Once in 12 years, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh , India explodes in the colour SAFFRON as it is home to the “SIMHASTHA KUMBH”.
The Gulmohar Trees ( Hindi), Flamboyant ( English) , and Delonix regia ( Scientific name) join the celebration of Faith in the Month of May and explode in the colour of the season, Saffron.
Seen through flowers
The Kshipra River In Ujjain is seen through the Flamboyant Saffron flowers of the Gulmohar Tree.
The Trident or “Trishul”is the Symbol of the Ruling Deityof Ujjain, “Mahakaal” or Lord Shiva.
The Trishul rises over the flamboyantly flowering Gulmohar Trees and the Saffron Bridge across the Kshipra River during the Maha Kumbh Festival.
Saffron bridge across the Shipra River
The Ghats of the River Kshipra turn Saffron too as the River is worshipped in celebration of the Life-giving Powers of Water.
Millions will bathe in the River during the Month long festival ” Simhastha Mahakumbh” held once in 12 years during a time determined by the Planets and Stars. The Sun enters Aries and Jupiter the constellation of Leo symbolizing the timing of this explosion of Faith and the colour saffron.
Saffron along the ghats
The “Dumroo” or Drum, held by the Saffron Sadhu,is another symbol of Lord Shiva.
The reverberating and enchanting sound of the “Dumroo” symbolizes the healing Power of Sound.
Sadhus in their own world
Be Enchanted by the saffron colours in Ujjain as I take you through the Heart of India during a Festival of Faith.
A recent update of this site
Six die as storm hits Kumbh Mela. Lightning and thunderstorms hit the site of the ongoing Simhastha-Kumbh Mela in Ujjain. Four devotees and one sadhu died when a pandal collapsed due to strong winds. A woman pilgrim died after being struck by a bolt of lightning. Squall, coupled with rain, suddenly hit the area, uprooting several camps of sadhus.
Source: Mukul from Enchanted Forests and news sources.
Published on Apr 10, 2012 Producer: Cheok Ka Man From: Institute for Tourism Studies, Macau China Special thanks to Antonio Chu, Dino Couto, Sonya Choi, Laurie Baker-Malungu, Stephen Ward, Doris Ip for your great support.
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1) Haus Hiltl: If you have taste for fine-dining that falls within your budget, head to Hiltl. Its mix of European, Swiss and Mediterranean cuisine will drive you crazy. It’s an absolute treat for vegans and vegetarians who will find a larger variety of options than offered anywhere else.
2) Z. Alten Lowen: This quaint diner is a fine relief from all the crowded restaurants and cafes. Set in an almost natural and cozy ambiance, its creamy, drool-worthy pasta deserves to be washed down by its exquisite wine collection. Perfect place to grab some dinner with friends.
3) Restaurant Swiss Chuchi: How can the world-famous Fondue not feature in a Switzerland Itinerary? The fondue here is vouched for by the locals along with its other local Swiss delicacies. The setting is a mix of modern and rustic and caters to a large number of visitors. Prior reservation is advised.
Best Rated Places to Eat in Geneva
Places to visit Geneva
1) Bistrot du Boeuf Rouge: French Bistros are quite the place to be in Geneva. Set in a rustic setting with French décor and an almost divine menu, the Bistrot will win you over with its tarts and puddings. A local favorite, it can’t be missed.
2) La Buvette des Bains: Near Lake Geneva, it’s a buzzing café that is a perfect place to hangout and enjoy a sunny day in the winterland. It has a number of seating options, with an open terrace for the summer and a wooden cabin for the winter. The menu is just as delectable.
3) Le Reservoir: When you are exhausted of all the shopping at the Plainpalais Flea Market, head here for some fine wine and fine dine. A Mediterranean cuisine with local twist, La Reservoir is as vibrant with its menu as it is with its décor.
Best Rated Places to Eat in Zermatt
Zermatt
1) Café DuPont: One of the oldest restaurants in the town, it knows how to prepare the best traditional raclette, a local dish prepared with cheese, potatoes, onions and dried meats. It is easy on your pocket and makes for a great place to grab a quick bite.
2) Chez Vrony: The restaurant is quite large compared to the nearby café. It’s outdoor dining setting gives you a great view of the mountains and some rustic mix of bread and sausages to go with it.
3)Snowboat: A vibrant local hangout, it comes accompanied with a DJ and some local music playing in the backdrop of some delicious Japanese delights!
Best Rated Places to Eat in St. Moritz
St. Moritz
1) Chesa Veglia: A plethora of cuisines served in a wooden, cozy setting overlooking the mountains. Its pizzas are a perfect way to end your day of mountain adventure.
2) Restaurant Waldhaus am See: A chic and contemporary restaurant, Waldhaus am see is also popular for its German cuisine too apart from its local Swiss delights. Its exceptional beverage list will warm you down amongst the snowy peaks outside your window.
3)Johri’sTalvo: Set in a 17th-century farmhouse, the Michelin-starred restaurant outdoes the expectations of most who arrive here. It’s fine, a gourmet collection of dishes will make any food lover’s heart skip a beat and its glamorous French setting makes it perfect for a romantic dinner.
Friends here is an interview with my other travel blogger friend, Melissa from a broken backpack.
Me: For the people who don’t know about you, please could you introduce yourself and your blog?
Melissa: I’m Melissa and I blog at abrokenbackpack.com. I am a French Canadian who decided to go out there and move abroad. I have been on the road for more than 20 months. At the moment, I’m back in Canada to visit my family for the very first time. A Broken Backpack is a website about backpacking on a budget, long-term trips and moving abroad.
Melissa
Me: What was the motivation for starting this Blog?
Melissa: I was ready for a new challenge! I love writing and I have a big passion for the World. I decided to share my stories and my motivation with you.
Me: What are your favourite destinations? If you had to choose one among them what would that be?
Melissa: I really loved New Zealand and Western Canada! I have a big crush on mountains! If I had to choose where to settle, I’d probably choose Australia.
Me: What tips would you give others about hitchhiking?
Melissa: Being confident is probably one of the most important keys. The confidence will influence your smile, your trust and your experience. It’s all about trusting our feelings and to feel confident enough to leave the car if you need to.
Me: Since your blog is about backpacking, could you give us some backpacking tips?
Melissa: Pack light… and lighter… and even lighter! We normally pack too much stuff and it can be tough on the road. We need to learn to live with the minimum and keep what really matters.
Me: What do you have to say about traveling on a shoe-string budget?
Melissa: It’s possible! Obviously, some destinations are budget friendly and some others are unfriendly (laughs). It’s all about priorities, compromises and experiences. Travelling is about putting yourself out of your comfort zone. Surf on a couch, share a dorm, cook yourself, taste the street food and enjoy the free landscapes.
Me: Would you like to say something to women out there about travelling solo?
Melissa: I really do believe solo travel is the best thing I’ve ever done! I don’t like to compromise on my dreams and on my wish lists. Having friends and seeing them a couple of hours versus travelling with friends are two different things. When I travel solo, I spend time with myself, I meet easily new friends and I enjoy the challenge. I fell in love a year ago in Australia and now I’m sharing the road with another backpacker. Who knows what could happen?
Me: Any tools you can suggest that other bloggers could use in their first year?
Melissa: I’m now starting to coach new bloggers. I really love it. I really think that success comes with hard work (and good content). But, we also need to work smarter (Tribber, StumbleUpon, Canva, Buffer). Be social, connect with other bloggers and let your passion goes online.
Me: Do you have times when you wonder what to write next, ‘writer’s block’? How do you overcome it?
Melissa: Yes, I do. I wish I could say no! I always have a list of the topics I’d like to write about, but I always wait until I get the inspiration for it. I also choose my battles and where to focus. At the moment, I’m working on a different project at the same time, so I can focus less on my blog.
Me: Name three hardest things/setbacks that you experienced through your blog?
Melissa: Haters. A down website. Malware.
You need to learn how to let go, change the things you can and accept that you are not a robot… Well, I’m not!
Me: Any other comments, suggestions, that you would like to add/mention.
Melissa: Don’t compare yourself and don’t focus on numbers… Your time is too precious to waste it!
Me: Finally, do you have something to say about my blog ‘Best Places of Interest’?
Melissa: Your website covers a lot of different topics related to the nomadic lifestyle, which is great! Good work mate!
