Being blessed to wander in some of the most fascinating hills and valleys of nature, I have been endeavoring for long to put these stories together. I offer here the elements that appeal most to me during my wanderings in the jungles, meadows, villages and towns, especially in the abode of gods and goddesses the Himalaya. I pick up one of the tales as a title of the book 'Nanda's Neelkanth'. Neelkanth is one of the several names of the Lord Shiva, the Hindu god. Many snow-clad peaks of the Himalaya are named after the gods and goddesses and Neelkanth is one of the most magnificent peaks. It attracts every human soul not only to its brilliant hues and majestic snowy peak but Neelkanth, as the Mahadev, also remains the source of spirituality for billions. Likewise, His consort, Nanda who is adorned with innumerable names including the Gaura, has been venerated in the form of beautiful mountains of the Himalaya. The quiet and unquiet woods, the elusive and elegant wildlife, the people and their culture and their struggle for living are the other elements in this bouquet of experiences.
This book provides a detailed description of sustainable tourism development in the Uttarakhand Himalaya. Though the Uttarakhand Himalaya is bestowed with numerous locales of tourists/pilgrims’ interests, tourism has not yet been developed substantially. This book describes geographical and cultural components of tourism, major types of tourism and tourist places, tourist/pilgrim circuits, case studies of the important tourists/pilgrims’ routes, trends of tourism, development of homestay tourism, development of infrastructural facilities for tourism development, major constrains and prospects of sustainable tourism development, and conclusions. SWOC analysis of tourism activities has been carried out. The book is based on the author’s observation of tourism development in the Uttarakhand Himalaya. Further, large tourism data was gathered and analyzed, using a qualitative and a quantitative method, and a sustainable tourism model was developed. This book is very useful for students, research scholars, academicians, and policymakers.
Pat Gate, the presenter of Voice of America, invariably concluded her programme with a pronouncement of,``If you see someone without a smile, give him one of yours''. The book facilities a peek into the ethos of nascent, post-independence army. Army Oh Army packs a ``punch and a pinch'', capable of making even an introvert to chuckle. The soldier-humour of the book is irresistible.
Book Contents: Introduction Uttarakhand The book offers interesting insight about Uttarakhand's Culture, music, dance, art and craft, fairs and festivals, Adventure and sports, wildlife and flora. The destinations are signposted with details of accessibility and connectivity, Tourist attractions, Local Directory, Guide maps, Popular and little known places of interest. The book has Listing of Hotels, Popular places of dining out, Restaurants Shopping areas, Details on tourist offices, Travel services providers, Travel tips. A region with endless panorama of scenic wonders, snow clad peaks, quaint retreats, infinite mountain rivers, religious milestones and mythological landmarks, Uttarakhand is unique. The pilgrimage sites of Char Dham, the Valley of Flowers, the hill retreats of Mussoorie and Nainital, the Corbett Park, the river rafting, and the pulsating ghats of the holy twins cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh are simply mesmerising.
If you want to travel the Indian Himalayas but arent sure where to get started, then this guidebook is for you. For ages, the Indian Himalayas have been a playground for backpackers and other adventure seekers from throughout the world. Despite the hardship of mountain travel, the area offers spiritual serenity and beautiful views at an affordable cost. Many have been spellbound by its untouched beauty, including Kirit Rindani, who shares breathtaking photos and traveling tips gleaned over more than one hundred visits to different areas over a span covering almost fifty years. Youll get inside information on Uttaranchal, Himachal, Sikkim, West Bengal, Ladakh, and other areas so you can plan family trips, adventures with friends, romantic getaways, and vehicle safaris over Himalayan roads. As a bonus, youll get details on more than 275 guest houses and hotels to fit any budget. The Himalayas continue to serve as a constant source of inspiration for Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and others throughout the world. See their majestic beauty in this pictorial guidebook that will inspire you to see them firsthand.
This award-winning series is packed with up to 1,700 pages of up-to-date, in-depth travel information and fascinating background details, including highlights of every town and site, money-saving tips, health precautions, and anecdotes on local history, culture, and customs. -- Written by experts who have lived or worked in the countries they write about, these books will inspire readers to enjoy those places as much as they do -- Features travel-tough paperback covers, color pages, and a more relaxed, user-friendly style for the traveler of the 21st century -- Footprint Handbooks have been essential reading for travelers for 77 years, making these the world's longest-running travel series.
