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Very unique experience when you drive from capitial of the Indian state of Assam. Interesting landscapes and natural beauty interlaced with mounds give a Scotland like vibe.

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The Kamrup Kamakhya Temple, or the Kamakhya Temple, is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Guwahati, Assam, and the subcontinent. The temple is on Nilachal hills. It is one of the oldest and most revered places where Tantric practices are done. It is named after the mother goddess Kamakhya. According to Sanatan Dharm, the Kamakhya Temple was created when Hindu Goddess Parvati ordered Lord Shiva to build a shrine for her so that she could meditate in peace until she found a suitable husband for herself. The place was found where the Ambubachi Mela is held every year to honour the Goddess’s periods. The Kamakhya Temple’s structure dates back to the 8th or 9th century, but it has been rebuilt many times since then. Its final hybrid style is called Nilachal. It is also one of the 51 pithas in the Shakta Hindu tradition. Few people knew about the Kamakhya Temple before the British colonial rule. During colonial rule in the 19th century, it became a significant pilgrimage destination for Bengali Shakta Hindus. At first, the Kamakhya Temple was where locals worshipped the Goddess Kamakhya. Even today, the main worship is of the aniconic yoni set in natural stone. A Shakti Peetha is an ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sati and Parvati. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas (also called Asta-peethams or Ashta-pithas) and is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for tantric worshipers

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This is lake near the Dowki village in North East India

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The Northeastern fringes of the country have always been fully enveloped in an aura of mysticism and the unexplored. Today, tourists and photographers are backpacking and taking the trains to Guwahati just to make a trip to the scenic places like Dawki. Such is the enigma surrounding these places that on reaching Dawki, you would simply feel like letting the greenery envelope you in its warm embrace. Richly imbibed with authentic Khasi culture is the serene little hilly town of Dawki in Meghalaya. Dawki is a small hamlet located in the Southern part of Meghalaya in the border of India and Bangladesh. It is located at a distance of 95km (3 hrs drive) from Shillong city. Based on the bank of Dawki river it is a popular destination for adventure sports lovers. The place growing its popularity for the crystal clear water of Dawki river which is also known as Umngot river.

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Northeast India comprises of eight states, which includes the state of Sikkim and the seven sister states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura. Folk dances in these states are often performed during festivals or to celebrate life. Dance is an important aspect in the lives of people living in this part of the country and hence many age-old dance forms are still practiced and kept alive. Let us now have a look at different folk dances of Northeast India. {https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-dance/folk-dances/north-east-india.html} Bardo Cham – North Eastern Dance from Arunachal Pradesh Wancho Dance – North Eastern Dance from Arunachal Pradesh Ponung – North Eastern Dance from Arunachal Pradesh Bagurumba – North Eastern Dance from Assam Ojapali – North Eastern Dance from Assam Jhumur/Jhumair – North Eastern Dance from Assam Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem – North Eastern Dance from Meghalaya Buiya – North Eastern Dance from Arunachal Pradesh Bihu – North Eastern Dance from Assam Maruni – North Eastern Dance from Sikkim Chang Lo – North Eastern Dance from Nagaland Dhol Cholam – North Eastern Dance from Manipur Cheraw Dance – North Eastern Dance from Mizoram Hojagiri – North Eastern Dance from Tripura {https://learn.podium.school/classical-dance/folk-dances-of-north-east-india/)

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Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry, gained its significance as "The French Riviera of the East" after the advent of French colonialisation in India. Puducherry is the Tamil interpretation of "new town" and mainly derives from "Poduke", the name of the marketplace or "port town" for Roman trade in the 1st century, as mentioned in The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. The settlement was once an abode of learned scholars versed in the Vedas, hence it was also known as Vedapuri.[3] The history of Puducherry can broadly be classified into two periods: pre-colonial and colonial. The pre-colonial period started with the reign of the Pallavas, who ruled the empire from 325 to 900, after which came the Chola dynasty, from 900 to 1279, and the Pandya dynasty, from 1279 to 1370. During the 14th century, the city was under the rule of Naikship of Gingee of the Vijayanagara Empire, from 1370 to 1614, when it was conquered by the Sultan of Bijapur, who ruled it from 1614 to 1638. It was during this period that Portuguese and Danish merchants used it as a trading center. Source: Wikipedia

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Michoacán, formally Michoacán de Ocampo (Spanish pronunciation: [mitʃoaˈkan de oˈkampo] (listen); Purépecha: Michoakani), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Michoacán de Ocampo (Spanish: Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo), is one of the 32 states which comprise the Federal Entities of Mexico. The state is divided into 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia (formerly called Valladolid). The city was named after José María Morelos, a native of the city and one of the main heroes of the Mexican War of Independence. Source: Wikipedia

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Interesting to watch in action the interaction between two lions and a herd of water buffaloes. We were watching form the jeep as two lions were munching on a fresh kill of a buffalo. We could see that on the left by the river a herd of about 70 to 80 buffaloes were headed towards our direction from about quarter of a mile away. As the buffaloes came closer toward where the lions were working on the kill, they sensed that there was a carcass nearby. Most of the herd stayed away and watched for a while and then 2 out of the herd stepped forward and tried to shoo the lions away. The lions drove them back immediately. They few more from the herd joined and we could see this show of strength in numbers slowing being played only to be shooed back by the lions. The buffaloes were adamant and would not give up and slowly made there way towards the carcass. In the end they managed to shoo the lions away from the carcass. The lions then got very close to our jeep and one of them were only a few feet away. We could see the bloody face and the proximity to us gave us goosebumps!

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Dahi Handi, literally means Yoghurt Pot. During the Dahi Handi festival which is to celebrate the playfulness often associated with the young Lord Krishna, pots are hung over 50 feet tied suspended between tall buildings. Teams that comprises of young and old, then form human pyramids and try to reach the pot and break it, winning the hefty prize money as a reward.

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Away from the mesmerisng beaches and the cliffs of Bali, there is also the rustic and very spiritual side to be experienced in Bali.

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Less crowded and amazing beauty of the snow covered granite mountains

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