The ill Omened Parakeet of Tehri Garhwal

Tehri garhwal during British times was an important hill state in the region now known as Uttarakhand. Maharaja Narinder Shah of Tehri garhwal built the capital of Narinder Nagar for the kingdom at great cost and named it after himself. One of the reasons for building of the new capital is said to be that several generations of rulers before the Maharaja, had died before attaining the age of 30 and this scared the Maharaja.

He felt that the same fate awaited him.  He consulted priests, saints, sages, advisors and astrologers, who concluded that he should change the capital and leave his historical capital.  Since in a marked difference with expected life spans in the area, only the rulers of Tehri Garhwal happened to die early, this was a great cause of anxiety. When no readily explainable reasons are discernible, superstition takes hold fast and therefore the new capital was built at a fast clip and galloping cost.

The new capital settled and was a beautiful town. There were guests and gaiety, splendor and charm. The guests liked to spend their weekends in gorgeous surroundings amidst the charms of the area in weather, culture, cuisine and comfort. The principle raison d’etre (reason for existence) of the new capital however was not to be achieved. So, much is to said about the mystery of India.

Narinder Nagar

Kings of Tehri Garhwal had a long tradition of celebrating ‘Dussehra’ the day of victory of king ‘Rama’ over ‘Ravana’. Dussehra was celebrated at the old capital of Tehri by setting fire to the effigy of Ravana. These were great ceremonial occasions with pomp and show and army in tow as a throwback to the era of historical battle between ‘Ram’ and ‘Ravana’, the good and the bad and hence an assertion of the divinity and the authority of the kings to rule and command respect from the populace. The presence of the king and symbolic slaying of the demon king of Ceylon hence was very important ritual of the era.

Tehri Garhwal

As the king was preparing to leave for Tehri, the commotion in the palace informed him that a favorite talking parakeet of his younger maharani and the beloved consort had flown away and was not returning to the cage. The maharani was distressed and the maharaja concerned and distraught. As a tribute to love perhaps, or the influence of bad omen, setting aside his hurry to reach Tehri the king began to search for the parakeet himself in the nearby forests. After many hours, and numerous tries inspired and driven in his desire to find the parrot to comfort his maharani, the maharaja only could set about for Tehri terribly late and hence in great hurry.

1400 years old Temple in Tehri

The hurry or the stars, we will never know. However, just a little distance later, the Maharaja misjudged the road and lost his life as the car fell into a precipice. The day of celebrating the valour (Dussehra), thus became a tragic day and a tribute to the great love of Maharaja for his Maharani whose tears could keep him busy long hours scouting up and down the mountain for her favorite parakeet, on a day like this. The tributes to this love story can still be heard in Tehri and Narender Nagar. The place is slowly emerging as a great tourist attraction with its riches of forests, wildlife, religion, tradition, modern temples such as Tehri Hydro Electrical project, new sports such as white water rafting, rappling, rock climbing and hang gliding.The Other Home brings you a number of options in the area.

Ananda Resort in Himalayas

Homestays and vacation rentals are perhaps a better way to discover the area because of its rich cultural heritage and charm. The people of the area are warm, hospitable, charming and upholders of the great traditions of the area. Erstwhile residence of Maharaja of Tehri in Garhwal, Ananda in Himalayas is a best rejuvenating spot for today’s traveler, who come here to seek peace for mind, body and soul. With towns like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Devprayag in the area with river ‘Ganga’ as unifying lifeline this is surely a vacation, one must undertake for completing the Indian experience.

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Tips to Rent a Car in India

India is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. However, no journey is complete with properly planning for the transport. Although, there are different transportation options available for the tourists like air, rails and taxi. For covering a radius of 300-600 kms, the best option is still to hire a car and enjoy the scenic view of the countryside. For example, tourists can rent cars in Delhi and reach all popular destinations in north India like Shimla, Manali, Jaipur, Udaipur, Rishikesh and Nainital in a span of 5-10 hour.

Car rental market in India is still fragmented. Cost of renting cars varies in terms of the types of cars, whether AC or non AC, with or without a chauffeur, including charges of fuels and taxes. In all major cities in India, tourists have three options – Rent a Car, Car Sharing and Car Pooling.

Rent a Car

Renting cars is as much popular here in key cities as it is in the western countries. However, tourists can still face some problem in small towns. There are two ways of renting cars in India.

Professional Car Rental Companies

This service is popularly known as “Radio Taxi”. There are many domestic (Meru or Orix) and international companies (Sixt or Hertz) are currently operating in India. These companies charge only for the actual kilometers travelled and the actual waiting time. The tourists can get the car along with a chauffeur and can pay according to the actual charges incurred. The tourists also get the flexibility of keeping the car at their disposal for multi-stop journeys. For example, the rental for an air-conditioned cab will be Rs. 15-20 per kms.

By Local Transporters

This market segment is very fragmented and dominated by individual owners. There are many local transporters also from whom one can take a car on rent. These rentals are supported with a chauffeur and the cost of rented car is as per the actual distance covered. Travelers need to pay for the garage to garage travel and package of 4 hours or 8 hours. For example, the rental for a 5 seats cab will cost in the range of Rs. 800-1,200 for 80 kms and 8 hrs service.

Car Sharing

India does not have a wide spread car sharing (“Self-drive car hire”) facility. It is possible only in India’s large cities like Delhi and Mumbai. To rent a car without a chauffeur, one needs to submit a photocopy of the Driving License, Credit Card and Passport. In case one does not have a passport, any other acceptable proof of identification needs to be submitted.

The renter needs to deposit security amount with the rental companies. Tourists need to be extra cautions as the rental company will forfeit the amount in case of any damage to car. Further, car insurance companies do not offer any liability waiver and collision waivers. Thus, significant responsibility lies with the renter.

Car Pooling

“Carpooling” or “ride-sharing” refers to the shared use of a car for a specific journey, in particular for commuting to work, often by people who each have a car but travel together to save costs. It is not that common in India as it is in the western countries. However, there are few online communities like Mega Car Pool, in metro cities where travelers can join these clubs. Car Pooling is the best option to get in touch with local people and understand the daily life of the city.

Tourists can also hire cars/taxis to move around within the city for local travel or sightseeing. In India, the cars withchauffeurs are mostly preferred as the people are not willing to drive themselves in the congested traffic areas. This allows peace of mind and more free time to traveller.

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Special Tips for Planning Train Travel in India…

Travelling in India by train is very exciting, unique and you’ll have some great memories. The destination is important but journey should be equally interesting. Travelers, both domestic and foreigners, looks for great accommodation options in India and rely on local travel agents for local transport. It is also interesting to plan your journey on Indian Railways.

There are some tips for tourists who want to travel in India by train are:-

Plan your journey

The first thing is to plan in advance. The reservation is available 60 days in advance, excluding the date of journey at the train originating station. Tickets are booked out days or sometimes weeks in advance, especially for long-distance overnight trains, so book your train tickets as early as you can.

Railway Booking Counter

Classes on Indian trains

1st AC – These coaches are fully Air-conditioned compartments with 2 or 4 bunks and a wash basin, including all bedding.

2nd AC – Air-conditioned compartments with 4 bunks, but still very nice, and about half the price of 1st AC.

1st Class (non-AC) – Similar to 1st Class AC above, but without bedding or air-conditioning, and much cheaper.

3rd AC – Air-conditioned compartments with 6 bunks per compartment so it’s more crowded but still comfortable and clean.

Sleeper Class – These are similar to 3rd AC but without air-conditioning or bedding, and usually quite crowded.

Unreserved 2nd Class – Open carriages with bench seats and often amazingly crowded, and extremely cheap.

Break Journey

If you book a single journey ticket for a distance more than 500 km, and can break the journey once for a period of two days at any station en-route after 500km. These two days do not include the day of arrival and day of departure. And if you want to travel the main tourist destinations then you can spend up to 4 days at any destination en-route. This will give you enough time to cover all the tourist destinations in and around the city where you break your journey.

Circular Journey

The Indian Railways also have the facility for tourists who wants  to cover many destinations in a single trip, then you can book a circular journey ticket such that the journey begins and ends at the same station. A single circular journey ticket permits 8 breaks in between your journey. Indian Railway has some standard circular journey routes covering most of the popular tourist destinations across India. The passengers have the choice of either purchase the tickets for planned routes or plan the route yourself

Indrail Pass

The Indian Railways has made some flexibility for tourist like Indrail Pass allows foreigners (and Indians residing abroad) to travel anywhere without any route restriction within its validity period. If you plan to do most of the traveling by train, it offers better economy as well. Indrail Passes are available at the tourist bureau set up in all major stations. You just have to decide the class by which you wish to travel and the period.

Some Extra Tips

Favorite Time Pass in Trains

I would give some tips for making your journey more relaxing via Bring a good book! This is the best time to catch up on your reading, spend time looking out the windows, and admiring the ever changing landscape, strike up conversations and chat with your fellow passengers and If you’re a light sleeper, bring some earplugs or headphones.

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Guide to Accommodation on Indian trains

India train travel offers a very wide spectrum of accommodation as regards comfort and budget. Passengers awareness of the sanitary and comfort conditions of the various levels when purchasing a ticket, can be very helpful in their making the right choice. The range of accommodation and accordingly the price can vary from almost luxurious to very basic for a matching price.

Palace on wheels journey

While there are some luxury trains like ‘The Palace on Wheels’ that give you a royalty like experience on specific tourist itineraries; on standard trains the most comfortable option is the first-class sleeper car, a private compartment that can accommodate two to four people. Traveling India by railway as a first class sleeper passenger is considered a reference to earlier times of relaxed aura that ensures sleep and relaxation during your journey.

The next level of accommodation options on Indian trains encompasses the second- and third-class sleeper car options. India train tickets for long distance travel are typically sold out at least fifteen days in advance, so be sure to reserve these tickets as far ahead as possible as the second- and third-class sleeper cars are the first to become unavailable. Indian Railways also provides reservation against cancellation (that ensures you seating accommodation till a point on the journey where, your regular accommodation might become available, and also provides an automatic upgrade option to higher class in case the seats are available.

Upper Class train compartments have attendants that can provide you bedding, arrange for coach cleaning or adjust the air conditioning/heating temperature. They can also help you call for special assistance such as medical assistance, police assistance, complaint/suggestion book etc. Selected trains such as ‘Rajdhani’, ‘Shatabadi’ etc provide on board meals, newspapers and drinking water and have their prices included in the ticket. Many other long distance trains have arrangement for serving food in your compartment on request, and have a pantry car attached.  This however is not a standard facility in all trains and one must check in advance. All train stations however provide some basic eatables, reading material and small things that one might need during travel.

Food availability in trains

Air-conditioned first class or AC1 or 1A – Each AC1 coach has spacious, carpeted and lockable 4-berth and 2-berth compartments, with an en suite washbasin. While booking tickets, you don’t have a choice of compartments because specific berth numbers are allocated by Indian railways. Though a preference is given to couples for the 2-berth compartment and to families for the 4-berth one, the same cannot be guaranteed. Preference can also be given at the time of reservation for the kind of berth (i.e. upper/lower etc., but the same is not guaranteed.

First Class Air Conditioned

Air-conditioned 2-tier or AC2 – Unlike AC1, AC2 coaches are open plan and not divided into separate compartments. The berths are arranged in bays of four (two upper, two lower) on one side of the aisle, and in bays of two, above and below the windows, on the other side of the aisle. These berths also serve as seats by the day, that can be converted to bunks for sleeping. AC2 coaches are air conditioned, and have ample leg room, curtains for privacy and individual reading lamps. Bedding is included in the fare.

AC 2 tier coach

Air-conditioned 3-tier or AC3 – AC3 coaches are air conditioned coaches with sleeping berths. Berths are usually arranged as in 2AC but it has 3 tiers of bunk – upper, middle and lower, arranged in bays of six on one side of the aisle and bays of two (upper and lower) on the other side of the aisle. They are slightly less well appointed, and do not have individual reading lights or privacy curtains. Bedding is included with fare. Most of the train now provide standard 220 Volt AC outlets for mobile/laptop charging. Bedding is often included but is not a standard feature and must be checked in this class of accommodation.

AC three tier (Economy) – These are air conditioned coaches with sleeping berths, present in Garib Rath Trains. Berths are usually arranged as in 3AC but with three tiers across the width and three longways (six on one side of the aisle and three on the other). The seat width is also relatively narrower in these trains. As a compensation though, it is very affordable luxury as air conditioned accommodation is provided at very attractive prices.

AC three tier – Garib Rath

AC Executive Chair class – If you decide to take a Shatabdi, and are traveling for a short duration and don’t need a berth, you can take the AC Executive chair class. These are air-conditioned seating coaches for comfortable short-distance travel. There are a total of four seats in a row.

Executive Class in Shatabdi

AC Chair class – If you are traveling for a short duration, and won’t need to lie down or sleep, this one is the economical option without significant compromise on comfort. They are exactly like the AC executive chair class, except that they have a total of five seats in a row. They are found in all intercity day-time trains.

AC Chair Class

Sleeper class – Sleeper class consists of open plan berths with upper, middle and lower bunks arranged in bays of six on one side of the aisle, and along the coach wall in bays of two (upper and lower) on the other side of the aisle. Bedding is not provided, and neither is air-conditioning. Sleeper class can be quite crowded and it’s fairly basic.

Unreserved second class – This is the cheapest way to travel in the Indian railways. The coaches consist of open plan cars with wooden or plastic seats, sometimes cushioned. Although entry into the compartment is guaranteed, a seat is not guaranteed. Tickets issued are valid on any train on the same route if boarded within 24 hours of buying the ticket. These coaches are usually very crowded.

Unreserved Second Class

Having said that, whichever way you choose to travel, journey on Indian trains are memorable experiences. Travelling on the train, is the way ‘Mahatama Gandhi’ chose to discover this country, and it remains the preferred option of most for long distance journeys in the country for most of the people even today.

Indian Railways journey

In Luxury, in comfort or rubbing shoulders with the ‘Hoi- Polloi’- the journey on the Indian train is living theIndian life; experiencing the pace of the country it passes through, knowing the life of the people through conversations with fellow passengers and tasting the cuisine of the area traversed. So hop on and discover the country the ‘Gandhi’ way.

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5 Must Visit Destinations in this monsoon

India in Monsoon is generally thought of as a land where water descends in torrents during monsoons. Hence, it is understandable that the thoughts of rain and floods can dampen your holiday plans in India. However, in reality you do not have to avoid traveling to India during the monsoon season.

Monsoon in India

The main monsoon season in India runs from the month of June to September. Though most part of India receives rain during these months there are few remote destinations in India where you can travel even during monsoons. Travel to those parts of India where there is scanty or no rainfall can be quite alluring precisely during that season.

1. Leh and Ladakh

Ladakh region in general and Leh town in particular are two amazing place to visit especially at the end of summer and during the onset of monsoons. This mountainous region has enchanting beauty of the landscape and holidaying here is being in the lap of the nature fairly distant from your usual moorings and in the midst of an entire different civilization. Leh is the capital city of Ladakh, while Ladakh is the plateau with interspersing valleys lying close to the Greater Himalayas. There are several ways by how you can reach there depending on the route that would be open. Srinagar and Manali are two major gateways to Leh, Ladakh.

Ladakh is alluring with its altitude of at least 9,000 feet overlooking the Kargil and Tibet border. There are also many longer trekking trails to choose from, such as the ones from Likir to Temisgam, and Markha Valley from Spituk.

Suggested Properties: Jigmet Guest House, Shanti Guest House, Smanla Guest House

2. Rajasthan

Rajasthan is located in the northwestern part of the country and is the largest state of the India in terms of area. The state is surrounded by Pakistan to the west, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Gujarat to the southwest, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the north east, and Punjab to the north. The capital of Rajasthan is Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City. The state is a tourist’s delight with its natural beauty, a great history, splendid forts & palaces, colorful festivals & fairs, lively culture, and varied landscape.

Aravalli Ranges

The Aravali Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world, runs across the state from southwest Guru Peak (Mount Abu), which is 1,722 m in height to Khetri in the northeast. The Chambal River, which is the only large and permanent river in the State, originates from its drainage to the east of this range and flows northeast. The monsoon brings relief to the sultry and sun-baked terrain of Rajasthan during the month of June and July. The state receives maximum rainfall during this period. The lakes get rejuvenated, massive forts and palaces have a freshly washed new life look, and flora and fauna find a new spring in their step. The temperature also drops to 30 degree Celsius. With cooler temperatures and soaring sprits, it is precisely the place to visit during monsoons.

Suggested Properties: Lake View Villa, Madhu Pushp Bhawan, Pahuna Haveli

3. Goa

Goa, the land blessed with splendid scenic beauty, golden beaches, beautiful rivers and lakes and architectural splendors is undoubtedly a “Tourist’s Paradise”. The perfect words to describe Goa are – “The land of Sun, Sand and Sea”. A leisurely day basking under the sun on the white sandy beaches of Goa is definition of a perfect holiday. The second smallest Indian state (area wise) is also known for its unity in diversity.

Sao joao festival

One of the best reasons to visit Goa during the monsoon is the vibrant festivals that are celebrated. The most popular festival, Sao-Joao (the fertility feast of Saint John the Baptist), is celebrated in late June and involves the interesting feat of men jumping into overflowing village wells to retrieve bottles of local alcohol ‘feni’. The feast of Saints Peter and Paul, at the end of June, sees people sailing up river on rafts performing plays and songs. In late August, the carnival-like Bonderam flag festival is held on tiny Divar Island, off the coast from Panaji. Ganesh Chaturthi is also observed in Goa during the season.

Mandovi River

During the monsoons, Mother Nature is in her full element and brings a fresh aroma, romance and liveliness to this coastal state. Places like the Mollem National Park and Cotiago Wildlife Sanctuary, the famous Dudh Sagar falls and the gorgeous spice plantations in Savoi are spectacular in the rains. Those in search of some hard core romance can take a boat ride up the Mandovi River and get a feel of the historic Goan architecture. If you’re looking for some quiet time, you could also just spend hours just watching the rough waters.

Suggested Properties: Acro Iris Homestay, Jes Guest House, Blue Marine Beach Resort

4. Coorg

Coorg or Kodagu, as it is officially known, is one of the tiniest districts in the southern part of Karnataka covering an area of 4,104 Sq Km. Coorg consists of three taluks or administrative units viz Madikeri or Mercara, the District Headquarters, Virajpet and Somvarpet. Coorg borders Mysore district to its east, Dakshina Kannada district on the west, Hassan district in the north and the state of Kerala to the south.

River Cauvery in full swing at coorg

The largest river here, River Cauvery, which the local people worship, rises on the eastern side of the Western Ghats. Its tributaries drain the greater part of Coorg. Coorg is the largest producer of Coffee in India. Monsoon in Coorg is the most romantic season of all, especially for the newlyweds. The Weather is cold that induces couples to cuddle-up almost all the time! A mild walk in the rain through the sleepy city sharing just one umbrella is an unique experience. There is an added charm in enjoying the mist and fog all around that adds mushiness to the air. The mountains and fields cover themselves with a verdant green carpet ready to welcome you to the land of eternal beauty with thunderstorms rolling in from all most everywhere.

Suggested Properties: Eco Habitat, Bird of Paradise, Naladi Holidays

5. Lahaul Spiti

Lahaul & Spiti is a big district in Himachal Pradesh having international boundary with Tibet. The valleys. mountains, glaciers, rivers, forests, pastures, gompas (monastries) and ancient forts of the former rulers are the principal objects of interest. The area located  just south of Ladakh, is one of the most sparsely populated regions in India and is the perfect place to get away from the crowds. Miles and miles of high altitude desert stretch in the rain shadowed side of the Himalayas promises to be perfect get-away.

Adventures at lahaul

The rugged awe-inspiring snow clad mountains are standing invitation to the hikers, mountaineers and adventurers. The entire district is full of natural scenery exhorting the tourists and visitors to explore and imbibe its natural grandeur. The customs, myths, beliefs and conventions of the simple people are the unique features of this border highland. Every village or hamlet has a prayer flag fluttering over the Buddhist monastery. These shrines are the centers of the cultural life of the people that have influenced their religious beliefs for centuries and form the core of their social life.

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