Pongal (Makara Sankranthi) in India

Pongal (Makara Sankranthi) is one of the major festivals of India.This is the only one Indian festival which falls on the same date i.e January 15th of every year.From this day The Sun moves from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana. Many people believe that Uttarayana is very good season.Legend Bheeshma (Grand father of both Pandavas and Kauravas) wanted to die only in this Uttarayana and for that he waited for nearly 21 days on the bed of arrows. I can say that this is a festival of Farmers ( of course all the people celebrate this festival). It was very good when I was in the school because we used to get 15 days holidays for this festival.Ladies put rangoli in front of their houses for one month during this season. They decorate this rangoli very well.

People celebrate this festival for 3days.
1.Bhogi
2.Sankranthi
3.Kanuma
Bhogi: First of these 3 days is Bhogi. People light the fire in wee hours of this day in front of their homes, with some wood, cow dung and all the unwanted material like papers, old items in their home.Then they will have hair wash and pray to god. We should eat a curry with mix of 5 vegetables and some of moong dal should add to the regular rice on this day.This type of rice is called pulagam in telugu. There is a custom that for the children below 5 years, all the elders pour some fruits on their head. Fruits like regipallu(plums), chana and some other ones are used for this one. This is called Bhogi pallu. Makara Sankranthi: Second day is Sankranthi. This is more important day in these 3 days.Paayasam(rice, milk and sugar) is the main dish on this day.This is the harvest season for the paddy. People prepare paayasam with this new rice.

Kanuma: Third day is Kanuma. People worship their cows, oxes on this day. These are the main sources of farming in the olden days, now machines replaced these ones, but for one thing (I didnt get that one exactly) we should use oxes.
As per the Legend Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill to protect the people of Gokulam from the cyclone poured by Lord Indra on this day. The festival is dedicated to cows, bulls and other animals that are part of rural economy in Andhra Pradesh.

The Fast Depleting Hinterland of Jharkhand

What have we achieved in mowing down mountain ranges, harnessing the energy of mighty rivers, or moving whole populations about like chess pieces, if we ourselves remain the same restless, miserable, frustrated creatures we were before? To call such activity progress is utter delusion. We may succeed in altering the face of the earth until it is unrecognizable even to the Creator, but if we are unaffected wherein lies the meaning? 

-Henry Miller

Touched a raw chord dint it?

But what misery lies untold is misery double-fold. These were the words that crept into my mind when I read about the depleting forests of Jharkhand. Jharkhand, the land synonymous with forests, the land whose visage we imagine is green with smiling brightly hued tribals whose cause for celebration begins and ends in the forest. The land that celebrates life in jungles, under the thick canopy of trees, the green-lungs of the Eastern belt, the land that is rich in mineral resources- you name it they have it in short all those elements which can produce billions and billions of dollars. But then you utter Jharkhand and the screaming headlines of a Madhu Koda or a Shibu Soren stares back at you. But there is never any mention of the fast-depleting-at-the-blink-of-of-an-eye huge tracts of trees and with them the endangered species of flora and fauna!

Jharkhand is now 12 years old. But the forests that give it its identity, give no cause for celebration. While the state is forging ahead with its grand plans of industrial development tapping into the rich mineral resources, the forest ranges of the Santhal Pargana are fast disappearing. Reasons..well they are myriad in number.

Careless and illegal human activity heads the list. Man’s insatiable greed has taken him to gobble the dense mountainous forests and all its richness within. The huge expanse of 5470 square miles of solid lung space has been home to several indigenous tribes for centuries. Tribes who have lived with wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation, communities who have lived in harmony with the forests that provided them with sustenance of such magnitude and importance that the so called modern way of living seemed inconspicuous and insignificant. These forests have been home to hundreds of rare species of birds and animals, making them the destination of numerous enthusiasts, researchers and bird watchers worldwide.

Way back in 1910, the West Bengal Gazetters published a book written by L S O’Malley, that reveals the large presence of wild animals in Dumka, Godda, Pakud, Sahebganj, Devghar and Jamtada forests. Malley also states that the clash between man and animal began around 1790-1810 when the Santhal tribes began to claim the forests for their own.

There has been drastic change of scene and since the last 11-12 years the Santhal Pargana that was once home to the Asian Elephants, has all but wiped it out. The gentle pachyderm’s 11 ft huge skeleton stands as a mute testimony of its presence in the Museums of Kolkata. Pattabadi and Dumka forests no longer echo with the trumpeting and groans of these wise animals. Who is to be blamed?

Life still continues and wild pigs, bears, rabbits, wild cock, royal peacock, wild cats, hyenas, jackals and bucks still inhabit these forests. But woe to the greed of man again, these are marked! What was once considered to be a favorite pastime of kings and zamindars continues to attract the upper echelons of society, whose modern weapons make the killing in large numbers. Making matters worse is the huge demand for skins, bones, teeth, horns and meat of rare species in the international market. Animals straying into human habitations and getting caught or killed are again a matter for grave concern. Those that have been killed or maimed or captured or sold are never brought to the notice of the forest officials, and the numbers get screwed.

Research into the numerous varieties of birds and animals in the forests are bound to bring cheer in to the hearts of many wildlife enthusiasts. But those familiar with the forests believe that the government officials are hand-in-glove with the poachers and hunters of the region. Illegal killing of rare birds and animals is rampant and in such an alarming way that many are not sure if these did exist in the first place!

Strapped for funds, civil society organizations, natural wildlife groups feel that with no active support or any massive drive ordained to save wild animals, birds and trees, the extinction of several rare species of flora and fauna from these forests is just a matter of time. Time may come when Jharkhand meaning the land-of-jungles may soon seek to change its name!

Yak Do Teen- ‘The Yak Effect’…

Ever wondered why Yaks are seldom given due importance by visitors in their trips and why do they end up just being a part of your trip album? Well, they could be many reasons for it as they are not found easily in the lower line areas but only in the snow capped mountains, just like camels in the desert. But believe you me, be it Leh, Kufri, Rohtang, Nathula or Tawang, all Yaks are the same. They are misunderstood by many as they look ferocious and dangerous by their appearances.

As we know, Yaks are good for carrying loads and transport tourists for a short distance in a snowy tourist spot and to take a pic or two with it (and trainer of course) for the album. The Yak helps you through slippery snow melting roads provided you have the patience to have your heart in the mouth if you are a first timer.


A Yak ride is better than a horse ride; a safe roller coaster ride, at least it doesn’t throw you off its back. There are many researches one can do on Yaks before getting to know what they are all about. To understand Yaks all you have to do is sleep a couple of nights with them (no ideas plz!!!), they are harmless and full of fun except for the smell…they stink horrible but they do have the “Yak Effect” as I discovered this during one of my visits to Nathula Pass in Sikkim, where I along with my friends had to spend a night in the shed with the Yaks. Couldn’t help as it snowed heavily due an avalanche that night and all rooms were booked except the shed, so we ‘shed’ all inhibitions (no ideas plz…again) and shivered (because of the cold) the whole night as none of us had seen so many Yaks… so close. The way they mooed we felt we were not welcomed sharing space with them, later we were told that it was one of the female Yaks who expressed her excitement seeing the 4 of us.

I’ve travelled on a few Yaks at various snow-hill mountains and got to gather some tips to bear in mind while travelling on a Yak….

1. Make sure you know a bit of horse riding as it would be easy to handle a Yak or recover from a fall.
2. Never use a body-deo or spray before mounting on it, remember Yaks hate good smell. So at least make sure to miss your bath that day, for a safe trip.
3. If still you can bear it, cover your nose with a surgical mask as some Yaks smell ‘Yuck’.
4. Never try to cuddle or pat it as it could be the last thing you did in your life.
5. If you are nervous dare not sing, carry an i-pod instead.
6. Keep your mobile in silent mode, never take or make a call, you may distract it.
7. All questions about it should be directed to its master.
8. Never dismount in a hurry, give an impression as if you enjoyed it.
9. Once you dismount, thank its trainer whole- heartedly instead of the Yak. You’ve reached safely, remember.
10. And, finally, never bargain on the charges; remember, you may have travel on it again.

Dare Me?

Who said that New Year resolutions are all about losing weight, getting along with the mother-in-law and spending money wisely? I can think of half a dozen reasons why these shouldn’t be on top of the list. They can be somewhere on the list but not on the top. Atleast….not for me. This year 2012 spells a different mantra for me. I can feel it in my bone. It’s gonna be all about stepping outside my comfort-zone….leaving (at least a part of) my apprehensions and reservations behind and doing something I’ve never done before. Ok….now that would be a tall order. This year I shall restrict it to Travel. It’s just as ‘unfamiliar’ a territory for me.

I’ve always travelled in a structured tour whether it’s when I went to the Vatican, Varkala or to Vijayawada. Always….always had someone else decide and design my trips for me. From deciding locations to getting there and then what and who I’d be meeting – was also pre-decided. Not that I had a problem with that. But I often wondered how it is on the other side….?

This year…..I’m gonna find out. I will indulge in some impulsive travel. Better yet….I will drive there myself. Besides, this has been a long-parked item on the New Year resolutions list of a friend and mine that its gathering cobwebs now. So…must act on it. We’ve always wanted to drive down from Hyderabad to Bangalore (can’t get myself to saying Bengaluru) in our own car. I must inform her of my New Year resolution (yet again) of this current year and also make her pledge her time (apparently pledging my time ain’t working).

But first…I guess I need to know how to handle tubeless tyres of an Octavia if they get punctured on the highway with no pittstop in sight. Is learning – ‘to change car tyres’- the only way out? I guess I also oughtta get myself a GPS (just in case a Florida twister were to sweep me off my route and land me off-track far away) though I heard this highway connecting Bangalore to Hyderabad is awesome and is a dream for casual cruisers with near-zero traffic during the day. I heard you can do 130 kilometres in an octavia...easy as the road is as good as an express way. I heard this highway also offers good photographic visuals. And the most important (especially for a first-timer like my good-self) - it is one straight road. No bifurcations or ‘patli-gallis’. Koolio! That makes for a good start.

Wanna know my ultimate dare? I want to drive a truck on the Highway between Manali and Leh....especially to get a feel of driving through the Rohtang Pass - world's highest motorable road at 13, 050 feet! Seemed like a cinch in an 'ice-road trucking' TV program last week when another female drove one. What say?