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BMTimes >> Destinations in India
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Saturday, May 25, 2013
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Rath Yatra in Puri
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![yatra[1]_40372732893588_1.jpg](returnimageBMTimes.aspx?flname=yatra[1]_40372732893588_1.jpg&contId=2023)
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The holy city of Puri, situated about 60 km from Bhubaneswar, is considered one of the four holiest points of pilgrimage for Hindus. The ruling deity of the city is Lord Jagannath, who housed with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra in a temple built in the 12th century. Thousands of pilgrims from every part of the Country seek his blessings all the year round.
Orrisa comes alive in the month of June and July, the time for the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri. People from various parts of India come to take part in this auspicious occasion that is one of the world's most unbelievable spectacles in terms of grandeur and mass participation. This year's Rath Yatra is being observed today, even at this very moment that the article is being posted. Puri witnesses about eight to ten lakh of pilgrims during this Chariot festival. The images of Lord Jagannath and his siblings are transported through the Grand Road (Bada Danda) of Puri in traditionally decorated massive chariots that are dragged by thousands of devotees to the 'Gundicha Ghar' where they stay for a week.
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Spiti Valley - the Desert Cold
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Spiti Valley lies in the northern-most part of Himachal Pradesh, running parallel to the Tibetan border. It is a sub division of Lahaul & Spiti district with its headquarters at Kaza. Opened to tourists since 1992, Spiti valley is also known as 'Little Tibet' as it has almost the same terrain, vegetation and climate. Rudyard Kipling in 'Kim' has called it a '…world within a world' and a '…place where the Gods live'. It is situated in the rain shadow area of rugged mountain ranges of Zaskar, getting very little rain and plenty of snow - a high altitude cold desert dotted with numerous monasteries.
Spiti has four distinct regions, the main valleys being the Spiti Valley, Lingti Valley and the Pin Valley. The river valleys of Spiti add some colour relief to the otherwise barren region that rises to the east of the Kunzum La and is covered in a thick layer of snow but for only four to five months in the year. The dominant colours that spread across the slopes of deep gorges carved out by the snow–fed streams seem to be purple, pink and russet.
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Meghalaya - Where the rain never stops
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![Cherrapunji[1]_40290714872788_1.jpg](returnimageBMTimes.aspx?flname=Cherrapunji[1]_40290714872788_1.jpg&contId=2000)
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The first written history of Meghalaya came into existence only after the British took up the construction of the rail line that connects Bengal and Assam. The word "Meghalaya" literally means "The Abode of Clouds" in Hindi and Sanskrit. The region was formed by carving out two districts of Assam- the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills, and the Garo Hills- and accorded full statehood on January 21, 1972.
Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long (east-west) and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 22,429 sqkm. About one third of the state is forested and the region is known for its biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants. Interestingly, the, insect eating Pitcher plant, which is considered a botanical wonder, is found in the districts of Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills of Meghalaya.Nestled away in the hills of eastern sub-Himalayas, Meghalaya is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful states in the country although tourism seems to have been limited to areas in and around the capital city of Shillong situated in the Khasi Hills.
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