Monday, December 31, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR All Friends

I wish you Health...
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family...
And Peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature...
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generousity so you may share...
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy...
And Blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything...
That you so well deserve.

H ours of happy times with friends and family
A bundant time for relaxation
P rosperity
P lenty of love when you need it the most
Y outhful excitement at lifes simple pleasures

N ights of restful slumber (you know - dont' worry be happy)
E verything you need
W ishing you love and light

Y ears and years of good health
E njoyment and mirth
A angels to watch over you
R embrances of a happy years!

Happiness deep down within.
Serenity with each sunrise.
Success in each facet of your life.
Family beside you.
Close and caring friends.
Health, inside you.
Love that never ends.
Special memories of all the yesterdays.
A bright today with much to be thankful for.
A path that leads to beautiful tomorrows.
Dreams that do their best to come true.
Appreciation of all the wonderful things about you.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

A unique confluence of natural highs: Kullu Manali India

India Unveiled: A warm up, a teaser following up to your adventure in Kullu Manali

India offers an alluring invitation for every traveler to indulge in its picture perfect views of snow clad Himalayas in North, swirling sands in Rajasthan play a charismatic veil of monuments and forts waiting to seduce a lonely traveler with their incredible beauty and artistry; sandy dunes along the crystal clear waters of beaches in south provide an ultimate source of Vitamin SEA. And after you are finished up with your adventures in north set yourself free on a peaceful trail in a canoe moving swiftly on the pristine backwaters of Kerala.

An Ultimate Adventurer’s Trove: Kullu Manali
But if you are a crazy adventurer then please pack-up your adventure gear and board a bus plying to Kullu Manali in North India. Kullu Manali is a comfortable 10 hours journey from New Delhi. It is well connected to the rest of India with smooth National Highways; making the journey for travelers hassle free. These are the twinlet towns in the mesmerizing land of gods “Himachal Pardesh, India”.

Manali, situated at an altitude of 6000 feet, is a renowned hill station in India. According to a fabled story, when whole world drowned in the catastrophic floods, arose a place of unparalleled natural beauty? It was Manali here the life prospered again.

Manali offers a rare treat for your eyes as every shot of its natural beauty presents an ultimate picture. Miles away from those busy streets of city life, here’s a chance for you to walk through the narrow alleys in dense forests, exotic flowers and gurgling streams. Manali is also a vital transcending point for interesting trek routes to places like Rohtang Pass, Lahaul and Spiti.

Hassle Free
Manali seems to be a natural beauty embellished with sophistication of modern world. You can avail the rare comfort of venturing without a wallet, just use your plastic money at any of the nearest ATMs or swipe your credit card as all the leading stores, hotels and luxury resorts accept VISA cards. Everything seems to be so spontaneous and hassle free here, there's no hiccups or hurdles getting anywhere around the town. Manali is well networked with the rest of region through its perennial flow of taxis, buses, and flights. Manali offers an exquisite claque of hotels and stays that blends both luxury and affordability for travelers. At high end, you can embrace the luxuries of a five star hotel, for shallow pockets there are much cheaper rooms available at a price of Rs 700 a night. The forest cottages provides a unique option for traveler’s looking to spend a night talking to stars in piercing scents of deodar trees with prices staggering low at Rs 1500 a night.

In the Search for Peace and Solitude
You can search for solitude in its tranquil forest resorts that offers complete seclusion from outer World. May be that’s the reason writer's find a mystic solace in its mesmerizing deodar forests that ignites oodles of literary wonders. The towns nearby embraces a rich elegance in their laid back culture, these regions looms around a mysterious lifestyle, by living a self contented life totally unknown to modern world's. Just follow a lonely path through a forest near your resort and it will lead you to a quaint village, spend some time talking with local people and you will feel their intense warmth and gesture for outsiders. The people here treat their guest’s like gods.

Adventure Sports In Kullu Manali
After exploring the local naturals you must be feeling thirsty for something extraordinary, surprising or may be adventurous. The toughest trekking trails along the rocky terrains of Rohtang valley will surely let you relive the dormant athlete in you. Imagine flying like a bird sprawling your wings over the world's eyes, this is not a dream, no more, experience this virtual to reality by Paragliding on the breathtaking valley of Solang. Don't miss a rare chance of gyrating the turbulent waters of river beas on a spunky kyak. For fishing enthusiasts, Katrain, Raison, Kasol, Larji, and Nagar are some of the ideal places for trout.

A unique confluence of natural highs: Kullu Manali India

India Unveiled: A warm up, a teaser following up to your adventure in Kullu Manali

India offers an alluring invitation for every traveler to indulge in its picture perfect views of snow clad Himalayas in North, swirling sands in Rajasthan play a charismatic veil of monuments and forts waiting to seduce a lonely traveler with their incredible beauty and artistry; sandy dunes along the crystal clear waters of beaches in south provide an ultimate source of Vitamin SEA. And after you are finished up with your adventures in north set yourself free on a peaceful trail in a canoe moving swiftly on the pristine backwaters of Kerala.

An Ultimate Adventurer’s Trove: Kullu Manali

But if you are a crazy adventurer then please pack-up your adventure gear and board a bus plying to Kullu Manali in North India. Kullu Manali is a comfortable 10 hours journey from New Delhi. It is well connected to the rest of India with smooth National Highways; making the journey for travelers hassle free. These are the twinlet towns in the mesmerizing land of gods “Himachal Pardesh, India”.

Manali, situated at an altitude of 6000 feet, is a renowned hill station in India. According to a fabled story, when whole world drowned in the catastrophic floods, arose a place of unparalleled natural beauty? It was Manali here the life prospered again.

Manali offers a rare treat for your eyes as every shot of its natural beauty presents an ultimate picture. Miles away from those busy streets of city life, here’s a chance for you to walk through the narrow alleys in dense forests, exotic flowers and gurgling streams. Manali is also a vital transcending point for interesting trek routes to places like Rohtang Pass, Lahaul and Spiti.

Hassle Free

Manali seems to be a natural beauty embellished with sophistication of modern world. You can avail the rare comfort of venturing without a wallet, just use your plastic money at any of the nearest ATMs or swipe your credit card as all the leading stores, hotels and luxury resorts accept VISA cards. Everything seems to be so spontaneous and hassle free here, there's no hiccups or hurdles getting anywhere around the town. Manali is well networked with the rest of region through its perennial flow of taxis, buses, and flights. Manali offers an exquisite claque of hotels and stays that blends both luxury and affordability for travelers. At high end, you can embrace the luxuries of a five star hotel, for shallow pockets there are much cheaper rooms available at a price of Rs 700 a night. The forest cottages provides a unique option for traveler’s looking to spend a night talking to stars in piercing scents of deodar trees with prices staggering low at Rs 1500 a night.

In the Search for Peace and Solitude

You can search for solitude in its tranquil forest resorts that offers complete seclusion from outer World. May be that’s the reason writer's find a mystic solace in its mesmerizing deodar forests that ignites oodles of literary wonders. The towns nearby embraces a rich elegance in their laid back culture, these regions looms around a mysterious lifestyle, by living a self contented life totally unknown to modern world's. Just follow a lonely path through a forest near your resort and it will lead you to a quaint village, spend some time talking with local people and you will feel their intense warmth and gesture for outsiders. The people here treat their guest’s like gods.

Adventure Sports In Kullu Manali

After exploring the local naturals you must be feeling thirsty for something extraordinary, surprising or may be adventurous. The toughest trekking trails along the rocky terrains of Rohtang valley will surely let you relive the dormant athlete in you. Imagine flying like a bird sprawling your wings over the world's eyes, this is not a dream, no more, experience this virtual to reality by Paragliding on the breathtaking valley of Solang. Don't miss a rare chance of gyrating the turbulent waters of river beas on a spunky kyak. For fishing enthusiasts, Katrain, Raison, Kasol, Larji, and Nagar are some of the ideal places for trout.

Kullu and Cannabis

Kullu is well known for its temples, rich crafts, finely embossed shawls and cultural festivals that enliven the intense fervor of localites for their respected deities and age old customs. You can feel the chilling winds whistling across the vergant expanse of apple orchards and fruit gardens nearby. Kullu is also called "The Fruit Basket of North India" for its abundant produce of apple and plum. But one thing that adds an illicit profanity to Kullu is "Cannabis" or Charas. It's easy and it's accessible here, thus eluding a lot of foreigners that come here in search for those intimate moments in narcotic-highs. They love lurking the narrow alleys through wild cannabis. A confluence of regions enthralling beauty with celestial highs of Charas, it's a bumper bonanza for tourists and they don't seem to miss the brigade.

Places to visit

Sultanpur Palace

This palace is hot throbbed by art lovers looking to plunge into the vibrant colours of kullu style miniature paintings. This style showcases the simple laid-back cultures and untouched natural beauty of the region.

Manikaran Hot spring baths

After your grueling battles with the naturals of Kullu Manali, it's time to satiate your mind body and soul with rejuvenating bath at hot springs in Manikaran. It's amazing how local people cook their food by the spring and there are separate baths for men and women.

Other places of Sheer Scenic Beauty

The road to Kullu Manali runs along the turbulent waters of river Beas. It's flanked by lofty mountains and spreading forests. On this road is Katrain, famous for its fruit orchards and its trout hatchery. Near Katrain, across the river, is a small town Naggar, which came into being by the famous Russian painter, Nicholas Roerich, whose artworks can be seen here. Jagatsukh, the biggest village of the district on the Naggar-Manali road, is popular for its annual Chacholi Yatra.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to be in Kullu Manali is from April-October when summers are at their crest and winters to follow. The whole business activities, hotels, rest houses, shops come to a stand still with winter seasons. The vibrant towns go into a state of hibernation after a dense snowfall each year. But with the onset of April month the whole town seems to be reignited in same old legendary charms.How to Get There

Kullu Manali is well connected with perennial network of buses, trains and flights that run here throughout the year, thus making these sleepy towns alive in summers, when the roads are busy and markets at smiles with flourishing tourism industry. There are daily flights with Jagson Airways from Delhi to the Kulu Valley's Bhuntar airport which is 10 km. from Kullu town where taxis/buses are available. The closest narrow gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar, 95 km. from Kullu. By road, the distance via Mandi is 530 km. and from Shimla this is 240 km. From Delhi and Shimla, luxury buses ply to Kullu.

Conducted Tours
Kullu is well known for its temples, rich crafts, finely embossed shawls and cultural festivals that enliven the intense fervor of localites for their respected deities and age old customs. You can feel the chilling winds whistling across the vergant expanse of apple orchards and fruit gardens nearby. Kullu is also called "The Fruit Basket of North India" for its abundant produce of apple and plum. But one thing that adds an illicit profanity to Kullu is "Cannabis" or Charas. It's easy and it's accessible here, thus eluding a lot of foreigners that come here in search for those intimate moments in narcotic-highs. They love lurking the narrow alleys through wild cannabis. A confluence of regions enthralling beauty with celestial highs of Charas, it's a bumper bonanza for tourists and they don't seem to miss the brigade.

Places to visit

Sultanpur Palace
This palace is hot throbbed by art lovers looking to plunge into the vibrant colours of kullu style miniature paintings. This style showcases the simple laid-back cultures and untouched natural beauty of the region.

Manikaran Hot spring baths
After your grueling battles with the naturals of Kullu Manali, it's time to satiate your mind body and soul with rejuvenating bath at hot springs in Manikaran. It's amazing how local people cook their food by the spring and there are separate baths for men and women.

Other places of Sheer Scenic Beauty
The road to Kullu Manali runs along the turbulent waters of river Beas. It's flanked by lofty mountains and spreading forests. On this road is Katrain, famous for its fruit orchards and its trout hatchery. Near Katrain, across the river, is a small town Naggar, which came into being by the famous Russian painter, Nicholas Roerich, whose artworks can be seen here. Jagatsukh, the biggest village of the district on the Naggar-Manali road, is popular for its annual Chacholi Yatra.

Best Time to Visit
The best time to be in Kullu Manali is from April-October when summers are at their crest and winters to follow. The whole business activities, hotels, rest houses, shops come to a stand still with winter seasons. The vibrant towns go into a state of hibernation after a dense snowfall each year. But with the onset of April month the whole town seems to be reignited in same old legendary charms.How to Get There

Kullu Manali is well connected with perennial network of buses, trains and flights that run here throughout the year, thus making these sleepy towns alive in summers, when the roads are busy and markets at smiles with flourishing tourism industry. There are daily flights with Jagson Airways from Delhi to the Kulu Valley's Bhuntar airport which is 10 km. from Kullu town where taxis/buses are available. The closest narrow gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar, 95 km. from Kullu. By road, the distance via Mandi is 530 km. and from Shimla this is 240 km. From Delhi and Shimla, luxury buses ply to Kullu.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Travel to India » Hill Stations » Shimla Vacations

Shimla Hill Station
Shimla is, today, a beautiful mountain resort. In summer there is the attraction of excellent walks and treks with the scenic beauty of flowers, wooded ravines and evergreen trees. Golf and fishing are popular sports.
In winter, known as the season of "long moon nights", here is snow and winter sports at Kufri and Narkanda. The only natural ice-skating carnival is held during the winter.

WHAT TO SEE

» Jakhu Hill (2455 meters) offer an excellent view of the snow-clad Himalayas.

» Himachal State Museum. Has a collection of Pahari miniature paintings of this region.

» The erstwhile Vice regal Lodge and Chaura Maidan.

» The Glen, Summer hill, Prospect Hill, Tara Devi and Sankat Mochan are picnic spots from where there are excellent views of Shimla and the mountains.

EXCURSIONS

» Wildflower Hall (13 km.), now a hotel, has wonderful mountain flowers and magnificent views of the Himalayas.

» Mashobra (13 km.), has picturesque walks through forests of oak and pine.

» Kufri (16 km.) and Narkanda (65 km.), are excellent skiing bases in winter.

» Fagu (22 km.) at a height of 2510 meters, has interesting views of the valley.

» Chail (45 km.), former summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala, is a peaceful heaven in the mountains.

» Tattapani hot spring (51 km.).

» Barog (55 km.), another beautiful spot.

» Kasauli (77 km.), a hill resort of special interest to bird-watchers.

» Rohru (104 km.), ideal for fishing holiday.

» Chandigarh (117 km.), city designed by French architect Le Corbusier.

» Kulu (234 km.), Manali (274 km.), in the Valley of the Gods, are two of the most beautiful hill resorts of the Himalayas.

SHOPPING
Shawls, embroidered woollens, hand-made shoes, wooden toys and other articles made of wood.

SPORTS
Treks Shimla is the base for treks to the Kulu Valley via Jalori Pass or via Bashleo Pass and to the Kalpa and Kinnaur Valleys.
Golf is popular in the scenic golf course at Naldehra.
Fishing for trout in the Pabbar river is allowed from February to October.
Skiing at Kufri and Narkanda Ski Resort from end December to early March.
Ice skating in water and roller skating in summer

Sunday, December 2, 2007

CHRISTMAS CELBRATIONS

Christmas in India
Christmas in India is celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm and joy! Though Christmas is not a major Indian festival as Christians are in minority in India nevertheless, it has become an important festival over the years. Today people from other religions and communities participate in the Christmas festivities with marked fervor and zest.
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Days before Christmas market places, shop, streets and churches are decorated with scenes of nativity, lights and stars. People prepare variety of sweets and cakes before the Christmas day. These are offered to visitors and neighbors. Especially, non-Christian neighbors wait excitedly for the Christmas cakes. Exchanging gifts and cards is an important part of Christmas festival. Children in particular, enjoy the festival the most as they get to participate in the native plays and Christmas carnivals conducted by schools or socio-cultural clubs. Kids also receive gifts from their favorite Santa Claus.
Christians in India attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and light votive candles in the church. The ritual is followed by Christmas carols, balls on the Christmas day and tempting Christmas meals.

Christmas Decorations in India
One of the unique features of Christmas in India is the use of banana or mango tree for decoration instead of traditional pine tree. This is the time for people to flaunt their creativity. They decorate these trees with colorful ribbons, blinking lights, stars and sparkled balls and use poinsettia flower to decorate churches. In South India, people put oil-lamps of clay on their flat roof-tops to let everyone feel the presence of God in light.

Christmas in Goa
Christmas is celebrated with great zeal in Goa - the state rich for its culture and spirited people. Interestingly, not only the natives enjoy the festive mood of Christmas but the tourists also participate in each and every Christmas custom. Christmas carnival in Goa lasts from Christmas eve till New Year which makes the environment more fun 'n' frolic. During this period, Goans along with the visiting tourists immerse themselves in music, dance and the Yuletide spirit. All roads and especially the mesmerizing beaches of Goa are thronged by people enjoying every moment of the festival with drinks, music and lavish food.