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March 12, 2018 Travel, Within India

Panch Kedar – Five Chosen Abodes of Lord Shiva in Himalayas

Uttarakhand also was known as ‘Devbhumi’ or ‘Land of Gods’ is indeed one of the most sacred abodes of God on this earth. Of the many pilgrimage Yatras leading to Uttarakhand, the Panch Kedar Yatra information is a quite prominent one.

The Panch Kedars are a group of the five most revered Lord Shiva temple namely Kedarnath, Rudranath, Kalpeshwar, Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar that dot the Garhwal region of the Himalayas. The history and legends associated with the temples of Panch Kedar date back to the epic eras of Mahabharata and thus are quite ancient temples.

Most of these temples lie on the most untouched and remote parts of the Himalayas that are inaccessible by the motorable roads. Thus, most routes to the temples require a good amount of seasoned trekking. Undertaking the trek to Panch Kedar lets you embark on a real magnificent tour across the most difficult terrains of the high Himalayas and it is indeed an experience worth cherishing all through your life. A proper pilgrimage tour of the Panch Kedar takes you nearly 15 to 16 days to be completed successfully.

Mythology

The existence of Panch Kedar can well be associated with the legendary tales dating back to the era of the Mahabharata. According to legendary tales, the Pandavas were struck by an immense sense of guilt for having killed their own kinsmen in the battle of Mahabharata. To get rid of their sinful act, they prayed to Lord Shiva who however was too very enraged with their actions on the battlefield. So, he evaded them by taking the guise of a bull and hiding at Guptakashi. Pandava brother Bhima, however, recognized Shiva hidden in the shell of a bull and tried to catch hold of the bull by the tail. But Lord Shiva in the guise of the bull slipped out of his hands and disappeared. Later, he appeared in five different parts in the five different regions of Garhwal. Hump appeared in Kedarnath, a face appeared in Rudranath, and arms appeared in Tungnath, navel appeared in Madhyamaheshwar, hair appeared in Kalpeshwar. In order to please the lord Pandavas erected temples at all these five locations that later came to be known as Panch Kedars collectively. The Panch Kedar Yatra should be carried out in the following order first Kedarnath, second Tungnath, third Rudranath, fourth Madhyamaheshwar, and fifth Kalpeshwar.

Read on to learn more

Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath temple perched at an elevation of 3584 meters above the sea level falls within Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district and is dedicated to Lord Kedarnath or Lord Shiva. Kedarnath temple is one of the highest Jyotirlingams of Lord Shiva where the lingam is shaped like a cone quite resembling the hump of a bull. One can reach Kedarnath shrine only after trekking a distance of 14kms from Gaurikund base camp.

Tungnath Temple

Tungnath temple of Lord Shiva is perched at an elevation of 3680 meters above the sea level and can be reached by a 4 km long trek from Chopta base camp. Myths say that the arms of the lord had appeared at this place. Sights embellished with high Himalayan peaks, emerald meadows, and colorful rhododendrons will greet you on your way to Tungnath.

Rudranath Temple

As per legends lord Shiva’s face had appeared at this place. A rock shrine made naturally at an elevation of 2286 meters above the sea level has been dedicated to lord Tungnath. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Neelkanth Mahadev at Rudranath and the lingam most uniquely resembles a face. Trek to Rudranath can be undertaken from several locations at Gopeshwar.

Madhyamaheshwar Temple

The shrine of Madhyamaheshwar is perched at an elevation of 3289m above the sea level. As per myths the middle part or navel region of Lord Shiva often called the ‘Madhya’ part fell on this place. Bartoli and Uniana are the two places from where the trek to Madhyamaheshwar can be started.

Kalpeshwar Temple

This temple of the Panch Dwarka lies in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district and in the valley of Urgam. As per myths, the matted locks of Lord Shiva had appeared at this place. Thus, Lord Shiva is referred to as Jateshwar or Jatadhari at the shrine of Kalpeshwar. The temple of Kalpeshwar stands at an elevation of 2200 meters above the sea level.

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Kedarnath Temple – The Sacred Dham to Moksha

March 5, 2018 Travel, Within India

Kedarnath Temple – The Sacred Dham to Moksha

Across India, there are twelve Jyotirlinga. It is expounded in Shiv Purana that Lord Shiva would specifically stay at 12 different locales as eternal Jyoti. Being able to visit each of these Jyotirlinga is considered to be such a blessing. At Kedarnath rests the pristine Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve across the Indian subcontinent. No wonder thousands of pilgrims brave the difficult terrain of its trajectory to reach Kedarnath. Paying one’s obeisance at Kedarnath Temple would require the pilgrim to trek uphill for about 19 km from Gaurikund. You could well consider the perils of the journey as a metaphor for one’s inner struggles before letting the inner Divine fully take the lead in one’s life. Or is akin to Maa Parvati’s rigorous spiritual practice to win over Lord Shiva as her husband, which she undertook in Gauri Kund.

The temple is located near the banks of the Mandakini River in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The temple similar to sacred shrines located in icy cold Himalayan terrain opens for darshan only six months a year. It remains open from Akshaya Tritiya (April) till Kartika Purnima (November). The idol is transferred to Ukhimath Omkareshwar Temple during the winter to ensure the continuance of Pooja rituals throughout the year.

History

The beautiful stone edifice of the temple standing on a plateau amidst snow-clad mountains dates back to the eighth century BCE. Although, the temple of Kedarnath is believed to have been first built by Pandavas in Dwapara Yuga.

There’s an interesting tale linking its conception with the Pandava brothers in which the five brothers were struck with intense remorse at their having murdered their own family members in the bloody Kurukshetra war. Upon being advised to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva and the Lord eluding them in spite of their arduous search for them, their curiosity was piqued by encountering a certain bull. Bhim is said to have engaged in forced combat with the bull at the end of which the bull dived into the ground. This left its posterior, hump above the surface. Actually, Lord Shiva had only taken the shape of the bull to delude himself from the Pandavas. It is said that different body parts of the bull became visible at different sites in the Garhwal Himalayas, each of whom Pandavas raised a temple in honor of Shiva and prayed for redemption. Lord Shiva is said to have been pleased with their penances and freed them from their karmic sins.

How to Reach-

If you prefer to travel by road, you can travel towards Kedarnath from any of the adjacent major cities and/or pilgrimage stopovers like Delhi, Rishikesh, Nagpur, Haridwar, Mussoorie, and Chandigarh. Once one reaches Sonprayag/Gaurikund, the next phase of the journey begins – an uphill trek of 16-19 Km to the sacred shrine.

One can remit the strenuous effort involved in reaching Kedarnath by opting for helicopter services to Kedarnath. The helicopter service usually begins from Sahastradhara Helipad at Dehradun.

Sightseeing:

The trail from Gaurikund to Kedarnath would let one into intimate encounters with Himalayan topography. The trail is not just a mere test of one’s physical endurance but also of one’s spiritual ardor. If not for the unadulterated mountainous beauty that accompanies one’s ascent up the trail, hardly would have anyone had the motivation to persist in finishing the trek.

Other than the Kedarnath shrine, one also ought to pay obeisance at Bhairavnath Temple. The temple housing the fierce form of Lord Shiva is worshipped as the guardian deity in the entire area. The panorama from the temple’s premises of the entire Kedar Valley is utterly mesmerizing.

Accommodation

There is provision for temporary accommodation near the temple premises in the form of tent houses and a few guesthouses. It is thereby advisable to finish the Darshan and return downhill to stay in any of the hotels in the Kedarnath Temple area.

Best Time to Visit

Of the six months, the temple remains open for Darshan; it is advisable to avoid travel plans during monsoon season. Thus, the best time to procure blessings of Kedarnath includes May, June (pre-monsoon), September (post-monsoon), and October.

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February 26, 2018 Round the world, Travel

Blue bliss- How to reach Cinque Terre?

A beautiful blue trail down five villages that make up the gorgeous Italian destination Cinque Terre

The train rushes past a splay of apartment buildings and supermarkets before plunging into a tunnel. The passengers look around, mildly bored with the darkness punctuated by the glow from their cell phones. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and as the train bursts into the sunshine there is a collective gasp from everyone. On the right is a cliff, but over the left is a vast expanse of shimmering blue as far as the eye can see. The train has pulled into Riomaggiore in stunning Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site of rugged coastline, which literally translates to ‘five lands’. This idyllic group of fishing villages in the Italian Riviera is a spectacular part of the country with aquamarine waters, dramatic coastal scenery, terraced farms, and like most of Italy, spectacular food.

Cinque Terre, Italy — Image courtesy-Pixabay

Walk this way

Meandering along the coastline through vineyards, olive groves, coastal jungle and terraced farms are hiking trails that connect the five villages and offer the best way to experience the region. Though the villages are connected by train, walking the Cinque Terre is recommended. One could do the entire trail over 6-8 hours but stop for refuelling along the way. And if you want to quit (you’ll have to either go on to the next village or backtrack to the previous one) you can always catch the train back or forth to one of the villages. Stop for some freshly squeezed orange juice or a glass of wine, lunch or snack at one of the villages, or take a dip in the achingly blue waters.

The Sentiero Azuro, aka the Blue Trail or Trail #2, is the most popular of the lot with four individual paths along the coast. You can hike in either direction, starting from the last town of Monterosso towards Riomaggiore or the other way around. From Riomaggiore to Manarola is the Via dell’Amore with its famous kissing statue, benches and tunnel plastered in declarations of love. The next section between Manarola and Corniglia has beautiful garden and sea views. Travelling between Corniglia and Vernazza, the trail goes from the highest point of the Cinque Terre and then slopes back. Saving the best for the last, the trail between Vernazza and the last town of all five villages is a real highlight.

Boat, Cinque Terre — Image courtesy- Pixabay

Here comes the sun

The informal capital, Riomaggiore, is also the largest of the five villages, its main street busting with cafes, pubs, shops amid its colourful sprawl of buildings in yellows and oranges -quintessential colors of the region. People emerge on to the street from alleys, which hide doorways up to a multitude of guest rooms and apartments for the throng of visitors to the region. It is about 20 min until sunset and everyone is moving to the harbour, drawn like moths of a flame to the spectacular show about to begin. There are fabulous views of the sunset at several parts of Cinque Terre, but a favourite is at the marina of Riomaggiore. The pastel shades of the buildings are aglow in the evening sun. Fancy cameras, professional videographers and selfie sticks are on the ready as the sun starts to gradually descend. All eyes are only on the golden sphere ahead of us, which is sinking deeper into the sea, colouring the sky in a riot of blazing orange, red and purple. Just as it disappears there is a thunderous applause from the crowd, appreciation for a riveting show.

Food, glorious food

Pesto alla Genovese, Cinque Terre — Pesto alla Genovese
Image courtesy- splendidtable.org
For the recipe, please visit- https://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/pesto-alla-genovese

To help refuel after all the walking is a great variety of food. The cuisine is rustic and fresh, featuring local produce harvested in the sea, steep terraced farms and vineyards along the cliffs. There is a variety of pasta encased in the fragrant basil that is grown in the region; freshly baked focaccia seasoned with just salt and olive oil or topped with cheese or sausage; paper cones piled high with fried calamari which can be washed down with some beer; or a hearty seafood platter to enjoy the fresh catch of the day. Pesto alla Genovese is the region’s most iconic dish comprising basil leaves from Genoa, pine huts, Peccorino and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses, garlic, salt and olive oil.

The Cinque Terre Lands

Riomaggiore-chiesa San Giovanni Battista-rosone, Cinque Terre — Riomaggiore-chiesa San Giovanni Battista-rosone
Image courtesy- Davide Papalini, Wikimedia.org

Each village of Cinque Terre lends itself to lazy wandering and discovery. One of the region’s most romantic sights is the pastel buildings of Riomaggiore steeply flanking the tiny harbour, views of which are best appreciated at sunset. A botanical garden and bird watching center; little shops selling lemon soap, jars of pesto and bottles of Sciacchetra; bustling bars and restaurants; and the Church of San Giovanni Battista are some of the attractions around the town. The village next in line is Manarola, which has more grapevines than the other villages and is also believed to be the oldest of the five because of various medieval relics. Overall, a picturesque village vacation you’ll never get over.

This article has been authored by Reem Khokhar. The above article has been published in a newspaper- The Times of India- Times Life

How to reach Cinque Terre?

You need to reach Italy and then to Cinque Terre
Which airport you choose to fly in and out of depends on (apart from price) how long you plan to visit Italy and where you plan to travel.
The major airport for traveling in northern Italy (Venice, Lake of Garda, Piedmont) is Milan.
The major airport for traveling in southern Italy (Rome, Amalfi/Capri, Naples) is Rome.
The closest airports for traveling to Cinque Terre and Tuscany are Pisa, Florence and Genoa.
From PISA There is a shuttle train at the airport that takes you from Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale. It’s name is People Mover. From Pisa Centrale, there are trains that take you to the Cinque Terre, with a stop in La Spezia Centrale. (Depending on when you arrive at Pisa Centrale, you may be able to purchase a direct ticket from Pisa Centrale to Monterosso in the Cinque Terre, where we’ll be staying.).
For train schedules, go to www.trenitalia.com. (Approx. Travel Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes.)

February 21, 2018 Travel, Round the world

4 Kinds Of Short-Term Australian Visas For Tourists

Flying to a foreign land is a rewarding activity each one of us wants to experience. We’d love to see new sights, delve into a different culture, learn a different language, taste different cuisines, and for some, earn foreign currency of a greater value. But before you dream about these fun things, there are a lot of not-so-fun things you have to go through – including your daunting visa application.

One remarkable country to visit is Australia. The country welcomes immigrants with open arms, and this multicultural environment is apparent wherever you go. If you are planning to visit Australia for various reasons an Australian visa is the first thing that you should be working on.

If you just want to travel as a tourist and have no plans to study, work, or live in Australia for a long time, getting a tourist visa is perfect for you. There are several subcategories within the tourist visa, which would depend on your nationality and the duration of your stay.

Electronic Travel Authority visa (subclass 601)

ETA is requested by people who wish to enter and leave the country within a period of 12 months to see relatives, do business, study for no more than three months, or simply explore tourist destinations. With the ETA, you can visit as many times as you want, for up to a year, and stay in the country for up to three months for each visit. You just have to be a passport holder from a certain country.

As its name suggests, ETAs are electronic, which means there’s no stamp or label attached to a passport. The airline staff may confirm electronically if a passenger is eligible for boarding a flight to Australia. You can apply through many travel agents in a number of eligible countries worldwide, including European countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.

Cost: There’s an AUD20 service charge for this visa.

eVisitor (subclass 651)

The requirements and features of eVisitor are similar to ETA. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to three months at a time within a 12-month period. Under certain circumstances. you may also study in Australia for up to three months. Likewise, this type of visa can only be requested by citizens of specific countries.

The main difference is where you apply and how much they cost. With eVisitor, you can apply online for free for at least two weeks before traveling.

Cost: There’s no application cost for this visa

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

A visitor visa allows you to stay in Australia for a tour, family visit, and business purposes. You may stay for up to three, six, or 12 months. Citizens of countries that do not hold an eVisitor-eligible passport will have to apply for a Visitor visa, which is not free and cannot be processed online.

Cost: The base application charge for this ranges from AUD140 to AUD1020.

Transit visa (subclass 771)

A transit visa allows you and your dependent children to transit through Australia for no longer than 72 hours. It is acquired if you need to pass through Australia in order to reach another country or join a ship as a member of the crew. You must only hold either a booking or relevant documentation to access another country or hold a subclass 988 visa and some relevant crew documents.

Cost: There’s no application cost for this visa

Be aware of migration fraud and scams, claiming that you can travel while earning using only your visitor visa. Remember that you can NOT work in Australia holding any of these visas. You have to apply for visas with work rights.

Carmina Natividad is a resident writer for Four Points Immigration, a team of registered migration agents, assisting individuals and employers with their successful Australian visa application. Writing a wide variety of interesting and informative articles about immigration and travel is her cup of tea.