Thirty Five Stairs - A travel experience during the lockdown

Nobody was expecting what stuck us in 2020. A fast running world needed a pit stop maybe. Or nature needed a breather from ever growing human greed. The word “Lockdown” was never so popular, neither were the masks so famous. Yet this horrid time provided many opportunities for people to stay with their families, to focus on things they were not getting time before.

As travels are almost locked for everyone, let me share one of my travel experience during this lockdown . A place quite familiar to me , maybe not much explored, got my attention during the lockdown as I made multiple trips with a different experience each time.

A sunny morning in the winters is what we look for. With the lockdown starting by mid of March, winters were almost gone. 

I was lucky still to witness the snow laden mountains illuminated by bright sunshine. Still very far but good enough to give a soothing experience during this terrible time.

One of the positive things that happened during this lockdown is the pollution levels going down & nature back to full bloom. 

Yes this is possible, didn’t happen in the best possible way but at least we know it can happen and we should make an effort to save our environment. 

Being in a place close to nature it was nice to see the clear skies and the greens and blues of the nature again.

Rain playing hide n seek with the sun is a sight in itself. The smell of rain hitting the soil is second to none. And then if Sun rays touch the rain droplets, you are in for a natural therapy.

Just the freshness of the moment let's you forget everything & feel the divine experience.

Sunsets are always beautiful. Described as the Golden Hour, the Colors are just incredible. Birds flying back to their homes is a sight to behold. And the sky formations just add to the beauty. If you get to witness the sight every other day, you can’t ask for more.

You might be wondering with all the travel restrictions imposed during the lockdown, how I managed to visit this place? 

Well capturing all this nature’s brilliance needed a travel for me as long as thirty five stairs. Thirty five stairs to nature’s exuberance. Thirty five stairs to peace. Thirty five stairs to the roof of my home where I was mere a visitor once a month before the lockdown. 

Leaving you with more pictures taken from my roof, hope you enjoy them :)

Poonch - The City of Saints and Captivating Natural Beauty

Entry Point To The City - Poonch Bridge

When we talk about Jammu and Kashmir state of India, we often talk about the beautiful landscapes of Kashmir, shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and the high passes of Ladakh. The three divisions of the state: Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are further divided into 22 districts. One of these 22 districts is the district of Poonch. Often known by the name "City of Saints" the place is blessed with abundance of natural beauty.

Amazing Landscapes Of Poonch

One of the remotest districts of the state, it is around 250 kilometers from the city of Jammu and as of now there is no rail or air connectivity. Nearest railway station is the Jammu Tawi railway station and the nearest airport is the Satwari airport in Jammu. However you won't complain about it because it is connected to Jammu by one of the most picturesque and well maintained highways in India.

Jammu - Poonch Highway

If you love the long drives, you are definitely going to enjoy this journey through the beautiful hills and dense forests with amazing weather.

During 8-9 hours of drive, you will pass through beautiful towns of Akhnoor, Sunderbani (my hometown), Nowshera and the district of Rajouri including the picturesque town of Surankote and beautiful village of Bhimber Gali .

The Rajouri district is surrounded by beautiful Peer Panjal range. You will be accompanied by a fresh water stream flowing alongside the road adding beauty and freshness to the place. 

Beautiful landscape on the way

Jammu and Kashmir is also known for it's delicious food. On the way you can find many eating joints. You can stop to have the famous Rajma-Chawal or greet yourself with a cup of tea along with mouth watering Paneer Pakoras.

You will also witness beautiful water falls and natural drinking water sources on the way. People often can be seen refilling their water bottles with chilling mountain water.

Don't forget to carry your camera if you are a passionate photographer. You might end up with one of your best shots here. I had a chance last year to visit Poonch and two of its most famous shrines.

 Buddha Amarnath Temple:

Buddha Amarnath Temple

Buddha Amarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest shrines in the City of Saints. The temple is situated in a picturesque location in the Rajpura village in Tehsil Mandi of Poonch district. It is around 25 kilometers North East of Poonch city. The place is connected by road to Poonch town and transportation is easily available.

In the lap of beautiful Peer Panchal range the temple is  situated at the foothill and is accompanied by a fresh stream of River Pulsata. The river is believed to be named after rishi Pulsata - Grandfather of Ravana. Pilgrims often take bath in the holy river before entering the temple. 

The temple has four gates, one in each direction. This signifies that the temple is open for every one. Free langar (food) is available for the pilgrims 

River Pulsata 

The shrine is older than the famous Amarnathji shrine in Kashmir. The Shivling here is made up of white stone. Devotees visit the shrine throughout the year to get blessings of Lord Shiva. 

Chari Mubarak Yatra is associated with the shrine and is conducted every year. Also on the day of Raksha Bandan, a "Mela Swami Buddha Amarnath Ji" festival is celebrated.

Gurudwara Nangali Sahib:

Gurudwara Nangali Sahib

Another shrine which has a rich history and is the oldest Sikh shrines in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and in Northern India , Gurudwara Nangali Sahib is situated around four kilometers from the town of Poonch and is well connected by road.

Situated at a picturesque location surrounded by beautiful hills creating stunning landscapes and accompanied by Drungali stream, the place is a visited by thousands of devotees every year.  The Gurudwara complex also has a 24 hour free langar (free food service) and a 70 guest rooms for the pilgrims alongside the main Gurudwara building.

Smaad Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Sahib

The Gurudwara has a rich history associated with it. It was constructed by Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji , the fourth descendant of Saint Bhai Pheru Singh Ji in 1803. The complex was hit hard and major portion of it was destroyed in 1947. It was then reconstructed \ renovated later by Mahant Bachitter Singh Ji, a great religious intellectual of his time. He also build an ashram for orphans in Digiana, Jammu to provide them skill training in various trades so that they can earn their livelihood.

Every year on the occasion of Baisakhi (A popular Sikh festival), a big function is organized for the devotees who come from all over India to mark the beginning of Sikh new year.

If you are nature lover or if you fond of rich history or if you love the fresh water streams running alongside the stunning hills, do plan a visit to "The City of Saints" . It will be one of the most thrilling road trips you will have. I will keep adding new places to explore here as and when I get the chance to visit the place again

Time to Visit:

You can visit Poonch anytime of the year. If you love the snowed mountains and the chilling breeze, do plan it in the winters (December - March) and if you want to go away from the scorching heat of summers and take a break in the lap of nature, the place will welcome you with fresh and pleasant weather.

Visit my journey with photography at my NatGeo profile:

National Geographic Profile - Neeraj Sharma

Posting few of my captures of The City of Saints through my lens:

Jaipur - A walk through the rich heritage

When we talk about rich history of India, the state of Rajasthan takes the prime place in the list. Ruled by many great Rajputana emperors over the period, the state is home to a priceless heritage. Tourism is one of the major sources of income for the state. 

Entrance Arch

Jaipur is the largest City and capital of the state of Rajasthan. It is also known by the name “The Pink City” as majority of the buildings in the city are painted in pink color. It goes back to 1876, when the whole Jaipur city was painted pink by Maharaja Ram Singh to welcome the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria. The city is home to incredible blend of Rajputana and Mughal architectures. Around 280 kilometers from the National Capital New Delhi, Jaipur is a must visit place for all the travel enthusiasts.

Apart from the rich heritage, Jaipur also is home to some of the delicious food you will find in India. Right from dal bhati churma to ghevar you are going to love the mouth-watering cuisines cooked in nutritious desi ghee and butter.

After witnessing the magnificence of Kerala ( Kerala - A Nature's Masterclass ) , it is time to walk through the rich heritage of Jaipur in the north zone of incredible India .

City Palace:

Located in the heart of the pink city, City palace is one of the major attractions of Jaipur. It was built initially by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Amer and the later additions were made by successive rulers. The royal palace complex is a treat for architecture and art lovers. The complex has several palaces, gardens and temples. The most famous are Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Diwan-I-Khas, Maharani’s Palace and the City Palace Museum.

Diwan-I-Khas, the hall of private audience, as the name suggests was used by royal family gatherings. There are two huge sterling silver vessels. They hold the Guinness World Record as the world's largest sterling silver vessels.Mubarak Mahal is a museum with a an amazing collection of royal family costumes, block prints, embroidered shawls etc. Most of the Chandra Mahal is the residence of the descendants of the former rulers of Jaipur. 

Jantar Mantar:

In this time of highly efficient instruments and tools, have you ever wondered how astronomical positions were observed way back in the 18th century? Jantar Mantar located near to the city palace is the collection of nineteen astronomical instruments which help to observe astronomical positions. It has world's largest sundial and is also a UNESCO heritage. You will definitely need a guide if you want to understand how these instruments work and are interpreted but it's definitely going to enrich your knowledge store 😊 

Hawa Mahal:

Situated in the south of the pink city with a unique architecture, Hawa mahal (Palace of Wind) is surely going to catch your eyes. 

Constructed in red and pink sandstone, the palace is as beautiful from inside as it appears from outside. You can find an artistic colored glass work in the windows which glorifies with the sunlight. 

Do give a visit in the early morning to enjoy the amazing view of the palace lit with golden light of sunrise.

Albert Hall Museum:

Are you a lover of cultural and historical artifacts? Well Albert Hall Museum is the place to be then. It is the oldest museum in the state of Rajasthan and was constructed way back in 1876 as a concert hall. It is also known by the name "Government Central Museum". With stunning 19th century architecture and an amazing collection of artifacts right from the metal sculptures, carpets, weapons, stone, crystal work and many more, it's a must visit when you are in Jaipur. 

Birla Mandir:

Birla Mandir in Jaipur is one of the many Birla Mandirs located across the country. Also known by the name Laxmi Narayan Mandir, is a one of the prime attractions of Jaipur. The temple was constructed by the Birla Group of industries, a business tycoon of India. Constructed with white marble, the temple has an amazing architecture. If you have had an tiring tour of city in the day, do spend some time here in the evening. The temple looks stunning when lit in the night.

Jal Mahal:

Surrounded by beautiful hills & located in middle of Man Sagar lake, Jal Mahal (Water Palace) is another jewel in the rich history of Rajasthan. The uniqueness of this palace is that four out of five stories are under water when the lake is full. There is a garden on the terrace as well. Palace is not open to the visitors though but surrounded by hills the view is mesmerizing. It is located on the Amer road and a must stop when you are going to visit Amer fort from Jaipur city.



Amer Fort:

If you are in Jaipur, you can't miss the magnificent Amer fort also known by the name Amber fort. Around 11 kilometers from the city of Jaipur, Amer fort is a blend of Rajputana and Mughal architecture. One can enjoy a jeep ride or an elephant ride here. The palace is constructed of red stone and has various segments similar to the city palace including Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of public audience), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of private audience), sheesh mahal, jai mandir and sukh niwas. 

The ticket to enter the fort is very cheap & easily affordable. You can also hire a guide who can take you through the fort & the historical events related to the place. The beauty of the place is enhanced by the view of Maota lake from the top. There is a tunnel connecting Amer fort to Jaigarh fort which was built to protect the Amer fort & at the times of the war royal family made use of the tunnel to move to Jaigarh fort from Amer.

Rani Garden:

The royal garden built by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh for his queen Sisodia Rani is a collection of beautiful flora, fountains, flowerbeds, galleries and beautifully constructed structures. Around 6 kilometers from Jaipur city, it is easily approachable and a must visit to be away from the busy city life. You can enjoy the natural beauty and have a relaxing time here. You can also enjoy a photo shoot in the garden as photography is allowed for free.

Chokhi Dhani:

A must visit resort if you are in Jaipur. You will experience whole of Rajasthan at this place.  The place is given the makeover of a village where you can enjoy the traditional Rajasthan dance ,fire acts and many other activities. And not to forget the delicious food and the amazing hospitality. Even if you are on a diet plan, you will struggle to resist the appetizing dal bhati churma along with delectable ghevar made in pure desi ghee.


Best Time to Visit & Transportation:

Best time to visit Jaipur is in the winters from October to March as the weather is pleasant. In summers it gets hot and dry. All the tourist places in Jaipur are connected & transportation is easily available making it very convenient for the tourists. 

Well, history was never my favorite subject during my school days, but the trip to Jaipur has made me interested in it. Each architecture be it Amer fort, City palace, Hawa mahal, Jal mahal or Albert Hall Museum is unique in their own way and not just the repetition of each other. So if you haven't been to the Pink City, do plan a trip and witness an incredible blend of heritage and gracious hospitality. 

As usual leaving you with few captures from the pink city:

You can also follow my journey with photography at:

National Geographic Profile - Neeraj Sharma

Kerala - A Nature's Masterclass

Kerala, the state in the southern part of India, also known by the name of “God's own country” has everything a traveler will long for. From the tea plantations of Munnar, to the dense forests of Thekkady, to the back waters of Alleppey, to the coastline of Arabian sea, it’s a nature's masterclass.         

                    

                             

I had the opportunity to visit Kerala in Jan 2018 & the thing that I liked the most about the place was the simplicity of locals there. It was pleasantly surprising in today's complicated world. In today's fast paced modernized world, there was a place still so close to mother nature. We reached around 9 AM at Cochin international airport after a three hours flight from New Delhi. After an hour of traveling from the airport, we stopped at a small restaurant to have our breakfast. The taste of the authentic south Indian food & the politeness of the restaurant staff, was the best way to kick start the trip. And not to forget one of the best tea that we ever had 😊

"From the tea plantations of Munnar, to the dense forests of Thekkady, to the back waters of Alleppey, to the coastline of Arabian sea, it’s a nature's masterclass. "

After having the breakfast, it was time to get to our resort which was around 4 to 5 hours’ drive from Cochin international airport and an hour’s drive away from Munnar. On the way there are many adventure parks, we stopped at one of them & enjoyed few adventure activities like rope crossing, shooting, 12D movie, visited haunted house & many more. It was an amazing experience with the temperatures starting to drop & cool breeze blowing as we kept gaining more height. We reached the resort in the evening & mind you it was one of the best locations I have ever been to. Picturesque road with a breathtaking view of Ponmudi lake from the balcony, it was just what one can ask for after the full day of travelling.

Ponmudi Lake:

One of the most beautiful lakes one can find is the Ponmudi lake situated in the Idukki district of Kerala. Surrounded by Western ghats, it is a treat to the eyes.

Ponmudi Lake

Idukki is the second largest district in terms of area however it has lowest population density owing to major part being covered with dense forests. 

The dam is constructed across a tributary of Periyar river, which is the longest river in Kerala. This project is one of the major sources of electricity in Kerala with an installed capacity of 30 MW.


Next day started with an early morning jeep safari & a small trek to the lake guided by a local resident.  

Ponmudi Lake

He took us through the spices & coffee plantation on the way. The fresh morning breeze & calmness of lake water seemed like a stage set for nature's melody. On the way back we had black coffee at his home & returned to resort rejuvenated & with lot of knowledge about the spices & things we eat daily but have no idea how they are grown & harvested. 

"The fresh morning breeze & calmness of lake water seemed like a stage set for nature's melody."

After the breakfast, it was time to explore the tea plantations on the magnificent hills of Munnar.  The anticipation was high and so was the excitement.

Munnar:

Tea Plantation, Munnar

An hour’s drive and we were in the lap of amazing hills of Munnar. Known for its tea plantations, it is one of the most visited hill stations in the southern part of India. Apart from huge tea plantations, you get to see breathtaking landscapes & get to enjoy a pleasant weather. The well-maintained roads make the drive through the tea gardens an unforgettable experience.  Many viewpoints have been created where you can click pictures and have a walk through the tea gardens. There are many tea museums which one can visit & get some deep dive into the process of manufacturing of tea. And yes, you can buy the aromatic tea directly from the factory for yourself.  Other attractions around include a well-maintained flower garden, Mattupetty Dam, Echo point, Top station and many more.

Flower Garden, Munnar

Tea Museum, Munnar

Other attractions around include a well-maintained flower garden, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Top Station and many more. 




Thekkady:

Tiger Reserve, Thekkady

Third day and we were off to Thekkady. If you love forests, wild life, grass lands, Thekkady is the place to be. Situated near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the place is famous for its dense forests & savanna grass lands. Herds of elephants, tigers, sambar and Nilgiri langurs add to the magnificence of the place. On the way from Munnar you can find many spice gardens.  From cardamom plantation to different type of peppers to coffee plantation, you get a vast variety in there. Kerala is also famous for its traditional ayurvedic treatments. Many people across the world use these traditional cure techniques and the ayurvedic medicines from Kerala. You can find many ayurvedic centers in Thekkady.

Jeep Safari, Thekkady

Cooling Down The Gentle Giant

If you love off-roading, Jeep safari is a must to have through the adventurous routes and sprawling grasslands. You can also enjoy elephant rides.




Alleppey:

Alleppey Backwaters

The last day of our trip was reserved for the land of backwaters. Alleppey known for its backwaters is commonly the last stop for people visiting Kerala. The place is situated around 4-5 hours’ drive from Munnar. One can enjoy boating in the widespread backwaters or even can book houseboats for night stays. The place is also the access point for one of the famous boat races known by the name Nehru Trophy Boat Tri Race. The race is conducted on second Saturday of August every year and is a famous tourist attraction. So, if you are planning a trip to Kerala, do spare one or two days for Alleppey. It is around 2-3 hours’ drive from Alleppey to Cochin international airport. 

Beaches in Kerala

When we left from Alleppey to Cochin airport, I was just thinking about how amazing the trip was. And then our driver stopped at one of the beaches on the way. The trip was not over yet, it still had the gorgeous final touch of breathtaking Arabian sea coastline to an already fascinating trip.  There are number of beaches along the coastline, one can stop & enjoy the sun & the mesmerizing sound of the waves.

"The trip was not over yet, it still had the gorgeous final touch of breathtaking Arabian sea coastline to an already fascinating trip."

All in all, Kerala presents a complete package for the tourists. Start with a climb to the magnificent mountains of Munnar laden with huge tea gardens, go through the wilderness & spice gardens of Thekkady, boat on the beautiful Alleppey backwaters & enjoy the amazing coastline of Arabian sea. You will love each and everything about God’s own country.

Leaving you with few more shots from the trip :)

You can also visit my journey with photography at:

National Geographic Profile - Neeraj Sharma