India Tourism

Travelling to remote areas, trying challenging adventure sports and testing one’s endurance to its limits account to what we know as adventure tourism. Be it in the east, west, north or south, the country has ample options that offer the desired adrenaline kicks to the adventure enthusiasts.

Rock climbing

The possibilities for rock climbing in India are immense and to a large extent, unexplored. Classified into free climbing, aid climbing and free and aid climbing – rock climbing can be performed throughout the year, except monsoon months. The ecstasy of reaching the top and calling out to the world is simply inexpressible. Some of the best sites for rock climbing in India are Sar Pass in Himachal Pradesh, Miyar Valley in Himachal Pradesh, Shey Rock in Kashmir, Paithamala in Kerala, Madhugiri in Karnataka, Malshej Ghat in Maharashtra and Hampi and Badami in Karnataka.

Heritage: Journey through Hyderabad’s royal palaces

Hyderabad’s true beauty lies in its historical core from where the modern city took shape

Hyderabad, home to monuments like Charminar and Mecca Masjid, is known for the opulence of its fascinating palaces and Havelis. A number of these architectural wonders lay hidden in its narrow alleys which few, except locals, were aware of. But the most splendid ones, however, are the ones built and occupied by the Nizams themselves.

Walking down

For over half-a-century, these palaces remained a mystery. It was in the late 1990s when they were thrown open to the public that these palaces made the news. The aura of romance and mystery surrounding them is still strongly embedded in peoples’ imagination, be it Falaknuma, Chowmahalla or Purani Haveli, the once official residence of the Nizams.

The Nizam rule in Hyderabad started in 1724 under Nizamul-Mulk who established the Asaf Jahi dynasty after the fall of the Golconda Qutb Shahis in 1687. Subsequently, seven generations of his successors who came to be known as the “Nizams” ruled Hyderabad and parts of Deccan for almost two-and-one quarter centuries. The period, mainly during the reign of the sixth and seventh Nizams, was marked by a flood of construction activities as many of the great edifices the city is proud of today were built back then. These are largely concentrated in the southwestern and southeastern quarters of the city.

“The total area of the palaces built by the successive Nizams in the Old City alone would be more than a million cubic feet which is three times more as compared to that of their predecessors, the Qutb Shahis,” says Narender Luther, a former civil servant and historian based in Hyderabad.

Sikkim is beyond forested hillsides and snowcapped peaks. Take a tour to discover some of the state’s hidden jewels

If you travel from anywhere in the Old City in southwestern or southeastern direction with Charminar as the starting point, you can witness some of these magnificent palaces.

“In recent times, Hyderabad’s cyber techno-hype,” as Luther says, “has overshadowed its historic charm, nawabi lifestyle and elegant courtesies”. But the pageantry and extravagant exploits of the royal courts that once enthralled the world hungry for something “exotic” have left an imprint in these intriguing palaces. From Charminar, the three important palaces: Falaknuma in the south, Chowmahalla in west and Purani Haveli in east form Old City’s golden triangle.

Gangtok

You can start a Sikkim tour from the southeast where the capital, Gangtok, introduces you to the state’s rich culture. The city became a Buddhist centre after the Enchey Monastery, first built in the 1840s, was blessed by “flying” tantric master Drupthob Karpo. From then, its importance grew and Gangtok became the capital of the kingdom of Sikkim in 1894, ruled by a dynasty with the hereditary title of Chogyal. The monastery is scenically set at the top of the town with a thick tree cover.

You can watch masked dances during festivals like Detor Chaam in December and January. The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, established in 1958, has a wide collection of artefacts related to Vajrayana Buddhism and Tibetan culture including stunning painted and embroidered thangkas, tantric ritual objects, Buddhist icons and scriptures. A library on the first floor houses precious Buddhist tomes while a revamped souvenir shop sells a collection of jewellery, mementoes, books, ritual objects and documentaries on Sikkimese culture and tradition. From here, visit Do-Drul Chorten, a large white stupa surrounded by glass-walled galleries with innumerable flaming butter lamps and a monks’ hostel.

Walk along the ridge to see the exterior of the Chogyal Place and the impressive Tsuglhakhang Temple.

From Enchey Monastery, head north to Ganesh Tok, one of the best viewpoints in Gangtok together with Tashi Point and

Hanuman Tok. The Himalayan Zoological Park near Ganesh Tok is one of the best places to see a clouded leopard, snow leopard, Himalayan bear, red panda and mountain birdlife.

Arts, crafts and cuisine

Head west from Ganesh Tok to the Government Institute of Cottage Industries that promotes skills like paintings, weaving, woodcarving and mask-making. Watch artists paint Buddhist scenes, mandalas or deities on cotton or silk cloth on what is called thangkas. Else observe Lepcha and other women weave on traditional back-strap loin-looms. Another interesting art form they create here are the masks made by

carving wood or in papier-mache worn during lama dances. Woodcarving is done to produce low tables called Choktse which are exquisitely carved, polished and painted in red, blue, pink, orange, brown and golden.

Tea tours in India have gained popularity in the past one decade and have now become an important part of many travel itineraries

About 24 km from Gangtok, Rumtek is famous for carved Buddhist figures. It has an extensive monastic complex, one of the most important institutions of Tibetan Buddhism and seat of the Black Hat sect. The impressive flat-topped main building has gold finials and a beautiful silver and gold chorten is studded with semi-precious stones and houses relics of the 16th head of the Black Hat sect.

Gangtok is an excellent place to try Sikkimese cuisine which has distinct links to Tibet. Dumplings called momos with various stuffings and different noodle broth collectively called thukpas are common delicacies. Stinging nettles called sisnu, ferns called ningro, local cheeses called churpi, fermented soybeans, bamboo shoots and wild mushrooms are used in dishes along with locally grown vegetables.

South Sikkim

Head south from Pelling to Ravangla in South Sikkim. This part of the state has coniferous forests, tea plantations, breathtaking sceneries and religious monuments. The hamlet of Namchi is known for its religious structures like the 33 m high Shiva statue in a complex called Char Dham and the 45 m high statue of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) in the Samdruptse complex.

West Bengal

One of the most popular hill stations in the state, Darjeeling is surrounded by tea gardens that produce the famous light-coloured and aromatic Darjeeling tea. It is interesting to note that around 25 per cent of the country’s total tea outcome is from Darjeeling which has about 80 operational tea plantations. Makaibari Tea Estate and Homestay is one of the oldest tea estates of the region. Located at Kurseong, 37 km from Darjeeling, it is one of the top tea producing gardens in the world.

The Happy Valley Tea Estate is another well-known estate. Located 3 km north of Darjeeling, it is one of the highest tea gardens in the world. The estate grows some of the finest tea. It was established by an Englishman in 1854. Later, it was taken over by an Indian aristocrat from Kolkata.

Best time to go March to November

Assam

Assam is the largest tea producing region of the country. The tea is mostly cultivated in the Brahmaputra Valley region. Tea-lovers should not miss the tea estates that are integral to the state. There are several stay options here too where one can relax and rejuvenate amid tea gardens. Every year, the Assam Tourism Board organises the Assam Tea Festival where tea enthusiasts visit magnificent tea gardens and enjoy exciting river cruises while sipping hot tea. One can visit the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, the largest in India.

Best time to go May to June

Kerala

Soak in the fresh aroma of tea leaves as soon as you enter Munnar as the region is dotted with lush tea plantations. The tea journey must start with a visit to the country’s first Tea Museum at Nallathanni Estate to have a captivating look at the history of tea production in the region. One can opt to stay at the KTDC Tea County in Munnar. Nestled between two hills, it is an important destination for ecotourism activities centred around Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Pampadum Shola National Park and the newly developed Neelakurinji Sanctuary.

Kundala Tea Plantation is another must-visit unit in Munnar. Surrounded with a lake, it will be a heart-warming moment to witness the entire tea-making process here. One can also visit The Tea Sanctuary that has a series of refurbished old colonial bungalows in the middle of a huge tea estate.