Dhiraj Deka

Yumthang Valley This famous valley in North Sikkim lies 140km north of Gangtok. Lachung provides the base for exploration of Yumthang, the valley of flowers. Situated at an altitude of 11800 ft ( 3564m) with a close proximity of Tibet, Yumthang is a unique place where the tree line ends. Rhododendron and primula bloom covering the whole area in a surreal shade. It also offers the view of a stunning array of peaks with Pauhunri and Shundu Tsenpa. A number of hot springs are scattered in the valley providing an unexpected opportunity to feel the warmth of the water even in freezing temperature. Rich in sulphur these springs are believed to have miraculous healing power. The best season for visiting Yumthang valley starts in late February and continues up to mid June, when thousands of colourful flowers are in full bloom. However, to enjoy a clear sky and brilliant view of snow-capped mountains, the September - December season would be ideal. Basic Info Elevation - 12000 ft L

Gurudongmar Lake Gurudongmar is a high altitude lake close to Tibet border in North Sikkim . It is the land of Yaks, blue ships and other high altitude animals of Sikkim and Tibet. The snow-fed milky water of the lake is one of the major sources of Tista, the most important river in Sikkim and North Bengal. About The Lake At an altitude of 17000 ft, Gurudongmar is one of the highest lakes in the world. It lies in the Northside of the Khangchengyao Range and is encircled all around by snow-covered mountains, the sacred lake freezes during the winters except at one spot, which the devout belief has been especially blessed. The Chinese Tibetan border is just a few kilometres away from the lake. The blessed water of the lake is believed to possess the miraculous power of granting children to issueless couples. Interestingly, the myth of Gurudongmar is believed as reverentially by the Hindus as by the local Buddhists. The name Gurudongmar is derived from the name of th

Northeast India Northeast India is the easternmost region of India representing both a geographic and political administrative division of the country. It comprises eight states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. ARUNACHAL The Land of Dawnlit Mountains Arunachal Pradesh is one of the 29 states of India holding the most north-eastern position among the other states in the north-east region of India. Arunachal Pradesh borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Bhutan in the west, Myanmar in the east and China in the north. Itanagar is the capital of the state.Arunachal Pradesh, which translates to "land of the dawn-lit mountains", is also known as the Orchid State of India or the Paradise of the Botanists. Geographically, it is the largest among the North-east Indian states. As in other parts of Northeast India, the people native to the state trace their ori

Elephant Falls, Named after an Elephant like a stone at its foot, the Elephant Falls are amongst the most popular falls in the North-East, situated next to Shillong. It is a tourists' paradise with three layers of the falls accessible to the layman from different vantage points. The Britishers named this fall so owing to the presence of an elephant-shaped rock on one side of the fall. However, the stone disintegrated and was washed away due to an earthquake in 1897. Elephant Waterfalls is a superb place for spending some time in the midst of nature while capturing the incredible moments for your keepsake. The breathtaking Elephant falls were referred to as 'Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew' by the local Khasi people, which means 'The Three Step Waterfalls', as these falls consist of three mesmerizing falls in succession. The first of the three waterfalls are tucked between the dense trees and are very broad. The second waterfall reduces to thin st

Idealised from the concept of classical European style of Italian Renaissance, this magnificent palace was built by the famous Koch king Maharaja Nripendra Narayan in 1887. Raised on a basement of 1.5 metres in height, this double storied brick building covers an area of 4768 square metres. It extends 120 metres from north to south and 90 metres from east to west. The frontal facade consists of a series of arches resting by an alternate arrangement of narrow and  broad  piers to  contain  single  and  double Corinthian pilasters respectively. A porch is  projected in the   center   to  provide  main  entrance to the building through   the Durbar Hall.   Recalling  the  memory of St. Peter's Church at Rome,  the Durbar Hall is dodecagonal in shape, resting   on four  arches  supported  by  massive Corinthian pilasters and projecting a lantern at the top. The intrados of the dome is relieved in stepped patterns and flanked by a small elegant balcony with twelve window openings at

Geography Taktsang Monastery, famously known as Tiger Nest Monastery, is located in Paro, Bhutan. The monastery is one of the most venerated places of pilgrimage in the Himalayan. The Legend The legend of Taktshang (Tiger’s nest) evolved form 747 AD when Guru Padmasmbhava chose a cave on a sheer rock face to meditate and, assuming a wrathful form, Guru Dorji Drolo, astride a tigress, subdued athe evil spirits n the locality. Taktshang thus became one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the Himalayan Buddhist world Tiger’s Lair Then name “Taktshang” – Tiger’s Lair – was derived when the people in the locality came across a tigress residing in one of the caves. Legend has it the tigress actually was Yeshi Tshogyal, a consort of Guru Rinpoche, who has transformed herself into the fearsome animal to subjugate spirits Taktshang clings to the rock towering 800 meters (over 2,600 feet) above the valley, and is located 2,950 meters (9,678 feet) above the sea level. It takes

Arunachal Pradesh’s tourist gem, the Tawang Monastery Arunachal Pradesh is India’s largest monastery, and the world’s second largest. Situated on a mountain in the town of Tawang at an altitude of over 3000 m, Tawang Monastery is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world. The monastery is the center of the Gelug school (Yellow Hat) of Mahayana Buddhism and is bordered with a 282 m long compound wall. It is a collection of 65 residential buildings for the monks, as well as other structures for different uses. Tawang Monastery was established in 1680-81, at the request of the 5th Dalai Lama, by his contemporary Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso. There are many legends behind how the monastery was established. The most likely is the one in which Merak Lama had difficulty finding a good place in which to found the monastery. The story says that he decided to rest in a cave, where he prayed, seeking divine guidance. When he came back out, his horse was missing. After a while, Merak

The Buddha Park of Ravangla, also known as Tathagata Tsal, is situated near Rabong in South Sikkim district. However, it is about 80 kilometres from the capital Gangtok. This famous attraction serves as an important landmark to the Buddhist community; it was constructed on account of the 2550th birth anniversary of Lord Gautama Buddha in 2006 and 2013 and features a 130-foot high statue of the Buddha as its centerpiece.

Wahrashi falls, At a distance of 63 km from Shillong, Wahrashi or Wah Rashi Kshaid is a stunning waterfall situated at Syntung village near Shillong, Meghalaya. It is one of the top waterfalls in Meghalaya and among the best places to visit near Shillong. Formed over Wah Rashi Kshaid River, the little known Wahrashi Water Falls is a congregation of eight waterfalls. Encircled with cluster of sacred hills, only tier 3 of the waterfall is made accessible to the public. The othe r levels, although visible, are not accessible. There are some viewpoints for the visitors to get the better views of the waterfalls. The area surrounding the waterfalls is mostly marshy land with a lot of wild vegetation, with pitcher plant saplings growing in abundance. The road to Wahrashi is extremely bad. This makes it very difficult for common people to access the waterfalls. The path from the main street to the actual falls is laid out well with concrete steps that lead to a small rest house for visito

Wei sawdong, this amazing waterfalls is situated in cherapunjee, in the beautiful state of Meghalaya. The 3 steps fall is one of the most beautiful gift of nature. This is beautiful beyond expression. However it tests your physical ability to enjoy the view. There are almost 300 meters of steep 75-90 degree route without any proper stairs.

Located in the thick tropical forest of Meghalaya near Nongriat village, cloaked with rain during most parts of the year are the fantastic man-made cum natural wonders of the living root bridges. Created by the people of the Khasi tribe, these roots grow from the ancient rubber trees, seen only in the northeast region. These roots are trained by the Khasis to grow in such a manner as to be in the form of bridges on the top of a river. These bridges are an amazing alternative to wooden bridges that dwindle with so much rain falling on them. The most popular tourist attraction of Cherrapunjee, these double-decker living root bridges are 2 bridges that are stacked one on the other, made because of the entanglement of roots. A new root bridge takes about 15 years to get strong enough so that it can bear the weight of people who would be crossing it. Over a span of the next few years, the roots become even stronger. It is believed that some of the root bridges are over five hundred yea