EVENTOURS
JOURNEYS stories that changes the way we travel
GETTING LEH'D IN LADAKH
What makes Leh stay with you forever?
JULY 2020 ISSUE NO. 18
EVENTOURS
JOURNEYS stories of travel that changes the way we travel
3
COVER STORY
Getting Leh'd in Ladakh
20
GUEST POST: Aalo- Where
the Siyom Flows quietly 14
INTERVIEW
UPAMA BORKAR : Nuances of Yoga from a working professional
30
FEATURED TRIP: Yoga
Cruise on the Brahmaputra 37
PHOTO FEATURE:
Ambubachi Mela in Guwahati 24
FROM OUR BLOG
Overdone Dzukou Valley
2
EDITORIAL - Time to be
careful now : Amitabh Sarma
PAGE 1 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
EDITORIAL I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars.” ― Stephenie Meyer, Twilight TIME TO BE CAREFUL NOW
A lot of things might seem distant now, but this darkness was necessary so that we see that light tomorrow we appreciate it more. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has laid out its new guidelines Safe & Seamless Travel including testing and tracing, following medical evidence, to ensure people can enjoy Safe Travels in the ‘new normal’.
The guidelines will ensure that the travel sector is provided with an extensive framework to help governments
and
private
businesses
work
in
collaboration
to
create
aligned
testing
and
contact tracing programs. The initiative is part of the WTTC’s Safe and Seamless Traveller Journey (SSTJ) which aims to enable a seamless, safe, and secure end-to-end traveler experience including flights and non-air travel.
It includes systematic biometric verified identification during the journey, for the long haul and international travel, replacing manual verifications and is contained within a new WTTC report, published today. Travelers and those who work in the Travel & Tourism sector can be assured of a more secure and safe environment, thanks to a leap in the use of contactless technology. This includes biometrics, faster clearance for inbound and outbound passengers, and offsite processing as part of enhanced SSTJ capabilities which helps to reduce transmission. The detection and isolation of those people with the virus has proved to be an effective mechanism
to
curb
previous
outbreaks.
This
has
enabled
them
to
travel
again
without
a
vaccine, as in previous outbreaks such as Ebola, SARS, and MERS. Since 80 % of COVID-19 carriers are asymptomatic according to medical experts, testing and tracing becomes crucial to control and reduce the transmission.
PAGE 2 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
PAGE 3 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
COVER STORY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROALD SIEBERATH
GETTING LEH'D IN LADAKH
COVER STORY PHOTOGRAPH @ Marlon Treffers
So
It was a beautiful morning in Kathmandu. I had an afternoon Air India flight to New Delhi from where I fly to Leh the next morning. I was staying at the Oasis
Kathmandu
lifestyle
upgrade
Hotel, to
me
which in
was
Nepal.
I
a
kind
had
of
spent
almost two months in this country in 2005 taking a sabbatical New
from
Delhi.
I
my
was,
exhaustive
back
then
corporate
a
new
life
in
generation
hippie in Kathmandu. That is altogether a different story and perhaps I will be able to write a story someday on that. I decided to take a walk out of the
hotel.
The
familiar
buzz
of
morning
traffic,
fumes mixed with incense, the business of souvenir shops and touts rushing to my eyes through a maze of
prayer
flags.
Kathmandu
as
I
knew
was
here
I
am,
this
morning
at
the
end
of
September, at the Kusok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. At 3256 meters, this airport overlooks the Spituk Monastery. The airport is named after Kusok Bakula
Rimpoche,
who
was
an
ambassador
for
India in Mongolia and happened to be a monk in Spituk. Every time I check-in and out of this airport I usually am extra cautious. The airport security is very
tight
due
to
its
strategic
location
and
somehow hand luggage is not allowed here. It is a pilot’s skill test zone. Due to the altitude of the airport, it faces a lot of head and tailwinds in the afternoon, and hence all flights land and take off in the morning. It is always a happy feeling in Leh. There
is
something
very
holy
about
these
mountains.
presenting itself to me. I had intended to spend ten days in Ladakh this
After
toying
with
the
idea
of
breakfast
on
the
streets and deciding against it, I headed back to my hotel for my usual continental buffet breakfast. Leh was on my mind now. Time to catch a flight.
time, which technically means eight days. The first two days have to be complete rest days, as one need to acclimatize to the reduced oxygen levels in
Ladakh.
stalwarts
Of
perish
late, to
I
heard
Acute
of
many
Mountain
Ladakh
Sickness
on
arrival. So I am not taking any chances, I am going to
sleep
feeling
away
to
take
to
glory
yourself
today. under
It a
is
an
blanket
amazing without
even a fan to cool you. It is late September and the wind especially after sunset can take the chill
PAGE 4 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
to your bones.
This
helps
them
forgive
easily.
Odpal
Dejor
George, the owner of Saboo Resorts, forgave my resoluteness in the blink of an eye and our casual welcome
note
progressed
with
practiced
familiarity. George happens to be a line producer and is a regular in Mumbai. Any production house needing local logistic support in Ladakh, George was the go-to man.
So after an early lunch at Saboo Resort, I slept away till dinner only to sleep again. The last week was rush hour for me and somehow I made peace with my sleep here in Ladakh.
Although I had another time off day, I intended to take
a
small
drive
to
meet
my
friend
Rupankar
Chaliha. He is from Guwahati and had opened up a backpacker’s hostel in Leh. I needed his interview for
my
current
assignment.
Ladakh
in
a
month
would be declared a union territory and the mood was upbeat. Strange though, a substantial amount of
tourism
Kashmiris
and
staying
allied in
business
Srinagar
originates
and
of
from
course
all
across the country wherever they are.
photograph @ Alessandro Barbieri Ever since I started my business travel to Ladakh, I go through Himalayan Crossroads, a travel agency run by Tsetan Angchuk in Leh. Tsetan also happens to
be
the
current
president
of
All
Ladakh
Tour
Operators(ALTO) and my good friend. He gets the complicated time
the
things
done
complication
accommodation
for
me
for
me
in
started at
Ladakh.
with
Saboo
This
securing
Resort.
A
film
crew from Mumbai with trendy names had booked the entire resort and I was intransigent. I have to stay in Saboo, if not for anything else, but for the food.
Angchuk
managed
to
get
me
a
cottage
there at Saboo resort, though not on my favorite piece
of
usual
works.
places
land
and
on And
faces
the lo
property, behold!
began.
but
The
Ladakhis
with
all
familiarity had
quality – their faith in humanity and God.
PAGE 5 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
a
the of
great
Eventours Travels LLP conducts special interest tours in India only through its channel partners. To be a channel partner with Eventours Travels start a conversation on possibilities at info@eventours.in or eventourstravels@gmail.com
Photography @ Adam Romanowski
Namgyal Tsemo Monastery
The royal city of Leh (altitude of 3524 meters) used to be the capitol of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh and important stop on the trade routes between Tibet and Kashmir as well as China and India.
The next day after breakfast, I took a taxi to Leh. Saboo resort is fifteen minutes away from Leh market, on the Leh –Keylong Road in Saboo village. Rupankar Chaliha had set up his hostel on the fringes of SNM hospital in Leh. It is called the Happy Drifter’s Leh and is quite popular. We set the conversation going on and here is the full interview:
Rupankar Chaliha on his stepping into Ladakh There is not much about me to be shared or to be divulged. Being born in the hills perhaps has done the trick for me I guess, my love for the mountains. I am from the Northeastern state of Assam: but have been away from home for more than a decade now, making me a bit of an urban nomad. Evolution has changed the way human beings live. Over the centuries we have migrated from one place to the other for survival, for a better life but the quench has never been and will never be fulfilled as our evil desires are perpetual. Living amidst the concrete jungle I always have the strong yearning to run away from human habitation in search of something I liked to call “inner peace”. The wanderlust in me has taken me to a few places across this incredible country and the globe and yet there is still a long way to go. The urge for travel has led me to quit my corporate career after 16 years and start my venture Happy Drifter’s in 2018. Ladakh happened by chance. BTS: What kind of destination do you think is Ladakh? Rupankar Chaliha: Ladakh is more often called an adventure destination. But I guess it has more to offer tourists then only adventure. It’s a place where one can reconnect with nature.
BTS: Why did you choose Ladakh as your place of business? Rupankar Chaliha: As I said Ladakh happened by chance. I had never been to Ladakh before HD started. It was Arpan who gave me Ladakh as an option, and rest, as they say, is history. The moment I landed in Ladakh, this place seemed like my second home. From a business point of view, if you look at India in the world map, there are only a few places that will come to your mind- Goa or Kerala or Ladakh. The influx of tourists both national and international has been very high in Ladakh in recent years. As it’s a tourist place, the travel and tourism sector get very good support from the government.
BTS: Do you think we are pushing Ladakh towards a mass tourism destination? Rupankar Chaliha: Yes, I strongly agree with this and we as travel agents have to play a very important role to help Ladakh maintain its ecology which over the years has been hugely affected.BTS:
PAGE 7 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
BTS:
What
EXPLORING
is
THE TOPS
hostels
OF THE WORLD
it
like
a
Happy
“drifting”
Rupankar chain
Drifter’s in
of
how
Drifters
budget-friendly
providing
and
Ladakh?
Chaliha: Happy
lodging/tours
is
traveler
food/
to
solo
and
budget
travelers.
BTS:
Why
arrival”
is
Ladakh
for
most
“a
point
Indian
of
adventure
seekers? Rupankar to
be
and It’s
Chaliha: Actually
precise.
Leh the
other
Over the centuries we have migrated from one place to the other for survival, for a better life but the quench has never been and will never be fulfilled as our evil desires are perpetual.
is
is
of
arrival
its
airport
After
of
from
leaving
headed of
to
are
is
in
is
the
bazaar
necessary in
has
tons
of
restaurants
and
catering
to
all
zones
had
try
to
not
hungry, service
one
that
walked
I
Road, I
and
was
was
under
I
was
here.
thin
as
Ladakh last
to
visit
Some
money.
to
Main
service
Since
the
a
rooftop
today.
road,
Goa
complex
out
business,
Goa
It
in
this
some
was
and
the
the
Ladakh.
travelers
during
who
started.
start.
fading
to
last were
Kashmiris
moved
for
I
Bazaar
markets
has
was
mood
construction The
I
the
not on
September
Ladakh
for
in
is
here
in
of
were
mostly
it
season
end
week
tourists is
of
shops
not
the
in
food.
keen
time
the
slow
with
was
most
decided
else
which
where
hangout
Fort
down
owned
preferences.
favorite
Yak,
good
bad
of
Leh
café
Tall
I
any
A
the Gesmo
today. Gesmos was very
Leh.
Leh.
Hotel
something
but
of
my
been
Restaurant in opposite
sorts
I
in
restaurants
of
the
only
in
rooftop
one
all
Ladakh.
the
Although
now
towns.
Drifter’s
main
coffee
UT
Leh
easily
and
Happy
the
a
is
because
Leh
Ladakh
is
major
point
destinations
accessible
cup
Ladakh
one
it
like
me
time.
to
save
It
S A B O O
R E S O R T
SABOO VILLAGE, LEH
I
eyed
a
second
new
decided time. the
café
floor to
The
of
park
counter
Café,
another I
to
mind
a
of
my
was
some
achieved
their
raising
events
volume. a
new
We
In
fund
proceed
a
in
was
group
of
when
the
brooms
and The the
you
white
and
backpack
I
have
cold,
on
They
bags
clouds as
and
far
as
a
some
I
little
day
School,
locals
Arpan
conducting
of
workshop in
I
Leh
kind
to
to
go
him
saw
seemed
Well
and
lunch
everyone
Arpan
Kalita
Nubra
hungry
for
a
in
today.
passage,
your
Afternoon,
to
allows
be
in on
a
a
to
him
happy
me
to
current be
late
lunch.
photography is
a
arriving
La
pass
else
he
has
fortunately,
was mood
tamed
and
today.
time.
carrying course hills
can
see
a
a
guitar
lost.
is
snow-free
or
Well,
La
for
meet
my
and
him
dinner.
Khardung
arrived
takes
Khardung
awaits
till
healthy
month.
night
Valley if
carry
would
for
a
to
is a
on I
Tibetan
my
had
discuss
Arpan
assess
card
I
of
Lamayuru
of
driver
an
my
the
hate
once
my
meeting is
a
of
the
I
to
This
number
and
where
and
a
track
just
building
the
with
next
Lamdon
coffee,
of
laced
shock
assignment.
in
I
lose
with
cleanliness
were
foreigner
seemed
a
cards.
to
the
slightly
my
like
And
east
work
sipping
here
accept tend
mother booth.
most
Chopsticks
is
of
is
quite
Using
fund-
will
cafes
his
glad
the
before
Life
turning
villages,
worn-out
the
Leh
children
garbage
A
in
valley.
street.
them.
in
am
me,
Zanskar
days,
I
with
I
expenditures.
and
in
Kitchen
fundraisers
process
is
of
Well,
quickly
school
on
a
the
Valley
Nubra
mission
beyond
in
Rangdum
couple
Ladakh.
which
banner.
in
lined
ATMs.
with
Machine
through
schedule
main
is
Teller
places The
battled
these
cash,
ran
walked
Restaurant,
in
street.
our
Australia
toddler
favorite
and
overseas
A
street in
Brasil
from
the
behind
our
girl
friendly
thoughts
on
some
places
swayed
requirements to
complicated mind
of
the
Automatic
the
to
coffee
purpose, in
Zanskar
Ladakh. the
of
for
some
on
and
well,
favorite my
below
were
school
Valley.
my
running
although
and
eyes
down
there
opposite
for
string
and
people
charity
was
waited
sandwich, my
It
Café
Complex
looked
pleasant
inside.
As
Lehvenda
myself
ambiance
locals
Leh.
–
Megon
PAGE 9 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
G E T T I N G L E H ' D I N L A D A K H EVENTOURS JOURNEYS COVER STORY
I NEVER THOUGHT THE MOUNTAINS CAN CHANGE THE WAY I SAW LIFE.
The
meeting
resourceful how
things
page
simple.
and
it
The We
whatever
the I
were
when
project.
in
school
explained
to
comes
to
needed
to
my
utilize
available
to
who
came
curve
had
to
way
to
more We can
give
sponsors
were be
ready
lighted
Happiness lunch, place
I
but to
met
make
Road,
on
that
out
the
will
the
a
Kalita
Tingmo near
at at
the
one
Zanskar
who
of
more
was
needed
the
needy
needy
efforts
take
single
Leh
resources
future
decreases
Arpan the
in
were
to
some
share. ‘Thousand
from
never
called
Changspa
to
team
We
people
anyone
going
our
conversation
And
were
expected
prioritizing of
most.
We
as
materializing.
direction
was
was
of
ones. enlist
time. candles
candle.
by a
being
shared.’At
relatively
Thongsal.
Shanti
PAGE 10 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
It
Stupa
new is in
in Leh.
EVENTOURS
No matter how many times you visit Leh, it never
TRAVELS
ceases to awe you. It is the people for sure and the landscape.
The
mountain
breed
smile
from
a
stranger who ‘Julleys’ you the old lady circling the prayer
wheels,
the
cold
wind
dancing
with
the
prayer flags and the smell of yak butter, you cannot be nut happy in Ladakh. I then decide to visit the Leh Palace, This old monument in Leh seems to be in a battered state but the views of the town are very After saying bye to Arpan Kalita and confirming that we will re-group again in Guwahati to discuss our proposed project ‘Alternative Experience’, I decided to
take
a
stroll
of
the
market.
Leh
can
be
an
interesting place when it comes to shopping. I have a
deep
penchant
memorabilia. stores
for
Buddhist
Moreover,
available
for
I
artifacts
wanted
buying
or
to
renting
and
junk
check
out
adventure
assertive.
It
is
believed
that
the
Leh
palace
was
designed to replicate the Potala Palace in Lhasa. History
says
that
the
Ladakhi
royal
family
abandoned the palace when the Dogra army invade it in 1836 and moved to Stok, One particular place within Shrine.
the It
place
that
fascinates
is
the
third
on
floor
me
is
the
beside
a
Royal small
courtyard.
equipment in Leh.
I found a very interesting outdoors gear shop on the first floor of Mitsik Building, near Chowklang Gate in the main Bazaar called the Neo Leh. They practically had everything you needed for a trek or a bicycle or a motorcycle trip. While there are sprawling flea markets in pockets of Leh, the Tibetan Market is one place I would not like to miss. Mostly managed by the womenfolk, it is a good idea to first look around. Usually, they make a lot of fuss if you happen to be their first or last customer of the day and do not buy anything. However, a good gossip can earn you a good bargain. I had been mentally playing with the idea of taking home some metal statues, but since my
exit
flights
out
of
Leh
were
never
directly
to
home, I could not do much.
Hall of Fame , Leh If you are in Leh you must not miss the Hall of Fame museum. It is a museum run by the Indian Army, located on the Leh-Kargil road, about 5 km from Leh. Dedicated to Indian soldiers who lost their lives in Indo-Pak wars, the museum is full of pictures of
The next day I decided to be a tourist in Leh for the eleventh time! It was a day I had no ‘paycheck’ work
the wars. There is an entry fee of 25 INR per person and an additional 50 INR for photography.
and had the car all to myself with a driver. I started with a visit to the Shanti Stupa. It is Japan’s gift to Ladakh. Built-in 1991, Shanti Stupa is best visited in the afternoon and probably the day before you fly out
of
Leh.
Now
that
is
not
a
law
but
more
a
traveler’s logic. You will get a stunning panoramic view of the valley and it helps you keep alive the emotional
connect
you
might
have
accrued
with
Ladakh. Shanti Stupa was built to promote world peace commemorating 2500 years of Buddhism as a religion.
Shanti Stupa ,Leh PAGE 11 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
The
next
stop
something
was
that
Spituk
always
Monastery.
escaped
me
There in
was
Leh.
The
masked (Chham) dances of the New Year in Spituk Monastery.
Spituk
is
an
11th-century
architecture
dedicated to goddess Tara. Although I had been lucky to witness masked dances elsewhere, I heard the one in Spituk has its own charm of authenticity. The masked dances provide a link between popular and mystical, hard to attain, Buddhism.
Spituk , Monastery Well, the day ended quite well. I asked Mehtab, my driver,
who
hails
from
Kargil,
how
he
was
doing.
Always smiling he said, ‘Thik Hain Saab’, meaning all is well. Yes, indeed all is well that ends well. So sitting
Leh Palace, Leh Well
we
had
next
time
today
and
my
driver
was
enthusiastic, so we decided to stray away to Shey. Shey
Palace
and
monastery
is
at
an
altitude
of
11204 feet and is on the way to Thiksey and Hemis monasteries. Usually, there is a crowd in Shey but this time since it was beyond the tourist season. I was
left
alone
and
my
pictures
were
devoid
of
tourist subjects. One thing about the monasteries in Ladakh
is
the
stunning
views
they
offer
of
the
adjoining villages, mountains, valleys and towns or all
of
word
them.
I
‘panoramic
guess
no
view”
wonder
I
exhaustively
describe Ladakh visually.
find used
the to
to
village.
him, The
we
started
internet
our
was
drive
strong
back
to
Saboo
surprisingly,
so
I
decided to play some blues from my playlist on my Amazon Prime application.
“Everybody clap your hands And don’t you just love the way he sings? Don’t you know we’re riding with the King?”
Eric Clapton sang ‘Ridin’ with the King’ on the car’s music system. We reached Saboo on time to wind up the day. I don’t know how many more times Ladakh will
keep
on
calling
me
back.
Sometimes
I
feel
I
needed to take a few years before I visit that place again. But fortuitously, Ladakh keeps bringing me back in. No wonder I revel in getting Leh’d in Ladakh so much. Not everyone gets what he wants. His Holiness, The Dalai Lama once said ” Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”
Until we meet again Leh, Julley!.
Shey Monastery , Ladakh
PAGE 12 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY JUNE 21
FEATURED INTERVIEW WITH a vibrant Yogini
FEATURED INTERVIEW
UPAMA BORKAR INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY TRIBUTE
PAGE 14 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
In her own words “I was always inclined towards anything and everything creative so it was quite natural for me working as an architect ever since graduation. I like designing spaces, turning them into living breathing homes, and growing offices. That’s the professional side of me.
UPAMA BORKAR How yoga keeps her sane
A professional architect, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and an urban dweller of Mumbai- so many roles in one person, the last one taking its highest toll.
Upama Borkar, born and raised in Guwahati, now settled in Mumbai, is a graduate from Sir J.J. College of architecture and a YOGA addict.
INTERVIEWED BY 'Bearded Traveling Soul' Amitabh Sarma
PAGE 15 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
Besides that, I am an avid traveler who gets inspiration to paint from all the adventures. I love to do oil paintings, mostly landscapes. I also enjoy doing sculptures. My travel stories also include trying out different cuisines. I think the best way to get to try local food(with the authentic flavor)is when you try out street food of that place. My trips are always off the mainstream tourist spots, I enjoy the beaten tracks as I love walking (don’t you think a new place is best explored by foot then be driven around ?) I am a firm believer in being fit, both physically and mentally. I started inculcating fitness as a routine in my daily life after I graduated. I never thought Yoga would help me fill up those gaps in my routine which I otherwise thought were complete to keep me going. Yoga helped to complete my self-development process.”
I like designing spaces, turning them into living breathing homes and growing offices.
- FEATURED INTERVIEW -
The Essence of Yoga BTS: Hi Upama, thanks for taking the time to do this interview. Could you give our readers a bit of information about you, where you’re from, and tell us a bit about the kind of yoga that you do? Upama: Thank you, BTS for giving me this opportunity to bring Yoga to this platform.I live in Bombay now but I was born and raised in Guwahati, Assam. I am an architect by profession and I firmly believe that I am a Yogini at heart. I was always a disciplined person but I never really thought Yoga was something I would venture into. Like most people, I too believed yoga is all about spreading the mat, stretching, and meditating. I never thought Yoga was for me as I was always a very active person. It was by chance I entered The Yoga Institute, and that changed my life forever. Yoga has been my way of living ever since.
I am a certified yoga teacher now from The Yoga Institute. I was extremely fortunate
to
get
trained
under
Dr.Jayadev
Yogendra
and
Smt.Hansaji
Yogendra (President of the international board of yoga and vice-president of Indian yoga association).The Yoga we practice in The Yoga Institute is Ashtanga Yoga or the yoga of eight limbs.
It
is
the
written
classical around
yoga
2000
of Patanjali.The
BC
or
even
yoga
earlier.
sutras
These
by
sutras
Patanjali are
were
built
on
a Samkhaya philosophy and Bhagwad Gita.
Yoga practice and philosophy go hand in hand. If you can steady your mind, you can steady your balance.
PHOTOGRAPHS UPAMA BORKAR
BTS: How long have you been practicing yoga? What have you learned from yoga? Upama: I have been practicing Yoga for several years now. When I started practicing Yoga years back I thought it was only about asana(like most people do in the world). Those days I used asana only for stretching after a workout or meditate to cool and quiet my mind. I never took it as a subject to be studied at every level of human personality.Yoga can be understood only through practice. This practice will take you further into yoga. Yoga is the teacher if you have faith in it. Follow it wholeheartedly, experience it, and achieve a resulting change of consciousness. That is the whole story of Yoga.
PAGE 16 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
- FEATURED INTERVIEW BTS: Do you stay active in other ways besides yoga? Upama: I have always been a disciplined child but like any true Axomiya, our love for
good
other got
food
is
always
conversations into
started
fitness as
coastline
a
after
in
overruling
any
after
all
gathering.
graduation.
long
walk
work
to
along
clear
I It
the
up
my
thoughts. Gradually it turned into a run and soon I started to get mindful about my regime. I started to look forward to my daily run at the end of each day. One thing added to another soon I started practicing
Yoga.
I
kept
trying
a
little
every day. The advantage is once you follow anything sincerely, it gives results and that strengthens you to go further.
BTS: Your current Instagram tagline reads "peripatetic". How do you think yoga can be carried out in vivid locations? Upama: I believe if we have feet we are meant
to
travel,
otherwise
we
would
have had roots, isn’t it?The Vedic form of Yoga talks about a sedentary lifestyle. The modern world will never let us know what it was like to be seated under a tree for years.The best part about yoga is
that
you
need
nothing
more
than
THE PHILOSOPHY OF YOGA
yourself to practice it all the while you be
traveling
world.Different different consensus
around
people
outfits seems
for to
like
to
yoga be
the wear
but
that
the
they
all
choose comfortable clothing. So you can just choose to wear whatever you feel comfortable in to practice it anywhere. The secret is, yoga can be practiced in nude too! You forgot your yoga mat no worries, you can do yoga on the grass or the warm sand .. barrier not necessary. Any
hotel
towels,
room
pillows,
will
provide
books
that
you
all
with
can
be
used a prop for asana practice. If you can’t practice without a class then there are
a
plethora
of
podcasts
outlining
classes. You can even download a ton of episodes before departure and refresh while
on
substitute
local yoga
wifi.
You
straps
can
for
even
scarves,
socks(knee length), and books for blocks.
After all, if you still need to connect with other yogis to practice just speak up! The beauty of travel is that you can always find a yoga class to practice it anywhere in the world, be it in your hotel or nearby…as to meditate we just need our own self seated in any corner of the world and activate our life energy(Prana).
BTS: What has yoga done for you as a person? Upama: “I am all that my mind is- all that occupies my mind at that particular
moment”Yoga
changed
me
by
changing
my
way
of
our daily life. We do not take even a moment in the day to sit quietly and reflect. Our minds are constantly working on something or the other. We never listen to our consciousness due to all these noises in our heads. Just sit in peace and tranquility, quiet your mind (that sounds easy but the hardest task in the world). Practice it daily, you will get it sometime. Yoga practice and philosophy go hand in hand. If you can steady your mind, you can steady your balance. For me, Yoga has bought that tranquility in my mind that I can be at peace in any adverse situation. In the chaotic world we live in there’s nothing more beautiful then attaining a blissful state of mind. It has shown me the path to my inward journey.
PAGE 17 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
has
thinking and looking at things. We miss out on most elementary things in
JULY 2020 I ISSUE NO 18
can
BTS: Is yoga a way of life or a way to exercise and meditate?
BTS: What do you think of famous people, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, getting into yoga? Is it good for yoga or does it make it a fad?
Upama: Yoga is a way of life. The true purpose of yoga cannot be other than a spiritual one. When I say that I
UPAMA: Yes, a lot of people all over the world are
mean yoga is about integrating certain daily functions
following Yoga nowadays. Yoga was always meant to
and
discipline.
be propagated. Yoga is not a fad it is a journey. It is a
exercise,
journey that every young and old person can join in as
habits
Daily
into
our
activities
routines.
like
Yoga
eating,
needs
sleeping,
recreation, etc everything is monitored against a larger
no prior skill is required.
comprehensive
daily
Yoga is simply what it is. Yoga is more concerned with
ego,
the psychological aspects of the mind than the purely
attitude
(
outlook.
Perseverance
removing kleshas like
anger,
in
our
hatred,
attachment, fear, etc)has to be a continuous effort and
physical
with sincerity. This can be achieved only when you take
consciousness is the true essence of yoga. You can
yoga as a way of life and not just a tool to meditate or
practice
exercise to reduce weight.
backyard or a studio in fancy legging or in the nude.
For
example,
repetitive,
asanas
are
never
aggressive, are
fast,
or
alone,
in
of
your
That is the beauty of Yoga.
your breathing, you can focus your mind and become
etc.
aware
commitment, and just enough vulnerability to believe in
Every
to
tribe
level
of yoga-like diets, exercise programs, style of clothing,
movement.
meant
a
highest
mindful while practicing each step. When you control
muscle
You
anywhere-with
the
Of course, there are many fads out there in the name
your
mechanical.
it
Reaching
be
of
and
aspects.
breath
connected to every movement.
is
All
you
need
to
do
yoga
is
yourself.
For me, Yoga has bought that tranquility in my mind that I can be at peace in any adverse situation. - FEATURED INTERVIEW PAGE 18 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
an
open
mind,
- FEATURED INTERVIEW -
Yoga is not a therapy but practicing yoga creates a balanced nervous and endocrine system that directly influences all other organs of the body. BTS: Do you think practicing yoga and following an aligned diet is important? UPAMA: To a yogi preserving and improving one health is the primary duty as health affects one's personality at all levels. Yoga believes that we behave as the food we eat. Food is related to our mental state like emotions and passions, which in turn have effects upon our health. These emotions if indulged in induces a peculiar form of diseases and these become chronic in time if we don't heal it at the mental level. It is an ongoing circle. A sattvik diet is necessary for ensuring a positive outlook and which in turn is essential for our overall well-being.
BTS: Do you believe it is an alternative form of healing and medicine? UPAMA :Yes, I believe that yoga is an alternative form of healing. Yoga works best at prevention than cure. Total health is a natural byproduct of Yoga. Yoga is not a therapy but practicing yoga creates a balanced nervous and endocrine system that directly influences all other organs of the body. This belief has further strengthened as many people suffering from lifestyle disorders of constitutional nature are cured as a result of yoga practice.
BTS: Finally, what are you looking forward to over the next year? UPAMA: I am an eternal optimist. I am sure we will be moving ahead from this Virus scare shortly. This lockdown time will heal and reboot nature as well as human beings. We have a wonderful time to reconnect with our inner selves. I hope the human race respects life more, remain grateful to nature, and learn to remain in harmony. I am waiting patiently to travel again. Some beautiful paths cannot be discovered without getting lost. On a personal level, I need to get a better grip over a few emotional aspects of life. Learn to accept that nothing is permanent. I need to work on Viragya (detachment) and travel a long way to find my Samadhi. Never stop your wanderlust!
PAGE 19 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
photography by Giacomo Bettoni/Eventours Journeys
July 2020 / Volume 18 / eventours journeys
AALO
Where the Siyom flows quietly SIMANTA BARMAN
EXPLORING NORTHEAST INDIA From food, to NATURAL structures, we learn more about the culture of the NORTHeast IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH ARTICLE BY
SIMANTA BARMAN Simanta Barman is a Post Gradute in Mass Communication & Journalism from Tezpur University, Assam
He is a travel blogger who writes at therandomtrotters.com. When he is not scampering around for food, people stories and What
comes
to
your
mind
when
you
think
of
going
to
the
mountains? The yellow paddy fields stretching over vast lands vanishing humble
into
the
citizens
horizon
and
a
and
the
social
life
rural
retreats,
where
with
everyone
its
knows
my
first
solo
trip
to
the
West
Siang
district
of
Arunachal
Pradesh, I chanced to experience these and many more. It was the
end
train
of
from
September North
riding his bicycle, chasing sunsets on rural routes.
everybody else.
On
places, you will find him
in
2019,
Rangapara
I
boarded
station
in
the
Assam
Lachit to
the
Express town
of
Silapathar, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. This was my starting point to travel north to Aalo or Along as it is known.
PAGE 21 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
Reach him at simbord1@gmail.com
I boarded the train at 12:35 AM mid-night and reached Silapathar, a little past 6: 30 AM in the morning. It was a few minutes of walk to the taxi counter. With the rain slashing from all sides, the umbrella did not offer me much help. The shared taxis take you to Aalo from Silaphathar. The shared taxis had a much known commercial ritual of queuing up one after the other and waiting until almost all the seats are occupied with people and luggage.
The one that I had booked myself into, started at around 10 AM and we were doing a good time on the road. The transition from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh happened in a whiz, the sights outside kept me occupied. The whole journey feels like a progression in delightful sights. Straight on to your face mountains, thick green jungles and water bodies made the journey a delightful project. The scenery changed from cattle grazing in the meadows to thatched huts in the mountain top jungles to terraced paddy fields. Only one thing remained constant, the vast blue sky with occasional patches of grey and white clouds.
The shared taxis made a pit stop at Pasighat and that’s when you realize you have entered Arunachal Pradesh. There are plenty of eateries where they serve you traditional cuisines. It would always be a good idea to use the restrooms here as these taxis do not make many stops on the way.
As we drove up the mountain from Pasighat to Aalo, the landscape gradually changes. The houses change shape and the vegetation gets thicker. The occasional orange orchard laces the road and you can see water flowing through small streams out of the mountains. The entire journey to Aalo is in itself an adventure. Narrow roads cut through the mountains and the majestic valley hidden behind a soufflé of clouds will make your heart skip a beat.
The journey from Silapather to Aalo took us almost five and a half hours. The taxi stand in Aalo is opposite to the Circuit House, adjoining the bus station. Aalo is a quaint little mountain town with shops and small restaurants stacking up the main road.
Aalo or Along as it was known earlier is a headquarter town of the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Siyom river, rising from the Pari mountains in the Mechuka area, now acts as a demarcating line between the Siang and the West Siang districts.
PAGE 22 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
The real beauty, though, which I have realized in this trip is in the villages adjoining Aalo. The prominent villages are Logum Jini , Eyi, and Biru , and they have a well-protected zone. The beautiful gates just before you
enter
these
villages
with
traditional
motifs
are
quite a sight. The Aalo villages are close-knit societies, lingering
on
to
their
traditional
way
of
life
amidst
modernity. The stilt houses in the villages make good use
of
readily
available
wood
and
bamboos.
The
bridges in the nearby rivers are made of iron structures that hang by strong mild steel ropes. Patum bridge in Aalo is a more popular one and another one in Kabu Village.
Kabu
village
is
accessible
by
road,
which
seems to be a fairly good one, because most of the village roads are spotty and severe.
Siyom
river
was
tamed,
as
it
was
September
and
represented a gentle outlook. I have heard it to be rough during the monsoon months. One thing that kept me glued to Aalo and perhaps will stay with me once I leave, is the generosity and humbleness of the people. If the rural life is scenic, the hospitality of the villagers is more inviting.
The three days that I spent in Aalo had me thinking about
the
wrapped
up
urban
life
I
belong
to.
The
thukpa (a Tibetan noodle soup dish) and the momos ( dumplings)
tasted
different
here
in
Aalo.
The
interactions with the locals, the stories that they told, and the whole landscape will remain in my memory long after I leave Aalo. I decided to stay at the Circuit House guesthouse in Aalo. Aalo has several hotels and homestays. The Siyom river flows through the heart of Aalo town and it’s a photographer’s
canvas
with
the
mountains
lining
the
photographs by Simanta Barman
river early in the morning.
The old market of Aalo is filled with shops selling clothes to traditional things. The locals from the nearby villages bring in their wares, mostly agricultural products and bamboo crafts to be sold in the local markets in Aalo. I had a good time strolling in the markets and munching on local snacks.
The Indian Army has a base camp in Aalo and civilians an go to their wet canteens. The delectable dumplings are
the
town’s
favorite
there
and
civilians
watch movies in the small Army movie hall.
PAGE 23 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
can
also
for a feature in our blog or emagazine do write to us at eventourstravels@gmail.com
OPINION ARTICLE
OVERDONE DZUKOU VALLEY
DZUKOU VALLEY TREK Remember how we overloaded ourselves in Kheer Ganga? The National Green Tribunal (NGT) through the High Court had to ban tourism in Kheer Ganga. Personally, it was a big relief for me. I was tired of these 'adventure companies' promoting the Kheer Ganga trek in Parvati Valley for as low as 4000 Indian rupees. Himachal Pradesh had witnessed a toxic tourism growth that was killing the whole region steadily. For heaven's sake, the very purpose of a mountain trek is to seek solace and take a break from the chaos. Why would you want to take your plastics, your loud hip-hop music, and your faked hopeless hippie imagery up there and spoil it all?
PAGE 24 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
This trek is a popular youthful trek in Nagaland and of late has become a point of arrival for the domestic adventure seeking tourist in India.
THE NEWEST TECH & GEARS FOR YOUR NEXT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
CAMELBAK
the Dzukou Valley Trek
In
November
erupted
in
Nagaland.
2018. the
It
A
massive
scenic
took
forest
Dzukou
more
than
fire
Valley
60
in
volunteers
especially from the local organization called
Maintained
by
(SAYO)
Kohima,
in
craftsmanship
the
Southern the
done
Angami
Dzukou
without
Youth
valley
stray
Organization
trek
is
thoughts.
nature's
The
valley
spreads across the states of Nagaland and Manipur and is at an altitude of 2452 m. The Dzukou valley trek has two flavors
–
the
winter.
Each has its peril and sweetness. Strangely as per Angami
human causality, the flora and fauna took a
myth, Dzukou is considered a soulless dull region, a place
massive hit. The volunteers have to use sack
where the dead rest before departing. The Dzukou valley is
clothes
one
with
the
fire.
Some
in
a
close
trekkers
encounter
from
Manipur
have camped in the southwestern area of the Dzukou valley and had left a fire for cooking unattended. This might be a one-off incident in Dzukou Valley that exhibited a peril in the making for an impending course of action.
In
2014
January,
Mt.Japfu
was
a
forest
almost
fire
at
in
the
to
annihilate Dzukou valley. The army had to use choppers
to
contain
the
spread
of
the
fire.
The source remains a mystery, as most of the terrain was not accessible on foot.
PAGE 25 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
the
most
sought
on
a
after
frostbitten
experiences
a
green
by
green
canvas.
the
living,
modern backpacker from mainland India. It is said, a river existed with water that heals and a white elephant roams the valley. I once remember, in my first trip to this valley, before it was mapped into the commercial tourist circuit, running
into
a
village
headman,
whose
approval
was
needed to get water from a nearby river. The water was
nearby
loggerheads
of
is
on
trek
burn away operation. Although there was zero
one
woven
summer
to contain the fire in a dawn to dusk, do or
winter
flowers
the
canvas,
the
colorful
While
takes
machetes
through
and
Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO)
and
you
summer
salty.
perils of mass tourism Mass tourism is never a bright idea and does not make a long-term
good
'sustainability'
business is
sense.
very-broad
Now
the
based
whole
and
term
of
occasionally
confusing and conflicting in nature. Nagaland's history with the
process
of
conservation
is
a
very
sad
story.
The
Tragopan Wildlife Sanctuary is a namesake piece of land, no hornbills fly in Nagaland even though a massive annual festival
is
staged
in
its
name,
you
still
see
young
kids
roaming with wooden catapults and adults hugging around with homemade rifles – I am sure no one is going on a war. While
taking
Amur
falcons
Nagaland,
some
guests
making
ironically
a
I
to
pit
see
stop
saw
the in
people
annual
the
migration
Doyang
waving
Valley
flocks
of
of in
dead
birds as passing cars hoping to make a quick sale.
Everyone
loves
regulators
a
have
cheap
become
deal,
and
addicted
customers to
the
well
as
gratification
as
of
cheap travel options, that a form of 'intentional blindness' has infected us all. Dzukou valley is a beautiful place and people have every right to be here. Nevertheless, the whole idea should be to bring in nothing and take away nothing. I am certainly not in favor of censorship in tourism. However, I
have
seen
Remember
destinations
Shimla,
succumb
Mussoorie,
to
mass
Dharmashala,
tourism.
Manali,
Leh
and our very own Shillong and Tawang, I can go on and on. The
problem
with
mountain
treks
is
that
it
does
not
look
good overloaded with people. Moreover, to top it all, there is
a
time
limit
on
how
long
someone
can
keep
cleaning
other people's mess.
No
matter
how
much
the
bureaucrats
scream
on
India's
focus with 'up-market, high value' tourism, what they lack is a road map to tap the domestic market. There is a need to sensitize the domestic tourist and equip the locals with a conservation module. One thing we have to understand is the
commercial
tourism
often
communities
as
mathematics means the
behind
fewer cost
mass
benefits
price
of
tourism. to
the
More local
commodities
and
infrastructure increases. I am also not very convinced with the
current
breed
of
tourism
consumers,
especially
us
Indians. We think cheap travel is a right and not a perk of advanced technological opportunity.
PAGE 26 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
Conservation in Dzukou Valley Lately, SAYO- Southern Angami Youth Organization has done an excellent job of keeping the Dzukou valley. They have managed to formulate their own set of rules for people to embark on the trek and thereby bringing a process to the whole endeavor. Dzukou is a youthful destination and it suffers from low barriers of entry and lack of regulations. This is encouraging rapid growth and conjecture. And Nagaland's administrative tussle with Manipur on ownership of the Dzukou Valley trek is making things worse.
The role of SAYO, who has taken the onus single-handedly to preserve Dzukou Valley has increased. Regular trainings are conducted to volunteers of SAYO on biological conservation, tourism, and cultural subjects.
How to reach Kohima Kohima, the state capital of Nagaland is connected by a road network with all the major airports in Northeast India. The nearest airports are the Dimapur Airport (DMU) and the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (IMF) in Imphal. From Dimapur Airport it is a 3 hours drive to Kohima and from Imphal Airport it is a four and half hours drive. If you are doing things on your own, you have local taxis and buses that will take you from Dimapur to Kohima. Alternatively, you can take a train from Guwahati to Dimapur. I prefer the Jan Shatabdi Express train that leaves Guwahati at 6: 30 AM and reaches Dimapur at 10:40 AM. And then, take one of those black and yellow shared taxis to Kohima. Some great overnight buses take you from Guwahati to either Kohima or Dimapur.
PAGE 27 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
Accommodations in Kohima: Hotel Blue Bayou: Modern hotel just opposite to the Kohima War Cemetery. Hotel Vivor: Hotel Vivor has 29 charming rooms which are categorized into Standard, Premium, Deluxe, Deluxe Suite, and Executive Suite & Niathu Presidential Suite.
Hotel De Oriental: Situated on the highway and easy to access modern hotel
Hotel Razhu Pru: Quirkily poised between a heritage and boutique hotel, Razhu Pru was originally a family home built in the post-world war II winter of 1946
Touphema Tourist Village: The accommodation is a series of huts in Naga style at Touphema village
Dovopie Inn: With soothing traditional decor, this inn at Khonoma village, has six rooms and perhaps the cafĂŠ, known as Zievo Coffee CafĂŠ is one of the best located in Nagaland.
Dimori Cove: Next to the Hornbill Festival site, an interesting boutique accommodation.
Alder Retreat: Located 10 minutes away from the city, Alder Retreat is the ideal place for travelers who want to get away from the rush and pollution of the town.
Medom's B&B: A homestay run by Dr. Kenny is in one of the most picturesque locations in Kohima, Nagaland.
Morung Lodge: A bed and breakfast homestay located in the heart of Kohima
PAGE 28 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
Dzukou is a youthful destination and it suffers from low barriers of entry and lack of regulations.
Reaching Dzukou Valley The
Dzukou
points
–
Kohima
valley
either
or
trek
can
Jakhama
Viswema
be
taken
Village,
village,
25
from
20
km
km
from
two from
Kohima.
There are local taxis that will take you to either of the villages. The trek from Jakhama is steeper but takes but
less
time
takes
same.
while
longer.
The
the
The
Viswema
beauty
recommended
is
trek
of
option
is
loftier
course
is
to
the
go
in
through Viswema and come out through Jakhama. Either way, depending on your physical conditions and
the
time
you
spend
on
photography,
it
will
take 2 – 3 hours to reach the rest house once you reach the valley.
Stay in Dzukou Valley
B
The last time I did the trek in 2017, the entry fees were 20 INR for people from neighboring villages, 50
INR
for
Indians
and
100
INR
for
foreign
nationals, to be paid once. The dormitory charges in
the
rest
something per
house
called
room.
basic
the
blankets,
approximately dinner
additional
and
50
VIP
Additionally,
mattresses, ranged
were
room
you
and 50
INR
You
was
can
even INR
breakfast
payments.
per
can
head
for
pay
300
for
each
INR
which
item.
are
provided
also
camp
in
A on
the
valley. But again I am reiterating the fact that you have
to
be
a
responsible
camper.
Dzukou
is
a
plastic-free zone and you have to pay a security fee if you are taking in plastic bags. The security fee is refunded once you give enough proof to the volunteers
of
SAYO
that
you
came
back
with
those bags. One can carry camping gear or you can hire camping gear in Kohima.
The best time to do the Dzukou valley trek is from June
to
the
end
of
September.
The
valley
is
covered with flowers although the rains can be a dampener.
After
September,
the
winter
trek
starts. Although with less romance in the valley, the winter experience is very different.
foam
firewood,
for
and
est time to visit Dzukou Valley
"Away, away, from men and towns, To the wildwood and the downs To the silent wilderness, Where the soul need not repress its music." Percy Bysshe Shelley The Corona Virus pandemic has taught us a lot of things and although immediate future to tourism looks
shaky,
the
future
looks
bright.
Nature
has
taken time to heal itself. And once things brighten up, we should be careful not to rush into things. We
would
not
want
the
cycle
to
repeat,
would
we?
Dzukou is a plastic-free zone and you have to pay a security fee if you are taking in plastic bags. The security fee is refunded once you give enough proof to the volunteers of SAYO that you came back with those bags. PAGE 29 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
Photograph @ Roger Jackson
YOGA CRUISE B R A H M A P U T R A
BY EVENTOURS TRAVELS
FEATURED ITINERARY
YOGA CRUISE in the Brahmaputra
EVENTOURS TRAVELS LLP PAGE 31 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
PAGE 32 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
ASSAM Assam boasts two out of India’s five UNESCO environmental World Heritage sites, and we have devised this 8-night package to provide visits to both these sites, Manas and Kaziranga National Parks, together with a short cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra River and exploration of villages and the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
Day 1 Meet at Guwahati airport or at Samdrup Jonghkar (Bhutan border) and drive for 4 hours/3 hours to Manas National Park, on the border with Bhutan, checking in at Musa Retreat. This Project Tiger reserve is now recovering well from earlier unrest – the tiger count is now estimated at around 30, and wild elephant number some 500.
different species of deer and monkeys, as well as some of the park’s 380 different species of birds, to arrive at Mothanguri on the banks of Manas River with scenic Bhutan hills at the background. Our first lesson on Yoga under your Guru will take place next to the river. This will be followed by breakfast at Mothanguri Forest Lodge. We return to our lodge through a different route through the jungle; watch out for wild elephants and water buffalos etc. Lunch will be at the retreat. Afternoon we walk through a tribal village. Before the sunsets you will have a second lesson on Yoga. Evening we will witness a Bodo tribal dance. Overnight in the retreat.
Written by EVENTOURS TRAVELS Photo by Aakash Suresh
Day 2 We take an early morning jeep ride through grassland and evergreen forest, hopefully seeing several
Day 3 Morning we will take a short drive to the bank of Beki River, where you will have your Yoga class for about an hour. After breakfast at the retreat, we drive 4 hrs to Guwahati to embark on the cruise mid-afternoon close to the great Saraighat Bridge. Cruise downstream to an overnight stop close to the south bank village of Vijaynagar. Before the sun sets attend another hour-long Yoga class on board followed by a short lecture on Yoga.  Day 4 This morning you will have your Yoga class on the bank of the mighty Brahmaputra. Breakfast will be on board, disembark and explore a riverside village on foot. Cruise upstream to the little town of Sualkuchi, loud with the clatter of looms and visit on foot its silk weaving workshops. We shall see the whole process of silk manufacture, from cocoon to spinning to dyeing and finally to hand-weaving into exquisite saris and dress lengths. We then drive on to Hajo, a place sacred to Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. We visit a hilltop Muslim shrine with far-reaching views over the surrounding rural landscape, as well as the simple Hindu temple with its frieze of elephants and its sacred tank full of great carp, catfish and turtles. Later we re-board and cruise to an overnight mooring near the Saraighat War
Written by EVENTOURS TRAVELS LLP
Memorial. Evening learn new lessons of Yoga on board with a sunset on the Brahmaputra.
PAGE 33 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
FEATURED TRIP eventours travels cruise journeys
Manas enjoys stunning scenery, backed by the jungle-covered hills of Bhutan, while Kaziranga boasts a wide range of easily seen wildlife, the many rhinoceros being the outstanding feature. On the river and the sand islands which dot it one can often see great flocks of migrating waterfowl, and there is also a good chance of seeing the rare Gangetic Dolphin.
Day 6 Cruise upstream past jungle-covered hills, and turn into the Kolong River. We cruise up in our Day 5 We will have our Yoga class on the sundeck
country boat for a kilometer or two to the road
while cruising upstream. We disembark at Pandu
head from where we drive to the Pobitora Wildlife
docks and are taken on a short sightseeing tour
Sanctuary. This small park has a dense population
of the city of Guwahati. Drive up Nilachal Hill to
of
see
shall be unlucky if we do not spot some of these
the
rites may
holy
and
animal
prefer
exterior. Graves
Kamakhya
Visit
to the
cemetery
temple.
sacrifice, content
the
well
more
themselves
poignant as
With
its
tantric
squeamish
Commonwealth
War
½
shop
at
high-class
One-Horned
armoured
beasts
Rhinoceros,
on
a
and
jeep
we
safari
around the park. Afterward guests are driven c.4
the
a
Asian
amazing
with
as
the
hrs to Kaziranga National Park, where we stay the
superbly
comfortable
mid-stream Peacock Island with its population of
Kaziranga
Golden Langur monkeys before re-embarking and
population of well over 1500 rhinoceros and is the
cruising for about an hour and a half upstream to
best place in the world to see these beasts.
Kurua
There
the
north
bank.
Today
evening
your
are
a
also
World
good
sambar
across
very
jungle
is
looking
and
selling local crafts. Cross by country boat to the
on
Lodge,
situated
Heritage
into site
populations
venue of Yoga class will be on the sundeck for
elephant,
deer,
swamp
about an hour to be followed by lecture about
wild boar and many other species.
the and
of
deer,
park. with
tiger, hog
a
wild deer,
the “Origin of Yoga in India”.
PAGE 34 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
NO
P L ACE
B AD
AS
I T ’ S
I S
T HE Y GOI NG
E VE R T E L L T O
AS YOU
B E .
JUNGLE STORY photograph @Amitabh Sarma
Day 7 At dawn we will have an Yoga class on the bank of River Diphlu and after breakfast drive for a few minutes to Kaziranga’s Central Range for a Jeep
safari.
After
breakfast
drive
to
a
Mising
tribal village, with their distinctive houses raised on piles. After lunch we take another jeep safari in
the
Western
Range,
and
scan
the
wilderness
from an observation tower. Before dusk we will have another Yoga class at the resort.
Day 8 An early start for the 4 1/2 hour drive back to Guwahati airport, or 2 airport.
Alternatively
½
hr transfer to Jorhat
prolong
your
Kaziranga, subject to availability.
PAGE 35 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
stay
at
Yoga Cruise on the Brahmaputra is a travel program by EVENTOURS TRAVELS LLP and is available for booking for the year 2022 and beyond through its channel partners Details: info@eventours.in eventourstravels@gmail.com
The Nature Conservancy works with local communities, businesses, and individuals to protect over 100 million acres of land around the globe.
PAGE 36 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
AMBUBACHI MELA THE FESTIVAL OF THE BLEEDING GODDESS IN PICTURES
Every year in mid-June, thousands of devotees flock to the Nilachal hills to Northeastern India's biggest city, GuwahatiÂ
to witness the Ambubachi festival. 'Ambubachi Mela' as it is popularly called, 'Mela'
translating to a carnival, is an annual fair celebrated for four days in the famed tantric temple of Kamakhya.
Our August issue's COVER STORY
ISSUE 18 . JULY 2020 . EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
37
PICTURE STORY
KAMAKHYA TEMPLE The first Koch King, Biswa Singha rebuilt the temple over the ruins of an earlier temple. A lot of old literature suggested that these rulers had great faith in 'tantrism' and hence this temple evolved as a center of learning tantras and ritual sacrifices
PAGE 38 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
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front COVER PHOTO @marcus fornell JUNE 2020 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS
