Thursday, September 6, 2007

Amarnath Yatra

Amarnath Yatra

When To Take UP Yatra The Amarnath Yatra is organised every year by the J &K Govt. during the month of sharavan ( July and August); the dates however , vary every year looking at the weather conditions and according to Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) in the month of Sharavan (Vikrama Samwat). This year yatra will be taken up from 30.06.2007 to 28.08.2007
Yatra to Baba Amarnath Holy Cave for which one has to trek a height of about 14,500 ft is full of thrill and joy .The feeling of divine which is always beneath ones' heart , burst out and one realises ‘Moksha’ as one attends the Cave and perform the prayer before the Shivlinga . Surrounded by beautiful valleys, mountains , one will always feel His presence on the paradise of the earth, the memory of which hardly vanishes with time A journey which will rediscover the nature and its love which is always inside but one has never felt.
CLIMATE The climatic conditions are very uncertain . Rain or snowfall may take place at any time or place during the Yatra . It is to be particularly noted that abrupt changes in temperature might occur . Sunny weather may turn into rain / snow fall in a short time . The temperature may fall upto -5 degree C .
How to Perform Pilgrimage For performing this Yatra, one is required to get registered . The registration is done by J &K Govt. Tourist Offices, located at Delhi , Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jammu and Srinagar.
Applications for registration in the prescribed format which is reproduced here .You can get the print out of this form and this can be used for registration .The filled in form should be sent to the registration office nearest to you , along with two passport size photographs duly affixed at the indicated places, a self addressed pre stamped envelope (for speed post) and a medical fitness certificate from an MBBS doctor . Each yatri has to submit a seperate application for registration. Every yatri will be issued a registration-cum-identity slip by the registration authority. Yatris are advised to carry this identity slip during the Yatra period to ensure a smooth passage .
Travelling Expenditure

Bus Fare (Per Person) :-

DELUXE SEMI-DELUXE ORDINARY ARTP

Jammu To Pahalgam :-Rs. 200.00 Rs. 155.00 Rs. 130.00 Rs. 220.00
Jammu To Baltal :- Rs. 240.00 Rs. 200.00 Rs. 160.00 Rs. 270.00
Taxi Fare (Per Person) :-

TATA SUMO ( 7 Seater ) AMBASSADOR / VAN ( 5 Seater )

Jammu To Pahalgam :- Rs.360.00 Rs. 520.00

Jammu To Baltal :- Rs. 550.00 Rs. 760.00
Other Expenditure:
Chandanwari to Holy Cave Rates as per J&K Government (up & down)

Coolie Labour :-Rs. 1100.00
Dandi :-Rs. 7000.00
Ponny :-Rs. 2300.00
Baltal to Holy Cave Rates as per J&K Government (up & down)

Coolie Labour :-Rs. 700.00
Dandi :-Rs. 3500.00
Ponny :-Rs. 1100.00
NOTE : The above rates are fixed by J & K Tourism .These are maximum rates. However , Yatris can avail the above facilities at lower rates depending upon their bargaining power.

All Yatris are advised the following : Insurance : In view of the hazardous nature of the Yatra, pilgrims are advised to get themselves insured suitably. It is advisable that insurance cover may be got done before leaving their place of residance.
Accommodation : Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust (Regd.) provides tented accommodation & Community Kitchen (Langar) to the pilgrims TOTALLY FREE OF COST. This year this service will be made available at Panchtarni . Your valuable suggestions are solicited by filing up the
form provided here on the website .
Free accommodation is also being provided by other Non Government Charitable Organisations. However, J&K Tourism Development Corporation too provides tented accommodation and shelters at nominal charges.
Personal Tips : Because of the unpredictable weather conditions, which often are wet and extremely cold during the Yatra period, pilgrims are advised to carry rain coat, woollen clothing, small umbrella (with head elastic band and strap around chin), walking stick , dry fruits, torch and personal medical kits etc.

Monday, September 3, 2007

KulluManali Photos









































































Kullu Manali

http://www.indiatravelite.com/hillstations/kulumanali2.htm

State :-Himachal Praadesh

City :-Kullu Manali


Airports:-Kullu


Distance from City Centre :-11 Km/ 7 Mile


Railway Junctions :-Pathankot


Local Languages :-Pahari ,Hindi


Manali Accommodation

Apple Country Resort
Manali :-INR 3600Incl.

Solang Valley Resort
Manali :-INR 2600 4 Star

Sagar Resort
Manali :-INR 9999 for 3 Nights Package Incl.

SnowCrest
Manali :-INR 12999 for 3 Nights PackagesIncl.4 Star

Holiday Inn Resort
Manali :-INR 15999 for 3 Nights Package 10%5 Star


Whispering Rocks Resort
Manali :-INR 8999 for 3 Night Package.Incl3 Star

Hotel Ambassador
Manali :-INR 13999 for 3Night PackageIncl.

Shingar Regency
Manali :-INR 199010%3 Star

Manali Resorts
ManaliINR :- 8999for 3 Nights Package Incl.4 Star

Park Inn Manali
Manali :-INR 7000 for 2 Nights Package




Kullu-Manali Travel Essential


AREA 5,503 sq.kms.


POPULATION 301,729


ALTITUDE 1230 m (Kullu)


CLIMATE Pleasant temperature in summer and cold below 0 C with heavy snow fall in winter


VISITING SEASON March to June for relaxation and visiting the places of sight seeing and enjoy short and long excursions as well as climbing and river rafting


RAINY SEASON July and August


AUTOMUN September to November for trekking, climbing, sight seeing and river rafting


WINTER December to February- snow-skiing and heli-skiing in Manali and above


LANGUAGES Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade


CLOTHING Cotton and tropical in summer and heavy woollen in winter

Kullu Airport

Airport Name :-Kullu Manali

City Name:- Kullu,Bhuntar

State :-Himachal Pradesh

Distance & Direction from city:-9 Kms, South of Kullu Town Other Airports in Vicinity Name of the Airport Distance from the Airport Manali Helipad - Defence 45 Kms from Bhuntar Shimla 220 Km by road Kangra 200 Km by road


Kullu Introuduction

KULLU:The most charming and beautiful Kulu valley spreads out its charm on either side of river Beas. The valley runs north to south of this river and is 80kms. long and about 2kms. at its broadest. Yet with awe inspiring glens and mossy meadows encircled by the rushing streams and meandering brooks, flung east & west, a fairly wide area is open to the tourists, the trekkers, the mountaineers, the artists and to anyone who wishes to escape the heat & dust of the plains to breathe the exhilarating air of the Himalaya and enjoy the spectacle of the variegated mountain scenery. The valley is also famous for its exquisitely woven colourful hand made shawls and kullu caps.
Located in Himachal Pradesh, the Himalayan Jewel. Kullu was once known as Kulanthpitha-'the end of the habitatable world'. Beyond rise the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalaya, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lies the fabled 'Silver Valley'. The town of Kullu is famous for its colourful Dussehra festival. Decorated palanquins and processions convey gods and goddesses from temples all over the valley to Kullu, to pay homage to the reigning deity, Raghunathji. A mela springs up during the festival which is celebrated with a great deal of singing, dancing and festivity.



Manali Introduction

40 kms. away from Kulu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as the SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.
Manali is Situated at the northen end of the Kullu Valley, Manali has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes. The Beas rushes along its rocky course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream's edge. There are marvellous walks too, through dappled orchards and fairy-tale forests of deodar.
The Manali market is crowded with myriads of interesting shops selling Tibetan carpets and crafts and the appetizing aroma of steaming noodles hangs about the little restaurants. Manali, with its Mountaineering Institute, is a popular base for trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing in winter. Interesting routes into the surrounding valleys, over the high passes, are provided with tourist huts and rest houses for trekking enthusiasts.


Himachal Pradesh

The Apple Land of India, the abode of gods, the land of snows, is a veritable paradise, a tourist's dream and delight. It is situated in the north-west corner of India, right in the lap of the Himalayan ranges. It is bordered by Jammu and Kashmir on north, Punjab on west and south-west Haryana on south, Uttar Pradesh on south-east and by Tibet on east.
The state is dotted with holiday resorts all over. The celebrated Kullu and Kangra valleys, and the Manali hill station, have their unique charm and personality and are more gracious and exciting than Kashmir valley. Thus in this state an ethereal other-worldly beauty is literally at your door steps. Easily accessible, Himachal gives you an opportunity of a life time. Something to live by and something to live for. This "apple land" of India is a mountaineer's delight too.
Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari.
Places of Interest in Himachal Pradesh:
Chail: Highest cricket ground in the world, Hill station, Palace, Woods ideal for trekking and bird watching, Fishing.
Chamba: Temples, Museum, Gateway to Tisa & Panagh valleys, Gardens, Murals and Paintings.
Dalhousie: Hill station, Handicrafts, Picnic spot.
Dharmsala: "Queen of hills", Hill station, Tibetan handicrafts, Headquarters of Dalai Lama, tibetan monastery, Bhagsunag Temple.
Jawala Mukhi: Temple, festival of Flame Goddess.
Kangara-Fort Ancient town,, Miniature paintings, Temples.
Khajiar: Lake-side valley, Golf.
Kullu-Orchards, Temples, Scenery, trekking, Trout fishing.
Manali-Hill resort, Trekking, Temples, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
Palampur-Hill station, Plantations.
Shimla-Year-round Holiday center, Hill resort, Meadows & Forests, Handicrafts.
Major Towns: Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Dalhousie, Dharmsala, Mandi.