Pachmarhi, Queen of Satpura

For people from north Pachmarhi still remains a distant dream as compared to hill stations like Shimla, Manali or even as far as those in Sikkim. So the scorching heat of Delhi and the advertisements put by MP Tourism did us in as we decided Pachmarhi to escape.

Pachmarhi nestling in the Satpura hills derives its name from the 5 caves up in a hill which was uses by the Pandava Brothers during their years of exile. During the British Raj it was used as a sanatorium for the ailing soldiers of the British Army. Gathering as much information as possible on the attractions of Saputara as on the logistics we found out that Pachmarhi has enough logistical reasons to loose out as a favoured destination for the northerners. Pipariya the closest railhead to the hill retreat (around 50 km) is not serviced by trains from Delhi. There are two choices either to get down at the state capital Bhopal which is about 195 km away or at mainline Itarsi some 120 km from Pachmarhi. We decided on the later to save on time if not costs!. So on a hot humid June night we boarded the cooler climes of the AC 3 Tier compartments of Karnataka Express to take us to Itarsi.

In the morning we reached Itarsi little aware of what was in store for us. Asking for the Taxis to cover the 120 km distance and we were stormed by an army of overzealous Drivers and their touts all eager to ferry us but for a sum or perhaps a ransom. Some demanded 2500 bugs some 2000 it was as if a free for all Tamasha with everybody trying to lift our luggage. Hungry and desperate to reach the queen of Satpurara ranges we zeroed on a Cab with the least quoted price and was on our way soon.

After some time the hilly roads started with zig-zag and sharp bends and the temperature became gentler on the skin gave us a feel of Pachmarhi at an altitude of 3555 feet.

Finding accommodation was not a problem as we had already booked accommodation with Hotel Glen View a MPTDC run hotel. The hotel as with many other State government run properties is situated at the most vantage point of the hill station giving a fascinating view of the bucolic landscape besides a being a building with historical antecedents.

The well furnished rooms were spacious and clean thus making us forget all the travails we faced on the journey from Itarsi. The hotel along with good food and cooperative staff also takes care of the laundry.

Pachmarhi is not very glamorous as compared to other hill stations there are no palaces, sight points or for that matter any other source of amusement but the woody expanse encapsulates and overwhelms you wherever you go. Sal, Mahu and Harrh trees dominate everything else.

The falls for which Pachmarhi are known tempts one to trek as most of them are quite some distance below the ground level. We visited Rajat Prapat, and then some distance away was Apsara Vihar. Then there are the Bee Fall and the somehow difficult Duchess fall.

A visit to Chauragarh merits a full day trip. Here on a hill top, a life size idol of Lord Shiva exists. As reaching the point requires climbing 1200 stairs so think twice before deciding on this arduous climb.

A must visit is the Priyadarshini point named after Smt. Indira Gandhi. It gives a panoramic view of Pachmarhi. Formerly known as Forsyth point after Captain James Forsyth, who discovered Pachmarhi supposedly from this point in 1857.

Other points include Bade Mahadev, Gupt Mahadev, Ambadevi Temple and off course if you are an wildlife buff a visit to the Satpura Tiger Sanctuary is a must.

Like all good things our brief sojurn in the hills of Satpura came to an end but not before some nasty haggling and ugly moments with the Taxi that brought us back to earth at Itarsi. Some thoughts for MP tourism to make the access easier for gullible travelers like us into this wonderful retreat.

Nathdwara, Gateway to the Lord

In Nathdwara it seems the clock is tuned to the activities of Shree Nath Ji everything and everyone goes by the Lord’ way no doubt the people seems a bit whimsical considering Shreeji lives here in the ‘Live Form’ of a small child who is known as the most adorable prankster.

Arriving at Nathdwara to have a quick Darshan and leave for Udaipur afterwards is not possible, you need to have a Himalayan patience. The lord is accessible but not for those in a hurry. The Darshans of Shreeji are regulated and opens up eight times day albeit in short bursts. This makes for huge serpentine queues and occasional skirmishes with those in charge of the securities.

The eight “Darshans” or “Jhankis” as they are called starts from the morning when he is waken up and ends with his going to bed early in the evening. These are termed as Mangala; Shringar; Guwal; Rajbhog; Utthapan; Bhog; Aarti; Shyan. With the exception of Shyan devotees can be a privy to the lord’s Darshan. Shyan is not always performed openly and is open to masses only on certain special occasions.

Shrinathdwara is one of the most important pilgrimages of the "Pushtmargiya Vaishnavites” whose proponent was the 15^th century scholar Vallabhacharya. A large number of pilgrims belonging to this sect and others ascend daily here from the various towns in Gujarat. No doubt Gujarat and Gujaratis have a formidable presence in this small temple town. With countless small eateries promising authentic Gujarati Thalis in various price tags, Gujarati Dharmashalas and Hotels with names written in Gujarati are prominent here.

Nathdwara is reminiscent of typical Temple towns in India where it seems very little have changed over the centuries. Constricted lanes taken away by overzealous shopkeepers selling their wares, countless sweet shops selling the favourite sweets of the lord all claiming to have been prepared with 100 % pure Milk and Desi Ghee, mishmash of overhead cables, constant stream of crowds on the road- all vying with each other for some breathing space. An ICICI ATM counter amidst the plethora of rundown shops looks some kind of a mismatch here.

If you are an enthusiastic ‘eater’ and ‘shopper’ type, who can leverage good bargains out of impossible prices, then the Chaupati Bazaar with colourful shops is the place to head for.

Navneet Priyaji or the adorable lord is everywhere in framed metallic cases, in the famed Pichhwais painting on cloth wall hangings, copper and silver vessels all make for the perfect souvenirs. After shopping, a combo of Doodh- Jalebi from Puroshottam Bhai Doodh Jalebi Wala works wonders and keeps you sustained till the main meal of a royal Gujarati or Rajasthani Thali.

Leaving Shreeji’s Haveli as the temple is known as comes with a tinge of sadness as well as with a promise- to be back again at the most opportune time.

Luxury train will cover popular destinations in North India

Luxury train will cover popular destinations like Amritsar, Dharamshala, Anandpur Sahib, Patiala, Kurukshetra, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi in a week-long itinerary. The Ministry of Tourism has joined hands with Indian Railways and Punjab government to launch a “Palace on Wheels” tourist train . Ministry planed to expance 7.25 crore on Luxury Train.

Indian tourism had grown 10.4 per cent in the first half of this year

British Ambassador for Overseas Business Lord Swraj Paul said the increased flights from the UK to India from 2001 (19 per week) to today (134 per week) has largely contributed to the growing capacity of the Indian tourism industry.

According to nstonline.com, the revenue from international tourism rose from US$2.6 billion in 1995 to US$3.6 billion in 2000, then to US$7.5 billion in 2005. The percentage increase in foreign exchange earnings from tourism was 16.8 per cent in 2007.

The Indian government has confirmed India is attracting record numbers of international tourists despite the current economic climate and high fuel prices, reports the Press Trust of India.

India is expected to see an influx of 10 Million international tourists by 2010, up from just 5 Million in 2007

India represents one of the most potential tourism markets in the world. It has expanded rapidly over the past few years and underpinned by the government support, rising income level and various international sports events, the Indian tourism industry will continue to grow at the fastest pace in the coming years.

Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Rajasthan are the leading tourism destinations in India in terms of total tourist arrivals. The growth in India's tourism market is expected to serve as a boon, driving the growth of several associated industries, including hotel industry, medical tourism industry and aviation industry.

Singapore, Dubai most popular destinations for Indian tourists

Increasing numbers of Indians are travelling abroad for business and leisure and Asian countries are their favourite destinations with Singapore and Dubai heading the list, according to a survey released Wednesday.

Most Indian-outbound travellers come from a rapidly expanding urban middle class with larger disposable incomes, the Neilson India Outbound Travel Monitor 2008 said. The survey was conducted in partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

Asian countries are the most popular destinations for Indian travellers, who spend an average of 1,789 dollars per person per leisure trip.

Singapore is the most popular destination, followed by Dubai, Australia and Malaysia.

Asian countries account for about 72 per cent of recent leisure trips and 63 per cent of business trips by Indians, the survey found.

New Zealand is latest destination for Indian tourists

Most visitors are choosing to stay in 4- or 5-star hotels, luxury lodges and boutique accommodation on an average spending NZ$3,425 (Rs.105,782), excluding airfare, per person per trip - higher than the average of NZ$3,115 (Rs.96,304) spent by tourists from other countries.





Bangalore-based Ajay Vij, a senior executive with Accenture, recently travelled with his wife Kavita and two kids to New Zealand. He says, "We as a family enjoy travelling to places where nature plays a huge role.





"New Zealand attracted us as it had so many elements within a single country and it didn't disappoint. We were exposed to fiords, glaciers, volcanoes, geothermal activity, whales and wine regions."

Kavita, a corporate training consultant, says: "The country is pure and beautiful, fragile is some parts and immensely strong in others. The friendly and content Kiwis love their country and openly share this with their visitors."

Most Indians spend four days in Auckland and Rotorua in North Island - some even venture to drive north to the Bay of Islands - and seven days in South Island, touring Christchurch, Mount Cook, Queenstown and Milford Sound.

However, many young couples choose to spend 12-14 days only in South Island.

"As many as 65 percent of Indian travellers do only New Zealand whereas 40 percent take specialised tours combining New Zealand with Australia. April to June are most popular months for small family groups whereas honeymooners and young couples travel all through the year," Tourism New Zealand India Manager Kiran Nambiar told IANS.





Favourable weather during the northern winter, fly and self-drive deals, ease with English and a competitive dollar are perhaps some reasons why New Zealand is such a hit with Indian families and honeymooners.

"An Indian honeymooning couple spends on an average two weeks touring across New Zealand, staying in 4-star accommodation and spending a few days in a luxury lodge. Families normally prefer apartments with cooking facilities," says Nambiar.

New Zealand being so sparsely populated, one honeymooning couple from Rajasthan says, "It gives you space and a chance to spend quiet time together. It is serene, romantic and at the same time adventurous and exciting."

Many young families and couples look at the varied leisure activities the country offers. There is much to choose from: soft adventure - jet boating, whale and dolphin watching, hot air balloon rides and high adrenalin sports like sky diving and bungee jumping.

It is little wonder that readers of Wanderlust, Britain's leading travel magazine, have voted New Zealand as the top country to travel to. New Zealand received an impressive 96.86 percent satisfaction points followed closely by Madagascar and Namibia.



However, as Nambiar says, "2007 posed a challenge with fewer airline seats and higher airfares making the growth decline to 7.8 percent, but increase in flight capacity between India and Asian transit points will make it easier for Indian visitors to get to New Zealand. For 2008, we expect an increase of 10 to 15 percent in visitor arrivals from India."

A New Zealand Tour Video


It is not just Indians travelling to New Zealand. In December 2007, there were 19 percent more trips by Kiwis to India compared to the previous year, according to Statistics New Zealand.