley of Flowers remains covered with a thick blanket of snow during the winter season.
                             It is in full bloom during July, August and September. This is the best time to explore the splendor of this magnificent place. The aqua waters of Pushpawati River bifurcates the valley into two parts. Dew drops of flowers, the rhythmic sound of flowing water and the romantic breeze can be enjoyed by the visitors during the period of July to September. As per the local beliefs, this valley was inhabited by fairies. No wonder, it’s a fairy land. Ghangaria is the base camp for the trek to Valley of Flowers. It has private lodges and hotels for accommodation. One cannot stay at Valley of Flowers, therefore Ghangaria remains an ideal place to relax and sleep. It is managed and administered by the Uttarakhand State Forestry Department and Ministry of Environment and Forests. Settlement in this park is not allowed and grazing is also banned since 1983.

                           Valley of Flowers is located in Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand India. This is remotely located and it takes minimum 3 days to reach Valley of Flowers from Haridwar. The last motor-able point is Govindghat. You can check our trek itinerary page for more day wise information. It is around 500 km from New Delhi and 300 km from Haridwar. You can check our page on how to reach Valley of Flowers, we have given distances between important points and time required between them, different modes of transportation available to reach Valley of Flowers. The Valley of Flowers has gained importance as a region containing a diversity of alpine flora, representative of the Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows ecoregion.
                             The rich diversity of species reflects the valley's location within a transition zone between the Zanskar and Great Himalayas ranges to the north and south, respectively, and between the Eastern Himalaya and Western Himalaya flora. A number of plant species are considered threatened. Several have not been recorded outside of Uttarakhand. Two have not been recorded in Nanda Devi National Park. The diversity of threatened species of medicinal plants is higher than has been recorded in other Indian Himalayan protected areas. The entire Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve lies within the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA). The Valley of Flowers National Park is the second core zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Seven restricted-range bird species are endemic to this part of the EBA.

                             Valley of Flowers opens on 1st June every year and closes on 4th October, but the valley remained closed for public in 2013 after the floods in June 2013 till 4th October, 2014 as the trek between Ghangaria and Valley of Flowers was damaged. It was reconstructed by September, 2014 and valley was opened for public for 6 days from 4th October to 9th October, 2014. You can visit out best time to visit Valley of Flowers page to know what will be best time among these four months of accessibility of the valley.

Dudhsagar Falls

                   
 Dudh Sagar Waterfall is one of the highest water falls in India, and among the hundred highest waterfalls in the world. It lies in the southern part of Goa at Mollem, towards the border with Karnataka state. Dudh Sagar, literally means a Sea of Milk in the local Konkanni language, and gets its name as it appears like an overflowing sea of milk. It has a total height of 306 meters and a width of 30 meters. The water fall is at its peak flow during the monsoon months from June to September and wanes out towards the summers from March to june. The entrance to the waterfall is from Collem through the forest department gate. Ticket sales are stopped at 3:00 p.m.
                   Dudhsagar Falls (literally Sea of Milk ) is a four-tiered waterfall located on the Mandovi River in the border of the Indian state of Goa and Karnataka. It is 60 km from Panaji by road and is located on the Madgaon-Belgaum rail route about 46 km east of Madgaon and 80 km south of Belgaum. Dudhsagar Falls is amongst India's tallest waterfalls with a height of 310 m (1017 feet) and an average width of 30 metres (100 feet). The falls is located in the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park among the Western Ghats. The waterfall forms the border between Karnataka and Goa states. The area is surrounded by a deciduous forests with a rich biodiversity. The falls are not particularly spectacular during the dry season but during the monsoon season however, the falls are fed by rains and form a huge force of water.

                            The area is a wild and scenic deciduous forest and an ardent Bird watchers paradise. Many species of birds, insects, plants and animal abound here. The fauna found in the sanctuary is as follows: Gaur, Panther, Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Wild Dog, Leopard Cat, Sambar, Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur, Jungle Cat, Civet, Flying Squirrel, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Pangolin, Slender Loris, etc. Occasionally, Tigers have also been seen, but the area is famous for King cobras though other snakes found are Python, Krait, Viper etc. as well as non-poisonous snakes. About 200 species of birds are found in the sanctuary of which the better known ones are Indian Black Woodpecker, the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Paradise Fly Catcher, Fairy Blue Bird, Drongo, Wag tails, Barbets, Great Indian Horn Bill, Kingfishers, Shrikes, Emerald Dove, Grey Jungle Fowl etc. By and large sightings of wild animals on the trails leading to the Waterfalls are poor due to human activity, however what you will see plenty of are monkeys of various types, who scamper down the steep slopes to greet visitors. Feeding of monkeys is prohibited and will incur a fine if found guilty.
                               Dudh Sagar Waterfall Dudh Sagar Waterfall Banner.jpg Get inGet aroundSeeDoBuyEatSleepStay safe Rudh sagar water falls Dudh Sagar Waterfall is one of the highest water falls in India, and among the hundred highest waterfalls in the world. It lies in the southern part of Goa at Mollem, towards the border with Karnataka state. Dudh Sagar, literally means a Sea of Milk in the local Konkanni language, and gets its name as it appears like an overflowing sea of milk. It has a total height of 306 meters and a width of 30 meters. The water fall is at its peak flow during the monsoon months from June to September and wanes out towards the summers from March to june. The entrance to the waterfall is from Collem through the forest department gate. Ticket sales are stopped at 3:00 p.m. History[edit] Legend has it that a beautiful princess lived in the forest on the edge of the King's palace grounds. She enjoyed bathing in a lake nearby and ritually drank sweetened milk from a Golden Jug upon finishing with her bath. One day while enjoying her jug of milk she found herself being watched by a handsome prince standing amongst the trees. Red with embarrassment at her inadequate bathing attire, the Princess poured the jug of milk in front of her to form an improvised curtain to hide her body, while one of the maids rushed to cover her with a dress.

Lotus Temple

                              The Lotus Temple also known as the Bahai House of Worship or Bahai Mashriqul-Adhkar Temple is one of the best architectural marvels in the county in modern times. The white marble structure is also called the Taj Mahal of the 20th century but it is so much more than just a splendid piece of architecture. It is a place where several visitors from all across the globe come for peace, meditation, prayers and study. Located in New Delhi, the Lotus Temple is a famous tourist attraction of the city. Unlike other places of worship which usually have an idol of a deity people pray to, asking for either forgiveness or something that they deeply desire, the Lotus Temple is a rather unique place of worship. It is known for its beautiful flower-like architecture and marvelous ambiance that make it a popular tourist attraction for people of all faiths.
                              The Bahai Lotus Temple is one of the world’s most beautiful religious buildings and a must-visit when in Delhi. The structure is made up of pure white marble The architect Furiburz Sabha chose the lotus as the symbol common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Bhai TempleJainism and Islam. Adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate. Around the blooming petals there are nine pools of water, which light up, in natural light. It looks spectacular at dusk when it is flood lit.

                It is in line with the teachings of the Bahai faith believing in the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religions, and the Oneness of Mankind. As such, people of all religions and races are welcome in the temple as it is a place to worship the creator of the universe and not one particular deity. There is no idol to be worshipped and people of any faith, case, creed are welcome inside. Even though everyone is welcome, no ritualistic ceremonies can be performed inside the Lotus Temple nor can anyone deliver sermons. However, you can chant or read scriptures of Bahai and other faiths too, in any language. You can even set them to music by choirs but you cannot play any musical instrument inside the temple. The Bahai community offers four activities called the core activities for those who are interested in the Bahai way of life. These activities are Children’s’ Classes, Junior Youth Classes,                
                Devotional Meetings and Study Circles. The temple is visited by more than four million people every year with an average of more than 10,000 visitors daily. According to Bahai scripture, the House of Worship cannot have any pictures, statues or images displayed inside. However, the lotus is not an essential part of Bahai scripture as it states that all Bahai structures should have a nine-sided circular shaped structure. Even so, most of Bahai temples have a lotus-shaped structure. The Bahai House of Worship in Delhi is one of seven such houses of worship. The other six are at Sydney in Australia, Panama City in Panama, Apia inWestern Samoa, Kampala in Uganda, Frankfurt in Germany and Wilmette in USA.