BEST TRAVELLING PLACES

  5 MONSOON TREKS IN UTTARAKHAND YOU CAN'T MISS The first shower of the monsoon brings with it not just respite from the scorching heat but also breathes life to nature's lush foliage. The season is also one of the best times of the year to experience the vibrant culture and traditions of the mountains, especially those of Uttarakhand because it is during this period that the state celebrates some of its most beautiful festivals – be it the Shivaratri festivities in Kangra and Chamba, the Harela festival that marks the beginning of the monsoon or the Nandashtami festival that is celebrated by the indigenous Bhotiya community residing in the northern parts of the state. Here are 5 picturesque trekking routes that offer the best of both nature and local culture during the rainy season.   Valley of Flowers Surrounded by mountains, dotted with gurgling streams, strewn with flowers and offering a much-travelled-on path – the  Valley of Flowers  is one of India's most popular tre

  5 DIVINE PLACES TO VISIT IN BADRINATH Mystery and mythology interweave the places to visit in Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India. It constitutes one of the four heavenly abodes (Char Dham) of the Hindu pilgrimage circuits in India. You cannot visit the pilgrimage in the winters. The reason being Lord Badrinath resides in the Narsingh Temple at Joshimath at that time. The high priests determine the opening and closing dates of the shrines of the Char Dham. It is important to be aware of the time one can embark on the journey to check out the places to visit in Badrinath Dham. The Route We had planned to cover all the places around Badrinath in a single day. We started from our hotel in Joshimath at around 7 am. It was November and extremely cold outdoors. Wrapped in multiple layers of woolen sweater and a bomber jacket, we set off in our vehicle.  As our car drove ahead, the character of the mountains kept changing. All around now, the grey rocks broke the blue skyline in craggy peaks. A