Bengal Tiger Historical In Asia: The ecology and conservation of the Bengal
tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) was studied in the Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh for 18 months (September 2001-February 2003). The objective was to provide baseline information on: a) prey population structure and density, b) prey selection by tigers, c) relative habitat use by tigers, d) breeding and litter size of tigers, and e) tiger-human interactions, which is a key requirement for effective conservation of this globally-threatened animal. The main methods used in the field were line-transect sampling, scat analysis and kill study, sign surveying, and interviewing. The spotted deer (Cervus axis) was the dominant prey species, both in terms of individual density and biomass density. Based on the prey density, the tiger density was inferred at 4.3 tigers/100 km2 (excluding cubs) in the high density area. The spotted deer and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) were identified as the most social prey species.
Other prey species, such as wild boar (Sus scrofa), lesseradjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) and ring lizard (Varanus salvator) were mainly solitary. The spotted deer was the most frequent prey in scats and kills (78%) and it forms 80.1% of the prey biomass consumed by tigers. Other than the spotted deer, tigers also preyed on wild boar, rhesus macaque, lesser adjutant and some other smaller prey species. Soil and sungrass were found in scats (as non-food items). In general, the trend of prey selection appeared to follow prey size and abundance. Most spotted deer kills were adult animals.Bengal Tigers may have habitat preference for feeding, resting, defaecation and interaction, but not for movement, scratch-scent-urinal and ‘others’ (hunting, drinking, etc.). They were found to use soft-barked trees for scratching more often than other types. Tigers may breed throughout the year, but the peak is in winter (October-March). For possible litter size, one was the commonest (60.7%), but the mean litter size was 1.4, which is lower than in other tiger ranges. During this fieldwork, humans killed 7 tigers and tigers killed 41 humans. Based on interviewing local people it was found that most of tigers killed were middle-aged (68%) males (73%). Sixty-eight percent tigers were killed mainly in the villages around
 the Sundarbans. The main reasons for tiger-killing by people were attacks on humans and cattle (76%), but poaching was also a significant reason (19%). Most of the tiger attacks were on middle-aged (73%) fishermen and ‘Bawalis’ (woodcutters, leaf collectors, etc.), but the pattern mainly followed availability.Tiger-human conflict was highest in winter. The majority of the local people interviewed (53%) relied only on spiritual measures to protect themselves from the tiger. Forty-two percent of the interviewees believed on the medicinal use of tiger parts. Interestingly, despite all of the fatal encounters, 75% of the interviewees wanted the tiger to remain in the Sundarbans, so that the area could be protected from illegal loggers and poachers. A total of 2.8% of the animal protein consumed by local people surveyed came from tiger prey; prey protein was more expensive than non-prey protein. The main threats to tigers persisting in the Sundarbans are illegal human consumption of tiger prey combined with direct poaching of tigers. Over time this may have detrimental effects on the persistence of tigers in the Sundarbans, unless steps are taken to control these activities. The tiger is deeply rooted in the history, culture, beliefs and myths of the Indian sub-continent. One seal of the Indus valley civilisation, which dates back to 2,500 BC, shows the naked figure of a woman, upside down with her legs apart and  
national parks in India — the Sunderbans in West Bengal and Kaziranga in Assam — have captured the imagination of tourists and wildlife enthusiasts unlike others. It could be that their apparent inaccessibility or unusual topography add to their aura. Or is it the chance to get that once-in-a-lifetime image of a tiger emerging from the swamps or of an one-horned rhino staring out of the elephant grass at against the backdrop of the setting sun? Who knows. But both find a mention in every wildlife
enthusiast’s bucket list. So, when the opportunity to visit Kaziranga came calling, it was obviously not one to miss. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the globally famous national park draws in foreign and Indian tourists by the hordes, all hoping for a glimpse of the endangered one-horned rhino. Once poached to the brink of extinction, these gentle giants are making a big comeback in the 430 square kilometres reserve, and today account for nearly two thirds of the Great Indian Rhino population in the world. Yet, forest guards take no chances, and are always alert, guns strapped around them. The very experience makes the threat seem more real. The park itself is tourist-friendly, and in a complete rip-off of a concept made famous by Kenya’s Masai
Mara, boasts of the must-see ‘Big Five’. Boards at the gate welcome visitors to catch a glimpse of the rhino, tiger, elephant, swamp deer and bison. And if the roads leading to the park and the several resorts around are indicators, the government too takes an interest in promoting tourism here. Something that can't be said about the rest of the North-East region, especially Arunachal Pradesh. Inside, the park is divided into four zones but tourists aren’t allowed into the core park area. Our own trip commenced with an elephant ride scheduled at 6.30 am. These rides happen only
for two-three hours in the morning and evening, so be on time. If you miss your one-hour ride or are late, there is little to no chance of a refund. Also, booking another elephant ride will be difficult. We reached the park by 6 am and since the elephants and mahuts were ready, we started off immediately. Being late November, the weather was chilly, not that it mattered to the huge animal we were seated on, who just strutted past huge trees, swamps and even walked over a few logs. And then, a few metres ahead, was our first rhino. Yes, no drama. No waiting for the perfect moment or luck.
It was right there. And before we could react to its presence, another rhino and her calf made their appearance. We even had swamp deer, elephant, wild boar and bison sightings. Later, we were told that the jeep safari in the evening would not offer much scope as the animals remain hidden by the elephant grass. But it isn’t true. We saw as much, if not more animals, including several rhinos. The climax was a herd of elephants and their calves coming to see us off as we exited the park. So does Kaziranga live up to its promise? Source: Image1, Image2, Image3, Image4, Image5, Image6, Article. Gir forest officials observe "human behaviour" among lions: Forest officials in Gir have
observed rare behavioural pattern in a pride of Asiatic lions, exhibiting characteristics similar to humans. Two adult male lions seem to rule 32 felines, keeping a close eye on the sub-adults. The two adult lions guarded the group, which ideally comprises of one to three adult females, their cubs and sub-adults. They move around the forest and assume the role of protectors to father the other lions. In an interesting observation, these lions express their feelings just like humans, with a large display of emotions and inter-personal bonding forming the highlight of their day- to-day behavioural pattern. According to a forest official, as the male lion starts growing up, his family chases him to venture out and form his own pride. "There is a rule in the case of lions and according to this rule, once the male cub grows, then he has to leave his group and then only does breeding happen. We have also observed that a male cub sits separately, 14 lions sit in a group and two male adult lions who are the rulers sit separately," said Sandeep Kumar, Deputy Conservator, Gir Forest, Gujarat. Due to joint efforts of the state government as well as forest authorities, there has been a substantial increase in the population of lions in Gir. The pride of 32 lions in the forest is the largest pride to be ruled by two male adults. The Gir forest is one of the renowned wildlife sanctuaries in the country as it is home to Asiatic lions, which can only be found here. (ANI), Image: flickr.com, Source: Article. Visit famous Shiva temple at Tiruvannamalai and surroundings: How to reach TiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai is on Katpadi-Vellore-Villupuram railway
line, 68 km west of Villupuram and 83 km south of Vellore. Tirupati- Villupuram Passanger train leaving Katpadi at 6-40, reaches Tiruvannamalai at 9-30. Katpadi-Trichy Passanger leaving at 16-50 arrives at Tiruvannamalai at 19-25 via Vellore and then departs for Villupuram. The Passanger train that leaves Tiruvannamalai at 6-40 reaches Villupuram at 8-45 and then goes upto Pondicherry at 10-30. Buses take passengers from Tiruvannamalai to Jinji in 1 hour, Chennai in 5 hours and Pondicherry in 3 ½ hours. Tourists for Pondicherry are advised to go straight there by train or from Villupuram by a bus journey of 38 km. Railway station and bus stand at Tiruvannamalai is between 500 meters. To 100 km south of Kanchi, on the northern side of Shovaroi hill and around Arunchaleswar Temple Tiruvannamalai, a holy place dedicated to Lord Shiva. At the foothills 1.5 km from rail and bus stands, Tejalingam complex of over 100 temples has come up on 25 acre of land. This is towering temple, the largest in South India, built with the patronization of the Vijayanagar kings of the 16- 17th century. What legend says about TiruvannamalaiLord Shiva emerges here as Agni Linga or one of the five sources of life in the midst of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu who clashed for supremacy. Lord Vishnu taking the form of a boar failed to bore the earth to determine the character of the Linga. Similarly, Lord Brahma in the form of a swan failed to scale the peak of the Lingam to do the same. Both accepted the superiority of Lord Shiva at Tiruvannamalai hill. The temple said to have taken 1000 years to built and Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Arunchaleswar. Other deities like Parvati, Subrahmanya (Kartik), Ganesh, Lakshmi, Venugopal are there in the temple. The 66 meters high 13 storey Mandapam or Gopuram is a beautiful piece of art works. Carvings are simply marvellous. One will find after entering it on the east gate at the first courtyard the beautiful 1000 pillar Mandap built by the Vijayanagar kings. To the north of the temple is a tree, a cross between Neem and Bodhi (Banyan). The holy tree is a symbol of peace, happiness and prosperity. Newly married women come and pray to the holy tree for happy married lives. In November-December on the occasion of Kartik full moon a grand Kartikai Deepam festival is organized. Lord Shiva travels around the town on a chariot alongwith Parvati, Kartik and Ganesh. People from far off places come here to take part in the 10-days festival. One has to make 14 km tour trek up the Tiruvannamalai hill to see the Shiva Lingam. Other attractions of Tiruvannamalai: Maharshi Raman's Ashram is another attraction. He died in 1950, cremated 2 km on the South West of the town. Further west is the 1100 meter high Shovaroi hill on the right side of the road and 300 meter high Kalrayan hill on the left side. Opposite the temple to the North West side is the holy hill with its Virupaksha cave. Further up Skandasraman cave. Places to visit surrounding Tiruvannamalai: 35 km west of Tiruvannamalai, in the Reserved Forest is Sathanur Dam (built in 1957) on the Ponnyar river which emerged out of North Bangalore. The lake created out of the dam has got a swimming pool and a crocodile project has also been taken up here. The park adjacent to the lake has a good ambience. Further south is Kuddalore. East India Company set up a commercial house here in 1684. Fort St David was also their creation. However, the French destroyed the fort in 1758. Tourists may visit by bus to sculpturally beautiful Krishna Temple 43 km west of Villupuram. Source: Image1, Image2, Image3, Image4, Article. Trekking In The Land Of Gods: Trek is a long and an adventurous journey
undertaken on foot, in areas where common means of transport are generally not available. It should not be confused with mountaineering. The Himalayan routes in India are famous for some of best trekking routes in the world, attracting a large number of trekkers. From trekking routes that challenges professional trekkers, to the routes easily accessible by even amateur and first time trekkers, trekking is an
awesome experience in the highGarhwal mountain ranges. Uttarakhand - the land of Gods and the home of Himalayas, located in the northern India, has many such trekking routes. It is the most popular area for trekkers form across the world. Uttarakhand is a region of outstanding natural beauty, its marvels in its high Himalayan ranges and glaciers (towards the northern part of the state), while the lower reaches are densely forested. The state has always been a destination for mountaineering, hiking and rock climbing in India. With its gorges, deep valleys and
lofty mountains the geography of this land is idle. Roopkund is a popular trekking site among trekkers. The frozen Roopkund lake is famous for the mystery of skeletons, dating back to 850 AD, found in the lake, which was covered by the National Geographic Channel in a documentary. On the trek to Roopkund are also the beautiful meadows of Bugyal. The termination point for all these treks is Rishikesh. Rishikesh, a small picturesque spiritual town along the river Ganga, is located in foothills of the Himalayas . It is also considered to be the “Yoga Capital Of The World” and is a
magnet for spiritual seekers. The place keeps you spiritually enthralled, from the moment you enter Rishikesh, till you head back home. No wonder the Beatles choose Rishikesh for their Transcendental Meditation at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Thereafter, Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame. Trek on to the beautiful lake, Deorital for an easy, relaxed walk in which you don’t have to put much vigor into. From where you can trek on to Chandershilla top, which is the only place from where
you can get a perfect 360 degrees view of the Himalayas. Another easy trek is to the Surya Top, which also offers a mix of everything a Himalayan trek has to offer. You can catch a Himalayan black bear, musk dear or even a leopard while on your up through the forests or watch out for pheasants, eagles, butterflies and many varieties wild flowers. And if you want to see rare Himalayan birds like the Paradise Fly Catcher and the Fork Tail Fly Catcher you can easily trek to Har Ki Dun valley. The best time to visit the hills of Uttarakhand is from October to June, when you
can expect clear blue skies. In the summer months of April to June, avoid the plainsand take to the hills instead. Rains occur from end June to September, and though the snow-clad Himalayan views may not be visible, the monsoons in itself could be quite delightful. Famous as an offbeat destination, some compare the place with the heaven. Source: Article. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary - India's oldes bird sanctuary in Tamilnadu: This bird sanctuary, with a 30
hectre wide lake, is the oldest in India (1858). Migratory birds come down here after the monsoon to make nests. Among them are heron, ibis, pelican, spoonbill, stork, cormorant, egret, greeve and other birds from tropical zones. Best time to visit the sanctuary is in the morning and evening and during November to February. But to get maximum number of birds December-January is the best. It is a treat to watch the birds collecting their food before retiring to their nests. No firearms are allowed in the bird sanctuary nor any body can go near the nests. One can watch the birds from the rest house on observation tower with the help of a telescope. Hence, tourists should come here with their binocular. How to reach Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary: On Chennai-Trichy-Kottayam NH 45,75 km south of Chennai and 1 km to the east of Mathuranthakam is situated Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, a paradise for bird watchers. Frequent bus services and plenty of taxis make it a convenient place to visit. Kanchi is 61 Km , Viliupuram 91 Km and Trichy is 252 km from here. One can go there direct from Chennai Broadway Bus stand or via Mahabalipuram and Kanchi. From Egmore trains are going south wards to arrive at Chengalpattu (56 km) in one and half hrs. From Chengalpattu Old Bus Stand buses are available every hour to reach Vedanthangal Forest Rest House, 20 Km from there. Image: flickr.com, Article. Kashmir stay is fulfillment of a family dream:
SRK: Kashmir: Hoping that his stay would encourage others to makes films in
 Kashmir, Shah Rukh Khan Thursday said he had never felt "this kind of happiness in life before". Addressing a crowded press conference here, Shah Rukh, who ended his shooting in Kashmir for Yash Chopra's untitled directorial venture, said: "Naturally, people who hear me would like to come here either to make a movie or to simply see the beauty of the place. I never felt this kind of happiness in life before. I do not know what exactly it was." The actor found himself playing real life crowd controller at his press interaction here where most of the people had turned out to have a glimpse of their favourite superstar rather than listen to his views. Dressed formally to attend his first media interaction at Hotel Lalit Palace overlooking the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Shah Rukh had to get up from his chair to maintain order so that he could hear questions posed by media persons. Even though attendance at the much awaited media interaction was by invitation, many people, who were not even remotely connected with the press, managed to enter SRK's media briefing. The 46-year-old said his first experience with Kashmir had been so rewarding that he would be talking about it to his family and friends for the next 15 days. Asked whether his visit would give a fillip
to Kashmir as a Bollywood destination in future, SRK said: "I am not such a big person that others would follow me, but I have shot films in Switzerland, Mauritius, London and other places and the beauty of Kashmir is definitely unmatched by any other place. Inshallah, other filmmakers will come here to shoot their films in future." After shooting for Yash Chopra's untitled film in famous tourist spots Pahalgam and north Gulmarg, SRK is scheduled to fly back to Mumbai Thursday. He was sad that his stay in the Valley has come to an end. "It was always my father's dream to take me to Kashmir because his grandmother belonged to this place. Although I could not come here in his lifetime, yet making it finally to Kashmir has been the fulfilment of a family dream. I am happy it has been finally realised," he said. Asked about Kashmir being
portrayed in a certain manner especially since violence broke out here, he said: "Different people have different ideas. Films are just the reflection of a society and it depends on a storyteller what kind of story he wants to tell. For example, I am presently here shooting for a love story." About the negative portrayal of Muslims in the West, SRK said: "We should not get into a negative attitude. I think all of us must explain to others that what some of us might be doing by way of violence has nothing to do with our religion." Commenting upon his larger than life stature in the Indian film industry, he said: "God has always been very kind to me and everybody has been nice to me." The film also features Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma and is scheduled for a Nov 13 release. The first teaser of the film has already hit the theatres. Image Flickr: Link1, Link2, Link3, Article. Holiday Vacation Tour in Goa: Buzzing
with natural beauty and blissful ambiance Goa is the place to be this summers. Goa, a small beautiful state of India. Goa is a very blissful treat to souls. Goa offers sheer fun and enjoyment to the tourists. Goa famous for its long stretched golden beaches. Goa has been blessed with very attractive beaches viz. Arjuna beach, Baga beach, Bogmolo beach, Calangute Beach and Dona Paula Beach. Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favorite with travelers around the world. But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. Much of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its
 buildings and in the hinterland away from the coastal area. Legends from Hindu mythology credit Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the creation of Goa. Over the centuries various dynasties have ruled Goa. Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Silaharas, Chalukyas, Bahamani Muslims and most famously the Portuguese have been rulers of Goa. Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonization on December 19, 1961 and became an Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic. Having been the meeting point of races, religions and cultures of East and West over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic  communities make up almost the entire population with minority representation of Muslims and other religions. All the communities have mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter and Id with equal enthusiasm. The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa is justly famous. Terekhol (Tiracol), Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Sal and Talpona are the main rivers which weave their way throughout the state forming the inland waterways adding beauty and romance to the land besides being used to transport Goa's main export commodity of Iron and Manganese ore to Mormugao Harbour. Along the way to the coast these waterways form estuaries, creeks and bays breaking the sandy, palm-fringed coastline behind which lie the fishing villages among the coconut groves. Anjuna Beach Market: Located in the heart of the 'backpackers' scene, the Anjuna flea market is the place to be on Wednesday. A beach town situated off the North of Goa, Anjuna became the hide-out for-Western 'hippies' arriving in the 60's. Finding their wallets empty but wanting to stay longer, these early travelers auctioned 
off their belongings from guitars to jewelry and jeans to their compatriots. Thus began the infamous 'flea' market at Anjuna. Located on the sandy stretch overlooking the waves of the Arabian sea, what started as an open-air hippie exchange has become one of the most popular attractions for backpackers and tourists alike. And though a relatively new phenomena unlike the antiquity of the Mapusa market, the Flea market has a unique style and rhythm all its own. At today's Market, which during the peak season(October-April) covers almost the entire stretch of beach, one finds only a few Western residents and long-staying travelers on the selling side of the fence. The majority come to observe and buy, while the hawkers hail from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the semi-nomadic Lamina tribe in Karnataka. The latter make up the largest majority, selling thick silver jewelry, richly-dyed fabrics, and trinkets from all over India. They have a unique style of dress and culture all their own, and live on the fringes of Goan society much like the long-staying travelers who reside in Anjuna and frequent the market.With so much to offer Goa is a place to be for everyone. Don’t miss out your Goa trip with Holiday India. We at Holiday India offer the best packages for Goa and an experience with you will cherish your lifetime. For details on Goa and our exclusive Goa packages, Source: Image1, Image2, Image3, Image4, Article. A thrill experience during rainy season in India: This time to go India
with a thrill experience of Rains, Indian Rainy season is one of the best season because every where you can look greenness and very beautiful weather also. Indian Monsoon is generally thought of as a land where water descends in torrents during monsoons. Hence, it is understandable that the thoughts of rain and floods can dampen your holiday plans in India. However, in reality you do not have to avoid traveling to India during the monsoon season. So just Stay with cool and pleasant weather and enjoy some spicy Indian food during the rainy season. Best Monsoon Places in India: If you think to go India so first thing come in your mind that is Goa, and Goa also known as the 'Pearl of the Orient', has a character quite distinct from from the rest of the country. This tiny state, on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan, offers a lot more than just sun, sand and sea. The Goan beaches are only a part of the attraction - the scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favorite around the world. Some beach resorts in Goa are open around the year, so it is possible to visit Goa during the rainy season. Especially in the later months of the southwest monsoon, some of Goa’s beaches invite small crowds of travellers who do not mind some rain and who appreciate the significant discounts you can get for accommodation when it rains. Indian More Places where you can go During the Rainy Season: If you are Decided to go North India so just ready for hilarious adventure during the rainy season, In North India large parts of the Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh get very little rain during the monsoon season. Lahaul and Spiti are beautiful destinations for trekking, for motorbike trips and for exploring Buddhist monasteries and remote valleys. Lahaul is also the gateway to Ladakh in the Himalayas, one of the best places to visit in India during the monsoon season.So other than if you are thinking to come India during the rainy season so in your mind remember that Monsoon in Kerala is a deterrent to tourists while this is one of the best times to experience Kerala. The Monsoons in Kerala are no longer the same and don’t rain the way it used to in past, they do not take the pattern of nonstop rains. It rains for a few seconds, few minutes or few hours with sunny interludes. And In this time Ayurveda gets you the best results during Edavapathy as it provides the most conducive climate at its home turf of Kerala. During the Monsoon season, the atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy. Special Ayurveda rejuvenation therapies are available during the monsoons which has lasting effects. So just forget all worries and just enjoy Indian Monsoon season that is specially made for your presence so come here and see the beautiful weather and other things. Image: flickr.com, Article. Lakes of Ladakh: One of the main reasons I wanted to
go to Ladakh was to camp at these high altitude lakes. Nestled at heights of 15000 feet and more, Ladakh's lakes - Pangongtso, Tsomoriri and Tsokar are completely secluded from human habitation, but for a few villages like Spangmik and Korzuk near Pangong
and Tsomoriri respectively.The other attraction was of course, the birds that breed here- black necked crane included. The three lakes are completely different from each other, in terms of landscape and you cant be satisfied with seeing just one.
Sharath and I camped in Pangong , where we took our own tents and had a cook along with us, who prepared some of the best momos Ive ever had. In Tsomoriri , we were
less adventurous, where we stayed in a camp , but it soon touched -2 and we were freezing . We had a very brief glimpse of Tsokar, which looked completely different
from the other two lakes. But there were several wildasses here . You can see my post on them here. There was a fourth lake that we encountered on the way to Tsomoriri
and it looked like a mystery lake - greenish blue , with absolutely no one around.'
For more brilliant skies around the world, click Source: Article. Gulmarg beautiful destination in India: Gulmarg Tourism offers some of the best
 skiing resorts and facilities for winter and Summer sports in Gulmarg. Also visit the famous Gulmarg golf course posing as the highest golf course in the world offering some of the best sports facilities and gears. Gulmarg tourism also highlights unparalleled beauty of Gulmargs virgin snow capped mountains, panoramic meadow of flowers and all information required by the tourist for travelling. Getting There:- Gulmarg is in Baramula Distt and is 57Kms from Srinagar District .The nearest Airport in Badgam Distt.This Airport is connected with major cities of country. The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu . The journey from Srinagar to Gulmarg takes approx. 2 hours in bus and may take short time by chartered conveyance. The road to gulmarg is very 
Adventure Sports
beautiful and is lined with poplar trees all through. Skiing in Gulmarg--For the adventure seekers Gulmarg is the ultimate destination for skiing. You may easily hire the skis and sticks, snow boots, woolen socks, mufflers, windproof jackets, goggles, and caps. With all the equipments and the Ski instructors at hand it is the best bet to enjoy the holidays at Gulmarg. The skiing season at Gulmarg is from November to February. The slopes in Gulmarg varying between 8,700 and 10,500 feet make the ski
Golf Course
runs the highest in India. It is noteworthy that Gulmarg is the only heli-skiing resort in Asia. Even the amateurs can enjoy with the ski lifts and the chair lifts. Lots of recreational activities are on the offer : Gulmarg offers a beautiful Golf Course where equipment is also available on hire. A Cable Car(Gandola) is also installed which is great hit with tourists and it takes tourists up to Kongdori. Trek to Alpather Lake can be undertaken which is lake 13 Kms away from Gulamrg. This lake remains frozen even in June. There is another spot called Khilanmarg which offers unparalled view of the Himalayan peaks . The famous shrine of Baba Reshi is also located near Gul Marg noted muslim saint who is revered by all faiths. Gulmarg-Khilanmarg-Apharwat-Alpather is one of the important trekking routes. Source: Article. The Dazzaling Lake of Rewalsar in Himachal Pradesh: Rewalsar Lake is a mid-altitude
 lake located in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh INDIA. Located on a mountain spur, 12 miles (19 km) or about an hour's drive from Mandi, brings you to this sacred dark jewel-like lake. With water, woodland and high hills, it presents a variety of natural beauty. Rewalsar is sacred to adherents of three major Dharma religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. The Hindu history of Rewalsar is found in Sakand Puran. Rishi named Lomas was searching for place to worship. He traveled and climbed the top of Drona mountain, from the top of mountain he saw a beautiful lake surrounded by beautiful trees, flowers and birds. He decided to meditate at the bank of the lake.
He meditated here and according to Skand Purana Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati
 blessed him by telling the secrets of this place where all the Devatas and Ganas are in the form of flowers, floating lands and trees. The famous Rewalsar lake ('Tso Pema' to Tibetans) is associated with Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche), who is recognized as the second Buddha of this age. One version of a legend has it that the king of Mandi had Padmasambhava burnt alive after rumours that the Guru had attempted to teach his daughter the Dharma, which was not accepted then. The pyre burned for a full week, with great clouds of black smoke arising from it, but after a week, a lake appeared at the spot where he was burnt and Padmasambhava manifested himself as a 16 year old boy from within a lotus in the middle of the lake. The king, repenting his actions, married his daughter with Padmasambhava. It was from Tso Pema that Padmasambhava went to Tibet to spread Vajrayana Buddhism.The tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh visited Rewalsar to consult with kings of the Hill states
seeking support against Aurangzeb. He stayed at Rewalsar for a month The place
 is particularly sacred to Namdhari Sikhs due to its mention in Sau Sakhi as a sanctuary.This gurudwara was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi. A country road winds up to the lake and right around the lakeshore, where you’ll find the ochre-red Debung Kagyud Gompa, with an active thangka (Tibetan cloth painting) school and a large central Sakyamuni statue. Just beyond is the pale blue gurdwara built in honour of Gobind Singh in the 1930s. In the other direction, the Tso-Pema Ogyen Heru-kai Nyingmapa Gompa has artful murals .Uphill from the lake is the towering white Zigar Drukpa Kagyud Institute, with outsized statues of Tantric deities. On the far side of the lake are a number of small Hindu temples dedicated to the sage Rishi Lomas, who was forced to do penance here as a dedication to Shiva.It is firmly believed that those who visit this holy lake and pays reverence towards Acharya Padmasambhav, his or her life certainly become meaningful by gaining wisdom, and eventually the state of Enlightenment. Source: Article. Tiger cub spotted in Sariska: A tigress in Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve has reportedly delivered a
cub. On Tuesday, the tigress and the cub were captured on camera. This is encouraging news, Minister of Forest and Environment Bina Kak said here. The tigress has been spotted at Kalighati and Slopka areas of the sanctuary. Wild life officials are trying to secure more photographs of the animal. The Sariska reserve now has five adult tigers, of which three are females and two males. With a cub spotted now, the total number is now six. In 2004-05, the forest department and the Rajasthan government faced all-round criticism over the disappearance of tigers from Sariska. The state government then decided to relocate tigers from the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district to Sariska. The Sariska reserve, originally a hunting preserve of the erstwhile princely state of Alwar, was declared a wildlife reserve in 1955. It got the status of a National Park in 1979. Source: Article. Image: flickr.com, Now Gujarat Tourism To Take Amitabh Bachchan Ads
Overseas: Gujarat tourism has decided to take ad campaign featuring Amitabh Bachchan overseas. Ever since the launch of "Khushboo Gujarat Ki" campaign, Gujarat
tourism has posted very strong growth. The campaign was launched in October 2010 acorss India. Among first destinations promoted by Amitabh Bachchan was Gir
National Park, that saw huge surge in tourists thanks to the ad campaign. Several other places were promoted following that including Gandhi Circuit, Kutch and the
Somnath Temple. The third stage of campaign will feature more destinations like Saputara, the only hill station in Gujarat. The success of the campaign has made Gujarat tourism to take the campaign global. Gujarat tourism officials confirmed this
during the Travel Agents Association of India, annual award show. Gujarat tourism was honored with the award of best tourism department in India beating Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. The state tourism department has take several
steps like organizing events, festivals, tourism fairs and road shows in several cities across the world to promote Gujarat. Tourism Secretary of Gujarat, Vipul Mitra told that tourism growth of Gujarat is 14 per cent over the past one year. The majority
of growth from domestic sector was made possible by the Amitabh Bachchan. Its worth noting that Congress party slammed Mr Bachchan for promoting Gujarat
tourism. But today thanks to him, thousands of tourism jobs have been created in the state. Image Source: Link1, Link2, Link3, Link4, Link5, Link6, Article Source: Link,
Remark: Copy images url and paste to find it’s source of sharing, also get connect with each source of sharing articles via specified links. Our Sites unique and other links (if there will be any) are available just for the requirement of the subject not for increasing circulations, as we are not in the promotion of any kind its all for very special issues, personalities etc.
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