Leh it down to wanderlust by Ayswarya Murthy

cmyk

Friday 18 February 2011

Monday 21 January 2013

quoterie Dip into a holy ‘MELA’NGE Continued from Page 17

Bengaluru Chronicle

Leh it down to wanderlust An abandoned temple at Ladakh

WITH A FINE TOOTH ‘KUMBH’

It’s fascinating, terrifying, mind-boggling; ■ Avoid taking children and elders if possible. It is probably the biggest event in the world all at the same time. Vaishali Ram, an and one can get lost. architect, will be in Allahabad till Tuesday and is already reeling from what she is wit- ■ Carry woolens. The next few days will be cold. nessing. “This is the most spectacular event I have seen in my entire life. I’m here ■ There are 14 sectors spread over 60 square with my husband and we will be taking a km, comprising tents, eateries and more. If dip in the Ganges on Monday. The city is you really want a rustic experience, you can basically exploding with people through plan a day of exploration, but do exercise the day, and one must be very careful. caution while eating the food. There really is a chance of getting lost ■ The tourism board has arranged for accomhere!” she says. It’s not just Bollywood film modation about 2km from the Sangam area hoopla; one can really get lost in the bur(area of confluence of three rivers). This is geoning crowd, exceeding a whopping 100 close to the activity and has sufficient million! Even as news reports surface of access to basic amenities. missing children and senior citizens, those ■ There are no directions inside the city, per who have been to Kumbh strongly advise se, so if you are planning to track down sadpeople to be on guard at all times. Deepak hus to listen to their discourse, make Nath, a marketing executive, has just arrangements for returned from the mela, and he says, transport. You “There are no maps or boards to help peocan hire cabs, ask locals or ple find their way. However, there are conofficials. tinuous public service announcements and booths that people can go to, in case of ■ The Mela will an emergency. I would advise travellers to be on till March decide clearly what their agenda is, before 10. setting out.” It’s almost like there is a little something for every Indian — photography, filmmaking, religious affiliation, maha snaan... the opportunities are endless! Entrepreneur Chirag Jain will be leaving on Tuesday on a month-long tour of India, spanning Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Bhangarh, Kuldhar, Tanot, Karni Mata, Heera ji ka Gaon and Allahabad. “Kumbh Mela is what India stands for, what India is traditionally known for. Witnessing a cultural phenomenon on such a large scale will be really exciting,” he says, adding humorously, “I’m going with my friend, and we do hope to get lost, but hopefully find our way back. Apart from the maha snaan, our focus will be on documenting the Aghori sadhus (a sect of sadhus who indulge in taboo rituals like cannibalism).” This doubles up as a photographer’s delight as Allahabad resembles a creative person’s canvas for the next 50-odd days. Amulya Shiva, a photographer and documentary filmmaker, says, “I have been planning to capture this event and am so excited that I will be filming it. I work for an NGO and we do travel pieces occasionally. My team and I will leave on Wednesday to shoot.” It has been recorded that Allahabad, can actually be seen on satellite imagery because of the sheer crowds and lighting. One would wonder how the city, which has a population of around 33 lakh, is holding up. Surprisingly, the arrangements are impressive. “I left thinking this is going to be crazy and chaotic but I was so surprised to see how wellorganised it is. The UP Tourism Board and government have pulled off a major feat and they should be given due credit,” adds Deepak. Allahabad awaits nearly 300 lakh people to take the holy Catherine Zeta-Jones is plunge on Mouni Amavasya reported to be heading to that falls on February 10. India to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela too

Visit the stark and stunning Leh-Ladakh and reach for the skies AYSWARYA MURTHY DECCAN CHRONICLE

With a restored kitty of annual leaves at their disposal, a good number of wanderlust-struck young professionals from Bengaluru have firmly set their sights northwards. Specifically, on Leh. Once an obscure destination that only hardcore, seasoned travellers would tackle, a trip to Leh is now increasingly commonplace and features on many people’s bucket lists. The trend is unmistakable, says Nitin Mathur, the founder and CEO of Jaunty Roads, a travel firm that creates custom holidays. “Over the last two-three years, tourist traffic for Leh has steeply increased primarily because the region has been relatively peaceful lately. Besides, the ecosystem is unique, the scenery, stark and stunning, and this is probably one of the few places left in the country where you can feel truly alone and hear total silence,” he says.

At the highest motorable pass in the world

SHORT AND SWEET For those hard-pressed for time, a quick flight to Delhi, followed by a connecting

flight to Leh is the best way to maximise your time in Ladakh, recommends Vineet Sriram, an application software engineer, who made the trip last June. “We actually took the bus to Manali and went onwards by cab, which takes up time,” he explains. Leh has a few proper hotels (some of which operate only between July and September) and most sightseeing spots are just a day trip away, according to Nitin. “We stayed at a homestay that cost us about `500 per person,” Vineet recalls, “Summer there is pleasant and we hired bikes to drive around and visit Pangong Tso lake (of 3 idiots fame), the Valley of Flowers and countless monasteries”.

those not prepared for it. Vineet recalls, “My friends and I tried to sprint up the stairs to Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and half way up we were completely out of breath. We were panting frantically and yet it seemed like we weren’t taking in anything. That was a terrifying moment.” For roadies, Mukundh has a valuable bit of gyaan. “Be well-prepared. Know your bike (or car), learn the basics from your mechanic and carry a tool kit along with an air pump and puncture kit. Learn a bit of first-aid and carry a medicine kit. A clear mind and good riding skills along with guts will get you through most situations,” he says. He has detailed his exploits along with some vivid pictures ROAD WARRIORS and more tips under his blog post aptly ‘Insanely Mad Trip’ Another group of travellers, who are wak- titled ing up to the charms of Leh, are the off- (goo.gl/yVRbW). roading junkies, for whom Ladakh is the worthy reward at the end of a long jour- PLANNING IS EVERYTHING ney. Biking and photography enthusiast, Such travelogues are great sources of Mukundh B, a production engineer by inspiration and advice for those planning day, drove to Leh via Mumbai and Delhi. similar trips. Mouli, an actor and free“From Manali, I spent three-and-a-half lance consultant, has started preparing days on my Honda CBR 250R and reached for a bike trip to Leh in August with 10 Leh, where I spent about seven days other friends. “We got the road maps before heading off to the Zanskar valley from Royal Enfield who arrange such trips in Kargil district,” he says, “It was a solo every year; all the other logistical and trip but I had the company of fellow trav- budget planning was done on the Net. ellers at various times. I rode along with a There is a 300km stretch in Ladakh with few Royal Enfields from Manali to Leh. no fuel stations. But, I will be riding a Also, I helped a gang of French/Swiss Thunderbird, which can do 500 km on full cyclists cross Rohtang Pass, where we tank. The site cramster.in sells riding gear had lunch together.” one might need and they are the best. You need to do research against A WORD OF ADVICE the uncertainties of the road,” he The thinness of the air might throw off says.

PHOTO CREDIT: MUKUNDH B

Is it a Swede Monday for fans? Still, fans weren’t expecting a rain check of this kind from the band. The organisers from the Sunburn team said, “The show was unfortunately cancelled. This is because the charter flight in which the trio was scheduled to travel was damaged at Jakarta airport, due to a severe thunder storm early this morning. There was no alternative flight or air charter possibility to get the trio to Bengaluru in time for this evening’s show.” DJ Rohit heard the news when the official caterers for the show —

Cirrus and Rewind, were asked to cancel. “It’s really unfortunate. People have been dying to watch them for the longest time! The show is happening 150 percent on Monday, as they have found flights for them,” says Rohit, who has been looking forward to the show. Fans from the city are bummed. Imagine the plight, then, of those from outside the city, who’ve made the trip just for the concert. Sushanth Shyamsundar, a content writer from Chennai, came to the city on Saturday morning, with what seemed like a perfect musical agenda. “I watched Akcent on Saturday, and was set for SHM. I am unable to digest my bad luck! Firstly, I

ANUPAMA SUBRAMANIAN DECCAN CHRONICLE

Staying in the top slot for more than a decade is not a cakewalk for any actress, but with her combination of talent and good looks, Trisha has done it. An alluring performance in her latest film, Samar, has been winning her praise. We caught up with her on the sets of her upcoming film with Jayam Ravi, Boologam. Playing a character with grey shades in Samar... The very fact that it had negative shades is what attracted me to sign on Samar. When Thiru first gave me a narration, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this film, especially when I heard of the scene where the heroine joins the villains. Sunaina, as a second heroine... A two-heroine script is something I don’t have a problem with, so long as I know my role and how important it is for a film. The rest is secondary. Being close to Vishal... More than closeness between us, I would like to call it comfort level. The fact that we have been friends for a long time and Vishal being an absolute professional helped as well.

First heroine-centric film, RUM... I am excited because it’s a heroine-centric film. It’s a very young, vibrant role. I can’t wait to begin shooting with MS Raju again and the entire star cast. As an actress, I am thrilled that the movie has given me a platform to try out something different and new.

Man, machine and mountains

Continued from Page 17

‘I am yet to find my man’

A decade in the top slot... Ten years, yes, but sometimes, I still feel like I came in yesterday. That’s how much my line of work interests me. Hoping for another 10 years would depend on my choice of films, directors who write scripts keeping me in mind, the fact that I have tried to balance mass and class, a whole load of luck, a wonderful mom to back me up, and of c o u r s e , God’s blessings.

Chance encounters on the road

Bundled up and ready to go

The actress talks about her career and future prospects

OMG! Are you serious?!” Rakesh Prakash, a wedding photographer, said, “Swedish house maafi mang Rahe hain. #shm #fail #noshow.” (sic) Organisers are said to be working overhad to buy tickets which were super expensive. And now, this. There’s no way I can go time to try and reschedule the show for for the show on Monday, because I need to Monday. At the time of printing, they said, be back in Chennai for work. Damn that “We will only be in a position to confirm storm! I want a full refund.” Pritika Jose, the rescheduled show by late evening today who has come down all the way from (January 20). All existing e-tickets/vouchDubai, is utterly disappointed. “I missed ers would be valid for that show. In the their opening show in Dubai because I was unlikely event of the show being cancelled in India at that point (November, 2012). outright, a full refund will be applicable.” And, now that I am here, they are in anoth- And if we are indeed blessed with that mirer country. When I heard the news, initial- acle, what of those who can’t make it to the ly, I thought people were joking. I hope the show, due to other commitments… like, say, show happens,” she says. The jokes, of work? “Well, if the show is happening, course, are pervading cyberspace. Praveen there won’t be a refund for those who canBalachander, an ad man, wrote, “Knock not attend. What’s the point, right?” said knock. Who’s there? Swedish House Mafia! an organiser.

Endorsing social causes... I love being part of causes I believe in. I have always felt the need to support children and animals, and when you feel passionately about it, it comes straight from the heart. More than me making a difference to their lives, my whole life changed because of my association with them. Wedding plans... In the last 10 years, I have been married off at least five times by the press. Yes, I believe in marriage and will definitely marry only for love. If and In the last 10 when things are certain and I years, I have know ‘this is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with’, I been married will tell the whole world. But, off at least right now, I love my life and my work. five times

by the press

All time favourite actors... Kamal Haasan and Ajith.