Travel Magazine Eventours Journeys July 2020

EVENTOURS

JOURNEYS stories that changes the way we travel

GETTING LEH'D IN LADAKH

What makes Leh stay with you forever?

JULY 2020 ISSUE NO. 18

EVENTOURS

JOURNEYS stories of travel that changes the way we travel

3

COVER STORY

Getting Leh'd in Ladakh

20

GUEST POST: Aalo- Where

the Siyom Flows quietly 14

INTERVIEW

UPAMA BORKAR : Nuances of Yoga from a working professional

30

FEATURED TRIP: Yoga

Cruise on the Brahmaputra 37

PHOTO FEATURE:

Ambubachi Mela in Guwahati 24

FROM OUR BLOG

Overdone Dzukou Valley

2

EDITORIAL - Time to be

careful now : Amitabh Sarma

PAGE 1 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

EDITORIAL I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars.” ― Stephenie Meyer, Twilight TIME TO BE CAREFUL NOW

A lot of things might seem distant now, but this darkness was necessary so that we see that light tomorrow we appreciate it more. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has laid out its new guidelines Safe & Seamless Travel including testing and tracing, following medical evidence, to ensure people can enjoy Safe Travels in the ‘new normal’.

The guidelines will ensure that the travel sector is provided with an extensive framework to help governments

and

private

businesses

work

in

collaboration

to

create

aligned

testing

and

contact tracing programs. The initiative is part of the WTTC’s Safe and Seamless Traveller Journey (SSTJ) which aims to enable a seamless, safe, and secure end-to-end traveler experience including flights and non-air travel.

It includes systematic biometric verified identification during the journey, for the long haul and international travel, replacing manual verifications and is contained within a new WTTC report, published today.

Travelers and those who work in the Travel & Tourism sector can be assured of a more secure and safe environment, thanks to a leap in the use of contactless technology.

This includes biometrics, faster clearance for inbound and outbound passengers, and offsite processing as part of enhanced SSTJ capabilities which helps to reduce transmission.

The detection and isolation of those people with the virus has proved to be an effective mechanism

to

curb

previous

outbreaks.

This

has

enabled

them

to

travel

again

without

a

vaccine, as in previous outbreaks such as Ebola, SARS, and MERS. Since 80 % of COVID-19 carriers are asymptomatic according to medical experts, testing and tracing becomes crucial to control and reduce the transmission.

PAGE 2 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

PAGE 3 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

COVER STORY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROALD SIEBERATH

GETTING LEH'D IN LADAKH

COVER STORY PHOTOGRAPH @ Marlon Treffers

So

It was a beautiful morning in Kathmandu. I had an afternoon Air India flight to New Delhi from where I fly to Leh the next morning. I was staying at the Oasis

Kathmandu

lifestyle

upgrade

Hotel, to

me

which in

was

Nepal.

I

a

kind

had

of

spent

almost two months in this country in 2005 taking a sabbatical New

from

Delhi.

I

my

was,

exhaustive

back

then

corporate

a

new

life

in

generation

hippie in Kathmandu. That is altogether a different story and perhaps I will be able to write a story someday on that. I decided to take a walk out of the

hotel.

The

familiar

buzz

of

morning

traffic,

fumes mixed with incense, the business of souvenir shops and touts rushing to my eyes through a maze of

prayer

flags.

Kathmandu

as

I

knew

was

here

I

am,

this

morning

at

the

end

of

September, at the Kusok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. At 3256 meters, this airport overlooks the Spituk Monastery. The airport is named after Kusok Bakula

Rimpoche,

who

was

an

ambassador

for

India in Mongolia and happened to be a monk in Spituk. Every time I check-in and out of this airport I usually am extra cautious. The airport security is very

tight

due

to

its

strategic

location

and

somehow hand luggage is not allowed here. It is a pilot’s skill test zone. Due to the altitude of the airport, it faces a lot of head and tailwinds in the afternoon, and hence all flights land and take off in the morning. It is always a happy feeling in Leh. There

is

something

very

holy

about

these

mountains.

presenting itself to me.

I had intended to spend ten days in Ladakh this

After

toying

with

the

idea

of

breakfast

on

the

streets and deciding against it, I headed back to my hotel for my usual continental buffet breakfast.

Leh was on my mind now. Time to catch a flight.

time, which technically means eight days. The first two days have to be complete rest days, as one need to acclimatize to the reduced oxygen levels in

Ladakh.

stalwarts

Of

perish

late, to

I

heard

Acute

of

many

Mountain

Ladakh

Sickness

on

arrival. So I am not taking any chances, I am going to

sleep

feeling

away

to

take

to

glory

yourself

today. under

It a

is

an

blanket

amazing without

even a fan to cool you. It is late September and the wind especially after sunset can take the chill

PAGE 4 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

to your bones.

This

helps

them

forgive

easily.

Odpal

Dejor

George, the owner of Saboo Resorts, forgave my resoluteness in the blink of an eye and our casual welcome

note

progressed

with

practiced

familiarity. George happens to be a line producer and is a regular in Mumbai. Any production house needing local logistic support in Ladakh, George was the go-to man.

So after an early lunch at Saboo Resort, I slept away till dinner only to sleep again. The last week was rush hour for me and somehow I made peace with my sleep here in Ladakh.

Although I had another time off day, I intended to take

a

small

drive

to

meet

my

friend

Rupankar

Chaliha. He is from Guwahati and had opened up a backpacker’s hostel in Leh. I needed his interview for

my

current

assignment.

Ladakh

in

a

month

would be declared a union territory and the mood was upbeat. Strange though, a substantial amount of

tourism

Kashmiris

and

staying

allied in

business

Srinagar

originates

and

of

from

course

all

across the country wherever they are.

photograph @ Alessandro Barbieri Ever since I started my business travel to Ladakh, I go through Himalayan Crossroads, a travel agency run by Tsetan Angchuk in Leh. Tsetan also happens to

be

the

current

president

of

All

Ladakh

Tour

Operators(ALTO) and my good friend. He gets the complicated time

the

things

done

complication

accommodation

for

me

for

me

in

started at

Ladakh.

with

Saboo

This

securing

Resort.

A

film

crew from Mumbai with trendy names had booked the entire resort and I was intransigent. I have to stay in Saboo, if not for anything else, but for the food.

Angchuk

managed

to

get

me

a

cottage

there at Saboo resort, though not on my favorite piece

of

usual

works.

places

land

and

on And

faces

the lo

property, behold!

began.

but

The

Ladakhis

with

all

familiarity had

quality – their faith in humanity and God.

PAGE 5 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

a

the of

great

Eventours Travels LLP conducts special interest tours in India only through its channel partners. To be a channel partner with Eventours Travels start a conversation on possibilities at info@eventours.in or eventourstravels@gmail.com

Photography @ Adam Romanowski

Namgyal Tsemo Monastery

The royal city of Leh (altitude of 3524 meters) used to be the capitol of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh and important stop on the trade routes between Tibet and Kashmir as well as China and India.

The next day after breakfast, I took a taxi to Leh. Saboo resort is fifteen minutes away from Leh market, on the Leh –Keylong Road in Saboo village. Rupankar Chaliha had set up his hostel on the fringes of SNM hospital in Leh. It is called the Happy Drifter’s Leh and is quite popular. We set the conversation going on and here is the full interview:

Rupankar Chaliha on his stepping into Ladakh There is not much about me to be shared or to be divulged. Being born in the hills perhaps has done the trick for me I guess, my love for the mountains. I am from the Northeastern state of Assam: but have been away from home for more than a decade now, making me a bit of an urban nomad. Evolution has changed the way human beings live. Over the centuries we have migrated from one place to the other for survival, for a better life but the quench has never been and will never be fulfilled as our evil desires are perpetual.

Living amidst the concrete jungle I always have the strong yearning to run away from human habitation in search of something I liked to call “inner peace”. The wanderlust in me has taken me to a few places across this incredible country and the globe and yet there is still a long way to go. The urge for travel has led me to quit my corporate career after 16 years and start my venture Happy Drifter’s in 2018. Ladakh happened by chance.

BTS: What kind of destination do you think is Ladakh?

Rupankar Chaliha: Ladakh is more often called an adventure destination. But I guess it has more to offer tourists then only adventure. It’s a place where one can reconnect with nature.

BTS: Why did you choose Ladakh as your place of business?

Rupankar Chaliha: As I said Ladakh happened by chance. I had never been to Ladakh before HD started. It was Arpan who gave me Ladakh as an option, and rest, as they say, is history. The moment I landed in Ladakh, this place seemed like my second home. From a business point of view, if you look at India in the world map, there are only a few places that will come to your mind- Goa or Kerala or Ladakh. The influx of tourists both national and international has been very high in Ladakh in recent years. As it’s a tourist place, the travel and tourism sector get very good support from the government.

BTS: Do you think we are pushing Ladakh towards a mass tourism destination?

Rupankar Chaliha: Yes, I strongly agree with this and we as travel agents have to play a very important role to help Ladakh maintain its ecology which over the years has been hugely affected.BTS:

PAGE 7 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

BTS:

What

EXPLORING

is

THE TOPS

hostels

OF THE WORLD

it

like

a

Happy

“drifting”

Rupankar chain

Drifter’s in

of

how

Drifters

budget-friendly

providing

and

Ladakh?

Chaliha: Happy

lodging/tours

is

traveler

food/

to

solo

and

budget

travelers.

BTS:

Why

arrival”

is

Ladakh

for

most

“a

point

Indian

of

adventure

seekers?

Rupankar to

be

and It’s

Chaliha: Actually

precise.

Leh the

other

Over the centuries we have migrated from one place to the other for survival, for a better life but the quench has never been and will never be fulfilled as our evil desires are perpetual.

is

is

of

arrival

its

airport

After

of

from

leaving

headed of

to

are

is

in

is

the

bazaar

necessary in

has

tons

of

restaurants

and

catering

to

all

zones

had

try

to

not

hungry, service

one

that

walked

I

Road, I

and

was

was

under

I

was

here.

thin

as

Ladakh last

to

visit

Some

money.

to

Main

service

Since

the

a

rooftop

today.

road,

Goa

complex

out

business,

Goa

It

in

this

some

was

and

the

the

Ladakh.

travelers

during

who

started.

start.

fading

to

last were

Kashmiris

moved

for

I

Bazaar

markets

has

was

mood

construction The

I

the

not on

September

Ladakh

for

in

is

here

in

of

were

mostly

it

season

end

week

tourists is

of

shops

not

the

in

food.

keen

time

the

slow

with

was

most

decided

else

which

where

hangout

Fort

down

owned

preferences.

favorite

Yak,

good

bad

of

Leh

café

Tall

I

any

A

the Gesmo

today. Gesmos was very

Leh.

Leh.

Hotel

something

but

of

my

been

Restaurant in opposite

sorts

I

in

restaurants

of

the

only

in

rooftop

one

all

Ladakh.

the

Although

now

towns.

Drifter’s

main

coffee

UT

Leh

easily

and

Happy

the

a

is

because

Leh

Ladakh

is

major

point

destinations

accessible

cup

Ladakh

one

it

like

me

time.

to

save

It

S A B O O

R E S O R T

SABOO VILLAGE, LEH

I

eyed

a

second

new

decided time. the

café

floor to

The

of

park

counter

Café,

another I

to

mind

a

of

my

was

some

achieved

their

raising

events

volume. a

new

We

In

fund

proceed

a

in

was

group

of

when

the

brooms

and The the

you

white

and

backpack

I

have

cold,

on

They

bags

clouds as

and

far

as

a

some

I

little

day

School,

locals

Arpan

conducting

of

workshop in

I

Leh

kind

to

to

go

him

saw

seemed

Well

and

lunch

everyone

Arpan

Kalita

Nubra

hungry

for

a

in

today.

passage,

your

Afternoon,

to

allows

be

in on

a

a

to

him

happy

me

to

current be

late

lunch.

photography is

a

arriving

La

pass

else

he

has

fortunately,

was mood

tamed

and

today.

time.

carrying course hills

can

see

a

a

guitar

lost.

is

snow-free

or

Well,

La

for

meet

my

and

him

dinner.

Khardung

arrived

takes

Khardung

awaits

till

healthy

month.

night

Valley if

carry

would

for

a

to

is a

on I

Tibetan

my

had

discuss

Arpan

assess

card

I

of

Lamayuru

of

driver

an

my

the

hate

once

my

meeting is

a

of

the

I

to

This

number

and

where

and

a

track

just

building

the

with

next

Lamdon

coffee,

of

laced

shock

assignment.

in

I

lose

with

cleanliness

were

foreigner

seemed

a

cards.

to

the

slightly

my

like

And

east

work

sipping

here

accept tend

mother booth.

most

Chopsticks

is

of

is

quite

Using

fund-

will

cafes

his

glad

the

before

Life

turning

villages,

worn-out

the

Leh

children

garbage

A

in

valley.

street.

them.

in

am

me,

Zanskar

days,

I

with

I

expenditures.

and

in

Kitchen

fundraisers

process

is

of

Well,

quickly

school

on

a

the

Valley

Nubra

mission

beyond

in

Rangdum

couple

Ladakh.

which

banner.

in

lined

ATMs.

with

Machine

through

schedule

main

is

Teller

places The

battled

these

cash,

ran

walked

Restaurant,

in

street.

our

Australia

toddler

favorite

and

overseas

A

street in

Brasil

from

the

behind

our

girl

friendly

thoughts

on

some

places

swayed

requirements to

complicated mind

of

the

Automatic

the

to

coffee

purpose, in

Zanskar

Ladakh. the

of

for

some

on

and

well,

favorite my

below

were

school

Valley.

my

running

although

and

eyes

down

there

opposite

for

string

and

people

charity

was

waited

sandwich, my

It

Café

Complex

looked

pleasant

inside.

As

Lehvenda

myself

ambiance

locals

Leh.

–

Megon

PAGE 9 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

G E T T I N G L E H ' D I N L A D A K H EVENTOURS JOURNEYS COVER STORY

I NEVER THOUGHT THE MOUNTAINS CAN CHANGE THE WAY I SAW LIFE.

The

meeting

resourceful how

things

page

simple.

and

it

The We

whatever

the I

were

when

project.

in

school

explained

to

comes

to

needed

to

my

utilize

available

to

who

came

curve

had

to

way

to

more We can

give

sponsors

were be

ready

lighted

Happiness lunch, place

I

but to

met

make

Road,

on

that

out

the

will

the

a

Kalita

Tingmo near

at at

the

one

Zanskar

who

of

more

was

needed

the

needy

needy

efforts

take

single

Leh

resources

future

decreases

Arpan the

in

were

to

some

share. ‘Thousand

from

never

called

Changspa

to

team

We

people

anyone

going

our

conversation

And

were

expected

prioritizing of

most.

We

as

materializing.

direction

was

was

of

ones. enlist

time. candles

candle.

by a

being

shared.’At

relatively

Thongsal.

Shanti

PAGE 10 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

It

Stupa

new is in

in Leh.

EVENTOURS

No matter how many times you visit Leh, it never

TRAVELS

ceases to awe you. It is the people for sure and the landscape.

The

mountain

breed

smile

from

a

stranger who ‘Julleys’ you the old lady circling the prayer

wheels,

the

cold

wind

dancing

with

the

prayer flags and the smell of yak butter, you cannot be nut happy in Ladakh. I then decide to visit the Leh Palace, This old monument in Leh seems to be in a battered state but the views of the town are very After saying bye to Arpan Kalita and confirming that we will re-group again in Guwahati to discuss our proposed project ‘Alternative Experience’, I decided to

take

a

stroll

of

the

market.

Leh

can

be

an

interesting place when it comes to shopping. I have a

deep

penchant

memorabilia. stores

for

Buddhist

Moreover,

available

for

I

artifacts

wanted

buying

or

to

renting

and

junk

check

out

adventure

assertive.

It

is

believed

that

the

Leh

palace

was

designed to replicate the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

History

says

that

the

Ladakhi

royal

family

abandoned the palace when the Dogra army invade it in 1836 and moved to Stok, One particular place within Shrine.

the It

place

that

fascinates

is

the

third

on

floor

me

is

the

beside

a

Royal small

courtyard.

equipment in Leh.

I found a very interesting outdoors gear shop on the first floor of Mitsik Building, near Chowklang Gate in the main Bazaar called the Neo Leh. They practically had everything you needed for a trek or a bicycle or a motorcycle trip. While there are sprawling flea markets in pockets of Leh, the Tibetan Market is one place I would not like to miss. Mostly managed by the womenfolk, it is a good idea to first look around.

Usually, they make a lot of fuss if you happen to be their first or last customer of the day and do not buy anything. However, a good gossip can earn you a good bargain. I had been mentally playing with the idea of taking home some metal statues, but since my

exit

flights

out

of

Leh

were

never

directly

to

home, I could not do much.

Hall of Fame , Leh If you are in Leh you must not miss the Hall of Fame museum. It is a museum run by the Indian Army, located on the Leh-Kargil road, about 5 km from Leh. Dedicated to Indian soldiers who lost their lives in Indo-Pak wars, the museum is full of pictures of

The next day I decided to be a tourist in Leh for the eleventh time! It was a day I had no ‘paycheck’ work

the wars. There is an entry fee of 25 INR per person and an additional 50 INR for photography.

and had the car all to myself with a driver. I started with a visit to the Shanti Stupa. It is Japan’s gift to Ladakh. Built-in 1991, Shanti Stupa is best visited in the afternoon and probably the day before you fly out

of

Leh.

Now

that

is

not

a

law

but

more

a

traveler’s logic. You will get a stunning panoramic view of the valley and it helps you keep alive the emotional

connect

you

might

have

accrued

with

Ladakh. Shanti Stupa was built to promote world peace commemorating 2500 years of Buddhism as a religion.

Shanti Stupa ,Leh PAGE 11 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

The

next

stop

something

was

that

Spituk

always

Monastery.

escaped

me

There in

was

Leh.

The

masked (Chham) dances of the New Year in Spituk Monastery.

Spituk

is

an

11th-century

architecture

dedicated to goddess Tara. Although I had been lucky to witness masked dances elsewhere, I heard the one in Spituk has its own charm of authenticity.

The masked dances provide a link between popular and mystical, hard to attain, Buddhism.

Spituk , Monastery Well, the day ended quite well. I asked Mehtab, my driver,

who

hails

from

Kargil,

how

he

was

doing.

Always smiling he said, ‘Thik Hain Saab’, meaning all is well. Yes, indeed all is well that ends well. So sitting

Leh Palace, Leh Well

we

had

next

time

today

and

my

driver

was

enthusiastic, so we decided to stray away to Shey.

Shey

Palace

and

monastery

is

at

an

altitude

of

11204 feet and is on the way to Thiksey and Hemis monasteries. Usually, there is a crowd in Shey but this time since it was beyond the tourist season. I was

left

alone

and

my

pictures

were

devoid

of

tourist subjects. One thing about the monasteries in Ladakh

is

the

stunning

views

they

offer

of

the

adjoining villages, mountains, valleys and towns or all

of

word

them.

I

‘panoramic

guess

no

view”

wonder

I

exhaustively

describe Ladakh visually.

find used

the to

to

village.

him, The

we

started

internet

our

was

drive

strong

back

to

Saboo

surprisingly,

so

I

decided to play some blues from my playlist on my Amazon Prime application.

“Everybody clap your hands And don’t you just love the way he sings?

Don’t you know we’re riding with the King?”

Eric Clapton sang ‘Ridin’ with the King’ on the car’s music system. We reached Saboo on time to wind up the day. I don’t know how many more times Ladakh will

keep

on

calling

me

back.

Sometimes

I

feel

I

needed to take a few years before I visit that place again. But fortuitously, Ladakh keeps bringing me back in. No wonder I revel in getting Leh’d in Ladakh so much. Not everyone gets what he wants. His Holiness, The Dalai Lama once said ” Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”

Until we meet again Leh, Julley!.

Shey Monastery , Ladakh

PAGE 12 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY JUNE 21

FEATURED INTERVIEW WITH a vibrant Yogini

FEATURED INTERVIEW

UPAMA BORKAR INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY TRIBUTE

PAGE 14 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

In her own words “I was always inclined towards anything and everything creative so it was quite natural for me working as an architect ever since graduation. I like designing spaces, turning them into living breathing homes, and growing offices.

That’s the professional side of me.

UPAMA BORKAR How yoga keeps her sane

A professional architect, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and an urban dweller of Mumbai- so many roles in one person, the last one taking its highest toll.

Upama Borkar, born and raised in Guwahati, now settled in Mumbai, is a graduate from Sir J.J. College of architecture and a YOGA addict.

INTERVIEWED BY 'Bearded Traveling Soul' Amitabh Sarma

PAGE 15 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

Besides that, I am an avid traveler who gets inspiration to paint from all the adventures. I love to do oil paintings, mostly landscapes. I also enjoy doing sculptures. My travel stories also include trying out different cuisines. I think the best way to get to try local food(with the authentic flavor)is when you try out street food of that place.

My trips are always off the mainstream tourist spots, I enjoy the beaten tracks as I love walking (don’t you think a new place is best explored by foot then be driven around ?) I am a firm believer in being fit, both physically and mentally. I started inculcating fitness as a routine in my daily life after I graduated. I never thought Yoga would help me fill up those gaps in my routine which I otherwise thought were complete to keep me going. Yoga helped to complete my self-development process.”

I like designing spaces, turning them into living breathing homes and growing offices.

- FEATURED INTERVIEW -

The Essence of Yoga BTS: Hi Upama, thanks for taking the time to do this interview. Could you give our readers a bit of information about you, where you’re from, and tell us a bit about the kind of yoga that you do?

Upama: Thank you, BTS for giving me this opportunity to bring Yoga to this platform.I live in Bombay now but I was born and raised in Guwahati, Assam. I am an architect by profession and I firmly believe that I am a Yogini at heart. I was always a disciplined person but I never really thought Yoga was something I would venture into. Like most people, I too believed yoga is all about spreading the mat, stretching, and meditating. I never thought Yoga was for me as I was always a very active person. It was by chance I entered The Yoga Institute, and that changed my life forever. Yoga has been my way of living ever since.

I am a certified yoga teacher now from The Yoga Institute. I was extremely fortunate

to

get

trained

under

Dr.Jayadev

Yogendra

and

Smt.Hansaji

Yogendra (President of the international board of yoga and vice-president of Indian yoga association).The Yoga we practice in The Yoga Institute is Ashtanga Yoga or the yoga of eight limbs.

It

is

the

written

classical around

yoga

2000

of Patanjali.The

BC

or

even

yoga

earlier.

sutras

These

by

sutras

Patanjali are

were

built

on

a Samkhaya philosophy and Bhagwad Gita.

Yoga practice and philosophy go hand in hand.

If you can steady your mind, you can steady your balance.

PHOTOGRAPHS UPAMA BORKAR

BTS: How long have you been practicing yoga? What have you learned from yoga?

Upama: I have been practicing Yoga for several years now. When I started practicing Yoga years back I thought it was only about asana(like most people do in the world). Those days I used asana only for stretching after a workout or meditate to cool and quiet my mind. I never took it as a subject to be studied at every level of human personality.Yoga can be understood only through practice. This practice will take you further into yoga. Yoga is the teacher if you have faith in it. Follow it wholeheartedly, experience it, and achieve a resulting change of consciousness. That is the whole story of Yoga.

PAGE 16 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

- FEATURED INTERVIEW BTS: Do you stay active in other ways besides yoga?

Upama: I have always been a disciplined child but like any true Axomiya, our love for

good

other got

food

is

always

conversations into

started

fitness as

coastline

a

after

in

overruling

any

after

all

gathering.

graduation.

long

walk

work

to

along

clear

I It

the

up

my

thoughts. Gradually it turned into a run and soon I started to get mindful about my regime. I started to look forward to my daily run at the end of each day. One thing added to another soon I started practicing

Yoga.

I

kept

trying

a

little

every day. The advantage is once you follow anything sincerely, it gives results and that strengthens you to go further.

BTS: Your current Instagram tagline reads "peripatetic". How do you think yoga can be carried out in vivid locations?

Upama: I believe if we have feet we are meant

to

travel,

otherwise

we

would

have had roots, isn’t it?The Vedic form of Yoga talks about a sedentary lifestyle.

The modern world will never let us know what it was like to be seated under a tree for years.The best part about yoga is

that

you

need

nothing

more

than

THE PHILOSOPHY OF YOGA

yourself to practice it all the while you be

traveling

world.Different different consensus

around

people

outfits seems

for to

like

to

yoga be

the wear

but

that

the

they

all

choose comfortable clothing. So you can just choose to wear whatever you feel comfortable in to practice it anywhere.

The secret is, yoga can be practiced in nude too! You forgot your yoga mat no worries, you can do yoga on the grass or the warm sand .. barrier not necessary.

Any

hotel

towels,

room

pillows,

will

provide

books

that

you

all

with

can

be

used a prop for asana practice. If you can’t practice without a class then there are

a

plethora

of

podcasts

outlining

classes. You can even download a ton of episodes before departure and refresh while

on

substitute

local yoga

wifi.

You

straps

can

for

even

scarves,

socks(knee length), and books for blocks.

After all, if you still need to connect with other yogis to practice just speak up! The beauty of travel is that you can always find a yoga class to practice it anywhere in the world, be it in your hotel or nearby…as to meditate we just need our own self seated in any corner of the world and activate our life energy(Prana).

BTS: What has yoga done for you as a person?

Upama: “I am all that my mind is- all that occupies my mind at that particular

moment”Yoga

changed

me

by

changing

my

way

of

our daily life. We do not take even a moment in the day to sit quietly and reflect. Our minds are constantly working on something or the other. We never listen to our consciousness due to all these noises in our heads. Just sit in peace and tranquility, quiet your mind (that sounds easy but the hardest task in the world). Practice it daily, you will get it sometime. Yoga practice and philosophy go hand in hand. If you can steady your mind, you can steady your balance. For me, Yoga has bought that tranquility in my mind that I can be at peace in any adverse situation. In the chaotic world we live in there’s nothing more beautiful then attaining a blissful state of mind. It has shown me the path to my inward journey.

PAGE 17 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

has

thinking and looking at things. We miss out on most elementary things in

JULY 2020 I ISSUE NO 18

can

BTS: Is yoga a way of life or a way to exercise and meditate?

BTS: What do you think of famous people, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, getting into yoga? Is it good for yoga or does it make it a fad?

Upama: Yoga is a way of life. The true purpose of yoga cannot be other than a spiritual one. When I say that I

UPAMA: Yes, a lot of people all over the world are

mean yoga is about integrating certain daily functions

following Yoga nowadays. Yoga was always meant to

and

discipline.

be propagated. Yoga is not a fad it is a journey. It is a

exercise,

journey that every young and old person can join in as

habits

Daily

into

our

activities

routines.

like

Yoga

eating,

needs

sleeping,

recreation, etc everything is monitored against a larger

no prior skill is required.

comprehensive

daily

Yoga is simply what it is. Yoga is more concerned with

ego,

the psychological aspects of the mind than the purely

attitude

(

outlook.

Perseverance

removing kleshas like

anger,

in

our

hatred,

attachment, fear, etc)has to be a continuous effort and

physical

with sincerity. This can be achieved only when you take

consciousness is the true essence of yoga. You can

yoga as a way of life and not just a tool to meditate or

practice

exercise to reduce weight.

backyard or a studio in fancy legging or in the nude.

For

example,

repetitive,

asanas

are

never

aggressive, are

fast,

or

alone,

in

of

your

That is the beauty of Yoga.

your breathing, you can focus your mind and become

etc.

aware

commitment, and just enough vulnerability to believe in

Every

to

tribe

level

of yoga-like diets, exercise programs, style of clothing,

movement.

meant

a

highest

mindful while practicing each step. When you control

muscle

You

anywhere-with

the

Of course, there are many fads out there in the name

your

mechanical.

it

Reaching

be

of

and

aspects.

breath

connected to every movement.

is

All

you

need

to

do

yoga

is

yourself.

For me, Yoga has bought that tranquility in my mind that I can be at peace in any adverse situation.

- FEATURED INTERVIEW PAGE 18 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

an

open

mind,

- FEATURED INTERVIEW -

Yoga is not a therapy but practicing yoga creates a balanced nervous and endocrine system that directly influences all other organs of the body.

BTS: Do you think practicing yoga and following an aligned diet is important?

UPAMA: To a yogi preserving and improving one health is the primary duty as health affects one's personality at all levels. Yoga believes that we behave as the food we eat. Food is related to our mental state like emotions and passions, which in turn have effects upon our health. These emotions if indulged in induces a peculiar form of diseases and these become chronic in time if we don't heal it at the mental level. It is an ongoing circle. A sattvik diet is necessary for ensuring a positive outlook and which in turn is essential for our overall well-being.

BTS: Do you believe it is an alternative form of healing and medicine?

UPAMA :Yes, I believe that yoga is an alternative form of healing.

Yoga works best at prevention than cure. Total health is a natural byproduct of Yoga. Yoga is not a therapy but practicing yoga creates a balanced nervous and endocrine system that directly influences all other organs of the body. This belief has further strengthened as many people suffering from lifestyle disorders of constitutional nature are cured as a result of yoga practice.

BTS: Finally, what are you looking forward to over the next year?

UPAMA: I am an eternal optimist. I am sure we will be moving ahead from this Virus scare shortly. This lockdown time will heal and reboot nature as well as human beings. We have a wonderful time to reconnect with our inner selves. I hope the human race respects life more, remain grateful to nature, and learn to remain in harmony. I am waiting patiently to travel again. Some beautiful paths cannot be discovered without getting lost. On a personal level, I need to get a better grip over a few emotional aspects of life. Learn to accept that nothing is permanent. I need to work on Viragya (detachment) and travel a long way to find my Samadhi.

Never stop your wanderlust!

PAGE 19 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

photography by Giacomo Bettoni/Eventours Journeys

July 2020 / Volume 18 / eventours journeys

AALO

Where the Siyom flows quietly SIMANTA BARMAN

EXPLORING NORTHEAST INDIA From food, to NATURAL structures, we learn more about the culture of the NORTHeast IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH ARTICLE BY

SIMANTA BARMAN Simanta Barman is a Post Gradute in Mass Communication & Journalism from Tezpur University, Assam

He is a travel blogger who writes at therandomtrotters.com.

When he is not scampering around for food, people stories and What

comes

to

your

mind

when

you

think

of

going

to

the

mountains? The yellow paddy fields stretching over vast lands vanishing humble

into

the

citizens

horizon

and

a

and

the

social

life

rural

retreats,

where

with

everyone

its

knows

my

first

solo

trip

to

the

West

Siang

district

of

Arunachal

Pradesh, I chanced to experience these and many more. It was the

end

train

of

from

September North

riding his bicycle, chasing sunsets on rural routes.

everybody else.

On

places, you will find him

in

2019,

Rangapara

I

boarded

station

in

the

Assam

Lachit to

the

Express town

of

Silapathar, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. This was my starting point to travel north to Aalo or Along as it is known.

PAGE 21 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

Reach him at simbord1@gmail.com

I boarded the train at 12:35 AM mid-night and reached Silapathar, a little past 6: 30 AM in the morning. It was a few minutes of walk to the taxi counter. With the rain slashing from all sides, the umbrella did not offer me much help. The shared taxis take you to Aalo from Silaphathar. The shared taxis had a much known commercial ritual of queuing up one after the other and waiting until almost all the seats are occupied with people and luggage.

The one that I had booked myself into, started at around 10 AM and we were doing a good time on the road. The transition from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh happened in a whiz, the sights outside kept me occupied. The whole journey feels like a progression in delightful sights.

Straight on to your face mountains, thick green jungles and water bodies made the journey a delightful project. The scenery changed from cattle grazing in the meadows to thatched huts in the mountain top jungles to terraced paddy fields. Only one thing remained constant, the vast blue sky with occasional patches of grey and white clouds.

The shared taxis made a pit stop at Pasighat and that’s when you realize you have entered Arunachal Pradesh.

There are plenty of eateries where they serve you traditional cuisines. It would always be a good idea to use the restrooms here as these taxis do not make many stops on the way.

As we drove up the mountain from Pasighat to Aalo, the landscape gradually changes. The houses change shape and the vegetation gets thicker. The occasional orange orchard laces the road and you can see water flowing through small streams out of the mountains. The entire journey to Aalo is in itself an adventure. Narrow roads cut through the mountains and the majestic valley hidden behind a soufflé of clouds will make your heart skip a beat.

The journey from Silapather to Aalo took us almost five and a half hours. The taxi stand in Aalo is opposite to the Circuit House, adjoining the bus station. Aalo is a quaint little mountain town with shops and small restaurants stacking up the main road.

Aalo or Along as it was known earlier is a headquarter town of the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Siyom river, rising from the Pari mountains in the Mechuka area, now acts as a demarcating line between the Siang and the West Siang districts.

PAGE 22 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

The real beauty, though, which I have realized in this trip is in the villages adjoining Aalo. The prominent villages are Logum Jini , Eyi, and Biru , and they have a well-protected zone. The beautiful gates just before you

enter

these

villages

with

traditional

motifs

are

quite a sight. The Aalo villages are close-knit societies, lingering

on

to

their

traditional

way

of

life

amidst

modernity. The stilt houses in the villages make good use

of

readily

available

wood

and

bamboos.

The

bridges in the nearby rivers are made of iron structures that hang by strong mild steel ropes. Patum bridge in Aalo is a more popular one and another one in Kabu Village.

Kabu

village

is

accessible

by

road,

which

seems to be a fairly good one, because most of the village roads are spotty and severe.

Siyom

river

was

tamed,

as

it

was

September

and

represented a gentle outlook. I have heard it to be rough during the monsoon months. One thing that kept me glued to Aalo and perhaps will stay with me once I leave, is the generosity and humbleness of the people.

If the rural life is scenic, the hospitality of the villagers is more inviting.

The three days that I spent in Aalo had me thinking about

the

wrapped

up

urban

life

I

belong

to.

The

thukpa (a Tibetan noodle soup dish) and the momos ( dumplings)

tasted

different

here

in

Aalo.

The

interactions with the locals, the stories that they told, and the whole landscape will remain in my memory long after I leave Aalo.

I decided to stay at the Circuit House guesthouse in Aalo. Aalo has several hotels and homestays. The Siyom river flows through the heart of Aalo town and it’s a photographer’s

canvas

with

the

mountains

lining

the

photographs by Simanta Barman

river early in the morning.

The old market of Aalo is filled with shops selling clothes to traditional things. The locals from the nearby villages bring in their wares, mostly agricultural products and bamboo crafts to be sold in the local markets in Aalo. I had a good time strolling in the markets and munching on local snacks.

The Indian Army has a base camp in Aalo and civilians an go to their wet canteens. The delectable dumplings are

the

town’s

favorite

there

and

civilians

watch movies in the small Army movie hall.

PAGE 23 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

can

also

for a feature in our blog or emagazine do write to us at eventourstravels@gmail.com

OPINION ARTICLE

OVERDONE DZUKOU VALLEY

DZUKOU VALLEY TREK Remember how we overloaded ourselves in Kheer Ganga? The National Green Tribunal (NGT) through the High Court had to ban tourism in Kheer Ganga. Personally, it was a big relief for me. I was tired of these 'adventure companies' promoting the Kheer Ganga trek in Parvati Valley for as low as 4000 Indian rupees. Himachal Pradesh had witnessed a toxic tourism growth that was killing the whole region steadily. For heaven's sake, the very purpose of a mountain trek is to seek solace and take a break from the chaos. Why would you want to take your plastics, your loud hip-hop music, and your faked hopeless hippie imagery up there and spoil it all?

PAGE 24 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

This trek is a popular youthful trek in Nagaland and of late has become a point of arrival for the domestic adventure seeking tourist in India.

THE NEWEST TECH & GEARS FOR YOUR NEXT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

CAMELBAK

the Dzukou Valley Trek

In

November

erupted

in

Nagaland.

2018. the

It

A

massive

scenic

took

forest

Dzukou

more

than

fire

Valley

60

in

volunteers

especially from the local organization called

Maintained

by

(SAYO)

Kohima,

in

craftsmanship

the

Southern the

done

Angami

Dzukou

without

Youth

valley

stray

Organization

trek

is

thoughts.

nature's

The

valley

spreads across the states of Nagaland and Manipur and is at an altitude of 2452 m. The Dzukou valley trek has two flavors

–

the

winter.

Each has its peril and sweetness. Strangely as per Angami

human causality, the flora and fauna took a

myth, Dzukou is considered a soulless dull region, a place

massive hit. The volunteers have to use sack

where the dead rest before departing. The Dzukou valley is

clothes

one

with

the

fire.

Some

in

a

close

trekkers

encounter

from

Manipur

have camped in the southwestern area of the Dzukou valley and had left a fire for cooking unattended. This might be a one-off incident in Dzukou Valley that exhibited a peril in the making for an impending course of action.

In

2014

January,

Mt.Japfu

was

a

forest

almost

fire

at

in

the

to

annihilate Dzukou valley. The army had to use choppers

to

contain

the

spread

of

the

fire.

The source remains a mystery, as most of the terrain was not accessible on foot.

PAGE 25 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

the

most

sought

on

a

after

frostbitten

experiences

a

green

by

green

canvas.

the

living,

modern backpacker from mainland India. It is said, a river existed with water that heals and a white elephant roams the valley. I once remember, in my first trip to this valley, before it was mapped into the commercial tourist circuit, running

into

a

village

headman,

whose

approval

was

needed to get water from a nearby river. The water was

nearby

loggerheads

of

is

on

trek

burn away operation. Although there was zero

one

woven

summer

to contain the fire in a dawn to dusk, do or

winter

flowers

the

canvas,

the

colorful

While

takes

machetes

through

and

Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO)

and

you

summer

salty.

perils of mass tourism Mass tourism is never a bright idea and does not make a long-term

good

'sustainability'

business is

sense.

very-broad

Now

the

based

whole

and

term

of

occasionally

confusing and conflicting in nature. Nagaland's history with the

process

of

conservation

is

a

very

sad

story.

The

Tragopan Wildlife Sanctuary is a namesake piece of land, no hornbills fly in Nagaland even though a massive annual festival

is

staged

in

its

name,

you

still

see

young

kids

roaming with wooden catapults and adults hugging around with homemade rifles – I am sure no one is going on a war.

While

taking

Amur

falcons

Nagaland,

some

guests

making

ironically

a

I

to

pit

see

stop

saw

the in

people

annual

the

migration

Doyang

waving

Valley

flocks

of

of in

dead

birds as passing cars hoping to make a quick sale.

Everyone

loves

regulators

a

have

cheap

become

deal,

and

addicted

customers to

the

well

as

gratification

as

of

cheap travel options, that a form of 'intentional blindness' has infected us all. Dzukou valley is a beautiful place and people have every right to be here. Nevertheless, the whole idea should be to bring in nothing and take away nothing. I am certainly not in favor of censorship in tourism. However, I

have

seen

Remember

destinations

Shimla,

succumb

Mussoorie,

to

mass

Dharmashala,

tourism.

Manali,

Leh

and our very own Shillong and Tawang, I can go on and on.

The

problem

with

mountain

treks

is

that

it

does

not

look

good overloaded with people. Moreover, to top it all, there is

a

time

limit

on

how

long

someone

can

keep

cleaning

other people's mess.

No

matter

how

much

the

bureaucrats

scream

on

India's

focus with 'up-market, high value' tourism, what they lack is a road map to tap the domestic market. There is a need to sensitize the domestic tourist and equip the locals with a conservation module. One thing we have to understand is the

commercial

tourism

often

communities

as

mathematics means the

behind

fewer cost

mass

benefits

price

of

tourism. to

the

More local

commodities

and

infrastructure increases. I am also not very convinced with the

current

breed

of

tourism

consumers,

especially

us

Indians. We think cheap travel is a right and not a perk of advanced technological opportunity.

PAGE 26 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

Conservation in Dzukou Valley Lately, SAYO- Southern Angami Youth Organization has done an excellent job of keeping the Dzukou valley.

They have managed to formulate their own set of rules for people to embark on the trek and thereby bringing a process to the whole endeavor. Dzukou is a youthful destination and it suffers from low barriers of entry and lack of regulations. This is encouraging rapid growth and conjecture. And Nagaland's administrative tussle with Manipur on ownership of the Dzukou Valley trek is making things worse.

The role of SAYO, who has taken the onus single-handedly to preserve Dzukou Valley has increased. Regular trainings are conducted to volunteers of SAYO on biological conservation, tourism, and cultural subjects.

How to reach Kohima Kohima, the state capital of Nagaland is connected by a road network with all the major airports in Northeast India. The nearest airports are the Dimapur Airport (DMU) and the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (IMF) in Imphal. From Dimapur Airport it is a 3 hours drive to Kohima and from Imphal Airport it is a four and half hours drive. If you are doing things on your own, you have local taxis and buses that will take you from Dimapur to Kohima. Alternatively, you can take a train from Guwahati to Dimapur. I prefer the Jan Shatabdi Express train that leaves Guwahati at 6: 30 AM and reaches Dimapur at 10:40 AM. And then, take one of those black and yellow shared taxis to Kohima. Some great overnight buses take you from Guwahati to either Kohima or Dimapur.

PAGE 27 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

Accommodations in Kohima: Hotel Blue Bayou: Modern hotel just opposite to the Kohima War Cemetery.

Hotel Vivor: Hotel Vivor has 29 charming rooms which are categorized into Standard, Premium, Deluxe, Deluxe Suite, and Executive Suite & Niathu Presidential Suite.

Hotel De Oriental: Situated on the highway and easy to access modern hotel

Hotel Razhu Pru: Quirkily poised between a heritage and boutique hotel, Razhu Pru was originally a family home built in the post-world war II winter of 1946

Touphema Tourist Village: The accommodation is a series of huts in Naga style at Touphema village

Dovopie Inn: With soothing traditional decor, this inn at Khonoma village, has six rooms and perhaps the cafĂŠ, known as Zievo Coffee CafĂŠ is one of the best located in Nagaland.

Dimori Cove: Next to the Hornbill Festival site, an interesting boutique accommodation.

Alder Retreat: Located 10 minutes away from the city, Alder Retreat is the ideal place for travelers who want to get away from the rush and pollution of the town.

Medom's B&B: A homestay run by Dr. Kenny is in one of the most picturesque locations in Kohima, Nagaland.

Morung Lodge: A bed and breakfast homestay located in the heart of Kohima

PAGE 28 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

Dzukou is a youthful destination and it suffers from low barriers of entry and lack of regulations.

Reaching Dzukou Valley The

Dzukou

points

–

Kohima

valley

either

or

trek

can

Jakhama

Viswema

be

taken

Village,

village,

25

from

20

km

km

from

two from

Kohima.

There are local taxis that will take you to either of the villages. The trek from Jakhama is steeper but takes but

less

time

takes

same.

while

longer.

The

the

The

Viswema

beauty

recommended

is

trek

of

option

is

loftier

course

is

to

the

go

in

through Viswema and come out through Jakhama.

Either way, depending on your physical conditions and

the

time

you

spend

on

photography,

it

will

take 2 – 3 hours to reach the rest house once you reach the valley.

Stay in Dzukou Valley

B

The last time I did the trek in 2017, the entry fees were 20 INR for people from neighboring villages, 50

INR

for

Indians

and

100

INR

for

foreign

nationals, to be paid once. The dormitory charges in

the

rest

something per

house

called

room.

basic

the

blankets,

approximately dinner

additional

and

50

VIP

Additionally,

mattresses, ranged

were

room

you

and 50

INR

You

was

can

even INR

breakfast

payments.

per

can

head

for

pay

300

for

each

INR

which

item.

are

provided

also

camp

in

A on

the

valley. But again I am reiterating the fact that you have

to

be

a

responsible

camper.

Dzukou

is

a

plastic-free zone and you have to pay a security fee if you are taking in plastic bags. The security fee is refunded once you give enough proof to the volunteers

of

SAYO

that

you

came

back

with

those bags. One can carry camping gear or you can hire camping gear in Kohima.

The best time to do the Dzukou valley trek is from June

to

the

end

of

September.

The

valley

is

covered with flowers although the rains can be a dampener.

After

September,

the

winter

trek

starts. Although with less romance in the valley, the winter experience is very different.

foam

firewood,

for

and

est time to visit Dzukou Valley

"Away, away, from men and towns, To the wildwood and the downs To the silent wilderness, Where the soul need not repress its music."

Percy Bysshe Shelley

The Corona Virus pandemic has taught us a lot of things and although immediate future to tourism looks

shaky,

the

future

looks

bright.

Nature

has

taken time to heal itself. And once things brighten up, we should be careful not to rush into things.

We

would

not

want

the

cycle

to

repeat,

would

we?

Dzukou is a plastic-free zone and you have to pay a security fee if you are taking in plastic bags. The security fee is refunded once you give enough proof to the volunteers of SAYO that you came back with those bags.

PAGE 29 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

Photograph @ Roger Jackson

YOGA CRUISE B R A H M A P U T R A

BY EVENTOURS TRAVELS

FEATURED ITINERARY

YOGA CRUISE in the Brahmaputra

EVENTOURS TRAVELS LLP PAGE 31 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

PAGE 32 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

ASSAM Assam boasts two out of India’s five UNESCO environmental World Heritage sites, and we have devised this 8-night package to provide visits to both these sites, Manas and Kaziranga National Parks, together with a short cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra River and exploration of villages and the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Day 1 Meet at Guwahati airport or at Samdrup Jonghkar (Bhutan border) and drive for 4 hours/3 hours to Manas National Park, on the border with Bhutan, checking in at Musa Retreat. This Project Tiger reserve is now recovering well from earlier unrest – the tiger count is now estimated at around 30, and wild elephant number some 500.

different species of deer and monkeys, as well as some of the park’s 380 different species of birds, to arrive at Mothanguri on the banks of Manas River with scenic Bhutan hills at the background. Our first lesson on Yoga under your Guru will take place next to the river. This will be followed by breakfast at Mothanguri Forest Lodge.

We return to our lodge through a different route through the jungle; watch out for wild elephants and water buffalos etc. Lunch will be at the retreat. Afternoon we walk through a tribal village. Before the sunsets you will have a second lesson on Yoga. Evening we will witness a Bodo tribal dance.

Overnight in the retreat.

Written by EVENTOURS TRAVELS Photo by Aakash Suresh

Day 2 We take an early morning jeep ride through grassland and evergreen forest, hopefully seeing several

Day 3 Morning we will take a short drive to the bank of Beki River, where you will have your Yoga class for about an hour. After breakfast at the retreat, we drive 4 hrs to Guwahati to embark on the cruise mid-afternoon close to the great Saraighat Bridge. Cruise downstream to an overnight stop close to the south bank village of Vijaynagar. Before the sun sets attend another hour-long Yoga class on board followed by a short lecture on Yoga.  Day 4 This morning you will have your Yoga class on the bank of the mighty Brahmaputra. Breakfast will be on board, disembark and explore a riverside village on foot. Cruise upstream to the little town of Sualkuchi, loud with the clatter of looms and visit on foot its silk weaving workshops. We shall see the whole process of silk manufacture, from cocoon to spinning to dyeing and finally to hand-weaving into exquisite saris and dress lengths. We then drive on to Hajo, a place sacred to Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. We visit a hilltop Muslim shrine with far-reaching views over the surrounding rural landscape, as well as the simple Hindu temple with its frieze of elephants and its sacred tank full of great carp, catfish and turtles. Later we re-board and cruise to an overnight mooring near the Saraighat War

Written by EVENTOURS TRAVELS LLP

Memorial. Evening learn new lessons of Yoga on board with a sunset on the Brahmaputra.

PAGE 33 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

FEATURED TRIP eventours travels cruise journeys

Manas enjoys stunning scenery, backed by the jungle-covered hills of Bhutan, while Kaziranga boasts a wide range of easily seen wildlife, the many rhinoceros being the outstanding feature. On the river and the sand islands which dot it one can often see great flocks of migrating waterfowl, and there is also a good chance of seeing the rare Gangetic Dolphin.

Day 6 Cruise upstream past jungle-covered hills, and turn into the Kolong River. We cruise up in our Day 5 We will have our Yoga class on the sundeck

country boat for a kilometer or two to the road

while cruising upstream. We disembark at Pandu

head from where we drive to the Pobitora Wildlife

docks and are taken on a short sightseeing tour

Sanctuary. This small park has a dense population

of the city of Guwahati. Drive up Nilachal Hill to

of

see

shall be unlucky if we do not spot some of these

the

rites may

holy

and

animal

prefer

exterior.

Graves

Kamakhya

Visit

to the

cemetery

temple.

sacrifice, content

the

well

more

themselves

poignant as

With

its

tantric

squeamish

Commonwealth

War

½

shop

at

high-class

One-Horned

armoured

beasts

Rhinoceros,

on

a

and

jeep

we

safari

around the park. Afterward guests are driven c.4

the

a

Asian

amazing

with

as

the

hrs to Kaziranga National Park, where we stay the

superbly

comfortable

mid-stream Peacock Island with its population of

Kaziranga

Golden Langur monkeys before re-embarking and

population of well over 1500 rhinoceros and is the

cruising for about an hour and a half upstream to

best place in the world to see these beasts.

Kurua

There

the

north

bank.

Today

evening

your

are

a

also

World

good

sambar

across

very

jungle

is

looking

and

selling local crafts. Cross by country boat to the

on

Lodge,

situated

Heritage

into site

populations

venue of Yoga class will be on the sundeck for

elephant,

deer,

swamp

about an hour to be followed by lecture about

wild boar and many other species.

the and

of

deer,

park. with

tiger, hog

a

wild deer,

the “Origin of Yoga in India”.

PAGE 34 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

NO

P L ACE

B AD

AS

I T ’ S

I S

T HE Y GOI NG

E VE R T E L L T O

AS YOU

B E .

JUNGLE STORY photograph @Amitabh Sarma

Day 7 At dawn we will have an Yoga class on the bank of River Diphlu and after breakfast drive for a few minutes to Kaziranga’s Central Range for a Jeep

safari.

After

breakfast

drive

to

a

Mising

tribal village, with their distinctive houses raised on piles. After lunch we take another jeep safari in

the

Western

Range,

and

scan

the

wilderness

from an observation tower. Before dusk we will have another Yoga class at the resort.

Day 8 An early start for the 4 1/2 hour drive back to Guwahati airport, or 2 airport.

Alternatively

½

hr transfer to Jorhat

prolong

your

Kaziranga, subject to availability.

PAGE 35 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

stay

at

Yoga Cruise on the Brahmaputra is a travel program by EVENTOURS TRAVELS LLP and is available for booking for the year 2022 and beyond through its channel partners Details: info@eventours.in eventourstravels@gmail.com

The Nature Conservancy works with local communities, businesses, and individuals to protect over 100 million acres of land around the globe.

PAGE 36 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

AMBUBACHI MELA THE FESTIVAL OF THE BLEEDING GODDESS IN PICTURES

Every year in mid-June, thousands of devotees flock to the Nilachal hills to Northeastern India's biggest city, GuwahatiÂ

to witness the Ambubachi festival. 'Ambubachi Mela' as it is popularly called, 'Mela'

translating to a carnival, is an annual fair celebrated for four days in the famed tantric temple of Kamakhya.

Our August issue's COVER STORY

ISSUE 18 . JULY 2020 . EVENTOURS JOURNEYS

37

PICTURE STORY

KAMAKHYA TEMPLE The first Koch King, Biswa Singha rebuilt the temple over the ruins of an earlier temple. A lot of old literature suggested that these rulers had great faith in 'tantrism' and hence this temple evolved as a center of learning tantras and ritual sacrifices

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front COVER PHOTO @marcus fornell JUNE 2020 EVENTOURS JOURNEYS