Choose your Cruise on River Brahmaputra....

You will fall in love….all over again.

You will wake up in a different place every day.

You are constantly moving from one place to the other without lifting a finger.

You can laze laze laze all you want.

You will visit some far-flung and fascinating places.

You will be surprised by the most unexpected natural elements.

And if you care you will also steer a ship on the river.

Welcome to River-Cruising on the Brahmaputra – the floating-hotel-ride of a lifetime!

Not to take away the element of surprise from it but let me whet your appetite and warn you of what you could be missing.

World’s largest river-island – Majuli; pink playful Dolphins; Wildlife Safari in the Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park and tons more – all aboard a river-cruise-liner- ship!

Pick a month between October and March, pack light and pack right with imperatives and prepare to set sail aboard a ship for a few days with these pointers in mind:

Ø  Set your expectations right – know what to expect:

o   There would be 15-30 other passengers on the Ship. You can expect foreigners too.

o   Most ships would be double deck with living quarters below and a canopied open deck above with reclined beach chairs for lazing around and for sightseeing. For photographing some great sights along the way, you must park yourself here. It’s a great place to hang out at sunset with a bottle of chill beer or wine or both!

o   The ship would stop at few prime places where you’re expected to get off and explore the locale on foot or on elephant-back. You would have few opportunities to shop. Keep cash handy.

o   As you would be going into thick forests of the National Parks and even do shore-excursions of walk-throughs of villages, you must carry mosquito and snake repellent, and carry two pairs of footwear – one for the ship and the other for trekking on land in villages or in forests. Umbrellas, caps, sunshades, sun block, first-aid kit are imperatives.

o   River waterways are calmer than ocean cruisers. These river-ships being smaller than ocean-liners won’t have casinos but most ships have in-house cultural programs. You have the liberty and choice to do whatever you please. Bring board-games or a juicy book. Or just park yourself on the deck and soak in the cruise, the ambience, the river and the scenery and mingle with your co-cruisers.

o   Food menu would be limited to a pre-set list of dishes. Obviously as Assam is tourism-centric, you can count on food being good. Some cruise-lines offer barbeque dinners on islands.Most river-cruise-ship stock a good bar onboard.

o   There would be insightful information given by the tour-guide atop the deck when he addresses the whole tour-group.

Ø  Carry a camera with wide angle lens and zoom lens on a tripod stand and remote clicker to plant your camera firm and click pictures without having to look through the eye-piece each time. Also find a way to connect the camera to your laptop so you can see your images on the big screen right away as they’re being clicked. Don’t forget your binoculars.

Ø  Take domestic travel insurance. What if you need it on the trip but you don’t have it?

Ø  Know the terrain you’re about to tread:

o   Its river all the way people – with occasional stopovers on land. So motion-sickness folks please excuse.

o   Explore the world’s largest river-island – Majuli Island.

o   Thick riverine forests of Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park inhabited by wildlife such as the single-horned Rhino, Tiger and Elephants.

o   Historically religious sites of Hajo and Vishnath.

o   Tribal Village tourism of Assam.

o   Tea garden-treks.

Ø  The first rule of ‘CHOOSE A CRUISE’ – be aware of the whole itinerary from start to finish with the details mentioned above so that you choose the cruise you want to be on and you don’t face any rude shocks on the trip. The second rule – let go, relax, live for the day and live it up. You paid for it!

Pix courtesy: Telegraph.co.uk; Lonely Planet; brahmaputrarivercruises; elephantsafari.wordpress, GoHoto Blog.

Woof! This Hyderabad Traffic

Three years back i.e in the year 2009, we got shifted from Mumbai to Nizam,s city Hyderabad, as my husband got transferred to this city. When the transfer order came, we all were very thrilled to move away from the city which never sleeps, thinking that we will lead a much comfortable life in Hyderabad.

For the same reason we searched for a house which was close by to our work place and my daughter’s school and as the lady luck was in our favor, we got the place suiting everyone’s need. First few days were fine when we were at home, but to my dismay when we came out on the roads of Ameerpet and Begumpet, we found inhuman traffic on the roads.

The first jolt I got when I caught an argument with an auto driver, as he was asking exorbitant money for a very short distance and I asked him to put meter on, he bluntly refused, which turned my head on and I walked to my destination, cursing the auto drivers and Hyderabad as a whole. For me it was very new because in Mumbai we never faced any problem with the auto drivers or Taxi drivers as everyone puts the meter on when the passengers get in.  This everyday’s tiff with the auto drivers made us buy a car immediately.

The second jolt came when we took the car out on the road, facing the Hyderabad traffic in real sense, by becoming a part of it. Our brand new car got a first scratch from a speeding bike brushing the left side of the car, as he overtook our car from the left side, while turning left on Greenlands Road near Paryatak Bhavan Begumpet. After many incidence like this, we have become very cautious driver and especially with the bikers. Most junction of Hyderabad you will find chaotic traffic without any rules and regulations with or without traffic police. I have seen a traffic police running after a motorbike as he jumped the signal; in the mean time many of them did the same as the signal was left unmanned, which usually doesn’t happen with Mumbai police, as the traffic police is very strong there. Drunken driving being a serious crime, Hyderabad have started with breath analyzer test on the drivers of the vehicle in the night time, but to my surprise they are leaving the culprit with the vehicle to be driven by them again by collecting small amount of fine from them. The police even stop their operation after 12 midnight but the people who go for a party or after office hours drinking session usually come on the roads after 12’ o clock, so according to me it is not serving the real purpose. The same operation in Mumbai is taken very seriously and which is going on there for several years. If a person gets caught by Mumbai police for drunken driving, his/ her driving license is immediately taken into the custody of police and depending on the severity, the person may lose the right of driving forever and the operation is active throughout the night as per the news in newspapers.

The third jolt came, when I wanted to cross the road from under the Somajiguda Flyover to other side of the road to go to Kalaniketan. To cross that narrow road of few meters breadth, I had to wait for around 15 minutes to look for the vehicles which are coming at little slow pace and when I dared to cross the road I had to raise my left hand to the vehicles for some mercy from the drivers. This is not the only point in Hyderabad where crossing the road by the pedestrians is nightmarish, you will find this situation everywhere in the twin cities, as there are no options for the pedestrians to use the road. Though you will find zebra crossing nicely drawn on the roads, for the pedestrians to cross the road but there are no signals to stop the flow of traffic going straight especially in the three lane junctions, this is not the case with Mumbai. In Mumbai you will find signals even in the highway, for stopping the fast moving traffic for a minute or two, so the walker can cross the road easily. Along with all these there are no footpaths on the road sides for the pedestrians to walk safely.

So it is my humble request to all the residents of Hyderabad, to abide the rules and regulations of traffic while driving on the roads, which will certainly reduce the traffic chaos in the city and above all it will reduce the number of road accidents, which has increased tremendously in recent days. I would also like to request Hyderabad traffic police to take care of the pedestrians too along with smooth flow of traffic on the roads, especially while crossing the roads.

Goa in high 'spirits' !!

Goa – the very name is magical. There are scores of other beachy places in India but Goa is Goa – a class apart as sworn by the 3 million annual visitors – with a majority of them being repeats. This smallest State of India sells the biggest dream-holidays every year. No wonder then that Goa is India’s richest State with Tourism being its primary industry!

Maybe it’s the palm-fringed beaches of white sands and sparkling waters.

Maybe it’s the charm of a 600-year old Portuguese colony with its world heritage architecture of Churches and houses.

Maybe it’s the bio-diverse hotspot that it is.

Maybe it’s the zipping around on rented bikes or lazing and strolling aimlessly on the beaches.

Maybe it’s the addicting flea-markets and hangout beach-shacks.

Could it be about all the sunburn and rave Goa beach-parties and discos with low-duty booze? It must be all of the above and more!

The best way to optimize your visit to Goa is to club your visit with a Goan festival. That’s when you can catch the true essence of Goa.

Countless festivals, events and parties dot the Goa calendar all year. This June, Goa would be buzzing with fun and frolic when it celebrates the onset of monsoons (Feast of St. Anthony on the 13^th); celebrates newlyweds (Sao Joao Festival on the 24^th) and celebrates fishing in the monsoons (Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul on the 29^th).

The traditions that are practiced during these festivals truly smack of Goa – interesting and vibrant and very Portuguese!

The Sao Joao Festival which is centuries old is a lively street festival where the Goan youth go berserk with fun activities. Sao Joao Festival or the Feast of St. John’s commemorates the Christening of Lord Jesus Christ in River Jordan. On this day the youth of Goa jump into ponds and wells in remembrance and play games and sing songs and pray. On this day you will find the Goan youth scurrying on the roads from pond to pond and well to well. The newlyweds are given centre-stage by giving them prominent roles on this day of distributing goodies to the others. Mothers-in-law prepare and layout an elaborate meal for their sons-in-law. There is also an annual boat-parade that is held on this day. ‘Copel’ or a tiara made of fresh flowers is worn by the participants all day. There is also a long procession that meanders through the streets of Goa and leads to a Church. Upon reaching the Church there are fireworks, games and other fun activities held. The Goan locals spend the entire day on the streets participating with gusto in a host of events.

Goa is ever-inviting. Question is.....how would you like Goa served to you!

 Pix courtsey: Top News, Goodreads, Goa tours and travels, Goaindiatourism, Mygoatour, Festivalsofindia, Indianetzone.

Ganga Dassehra on Ganga Ghats.

Celebrating the reincarnation of River Ganga on Earth is Ganga Dassehra which is celebrated on the first 10 days of the ‘Jyeshtha’ month which falls in the months of May-June. According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Ganga descending on earth is a festival that is observed as ‘Ganga Dassehra’, ‘Ganga Saptami’ and ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ in different parts of India.

Upon performing intense austerities by King Bhagirath, Goddess Ganga descended onto earth in the form of River Ganga in order to relieve the sins of King Bhagirath’s family. Since then it is a strong belief among Hindus that in order to cleanse oneself of his sins he would have to take a Holy-dip in River Ganga each year especially on Ganga Dassehra.

During these 10 days, River Ganga is venerated by the Hindus as Goddess Ganga through numerous pujas, prayers, rituals and ceremonies. The ‘Aarti of River Ganga’ performed by the Haridwar Priests at twilight while standing on the steps of the Ganga Ghats – few inches away from the ever-flowing humungous river Ganga – is a fascinating sight which is captured by millions of cameras on those days. Lord Shiva is worshipped with special emphasis on these 10 days. On all these 10 days, River Ganga is offered sweets and flowers and small flames in leaf-boats are set afloat on the fast-flowing river with ringing of bells and chanting of ‘shlokas’, ‘kirtans’ and ‘bhajans’. It’s one of the most amazing devotional experiences ever!

Places which are located along the banks of River Ganga such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi, Garh-Mukteswar, Prayag, Kanpur etc. are thronged by millions of Hindus and devotees of River Ganga to pay respects to the River as well as to take a Holy Dip in the River and perform puja on all 10 days.

On the days of Ganga Dassehra, it is believed to be a blessing and rewarding to give alms to the needy so all the Hindus who participate in the festival at the River Ganga at various places also do charity.

Facts about the Gigantic River Ganga:

1.    River Ganga originates in the Himalayas in Indian State of Uttarakhand at the confluence of River Bhagirathi and River Alaknanda and flows through India and Bangladesh. Gangotri Glacier is the point of origin of River Ganga. In Bangladesh, River Ganga is called River Padma.

2.    River Ganga is 2525 kms long from the Himalayas right upto the Bay of Bengal where it drains into the sea.

3.    Based on the ‘Volume-Rate’ of the water flow (discharge), River Gangs ranks among the Top 20 rivers in the world.

4.    400 million people inhabit the Ganga River basin (along its route) which makes it the highest populated river basin in the world.

5.    The first mention of River Ganga was in the Late Harappan period in the 2^nd Millennium BC. The first official mention of River Ganga was made in the ancient Hindu scriptures – the Vedas dating back to 1500 BC. The first foreigner to have recorded River Ganga is the Greek Ethnographer – Megasthenes (in his book called ‘Indica’) who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya before 298 BC.

6.    According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Ganga, who is a consort to all three Hindu deities – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva descends to earth in the reincarnation of River Ganga in order to purify and cleanse of sins of all those who take a Holy Dip in this river. Hindu river-pilgrimage and river-worship began with worshipping River Ganga in India. The ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ is probably the biggest gathering of people in the world as in 2001 approximately 60 million people (of which 1 million people from outside of India) had gathered at Allahabad to worship River Ganga!

Pix courtesy: Wikipedia, Zeenews, Haridwarkumbhmela, Shunya, Geolt12.wordpress, Goldntriangleindiatours.