Highlights:

The British PM Mr Cameroon has answered in a negative to India’s demand for returning the prized jewel. This is the second time in 2 years that he has decline for the same. So both India and Britain still prize the jewel as ever.

Roopkund itinerary

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Roopkund Trek Itinerary:

• Altitude Range: 2621 m – 5029 m.
• Trek Grade: Moderate to Tough.
• Best Season: May to October mid.

Detailed Trek Itinerary:

• Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar (Altitude: 314 m, Distance: 210 km)

Haridwar is a gateway for several pilgrimage of Uttarakhand. It is reachable directly from Delhi by road, railways or by airways as well. Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun which is only 35 km from Haridwar. Here you can explore clusters of temple along with several ghats. Har Ki pauri is one of the famous ghats in Haridwar, to see evening prayer and ritual is such a divine experience here. There are a good number of hotels and rest houses available for accommodation.

• Day 02: Haridwar – Loharjunga (Altitude: 2130 m, Distance: 240 km drive)

After driving 240 km you’ll reach Loharjanga. There are two routes to reach Loharjanga; via Haridwar and via Gwaldam (a hill station in Chamoli district). Via Haridwar route, you’ll pass through Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag – Loharjanga. Loharjanga is a commencement place for Roopkund trek. It is town that thrives on adventure tourism and so it not difficult to manage accomadation, supllies, guides and porters.

• Day 03: Loharjunga – Didina (Altitude: 2550 m, Distance: 5 – 6 hour trek)

From Loharjunga a trail leads to Raun Bagad (Bagad means a spot where a river widens out to form a bed with sandy embankments) which takes 2 – 3 hours to reach there. An alternative route is to take road from Loharjunga to Wan. It’s a 6 km easy walk to Kulling village followed by a steep descent to Raun Bagad. The road route is easier than the Curzon trail. There is river named Neel Ganga, which flows between Wan and Loharjunga. The trail to Raun Bagad starts from Banq village and then passes through a mixed forest of rhododendron, oak and pine trees and several water streams. All along the trail of Raun Bagad you’ll explore various flora and fauna. The trails levels out after passing through 4 -5 villages and here you’ll found two trails ahead. Here watch for a fork in a trail where the main Curzon trail moves upwards towards Wan and the smaller trail descends to Raun Bagad. You need to be on the smaller trail. From the fork in the trail it is 10 minute walk to Raun Bagad. An iron bridge marks the end of the trail to Raun Bagad and start of the climb to Didina. You can rest at Raun Bagad for a while and enjoy the sightseeing of a tall water fall. After crosing river trail starts to climb upto Didina village. Didina village can be a bit confusing with many trails running into it. Stick to the trail that goes around the village, this leads directly to the Didina camp site, clearing 200 ft above the village. Didina campsite is small green meadow just 10 min trek above the village, gazes across the valley.

• Didina – Ali Bugyal – Bedni Bugyal (Altitude: 3350 m, Distance: 6 – 7km trek)

There are two routes to reach Ali Bugyal from Didina; via Tolpani and a direct trail towards Ali Bugyal.
Tolpani is small cluster of shepherd hut and around 3 km trek from Didina. It is perched at altitude of 1000 feet above Didina and the trail moves away from Ali Bugyal’s general route. If you want to explore more then follow this trek, traverse across the mountain side which joins the Ali Bugyal trek after a steep climb.
Otherwise you can take the direct trail to climb towards Ali Bugyal through the oak forest.
There is another option, trek to Tolpani and muse the hidden adventures of Toplani then return to Didina, stay overnight in campsite of Didina and next day climb to Ali Bugyal.

Next Day start early, stiff climb will wait at beginning and then easy walk at the end towards Ali Bugyal. En route there are enchanting views of Trishul and dense oak forest will remain with you. After 2-3 hour trek forest starts to thin and then oak forest left behind and a large green span will reflect your eyes. It is an indication that you reach Ali Bugyal. You’ll experience unique beauty of nature…several miles of lush green meadow, shiny, adequate charm and stunning landscapes.
You can camp here for the day or further trek of 5km more will take you to Bedni Bugyal, another green carpet of this trek. It is an easy leisure route and end with a short steep climb of 10 min.
There is a tea stall and GMVN rest house available at Bedni Bugyal. Trekker can book it in advance or they can camp here.

• Bedni Bugyal – Patar Nachuni – Bhagwabasa (Altitude: 3505m to 4419m, Distance: 5 – 7 km Trek)

From Bedni Bugyal to Bhagwabasa, trek starts with an easy assent then gradually descends followed by a stiff climb and ends with an easy walk. En route first time thin air and high altitude will affect travelers. Trek up to Patar Nachuni is a gradual climb and easy route. You have to traverse through a large span of meadows and you’ll found Ghora or Patar Nachuni Lotani meadows, which is a last stop for the horses. You can camp in Ghora Lotani for the day or can move ahead towards Bhagwabasa. Ghora Lotani offers splendid view of Bedni and surroundings and clear water streams out of the side of slope is a water source.
Patar Nachuni – Bhagwabasa: From here the destination is Kalu Vinayak and now the trek goes through a tedious zig – zag route and height is increased rapidly and you get breathless very soon. Climb slowly; distance is not so much, taking rest after every 15 – 20 minute climb will help you breath. Trail to Kalu Vinayak is a thrilling and toughest one.
Kalu Vinayak is small stone shrine where black idol of Lord Ganesha is main deity. Just beside the temple, snow line begins and trail from Kalu Vinayak to Bhagwabasa goes through an easy walk of 2 km. Now you can see snow patches alongside the trail.
Bhagwabasa is a small cluster of huts and local habitants of the region provide services like accommodation (per bed basis) and they can also cook for you. There is a campsite known as Hunia Thal in Bhagwabasa just 5 min far from these huts. It is a rocky place and enough room for 4 tents. You have to carry your own sleeping bags and tents because nights are extremely cold.

• Bhagwabasa – Roopkund (Altitude: 5029 m, Distance: 5 km Trek)

This route remains snow capped throughout the year. Gradual climb and snow patches make some difficulty to trek further, thus you have to leave Bhagwabasa early in the morning. At that time snow is still hard and you can settle your footsteps easily. At some part the trek is steep but most parts are moderate trek. Roopkund is a crater surrounded with snowy mountains. It takes only 2 to 3 hours to reach Roopkund from Bhagwabasa.
You’ll enthrall to watch this mysterious lake and experience the thin air on such high altitude.
Roopkund – Junargali: An additional climb of 200 feet from Roopkund in snowy patches will take you to Junargali. Most of the trekkers complete their trek in Junargali and believe Roopkund trek can’t be completed without traverse Junargali. This trek takes only 20 – 30 minutes but special care must be taken; take rope and ice – axes. Junargali indicates the end of Roopkund journey.
While returning from here care must be taken because snow starts melting and looks tricky and dangerously sloping. Getting down from Roopkund is often difficult. As soon as possible, try getting down from snowy patches safely and land in Bhagwabasa. Now you’ll not find any difficulty to getting down and you can trek back up to Ghora Lotani/ Patar Nachuni in the same day.

• Bhagwabasa – Patar Nachuni – Bedni Bugyal – Wan – Lohajunga

Retrace your path while returning from Bhagwabasa. Explore the meadows till Ali Bugyal then you’ll reach the point where forests start and then trees like Oak, Rhododendron and Cyprus will praise you on completion of Roopkund journey. After a few km down you’ll get a place of green huts that indicates Ghairoli Patar. Here you’ll get glimpse of Mount Trishul.
Trekking back to through a descent ridge, there is river known as Neel Ganga. Rest here and refresh yourself by this pristine water. Wan village is just half an hour climb from this river and after a long journey you’ll get entry in a busy civilization area. Nearest road junction from Wan village is Kasar Bagad, here you’ll find local jeeps up to Loharjunga.
Loharjunga is main junction and from here you can directly move to Rishikesh or Haridwar.

• There is one another itinerary for Roopkund trek that is followed by many travelers, as:

Delhi – Kathgodam – Gwaldam – Deval – Mundoli – Loharjunga – Wan –Ghairoli Patar – Ali Bugyal – Bedni Bugyal – Patar Nachuni – Kalu Vinayak – Bhagwabasa – Roopkund.

Chankaya, the philosopher!

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Chanakya was an Indian teacher, philosopher and royal advisor. Originally a professor of economics and political science at the ancient Takshashila University, Chanakya managed the first Maurya emperor Chandragupta’s rise to power at a young age. Fifteen great thoughts by chanakya which could help the person to lead the life in a better way :-

1) “Learn from the mistakes of others… you can’t live long enough to make them all yourselves!!”

2)”A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and Honest people are screwed first.”

3)”Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.”

4)”There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.”

5)” Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions – Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead.”

6)”As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.”

7)”The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.”

8)”Once you start working on something, don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”

9)”The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction.”

10)”God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple.”

11) “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”

12) “Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness.”

13) “Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends.”

14) “Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person.”

15) “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.”

The largest saltwater crocodile of the world

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The largest saltwater crocodile of the world, named Lolong died in Philippines on 10 February 2013.
Lolong measured 6.17 meters (20.24 feet) The largest crocodile of the world died because of illness that is not known. It is believed that Lolong was over 50 years old.

Lolong was declared officially as the largest crocodile of its kind in captivity by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2012. It beat the record of 5.48-metre crocodile named Cassius which was kept in park in an island off Queensland, Australia. Lolong belonged to the family of species called Crocodylus Porosus, or the Indo-Pacific crocodile, which is said to be the largest reptile of the world.

Dal Makhani recipe from Delhi!

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Dal makhani as it is popularly known in the punjab, with its smooth flavour is a delicacy that is very much a dish of the punjab.

Preparation Time: 15 mins.

Cooking Time: 40 mins.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup whole urad (whole black lentil)(for 2 hours add some amount of baking soda on that)
2 tbsp rajma (kidney beans)
salt to taste
3 tbsp butter
1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
2 green chillies , cut lengthwise
2 cloves (laung / lavang)
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 tsp ginger-garlic (adrak-lehsun) paste
1 tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1 1/2 cups fresh tomato puree
1/2 cup fresh cream
2 tbsp chopped coriander (dhania)
1 tbsp fresh cream for the garnish

Method:
Clean, wash and soak the whole urad and rajma overnight(or you can soak it for 2 hours by use of baking soda)
Drain, add 2 cups of water and salt and pressure cook for 7 whistles or till the dals are overcooked.
Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid.
Whisk till the dal is almost mashed. Keep aside.
For the tempering, heat the butter in a deep pan and add the cumin seeds.
When the cumin seeds crackle, add the green chillies, cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms, and onions and sauté till the onions turn golden brown in colour.
Add the ginger-garlic paste,chilli powder, turmeric powder and tomato puree and cook over a medium flame till the mixture leaves oil.
Add the dal, salt and approx 2 to 3 tbsp water if required and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Add the cream and mix well. Simmer for 2 to 3 more minutes.

 Today is the day of love as they say

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Today is the day of love as they say. The saint (Valentine) as a patron of love may still be a legend, but the original messenger or even an incarnation of Love is Krishna.

His entire life is a doctrine of love, devotion and friendship. He was Yasoda’s lifeline. She showered her vatsalya on him and the stories of his maakhan-chori and the subsequent punishments from the mother are as legendary as they come. He in turn was a devoted son. He loved Nand-lal and Yasoda as though their real son would not have. The feeling of “maitri” – kind of devotion and love is evident in a story that transpires between him and Sudama when they were in rishi Sandeepani’s ashram. Both were playing atop a tree among its branches when Sudama spotted a snake nearby and was petrified with fear. He communicated to Krishna. Krishna, being an embodiment of love and without “dvesha” for any being, presented himself with a friendly disposition to the snake and as the legend has it requested it to leave lest his friend would get more fearful. The snake poisonous as it was, showed no signs of fierceness and left the place meekly. Sudama was astonished.
It is also legendary how he later welcomed his pauper Brahmin friend Sudama into his palace in Dwarka and showered his bliss of friendship on Sudama. He even gave him the command of 3 lokas as the legend has it in response to Sudama’s devotion to the friend. He was equally bothered about all his devotees and showered his love and blessings unto all who were devoted to him. Arjuna was another of his friends whom he revealed his “Viraat Swaroop” out of love and a reward of his devotion.
Then there are the legends of the ultimate devotees or bhaktas – the Gopikas and the foremost of them being Radharani. Here, the expression of “maadhurya” in love and devotion is to be seen in its pomp. They were apparently rishis of yore who had incarnated in their current lives to express their love and devotion for the supreme personality of godhead. Extreme penance and meditation had sprouted the divine love in their hearts. Such is the effect of selfless love that even the ascetic sadhus are smitten by it. Meerabai is a more recent example whose love for Giridhar transcended senses as the poison chalice presented by Rana did not have any effect on her. And no love directed towards went unrequited. Rukmini sent a letter to him expressing her love for him and requested him to flee her from her palace lest she be married to shishupala against her wish. Krishna, the warrior arrived in his shining armour and fought a battle defeating the foes and fled with his bride. Her letter to him is as described in the Bhagwat Purana:
http://www.stutimandal.com/gif_bhgvt/rukmini_sandesh.htm

Those who have renounced the world, in whose hearts “vairagya” (dispassion) has dawned, are gullible to be attracted by Krishna (Manohar). That is the meaning of the word Krishna – “all attractive”. All the qualities that are attractive to a human mind find their genesis in Krishna including renounciation. Anyone who came in contact with Krishna felt “mantramugdha” and instantly became joyful. Such was his love for every being. And krishna is also known as premavataar – the incarnation of love and devotion.

An amazing spiritual and musical journey in the splendor of the historical forts of Jodhpur and Nagaur

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“An amazing spiritual and musical journey in the splendor of the historical forts of Jodhpur and Nagaur”
The stage is set, the curtains are drawn and the audience are waiting with great anticipation. Musicians! If you have been waiting for that one opportunity, The prestigious Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur and the Ahhichatragarh Fort in Nagaur open their doors to an extraordinary sacred and historical musical journey. Lit by the sparkling incandescence of a thousand candles, magnificent, inherited and spiritual arts will carry you to the very origin of a tradition linked to those pilgrims of the past, travellers of the spirit, who brought to civilisation a sense of inspiration and meaning. Through dance, music and singing, treasures of the Indian culture from Rajasthan and Kerala, nomadic poetry of the Silk Road from Kazakhstan to Afghanistan, Sufi rituals from Turkey or Egypt, will be revealed during this new festival.
so lets join this vivacious event to feel the heart of the music.