NORTH SIKKIM TRIVIA

Sikkim is picturesque. And every picture is different. North Sikkim is a bit difficult trip than the others. The temperature drops really low in places of North Sikkim. It can be difficult for people who have breathing trouble or who have difficulty withstanding cold. So, do plan according to the season.

I would write a few tips on North Sikkim Trip.

1) Don't Hurry through the trip. You can't reach North Sikkim in a day from NJP/Bagdogra/Siliguri. You need to start from Gangtok, Mangan, or any place closer to North Sikkim.

2) Plan a 2 nights trip or preferably 3 nights trip for Lachung and Lachen. But if you want to skip Gurudongmar then a day or two at Lachung will be nice. 

3) The hotels are of varied range in this hamlets, but mainly basic types. Choose the moderate type of hotel preferably. You will need provisions of hot water i.e. geyser and an electric kettle. 

4) Powercuts are very common in those areas. Carry your power bank and get it charged regularly. Electronic gadgets like mobile phones and cameras tend to rapidly drain once you are at a high altitude.

5) There are no towns in North Sikkim, so carry all your medical necessities with you. There are high chances you will not find any shop there. 

6) Everything is overpriced and you need to accept that ( no use bargaining)

7) Very basic food is served in the hotels like bread and jam, momo, maggi or egg curry and rice. Trust me, that's actually all they have.

8) You will not find decent toilets on road. And disposing any kind of sanitary product will be difficult.  

9) You can have shared car facilties or private . Do not carry too much luggage one or two bags per person is fine. 

10) Decide beforehand what do you want to see, like snow or flowers or apples , you can't see all of them together. Once you know your interest, then you can decide the season. We visited in the last week of March and everything was snow covered.

11) Do not opt for very budget hotels or cars they may be bad enough to spoil your whole trip. 

12) Carry cash or opt for BHIM or something . Using card is not an option. carrying cash is the best.

North Sikkim Trip can be a Mini Adventure For You. Just keep in mind. you should choose the right partner and the right time. 

:-) 

You can Visit the link below for Gurudongmar Details 

https://thetraveltellerstales.blogspot.com/2021/04/gurudongmar-lake.html

Gurudongmar Lake

Ok, Let me be very honest, visiting North Sikkim and Gurudongmar Lake is difficult. You should have very sound health to do this. I will share with you some dos and don'ts for visiting the Lake. It is situated at a height of 17,800ft from sea level.  It is a 3 to 4 hours drive from Lachen. 

Here is a list of things you should definitely carry with you.

1) Woolens, thermals Windproof jackets, gloves, socks, and mufflers. How many layers you should be wearing is a matter of controversy. It definitely depends on your tolerance but you cannot go up there in your bare minimums. So, carry extra "winter wear" with you, and if you don't need them it's good and if you need them then it's great too. 

2)Umbrella - There can be sudden snowfall. Sunglasses- To protect your eyes from anything and everything except beauty. :-p

3) Camphor- If you are facing any breathing difficulty smell the camphor, it really helps.

4) Medicine like Coca-30 and Ondem-OD should be taken along.

5) One-time use plastic bottles are not allowed in North Sikkim, so take a flask along. ( and carry some hot water with you up to the lake)

6) If you are diagnosed with any sort of pulmonary disease you can carry your regular inhalers and oxygen Pump along.

7) Carry a Boroline along with you. Rubbing Boroline on your palms will save them from getting numb. 

8) Carry packets of popcorns with you or buy them locally at a slightly higher rate. Munching popcorn helps ( sorry don't know how    :-p)

What you May do.

1) You can have sips of Rum and Coke to keep yourself warm. ( Not Mandatory ;-))

2) Once you reach the place, wait for some time in the car, before you go out. Just let your body get accustomed to the temperature. 

3) You should reach there really early like 8 or 9 in the morning for good weather and beautiful shots. 

4) Have a light breakfast. Fasting or heavy eating may both cause problems.

What you should avoid doing.

1) Don't stay at that place for very long. 

2) Do not run around once you reach there.

3) Do not litter the place in any form.

This is one of the peaceful and serene places I have ever seen. You should definitely visit the place but with caution.  Which season will be suitable for you depends on your tolerance to cold. Oh, and if you have a cold allergy do not forget your anti-allergic. And trust me, this place is all the worth of so many efforts

P.S. You can't go to Gurudongmar Lake directly from Gangtok or any other place. Since you need to reach there very early, you have to be near the place. 

 

The Story of Maheswari Saree

The Handloom

Rani Ahilyabai

The Fort

Maheshwar is a place in Madhya Pradesh. It is located in the bank of the river Narmada like many other places of MP. Narmada is the holy river of the Deccan. Mythologically Narmada river is considered to be the daughter of Lord Shiva. In the bank of the river is the Maheshwar Palace/Fort. This Palace was the home of the kings of the Holkar Dynasty. Rani Ahilybai was the queen of this dynasty and she was considered to be a pious lady and was looked upon by her subjects. She worshiped Lord Shiva and it is said that she got a Shivlinga each day from the Narmada at the time of bathing. As a Hindu widow, she lived a very simple life and took all important decisions while holding a Shivalinga in her hand. 

Rani Ahilyabai started the tradition of weaving Maheswari Saree in her kingdom. And till now there are handlooms within the palace( picture above) where sarees are made. 

Maheshwari saris were traditionally made in bright colors and an Indian red dye called Aal and was woven in pure cotton. But now the silk variety is also available.   The pallus are designed with stripes of gold zari. Stripes in the pallus are an important aspect of  Maheswari saree. Borders like Leheriya Narmada are typical patterns of the Maheswari saree. 

On Narmada Jayanti ( typically celebrated every year), Mother Narmada is clad in a Maheswari Saree. The saree is spread from one bank of the river to another along the width of the river. 

Maheswari sarees are available all over India and is something you can be a proud owner of. I do have a few but incidentally did not get those from Maheswar. :-) 

In the Land Where Vasco da Gama Landed

From the city of Kozhikode, Kappad Beach is around one hour drive. It's the place where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. A beautiful clean beach it is. The sound of the waves keeps makes sweet music. The best time to visit it is obviously at the time of the sunset.  The beach has very little plastic pollution.  We arrived there on a rainy evening and so could witness the sun through the clouds only. 

If you are visiting Kerala don't miss the chance of visiting this serene beach. 

Photography Competition

Hi, all one of my photographs of Kunming Stone forest China, got Encouragement Prize in the 1st China culture and Tourism Photography Competition and here is the prize, a cool T-shirt. I have loved to share with You. 

The Travel Teller's Tales: Plastic Plastic all the way

The Travel Teller's Tales: Plastic Plastic all the way: Winter is the time for a picnic, especially in West Bengal. The winter season, which is not too harsh, calls for an outing with friends and...

Plastic Plastic all the way

Winter is the time for a picnic, especially in West Bengal. The winter season, which is not too harsh, calls for an outing with friends and family. Years ago, what picnic meant was carrying food in a basket and going up to a good scenic place and having a good time. Entertainment meant playing games, singing chatting merely and the like. But nowadays a picnic is totally different. Fo The serenity of places is always destroyed by loud yellings of songs ( if they can be called one). Sometimes this nuisance is up to the extent of spreading loud noise within the wildlife sanctuary. And next comes the plastic pollution. Every step you take, you can land up on bottles, wrappers, leftover food and foils. We always tend to complain about foreign destinations being clean and beautiful, but it's we the people who destroy our scenic property. If we keep on doing, nature will take its revenge. 

P.s. You can see the plastics in this crystal clear water.