January2017

Corporate

January 2017 • VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 1 • ` 50

Of the Red Sea and the desert:

Jordan

Khajuraho A UNESCO Heritage Site With an Architectural Brilliance

Kabbaldurga!

An ode to the Goddess

January 2017 | Corporate Outbound 1

Contents

24 Other Stories

Managing Editor: Anurag Gupta Editorial: Garima Singhal Marketing: Don Jose Creative: Raj Toppo Printed, Published & Owned by Anurag Gupta @ 348, Amarjyoti Layout, Domlur Bangalore - 560 071 Ph: +91 80 41224331 Email: corporateoutbound@gmail.com Printed at Cosmos Printers & Publishers, Wilson Garden, Bangalore - 560 027

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Aviation News

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Hospitality News

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Khajuraho- A UNESCO Heritage Site With an Architectural Brilliance

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In the foothills of the HimalayasDOOARS

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Kabbaldurga! An ode to the Goddess

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Savour Corner

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08 Of The Red Sea And The Desert:

Jordan 2 Corporate Outbound | January 2017

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Buzz

Aviation

IndiGo announces 10 additional frequencies

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ndigo announces 10 additional frequencies connecting Hyderabad to Goa, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam.The expansion is in sync with IndiGo’s organic growth in route network and in response to the growing demand on its existing routes. Strengthening of 6E’s fleet size illustrates the airline’s expansion plan, and the month-on-month growth IndiGo has witnessed in the domestic skies.

CISF to exempt baggage stamping at 7 airports

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n order to facilitate hassle free travel to air passengers, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) would not carry stamping of baggage at seven airports including Patna, Lucknow and Jaipur on trial basis. The decision follows the week-long pilot project at airports in metros like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata.

The decision to do away with stamping of baggage at seven airports i.e. Patna, Guwahati, Nagpur, Kochi, Jaipur, Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram has been taken on a trial basis to study how much time is saved by doing this.

After studying the outcome of the trial of doing without stamping of baggage, the CISF would take a decision by January 26 next if it could be made a permanent feature at all the airports.

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SriLankan Airlines to expand its reach to 13 Indian cities with new flights to Ahmedabad & Vizag

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ost its acquisition of Mihin Lanka, SriLankan Airlines increased its reach in India to 11 cities. This number is set to increase to 13 with firm plans to bring Ahmedabad and Vizag on its route network from April 2017. Currently, the national carrier of Sri Lanka operates 107 flights-a-week to the Indian market from its Colombo hub, and offers connections to 101 destinations in 42 countries.SriLankan Airlines operated flights to 7 cities of Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Trichy, Trivandrum, Mumbai and Delhi. After the acquisition of Mihin Lanka, they added Kolkata, Varanasi, Madhurai and Bodh Gaya to their network, elevating SriLankan’s reach to 11 cities in India. With this development, SriLankan is now the fifth biggest carrier in India in terms of international operations. India being largest market for SriLankan, they will start operating flights to Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam from April, and add four weekly flights each to Mumbai and Delhi from June 2017 onwards.

Jet Airways to add capacity on key routes as demand surges

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et Airways announced the deployment of higher seating capacity aircraft on two domestic and an equal number of international routes from early next year amid growing passenger demand. Jet Airways flights to Kuwait and Jeddah from Mumbai and vice versa as well as to Chennai and Bengaluru from Mumbai would be operated by the 254-seater Airbus A330 aircraft in place of the existing Boeing 737. The introduction of wide-body services on key domestic routes not only allows Jet Airways to scale up capacity in response to the increase in demand. The A330 aircraft is designed with a spacious cabin, greater legroom, lie-flat beds in premiere.

New Terminal at Vijayawada airport inaugurated

by Chief Minister

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hief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju will inaugurate the new terminal of the Vijayawada airport on January 12.To cater to the increasing passenger traffic, the construction of the new airport terminal—which will act as an interim terminal before the International terminal is built—began on October 8 last year. The interim terminal and the ceremonial lounge spread over 12, 999 square metres will include check-in area, arrival hall, meet and greet service staircase, aviation lounge, and baggage make up area. The lounge is spread over 3,613 square metres. The terminal can handle up to 500 passengers at any point of time and will have 18 check-in counters.

Garuda to fly daily to India, add route to Bali

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ndonesian national carrier Garuda, which started services connecting Jakarta with Mumbai, hopes to increase the frequency on this sector in near future apart from adding a new route to Bali. The possible reason for Garuda for starting the Mumbai-Jakarta sector could be the fact that of the total around 3.5 lakh passengers which flew to/from Indonesia last year, around one-third came from India's financial capital, a figure which is hard to ignore. The airline currently operates flights thrice a week - on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

As per the records available with Ministry of External Affairs (MoEA), Indonesia is India's largest direct trade partner in the ASEAN region (about $16 billion two-way trade). The country is also a major target for outward investment, which stands at about $15 billion.

Air India reintroduces Chandigarh to Leh service

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ir India reintroduced its flight service from Chandigarh to Leh and as many as 108 passengers were on the first flight which arrived in the morning at Chandigarh, while 58 passengers traveled from the city in the same flight to Leh. Air India officials said that the direct non-stop flight will be operated with the 124 seater Airbus A319 aircraft thrice every week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The flight AI 457 will leave from Leh at 0805hrs and reach Chandigarh at 09:00 hrs. On return, the flight AI 458 will leave from Chandigarh at 09:40 hrs and reach Leh at 1020hrs. The flight will fulfill the long-standing demand of the business community, tourists, and local residents as Chandigarh is the nearest gateway to the mainland.

January 2017 | Corporate Outbound 5

Buzz

Hospitality

Preferred Hotels & Resorts welcomes 24 new member hotels

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referred Hotels & Resorts, an independent hotel brand, announced the addition of 24 member hotels over the past three months, which mark the company’s debut in key regions, signal the expansion of existing partnerships, and represent enhanced presence in key markets.

The new hotel additions include - The Hari London – London, United Kingdom; Lancaster Bangkok – Bangkok, Thailand; Vivienda Granada & Vivienda Residences – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Tarrytown House Estate & Conference Center – Tarrytown, New York.

Additional properties that joined the Preferred Hotels & Resorts brand portfolio include - Rosen Centre (Orlando, Florida, United States); Rosen Plaza (Orlando, Florida, United States); Rosen Shingle Creek (Orlando, Florida, United States); AT Six (Stockholm, Sweden); Hotel Monville Montreal

Delhi, Chennai & Mumbai popular among inbound travellers: Hotels.com Hotels.com, a hotel bookings platform, revealed the top Indian destinations preferred by inbound travellers and a list of top overseas destinations preferred by Indian travellers in its latest Hotel Price Index (HPI). According to the report, Indian metros continued to dominate the top 10 favourite destinations amongst international travellers in the first half of 2016.

The capital city of India, Delhi bagged the number one spot as the most preferred Indian destination for overseas travellers, followed by the metropolitan city of Chennai and the city of dreams, Mumbai respectively.

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(Montreal, Canada); The Domain Hotel & Spa (Manama, Bahrain); Pendry San Diego (San Diego, California, United States); Hotel Royal Palm Tower Indaiatuba (Indaiatuba, Brazil); Mukul Residences (Rivas, Nicaragua); Dukes Dubai (Dubai, United Arab Emirates); Nordic Light Hotel (Stockholm, Sweden); AKA University City (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States); Edgewood Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe/Reno, Nevada, United States); Zota Beach Resort (Longboat Key, Florida, United States); Hyde Resort & Residences (Hollywood, Florida, United States); Hotel Sea Cliff (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania); Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Zanzibar (Zanzibar, Tanzania); Mountain Shadows (Paradise Valley, Arizona, United States) and Hotel SKT. PETRI (Copenhagen, Denmark).

Travellers can further enhance their guest experience when booking a stay at these new hotels and resorts by enrolling in the iPrefer hotel rewards program, which offers perks such as points redeemable for free nights and other on-property expenditures, elite status, and complimentary Internet upon every eligible stay at more than 600 participating properties worldwide

Other popular destinations for travellers included India’s cultural hub - Kolkata, Bengaluru – the garden city, Hyderabad – the city of pearls and India’s IT hub - Pune occupying the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th positions respectively. Goa, the famous beach and leisure destination of India continued to be the 4th most preferred destination among foreign travellers while India’s city of love - Agra secured the 10th spot.

Kochi known as God’s own country moved out of the top 10 preferred destinations, making way for the ‘Manchester of the east’ - Ahmedabad as the new emerging destination preferred by international tourists occupying the 9th spot.

Royal Orchid Hotels adds 2 more hotels to its portfolio

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oyal Orchid Hotels has opened two hotels under its brand “Regenta Inn” in Vadodara and Kolkata slated, expanding to 40 hotels.

Regenta Inn Vadodara is located at the newly constructed Ved Transcube Plaza adjacent to the Central Bus Terminal, walking distance to the Vadodara Railway Station and a short ride to the airport. The hotel offers 94 well-appointed rooms and is part of Ved Transcube Plaza that uniquely hosts various different shopping outlets, a flea Market, an Indian Heritage Lane, an Art Cafe, PVR Cinemas, a Thematic Food Court and Kids Game Zone. The hotel offers multiple banquet and conference facilities for up to 500 guests with state-of-the-art business facilities and Wi-fi services.Regenta Inn, Kolkata is a budget friendly hotel consisting of 45 well-appointed rooms.

The property offers choices between executive rooms and premium rooms for a luxurious stay. The hotel offers optimum banquet spaces for small occasions, an all-day dining restaurant and a swimming pool.

AccorHotels reaches 45 hotel milestone in India

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ccorHotels announced that it has reached its 45 hotels and resorts milestone network growth across India. The recent openings of Hotel Formule1 in Nashik and Chennai marked the establishment of a widespread, multi-brand and segment of hotels operating in 18 cities with the portfolio depth ranging from luxury and mid-scale to in-demand economy brand segments. 10 of AccorHotels globally acclaimed brands have a presence in India, with ibis Styles making its debut earlier in 2016 with the opening of a 197-rooms hotel in Goa. There are currently 28 hotels operating under the Novotel and Ibis brands across various key cities in India.

MRS Group launches ‘Narendra Bhawan’ in Bikaner

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aipur-based MRS Group recently launched its property ‘Narendra Bhawan’ in Bikaner. The property has an inventory of 82 rooms, however, it opened with 58 spacious guest rooms and suites. Narendra Bhawan is targeting families, corporate groups, MICE and solo travellers. Narendra Bhawan is fully capable of supplementing the tourist traffic with our generous room capacity of over 70 plus rooms. The property’s outdoor and indoor spaces are designed to meet corporate requirements and organising small and large MICE events.

The group has already created brand loyalty through its properties in Bikaner-Suryagarh and Laxmi Niwas Palace.

January 2017 | Corporate Outbound 7

Fe at ure d

Of The Red Sea And The Desert:

Jordan S

ometimes, the name on the map is only a part of the story. In the case of Jordan, it is barely a fragment. This intriguing country has been on the world atlas since 1021, emerging as the Emirate of Transjordan in the wake of the First World War, before achieving full independence from the British ‘supervision’ in 1946. But to view it as a 20th century creation is to ignore the four millennia of civilization that came before. The result is that in the 21st century, this is a country that is as rich in heritage because of all the invasions and has been gloriously productive. The Nabateans cut the city of Petra from the Wadi Araba valley in the south in the 4th century BC. And they came much later, the northerly Ammonites, with their key city Rabbath Ammon, was in existence in 1200 BC, early enough to appear in the Bible. This is the modern Jordanian capital of Amman. Add in the ruined Greco-Roman city of Gerasa, the desert vistas of Wadi Rum, the supremely saline waters of the Dead sea and the inviting red sea port of Aqaba, and you have a holiday with history and relaxation combined.

Jordan is at the crossroads in the Middle East, as every emperor and pharaoh back in the day knew only too well. It is visible centrally from Syria, Iraq and Palestine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and is split from Egypt by just eight miles along the Gulf of Aqaba. In a time when the entire region is under severe strife, Jordan is a better and safe travel option in the region.

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Petra, a manmade wonder!

A 50 JOD day ticket will buy you a way into the A-list attraction, a ‘lost’ citadel whose prime landmark- the carved colonnaded wonder Al-Khazneh (the treasury) has illuminated the face of countless documentaries, films and books. The majesty is undiminished in person. South of Amman and at 180 kms, at a day trip range, one absolutely must go there. Amman is laid out across a series of hills.

Slices of the past – Greco-Roman temples- the temple of Hercules and an eighth-century Umayyad castle – await on top of Jabal Al Qal’a, the ancient core of the city. Jabal Amman, the opposite “peak”, is rather more 21st-century, with restaurants and cafés strung along Al-Rainbow Street.

Downtown Al-Balad is a haze of souks and shops, while Ras Al-Ayn has the new Jordan Museum. Amman is also the gateway to Gerasa, in the northern part of the country in Jerash. This is the Greco-Roman pocket of the country and the antiquity greets visitors with a second century Hadrian’s arch and it’s colossal oval plaza and the Temple dedicated to the Goddess Artemis. Madaba, southwest of Amman is known for the 6th century mosaic map that adors the floor of the Byzantine St. George’s church and the mount Nebo, from which Moses is believed to have seen the promised land of bounties.

80 kms south of the treasury is the Mediterranean port with a coastally vibe and taking much of the 20 km meager coastline lies the modern town of Aqaba. Aqaba has a place in British folklore thanks to the guerrilla heroics of Thomas Lawrence of the landmark film, Lawrence of Arabia – who, in July 1917, helped wrest the port from Ottoman control as the “Arab Revolt” brought the First World War to the ailing empire’s back door. Famously, Lawrence befuddled his enemies by sweeping into the city from 10 Corporate Outbound | January 2017

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herbs! The dish of stewed tomatoes with garlic and olive oil, the famous Galayet Bandora is a must try, both with and without meat, and great renditions can be found on every street corner. Kousa Mahshi, or stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat, onion and seasonings is a mouthwatering delicacy. Sufra restaurant is a good choice for this and the Warak Enab, the stuffed grape leaves.

Jordan refuses to be left behind Europe when it comes to baked goods, and the Manakish, the Jordanian pizza with halloumi and eggs, baked in a brick oven and the Kaek bread sandwich with za’atar, cheese and chili sauce are a must try at the, ironically enough, Paris circle, on Niqola Ghanma street, a small hole in the wall family run bakery.

End your meal with a Hareeseh, a semolina pudding, or the Kanafeh, noodles in rose scented syrup. For the coffee lover, there is always Turkish coffee, thick and muddy, and spiced with cardamom and the mint tea, the black tea with few fresh mint leaves, a typical after meal drink.

In addition to these, you will also love the produce, the fresh olives, lamb, and the spirit of community eating and sharing. Food plays a huge role in family and cultural life in Jordan.

Picture Courtesy: D V Pravin

Welcome to Jordan, the land of nomadic Bedouins of the desert, the land where the Red Sea meets the Dead Sea and the land of ancient wonders.

Picture Courtesy: Akshay Gururaj

Express Info Getting there: Air travel: Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Emirates and many other commercial fliers operate flights to and from the Amman, with fares starting at Rs. 28,000 onwards.

Currency: 1 JOD (Jordanian Dinar) = 96.3 INR Visa: Jordan operates visa on arrival for Indian passport holders. Jordan pass is available to travelers staying at least three nights, and it includes visa, plus entry for 1 or more days to many popular Jordanian sites such as Petra. The pass cost is 70, 75 and 80 JOD for 1, 2 or 3 days respectively in Petra, including entry visa. The ticket to Petra entry is usually 50-90 JOD and the visa is 50-60 JOD, so this works out economical.

There is a departure fee of JOD10, imposed on all land and sea crossings, imposed since March 2015. The departure fee of JOD30 is usually included in your air ticket.

By Boat: Jordan can be entered sea route at the port of Aqaba via the Egyptian port of Nuweiba. Ferry and speedboats operate on this route. The ferry normally takes upto 8 hours and speedboats finish the crossing in about an hour.

Getting around:

the north, through Wadi Rum. This arid landscape, easily explored en route to Petra, is a chorus line of dramatic sandstone formations, where Jordan’s tallest peak, Jabal Umm ad Dami, rears to 6,083ft (1,854m).

Geographical splendor of the Dead Sea: Move to the west of the country and the iconic Dead Sea and its many geological wonders await you. Dead Sea spreads its arms as a part of the border with Israel. The lowest point on earth, this lake with 34.2 percent salinity offers health benefits for everything, from psoriasis to arthritis. The water is very dense, and one can float atop this water without sinking, or putting in any effort for swimming.

What to eat There is a quote in Jordan and the Middle East that say something along the lines of ‘Even when you are full, you can eat 40 more bites of food’. And it is not nearly as shallow as just eating until you are stuffed, but rather, a reflection on the generosity and hospitality and significance of food in the Jordanian culture. Try the amazing and the obvious falafel and shawarma, at Al-Quds or Shawarma Reem, where they use a horizontal spit, located in Amman or at Hashem restaurant downtown. Moutabel at the Hashem is wonderful too. Hummus and the Fattet hummus at the Al Osrah restaurant in Abdoun, the Labneh and Tabouleh at the Shams El Balad café are served with seasonal 12 Corporate Outbound | January 2017

Air: The only domestic route is between Amman and Aqaba.

Picture Courtesy: D V Pravin

Bus: The Jett bus company has services from Amman to Aqaba, the King Hussein Bridge (into Israel) and Hammamat Ma’in. Private buses operated largely by the Hijazi Company run from Amman to Irbid and Aqaba. Minibus services connect smaller towns on a more irregular basis and leave only when they are full.

Taxi: Two types of taxis run, the service taxi and the regular taxi. The former covers much of the same route, as the buses but are more expensive and a lot faster and convenient. Agree to the price in advance, as there is no meter run taxis. They can sometimes be persuaded to deviate from their main route. Regular, bright yellow taxis, similar to the NYC taxicabs are in good condition and cover the ground within town.

A trip of 10 kms is about 2 JOD. They should be metered, however, most drivers outside the town of Amman don’t use meters and therefore, agree on a price before boarding. You might end up paying as much as twice the going rate if you are not vigilant. Night rates are higher than day running rate.

Drive: The roads are in good conditions, but the drivers and vehicles, not so much. They are comparable to traffic in India, and many drive with worn or defective parts. Sometimes, people drive at night without headlights on, but that’s not a struggle for an Indian person. Hire a car if you have an international driver’s license.

When to go: The summer can be harsh, with temperatures crossing 40 degree Celsius and the winter cold, with snow on the ground, so spring (March-April) and autumn (September-November) are ideal.

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Picture Courtesy: Siddharth Gupta, Delhi

Khajuraho

- A Unesco Heritage Site With An Architectural Brilliance In each group of Khajuraho temples, there were major temples surrounded by smaller temples - a grid style that is observed to varying degrees in Hindu temples in Angkor Wat, Parambaran and South India.

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Picture Courtesy: Siddharth Gupta, Delhi

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UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in state of Madhya Pradesh has been attraction for all generations of people for their intricate carvings and brilliant architecture. Out of group of 85 , the largest group of Hindu and Jain temples only 25 remains today. Scattered over an area of about 9 square miles, Khajuraho temples depict the traditional lifestyle of women in the medieval age.

The site is also famous for its erotic sculptures. But for Chausath-Yogini, Brahma and Mahadeva which are of granite, all the other temples are of fine grained sandstone, buff, pink or pale yellow in colour. Khajuraho represent a distinct pattern of art and temple architecture of its own reminding one of the rich and creative period it witnessed during the Chandella rule. It was the principal seat of authority of the Chandella rulers who adorned it with numerous tanks, scores of lofty temples of sculptural grace and architectural splendour. Yasovarman (AD 954) built the temple of Vishnu, now famous as Lakshmana temple is an ornate and evolved example of its time proclaiming the prestige of the Chandellas.The Khajuraho groups of temples are noted for soaring terraces (jagati) and functionally effective plans comprising of an ardhamandapa, acting as entrance generally adorned with makara torana and kakshasana, the mandapa, as the hall with antarala leading to garbha griha or sanctum. The

larger temples have mahamandapas in front of the ardhamandapa. They also have minor shrines at four corners and thus categorized as pancayatana. The exterior of the temples are richly decorated. The sculptural embellishments include parivara, parsva, avarana devatas, dikpalas, the apsarases and sura-sundaris which win universal admiration for their delicate, youthful female forms of ravishing beauty. The attire and ornamentation embrace the winsome grace and charm.

The Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandella rulers between AD 900 and 1130, during the golden period of the Chandela dynasty. It is presumed that every Chandella ruler built at least one temple in his lifetime. One noteworthy ruler was Maharaja Rao Vidyadhara, who repelled the attacks of Mahmud of Ghazni. His love for sculptures is shown in these temples of Khajuraho and Kalinjar fort. The first recorded mention of the Khajuraho temples is in the accounts of Al-Biruni in AD 1022 and in the works of the Arab traveller Ibn Battuta in AD 1335. The images of Goddesses and Gods sculpted on the temple walls represent the many manifestations of the divine Shakti and Shiva.

These temples are largely seen for their erotic art which has rows of sculptures depicting devanganas, mithunas, divinities and explicit erotic sculptures, especially those depicting mithunas in sexual positions. Most of the erotic sculptures January 2017 | Corporate Outbound 15

Picture Courtesy: M.P Tourism

The common date palm - khajura - has given Khajuraho its name

Express Info There are different sections on garments, weapons, and paintings in this museum.

Picture Courtesy: Siddharth Gupta, Delhi

can be found either on the outside or inner walls of the temples but not near the deities. They actually show passionate interactions between humans along with changes that occur in the human bodies. It is considered that these temples are a celebration of womanhood. According to the Brihat Samhita, mithunas, goblins, creepers and erotic sculptures were meant to be carved on the temple door to bring good luck.

This was linked to the idea of young boys during the medieval era practicing ‘brahmacharya’, in which they were required to live in hermitage until they matured and became adult men, thus these sculptures are said to have been made to prepare them for the worldly desires and learn about them.

The western side of the site is the most popular area, which includes the Kandariya Mahadeva, the largest and one of the most important of the Khajuraho temples. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is studded with magnificent sculptures and one of the most ornately crafted temples at Khajuraho. The Chaunsath Jogini Temple, situated on the bank of the Shivsagar Lake, is believed to be the oldest temple in Khajuraho.

This temple is different from the other temples at Khajuraho and depicts a style different from the Chandela style of architecture.

The temples depict various forms like meditation, spiritual teachings, kinship, wrestling, royalty and most significantly, erotic art. The temples consist of stunning displays of fine sculptures and exceptional architectural skill, making them one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

Based on their geographical location, the temples are categorised into three groups: Eastern, Western and Southern.

Beautiful, intricate and expressive, the sculptures of the Khajuraho temples will leave you in awe and wonder.

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The Khajuraho temple complex offers a light and sound show every evening. The first show is in English language and the second one in Hindi. It is held in the open lawns in the temple complex.

Places to see around Khajuraho: Panna National Park – 36 km from Khajuraho the park is famous for its splendid and rich wildlife. The highlights of Panna national park are Leopards, Wolves, Gharials, Wild Boars, Sloth Bears, Cheetals, Chowsinghas, Indian Foxes and Porcupines. Panna national park remains closed from June to October.

Ranch Falls- 20 kms away from Khajuraho these falls are famous for the rock formations and these waterfalls empty into a lake and is a beautiful place for picnic and to visit.

Benisagar and Ranguan - Lake Ranguan is 25 km from Khajuraho and are tourist spots and perfect venue for a picnic. There is a dam on Khudar River and is an ideal place for boating and angling.

Ken Gharial – a sanctuary, 24 km from Khajuraho, is famous for the crocodiles with long-snouts living in their natural home.

Dhubela Museum - 64 km away from Khajuraho, located on the bank of a lake in an old fort on the Jhansi-Khajuraho road. Dhulbela museum has a variety of sculpture of the Shakti cult and a rare collection of Bundelkhandi artifacts.

Ajaygarh- is an old fort, built at a height of 688 meters is 60 kms from Khajuraho, was the capital of the Chandelas during their decline.

Kalinjar fort - 100 km from Khajuraho the fort is situated on Vindhya Ranges. It was built during the Gupta period and was won over by the Chandela ruler Shri Yashovarman in the 10th century.

Pandava waterfalls- 30 km from Khajuraho, are so called because it is believed that Pandavas spent most of their time in exile here.

Picture Courtesy: M.P Tourism

Timings: Open from sunrise to sunset Fees: For Indians Rs. 30/- per head and Foreign Nationals- Rs. 500/- per head. (Children up to 15 years free) How to Reach:

By Air: Khajuraho Civil airport is located about 2 km from the town and is well connected to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Varanasi and Indore. Taxis are available from the airport to reach the city centre.

By Rail: You can get to Khajuraho in a train by getting off at the Khajuraho Railway Station, which is around 5 km from the main town centre. The station is well connected to Delhi and Varanasi and (via Satna Railway Station) to Mumbai and Kolkata.

By Road: Khajuraho is connected by road to cities like Jhansi, Orchha, Bandhavgarh and Chattarpur. You can hire a taxi from any of these places to get to the city.

Khajuraho Dance Festival- 20-26 February 2017 The Khajuraho Dance Festival is held every year in February. It features various classical Indian dances set against the backdrop of the Chitragupta or Vishwanath Temples.

Khajuraho Festival of Dances is celebrated at a time when the hardness of winter begins to fade and the king of all seasons, spring, takes over. The most colourful and brilliant classical dance forms of India with their roots in the ling and rich cultural traditions across the country, offer a feast for the eyes during a weeklong extravaganza here.

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In the foothills of the Himalayas-

DOOARS 18 Corporate Outbound | January 2017

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merged from the word ‘Door’, Dooars is the gateway to Bhutan starting from river Teesta in the East to river Sankoshi in the west. Dooars is blessed with the mighty range of the Eastern Himalayas in the background, thick forests, variety of species of Flora and Fauna, continued with tea gardens and few streams to add the beauty in the surroundings.

That’s Dooars for you!

Situated in the foothills of Himalaya in North Bengal, Dooars has rich wildlife tropical forests; low hills rising up from the rivers all make it one of the quaintest destinations. Dooars is also the gateway to the hill stations of the Darjeeling – Sikkim

region. The gateway to Bhutan and the whole of North east India, a drive through the Dooars plains, can be an experience for lifetime.

What to see

Dooars is famous for its rich biodiversity and forests. The most outstanding parks are Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary and Buxa Tiger Reserve.

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Gorumara National Park, Champamari Wildlife Sanctuary are habitats of the rare onehorned rhinoceros, the mighty bison, leopard, spotted deer, Sambar, hog deer, reptiles, huge wild tuskers, wild boars, and the rarest variety of birds, including peacocks. Elephant – January 2017 | Corporate Outbound 19

riding through the Jaldapara forest in search of wild animals, particularly the one-horned rhinos, is popular amongst tourists.

Jayanti – is nearly 30 km from Alipurduar, is a beautiful spot surrounded by the river Jayanti and the hills around.

Bhutan Ghat about 45 km from Alipurduar is famous for its scenic beauty and is close to the river Raidak that borders Bhutan.

Buxa Fort is 30 km from Alipurduar, famous for the ruins of the Detention Camp used by the British Government for detaining freedom fighters of our country.

Malbazar is 52 km from Siliguri has tea gardens and scenic spots around.

Chalsa is 61 km from Siliguri, is famous for its scenic beauty.

Teesta Barrage is 57 km from Siliguri and is an emerging and being developed as a tourist attraction.

Phuntsholling is 161 km from Siliguri via Jaldapara, on the border of Bhutan, is a major gateway to Bhutan.

Mahanada Wildlife Sanctuary -Mahanada Wildlife Sanctuary is a must if you are into wildlife. Located at the foothills of Himalayas in the Terai region, it is spread across the lower catchment area of river Mahanada. Mahanada homes rare species of animals like one horn Rhino, Bison, Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Sambar and Cheetals.

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Sumsing and Suntalekhola -81km from Siliguri, it is considered heaven for Nature lovers with two forest bungalows in the middle of a forest, hills in the backdrop and the constant splashing noise of the numerous streams as they flow, step out of the bungalow and listen to early morning chirping of birds and whispers of the forest as it tells something to the raucously moving river water.

Latpanchore - A small village at hill top on the Mahanada Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by forest and is rich in the Cinchona plantation. There is an old British bungalow in the middle of this, which now serves as a forest bungalow.

Trekkers trek from here up to Namthing Pokhri. Sunrise from the Aahal Pick is so soothing and imaginary and is always a pleasure to watch.

The beauty of the region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. A number of rare endangered species of animals like tiger, rhinoceros and elephant make their habitat in the forests of the Dooars. Other animals include different types of deer, bison, birds and reptiles.

Best Time to Visit Dooars

With pleasant weather throughout the year, Dooars can be visited any time of the year. During November –December Tourism Fest and Teesta Tea is celebrated. It is probably the best time to visit to witness and participate in number of fun and frolic activities, water sports, cultural events and performances etc. During this time, the West Bengal government in collaboration with the Indian Railway run special trains connecting Dooars to Cooch Behar and Siliguri.

Express Info How to Reach Road: Siliguri is the gateway to the Dooars. Cooch Behar, being the headquarters of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation, is well – connected by long distance bus routes to Siliguri as well as Kolkata, Jalpaiguri, etc.

Rail: There is a railway service connecting Cooch Behar with Kolkata via New Jalpaiguri. One can also avail the railway service via Alipurduar.

Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, connecting Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati.

Accommodation Well-equipped tourist lodges are run by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. / WB Forest Development Corporation at Jalpaiguri, Malbazar, Hollong, Madarihat ,Gorumara, Samsing, and Jayanti.

Besides, there are quite a good number of hotels, resorts, guest houses, etc. at Malbazar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.

January 2017 | Corporate Outbound 21

on country roads. The stretch upto Kanakpura is largely city driving on Mysore road, and partly beyond is beautiful roads in the villages of Channapatna and Sathnuru, but after that, the terrain gets rough. After Channapatna, you will spot the hillock. It is advisable to stop here and ask for directions for the village of Sathnuru, as the place is not very clearly marked on GPS. Take a left deviation to leave behind the hot city roads, and enter the cool country roads. Fresh air will hit your face and every single time you look at the hill of Kabbalamma, shivers at what lies ahead will be clearly felt.

Navigating somehow through mud and country road, you will arrive at the village of Kabbalu with the hillock and Fort in the backdrop.

will take a beating. Soon enough, you will find yourself at the top, and pay your respect to the goddess and then, stand on the edge of the hillock and enjoy the vista that unfolds underneath.

The descent is fairly easily and can be completed rather quickly. Once at the bottom, take a little rest before starting the drive back to Bangalore as the steep descent can cause the occasional cramp in the gluteus and may need a bit of relief.

This is one of those carefree, fun filled, free flowing weekend trips that include some serious sections of treacherous climbs and trek. The place is highly enjoyable and has something to offer for everyone, whether it is an adventure seeker, the nature lover or the history buff.

Camping enthusiast? Kabbalamma’s got you!

The resting place of the Goddess Kabbalamma provides a good place for the seasoned camping enthusiast. The village of Kabbalu as well as Sathnuru is good place to spend the night camping. Carry your camping gear with tents, sleeping bags and provisions and the village offers all the basic amenities for camping. There’s drinking water available and there’s also a lake to swim in nearby, if you are so inclined. Begin the trek first thing in the morning, or around midnight, if you have decided upon a night trek.

Breaking down the trek The trek begins with a simple walk through plush green fields. Soon after, one passes a few homes. Trailing through the rugged, uneven and challenging terrain, make it to the peak and find yourself some time to explore and witness the charm of this old temple and surrounding fortifications. The initial stretch is also where you need to find your way to ascend, and it is very easy to get confused. Keep pushing through the shrubbery till you hit rock surface. This is where the real climb begins.

Weekend Getaway

Kabbaldurga!

An ode to the Goddess

B

uilt by Kempegowda in the 16th century, Kabbaldurga is one the nine fortifications or Durgas (Nava Durgas) built around the city of Bangalore. These were supposed to be watch posts to guard the city against intruders. The ruined fortifications are still visible on the two hillocks surrounding the village of Sathanuru and the Kabbalu hill. Back in the days of its glory, it is supposed to have been a seven-tiered fort. A small, yet captivating hillock near a rustic hamlet called Sathnuru, the Kabbaldurga is at a height of 3,600 ft and provides a bit of a challenge even to the seasoned climbers. This is also a fascinating night climb. This is

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The three pointers

home to the Goddess Kabbalamma, and the hillock derives its names from her.

Beautiful drive The easiest way to get to this fort is by road. One can take the route that goes from Bangalore-Bidadi-Channapatna-to finally reach Sathnuru, which is at the foot of the Kabbalu hill.

Many adventure seekers choose to take motorbikes on this route. The 100 km stretch is partly on the highway and partly

This is the second stretch of the climb. This is also the most confusing and exhausting of the entire climb. It will test your energy levels, especially if you have chosen to do a day climb.

The sun makes the rock which is granite, hot to touch, and all you have is bare rock to climb on. Very soon, you will happen upon a field of lush green grass, or what is commonly called by the climbers, the Viper stretch. It is easy, and you might even spot the last remains of a snake long gone by.

Final push!

This is a comfortable stretch with steps and railings, which have been marked by the local villagers to ascend to the temple of Kabbalamma. But because it is steep steps, the knees

Express Info Getting there: Road The trek is situated about 102 km south west of Bengaluru in the State of Karnataka is about 20 kms from Kanakpura Taluk. The best and easiest way to get there is to drive or ride from the city.

Getting prepared: Be armed with ample amount of food that is ready to eat, water, water bottles that are easy to carry, flashlight, an emergency medical kit, because cuts, burns and abrasions will be aplenty though there is a dispensary in the Sathnuru taluk. Sunblock and sun glasses will help if you have attempted a day climb; otherwise you are looking at some serious sunburn and tan, as well as tired, sore eyes.

Camping: If you intend to camp, either team up with an agency that will arrange for a camping tour, or bring your own camping gear, including tenting and blankets, because it gets very cold at night. Granite heats up fast and cools down faster.

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INGREDIENTS • Locally procured desi chicken :01 no(generally 1.5 kg) • Any mix of spices • Mustard oil • Salt /red pepper Method 1. Just clean and cut the chicken and rub spice mix with mustard oil onto the bird.

2. Make a bag of two layers of aluminum foil and make sure that the sides of the packet are sealed.

3. Put the marinated chicken into the bag and put the bag into the bonfire that is generally available at the campsite.

4. After around 8-10 minutes just take out the bag and serve chicken hot along with some steamed rice and green chillies.

Chef Vipul, a Professional in Industry with over 11 years of experience in India and Abroad, specializes in South East Asian and Modern Continental Cuisine. Currently, he is inspiring and nurturing young chefs as a Chef Trainer at IHM PUSA New Delhi.

Trek special-chicken About Treks and food Trekking is walking as long-distance hiking , as well as trail riding.

Other names are bushwalking , wilderness backpacking .Generally roads are missing and one follows trail by the local villagers or by wild animals.

The motivation usually lies in the nature experience, sportsmanship and the desire to meet the local cultures and nature. Trekkers or operators generally require knowledge of general wilderness in advance. Sufficient knowledge and skills are used for personal safety.

I am a regular trekker and every year I find trek more exciting than the previous one. Food being an integral part of the trek and I being only chef among my fellow trekkers I am expected to cook something special for my friends every time we go for trek. Though we have a small team of people and ponies who are with us carrying our luggage, tents, ration etc but still by the end of the trek we are out of ingredients and left with very few options. So this recipe is very simple and close to the root which is cooked in the most feasible way on the trek as bonfire is always available at the halt place and basic spices and salt along with some mustard oil as well.

Just rub the locally procured meat or fish or any other meat with the spice mix and oil, let it stand for some time for marination and just close to the service add it to the bonfire. It won’t take long to cook as the temperature is too high near bonfire. Just sit ready with some rice and enjoy TREK DA MURG.

Mark my words –Its heavenly.

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Q F Z X X W Z C F R G

M Q Q A Z X D E F V G

A W B A N D H A V G A

N E C V V B G H H J U

A D E D F V O G R K L

L C Y U I K M M J N I

I V M R G H D F T J M

A K A Z I R A N G A A

S G C F T

D H T G B Y N H H N U M I M K T N

F B Q W S X C V F G H

H R I S H I K E S H A

Y S W S D C V B G T T

U E

Y H I M K I D Z S

S H B T Y H N A H

R H L N T T F N W

V B Y A V J M S E

S R F G T Y U K G

N O J A T Y V A Q

U J K R W D A R R

A A Z H A E Z R Q

G S X O S F X G S

A F F E D T R B R

X C F R T G T J K

B V G H N M K I T

O D R L X G C V E

D C V G T Y H N

I A N D A M A N S W X

I T B G T R F V C D E

J Y Q S X C D E R G B

L L A K S H A D W E E

J H Q S E R F V G T Y

Y B A W S D F C V F R

M K I O L P I K Q

S A D F V B G T R

W S X Z A S A E R

N M H Y U J M K I

P Q S X D R T Y H

H N M K I O L M G

T G H B F V F G N

E

Nagpur 27th, 28th, 29th Jan 2017

Vijayawada 24th, 25th, 26th Feb 2017

Bhubaneshwar 24th, 25th, 26th Mar 2017

Correct answers will be given in the next issue of Corporate Outbound.

FIND OUT 10 ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS IN INDIA

Answer of the puzzle published in the last issue

Answers Find out 10 Forts of Rajasthan • Kumbhalgarh Fort- Kumbhalgarh • Khimsar Fort- Nagaur • Gagron Fort- Jhalawar • Bala Qila- Alwar • Barmer Fort- Barmer • Junagarh Fort- Junagarh • Mehramgarh- Jodhpur • Chittaurgarh Fort- Udiapur • Ranthambore Fort- Sawai Madhopur • Nahargarh Fort- Jaipur 26 Corporate Outbound | January 2017

Q F Z X X W Z C F R G

M E H R A M G A R H A

A Z Z Z X V A Z W C G

C X X X R B X A E V R

F R D D C H C S R F O

R D R V V N V C T G N

T E V B B M B J Y B R

G F B B B T N U U N V

H B T N N

B A R M E R J G L D R

A S N M K C N A M S G

L C J N J B G R J A H

A R

N N I Y T

J H H H M H H A O K H

Y H I M K I D E S

E W Z A U A V Q R

V C X X M C F S A

T F C D B T R C N

H V V V H T T D T

N G B R A H B E H

M B N G L J N R A

N R M H G J H F M

H G J M A G Y V B

I M S A R H U G O

C E E K C F M H R

V V T G V B J Y E

N G Y R T T U J X

N

H G M U H H E T

Q T T T F H T T T G H

I Y N A H A R G A R H

L U R R D R S S F K X

A I T G G V F F G K C

H K Y T H B G T H L R

C H I T T A U R G A R

M N J J Y H I N C

M N H Y N J L Y R

D M J N Y M O U T

B G R G J J P I B

N R B T M M S I G

F E N D J I E L Y

H W Z R B N W R F

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RNI NO.KARENG/2011/39909

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