Category Social Sciences

How about a visit to India’s smallest and Asia’s only automobile-free hill station. Of course, it is a must visit place in the bucket list of all those adrenaline junkies.

Matheran, meaning ‘forest on the forehead’ is an eco-sensitive region lying about 100 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune.

There are altogether 40 points, two lakes, two parks, four major worship places and a race course to visit in Matheran.

It takes about 2–3 days by foot for a complete tour of all the points. Alternatively, if one manages to start early, one can rent a horse and complete all the points in a single day. Important points are Alexander Pt., Rambag Pt, Little Chowk Pt, Big Chowk Pt, One Tree Hill Pt, Belvedere Pt, Olympia Race Course (established in 1892-93 by Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji), Lords Pt, Charlotte Lake, Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir, Celia Pt (a waterfall mouth), Echo Pt, Porcupine Pt (Sun Set Pt), Panorama Point (Sun Rise Pt), Khandala Pt, Madhavji Garden & Point, Matheran Railway Station, Louisa Point, Mayra Point, Pisarnath Temple, Matheran Shiv Mandir.

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Mawlynnong made an appearance on the travel itineraries of people for the first time in 2003, when travel magazine Discover India declared it the “Cleanest Village” in Asia. The road from Shillong to Mawlynnong passes through such diverse terrain that it takes time for one to come to terms with the fact that you are still within the geographical bounds of the same state. 

There are a number of living root bridges across the state, most of which can be reached by undertaking a long trek. These formations are unique to the state of Meghalaya. The most easily accessible of these is the Living Root Bridge, located in the neigh-bouring village of Riwai.

This hamlet is only a couple of minutes away from Mawlynnong, and has found its way on the tourist map because of the spectacular living root bridges. As you enter Riwai, a small clearing serves as a parking lot, and it is surrounded by many eateries selling local dishes. A paved road takes you to the ticket counter.

Set in verdant environs, this single-decker bridge at Riwai spans over a gushing stream peppered with rocks. The living bridge was fashioned from the roots of the rubber fig tree by the Khasi villagers in order to cross over the stream. Such root bridges become stronger with time, and take 10 to 15 years to become fully functional. The bridges are, however, strong enough to hold the weight of upto 50 people at a time. Visitors can even descend to the stream below and take a dip in the cool waters.

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Darjeeling conjures visions of snow peaks, serenity of vibrant green hills steeped in splendour, a land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas. Darjeeling is one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade. Flaming red rhododendrons, sparkling white magnolias, miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir – all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confounds Darjeeling as the queen of hill stations. The crest of Kanchenjunga shining in the first dawn light truly supports the title.

Traditional dances in Darjeeling include the Jhaure dance, Chutkay dance, Maruni dance and Tamang Selo, which find their origins in Nepal. Other forms of dance include the Tibetan Cham performed with elaborate costumes and masks during the eve of Losar, the Tibetan New Year.

Undeniably, the most popular food of Darjeeling is the Momo. Momos are steamed dumplings stuffed with either pork, beef or vegetables and served with a spicy chilli and tomato paste along with soup. Another popular dish is the Thukpa, which is a noodle dish with meat and/or vegetables in soup. Apart from these dishes, the restaurants in Darjeeling offer a wide variety of traditional Indian, continental and Chinese cuisines to cater to different palates.

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Road To Mussoorie is Ruskin Bond’s typical version of a hill station. He recalls many interesting incidents, writes down stories of various people he came across and his own fond memories of what is India’s first famous hill station. His writing immediately takes you to the mountains. Today, Mussoorie has changed drastically from what it was before. It nonetheless continues to be a frequently-visited getaway destination.

Ruskin Bond (born 19 May 1934) is an Indian author of British descent. He lives with his adopted family in Landour, Mussoorie, India. Since 1963 he has lived as a freelance writer in Mussoorie, a town in the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand where he lives with his adoptive family in Landour, Mussoorie’s Ivy Cottage, which has been his home since 1980. Asked what he likes the most about his life, he said, “That I have been able to write for so long. I started at the age of 17 or 18 and I am still writing. If I were not a professional writer who was getting published I would still write.” In his essay, “On being an Indian”, he explains his Indian identity; “Race did not make me one. Religion did not make me one. But history did. And in the long run, its history that counts.

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Shimla is a quaint little hill station nestled in Himachal Pradesh and is located at a comfortable driving distance from Delhi and other cities in Punjab. It is without a doubt one of the most popular hill stations in the country, and there many places to see in Shimla and many activities do in and around this quaint little town.

You can also enjoy many adventure activities such as River Water Rafting, Camping, Paragliding, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Golfing, Ice Skating among other things.

Shimla is home to a number of buildings that are styled in the Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures dating from the colonial era, as well as multiple temples and churches. The colonial architecture and churches, the temples, and the natural environment of the city attracts tourists. Attractions include the Viceregal Lodge, the Christ Church, the Jakhoo Temple, the Mall Road, the Ridge and Annadale which together form the city centre. The Kalka–Shimla Railway line built by the British, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also a major tourist attraction. Owing to its steep terrain, Shimla hosts the mountain biking race MTB Himalaya, which started in 2005 and is regarded as the biggest event of its kind in South Asia. Shimla also has the largest natural ice skating rink in South Asia. Apart from being a tourism centre, the city is also an educational hub with a number of colleges and research institutions.

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In the 1990s, the rise of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir affected tourism in Gulmarg. With the abatement of terrorism in the area, tourism started to recover in late 1990s. Work on the cable car project between Gulmarg and Apharwat Peak, which was commissioned in 1988 by Government of Jammu and Kashmir but was subsequently abandoned due to militancy in 1990, was resumed in 1998. In May 1998, Phase 1 of the project, between Gulmarg and Kongdori, began its commercial operation. In May 2005, Phase 2 of the project was also inaugurated making it one of the longest and highest rope ways of Asia. The chairlift installed as a part of Phase 3 of the project began its operations in 2011. The National Winter Games were held in Gulmarg in 1998, 2004 and 2008. In 2014, Government of Jammu and Kashmir drafted a Master Plan–2032 for Gulmarg. The plan includes development of a solid-waste treatment plant on 20 acres of land close to Gulmarg.

The first ever Khelo India Winter Games will begin from March 7 at Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. Around 900 participants will take part in the 5-day event. Organised by Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council in collaboration Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Games will be held in various sports disciplines at famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir from March 7 to 11.

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