Rishikesh: The birthplace of Yoga in India

Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the northern state of Uttarkhand, Rishikesh is the birthplace of Yoga and therefore, the perfect place for those looking for the peace of mind, body-soul balance and self-discovery. But it is also the place for adventurers and adrenaline seekers. The holy City has plenty to offer and charm different kinds of travelers, and is one of the most visited places in the North of India.

But Rishikesh not only refers to the main town, it also includes the settlements along the banks of the Holy River Ganges –and where you’ll probably spend most of the time-; Muni-ke-Reti, Shivananda Nagar, Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula, home of many popular Ashrams (such as Sivananda, Divine Life Society and Parmath Niketan), temples, Yoga studios and DELICIOUS cafes offering vegetarian meals. Oh yes! By law, this is a Vegetarian City and unlike other ‘party places’ in the Himalayas (A.K.A Manali and Kasol), you shouldn’t expect to find alcohol either; although weed is allowed and consumed openly.

Wise Advice: If you are planning to stay at one of the Ashrams, check out if there is any upcoming festivals and try to book your place in advance! Rishikesh is a very popular destination for tourists and backpackers and the place can be packed pretty soon. But don’t worry too much..! Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula are full of hostels and guest houses from as low as 200 Rs per night! Also, be careful during the Monsoon season (July to August); the heavy rain may lead to serious flooding and the Rafting is also restricted during those months.

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Places to visit in Rishikesh…

Temples

There are lots of them around, but here are two that I advice you not to miss: the Tera Manzil and Bootnath Temple. The first one is located in Lakshman Jhula and has 13 floors of little rooms to worship different gods and goddess, as well as shops to buy souvenirs and religious articles. But if you wanna appreciate Rishikesh in all its glory, get ready for a little walk from Ram Jhula and climb up the 11 floors. I promise you WON’T be disappointed!

Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh

This beautiful ritual is one of the most popular activities amongst visitors and is performed at dusk in the three major holy cities of Rishikesh, Haridwar and Varanasi at the banks of the Holy Ganga River. Here is held at the Parmath Niketan Ashram,. The religious ritual consists in prayers, chantings and the reading of Vedas by the Gurus and their students. For me, it was a deep and renovating experience.

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Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh

The Beatles Ashram

We were walking around Ram Jhula when we saw a board indicating the way to ‘The Beatles Ashram’ (say whaaat?!!!) and although somebody else had told us about it, we were not expecting to find something like that. In the middle of nowhere! The place was built by the Maharashi Mahesh Yogi, worldwide famous for his Transcendental Meditation methods and seminars all around the globe. Well, it was exactly in one of those where he met The Beatles in 1967 and the guys were so impressed that decided to join him the next year in an intensive course in Rishikesh. The time they spent there is supposed to be one of the most productive periods for the band, and most of the songs they wrote there were recorded in The White Album and Abbey Road.

Despite the fame and glory of the Ashram and its famous visitors (musician, actors and politicians) the place was closed in 1981 and now belongs to the Administration since is located in the lands of the Rajajai National Park. And that’s exactly what makes the place even more interesting; like a huge ghost of stone and bungalows in ruins, beautifully blended with the nature. The main gate is closed and the entrance is ‘prohibited’, but you’ll find a huge hole in the side and run into lots of travelers armed with cameras to capture the beauty of the legendary place. DON’T MISS IT when you go!

Adventure Sports

Trekking, Camping, Rock Climbing, Bungee Jumping and Water Rafting in Rishikesh are the most popular –but not only- activities for the adrenaline junkies. On our trip, my boyfriend and I tried Water Rafting and it was pretty cool! For those used to extreme experiences in the water, it may not be enough since the ride is smooth and not too wavy, but for me (beginner and absolutely terrified of water, strong currents and rocks together) it was the perfect dose of excitement. These activities are not hard to find and not too expensive either. We did a 12 Kilometers ride in 800 Rs per person.

Water rafting in Rishikesh

Rishikesh YOGA Retreat

Ahrams, Yoga Studios and personal teachers offer their services all over town; you can go for a 300 to 500 Rs class or take one of the free lessons offered by some places. We attended a drop-in class at Shri Sant Sewa Ashram and gave a small donation at the end and it was pretty great!

Where to EAT in Rishikesh

With all the walking/rafting/trekking and yoga practice, you may need to refuel a couple of times a day, but that’s not really a problem here! Not either the fact that this is vegetarian city and most of the places don’t even use eggs!!… And well, for this Southamerican girl -we eat LOTS of meat down there- that was one of the most impressive things since the food is SO G-O-O-D! and so diverse too; there are lots of ‘German Bakeries’ and ‘Confectioneries’ all over the area; the one in Devraj Coffee Corner crossing the Lakshman Jhula bridge from the Tera Manzil Temple is to die for! So make sure you don’t miss the delicious Strudels, Apple Pies, Cinnamon Rolls, brownies and the endless list of Indian delicacies, although their Italian dishes are also a must try.

Laxman Jhula

The Indisputably winner, highly recommended by every visitor to Rishikesh should visit is the Little Budhha in Lakshman Jhula; the environment and beautiful view to the Ganges make it an amazing place to chill for hours, but is the delicious food with Indian, Mexican and Israeli options what will make you come back.

 

Stonehenge Facts

Are you a spiritual person? Do you like visiting spiritual places? If yes then you will definitely like Stonehenge! In Wiltshire, England, there is a prehistoric monument known as Stonehenge which attracts millions of visitors from around the world each year.

Surprising Stonehenge Facts

Stonehenge is basically made up of large standing stones that are aligned in a ring on a grassy landscape. Archaeologists believe these stones were aligned sometime during the Bronze Age or Neolithic Age, which would be around 3,000 B.C. and 2,000 B.C. Stonehenge is situated within artificially changed levels of land called earthworks. There are also hundreds of burial mounds in this area. This has archaeologists and historians believing that Stonehenge was probably a burial site before the stones were erected. This was proven to be true after the bank and ditch of the land had been dug into for the first time. Diggers found human bone deposits in the soil that were dated as being from 3,000 B.C. It is believed the land was used as a burial ground for at least five hundred years before it became a monumental site with standing stones on it. This archaeological evidence was discovered in 2008 and it has changed how scientists view the early days of the Stonehenge and the land which surrounds it.

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Stonehenge has certainly become a huge tourist attraction in the United Kingdom. Since 1882, the British government has declared Stonehenge to be a Scheduled Ancient Monument that is protected by the law from any unauthorized changes or developments. This means the British government, or the Crown, owns the property in which the Stonehenge stands on. In 1986, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization added Stonehenge to its list of World Heritage Sites. Because of this, Stonehenge is now considered an official landmark by the United Nations. Most people who have never been to England before have still heard of Stonehenge. It even made it onto the list of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World.

Stonehenge Mystery

There are so many theories about Stonehenge that have been made over the years to explain why it exists and how it was constructed. Although historians and archaeologists cannot say for sure how the Stonehenge was constructed, the historical evidence they’ve gathered can certainly disprove a lot of the theories that are out there. For one thing, we know that Stonehenge is older than the Egyptian pyramids. The construction of the pyramids started in approximately 2,630 B.C. and ended on 2,611 B.C. Even though the exact date of Stonehenge’s construction is unknown, it is believed to have been built between 3,100 B.C. and 2,800 B.C. This would make the Stonehenge about 300 years older than the pyramids.

The religion known as Neo-Druidism contains followers which worship nature and respects the prehistoric societies that came before them. In their religion, the Stonehenge is very significant to them because of this. In 1905, the Ancient Order of Druids held a huge initiation at the Stonehenge for those who were trying to become Druids themselves. All the followers supposedly were wearing fake beards and white robes throughout the initiation process. Nowadays, any type of religious ceremony or ritual at the Stonehenge is strictly forbidden. When this happened, the Druids started going to other locations for their initiations and created mockups of the Stonehenge monuments in order to recreate the real thing. Of course, these mockups were nowhere near as authentic as the real Stonehenge.

Stonehenge Theories

The construction of the Stonehenge is what many people theorize about. Since it was built in ancient times, people wonder how ancient humans were able to lift heavy stones on top of other taller stones without the help of machinery or tools. The mystery surrounding how the Stonehenge was built is kind of the same mystery that surrounds how the Egyptian pyramids were built. Some have speculated that alien beings from another world had constructed the Stonehenge. One reason why they believe this is because the stones are arranged in a circle, which is similar to those mysterious crop circles that have been reported. Others believe that Stonehenge is just an ancient clock that relied on sunlight and shadows for telling time. On the other hand, the theory that’s more likely to be true is that the stones of Stonehenge are grave markers, since it’s already been proven that the land it’s on used to be a burial ground.

If the Stonehenge was built by humans, it would have taken a total of about 30 million working hours in order to complete it. There were only two different kinds of stones used during the construction of the Stonehenge. The first kind was a type of sandstone called “Sarsen stones.” These sandstones weighed approximately 25 tons, which is equal to roughly 50,000 pounds. Also, the height of each stone was around 18 feet. The second type of stone used was bluestones and they weighed around 4 tons, or 8,000 pounds. Bluestones are not naturally found in this region of England, since they are basically volcanic rock. So, the ancient builders of this monument ended up traveling 240 miles away just to retrieve this volcanic rock and bring it back to the construction site. Again, they didn’t have any machines or sophisticated ways of transporting these heavy stones. That is why it took so many hours of labor for them to successfully do this.

The way in which the stones were aligned is quite fascinating. The ancient builders didn’t just randomly place the stones on the ground in a circle. Instead, they apparently implemented geometry and mathematics into how the stones were placed because their alignment is perfect with the midsummer sunset and the midwinter sunset. Not only that, the stones were aligned with the greatest southerly moon rising and the greatest northerly sun setting. This could mean the Stonehenge was used as an astronomical observatory, but others seem to believe that ritual activities was the purpose for the monument being built. There is no doubt that religious followers of many different religions have used the site of Stonehenge for their worship and prayer rituals over the centuries. Historians are just unsure about if this was supposed to be the original purpose of the site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VKL2qhwpd0

Stonehenge Facts

Today the Stonehenge continues to be a huge tourist attraction. There was a time when tourists and visitors were actually allowed to touch the stones with their hands. But today, the stones are all roped off and touching them is no longer allowed. In a way, this is understandable because the caretakers are just trying to preserve the stones as much as possible. Throughout the centuries, the Stonehenge did suffer a lot of damage to it. You’ll notice there are some stones of the monument which appear to have fallen over. Experts say that more than half of the original stones of Stonehenge are missing while others just fell over. Right now, 93 stones or rocks remain at the Stonehenge site. It is believed that 165 stones were used originally when the Stonehenge was first built. Nobody knows where the missing stones could have been taken or who would have taken them. There is evidence of broken fragments of bluestone at the site, which could be an indication that someone tried to break parts of the stone to steal it. But when you consider the Stonehenge is about 5,000 years old, it is amazing that it still looks as good as it does today.

I hope you liked these facts on Stonehenge. Next time you visit England then you must visit this place.

Visiting Stonehenge

Address: Amesbury, Salisbury SP4 7DE
Phone: 0370 333 1181
Website: English heritage
Open Daily 9:30am To 5pm

Must Visit Places for Backpackers in 2017

Must Visit Places for Backpackers in 2017

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

This excerpt from Mark Twain’s book “The Innocent Aboard”, truly expresses the magnitude of vigour travel brings in our lives. Travelling is awakening, travel is educating, travel is revealing. For a country, as diverse and vibrant as India, you don’t really need a stamp on your passport to experience multi-faceted shades of travelling. Each state and region is unique that adds to your understanding of the world around you. One great way to encounter rustic familiarity is by treading on a back-packing trip.

Back packing is an excellent way to explore local culture and tradition of a place. These experiences not only help you build happy memories but also help you to grow. So, if you haven’t gone on back-packing adventure before, we suggest that you embark on one this year. Moreover, on your backpacking trip you need not worry about the lodging part now. With OYO, India’s largest branded network of hotels, finding hotels in Noida, Gurgaon or even at off-beat places is not a hard task.

Here are some suggested destinations that will pad up your wanderlust.

Get on a Mythical Journey to Mathura, Vrindhvan, Rishikesh, Haridwar and Agra

 

With holy rivers like Yamuna & Ganga, at the backdrop, the ancient cities of the Hindu tradition -Mathura, Vrindavan, Rishikesh and Haridwar will enlighten and take you on a spiritual journey. All these places are centre to historic and religious interests and are visited by thousands from across the world every year. These cities are comfortably located at a short distance from Delhi and is often visited by Delhiites over the weekend. However, if you are travelling from abroad or South of India, we suggest you book a hotel in Noida. As a business and IT hub of the National Capital Region, the hospitality industry in Noida has grown considerably. There are number of budget hotels in Noida you can find on OYO, which provide standardised, affordable rooms. These rooms come with excellent amenities like free Wi-Fi, breakfast, clean washroom and spotless linen. Spend a day in Noida and carry on with your backpacking journey to Rishikesh and Haridwar the following day. Rishikesh is an excellent destination for adventure sports like river rafting, jungle trail and camping. On the other hand, Mathura and Vrindhawan will give you a glimpse of mythical Hindu tradition. Walking around the city and exploring the lanes and by-lanes will bring in a spiritual awakening and also calm your senses.

Next, stop is Agra to view the Iconic Taj Mahal: Agra and the surrounding area of Fathepur Sikri have their own stories to narrate. As one of the most strategic Mughal Towns, the city of Agara still exhibits subtle nuances from the past that can also be explored and cherished.

Explore the Wilderness of the Gir Forest

Gir Forest is a wild-life sanctuary and perhaps the only natural reserve in the country that is home to the Asiatic Lions. In the past, the Gir forest was the hunting ground for the Nawabs of Junagarh. But today, thanks to the efforts of the forest department and NGOs, the forest has transformed into an ecosystem of diverse fauna and flora. Situated very close to Sasan Village, the entire region presents an excellent opportunity for a back-packing motorcycle trip. Besides that, there are a number of trails that can be explored on foot. The area will expose you to a diverse culture of Maldharis and the Siddhi Community who trace their origin to Africa. A trip to Gir Region, located in the south –west region of Gujarat will open your eyes to an India, you perhaps did not know before.

Turn to the Monasteries and Mountains of Sikkim 

The enchanting land of Sikkim, nestled in the east of India is known for its monasteries and pristine location. Although, Gangtok the Capital of the state is a very touristy city, adjoining regions like Lachung, Yuksom, Nathula Pass present excellent trekking destinations and is a heaven for bag packers. Before you head to explore the interiors of the State, spend a few days at Gangtok. The city boasts an excellent night life as you can visit the Casino or gather for a few drinks at the city’s most happening night-clubs and pubs. There are a plenty of affordable and well equipped accommodations which you can book on the OYO website or with the OYO app. Lying on the foothills of Himalayas, the entire region is a paradise of people who crave for mountains, scenic beauty, and serene time.

Discover the South of India 

While the scenic beauty of east India, the wilderness of the west and mysticism of the east call for a memorable back packing trip, the Southern India is equally inviting and beautiful. Explore the south of India and visit Puducherry in the east coast and the back waters of Kerala in the west. Each region of South India has an indigenous flavour, be it the food, topography, people, or customs. It will take approximately 16 to 18 days to cover the entire region of the South. Although the south of India mostly has a tropical climate, the regions like Coorg, Ooty, Kodaikanal will let you enjoy the mountains and cold conditions.

Chikungunya in India

More than 3000 cases of chikungunya virus have been reported in Delhi in the last few months. So if you are travelling to Delhi then you need to be careful. Here are some of things you need to know about chikungunya.

Chikungunya is not a new disease by any means. Scientists believe the disease originated around the year 1700, based on the evidence of the molecular genetics. The first verified record of chikungunya occurred on the Makonde Plateau of Africa in 1952. The name of the disease “chikungunya” comes from the Makonde language and it translates in English to “that which bends up.” The reason it got this name is because the people who were first affected by the disease developed arthritic symptoms and severe joint pains, which ultimately contorted their posture. These people did not have any medications or therapies to treat their symptoms so the damage from the disease was usually very severe.

Over the next 50 years after the Makonde Plateau case, there had been occasional outbreaks of chikungunya throughout Africa and across Southeast Asia and South Asia. But it wasn’t until the year 2013 when the virus was first discovered in the Caribbean Islands, which are part of the Americas. The virus likely got there from an infected traveler who went to the islands and then unknowingly transmitted it to someone else there, but not directly. Now, the chikungunya virus exists throughout the southern region of North America and all throughout South America. But the places where the chikungunya virus is transmitted the most is in nations found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. So if you are traveling to one of these continents then pay attention to the country you are traveling to and make sure it doesn’t have any known cases of chikungunya.

Chikungunya is not a disease that you just get out of thin air. It is actually a disease caused by a virus with the same name; the chikungunya virus. This virus is carried by certain mosquitoes and it is transmitted to people when they are bitten by them. The two mosquitos in particular that carry the virus are the Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. These mosquitos will bite people day or night so there is never a safe time to be outside if they’re around your area. If you do get bit by a mosquito, there are a few symptoms you will notice right away that will help you determine whether or not you have the chikungunya virus. Aside from a mosquito bite mark or rash on your skin, you’ll start to feel joint pain and feverish. You may even experience muscle pain, headaches, and joint swelling. These symptoms will typically occur about one week after getting bit. Most people don’t realize they have the disease until the symptoms remain with them for longer than a week.

Mosquitoes in India

The chikungunya virus is not contagious from person-to-person. This means if you come in contact with someone else who has the chikungunya virus then they cannot transmit it to you. Also, it is rare for a pregnant woman who is infected with the virus to transmit it to her newborn child. A woman can even breastfeed her child and it will not transmit the virus to them. The only way you can get the virus is from a mosquito that has bitten someone else with the virus. In other words, if a mosquito bites a person who is infected with the virus and then that same mosquito bites you, then you can be infected with the virus. Of course, you are never going to know which mosquitos contain the virus when they are buzzing around you. You also won’t be able to tell if they are Aedes albopictus or Aedes aegypti mosquitos unless you see it land on your body somewhere. That is why the only thing you can do is take precautions and be aware of where these mosquitos are known to roam in.

Precautions needed to prevent chikungunya in India

Sad thing is that mosquitoes are present in Delhi and throughout most of India in large numbers. Even sadder is that there are no vaccines or medicines to prevent someone from getting this virus; it is very easy for it to spread quickly. The worst part is there are no treatments or cures for the virus either. All you can do is take precautions by doing everything you can to avoid mosquito bites. This means wearing long sleeve shirts, pants, and using insect repellent whenever you go outside, especially in areas where the chikungunya virus is known to be. If you are indoors and you keep the windows open, make sure you have a screen to filter out the bugs from flying in through the open window. You should also close the doors and turn on the air conditioner to cool off the room. No mosquitos will want to go inside if it is a cool environment.

If you notice that you have the symptoms of the chikungunya virus, the first thing you need to do is not panic. Even though there are no medications available to treat the virus, there are home remedies and over-the-counter drugs you can take to fight the symptoms. First, you will need to make sure you drink plenty of fluids so that you don’t get dehydrated. You should also get plenty of rest and occasionally take acetaminophen to reduce any pain or fever symptoms. It is not recommended that you take aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs that are non-steroidal. If the symptoms do not go away within a week after trying these remedies or if you are currently taking prescription medication to treat another health problem, then go see a doctor right away and let them advise you on what to do next. Also, if you know you have the chikungunya virus then take every precaution necessary to avoid getting bit by a mosquito again. After all, the more mosquitos that bite you the more mosquitos that will be carrying the disease and transmitting it to other people.

When the chikungunya virus has infected you with chikungunya, you basically have to wait it out. If you are feeling feverish symptoms, they’ll usually last for 4-7 days. What you’ll have to endure more are the joint pain symptoms. Joint pains caused by chikungunya can last for weeks or even months. In rare cases, they can last for years. It all depends on the person and how strong their immune system is. Long-term symptoms include chronic arthritis, advanced aging, and enhanced rheumatological disease. That is why elderly people are threatened by chikungunya the most. The majority of elderly people already have existing medical problems which have their own painful symptoms. These problems typically include heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. So if elderly people end up with chikungunya, then it will create more severe complications to these existing health problems. The statistic of people dying from chikungunya is about 1 out of every 1,000 cases. The majority of these deaths are elderly people because of the complications that the disease causes them.

What is the Chikungunya Virus? Watch the video to find out.

Overall, the chikungunya virus is not an immediate threat to human beings and most people can recover from the symptoms within a week. But this doesn’t mean it is going to be a pleasant week. You will have to endure joint pains, fevers, and other painful symptoms. Just purchase a bottle of insect repellent and always apply it to your skin whenever you think you’ll be outside for an extended period of time. This goes double for travelers who go to Africa or Asia.

Just because there has been a few cases of chikungunya does not mean you should avoid India or Delhi, all you need to do is to take a bit of precautions and you will be fine. For more information on staying healthy in India you can read my book: India Travel Health Guide: Health Advice and Tips for Travelers to India.

A Travel Photographer’s Gear Guide for Photographing India

Traveling the world to photograph mysterious and beautiful places is a fun, rewarding, and creatively stimulating endeavor that anyone with a camera—or even a smartphone—can embark on. But whether you are a travel photographer by profession or simply a passionate hobbyist who enjoys traveling and taking pictures, it is important to bring the right gear to ensure that you are prepared to photograph any given scene or situation with ease.

The right gear, of course, will depend on where you are going. If you have always wanted to capture the majestic beauty of India’s mysterious ancient temples, sweeping panoramic landscapes, and colorfully chaotic city streets, make sure to arm yourself with some knowledge (such as these basic tips for photographing India) and an arsenal of essential photography gear:

DSLR Camera

Let’s start with the most obvious one on this list: you are going to need a good camera. If you want to take ultra-sharp, correctly exposed, and properly focused images under any lighting situation, then a DSLR camera is essential—preferably a full-frame DSLR. After all, you want to capture every tiny detail when you are photographing the many beautiful Hindu temples in India.

If you choose to go with a full-frame, a great option is the Nikon D750 FX-format digital SLR camera, which is considerably more compact and lightweight than other full-frame DSLRs on the market, making it great for traveling.

Mirrorless Camera

Apart from the scenery, the people are some of the most beautiful and captivating subjects you can possibly find in India, so street photography is a must. But for this type of shoots, it is best to use a smaller, less obtrusive camera that will not startle your subjects or make you stand out of the crowd. This is why it is good to have a backup camera for situations when using a DSLR is just not possible.

As a travel photographer, I personally recommend the Sony A7 because it is small, lightweight, affordable, and can easily match the power and performance of any DSLR camera. If you want a slightly cheaper but more updated version, you can also go for the Sony A6300, which is newer and comes with a few extra features such as 4K video shooting, faster autofocus, and a built-in flash. Either of the two will work because if you were to compare the Sony A6300 and Sony A7 with each other, they would mostly have the same specifications—the only difference is that the A7 is a full-frame mirrorless, while the A6300 has an APS-C sensor.

Tripod-Monopod Combo

Tripods are essential for travel photography. You will definitely need one if you are planning a travel photography trip to India, as there are plenty of amazing landscapes (such as the Himalayan scenery) and beautiful architecture that will require slower shutter speeds to get the lighting and the photo just right. Most temples also do not allow any type of flash, so once again, you will have to rely on your shutter speed to handle any low-light situations.

Monopods are also incredibly useful, as they are lighter than traditional tripods but offer plenty of added stability, which is essential when you are shooting in low light or are using a particularly long and heavy lens.

Different situations will require one or the other. Choosing which one to bring with you depends on what you plan to shoot during your trip. However, I suggest you find yourself a tripod-monopod combo (a monopod that comes with detachable tripod legs) instead for convenience and versatility.

Wide-Angle Lens

A wide-angle lens is great for landscapes, cityscapes, and photos of architecture. It is ideal for situations when you need to include as much of the scene as possible into the frame. You can choose between a wide prime or a wide zoom, but either one will work. A prime (fixed focal length) wide-angle lens will give you higher-quality images, while a zoom (variable focal length) wide-angle lens will give you more shooting flexibility and will allow you to easily adapt to any situation. Zooms are especially useful for instances when you cannot physically get close to your subject—all you have to do is move the zoom ring, whereas a prime requires you to walk or move closer to your subject to zoom in.

Medium Telephoto Lens

In addition to a wide-angle lens, I suggest you bring a medium telephoto lens as well. This will be useful for taking crisp, highly detailed portrait photos. The city streets in India are full of diverse and interesting people, and with the right lens, you can get some beautiful and dramatic portrait shots.

Telephotos also come in prime and zoom varieties, so weigh your options before you decide which one to get. A tele-zoom lets you shoot portraits from far away to avoid getting noticed by your subject, allowing you to capture more authentic facial expressions and emotions. A telephoto prime, on the other hand, will give you better-quality images. Whichever you choose, remember to pick a lens with a focal length anywhere in the 70-135mm range.

In addition to portrait photography, telephoto lenses are also great for landscapes.

Polarizing Filter

Polarizing filters are incredibly useful, and you will definitely need one if you want to take beautiful photos of India. Harsh sunlight is pretty typical in tropical countries like India, which is why a polarizer will be your best friend when you are trying to shoot in the daytime. It will help create more naturally saturated colors, bring out a deeper, more beautiful blue in the skies, and reduce glare and reflections in water or other reflective surfaces.

Additionally, it can also help protect the front element of your lens from dust and scratches.

Extra Camera Batteries

Nothing is worse than running out of battery when you have not taken all the pictures you want to take. To avoid missing out on some truly great photographic opportunities, make sure to pack an extra camera battery or two, as well as a battery charger.

Power can be somewhat unpredictable in India, especially when you are staying in some of the more remote areas. Make sure to keep your batteries fully charged whenever you can, and always check if they are charged before you leave your hotel to ensure that you do not run out of juice throughout the day.

Inconspicuous Camera Bag

Unless you are visiting a country that has an astoundingly low crime rate, you will likely encounter thieves and pickpockets wherever you go. And since photographers are known to carry expensive equipment, they are usually attractive targets for criminals.

To keep your gear safe, make sure to purchase an inconspicuous camera bag. Or, more specifically, any bag that does not look like your typical camera bag. If possible, just use a ratty backpack to deter thieves, and purchase smaller cases or pouches (that can fit in the backpack) to protect your gear from damage.

Waterproof Housing or Case for Your Camera

Rainstorms (or even light rain showers) are quite common in tropical countries like India. If you want to keep shooting even when it is pouring out, invest in a good waterproof housing or case for your DSLR and mirrorless cameras to keep them protected from water damage. Of course, most cameras—such as the previously mentioned Nikon D750—are sealed against dust and moisture, but it is still a good idea to bring protective waterproof gear just in case.

Camera Cleaning Supplies and Sensor Cleaning Kit

Dust is inescapable when you are in India. Whether you are in the city or in the remote deserts and mountains, you will likely encounter dust and dirt. It is important, therefore, to have some cleaning supplies on hand. You will need to clean the outer body of your camera at some point, and you will probably have to clean your camera sensor as well, especially since switching lenses can lead to dust entering your camera and landing on your sensor.

Sensor dust is easily noticeable and can ruin your images, so you have to keep it clean. Bring a sensor cleaning kit (preferably one with a blower, swabs, sensor cleaning liquid, and an electrostatically charged brush) with you to ensure that your photos remain pristine and dust-free.

And that is pretty much it! Once you have gathered all (or most) of these photography essentials, you are all set for fun and productive photography trip to India.

Happy shooting!

To God’s own country

After a couple of months living the chaotic life of Delhi and saving our work leaves, we finally got a chance to get away from the noise, crowd and cold of the capital of India and headed south to God’s own country!.. We got our backpacks, changed the office clothes for sweatpants and started our ‘New Year’s Adventure’ at the railway station of New Delhi. All set for the 48 hours ride to Kottyam. On Sleeper Class!

It may sound extreme and even risky for a lot of people, but I have to say it was one of the best trips we’ve had in India; for a young couple who can’t stand away from the road for a long time, budget is a pretty important reason, plus we like to get involved with people, experience the local customs as much as possible and appreciate the landscape. We shared our coach with a really nice South Indian family –small kids included- and had time to relax, read, play cards and enjoy the IMPRESSIVE change of scenery from North to South in 800 Rupees each. Pretty cool! Huh? Add the train meals ranging from 40 to 60 Rs, the occasional chai or coffee in 10 Rs, water bottles –pani- in 15 Rs, and you got yourself a great deal!

The Train

The food was cold, but good –I gotta say my stomach is stronger that the average expat stomach so I didn’t have any problem-, and if you don’t mind the train getting crowded sometimes and the not-clean-at-all bathrooms, you’ll be fine!… Just carry a sleeping bag or warm blanket on winter (nights are very cold and the windows not always seal properly) and enjoy the ride. At the end of the trip you’ll have a lot of beautiful pictures and videos, a lot of stories to tell back home (trust me in this one; something remarkably funny will happen on that train) and priceless memories to treasure forever.

First stop: Thekkady!

After 48 hours, we finally arrived to Kottyam… But that wasn’t the end of our ride; we were still 4 hours away from our first destination, Thekkady, home of the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It was a bumpy but pleasant bus ride through the hills; the clear sky, tea plantations and eventual sight of an elephant increased our excitement! I was actually feeling like home; the mountains, plantain trees and Christian churches reminded me of my coffee lands in Colombia… Although the signboards and dressing style of the people kept the feeling of being in India. It was an amazing feeling!

Thekkady is a hill station with plenty to offer; from the Ayurvedic massages to trekking, camping in the reserve, boat cruises on the beautiful Periyar lake and –our favorite- Elephant ride. The prices rise on the high season but still we feel we got a good deal; in 1500 Rs each, we booked an Elephant adventure that included pick-up and drop off to the hotel, a 30 minutes Elephant ride, a small show and a bath; yes! We got to feed them, shower them… and get showered too! We also made sure to choose a good place where the animals are respected and well treated, and that was The Elephant Junction.

Riding elephants in india

The Backwaters of Allepey

With so little time to spend, it was a tough task to choose where to go and what to skip in Kerala, and at the end we had to sacrifice the Tea Plantations in Munar and the chilled Varkala Beach (ouch!) to fully enjoy our time in Thekkady and Allepey, also known as ‘the Venice of East’. The Kerala backwaters are a bunch of lakes and lagoons parallel to the Arabian Sea and connected through natural and manmade canals forming 900 Km. of waterways through towns, cities and islands. It sounds great, and looks even better in pictures, bust this is something you HAVE to see!

Kerala boathouse for honeymoon

You can experience the backwaters in a lot of different ways that will cost you from 200 Rs to 12000 Rs depending on the time, season and vessel; taking a ferry with other locals to go from A to B is the cheapest way and renting a fancy kettuvallam (houseboat) for the night with cook and driver on board would be the most expensive, although still worth it- option. We decided to stick to our budget and rent a comfortable canoe for 6 hours in 2000 Rs, plus the 500 we spent in lunch, coconut water, chai, snacks and tip to our guide, Captain Vijay; a sweet and funny old guy who has been working on the backwaters for decades and makes his best to explain the scenery, local life and even make some jokes in English.

The Captain took us to different islands where we could see tea plantations, temples and had a delicious lunch served on a banana leaf. He even took us to meet his family and play with his grandchildren! It was a magic and lovely journey, and at the end of it, he gave us a pen and a big notebook full of letters in different languages, drawings and pictures from all is costumers over the years. What a perfect day!..

Gods own country state in India

Once the ride was over, we took an auto back to our hotel Vrindanavam Heritage –that by the way is highly recommended!!!- and head to the beach to see the sunset between a cheering and friendly crowd that was there for a local festival. It was a great evening full of spicy snacks –mostly non-veg- carnival rides and local music, the perfect ending for the Kerala track of our south Indian adventure. The next day we woke up happy and ready to leave for Kochin –just 2 hours and 50 Rs. Away- where a longest ride was awaiting: 17 hours to our New Year’s eve destination: GOA!

But that’s another great story for later 😉

Article by my friend Manuela of Colombia. Some of her other articles include the Golden Temple, Chandigarh and Jallianwala Bagh.

A guide to must see places in Bangalore

Have you been to the iconic Garden City yet? If not, pack your bags for this amazing place and set foot in one of the most welcoming cities in the country. There are literally countless things to do and places to see in Bangalore, this is the city that never disappoints. Whether you seek peace and calm on your next trip or want to indulge yourself in happening parties, Bangalore is the place to be. A quiet retreat from the scorching summers and the harsh winters, the weather here is just perfect for you, so perfect that you might as well want to move here! Here is a list of must visit places in Bangalore:

1. Bangalore Palace-

If you want to go do some sight-seeing and dig deep into the history of the former rulers, Bangalore Palace is a must visit. The Wadiyar family history can now be experienced using audio tours which come in a host of languages. Walk through the long halls be mesmerized as you look at the stunning artwork on the sumptuous walls of this palace.

2. National Gallery of Modern Art-

If you are feeling artistic, NGMA is the place to be. Set in an old bungalow, this gallery caters to artists and art lovers alike. Come here to experience art at its best in Bangalore.

3. Commercial Street-

If street shopping is your thing, you can’t afford to miss Commercial Street. From jewellery to clothes, this street is famous for its styles and affordability. Shop here and get the best of the trends without burning a hole in your pocket.

If on this Bangalore adventure you find yourself too tied up to do the chores you can always go digital. Check out this great app for laundry services in Koramangala so you never really have to worry about your clothes as you go on your expedition!