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The money that you spend on travelling, is an investment in yourself. Sounds cliché, right?! Read that again! Well, scientists have proved that travelling has a positive effect on your body and mind. So, every time you travel, you invest in improving your health. If mental, physical and emotional health tops your priority list, the 10 health benefits of travelling, listed in this article, will change your take on travelling. We know this might not be a good time to travel. But it's a good time to know the benefits of travelling so that when its safe to do so, you know what to prioritize. Travelling has several health benefits that have been scientifically proven and lets take a deeper look at what they are. 10 Health benefits of travelling are: Decreases stress levels Lowers risk of depression Rewires mental (brain) health Improves muscle health Strengthens immunity system Improves sleep quality Keeps your heart fit Improves respiratory health Helps in maintaining strong bones Curbs period problems 1. Decreases stress levels Stress is a silent killer. It can cause an increase in blood pressure and an increase in stress hormone named cortisol. This eventually leads to weakening of the circulatory system and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal problems and fertility issues. Travelling takes your mind off the on-going stressful situations in your life. It helps release happy hormones and decreases cortisol level, thus making you calmer and content. A research study conducted by ‘University of Pittsburgh’s Mind & Body Centre’, determined that a holiday enhances positive emotional levels and causes a drastic drop in stress levels in corporate employees. It was observed that just by removing people from the activities and environments that tend to be the source of stress, the levels of cortisol decreased significantly. A significant drop in stress levels was noted in more than 80% of participant subjects just after a day of travelling. Stress reduction is one of the most important health benefits of travelling. Travelling resets your body and mind and takes you away from your daily stressful routine. You feel less anxious, well-rested and in a better mood when you are on a vacation. And these improvements don’t disappear as soon as you return home, but they last for several weeks after your vacation. Of course, this works better if you do not miss your flight/ bus and don’t lose your baggage! If you tend to put yourself in financial difficulty by travelling, then you will find it harder to reduce stress. 2. Lowers risk of depression A survey done by ‘Diamond Resorts International’ found that over 75% vacationers reported feeling happier when they planned a holiday at least once a year. Just the trip planning phase can give you a lot of happiness. And reminiscing vacation memories triggers happiness long after you have returned from a holiday. Hence, travelling either takes you out of a depressive state or lowers your future risk of depression by a significant percentage. Travelling tends to lift your mood and can be a source of motivation for you. Visiting specific places, like mountains, forests and beaches, are shown to be effective at lowering rates of stress-related diseases including depression and anxiety. Since light regulates melatonin level and you tend to absorb a lot of it on a typical vacation, it has a positive effect in treating/ lowering depression. A survey conducted by ‘Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin’ found that women who vacation at least twice a year are less likely to suffer from depression and chronic stress than women who vacation less than once every two years. Treating depression is indeed one of the major health benefits of travelling. 3. Rewires mental (brain) health According to ‘Merzenich's Body of Research’, people who - travel to new places, keep learning about new languages and culture, encounter novel experiences, and interact with new people, are far less likely to develop cognitive decay and encounter degenerative disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A fixed daily routine does not exercise your mental faculties as your brain does not have to deal with any new information. Travelling exposes you to new unpredictable situations. This forces your brain to new pathways and creates fresh neuronal connections which increase emotional stability, cognitive flexibility, and creativity. Travelling gets your brain involved in making new decisions, learning new languages, navigating through new pathways and encountering novel stimuli. You have to think about every small thing when you are in an unfamiliar place, which gets your neurons firing. This keeps your mind young and improves memory and concentration. Apart from these, travelling often gives you much needed time with yourself or your loved ones. It lets you introspect and reflect upon your life in a different way, something your daily life does not allow. Hence often best solutions or ideas come during or right after travelling. 4. Improves muscle health While on travel, you work your muscles more frequently as you are excited to learn about your new destination. You walk, you swim, you hike, you participate in adventure activities; much more than you would do when you are back home. This helps develop and tone your muscles nicely. In a usual routine day of work, you tend to be inactive for long periods by sitting on a desk in front of your computers. The lack of movement tightens your muscles and causes spinal deterioration. While travelling, you are more physically active and get enough exercise to develop muscles without even realising it. Research states that you tend to walk at least 12,000 steps a day when you are sightseeing. Even a walk on a sandy beach forces your muscles to work twice hard than the usual. And it’s not just about the muscles in your limbs. The heart is also a muscle. Travelling keeps your heart healthy. We have often observed that our muscular strength increases after a good hike/ trek. 5. Strengthens immunity system While travelling, you get exposed to various foreign substances like new food, different environment, altering weather conditions and novel surroundings. The interactions of these fresh foreign particles (read antigens) with your immune system leads to the development of new antibodies (proteins that fight against foreign particles) in your body. These antibodies further protect you from illnesses in future by strengthening your immune system. When you are constantly on the go, travelling from places to places, you provide your body with a chance to adapt to thousands of germs, bacteria and viruses. These pathogens, in turn, make your body and your gut stronger. Well, research says that some new pathogens are not at all a bad thing! Even we have observed that after years of travelling extensively, we seldom get sick when exposed to new weather, environments or food. However, this does not mean that you shouldn’t be practising basic hygiene like healthy eating and sanitizing. With proper precautions, you can easily boost your immunity without any risk of falling sick. Strong immunity builds up hence turns out to be a vital health benefit of travelling. 6. Improves sleep quality Bad quality of sleep results in irritability, chronic disorders, and poor cognitive efficiency. Research states that an adult should sleep at least seven to eight hours every night. This sleep time can be easily achieved during travelling as you tend to get tired after walking, sight-seeing and carrying out activities. Devices such as smartphones and laptops emit light that causes melatonin suppression. Poor sleep is one of the results of the decrease in melatonin content in the body. While travelling, you are less likely to use these gadgets which eventually helps in improving the quality of sleep. Also, the natural light that your body absorbs when you are outdoors, increases the melatonin levels in your body. Furthermore, it is easier to sleep when you are less stressed and free of anxiety, which we know are the major health benefits of travelling. A planned trip can help regulate your circadian rhythm and help improve your sleep cycle. This, we have experienced first hand. Whenever we are on holidays, we tend to sleep more deeply and peacefully than the other nights we are at home. 7. Keeps your heart fit The more you walk and the more activity you do, the more you get your heart pumping. And travelling makes you indulge in more activities. If your heart pumps stronger, you will be at very low risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol problems. One of the biggest health benefits of travelling is that it makes your heart healthy and strong. Research has proved that walking more while travelling helps in releasing happy hormones, thus reducing stress levels. Lesser stress means a lower risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. In ‘Framingham Heart Study’, the researchers found that men who didn’t take a vacation for several years were at 30% more risk to have heart attacks. 8. Improves respiratory health City pollution and other urban toxins are taxing on your respiratory systems. These increases your chances of susceptibility to various respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer and sinusitis. You may not even realise, but your respiratory system is struggling each day to keep you away from these ailments. Travelling to places that takes you away from urban pollution and industrial set-ups offer your lungs a respite from the toxicants. It helps the lungs to detoxify and recoup back to a healthier state. Breathing in the fresh and oxygen-rich air of forests and greener spaces significantly cut down the risk of asthma and other respiratory diseases. Travelling to beaches and breathing in the salty ocean air helps in reducing cough and decreasing sinus pressure. On the other hand, travelling to high altitude places like mountains helps in improving lung capacity and lung functioning. Keeping lungs fit is an important health benefit of travelling. 9. Helps in maintaining strong bones When you travel, you tend to spend a great deal of your time outdoors while doing activities and sight-seeing. This naturally results in absorbing a lot of sunlight (if you travel to a warm place). The sunrays provide Vitamin D, a very essential nutrient that can’t be gained even through proper diet. Vitamin D is directly linked to increased absorption of calcium through the digestive system and mobilizing calcium into the bones, thus making the bones strong and healthy. Vitamin D also significantly reduces the onset of osteoporosis (weak and fragile bones due to decreased bone density). Hence, taking a break from work and travelling to a warm place that provides ample sunshine (read beach!) is extremely good for your health. We make sure that while travelling, we absorb as much Vitamin D as possible, by getting up early and soaking up in the morning sun. Strong bones are one of the scientifically-backed health benefits of travelling. 10. Curbs period problems Generally, women do not prefer travelling during their periods as they believe that the period problems dampen their travelling experiences. But travelling can help in curbing period problems like irregularity, heavy bleeding, mood swings, abdominal cramps and bloating. While many hormones play a role in controlling your menstrual cycle, the two most important ones are – cortisol and melatonin. Excessive cortisol release causes mood swings that include irritability and anxiety. Research has proved that travelling lowers cortisol levels, thus relieving the body of excessive stress and helps with the mood swings during menstruation. Decreased level of melatonin causes women to suffer from PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome). Travelling involves soaking up in the sun, that increases the level of melatonin in the body, thus alleviating period problems like irregularity and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Higher melatonin also leads to better sleep and decreased crankiness. Moderate exercise and activities during travel help improve blood circulation, hence relieving abdominal cramps and bloating. So, do not hesitate to travel while on your periods. But also make sure you do not overdo things that elevate menstrual stress. Also, do not be careless in maintaining proper hygiene and sanitisation while travelling during periods. PIN THIS IMAGE Health benefits of travelling are huge and there are several other benefits apart from the ones mentioned above. Travelling helps you reinvent yourself, it makes you mentally resilient, it enhances creativity, improves your productivity, betters your communication skills and broadens your horizons. Now that you have finished reading about all the good things that travelling does to your mind and body, it’s time to wait for the pandemic to get over, pack your bags and get going! Happy travelling. #TravelInspiration

Hampi - The Land of Boulders and Ruins in Karnataka, attracts a huge tourist crowd every year. Just 140 kilometres from Hampi, lies an absolutely beautiful but underrated town named Badami. Badami is often under-looked or clubbed together on a day trip from Hampi with Pattadakal and Aihole. However, we feel that Badami has the potential to be a standalone tourist destination and at least 1-night should be spent at this place to get the most out of this unexplored gem. This article will act as a complete guide for you to plan your trip to Badami in Karnataka. Location of Badami, Karnataka: Badami is located in the Bagalkot district of the Indian state of Karnataka. It used to be the capital of Chalukyas (Indian royal dynasty that ruled central and southern India) between the 5th and the 8th century. Badami lies 450 kilometres away from Bengaluru and 420 kilometres away from Hyderabad. It is often visited as a weekend destination from both Bengaluru and Hyderabad. As stated above, trip to Badami is mostly clubbed with the nearby popular destination Hampi, which is just 140 kilometres away. How to reach Badami, Karnataka: Air: Belgaum, which is 150 kilometres away, is the nearest airport to Badami, Karnataka. From Belgaum airport, you can either hire a prepaid taxi or take a bus to Badami. Flights from major airports in India including Hyderabad and Bengaluru, operate to Belgaum. Rail: Badami railway station line is well connected with daily trains operating from Bengaluru and Hyderabad railway stations. The train journey is almost 12 hours long from both Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Road: Badami town is well connected by road to nearby metros like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. From Hampi, Hospet or Hubli, you can either hire a taxi or hop into a government bus to reach Badami, Karnataka. We rented a motorbike from Hampi and rode to Badami, Karnataka through the NH50 highway. The route from Hampi – Hospet – Badami is extremely scenic with several sunflowers’ fields on the way (if you travel in the month of August/ September). We stopped by at least 3-4 fields in between that were blooming with bright yellow sunflowers. It was fun speaking with the farmers and photographing the colorful surroundings. History behind the name 'Badami': The small town of Badami was formerly known by the name Vatapi. Vatapi was a demon killed by a sage named Agastya. Hence, the man-made lake in Badami is named after the sage. It was named Badami as the sandstone rocks in the area are "Badami - Almond brown in Hindi language" in color. Places to visit in Badami, Karnataka: Badami Caves There are in total 4 sets of rock-cut caves in Badami, Karnataka which are together known as Badami Caves. One can drive/ ride directly to the Badami caves. It has a huge parking lot from where you have to walk and climb on foot to explore the caves. Each of the set of caves in Badami, Karnataka is considered as examples of Indian rock-cut architecture. All caves are carved into a cliff’s monolithic stone face which is considered to be soft sandstone. Each cave includes an entrance with a verandah that further leads to sandstone pillar and the main hall. Each set of caves is a little higher than the other. Ascending a few steps from the parking lot you enter ‘Badami cave 1’. And further up the stairs comes Badami cave 2, then Badami cave 3 and finally Badami cave 4. All caves are linked with a stepped path with intermediate terraces that overlook a man-made earthen lake named as Agastya Lake. The view of Agastya Lake from the level of Badami cave 3 and 4 is incredible and should not be missed. Badami cave 1 was excavated in the 5th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. A large rock carved in the shape of Shivalinga forms the centre of the cave. The ceilings, the walls and the pillars are all adorned with deeply cut sculptures of deities and swans and all things considered holy. The highlight of Badami cave 1 is the unique sculpture of 18-armed Nataraja, also known as the ‘King of Dancers’. Climbing about 60 steps from the façade of Badami cave 1 is ‘Badami cave 2’. Badami cave 2 was excavated in the 6th century and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Meditating deities on the opposite side of the entrance guard the approach. The highlight of Badami cave 2 is the ceiling that is adorned with Fish-Wheel with 16-spokes finely carved in the rock that is surrounded by Swastika patterns. The pedestals of several deities in Badami cave 2 are adorned with sculptures of dwarfs. Another 60 steps from Badami cave 2, takes you to ‘Badami cave 3’. Badami cave 3 is the largest of all the 4 caves of Badami. The cave is adorned with exquisitely carved sculptures of 8-armed Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, Varuna, Garuda and Narasimha. The walls are sculpted with friezes of various episodes of Mahabharata. The pillars are adorned with sculptures of divine couple deities like Shiva-Parvati and Naga-Nagini. Indeed Badami cave 3 is the most ornate of all the caves of Badami. Descending a few stairs from Badami cave 3 will take you ‘Badami cave 4’. Badami cave 4 is the smallest of all the caves of Badami, Karnataka. It is considered to be unfinished and left incomplete by the sculptors. These set of caves are also referred to as Jain cave temple as it is dedicated to the most revered figures of Jainism like Parshvanath and Bahubali. The walls of Badami cave 4 are carved with sculptors of Mahavira and other Tirthankaras. Apart from these set of 4 caves, other cave monuments and medieval age temples have also been found around the Agastya Lake but those remain away from the tourists’ eye due to lack of maintenance. In a few of them, water gushes every monsoon, submerging the caves under the water. Though being the most touristy place to visit in Badami, Badami caves are a must-visit. Caves Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM. Open on all days Entrance fee: INR 5/ person Photography: Still camera – Free, Video Camera – INR 25 Badami Archaeological Museum The Archaeological museum in Badami is right beside the Badami caves' parking lot. The museum was set up by the Archaeological Survey of India in the year 1979. We suggest you explore the museum before visiting the caves as it will give you a clear insight into the Chalukyan dynasty. The museum houses antiquities that include sculptures and inscriptions that were excavated from places in and around Badami. All the relics date back to the time between the 6th century and the 16th century. Like the Badami caves, the Archaeological museum at Badami also has 4 galleries. However, that’s where the similarity ends. The galleries exhibit sculptures of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesha along with other deities. Exquisitely carved Makara Torana panel (that depicts scenes from Bhagwad Gita) is the highlight of the museum at Badami, Karnataka. Museum timings: 9 AM to 5 PM. The museum is closed on Fridays. Entrance fee: INR 5/ person (Free for children up to 15 years) Photography is not allowed inside the museum. Badami Fort and Upper & Lower Shivalaya Temple A reasonably easy uphill climb from a small entrance just outside the ASI museum in Badami will take you towards the Badami Fort. The series of steps to Badami fort (about 365 in number) is through a narrow gorge. In some places, it is so narrow that you will have to slide sidewise and slip into the other end. The Badami Fort is believed to be from the 6th century. The fort is however weathered and is in ruins. The only evidence of the fort that has been left is the bastion. The view of the opposite hills and the Agastya Lake from the Badami fort is incredible. Climbing a bit further from the Badami fort, you reach the Lower Shivalaya temple and then the Upper Shivalaya temple. The Lower Shivalaya temple’s outer walls have been dismantled and only the empty pedestal remains. The Upper Shivalaya temple has beautiful carvings of Ramayana characters like Kumbhakarna and Lord Krishna. As such there’s not much to see in the temples, however, the panoramic view of the rocky landscape and that of the Agastya lake that you get from the top is stunning. Agastya Lake Agastya Lake is a man-made step lake surrounded by almond-brown sandstone hills. The Badami caves, Badami fort, upper and lower Shivalaya temples and Bhutanatha temple all surround the Agastya Lake. The lake is fed by waterfalls from the southern hills each monsoon. If you visit Badami during monsoon, you will find a series of waterfalls from the southern hills pouring water into the Agastya Lake. During summer, however, the lake is reduced to a big pond and almost about all the ghat steps leading to the lake are visible. Agastya Lake looks extremely picturesque during the early morning. The view of the lake from atop the Badami caves and the Upper and Lower Shivalaya temples is incredibly stunning as well. Agastya lake is an awesome place to spend some time in peace. You could choose to sit on the ghat steps and soak in the beauty of the nature surrounding the lake. If you are interested in getting some cool heritage pictures, with Bhutanatha temple in the backdrop, the place is photogenic too. Out of all the places to visit in Badami, we found Agastya Lake to be the best. Bhutanatha Temple Bhutanatha temple is surrounded by Agastya Lake on three sides in peak monsoon season. However, in summer, you will find less/ no water around the temple. Bhutanatha temple was build in the 8th century during the rule of Chalukyas in Badami. The temple houses Lord Shiva as a deity in its sanctum sanctorum. Bhutanatha temple is set against a backdrop of beautiful reddish cliffs. The Bhutanatha temple mostly remains deserted and hence you can peacefully enjoy the tranquillity and serenity of the place. The temple has splendid architecture and beautiful stone carvings. A few other temples and small caves are located in the vicinity of the temple which are worth exploring if you have time in hand. Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are a few other temples like Mahakuteshwara temple and Mallikarjuna temple located in Badami that you can visit if you can squeeze them in the time you have. Duration of visit to Badami, Karnataka: Badami is often explored in a day-trip from Hampi. Very few tourists opt to spend a night in Badami. However, we highly recommend spending at least 2 nights in Badami, Karnataka. On day one, you can reach Badami by afternoon after exploring the sunflower fields on the way. In the evening you can visit the Badami caves, Badami fort and upper and lower Shivalaya temples. On the next morning, you can plan to visit the Agastya lake and Bhutanatha temple in the morning, followed by a visit to the ASI Museum. Rest of the time can be spent in exploring the other sight-seeing spots in Badami itself, or you can move on to explore the heritage sites at Pattadakal and Aihole. Best time to visit Badami, Karnataka: Monsoon is hands down the best time to visit Badami. If you are lucky and on-time, you will be able to witness the Agastya lake being filled by the waterfalls from the southern hills. If you wish to do that, visit Badami right after the monsoon ends. Winter is also one of the good times to visit Badami, Karnataka. Summer in Badami is hot and sunny. The sandstone of the caves as well as the ghat steps tend to become hot in the summer heat. Even the Agastya lake tends to dry up in the summertime. Hence, any time between August and February will be ideal to explore this heritage town. Where to stay in Badami, Karnataka: As we stated earlier, not many tourists opt to stay in Badami; hence the stay options are also less in number. However, there are some decent accommodation options in Badami like Hotel Mayura Chalukya, Clarks Inn Badami and Krishna Heritage hotel. All of these stay options provide basic facilities along with dining options for a comfortable stay. The most distinctive feature about tourism in Badami is that all the places of interest (Badami caves, ASI museum, Badami fort, upper and lower Shivalaya temples, Agastya Lake, Bhutanatha temple) are located in one complex. Hence, you do not have to move around a lot to see all these sight-seeing spots. You can also hire a tourist guide if you are interested to deep-dive into the history and culture of the place. You can find a guide outside the museum or in the parking lot near the Badami caves. PIN THESE IMAGES Badami is a must-visit destination if you are nearby in Hampi, Karnataka. Go explore this place now and let us know how you find it! Happy travelling. #India #SouthIndia #Karnataka #Badami

Diu, part of 'Daman and Diu' - an Indian union territory is geographically located in the state of Gujarat. Strategically very important port in yesteryears, Diu today is better known for its golden white beaches and makes for a lovely laid back holiday destination. Diu is one of the few places left in India where Portuguese influence is still evident, it offers a variety of attractions for travelers and is certainly an underrated gem. Supported by modern infrastructure and a casual vibe, Diu has become a major tourist destination for people of Gujarat and is slowly garnering interest from other parts of India as well. In case Diu is on your radar or you plan on visiting Gujarat, here is a list of top 15 places you must visit in Diu. Unlike general belief of those who have never visited western India, Diu is an island located near the southern tip of the state of Gujarat. Embroiled in wars for few hundred years, Diu has been strategically critical due to its location and commercial success. Various empires such as Ottoman turks (Turkish Empire), Venetians (Republic of Venice), Mamluks (Sultanate of Egypt), Ragusians (Current Croatia), Kingdom of Calicut (India), Sultan of Gujarat, Mughals and of course Portuguese have battled for Diu. Probably years of war prevented Diu from flourishing and it lost its importance to speedily growing Bombay (Current Mumbai). Without getting too much into history, another relatively unknown fact about Diu is that Diu along with Daman and Goa was in Portuguese possession even after Indian Independence, for 14 years. After all negotiations failed, Indian troops had to invade these territories and Portugal had to surrender in 1961. At that time, union territory named 'Goa, Daman & Diu' was formed consisting of all 3 territories. 26 years later, in 1987 Goa was granted statehood and it separated leaving current union territory of Daman & Diu behind. This explains Portuguese influence in these territories even today, something similar to French influence in Pondicherry. Reaching Diu There are 2 ways of reaching Diu - Air and Road. There is no railway station in Diu with closest broad gauge being 90 kms away in Veraval, Gujarat. There are very few flights that come to Diu through the week and they too tend to be costly. Hence the best way to reach Diu is by road. 350 kms from Ahmedabad, Diu is an overnight journey from major cities in Gujarat such as Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat. You can get an overnight bus or hire self drive vehicles from these cities to reach Diu. Within Diu, you can hire autos and taxis for sightseeing. But the best option we would suggest is hiring a 2 wheeler. You can get any type of 2 wheelers from number of places right from the bus stand to move around in Diu Island. The cost can range from Rs.150-300 per day depending on type of vehicle and season. This is what we did and we found it the most convenient way to go around Diu. Note that you must wear helmets while driving. Helmets will be provided along with the rented vehicle. Without further ado let us see top 15 places you must visit in Diu in no particular order - Click here to sign up for our newsletter (3-4 mails per month) and access an interactive version or download a PDF version of map containing exact locations of each of these 15 must visit places in Diu 1. Vanakbara beach Located towards the west of Diu town, the Vanakbara road runs exactly parallel to the Vanakbara beach. The roads are in excellent condition throughout Diu. You can park your two wheeler on the road itself, cross the small brick fence and voila you are right there on the beach. It is secluded and seems unfrequented. The sand is very fine, smooth and white in color. The waves frequently crash on the shores and form white colored lathery foam bubbles with a bizarre sound. We got fully drenched here playing in the water, holding hands and running away from big tides, making sand castles and posing for a lot of photographs. This beach is super clean and felt like our private place to sit and relax. If you are looking for a good private beach in Diu, this is the place to be. Note that this beach is not safe for swimming in sea as the water is a bit turbulent. 2. Naida Caves This is a hidden gem in Diu as not many people visit Naida caves. For well maintained clean natural caves, there is no entrance fee here which surprised us. The entrance is vast and takes you to the naturally ventilated chambers. Unlike other caves which are dark and suffocating, Naida caves are properly ventilated and have lots of space for natural sunlight to pass through, keeping the caves well lit. The sun rays play their magic here with light and dark shadows everywhere. The rock formations and the patterns are incredible and the curvy trees or plants that grow on the rocks offer a beautiful display of extreme persistence. A few rock patterns look like sea waves. Many caves are interconnected here in different arrangements. The interiors are clean and well maintained. The direction sign boards are properly placed to guide the tourists. Without the signs, you can get lost as it is no less than a maze. The location is extremely photogenic and we clicked a lot of photographs here. As we strolled from one cave to the other, our minds commanded us to just sit, relax, enjoy the moment and marvel on nature’s capability to create such wonderful architecture. 3. The Hidden Cliff Okay! So we gave this name to the cliff. This was our serendipitous discovery. In search of a quiet place to spend some time, we took a right turn while returning from Vanakbara beach, where we saw colorful houses at a distance. We followed a small road leading to the houses and soon started driving towards a cliff. Passing the colorful houses which were actually small Portuguese huts or shrines, uninhabited since long, the road turned narrower and into a rocky track. After a few meters, we went off the road and all we saw ahead of us was a barren land with strange rocky formations. To our surprise we were right at the end of a cliff. The view from the edge was breathtaking. The waves at the bottom crashed on the rocks and rose in our direction as high as 25-30 feet. The endless sea in front of us made us feel on the top of the world. We clicked innumerable pictures here. Despite failed attempts to try to locate this place in the map, we named it the 'Hidden Cliff'. The location is between Nagoa beach and Vanakbara beach and that’s all that we know. What might help you to reach this place is the sign board on the main road which says 'Saudwadi Village Panchayat welcomes you'. 4. INS Khukhri Memorial INS Khukri was a Type 14 anti-submarine warfare frigate of the Indian Navy, which played an active role in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. She was sunk by PNS Hangor - a French Daphne Class submarine of the Pakistan Navy - on 09 December 1971 at 40 nautical miles off the coast of Diu, Gujarat. This was the first warship sunk in action by a submarine since World War II. It remains the post-Independence Indian navy's only warship to be lost in war to date. A memorial was built at Diu for the officers & sailors of INS Khukri who lost their lives on that ill-fated day. The memorial consists of a beautiful scale model, encased in a glass case. The memorial is excellently maintained with clean surroundings. The whole setup is at an elevated level from where you can see the endless Arabian sea and Chakratirth beach. An amphitheater is constructed at the memorial that offers picturesque view of the sea. Shell structured seating areas add to the beauty of the place. All in all, it makes up for a perfect sunset point. 5. Ghoghla Beach and Jogging track Ghoghla beach, though being in Diu does not form a part of Diu Island. It is located at the easternmost part of Diu. It is considered as one of the most frequented and crowded beaches in Diu. We visited it very early in the morning to view the sunrise; hence we did not confront any crowd. Except for a few joggers and stray animals the long beach was secluded. We just strolled from one end to the other for a morning walk and sat down at the shore to have a quiet and peaceful time. The soft cold wind blowing from the sea was caressing. The beach is clean in some areas and littered by people in some. It has fine sand and in parts is muddy. Ghoghla beach is surrounded by few resorts, the landscape is flat and water is pristine. A few water sports dock were seen towards the end which are offered by the resorts. It is safe to swim on this beach. The Diu fort and Pani Kotha are visible from the beach at one far end making a beautiful skyline. All in all, it was nice to visit the calm and peaceful Ghoghla beach. Another gem we found very close to Ghoghla beach on the way back to Diu Island is a kilometre long jogging track which is nicely maintained by the government. Right adjacent to the beach is a modern stylized dome like structure which is a joggers track. It is very well maintained, has good seating areas and offered beautiful view of the Ghoghla beach. 6. Rukhda Tree This again was a serendipitous discovery. While driving to Gomtimata beach, just 500 meters after Nagoa beach, we saw a sign board towards the left side that said – Rukhda tree. We headed off in that direction curiously and saw a gigantic tree hidden amidst a thick canopy of coconut trees. This tree, we learnt, is generations old and is held sacred. We could also see some flowers and garland on the tree trunk. It still bears fruits and flowers in its season. It is supposed to be a Baobab tree of Madagascar origin. The tree has an enormous girth around which on can play ‘Ringa-Ringa’. We tried making a garland of arms around it and it took seven of us to succeed. Around the Rukhda tree were vast fields of cultivation and coconut trees. Being a peaceful and calm place, you can relax or just stroll around nature in this area. We roamed about for quite some time around Rukhda Tree and clicked ample photographs. 7. Diu Fort The most popular and crowded place in Diu, especially on weekends, is Diu Fort. This fort was built by the Portuguese during their colonial rule of the Diu Island. It is a large and impressive structure on the coast of the Diu Island and commands a magnificent view of the sea. It skirts the sea on three sides. The outer wall of the fort is built along the coast line. The inner wall had bastions on which guns are mounted. A double moat between the outer and inner walls provides security to the fort. There are several cannons still seen at the top of the Diu fort. Even now the ruins of the walls, gateways, arches, ramps, bastions of the fort provide an impressive view of the extent of military defenses that the fort provided in the past. The fortress of Panikota is clearly visible from here. The fortress is accessible only by motor boat or canoe. By the look of it, it was beautifully constructed structure on the coast. Note that fortress of Panikota acted as Diu jail built by the Portuguese and became famous after Bollywood movie starring Ajay Devgn - Qayamat was shot here. Tourists are not allowed inside but one can take a boat to go around it. A large lighthouse is also located at one end of the fort. We sat at the lighthouse for quite some time enjoying the cool breeze and topmost views. 8. Gomtimata beach This beach lies at the westernmost part of Diu Island. It is a secluded beach, quite far from the hustle-bustle of the Diu town; hence quiet and peaceful. It is not frequented by many visitors mainly because it is devoid of any water sports or beach side stalls. This is what makes it so beautiful, clean, and serene and close to nature where seagulls hop and water splashes each time to eliminate the eerie silence. At one end of the beach one can spot a small lighthouse and lots of fishing boats with colorful flags. We enjoyed the wide sea view, vast stretch of white sand and the pleasant climate while getting drenched in the water. 9. Dinosaur Park This is located towards the left on the way towards Nagoa beach. There is not much here for adults to do. It is more like a children’s park with two huge statues of dinosaurs. The park is equipped with dinosaur themed slides and a few more rides. The major plus is that the park is located right adjacent to the sea. The coast is rocky and kept clean. The tides here are really high and dangerous and it is not recommended to get in the water here. It was relaxing to sit back on the fence and watch the tides rising and ebbing away as children played on beach. 10. Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple This temple is located right on the edge of sea. The main temple is a few steps beneath the ground level. It adorns five Shivlings which are believed to be established by the Pandavas from Hindu mythology - Mahabharata during their hideout. This is an example of one man-made wonder. The Shivlings are differently sized in ascending order – the largest one believed to be of Bhima. The Shivlings are built in such a manner that during high tide the waves wash each of them and retreats. The best part is that there are not priests here, hence the tourists can go near the idols, touch them and worship to their heart’s content. The whole idea is fascinating and divine. What we also enjoyed a lot were the cliffs near the temple which had some benches facing the sea where we could just sit and appreciate the views. 11. St. Paul Church It is definitely not one of the attractive churches we have been to, but it is nicely maintained, clean and welcoming. It has an impressive architecture with an exquisite white-washed façade outside and beautiful wooden carvings inside. The church houses a host of old paintings pertinent to the life of Jesus Christ and the apostles. A quick visit offered us a feeling of sheer divinity and peace of mind. Photography is prohibited inside. 12. Sea Shell Museum According to retired Captain Devjibhai Vira Fulbaria, the man behind this humble treasure, the museum houses the largest collection of sea shells in Asia; which we felt is either a thing of past now or a marketing gimmick. We have visited the ‘Indian Seashell Museum’ in Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, India and it is clearly more well maintained, professional and boasts much larger collection of seashells. What was nice in Diu's sea shell museum was that the Captain was very friendly and enthusiastic, always accompanying and explaining the shells and story behind each one of them. 13. Diu Museum This is more of a church than a museum and lies right next to the St. Paul’s church. There are statues of Jesus and His disciples and a few other saints. It is small, clean and well maintained and hardly takes 10 minutes to complete visiting. It felt more like an attempt to preserve an old church structure without creating an actual church. We believe it was called St. Thomas church earlier. One can also visit gardens opposite the Diu museum which the kids might like. 14. Chakratirth beach Chakratirth beach, right adjacent to the INS Khukhri memorial is a clean and beautiful beach. The shallow water here looks very inviting but jelly fishes are backstabbers. It is advisable not to go too further into the water; one of us got stung by a jellyfish and all of us had to rush to the hospital. But we would recommend this for sunset and enjoying a beautiful evening. 15. Asides Apart from the above mentioned attractions, there is Nagoa beach which is one of the more popular beaches in Diu and also has many water sports for the adventure seeker. However, just one sight of the crowd from a distance made us take a U-turn. In our attempt to escape city life, we were in no mood of walking right into noise and chaos. If you do not mind crowds, you can visit it. If you have even more time, few other okayish sightseeing places in Diu include Fudam Bird Sanctuary, a few other beaches such as Jallandhar beach, churches and lighthouses and Nagar Sheth Haveli constructed in Portuguese style. Hoka trees are also famous here but not really a tourist attraction. You might come across these trees without realizing. They are natively grown in Arabian peninsula and Africa. A type of palm tree, Hoka trees and found only in Diu and surriounding areas in India. As you must have realized, Diu has a very good and varied coastline. Government has setup and maintained various hubs at multiple places listed above. These spots allow for a good walk or have benches where you could sit and enjoy the sea. Roads are very good and you might be surprised how good the infrastructure around some of these places is maintained. The whole aura of Diu is very laid back and slow. No one is ever in a hurry and there is not much traffic unless you wander into old town areas which have narrow lanes. If you compare it with regular popular beaches of Goa, you might feel disappointed. But we felt Diu was very similar to villages of coastal Goa with much more modern amenities. PIN THIS IMAGE Click here to sign up for our newsletter (3-4 mails per month) and access an interactive version or download a PDF version of map containing exact locations of each of these 15 must visit places in Diu. What are your thoughts about our list of must visit places in Diu? Did we miss out any place? Have you visited Diu before? Do let us know in the comment section below. #India #UnionTerritories #Diu

Taktsang Monastery or Paro Taktsang, popularly known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery is located in the outskirts of Paro district in Western Bhutan. Paro Taktsang is basically a cluster of temples clinging to the edge of an impossibly steep and rocky cliff, seeming to hang in space some 800 metres above the valley. The monastery is located at an altitude of 3120 metres above sea level. Paro Taktsang is the most sacred Buddhist site in Bhutan. For a traveller, if there is one place you ought to visit in Bhutan, it is Taktsang Monastery. In this blog, we will highlight everything that you need to know about the monastery from its history to the hike to the points to remember before visit. So, read on. If you missed out on our previous blogs of the series - 'The Bhutan Odyssey', read them by clicking on the links or the photos below: 1. Introduction to Bhutan and why you should visit it 2. Plan your trip to Bhutan 3. Places to visit in Thimphu 4. Travel to Phobjikha (Gangtey) Valley of black-necked cranes 5. Punakha - Sightseeing places in the winter capital of Bhutan 6. Paro Taktsang (Tiger's nest monastery) – A complete travel guide (This article) 7. Places to visit in Paro 8. 20 Best places to visit in Bhutan 9. Photoblog: People and culture of Bhutan How to reach Paro Taktsang (Tiger's nest monastery): The base of Paro Taktsang, from where the hike starts, is located approximately 12 kilometres away from Paro town. You can hire a taxi to reach Paro Taktsang base. It will take you around 30-40 minutes in a car/ taxi to reach the starting point of trail to Taktsang from lower Paro town. You should ideally reach Paro the day before and start your hike in the morning around at 8 AM. Best time to visit Paro Taktsang (Tiger's nest monastery): The best time to visit Paro Taktsang is between the months of March to May and again from September to mid-November. You will get clear skies and the weather remains at its best during these months. From March to May, you will also be able to see the trail leading to Paro Taktsang come alive with most beautiful blossoms especially Rhododendrons. Though we visited Taktsang in early May, a cyclone in bay of bengal resulted in a cloudy and rainy weather. This made the hike slippery and slushy but it also resulted in some mystical landscapes as you would notice. History related to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's nest monastery): It is said that a female disciple of Guru Padmasambhava transformed herself into a tigress and carried him on her back from Eastern Bhutan to the site of Paro Taktsang in the 8th century; hence the name Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Guru Padmasambhava assumed a wrathful form, Guru Dorji Drolo, and subdued the evil spirits in the temple’s locality. The tigress also resided in a cave at the temple site and owing to its fearful form helped to ward off evil spirits. At Tiger’s Nest, Guru Padmasambhava unveiled certain treasures for the benefit of sentient beings. He meditated at the Paro Taktsang for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours and emerged in the eight incarnated forms. You can still see the cave where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in 747 AD. Hence, the monastery is also sometimes referred to as ‘Temple of Guru with Eight Names’. In the 16th century, a small temple was built at Paro Taktsang site by a Buddhist master. In the 17th century, the temple site was offered to ‘The Beard Man’, who is credited as the founder of Bhutanese nation (Read our 1st article in the series - Introduction to Bhutan to get better perspective). The Beard Man instructed Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, the civil ruler of Bhutan, to build a big temple of 8 manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava. Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye was successful in completing the construction of Paro Taktsang or Taktsang monastery by 1694. In 1998, Paro Taktsang was destroyed in a fire, the cause of which remains a mystery. All the precious religious images and relics were charred to cinders, and centuries of art, history and tradition were consumed swiftly by the flames. It was then painstakingly rebuilt over 7 years, exactly as it was, with almost every Bhutanese citizen contributing to its reconstruction, in cash or in kind. The charred remains of the precious old images were interred in new images that were made. It was a very special day when the new Paro Taktsang was consecrated on 24 Mar 2005, a symbol of Bhutanese resilience and faith. Surprisingly, the ceremony was conducted by a little boy who is believed to be the young reincarnation of the Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye – the one who had originally built the monastery three centuries earlier. Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's nest monastery): It will take you about 2-3 hours of a strenuous hike on the rocky and muddy terrain to reach the Paro Taktsang if you are fit enough. Rains or crowd might slow you down to 4 hours. The trail starts with a walk through a small open flea market where locals sell imitation jewellery, showpieces and Bhutanese artefacts. You can rent a trekking stick from here. The path that leads to the Paro Taktsang is steep and narrow and the hike is mostly along the cliffside. The total distance that you will cover in the hike is about 3 kilometres one way with a gain of 700 metres in elevation. You can opt to hire a pony from the base if you are unable to climb such distance or if you have dodgy knees or ankles. However note that a pony will take you up only till a point. We started the hike early in the morning with our guide Dorji from The Nature Tourism – Bhutan after buying tickets to enter the Paro Taktsang from the base/ parking lot. The entire hike to Paro Taktsang is dotted by colourful prayer flags, bright red coloured rhododendron trees and pine trees clinging aside the cliffs. Some of these trees even had boards calling out their age. We were surprised to know some trees were more than a century old. Every twist and turn in the trail offers you a view of different landscape which is as beautiful as the other. Seating benches are installed at a few picturesque points on the path that comes as a welcome break if at all you need it! The entire trail up the Paro Taktsang is also littered with shortcuts, which you should only opt if you are an experienced trekker. While we huffed and puffed and took frequent breaks while ascending, the Bhutanese locals seemed to float up the slope with great ease. Till midway, you will hike on an unpaved muddy and rocky uphill path till a flat area. The ponies will take you only till this flat area point and you will have to hike yourself after this. A huge prayer wheel is installed in this area. Smaller prayer wheels are lined up on one side that rotates continuously with the strong wind. Various colourful Buddhist flags that are tied everywhere haphazardly flutter with the wind. From here, the trail branches off, one on left goes to the Paro Taktsang and the one on right through the gate shown in photograph below goes to a cafeteria. The cafeteria serves tea / coffee along with biscuits which costs Nu 120 or so. They also serve lunch buffet at Nu 500 per person. They have a free to use toilet which is clean enough. One can also catch a good view of Taktsang monastery from here if it is not foggy or cloudy. From here the path becomes steeper and after another 30 minutes. You would see more and more colourful Buddhist prayer flags as you keep ascending. You would also find couple of benches if you would like to rest. The path flattens down to the viewpoint. All the awesome photographs that you have seen of the Paro Taktsang perched on a cliffside are taken from this spot. The hill on which the monastery stands seems to be of copper colour and often referred to as copper coloured mountain. From this point onwards, you will continue to have amazing views of the Taktsang monastery as well as the valley. From the viewpoint, you will descend 700 cemented stairs to a waterfall. Yes, there is a waterfall that tumbles down from a 60-metre-high ravine right between two mountains and will spray cold water on you. You will be able to view another small monastery beside the waterfall, several feet above, stuck in between a rocky plateau. This one’s is called as ‘Temple of Urgyan Tsemo’. You will cross a bridge over the waterfall and will have to ascend another 200 stairs to reach Paro Taktsang. The Paro Taktsang from outside: You can enter Paro Taktsang only and only if you have bought the entrance tickets from the base/ parking lot. Entrance tickets are not sold at the top or anywhere mid-way. You will have to deposit all your belongings including backpack, camera, mobile phone, walking sticks and eatables in a locker facility at the entrance of the Taktsang Monastery. Photography is not allowed inside the Taktsang monastery just like it is not allowed inside any other monastery in Bhutan. Even sleeveless or half sleeves clothes or shorts and half-pants are not allowed in the monastery. Make sure that you are dressed appropriately with both your arms and legs covered and your head uncovered at all times when inside the monastery. Like most prominent buildings in Bhutan, Paro Taktsang has white exteriors with red or gold roofs. The Paro Taktsang from inside: The Taktsang monastery building consists of four temples, eight caves and several residential quarters for monks. The monument is very thoughtfully designed keeping in mind the ledges, cliffs, rocky terrain and the caves. The entrance to the first cave, where several images of Buddhist monks are kept, is through a very narrow passage. Lighted butter lamps are kept in front of each image. From here, we ascended a few steps to another temple where there is an elegant statue of Lord Avalokiteshvara. In the adjoining temple, there is a big hall with statues of thousand Buddhas. The cave where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century can be viewed from this hall. This cave is called ‘Pel Phuk’. The cave where Guru Padmasambhava resided is sealed and can be accessed only once a year. Our guide, Dorji, invited us to sit on the floor and meditate silently for a while in the hall. Sitting cross-legged, we suddenly became conscious of the complete silence in this isolated part of the Himalayas. Deep inside this temple where Guru Padmasambhava used to meditate brought us chills. From this temple, we again descended a few steps to a cave housing a sacred chorten. All the temples and buildings are interconnected through steps and stairways from inside and a few viewpoints here and there offer stunning views of the valley. The return journey: The return journey was much faster, with lots of photographs clicked and memories made. While returning, we often wondered if we hiked up the same path that we certainly would have! Together we experienced enthralling landscapes, breathless climbs and knee-crunching descents. But nothing was more rewarding for us than the calm and peace we felt when inside the Paro Taktsang. Few points to remember: The hike to Paro Taktsang could be ranked as an easy to moderate hike. Even amateur trekkers can easily attempt it. Start the hike early in the morning so that you reach Paro Taktsang by afternoon and are able to return back safely in the day-light. If you are fit enough, you can plan on completing the hike between 8 AM - 1 PM assuming you spend some time clicking pictures and inside the monastery. Do not skip breakfast the day you are supposed to hike to Paro Taktsang. In fact, eat like a King on the day of the hike. You will burn a lot of calories during the hike. There are no shops selling eatables on the hiking trail to Paro Taktsang. There is just one cafeteria that comes mid-way and as already mentioned, the options are limited and cost high. Carry at least 2 litres of water, some energy bars and a few eatables as per your choice in a bag during your hike. If you are an amateur trekker, it is advisable that you rent a trekking stick from Paro Taktsang’s base. The rent is usually Nu 50 per stick. You will have to give the trekking stick back when you return. It is a must have if it is expected to rain. Remember to buy entrance tickets to Paro Taktsang from the base. Entrance tickets are not available anywhere in between or at the top. The entrance ticket office at the Paro Taktsang base opens at 07:30 AM and closes at 01:00 PM. If you do not wish to enter the Paro Taktsang and only want to hike to the viewpoint, you need not buy any entrance ticket. If you feel you cannot climb the entire trail, opt for a pony ride from the very beginning. You will no get any pony ride mid-way or after hiking for some time. The pony charges were Nu 600 when we visited Paro Taktsang but it depends on the day and season. Always halt towards the mountain side and not the valley side while giving way to the ponies. Do not take shortcuts while on the trek unless you are an experienced trekker. The trail to Paro Taktsang is well defined and you probably may not need a guide at all unless you want someone to guide you through the interiors of the monastery. Locker facilities are available at the top, right at the entrance to Paro Taktsang to keep your valuables and backpack. Remember to dress appropriately on the day you visit Paro Taktsang. Your hands and legs should be mandatorily covered at all times while inside the monastery and your head should remain uncovered. Photography is prohibited inside the Paro Taktsang monastery. You will have to keep your mobile phones and camera in the lockers at the entrance to the monastery. Shoes are not allowed inside any of the caves or temples. Remember to remove them before entering. Washroom facilities are available at the base and mid-way cafeteria. It is free of charge. A separate washroom facility is available outside the main monastery at the top on a paid basis (Nu 20). Carry a poncho or a raincoat or an umbrella. You never know how the weather acts up and you wouldn’t want to be all drenched during the hike to Paro Taktsang. PIN THESE IMAGES Have you ever been to places that were just in your dreams? Did you feel magic unravel when you visited those dream destinations? We felt exactly this way when we visited Paro Taktsang. Do let us know how you found our blog on Paro Taktsang and share the article with your loved ones who fantasize to visit this beautiful monastery. #Bhutan

Bhutan is unlike a mediocre tourist destination. The first word that comes to our mind when we think about Bhutan is 'magical', while the second one is 'underrated'. Bhutan has remained a landlocked kingdom of constitutional monarchy, aggressively protected culture and values, deities and demons, kings and administration, monasteries and fortresses. It has a glorious past and would appeal anyone in love with nature, culture and modernisation bonding together. The former capital of Bhutan, Punakha, is one such town that has so much to offer. Right from the marvellous Punakha Dzong standing tall in between the confluence of two rivers, to the glorification of phalluses at the Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha is different than the other towns in Bhutan. In this fifth blog of the series 'The Bhutan Odyssey', we will detail out all the sightseeing places in Punakha along with some useful tips and recommendations. If you missed out on our previous blogs of the series - 'The Bhutan Odyssey', read them by clicking on the links or the photos below: 1. Introduction to Bhutan and why you should visit it 2. Plan your trip to Bhutan 3. Places to visit in Thimphu 4. Travel to Phobjikha (Gangtey) Valley of black-necked cranes 5. Punakha - Sightseeing places in the winter capital of Bhutan (This article) 6. Paro Taktsang (Tiger's nest monastery) – A complete travel guide 7. Places to visit in Paro 8. 20 Best places to visit in Bhutan 9. Photoblog: People and culture of Bhutan Punakha is a valley town located in Western Bhutan. It used to be the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan for about 300 years till 1955 when the capital was moved to Thimphu. Owing to its lower elevation (1200 metre above the sea level), the weather in Punakha is warm in winter and hot in summer. The villagers staying at higher altitudes in Bhutan migrate to Punakha during the winter season to escape extreme cold weather. Two main rivers - Mo Chhu and Po Chhu flow through Punakha and hence it remains one of the most fertile towns of Bhutan. Red rice is hence cultivated in large quantities along the river valleys in Punakha. In fact, Punakha is the largest producer of red rice in Bhutan. Places to visit in Punakha: Let us now look at must visit sightseeing places in Punakha - 1. Dochula Pass between Thimphu to Punakha Dochula Pass is not actually in Punakha valley but it is a high-altitude pass located between Thimphu and Punakha. Driving east from Thimphu, Dochula Pass lies on the crest of a ridge at 3050 metres above sea level. When we visited Dochula Pass, the sky was overcast and it was so foggy that we were not able to see anything a few feet away. However when the sky is clear, Dochula Pass offers a spectacular view of the snow-covered peaks of Mount Gangkar Puensum and other Himalayan peaks. Dochula Pass is a magnificent group of 108 chortens or stupas. A chorten is basically a repository for religious offerings. The 108 chortens at the Dochula Pass were built to ward of evil spirits and to mark an important event or victory. The militant groups from India's north-eastern region had established guerilla camps in dense jungles of southern Bhutan, from where they used to launch terrorist attacks. In December 2003, Bhutan's army was successful in destroying the militant camps but also lost 11 Bhutanese soldiers to the war. The 108 chortens were built to ward off the danger, for the safe return of all the soldiers, and in respect of the lost lives. The number 108 is an auspicious number representing the number of prayers in Buddhism that make up a complete cycle. The group of chortens constructed at the centre of road crossing are also called as Druk Wangyel Chortens or Chortens of victory. The 108 chortens arranged in three tiers of 45, 36 and 27 small chortens encircling the main chorten present a magical sight. We spent an hour at Dochula Pass moving around the chortens, clicking photos of the dandelions surrounding the chortens and sipping a hot cup of coffee while appreciating the beauty of the colourful blooming rhododendrons. There is a cafe near the chortens where you can have tea or coffee and use washrooms. 2. Punakha Dzong The first aspect of Punakha that struck us on arrival is the majestic Punakha Dzong (fortress) also called as Punthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong (Palace of great bliss). The Punakha dzong looks like a towering citadel of whitewashed stones at the confluence point of two rivers - Mo Chhu and Po Chhu. The two rivers meet right after crossing the dzong and forms Punakha Chhu river. The Punakha dzong standing alongside a row of jacaranda trees in full purple bloom, against a clear blue sky, encircled by two sparkling rivers, and wrapped in the fragrance of incense, looked painstakingly beautiful. In the winter season, the entire monastic body moves from Thimphu's Tashichho dzong to the more temperate climate of Punakha dzong; hence Punakha is also known as the winter capital of Bhutan. The Punakha dzong has been damaged by fire, earthquake and floods several times in the past but is rebuilt successfully every time. The Punakha dzong was built in the year 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (The Beard Man - Refer our previous article Introduction to Bhutan to know more about him), who is the founder of Bhutanese state and who unified the country. He died at the dzong and his embalmed body is enshrined in the dzong's holiest temple. The local folklore states that Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) prophesied in the 8th century that a young man (The Beard Man) would come to a mountain that looked like a sleeping elephant, and will build a dzong at the place where the elephant's trunk rests. If one sees clearly, the mountain behind the dzong indeed looks like a sleeping elephant whose trunk forms a land where the dzong is standing. One has to cross a suspension bridge over the Mo Chhu River to approach the Punakha dzong. The bridge leads to a steep wooden staircase that is the entrance of the dzong. There are three courtyards inside the Punakha dzong. This also happens to be the place where the last Royal wedding took place in 2011. The current king of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck married Jetsun Pema, the new Queen in the largest media event in history of Bhutan at Punakha Dzong. One can see the hall where ceremony took place from outside through glass. The Punakha tsechu (festival) is an annual festival that is organised at Punakha Dzong. It takes place in the first month of lunar year (usually March) and is a dramatic event that combines religious rites and prayers along with display of horsemanship and swordplay. There is also a re-enactment of the historic war between the Beard Man's army and Tibetan forces with great pageantry and dramatic flair. Punakha dzong is the second oldest and the second largest dzong in the country and is a must-visit place in Bhutan. It is advisable to take a Bhutan tour package which makes visiting as well as understanding the cultural nuances such distinguished structures so easy. Note: Be properly dressed in full sleeves clothes and fully covered bottom to gain entry into the dzong. Your head should remain uncovered at all times when inside the dzong. Bhutanese locals have to mandatorily wear their national dress (Gho and Kira) along with a scarf to enter Punakha dzong. The dzong is open to visitors from 9AM to 4PM. An entrance fee of 300 Nu (equivalent to Indian Rs. 300) is charged. 3. Punakha Suspension Bridge Bhutan is a land of hilly terrains and mighty rivers. Man-made walkable suspension bridges are constructed all over the country to cross the rivers and mountain crevices. Such bridges are a common sighting in Bhutan. The suspension bridge in Punakha over the swiftly flowing Po Chhu River is the longest suspension bridge in all of Bhutan. It is a hanging iron bridge and is located behind the Punakha dzong. The Punakha suspension bridge is about 180 metres long and is laden with colourful Buddhist prayer flags on both the sides that flutter continuously with the strong wind. Crossing this suspension bridge is a unique experience one can indulge in Punakha. The suspension bridge can accommodate several people at a time and keeps on swaying with the strong wind giving an adrenaline rush to the tourists, but it is perfectly safe and well-built. The bridge connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha dzong and is often used by locals to cross the Po Chhu River. The bridge provides a perfect spot for nature photography and bird photography. We crossed to the other side of the bridge appreciating the spectacular view of the river, Punakha valley and mountains while enjoying the cool river breeze. Note: The suspension bridge in Punakha can be visited at any time of the day. 4. Chimi Lhakhang Chimi Lhakhang is a Buddhist monastery or temple located in the village of Lobesa near Punakha. The temple is also famous as 'Fertility temple' as praying there induces fertility to couples who wish for a child. Chimi Lhakhang stands on a small hillock and can be reached by hiking the gradually ascending hill for about 15 minutes. The entire path to the temple is dotted with colourful Buddhist prayer flags and purple and orange jacaranda flowers in full bloom. The Chimi Lhakhang is elegantly designed with golden roof and white walls. The temple is located in the centre of a big flat ground with a large Bodhi tree on one side which is said to have been brought from Bodh Gaya (India). Prayer wheels keep whirling as one enters the temple. A large statue of the Divine madman is placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple along with statues of the Beard man and 1001-armed Lord Avalokiteshvara. Chimi Lhakhang was built by Ngawang Chogyel, who is believed to be the 14th Drukpa hierarch. A chorten or stupa was laid at the temple site by Drukpa Kinley (The Divine Madman). The Divine Madman was known for his unconventional methods of teaching Buddhism by way of songs and comedy that displayed sexual connotations and absurd humour. The local folklore states that the Divine Madman subdued a demon in the form of a dog with a phallus called as 'Flaming thunderbolt of wisdom'. He then captured the demon in a chorten and said 'Chi Mi' that means 'No dog'. Since then, this chorten has been positioned at the Chimi Lhakhang temple site. The temple also safeguards the original wooden effigy of the Divine Madman's thunderbolt (phallus) which is used to bless the visitors. Do visit the back side of the temple to get a spectacular view of the Punakha river and the entire Punakha valley surrounded by hills and mountains. While the background of monasteries and stories around it are interesting, it was the view at the back of monastery which made our day. We also got a chance to play football with red-robed child monks in the playground surrounding the temple. It was amusing to see colourful wooden phalluses being sold at the shops lined up from the parking site of the Chimi Lhakhang. Even the exterior walls of all the houses in the village were painted with colourful phalluses. It is said that these paintings bring good luck and prosperity. We also got to see large and beautiful Thangka paintings displayed in the shops near the parking lot. If you are lucky, you can even spot artists making live Thangka paintings. Note: The Chimi Lhakhang remains open to visitors from 9AM to 5PM. No entry fee is charged. Photography is not allowed inside the temple. Be properly dressed in fully covered attire while visiting the temple. 5. Sangchen Dorji Lheundrup Nunnery Perched on a hilltop, overlooking the valleys of Punakha, Lobesa and Wangdue Phodrang is a Buddhist nunnery cum temple named Sangchen Dorji Lheundrup Nunnery or Wolakha Nunnery. The nunnery has a Nepalese styled white-washed stupa similar to the Boudhanath stupa in Nepal with eyes of Lord Buddha painted on all the sides. The 14 feet tall statue in the adjacent nunnery temple is Bhutan's tallest statue of Lord Avalokiteshvara also known as Chenrezig or the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The 11-headed statue has 1000 hands with an eye painted in between each palm. Statues of Guru Padmasambhava, Lord Buddha and the Beard Man can also be found in the temple. The temple is extremely beautiful with intricate wooden carvings and lively colourful paintings - all work done up manually by the local artists. Along with teaching the ways of living a spiritual life, the 120 nuns staying at the nunnery are also taught tailoring, embroidery, crocheting, statue making and thangka painting. The construction of nunnery was financed by the father-in-law of the fourth King of Bhutan and the site now serves as a Buddhist college for nuns. It is considered to be the first college that allows nuns to pursue higher Buddhist studies up to master's level. The tourists are allowed to participate in meditation and immerse in the tranquillity of the peaceful calmness. We were intrigued that we got a chance to peek into the daily life routines of nuns where some were reading and preparing for exams while others were washing utensils or soaking up the warm sunlight or circumambulating the stupa and praying. We also bought a few handmade Buddhist dharma wheels as souvenirs that were crafted by nuns. The site offers a splendid panoramic view of the nearby valleys and mountains and we enjoyed photographing pretty birds. Note: The nunnery is open to visitors from 6AM to 6PM. 6. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten This chorten or stupa was built by the third wife of the fourth King of Bhutan with the intention to bring peace to the world and to ward off evil. The chorten is located on a hill that can be reached by hiking for 1 hour on a trail. After parking the vehicle on the western banks of the Mo Chhu River, one has to cross to the eastern side walking on a long suspension bridge. The trail that leads to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten starts from here. The trail slowly ascends from the narrow path through paddy fields. Once the paddy fields end, a big prayer wheel can be seen where one can take some rest. Elderly people can be seen sitting near the prayer wheel chanting mantras. From here, the trail narrows down and steeply ascends over a hill that is covered by pine trees. At the top, we were welcomed by a large Bodhi tree, two huge prayer wheels in a shelter and the chorten. The chorten is surrounded by a well-manicured garden. From inside, the chorten or stupa is a 4 storey temple with statues of wrathful deities on each floor. The temple is colourful from inside and has beautiful sculptures and paintings made by the local artisans. Each floor has enough space to sit, meditate, pray and light butter lamps. The fourth floor is the roof of the temple from where we got a fantastic view of the zig-zag Mo Chhu river and the surrounding valley. A statue of future Buddha sits on the topmost floor. Accessing the highest level of the temple and soaking in the gorgeous views of the Punakha valley made the whole tiresome climb worth it! Note: The Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is open to visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM. No entry fee is charged. 7. River rafting in Punakha Did you know you could do river rafting in Punakha? After a tiring hike in April heat, most of us were eager to take a dip in the cool waters of Mo Chhu river. But why just take a dip when you could experience the thrill of rafting. So we did a 10 kilometre Grade 2 white water rafting which even the first timers could enjoy. We even stopped to take rest on a beach like stretch which had lovely fine sand! A definite recommendation if it is not too cold in Punakha. Nature Tourism - Bhutan: Nature Tourism - Bhutan organised our customised trip to Bhutan. We had specifically asked them to include some not too difficult hiking to suit the physical abilities of our group. The tour guide, Dorji, appointed to us by Nature Tourism - Bhutan was an expert in cultural and nature trekking. He was the one who suggested that we do the short hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. On the way, he helped us spot and identify various beautiful flowers and birds. He is also a birding enthusiast and helped us click wonderful bird photographs. Again, Dorji was the one who insisted that we do white water rafting in Mo Chhu River and negotiated a discounted rate. The rafting experience was thrilling and we were happy that we indulged in this adventure activity. The resort in Punakha (Drubchuu Resort) where we stayed for 2 nights was amongst the best resorts of our trip to Bhutan. We are highly grateful to Karma Jamtsho, the founder of Nature Tourism - Bhutan, who made all the arrangements and bookings of our remarkable trip. You can book your trip with Nature Tourism - Bhutan by connecting with them through their official website. PIN THESE IMAGES As you may have felt while reading this article, Punakha is a must visit in Bhutan. It has many interesting sightseeing places that you should not miss. Have you been to Bhutan or is it still in your travel bucket list? How did you find our detailed article on Punakha? Do let us know in the comment section below. #Bhutan

Day 7 and 8 of the trip Its been 6 days since we started our journey from Leh and reached Padum via Kargil and Rangdum (Day-1, Day-2, Day-3 & Day-4). We spent 3 nights in Padum, the capital of Zanskar region and explored various monasteries around it (Day-5 and Day-6). It was time now to head back as our Zanskar Odyssey was coming to an end. Despite being up till late yesterday shooting some amazing pictures of milky way, we started early in the morning from Padum. The plan was to reach directly to Kargil. It was going to be a treacherous journey as our two day onward journey (from Kargil to Rangdum and Rangdum to Padum) will now going to be one loooong drive. The thought itself was hurting us since few days. We obviously had to take number of halts on the way, most of them at the same places where we had stopped during our onward journey. Our first stop was the awesome dairy home that we had visited earlier. The local ladies were as expected busy in their regular chores so we decided to have our packed breakfast without disturbing them. They generously offered us some freshly prepared farm cheese (Paneer). It is heartening to see their kindness when they themselves have so little. We too offered some chocolates as a token of gratitude. The small house surrounded by some cattle with a stream of fresh water flowing by in the middle of nowhere will always be engraved in our hearts. On our way again, several horses we saw earlier were still there, grazing with peace without a care in the world. We reached Rangdum around lunch time and had a quick lunch at the same place we stopped earlier - La Himalaya. Sleep made our bumpy ride shorter and we were soon out of the remote Zanskar areas crossing villages near Kargil. We were surprised to see some landscapes with villages located at edge of hills around Suru river, something we might have missed on our onward journey. We finally reached Kargil around 5 PM and checked into the same hotel. With much less stops and lots of sleep, our return journey from Padum to Kargil was less torturous than what we had imagined. We got away with just few aches and pains. On the final day, we were to start from Kargil and reach Srinagar via Dras and Sonamarg, a relatively smaller journey. Unfortunately the war memorial at Dras was closed to visitors on that day as some minister was visiting it so we could not stop there. We stopped at a green grassland after Dras where a stream of river was flowing by. It was extremely relaxing and peaceful with some rocks lying around and mountains on all sides. The weather was mildly cool and wind was extremely pleasant. Beautiful tender dandelions hiding under the grass and pebble stones good enough to make cairns was enough to get our cameras clicking. We met a local old man who was trying to communicate something which we couldn't understand but gladly posed for us. Few kilometres down the road we reached the Zojila pass and saw an amazing glacier upclose. The glacier cuts through the road but BRO (Border road organization) has built a tunnel for the melting ice to pass below the road. The sheer size of the glacier and lovely scales formed by pure white ice diluted by dirt left us speechless. Sheep managed to easily walk on these glaciers but most of us were scared to do so. The sight of huge glacier flowing down the mountain looked like a highway of ice, a path to reach the clouds which covered the peaks. The road post this spot kept throwing us surprises one after another. The interplay of clouds, mountains, snow and water created magnificent sights. The landscapes competed with our road, one getting more and more beautiful at each step while the other getting more dangerous than what we have ever seen. Steep valleys on one side and narrow wet dirt roads, our hearts were in our mouths every time a vehicle approached us from other side. Few centimeters separated us from being on what can be called a road and what could be our final moments of life! But this was normal for our driver and he cheerfully kept driving. We soon saw the Amarnath Base camp, a stretch of plain with multicolored spots. Thousands of Hindus flock this place every year to visit caves of Amarnath Shrine. We could also see some helicopters of Indian Army which took the elite few to shrine. We soon reached Sonamarg where we had lunch. We loitered around for few hours relaxing under huge pine trees. A beautiful white horse grazing alone in the woods accompanied us and few locals posed for us. Few laughs, some snacks and obviously some photographs quickly brought evening. We had some awesome kashmiri kahwah tea under twilight sky and soon it was time to leave. We reached Srinagar late in the night and boarded flights back home the next day. Coming back home seemed like going back to a long forgotten world. A world we knew so well but still didnt feel like our own. For few days each time we looked out of a window, our eyes kept inching higher searching for the peak of the mountain which did not exist. Our hearts kept longing to experience kindness in people which did not exist. Photographs and memories of those mountains and people is all that is left with us, till we walk those magical lands again. Thus comes to an end our series of travelogues - The Zanskar Odyssey. Read all our blogs of the series The Zanskar Odyssey by clicking on the links below: 1. Exploring Leh 2. Leh to Kargil 3. Kargil to Rangdum 4. Rangdum to Padum 5. Exploring Padum 6. Stongdey Gustor Festival 7. Padum to Srinagar #India #NorthIndia #UnionTerritories #Ladakh

Day 6 of the trip This blog is in continuation of Day 5 of our Zanskar trip. We woke up all excited next day as we were to attend the Stongdey Gustor festival, an annual festival in Stongdey monastery. Our trip was actually planned around it so that we could cover this festival. The festival was to start around 12 noon so we decided to cover a few sightseeing spots in Zangla village before the festival. Zangla Village, Padum - Zanskar Valley: The village is located some 30 kilometres from Padum which of course resulted in a pretty long drive time due to non-existent roads. We also met with a vehicle breakdown on the way. Zangla was historically the most important part of Zanskar along with Padum. The kings ruled from both these places. But what remains of this place now is a small village with a small palace, ruined fort and a nunnery. Surprisingly there is no monastery here. Despite being little hot today, the clouds were putting up an amazing show decorating the blue sky. Zangla Nunnery, Padum - Zanskar Valley: We visited Zangla nunnery located at one end of the village road. It consisted of a big prayer hall and a courtyard in between. The nuns were probably on a visit to Stongdey monastery to attend the festival hence we had no one to attend to. We however visited their small age-old underground monastery room with a small door which had many colourful charts hanging all over. The one that interested us was a dull chart of Life Chakra. The centre of the Chakra is where we are, with all needs and wants. Lord Buddha was seen flying out of the vicious Life Chakra circle depicting his end to rebirth cycles. Zangla Palace, Padum - Zanskar Valley: Zangla Palace, which hardly feels like a palace was our next destination. We entered the palace through a mud house with low doors which are said to keep the ghosts away. Next we took stairs to climb up to a stinky central yard of the house and met the host who was to show us the palace. To our surprise the host was the king of the palace. We felt gratified. He opened an old lock to a door and there we saw a lot of antique collection. It was more of a museum than a palace. The main attractions among the antiques were the dreadful Chaam (colourful face masks). Chaams are embodiments of dreadful deities. Masks that have survived for a long time are considered special and very powerful. These masks were worn by the lama dancers in the village monastery’s annual festivals. It was about past 12 now and we rushed to Stongdey monastery. Stongdey Monastery, Padum - Zanskar Valley: Like other monasteries in Ladakh, the white-washed monastery complex in Stongdey is constructed in Tibetan style of architecture. Strategically constructed at the top of a rocky cliff, the monastery offers panoramic views of Zanskar region. The monastery is spread over a big area and has many small temples within its complex. People from all the villages nearby had come to witness the festival. As we entered the main temple, we saw people sitting along the sides of the big courtyard. We took the stairs to the first floor and chose our spot to sit and watch the festival. The celebrations were yet to start. We stood there for about an hour, eagerly waiting for something to start, exhausted by the bright sun, thirsty, hungry but unmoved fearing to lose our spot as more crowd was gradually pouring in. As expected the crowd had many interesting faces and our camera was always on, though the main show was yet to start. Our patience paid off when suddenly people started cheering and clapping marking start of the festival. To our shock, the first thing that happened was arrival of a huge fiery yak tied by ropes held by young men. A sheep and a puppy followed. The yak, sheep and dog are considered to be holy animals who offer their first prayers to God. Yaks and Buddhists have had a largely symbiotic relationship for thousands of years. Many major food sources come from Yaks- butter, milk, and cheese. They’re also used for transportation, clothing, and hauling goods. The yak looked very dangerous and it actually tried to frighten some people away. After a small session of exchange of holy mantras, the animals were taken away. Then started the Chaam dance. Lamas costumed themselves with casually painted masks, ritual swords and dazzling jewels. Drums, trumpets and chanting of monks accompanied the dancers. The dance costume consisted of a gown with long broad sleeves over which a short triangular cape, called a tippet, was worn. The dance continued for a while after which came a lama wearing a very elaborate mask with a laughing face along with two child monks wearing small smiling face masks. This lama is considered to be a Laughing Buddha and the children his disciples who went over among the audience collecting money. The dance programme continued one after other with different people coming and dancing- the nuns, monks with masks of deer, bulls and devils. It was difficult for us to comprehend the story that they were trying to depict and what exactly were they portraying but it was a fun session nonetheless. We decided to leave the monastery in their tea break; all tired and exhausted drenched in sweat. It was too hot for us to go on and few people told us the main part was over. We had to capture the amazing views seen from Stongdey monastery. We recalled the Sangam - a confluence of Zanskar and Indus river when we left Leh on our Day 2 of the trip. Here we could see the Zanskar river being formed by another 2 rivers - Stod river that joined us from Drang Drung glacier on our way from Rangdum to Padum on Day 4 of the trip and Tsarap river which is born near Himachal Pradesh and people who take the Leh-Manali highway see it often. It was unbelievable that we almost came a full circle through the rivers starting our Zanskar journey near the end of Zanskar river and ending our Zanskar journey at the start of Zanskar river. Our team met for a small get together in the hotel during the night and we all decided to go onto the terrace for some Astro photography. The moon was yet to rise and the sky was full of bright stars. We got to see a bunch of shooting stars. A few of us spotted a certain pattern of design in the stars and as soon as we realized what it was, all the cameras were ready to capture it – The Milky Way. Slowly, the stars of the galaxy started getting prominent and yes we saw the Milky Way, crystal clear, with our naked eye. We cannot describe the joy of having seen it. It is such a rare thing to witness with so much of light pollution these days. This was definitely the highlight of our trip. We captured the galaxy to our heart’s content and slept early keeping in view our next day’s long journey back to Kargil. Our trip was soon going to end but thoughts of colorful Stongdey, rivers and stars filled our dreams. Our fairytale dreams! Hope you enjoyed our journey. Feel free to drop in your comments below letting us know your thoughts on the blog and the photographs or drop in your queries about Zanskar. Our next post will be the last in the series. Read all our blogs of the series The Zanskar Odyssey by clicking on the links below: 1. Exploring Leh 2. Leh to Kargil 3. Kargil to Rangdum 4. Rangdum to Padum 5. Exploring Padum 6. Stongdey Gustor Festival 7. Padum to Srinagar #India #NorthIndia #UnionTerritories #Ladakh

Hope you have read all the previous posts of Zanskar trip right from Day 1. Yesterday (on day 4) we finally reached Padum, the capital of Zanskar and our final destination of the trip. On Day 5, we were just too excited to explore this remote treasure. Karsha Monastery, Padum - Zanskar Valley: After breakfast, we drove towards Karsha monastery. Karsha monastery is the largest and most important monastery of the Zanskar region. We drove on the narrow roads crossing the Stod River which originated from Drang Drung Glacier which we saw yesterday. We stopped on the bridge over the river for clicking photographs. Karsha monastery can be seen from the bridge as it is grafted on the foot of a Himalayan mountain with Karsha village on the base. The white houses look like a toe of an enormous brown bare foot like mountain. Driving towards the monastery, we stopped in Karsha village and walked across to explore the place, people and culture. The village was surrounded by green fields full of corn and wheat. The houses in Zanskar are generally two storeyed with a very different roof. The construction of houses involve many glass windows and high stairs to climb up from outside. Though there is vast amount of empty space in the region, the houses are small and compact primarily to keep the room warm. The village has number of fresh water streams flowing through it coming from melting snow of mountain peaks. We saw number of children going to school, some accompanied by a hurrying mother, others casually walking with their friends. Some older women were headed to fields to harvest the crop. Some happily posed for us, while others were too occupied to even care. The location of the village and the natural beauty around it mesmerized us. We spent a lot of time clicking photographs here. We then headed to the Karsha monastery. Our car climbed up the mountain just half the way and left us at the monastery entrance gate. From here we had to climb a long pack of stairs up to the monastery. On our alight, we found small houses with beautifully decorated entrances and windows where Lamas of the monastery stay. Surrounding the stairs were trees on either side. A fantastic view of the landscape below with patches of all shades of green and mountains in the backdrop amazed us. We kept staring at the beauty; climbing, getting tired, sitting on the stairs and then again regaining energy to trudge up. For visitors who are not used to being at such altitudes and breathing thin air, even little effort makes them breathless. We met a few Lamas on our way upstairs that had come to visit Padum from as far as Bylakuppe near Coorg in Karnataka. A small greeting “Juley” brightened up their smile and they started talking explaining us their culture. Monks and nuns are expected to fulfil a variety of roles in the Buddhist community. First and foremost, they are expected to preserve the doctrine and discipline now known as Buddhism. They spend their entire life studying and preaching. Everything basic from food to clothing to shelter is provided to them from the funds that monastery collects. They lead a life of celibacy and are forbidden from using any form of entertainment; though we observed many of them having a cell phone. Reaching the top, we came across a central verandah with a two-storeyed monastery. The Lamas were having tea and biscuits sitting in the verandah. We saw many kid monks dressed in their red robes playing with each other. As we were the only visitors at that time, they were very excited to get their selfies clicked with us. After a few sessions of selfie clicking we entered a big prayer hall. The prayers were just over and the Lamas were seen to be leaving the place. A huge photo frame of Dalai Lama was hanging in the center and a few stairs from the sides led us to the main idol. The big idol was enclosed in glass cabinet. An idol of Lord Buddha with jewelled crown was also enclosed in one of the glass cabinets. There was a strange silence of peace in the entire setting. The colourful flags hung all over giving it a complete look. Outside the prayer hall, we climbed a few steps to reach the first floor. The unparalleled views of the village and the austere beauty of the stark landscape cannot be defined here. We started playing with the kid monks and had lots of fun with them. They posed for us, did some somersaults and clicked lots of photographs with us. Their innocence and naughtiness made the day for us. It was soon lunch time and a child monk blew the holy conch loudly as a signal to rest of the village. The kids ran to collect their plates. A few men carrying big vessels of food started distributing momos and food to them and we realised it was time for us to leave. We made a long and slow descent to our vehicles. It was not tiring physically but our minds kept wandering back to the lives of all the kids we just met and the lamas we talked. The houses carved out of rocky Himalayas, away from hustle and bustle of cities, surrounded by small streams of fresh water running through narrow streets in a village where almost everyone would know you by name. So different and yet so interesting. We left Karsha in amusement. Bardhan Monastery, Padum - Zanskar Valley: After lunch we headed to Bardhan monastery. The monastery is very scenically located on a huge rock next to the Tsarap River. To our surprise the monastery was locked and empty. The security personnel informed us that all the Lamas have gone to a village nearby to bless the couple in a wedding. We grabbed this opportunity to attend a Zanskari wedding and drove towards the village. The car stopped at a dead end of the road from which we had to descend down, cross a wooden bridge over the Tsarap River, climb a hill and follow the path towards Pipcha village where the wedding was being held. All energetic we started for the trek towards the village. Buddhist wedding is a secular affair and is blessed by the monks from the local monasteries. The ceremonies which we attended were from the girl’s side. The groom was not a part of the celebrations here. The rituals were fascinating and very different from anything we had seen before. The wedding deserves a separate blog which we will be posting soon. We soon started heading back to our hotel. On the way we stopped to see Gyalwarina Buddha statues. Many statues of Lord Buddha are carved on a magnificent curved rock on the banks of Stod River. In the night, we had to get on terrace of our hotel and capture some stars and night sky. It was yet another useful session trying to master night photography as our team of photographers kept attempting various settings and angles to get some perfect shots. The serenity and hospitality of the lovely people we met today drove us to a peaceful sleep that night. The trip kept throwing amazing things at us each day which we never expected. On some days it was an unexpected festival (at Mulbekh), on some days spellbounding landscapes (from Kargil to Rangdum), on some days an unbelievable glacier (from Rangdum to Padum) and today the innocence and mischief of child monks and rituals of Zanskari wedding. What would be the unexpected thing we should expect tomorrow? Only time would tell. Read all our blogs of the series The Zanskar Odyssey by clicking on the links below: 1. Exploring Leh 2. Leh to Kargil 3. Kargil to Rangdum 4. Rangdum to Padum 5. Exploring Padum 6. Stongdey Gustor Festival 7. Padum to Srinagar #India #NorthIndia #UnionTerritories #Ladakh

Day 4 of the trip This blog is in continuation of our Day 1 (Exploring Leh), Day 2 (Leh to Kargil) and Day 3 (Reaching Rangdum) of our Zanskar trip. The past 3 days in Ladakh region of India were treacherous in both a good way and a bad way. The landscapes and people were way more beautiful than what we had expected and the journey was way more difficult than what we had imagined. The previous night in Rangdum was extremely cold, the tents were able to do little in keeping us warm. Thankfully the camp site could provide us with hot water in the morning. We tried to wash away the chills and headaches with it. We soon left Rangdum for another adventurous journey to Padum. Padum is the largest town of Zanskar and is considered to be the headquarters of Zanskar valley. The road from Rangdum to Padum was as poor as Kargil to Rangdum, extremely rough and barely existent at a few places. We could see the Rangdum monastery behind us for quite some time till the plains gave way to mountains. Penzila Pass, Zanskar Valley: We soon reached the mountain pass called as Penzila Pass on the way. Penzila pass is the highest motorable point of this area at 14000 feet. It is primarily areas around this point that cut off Zanskar from rest of the world every winter that lasts 7-8 months. Right beside the pass were Statso and Langtso Lakes. The reflections of the snow-capped rocky mountains in the lake, the cows and the horses grazing in the vast valley and the patches of dark green valley and dark blue water made a perfect setting for photographers like us to spend an hour there. The beauty gave us all an adrenaline rush. The Drang-Drung Glacier, Zanskar Valley: Driving few metres further, our eyes caught the vast Drang-Drung glacier, the second largest glacier in the region, largest being the famous Siachen glacier. We looked for a perfect spot to capture the beauty of this 23 kilometres long frozen behemoth. The glacier looked like a smooth highway of ice curving along the snow clad mountains. It lied much lower than the motorable road from where we can view it. The size and the shapes in front of us left us spellbound. Suru river which had been accompanying us since Kargil took a detour before the Penzila pass but now the Stod river joined us in our journey. Stod River is born from Drang Drung Glacier and flows towards Padum, where it joins another river to form the Zanskar river, a confluence we were going to see on our last day in Padum couple of days later. A few more kilometres ahead from the glacier we started descending from the mountains witnessing a thin road cutting through a flat expanse of barren land below us. Various fresh water streams flowed around us emerging from Stod River. As we reached the plains, we found a household run dairy adjacent to the road. It was the only house in the vast plain surrounded by the mountains. We stopped to sip a cup of hot tea there. A lady was drying freshly made paneer (a type of curd cheese) in the fields scaring the crows off. This dried paneer is their source of food during 6-7 months of snowfall. A big stretch of the fields around the house was occupied by herds of sheep and cows that graze around in the valley and provide milk for the dairy to run. On entering the dairy house we met two more girls who were churning the whole milk stored in a huge wooden container to make butter. The girls were manually churning with a wooden plunger in their hands. In one corner of the room were barrels filled with fresh curd. They offered us cups filled with curd along with salt and sugar to taste and by all means that came out to be the tastiest curd we had ever had. We all refilled our cups and savoured the curd to the full. We also got a chance to play with the cute lambs and the calves. Expressing our heartfelt gratitude we left the place for our destination. Back on road, we came across a foreigner riding a bicycle going towards Padum. That was the bravest thing we have seen in a long long time. It is difficult to imagine how one could dare drive a bicycle on a road that was giving us aches everywhere from head to back in a SUV car. Not to forget the dust, heat and luggage he was carrying none of which we were experiencing in our car. There is a thin line between fearlessness and foolishness and he was riding on this line. Thankfully soon as we were to enter Padum we saw good roads coming up and the joy we felt is difficult to describe. Sani Monastery, Zanskar Valley: Crossing small villages, we reached Sani village, a few kilometres away from Padum, where we visited the Sani monastery. It is located in the Stod valley and might be possibly the oldest monastery of Zanskar region. Unlike other monasteries which are built on hill top, this one was on plain flat ground and had a huge verandah around it. We continued on the track of road besides the valley that took us to our hotel in Padum village by early evening. Another long and tiring day thankfully came to an end. We had a delicious dinner with the team talking about the amazing people we met on our way, from the generous and welcoming ladies of the dairy house to the gutsy foreigner on the bike. We were finally at the heart of Zanskar after travelling around 4000 kilometres across 4 days. We couldn’t wait to finally get started and explore this hidden gem the next day. Thanks for reading our travelogue. We have at last reached our final destination and will be exploring some awesome places in next few days. It would be great if you could drop in your thoughts on our photographs and travel blog in comments section below. Read all our blogs of the series The Zanskar Odyssey by clicking on the links below: 1. Exploring Leh 2. Leh to Kargil 3. Kargil to Rangdum 4. Rangdum to Padum 5. Exploring Padum 6. Stongdey Gustor Festival 7. Padum to Srinagar #India #NorthIndia #UnionTerritories #Ladakh

Day 3 of the trip This blog is in continuation of our Day 1 (Exploring Leh) and Day 2 (Leh to Kargil) of our Zanskar trip. After a long journey from Leh to Kargil and the pleasant surprise at Mulbekh monastery, we slept peacefully on day 2 and had planned to start our day 3 at 4:30 in the morning. We were going to travel from Kargil to Rangdum. Though the distance is just about 130 kilometres, the roads are close to non-existent and with a team of all time energetic photographers; it was difficult to reach Rangdum sooner than 11-12 hours. Imambara, Trespone Village - Kargil As we started from Kargil, our first place of visit on the way was Imambara - a beautiful mosque in the Trespone village, oddly 20 kilometres away from Kargil. The mosque is located on a hilltop and reflects a quaint mix of Islamic and Tibetan elements in its construction style and location. It was so cold that we sighted water vapor coming out of mouth as we breathed. As the mosque was closed, we quickly moved. It was amazing to see some sun rays cutting through the might of Himalayas. Our next stop was at a village called Sankoo where shops had opened giving us an opportunity to have breakfast as well as some early morning street action. Sighting Nun-Kun peaks in Panikhar, Ladakh: Next we drove another 45 kilometres to Panikhar which is a huge green expanse of Suru Valley. The beauty of this area was amplified by 2 beautiful snow-capped peaks emerging out of Himalayas ahead of us. We realized these were the Nun-Kun mountain ranges towering high and building a majestic skyline. The twin peaks of Nun and Kun, around 23,000 feet high (Around 6000 feet short of Mt. Everest), are the highest in the Zanskar range in Ladakh and are separated by a snowy plateau of about 4 kilometre in length. A green patch of grass besides the road, the Suru river passing calmly, the cold piercing our jackets, and the white twins ahead of us, commanded our undivided attention. We had to take a group photo here. After much reluctance to leave such an amazing place, we moved on. We kept stopping briefly at number of villages on our way which gave us some photographic opportunities to capture the village houses as well as some cute kids on their way to school. Since there would be one school for various nearby villages, we could see really young kids walking few miles everyday to reach their school, some posed for us, some were scared of us. The Parkachik Glacier, Ladakh: Driving 15 more kilometres accompanied by the Suru river, we reached the hill slopes of Parkachik-La. Parkachik Glacier is a majestic mass of ice moving slowly down the Nun-Kun slopes. This ice mass falls finally into the Suru River, providing a magnificent view of the huge ice-fall. After Panikhar, the road became an unmetalled dirt track; such that we were leisurely driving at a pace averaging about 15-20 km/ hr. All along the way from Kargil, the Suru River kept us company. The roadside was adorned by fall colored grass and shrubs. This added a unique dimension to the scene. Slowly the greenery started getting sparse and all life that was left were patches of grass valleys here and there along the sides of the river. We took a break near another snow clad mountain, a point where we saw the first stupa on the way with some Tibetan prayer flags. The point marked the end of Islamic area of Kargil and beginning of Buddhist area of Zanskar. We next stopped someplace on the way with a lot of horses grazing besides the river cutting through the snow-capped mountains. Lots of food around, pure water to drink, views that people pay thousands to see, no one except a few enthusiastic photographers to disturb them and not a thing in the world to care about. What a life these horses might have! We also saw some sheep and not to forget the cute little marmots. Marmots are large squirrels found only around mountainous areas. All they do is sunbath lazily on rocks and live under the ground. We found many marmots sunbathing and giving a loud whistle on seeing us which is a danger call to fellow marmots. As we moved on we came across some beautiful lakes with sparkling fresh pristine waters. The landscape was stunning that we almost wanted to stay there for rest of our lives. There were very few villages on the way and they too had a handful of houses. We wondered how people might live here, in the middle of nowhere befriending tyrannical mountains and bitter climate. The roads kept worsening as the unmetalled dirt track we were on since Parkachik gave way to barely visible trail. Tiredness was now giving way to aches everywhere. We were soon on a flatland full of stones where vehicles could create their own paths and streams of water could be found anywhere. We could see few mountains at distance with a strange pattern on it, as if nature created wavy lines on rocks by brushing its fingers on them. We saw a small hill at the bottom of the textured mountains with a monastery on top. Rangdum was finally in sight. We reached Rangdum late in the afternoon and charged ourselves with one of the best Dal-Chawal servings at the only restaurant located in the vast plains of the area of Rangdum. The poor road condition has preserved the virgin beauty of this place as not many tourists care or rather dare to visit Rangdum. We reached our place of stay for the night which was a lovely campsite located amidst the barren mountains on all the sides. Some of us were still very energetic after a long day travel to visit Rangdum monastery nearby while others were dead tired after an extremely bumpy ride. In the night, we were served a sumptuous dinner which was to our surprise very delicious and fulfilling. This charged us up to try out some night photography. Since remote places such as this hardly have any artificial lights, it calls for some high exposure shots. The sky was spoiled by the moon as it became difficult to capture what we desired but nonetheless we kept trying to get some good shots of the enormous mountains and an alien landscape. Soon everyone was asleep except us and all lights were out except the moon. It felt bizarre as if standing on a different planet thousands of miles away from home in an almost hostile environment with a severe headache. It suddenly hit us how lucky we are to have visited this place, to be here and witness a different face of nature, to experience how infinitesimally minuscule we are in this vast universe and yet how much there is to do in our lives. Thoughts of wonder, admiration, fascination and probably confusion took us to bed. A day full of adventurous journey which introduced us to newer and fascinating landscapes came to end under a sky full of stars. We were so taken aback by the amazing things the day showed us that Kargil and Leh now seemed a distant past though we were there just yesterday. Stay tuned to discover our journey to the highest point of our trip, the second largest glacier in Himalayas, meeting some awesome people and seeing some stunning places as we move on to Padum, the capital of Zanskar on the Day 4 of our trip. Read all our blogs of the series The Zanskar Odyssey by clicking on the links below: 1. Exploring Leh 2. Leh to Kargil 3. Kargil to Rangdum 4. Rangdum to Padum 5. Exploring Padum 6. Stongdey Gustor Festival 7. Padum to Srinagar #India #NorthIndia #UnionTerritories #Ladakh

Day 2 of the trip The Zanskar Odyssey is a series of 7 blogs which describes our journey through Zanskar Valley, a remote yet beautiful region of India. Surrounded by the Himalayas, our plan was as follows - Day 1 - Reach Leh Day 2 - Start from Leh and reach Kargil Day 3 - Start from Kargil and reach Rangdum Day 4 - Start from Rangdum and reach Padum, the capital of Zanskar Valley Day 5 - Explore areas surrounding Padum Day 6 - Attend Stongdey Gustor Festival Day 7 & 8 - Return from Padum to Kargil and reach Srinagar to take a flight back This blog is a continuation of Day 1 of the Zanskar trip: A Day in Leh This is the second article in The Zanskar Odyssey series where we start from Leh and reach Kargil. After a tiring day 1 which saw us landing at Leh airport in Ladakh region of India, experiencing some after-effects of sudden altitude changes, visiting two monasteries in Leh (Stakna and Thiksey) and witnessing some spectacular landscapes which only Ladakh is capable of providing, Day 2 of our Zanskar Valley trip started early in the morning as we took the Srinagar-Leh highway (National Highway 1) to reach Kargil. The plan was to reach Kargil by the evening after stopping at a few scenic places on the way. Despite the rough terrains and isolated locations, most of the roads are smooth thanks to BRO (Border Road Organization). Enroute we took a number of halts to digest the splendour of this astounding place which seemed so alien, yet so magnificent. Magnetic Hill, Ladakh: Our first stop was the Magnetic Hill famous as Gravity-defying hill. It is believed that objects and cars when placed on one particular spot on the road, roll uphill in defiance of gravity even when the engine of the car is not running. We enjoyed clicking some road photographs here; though we didn’t really experience the car going up on the inclined road as claimed. Sangam - Confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers, Ladakh: The next stop was Sangam in Nimmu village. Sangam offered us a breathtaking view of the confluence of two rivers - The Indus River and the Zanskar River. Indus originates in Tibet close to the Mansarovar Lake whereas Zanskar has two branches of its origin – first is the Doda and second is the Lungnak River; both merging in Zanskar central valley. The Indus and Zanskar, 2 disparate rivers with different sources, different histories, different journeys and even different colours (Zanskar is muddy while Indus is greenish-white), unite at Sangam, letting go of all their differences giving us an amazing view. Both the rivers converge at this point in Nimmu village and flow towards Pakistan eventually ending up in the Arabian Sea. After the Sangam, the resulting river also named Indus kept following us throughout the way. Or shall we say we followed the Indus river throughout. Our next halt was a very colourful wooden bridge hanging on the mighty Indus River flowing with full force. The bridge was fully wrapped with the Tibetan prayer flags. The flags are supposed to be blown by the wind to spread the goodwill and compassion into all-pervading space and the air is purified and sanctified by the mantras written on them. The place was surrounded by huge barren rocky mountains on all the sides. The rugged texture of the mountains gave an unfriendly feeling. It let no living thing reside on it. For ages, these tough, resolute mountains must have stood here. They must have seen millions of days and as many nights. But any and every attempt of moss or grass to grow on it would have been shot down emphasising their individuality, announcing their independence. Their only accomplice through countless seasons might have been the equally cold and furious river Indus. The location gave a feeling of timelessness. A small monastery was located on the other side of the bridge. The path down to the river wasn’t very steep; hence we also trekked down to the river to collect pebbles and click some photos. The water, however, was ice cold and did not allow us to step into it. Spending some time there, we were again on the road to resume our journey. Lamayuru Monastery, Ladakh: Some time had passed on the road and we were getting used to watching barren rocky mountains all around us. Suddenly the landscape started changing and we realised we were about to reach our next stop - Lamayuru monastery. Lamayuru is famous for its unusual moon-like landscapes carved into Greater Himalayas, famed as the Moonland. The soft craters and the orangish-yellow land simply add charm to the surreal beauty of Lamayuru. The sand-coloured formations seemed like enormous ant hills in the middle of the rocky Himalayas. Lamayuru monastery is a Tibetan - Buddhist monastery dating back to the 11th century. It is one of the largest and oldest monasteries in Ladakh. The monastery like others, houses a rich collection of artefacts, wall paintings, statues, thangkas, carpets and an impressive 11-headed, 1000 eyed image of Chenrezig. We savoured mouth-watering ginger-lemon-honey tea in a small café outside the Lamayuru monastery where we also bought the vibrant and colourful Tibetan flags and fridge magnets. After spending some time on the hill and clicking some amazing shots we bid adieu to magical Lamayuru monastery. Mulbekh Monastery, Kargil: Back on the road, on our way to Kargil, we were continuously impressed by Ladakh and its natural wonders around us. Hardly did we know that a surprise was awaiting us at Mulbekh village where we stopped for lunch. The small monastery in Mulbekh was celebrating its annual festival on that particular day which they called as Mentok Stano (Flower mela). The Mulbekh monastery pictures an enormous figure of standing Maitreya Buddha (The Buddha-to-come) carved on a rock facing the road. Maitreyas are also known as Chamba, so Mulbekh Monastery is popularly known as Mulbekh Chamba. The monastery festival is a way to build social companionship among people residing in villages situated far off in the Ladakh and Zanskar valley. The people celebrate victory of good over evil with colours, flowers, dance, music and masks. The festival showcases the present-day culture of Ladakh and Zanskar Valley. The most celebrated event was the dance performed by men and women wearing traditional costumes. The jewellery and accessories worn by the ladies were truly amazing. They wore a colourful dress, a turquoise stone-studded headgear (called Perakh) and a bright feathery scarf that flowed down their back further tied around the shoulders. We were also invited to join in their ancient dance which narrates- Pluck a flower and offer it to God. The monks offered tea and biscuits to visitors. Outside the Mulbekh monastery, all the kids played a typical gambling game; the lead shouting- Make 50 out of 10; where one had to bet Rs.10 on one of the 6 signs etched over big cardboard and the lead throws a dice which decides which sign wins and who will take all the money. All in all, it was a joyous celebration. People from various neighbouring villages had come to participate and watch the festival and we realised there were two different Ladakhis in sight. The older generation who were dancing in traditional clothes and were more interested in giving their respects to Maitreya Buddha and the new generation which wore jeans and jackets, carried mobile phones and seemed like any other young crowd we see in urban cities. Probably the generational divide that is present around us has no boundaries. We also happened to make some very cute kid friends who were more than happy to have a good long chat with us. There was a sea of pretty faces around us, some wrinkled with a lifetime of festivals behind them and some fresh with a lifetime of celebration ahead of them. We stood in the Mulbekh monastery for 4 hours dancing, clicking and enjoying as if it was our festival. We almost forgot that we were just tourists visiting this fascinating place, meeting these beautiful people and we must move on. Leaving Mulbekh, we directly drove to Kargil. We were startled to witness how the barren desert-like mountains slowly transformed into greenish ones and how Buddhism gave way to Islam. Kargil is a district and is the second largest town of Ladakh division after Leh and is situated along the banks of the Suru River (Indus). The town lies near the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan to its north. Our hotel in Kargil was located right beside the banks of Suru River. Suru River is a tributary of Indus River and originates near Drang-Drung glacier in Pensi-la pass - a place we were going to cross the next day en route to Zanskar Valley. The huge veranda in front of our rooms in the hotel offered us breath-taking views of the river and the city of Kargil. Late in the evening, we visited the Kargil market to capture some street photographs before calling it a day. Thanks for reading this blog. This was day 2 of our Zanskar Odyssey. Read the day 3 of our journey from Kargil to Rangdum - a journey which stunned us with its landscapes, showed us alien places and ended under starry skies reminding us of our trivial existence. It will be great if you can let us know what you thought about the blog, pictures or the trip. Feel free to comment below. Read all our blogs of the series The Zanskar Odyssey by clicking on the links below: 1. Exploring Leh 2. Leh to Kargil 3. Kargil to Rangdum 4. Rangdum to Padum 5. Exploring Padum 6. Stongdey Gustor Festival 7. Padum to Srinagar #India #NorthIndia #UnionTerritories #Ladakh

Bhutan! We are always short of words to describe this paradise. The kingdom has an authentic charm. It is traditional, ethnic and spiritual all at the same time. It's full of monumental buildings, temples, monasteries, fortresses, valleys, rivers, hills, mountains, and loving people. Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan is one such valley surrounded by hills on all sides. It is a charming small city, modern while preserving its heritage, culture and traditional way of living. In this 3rd article of the series 'The Bhutan Odyssey', we will take you through the city of Thimphu with recommendations on places to visit and things to do. This blog is the third blog in the series 'The Bhutan Odyssey'. Our previous two blogs - 'Introduction to Bhutan and why you should visit it' and 'Plan your own trip to Bhutan' will help you understand the climate, geography, main sightseeing attractions, people and culture of Bhutan. Our subsequent articles will help you traverse various other interesting towns and villages to visit in Bhutan. 1. Introduction to Bhutan and why you should visit it 2. Plan your trip to Bhutan 3. Places to visit in Thimphu (This article) 4. Travel to Phobjikha (Gangtey) Valley of black-necked cranes 5. Punakha - The winter capital of Bhutan 6. Paro Taktsang (Tiger's nest monastery) – A complete travel guide 7. Places to visit in Paro 8. 20 Best places to visit in Bhutan 9. Photoblog: People and culture of Bhutan Places to Visit in Thimphu: 1. Buddha Dordenma Statue, Thimphu As we entered and roamed around Thimphu, we saw a big golden statue of Buddha sitting atop a hill from almost any part of the city. It is also probably one the most iconic image from Bhutan apart from Tiger's Nest at Paro that is widely published through the world. This statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is the largest sitting Buddha statue in the world. Nestled in the 100-acre forested Kuenselphodrang Park, the Buddha Dordenma statue is the most amazing attraction of Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The short drive to Buddha Dordenma statue will take you 300 feet above the city of Thimphu on a hilltop. The statue is about 169 feet tall and sits on a lotus above a meditation hall. It is made of bronze and is gold-coated which symbolises indestructibility. The right hand of Buddha in the statue rests on his right knee and there's an offering bowl in his left hand. It will seem that the Buddha is looking right at you with a calm and composed look. His smile radiates compassion. The meditation hall beneath the statue has an entrance from the right side. Inside this, there are yet another 1,25,000 smaller Buddha statues also made of bronze and gold-coated. Out of these, 1,00,000 statues are 8-inch tall and 25,000 are 12-inch tall. Each of these statues is filled with sacred relics and mantras. The life story of Lord Buddha and his 12 main life events, from birth to enlightenment to death, is painted on the inside walls of the meditation hall. Huge thangkas (Tibetan Buddhist paintings) and mandalas (symbolic circular diagram) are painted on the ceiling. The meditation hall also contains a statue of four-faced Vairochana Buddha. Photography is prohibited inside the meditation hall. The huge statue is surrounded by various beautiful statues of 'Dakinis', female messengers of Buddhism. It took 10 years to completely build the statue of Buddha Dordenma and some parts of it are still under construction. It is said that Yogi Sonam Zangpo predicted long ago that such a statue will be built in this area of Bhutan to bestow peace, happiness, and blessings to the whole world. Even Guru Padmasambhava, who is referred to as the second Buddha, also forecasted the erection of such a statue. Indeed, Buddha Dordenma can be counted as the most instagrammable place to visit in Thimphu. The site is best visited early in the morning or in the evening. However note that in the evening, the sun would go behind the statue making it challenging to get good clear pictures. You can spot it even during the night from Thimphu city as its face is illuminated during the night time. The site offers a wonderful panoramic view of Thimphu and is a place where we could spend hours admiring the beautiful landscapes with moving clouds. 2. Bhutan Postal Museum, Thimphu A visit to Bhutan Postal Museum in Thimphu city should be a part of everyone's Bhutan itinerary. Why? Because here you can get your own photo printed on the Bhutanese stamps and send a postcard with those personalised stamps to your loved ones. You can send them your favourite picture or get one clicked right there and then to get it printed on the stamp. The site also sells souvenirs and various colourful and beautiful postcards with pictures of Bhutan and its cultural heritage that you can buy and send them to your family and friends back home. You get to write messages on the postcards in the old letter-writing style and put your postcard in the red coloured letterbox. Exciting, isn't it? In the same compound is a museum that showcases the postal history of Bhutan and its evolution. The museum is operated by the Bhutan Postal department. Charge for the personalised stamp - Nu 500 for 12 stamps (you cannot get less than 12 stamps). We got 12 stamps of one of our group photo printed, distributed amongst ourselves and wrote a postcard to each of our friends and family. So remember to jot down the address of all your loved ones before visiting the Bhutan Postal Museum. Charge for the postcard - Nu 20 per postcard Museum entry charge - Nu 150 per person for international visitors, Nu 100 per person for SAARC country visitors and Nu 50 per person for local Bhutanese visitors. Visiting hours: 9 AM to 5 PM in the summer season, 9 AM to 4 PM in the winter season and 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays. The postal office and museum are closed during Sundays and public holidays. However, the good thing is it is open at the time of Thimphu tsechu. 3. National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu National Memorial Chorten is basically a Tibetan style stupa erected in the memory of Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the third King of Bhutan in the year 1974. The white-washed chorten with spires of gold is dedicated to World peace. It is the only stupa in Bhutan which does not embalm the remains of previous Kings or saints; it only has a photo of Jigme Dorji in a ceremonial dress. It is located in the centre of the town of Thimphu. Literally, the word chorten means 'seat of faith' and the monument is often referred to as the 'Mind of Buddha' by Buddhist locals. The stupa is surrounded by small gardens while the entrance gate is highly carved and colourful. As you enter, large prayer wheels are located towards the left. Elderly people typically dressed in traditional attire (Gho and Kira) visit the National Memorial Chorten on a daily basis to whirl the large prayer wheels and to pray at the shrine. Dorji, our Bhutanese guide, told us that the chorten is decorated by mandalas, statues and relics on the inside. From the inside, the chorten is divided into three floors each having various shrines, pictures of third King and images of Lord Buddha. Each floor has four sanctums facing four directions. Hundreds of devotees were reciting religious prayers and circumambulating the chorten in a clockwise direction during our visit. It is believed that all your sins can be cleansed by doing so. They also lighted numerous butter lamps inside a side chapel. Certainly, the monument is revered as one with pretty high religious significance. One could feel an aura of peace and devotion in the Memorial Chorten. Entry charges: All foreign visitors (except those with a minimum daily package of USD 200/ 250) are charged Nu 300 per person. No entrance fee for Bhutanese visitors. Visiting hours: 9 AM to 5 PM in the summer season and 9 AM to 4 PM in the winter season. 4. Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Thimphu The term 'jungshi' in the Jungshi paper factory means 'natural'. A visit to this paper factory provides insights into the art of traditional paper making. The Jungshi handmade paper factory was established by the Bhutanese government in the town of Thimphu. Long back, the paper factory was privatised by a Japanese named Norbu Tenzin. The factory continues to preserve and promote the age-old tradition of handmade papermaking. The papers made in Jungshi handmade paper factory were originally used by monasteries for writing the mantras in manuscripts and sacred books. You can have a closer look at all the steps involved in the paper manufacturing process, from raw material to finished product at Jungshi handmade paper factory. The papers are made from the bark of a tree named Daphne papyri that grow only at higher altitudes of 3000 feet and above. The bark is first collected and soaked in water for 12 hours after which it is boiled for 4 hours. The cooked bark is then washed, sorted, cleaned of fibres and ground into a pulp. The pulp is then mixed with water and starch in a tub. Using a wooden frame and a bamboo screen, a thin layer of pulp is filtered out from the tub and piled on a paper bed. This process is repeated again and again. The paper bed is pressed to squeeze excess water and every single sheet is separated from the bed and spread out on a heated surface to dry. The dried paper is then further processed, coloured or printed to make the final product. A small gallery in the factory compound displays and sells sheets of handmade paper, handmade cards, notebooks, envelopes, calendars, scrolls, paper bags and wall arts. It is interesting to see how the people at the factory work hard day in and out to make 1500 sheets of paper a day. 5. Changangkha Lhakhang, Thimphu Lhakhang means a 'temple' in the local Bhutanese language, Dzongkha. Changangkha Lhakhang is the oldest temple in Thimphu. It was built in the 12th century and is perched on a cliff overlooking the valley to Thimphu. The temple is famous as 'Name giving temple' as newborns are brought here by parents to get auspicious names and blessings. The resident astrologer gives names to the newborns based on their birth date, time and astrology. A deity named 'Tamdrin' is believed to protect the children. The inner sanctum sanctorum consists of an 11-headed, 1000-armed statue of Lord of Compassion named as Avalokitesvara who is believed to take care of young children. The founder of the temple is believed to have actually dreamt of an image of 11-headed Avalokitesvara, who then went ahead to build the statue. Since then, the temple is known to be the spiritual home of the newly born children of Chang valley. Beautiful prayer wheels surround the temple and you can get a panoramic view of the Thimphu valley from the courtyard of the temple. We were rewarded by a picturesque sight of Thimphu valley. fluttering Buddhist flags, red-robed bald-headed monks and prayer wheels whirling together in sync. Photography is prohibited in the inner sanctum of the temple. 6. Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu Dzong means a 'fortress' in the local Bhutanese language, Dzongkha. Tashichho Dzong is one of the most popular place of visit in Thimphu. It is an iconic landmark shared between government offices and monastic bodies, ie. it is both an administrative and religious centre. Tashichho Dzong is located on the banks of Wang Chhu River seamlessly blending with the surrounding well-manicured lawns and gardens. The Beard Man (refer our previous blog - Introduction to Bhutan) built this fortress in the year 1641. In 1897, the fortress was destroyed due to an earthquake and was again rebuilt in 1902. The Dzong was completely renovated and enlarged in the year 1965 by the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, when he moved the capital city to Thimphu. The Dzong hosts Thimphu's biggest annual tsechu known as 'Thimphu tsechu' in the month of September. The present king of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, was coronated at Tashichho Dzong in 2008. You cannot miss out on the splendid architecture of the Dzong. The building is fully white washed with red and gold laces. It stands in splendour in the middle of the mountains and overlooks the Wang Chhu River. Upon entering the courtyard, it's hard not to get impressed by its massive size and the architecture. A beautiful Buddhist monastery housing a big statue of Lord Buddha stands tall in the right side of the courtyard. It is impressive to know that the entire structure is made in traditional fashion without the use of nails or laid-out plans. Tashichho Dzong houses the secretariat, King's throne room, King's offices and ministries of finance and home affairs. A line of prayer wheels keeps whirling spreading good omen, peace, and calmness. The Dzong is lit with a beautiful array of lights in the evening providing a gorgeous glow to the entire structure. It is a must visit during the evening time so that you can also get to see its grandeur once it is lit. Visiting hours: 5 PM to 6 PM from Monday to Friday (as administrative offices work during the day time), 8 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Entry charges: All foreign visitors (except those with a minimum daily package of USD 200/ 250) are charged Nu 300 per person. Dress Code: Wearing full sleeves attire and full pants are mandatory for all the visitors. The head should remain uncovered at all times. Bhutanese locals have to mandatorily wear their national dress along with a scarf. 7. Takin Nature Preserve, Thimphu Initially a mini-zoo, today the 'Motithang Takin Nature Preserve' is a full-fledged wildlife reserve conservation park. It was converted into a preserve when the animals refused to leave the area even after having set them free. Takin is the national animal of Bhutan. It is a mammal resembling the hybrid of a cow and a goat. Takins have brownish black fur, elongated noses, a broad forehead, and bulky tummies. They live and breed at an altitude of 3000 meters and above and graze upon forest growth and bamboo thicket. Apart from Takins, the nature preserve also holds beautiful birds, a few sambar deer, and barking deer. The Takins were grazing deep in the preserve when we visited. As we started leaving disappointingly one of them ran towards us and stood right behind the fence giving wonderful poses. It is a must-visit for kids and nature-enthusiasts. 8. Norzin Lam Market, Thimphu It's hard not to buy souvenirs for family and friends when in Thimphu market. The Norzin Lam market in Thimphu is full of colours selling authentic handicrafts, jewellery, carpets, traditional paintings, masks, magnets, bags, postcards, religious items, brass bowls, key-chains, handmade ghos and kiras, and textile. Even if you are not a shopaholic, the market is a worth visit for its vibrance. Local shops also sell basic household items and daily necessities. We did not come across anyone bargaining and the prices for all goods seemed to be fixed, however, you can try and bargain. The owners are friendly, informative, and willing to assist you with your purchase, and the most convenient part is everyone accepts Indian currency in the market. We went to the market in the evening and once all the lights are illuminated, it gives Thimphu a varied charm. The shops close by 8 PM Bhutan time. The places to visit in Thimphu listed above can be visited in a day. However you should spend atleast 2 nights in Thimphu where you reach Thimphu by noon or evening and cover all above places the next day. If you have a day or two more in hand, we highly recommend visiting the Tango and Cheri monasteries located in North Thimphu. Visiting these monasteries involves atleast a half day hike and is highly recommended if you love hiking, nature and beautiful panoramic views. A few other museums like textile museum and folk heritage museum are also worth a visit and will provide you insights into the heritage and culture of Bhutan and Bhutanese people. Nature Tourism - Bhutan: Our customised trip to Bhutan was organised by Nature Tourism - Bhutan who specialise in nature, adventure and cultural trips. Our Bhutanese guide, Dorji, was able to provide wonderful insights into Bhutanese culture and helped us understand the rationale behind the details of the Buddhist religion. He was very informative and often narrated wonderful stories about Lord Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, The Beard man and their way of living. We did not come across such insider stories when reading about Bhutan on the internet. We truly feel that having a tour guide along with us made a lot of difference for us to get a deep understanding of what we saw and visited. Many thanks to Mr. Karma Jamtsho, owner of Nature Tourism - Bhutan, for helping us design a perfect itinerary and suggesting us these best places to visit in Thimphu in the limited time that we had. You can book your trip to Bhutan with Nature Tourism - Bhutan through their official website. PIN THESE IMAGES Have you been to Bhutan or is it in your bucket-list? What is your first impression of the capital city of Thimphu? Is there any place to visit we have missed out? We would love to know your thoughts in the comment section below. #Bhutan