Theme Reveal 2016 - Festivals of India

Theme Reveal 2016 - Festivals of India

India is a land of diversity. Diversity of language, diversity of food, diversity of culture, diversity in dress and you name anything - you would find it changing in perhaps even few kms apart. Thus are the ways to rejoice and thank Almighty. The country is well known all over the world as a country of cultural and traditional festivals owing to its secular nature coupled with rich regional cultural heritage. 

Yes- So this becomes the essence of my theme for this years "A to Z Challenge" - The festivals of India. 

India is full of festivals. Not only does this change with the religion , but even within the religion. For every faith there is a separate doctrine of thought and thus a distinct way to celebrate, devoted to a separate God. Each festival celebration has a special ritual, a different way to worship, different list of offerings unique way of fasting, etc. More so in the Hindu religion. Each festival has its own history, legend and significance of celebration. Indian origin people in the abroad also celebrate their cultural festival with the immense passion.

So - I started this journey in a haste last year and wrote all about Himachal Reflections from Adi - A to Z Challenge and made you travel throughout HP - the hill state of India. Now, stay with me - and this year enjoy the festivals and festivity and know more about REAL INDIA.

As if the challenge didn't appear enough to excite me - I took another task - writing a poem simultaneously all these days "Let the Soul Pour" Adis Enigma Unfolding.

Just stay glued.

Aditya Sinha

21.03.2016

For other participants in the challenge visit : A to Z Challenge 2016

A - for Apple State

This post is written as a part of April 2015 A to Z challenge. So we start the challenge with the first letter A and for me this A is Apple State that is directly to the epicenter of the theme. The theme for the month for this challenge is travel and my stories are to revolve around the Himalayan State of HP.

Apple State of India

Snow Capped Dhauladhar Range in a Moonlit Night.

                               

So which is the apple state of India? 

No its not J&K its Himachal Pradesh.

Right! Though J&K produces the highest amount of Apples, the Himalayan State of Himachal has earned the fame as Apple State. Further, from Apple this is poised to now earn the distinction of fruit state of World. The Kullu valley here is famous for some of the rare fruits and has earned the state another name viz. Fruit Bowl of India. Aside from Apple, Figs, Apricots, Pomegranate, Almond, Pear, Plum, Walnut, citrus fruits like oranges, kinoos, grapes, raisin, and even fruits of deciduous region like mango, litchi, guava etc. are found in plenty over here. 

The Apple Orchards in Kullu

How the apple arrived in HP is also an interesting story which we can read on AIR page here. 

Aside from the Kullu Valley, the Shimla range, the Kinnaur valley are other famous fruit belts of the state. The state also provides rich supply of winter vegetables to the northern states of the country.

The Cauliflower field in Keylong

So, now if you are travelling to this hill state, be assured to return rejuvenated not only by enjoying the Himalayan ranges, the snow covered peaks, the deep gorges, the gushing streams, vast jungles, the arrays of tall Pines in the lower range giving way to Deodars in the upper, and even ending to cold deserts at high altitudes, the contouring roads etc. but also by visiting the bloom of orchards of the fruit valleys of Kullu, the vegetable fields in roads from Rohtang to Keylong among others. The state also offers enormous opportunity to pilgrims’ sites, pagodas, monasteries, mesmerizing hill stations, adventure sports, trekking routes etc. Even a month would seem short.

Glacier frozen in deep gorges

Beas flowing between mountain ranges

Fresh water lake at High Altitude enroute from Keylong to Leh

The Roads at high altitudes

Jwalaji - one of the Many Shakti peeths in HP

Paragliding at the World famous Paragliding Site - Bir

The Parashar Lake

River Beas

Enjoying Snow fall

Tea Garden of Kangra

The Contouring Routes

The Dense Deodar Forest at the back

Kal- Kal karte Jharne 

In the next thirty days I would try to touch some of the places to cover all the above aspects of your itinerary. Keep visiting. Tomorrow would be 'B'.

Aditya Sinha

Map Courtesy: http://hptdc.nic.in/map.htm

For other posts on Himachal written as part of Ato Z Challenge : List of post on Himachal Pradesh written as part of A to Z challenge.

For other participants in the challenge visit : A to Z Challenge