“Travelling it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
Travelling is an extraordinary experience every person needs to try. It reveals a whole new and exciting world out there, opens out your inner strength, and presents you with unforgettable adventures. There is nothing quite like travelling, like seeing a new place for the first time or returning to a favourite one. There is nothing wrong with enjoying your travel as it happens, spontaneity can lead to some unexpected and great things. Travelling is the perfect entertainment for a person of any age.
Photography and travelling are synonymous. Photographs captured while travelling has the power to play a deeper and more lasting role in how you commune with the people in the environments you visit. Travelling, seeking adventure are ways to learn and interact with cultures that are very different from our own. Photography becomes a great excuse to look deeper and to make experiences more intense. The main goal as a photographer is to create the kinds of images that combine a strong sense of story and convey what it felt like to be with the people they met in the places they visited.
1. ROHTANG PASS, MANALI
One of the most popular hill stations in India, Manali is amidst the mountain slopes, with spell-binding views, charming streams, the fairy-tale-like fog surrounding little hidden cottages and a lingering scent of pines and freshness. The heavy influx of tourists has led to the exploitation of Manali as a tourist destination, though the surrounding areas are still relatively untouched. Where the Beas River chuckles down the gorges, and the snowy peaks of the mountains reach their fingers to meet the sky: that’s what Manali is, in a nutshell. Manali is a go-to vacation spot for not only adventure seekers but leisure seekers, honeymooners and budget travellers as well.
The drive up to Manali is simply breath-taking! You can catch scenic glimpses of the adjoining mountains and valleys from almost every turn that the twisty uphill road throws you. Though a lot of tourists prefer a self-drive up to Manali, it is advisable to hire a taxi in case you are not comfortable with driving in mountainous regions.
The nearest airport Bhuntar Airport is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 about 50 km (31 mi) south of Manali and 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Kullu town. There is no close railhead available close to Manali. Manali proves to be an exciting destination for a biker – a biker’s paradise, as I would say. The roads are simply meant to be occupied by bikers with their backpacks who will ride freely through the fresh mountain air, living their café racer dreams. If mountainside riding is one of your dreams, this is where you can realise it.
While mountainous regions are usually associated with being in the wilderness, hiking, and climbing, the connectivity of Manali with its roads and highways mean that you can enjoy the outstanding scenery from a vehicle. A famous route for bikers goes along the Manali-Leh Highway. This journey takes around two to four days to complete and passes through multiple attractions such as the Rohtang Pass and Tanglang La. The trouble with riding in this region is that you’d come to a stop frequently as gorgeous landscapes greet you at every turn. I was there for a week and it wasn’t enough – there’s just so much to see and so little time to explore.
Must See
1. ROHTANG PASS
A spectacular destination and one of the highest mountain passes in the world, Rohtang Pass, at nearly 4,000m above sea level, remains Manali’s best tourist destination to experience snow all round the year. In winter, the mountains at the Rohtang Pass are completely covered in snow and it is impossible to get there. Hence, the pass remains closed during winters (from October) and generally opens again in May. So yea, the Rohtang pass deserves a big-shout out in this Manali travel guide. The slopes of Rohtang Pass moreover provide an opportunity to try skiing and/or tubing.
2. SOLANG VALEY
Solang Valley is quiet and is best approached by road. The drive up to Solang is extremely picturesque. Once you are there, try out some Chinese food from the local roadside shacks, and enjoy the views.
3. VASHISHT HOT WATER SPRING
At 2.5 km from the main town, Vashisth hot spring remains a popular tourist destination in Manali. The hot spring is believed to have medicinal and healing properties. A short walk away, lies the quieter Manu Temple which presents a stunning vantage point to witness the view of the valley with Beas River flowing merrily through it.
TO DO
1. TREKKING
For all the thrill-seeker and adventure-lover tourists, Manali is one of the best destinations to travel to. There are at least 10 treks that start from a radius of 30km from Manali Mall Road.
2. RIVER RAFTING
Those who are into a higher level of thrill and adventure should give river rafting a try. The currents of the Beas River are always abundant and perennial, making rafting in the Manali area even more exciting than in many other places. The stunning mountain ranges flanking the Beas River present an idea view to enjoy while you fill your heart with adrenaline and adventure.
3. ZIP-LINING
Solang Valley is a year-round magnet for adventure seekers of all types, be it paragliding, zorbing or zip-lining.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Manali was named after Manu, a Hindu lawgiver. Manali translates to "the abode of Manu." According to legend, after a great flood deluged the world, sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life. The earliest inhabitants of Manali are thought to have been Rakshas, a nomadic hunter tribe, and shepherds from Kangra Valley. Modern Manali history, on the other hand, began with the arrival of the British. During the summer, the British developed the land as a haven from the oppressive heat of the plains. In Manali's rivers, they planted apples and released trout. Manali was part of Mandi, a princely state that merged with India in 1948.
2. NANDHI HILLS, BANGALORE
Nandi Hills, a tiny hidden place on the map of India yet worth exploring for the greatest travel experiences and breathtaking views. Well, it's truly said that “the best places are often off the map", and who can deny it after having visited this beautiful holiday spot. When stuck with the busy and fast life of Bengaluru city, nothing could be better than having a quick chilled out weekend at Nandi Hills. Well, this ethereal place is indeed no less than an escape in itself. A rejuvenating one. A place you can never get bored of!
Nandi Hills doesn’t have an ideal time to visit as it can be visited at any time of the year. And this is what makes it all the way more attractive. However, for experiencing the best of weather there, it’s good to plan a trip between October to May as the moderate weather during this time is fit to steal your hearts. It's lovely weather makes Nandi Hills indeed a must-visit hill station in the down South. Remember that if you travelled south India and missed visiting Nandi Hills, you missed a major part of ethereal beauty.
Bangalore is proving to be one of Asia's fastest-growing technology ecosystems, with new start-ups sprouting almost every day. The Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is now known as India's start-up capital, it wasn't always thought of as a good place to do business. Because of its cheap labour and low-cost land, India was primarily an agricultural and manufacturing centre as a former British colony. Bangalore grew into a hub for public sector industries – especially in aerospace, telecommunications, heavy machinery, space, and defence Bangalore is undoubtedly becoming the go-to spot for scaling up for entrepreneurs from around the Indian subcontinent.
Must See:
1. BANGALORE PALACE
The Palace is a perfect representation of the lavishness and splendour with which India's most resilient dynasties ruled. Famous for its opulent architecture and amusement activities, the Palace is visited by several visitors every day. Anyone who admires classic architecture and artistry would be delighted to experience it first hand at this Palace.
2. TIPU’S SUMMER RESIDENCE
Popularly and indeed rightly referred to as Tashq-e-Jannat, this is also a must-visit place if you are travelling to Nandi. The infrastructure of woods and boasts carved arches are something extremely aesthetic to stop and stare at. The walls and ceilings of Tipu’s Summer Residence are highly alluring and they compel you to not take off your eyes from them.
3. BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK
If you are a lover of wildlife, the Bannerghatta National Park is the place for you. It is very famous for its wildlife, flora and adventures and has great biological importance. The major aim of the park is to promote eco-tourism and create awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation. Jungle Safari, boating and Zoo are the major attractions.
TO DO
1. SHOPPING
Bangalore shopping is a great experience, as it combines the size of a metro with the fun of the much smaller place it used to be a few decades ago. The roads in Bangalore city are narrow and the buildings are shorter than in Mumbai, but the rest all is the same. The Brigade Road is famous for its trendy items, while at Commercial Street you will find a lot of street vendors selling things at reasonable prices. Thus, making it a great space for a couple of hours of shopping.
2. FOODING
The very popular MG Road is St. Mark’s Road, where there are several important places to get a good breakfast in Bangalore. The must-visit is the Koshy’s, a legendary restaurant with the food to back up its reputation. It has the best sandwiches and puffs for breakfast and the fluffiest omelettes in all of Bangalore. The other must-visit place next door is the Church Street Social.
3. ADVENTURES
Wonderla - If you are looking for a place to spend the weekend with your family Wonderla is your destination. It has amazing rides for kids and families, plus high-thrill coasters. There are more than 50 land and water-based rides, along with other attractions, including musical fountains, laser shows and a virtual reality show.
4. ENTERTAINMENT ART
Those who are interested in any kind of art forms should definitely visit the village in Hesaraghatta. Set up by Protima Gauri Bedi, this residential dance school trains students in Indian classical dances like Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniattam, and Manipuri. Enthusiasts looking for contemporary art have a variety of art galleries in Bangalore such as the National Gallery of Modern Art, Crimson Art Gallery and many more.
If you are an artist and is interested in music-making then you might want to visit the Indian Music Experience, a one-of-a-kind museum that is solely dedicated to the thriving Indian music scene.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Nandi Hill is named 'Kushmanda Giri,' as the wise Kushmanda performed the austerities here. After this hillock, the Gangas enjoy the epithet of the lords of Nandagiri. The Jaina antiquity of the place is attested by the Shravan-Tirtha. The name of the place Anandagiri (Hill of Pleasure) was changed to Nandagiri Hills of Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva during the time of the Cholas. There are a lot of myths about the root of the name Nandi Hills. During the Chola era, Nandi Hills was named Ananda Giri, meaning The Hill of Happiness. Another storey is that Yoga Nandeshwara performed penance here, so he was named after him. Nandi is also commonly referred to as Nandidurga because of the fort built here by Tippu Sultan. It's also named Nandi Hills since the hill looks like a sleeping bull. Nandidurg (Nandi Hill) was generally apprehended as unassailable. Nandi Hill, stormed by Lord Cornwallis in 1791, was one of the most famous incidents of the first war against Tipu Sultan of Mysore. A description of the siege is given in Brown's History of Scotland and the records of the 71st Highlanders. Nandi Hill has been a much-loved resort for British Raj officials in the summer season. Traditionally, the hills are the sources of the Arkavathy River. Nandi Hills is the source of the three Penner Rivers, the Ponnaiyar River and the Palar River. Nandi Hills takes its name from the ancient Nandi Temple on the hill of Nandi. This temple has a sculpture of Nandi, a thousand years old. This hill is also adorned by the ancient Lord Shiva and the Parvati Temple.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The beauty of the places we visit can never be fully expressed in words, but it can be experienced by travelling down never-ending paths of adventure. Go and Explore the world before it's too late!
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