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Written by Super User

Category: Frontpage

Published: 05 October 2024

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Boating on meandering waters through ancient limestone karsts, floating through mysterious caves, and visiting ancient temples is definitely an experience of lifetime?Well Isnt it.

We take a closer look at what makes Trang An such a special destination and how to have a one of a kind experience by taking a Trang An boat tour!

It’s famous for its impressive limestone mountains, caves, and scenic waterways and is also often referred to as “Halong Bay on land”.

The Trang An boat tours leave every day from the Trang An wharf. If you are staying in Tam Coc, you’ll first have to make your way to the wharf, which is seven kilometers away. Another option is to stay at Trang An village, which is only 2,5 kilometers from the Trang An wharf.

Boat tickets are sold on the other side of the street, opposite the wharf. After that, you’ll have to pass through an underground walkway to get to the boat wharf. There, you’ll have to show your ticket and you’ll be assigned to a boat. 

Boats can take four people so it’s possible you’ll be paired up with other people. Note that it’s very convenient if you can sit in the front of the boat. That way, you’ll get a good view of the surrounding area and it’s way more comfortable to take photos. 

There are three routes into the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. 

We were given life vests and embarked on the tour, accompanied by two other english tourists.

The most impressive feature of this tour is indeed the one-kilometer-long Dot cave. 

The main towns in Ninh Binh province are Trang An and Tam Coc. This is where most people stay when visiting Ninh Binh province. The area here boasts stunning landscape with karst mountains, deep green valleys and winding rivers. It is here where the film Kong: Skull island was filmed – something Ninh Binh is now well known for. If you only do one activity in Ninh Binh, make sure it is the boat ride through the Trang An Scenic Landscape. It is without a doubt, the best thing to do in Ninh Binh.

The boat is rowed by hand and the guide will give you information about key sights along the way. 

Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province is one of the most reputable religious destinations in Vietnam. Located close to Trang An Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is undeniably a must-see for culture lovers. 

• Bai Dinh Pagoda opening hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM every day
• Fees: 
• Bai Dinh Pagoda entrance fee: free
• Electric car: 60,000 VND/person/trip, operating until 8:00 PM
• Ticket to Bao Thap Tower: 50,000 VND/person
• Parking: 40,000 VND/car and 15,000 VND/motorbike 

The best time to take a Bai Dinh Pagoda tour is in spring (from the first to the third lunar month). At this time of year, Vietnam weather in the north is exceptionally pleasant. 

The complex of Bai Dinh Pagoda is about 95 kilometers away from Hanoi, 15 kilometers away from Ninh Binh City, and 7 kilometers away from Hoa Lu Citadel. 

·       The complex consists of an ancient pagoda and a newly constructed, larger pagoda. The pagoda is a major spot for Buddhist pilgrims all across the country. 

Buddhism was widespread and regarded as Vietnam’s major religion under three feudal dynasties: the Dinh, the Early Le, and the Ly in Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) citadel. 

·       Thus, during these periods, several pagodas were constructed in the region, notably the old Bai Dinh Pagoda on the western side of Dinh Mountain. The pagoda was built in the Dinh Dynasty, and it is where Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang erected a shrine to ask for favorable weather. 

·       Other documents about Bai Dinh Pagoda history state that it was established in the Ly Dynasty as a place to contemplate, treat disease, and assist the locals. The pagoda has been described as one of the most important Buddhist, Taoist, and Mother Goddess worship sites.

·       2.3. Structure

·       The complex consists of two main sites: the newly built Bai Dinh Pagoda and the ancient pagoda. 

·       2.3.1. The new Bai Dinh Pagoda Vietnam complex

·       The 80-hectare new Bai Dinh Pagoda is situated on Ba Rau Hill, close to Hoang Long River. This is a large complex with many buildings that were built between 2003 and 2010. The new pagoda’s architecture consists of huge halls, gardens, and enclosures.

The ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda

The original pagoda is located approximately 800 meters away from the new one in the foothills. The walkway stretches more than 300 stone steps before passing beneath an elaborate gate to reach the entrance. The actual pagoda is nestled in many tiny caves on the slope. Together with Buddhist deities, mountain spirits are also worshiped here.

Some other landmarks

• The Bell Tower: An octagon-shaped tower with three storeys of varying sizes. The base has a diameter of 17 meters. The tower is 18,25 meters tall and supported by a platform in the shape of a lotus. Inside is a bronze bell weighing 36 tons.
• The corridor with Arhat statues: The longest corridor in Asia that contains 500 Arhat Statues on both sides.
• Gieng Ngoc (The Pearl Well): This moon-shaped well was constructed around 1,000 years ago. The diameter is 30 meters and the depth is 10 meters. 
• The Hall of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara: This seven-compartment ironwood construction is 14.8 meters tall, 40.4 meters long, and 16.8 meters wide. Inside is an 80-ton bronze figure of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara with many eyes and hands adorned with gold. 
• Bao Thap Tower: A 99-meter-tall, 13-story structure with 72 stair steps, housing sacred Buddha relics from India and Burma.
• Maitreya Statue: A 10-meter-tall bronze statue located on the highest hill of Bai Dinh Pagoda. Weighing 80 tons, it is the largest outdoor bronze Maitreya Statue in Southeast Asia.

Follow local regulations and respect the culture while visiting Dinh Pagoda 

• Bai Dinh Pagoda dress code: dress politely
• Wear sneakers instead of high heels to walk around with ease
• Bring sunscreen, umbrellas, and rain jackets just in case
• Do not touch the statues
• Do not draw or carve on the statues and walls 

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Written by Super User

Category: Frontpage

Published: 02 October 2024

Hits: 254

NAMASTE TO EVERYONE FROM VALLEY OF GODS AND GODDESSES, KULLU.

 WE WELCOME ALL VIEWERS TO OUR CHANNEL COUNTRYSIDETRAVELS. 

 HISTORY OF KULLU DUSSEHRA 

 Every year, hundreds of gods and goddesses participate in the international Dussehra festival, known as the Mahakumbh of Gods and Goddesses, and lakhs of devotees come to have their darshan. The beginning of Dussehra in Kullu dates back to the regime of Raja Jagat Singh who ruled Kullu from 1637 to 1672. There is a legend that Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu who had been informed that a bowl full of pearls was in the possession of Durga Dutt, a poor Brahmin of village Tipri. The Raja directed his courtiers to fetch the pearls from the Brahmin, was greatly harassed by the them. Finding the torture rather unbearable, he told them that the pearls would be delivered to the Raja on his return to the villagefrom Manikaran where he was going. When the Raja arrived in the village, the Brahmin locked himself along with his family members and set fire to the house. Sitting by its side, he cut his flesh with a sharp blade at every leap of the fire and cursed the Raja for his unjust demand by saying “Have the pearls, O’ Raja”. The entire family was reduced to ashes. After a laps of sometimes it so happened that the Raja was haunted by the spirit of the innocent Brahmin family, stung by the qualms of the conscience, he felt every moment the painful and tearing pinch of the strings and arrows of the deadly sin committed by him. Under guilt conscious and hallucination he used to see crawling worms in place of rice and human blood in place of water in the tumbler. The Raja did whatever he could do but of no avail. The news of his illness spread throughout his kingdom and all possible means of curing his disease were explored by his courtiers, prominent hakims, vaids, doctors and religious persons saints etc. 

At last a Bairagi named Krishan Dutt (Pahari Baba) offered his counsel that no medicine can be effective to cure the Raja except the blessing of lord Rama. In this direction he further suggested that the Rajashould take charanamrit of an idol of lord Rama. This idea struck sound in the mind of the Raja and further efforts were made to procure a holy idol from Ayodhya. His efforts succeeded in procuring a genuine idol from Ayodhya. For this work a disciple of Bairagi Krishan Dutt named Damodar Dass was selected and deputed for thispurpose. Damodar Dass had attained miraculous power known as ‘Gutka Sidhi’. Through this miraculous power he was able to procure the rare piece of Rama’s idol alongwith Pujari from ‘Tret Nath’ Temple of Ayodhya in July 1651 AD which was installed in Raghunathji’s temple at Sultanpur Kullu by observing all the rituals suggested by the learned priests of that time. It may be of interest to record here that a special class of priests were brought from Ayodhya to conduct the rituals and their descendants still continue to keep-up the tradition. 

Raja Jagat Singh faithfully observed the suggestions of Bairagi Krishan Dutt and by and by, he showed signs of recovery from the dreaded disease. He was greatly influenced by the divine power of Rama, so much so that he abdicated his throne to the will of Raghunathji and became ‘Chharibardar’ of Raghunathji. This incident had a great impact in his state and as a consequence thereof all the Devis and Devtas accepted the overall lordship of Raghunathji. 

The Raja spent his order to all the ‘Kardars’ of all Gods and Goddesses of the state to assemble at Kullu on the festive occasion of Vijya Dashmi to first pay obeisance to Raghunathji and then participatein the festivities thereafter. The idol of Lord Raghunath reached Kullu via Makrahad, Manikaran, Haripur, Nagar and Dussehra festival started being organized in the honor of Lord Raghunath from 1660. It was given the status of an international festival in the year 2017 and a large number of tourists from India and abroad reach Dhalpur to see this Dev Mahakumbh. Ravana's effigy is not burnt: While Ramlila is organized during Navratri across the country, neither Ramlila is performed nor the effigy of Ravana is burnt in the Dussehra festival of Dhalpur.

 The international Dussehra festival starts here on the day of Vijayadashami and this fair is celebrated for days along with the Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath in Dhalpur grounds. Apart from this, Gods and Goddesses also come here throughout the day to have darshan of Lord Raghunath. In the evening, Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath is organized in Dhalpur ground. In which a crowd of thousands of people gathers to pull the chariot of Lord Raghunath. ON THE PENULTIMATE DAY, MOHALLA IS HELD, WHICH IS A grand meeting of Gods and Goddesses OF THE KULLU VALLEY. Dussehra festival is celebrated here only on the day of Dashami. On the seventh day of Dussehra festival, Lanka Dahan is done and with it Dussehra ends. Rath Yatra is also taken out on the day of Lanka Dahan and Lord Raghunath returns back to his temple in Raghunathpur.

 

 

 

 

It is concluded after a week and is also called the annual conference of Gods and Goddesses. It is said that on the day of Vijayadashami, Lord Rama defeated Ravana's army. Some of the major deities in the international Dussehra festival are Mata Hidimba, Devta Bijli Mahadev, Mata Bhekhali, Jamdagni Rishi. Without which Dussehra festival cannot be completed. After the arrival of Mata Hidimba in the palace, preparations for Dussehra festival are started. Regarding the organization of International Dussehra festival of Dhalpur, it is said that on the day of Vijayadashami, Lord Ram shot an arrow at Ravana's navel and won over Ravana's army. Since then, the festival of Vijayadashami is celebrated all over India, but Ravana did not die on that day. Ravana died 7 days after Vijayadashami. 

In such a situation, Ravana was killed by Lord Ram. That is why the Dussehra festival of Dhalpur is celebrated for 7 days starting from Vijayadashami. Kullu city has the temple of Goddess Bhekhali, also known as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari or Jagannathi. In Kullu Dussehra, before taking out the Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath, permission of Mata Bhuvaneshwari is taken, after her gesture the yatra starts, there is a belief behind this that the king of Kullu once tried to forcefully call the chariot of Mata from Bhekhali temple. They had reached half way when suddenly snakes started coming out in the palace. When the king inquired, he came to know that it was the wrath of Mother Bhuvaneshwari. After this he was never brought from the temple without his consent. After this, it became a tradition to seek his permission for the journey. 

There are some such Gods and Goddesses in the International Dussehra festival, without whom the Dussehra festival cannot be imagined. One of the main goddesses among them is Hidimba Devi. Actually, the presence of Goddess Hidimba in the Dussehra festival is considered very important. It is said that the Dussehra festival cannot be successful without Mata Hidimba. Goddess Hidimba is the Kuldevi of the royal family Goddess Hidimba has the status of grandmother of King Vihang Manipal royal family On the first day of Dussehra festival, the goddess reaches the palace (that is called Rupi Palace in Sultanpur), with her followers and after the worship of Mata, Lord Raghunath is also brought to Dhalpur. 

Mata stays in her temporary camp in Dhalpur for 7 days of Dussehra festival and thousands of people reach here to see Goddess Hidimba. Mata Hidimba's chariot moves ahead on the day of Lanka Dahan. On the day of Lanka Dahan, Ashtang Bali (sacrifice of 8 types of animals) is offered to the mother. On the day of Lanka Dahan, Mata Hidimba's Guru and the priest take along Ghantti Dhadch (vessel for burning incense) . As soon as the ritual of sacrifice is completed, the chariot of the mother returns to its temple. With this, the Dussehra festival also ends. You come to kullu dussehra and leave without tasting the local delicacies, you have missed something big. You should definitely try traditional kullu food. 

 Now visitors are able to enjoy dishes made from millet in the International Dussehra Festival Kullu under the joint aegis of the Agriculture Department of himachal government. exhibition stalls, decorated by the department, have stalls of Kodra tea, Kodra ki Siddu, Saliare ki Kheer, Famebada, Soup and Kauni ki Khichdi mainly through the department's self-help group. people prepare dishes based on the varieties of coarse grains that are becoming extinct and serve them to the visitors. In the International Kullu Dussehra festival, visitors are inclined towards traditional local dishes. Last year, people ate Siddu and Kachori worth Rs. 2.25 crores in the festival. Maize, Kodra roti (that is millet) and greens, were best sellers as well. Actually, now people are making such dishes less at home and people are impressed by such food items in the festival. There are many stalls and shops serving other food items along with Siddu and Kachori, while most of these shops are fast food and Chinese food. Now we will also try some local delicacies. I have my eye on millet parantha. 

 According to tradition, the idol of the superior deity is carried on the right side of the chariot of Lord Raghunath (Lord Ram), the chief deity, during the procession taken out on the first and the last day of the festival. For many decades, Shringa Rishi, who was Lord Ram’s guru, used to occupy that place. “After 1971, followers of Shringa Rishi boycotted the ceremony for 11 years over a dispute. Balu Nag, who is considered the incarnation of Lord Ram’s brother Lakshman, then took that spot, It is noteworthy that gods and goddesses from Outer Saraj Ani-Nirmand to Manali take part in the world famous Kullu Dussehra. Mata Hidimba, Bijli Mahadev along with Outer Saraj's presiding deity Khudijal, Takrasi Nag, Beas Rishi, Kot Pajhari, Chotaru Nag, Devta Chambhu, Sapt Rishi and 300 other gods and goddesses ensure their participation in the Kullu Dussehra, which is celebrated under the leadership of Lord Raghunath. The number of gods and goddesses is increasing year after year in the Dussehra festival. The special thing is that the gods and goddesses of Outer Saraj travel 150 to 200 kilometers on foot to reach the Dussehra festival. Deities coming from various places in Kullu district receive nazrana ( that is a special participation allowance), and a space is allotted to each invited deity at Dhalpur festival ground in kullu. A camp is set up by respective deity, where the palanquin, shaman and other followers stay for the duration of kullu dussehra. In addition to the Nazarana amount, the deities coming from far away also receive distance allowance. No nazrana is paid to deity who come on vehicles. 

 SO, RIGHT NOW WE ARE WALKING ACROSS SECTION OF THE DUSSEHRA GROUND, WHICH HAS BEEN ALLOTED TO DEITIES. 

IT REALLY DOES FEEL HEAVENLY AND YOU CAN TAKE BLESSINGS OF GOD MANY DEITIES AT ONE PLACE. EVEN CHILDREN HAVE SOME EXCITING THINGS TO DO AT KULLU DUSSEHRA. THERE IS A SECTION OF GROUND WHICH IS DEDICATED TO CHILDREN ACTIVITIES, LIKE SWINGS, GUN SHOOTING, RINGS AND WATER BOATING ETCETRA. FOR 7 DAYS THIS AREA IS JAM PACKED WITH PEOPLE. RIGHT NOW, INFRONT OF YOU, YOU CAN SEE A DEATH WELL, WHERE BIKES AND CAR WILL DRIVEN. IT LOOKS SCARY. ENJOY SOME BEAUTIFUL GLIMPSE OF KULLU DUSSEHRA. 

 WELL NOW WE COME TO THE SECTION, WHICH IS MOST POPULAR AMONG THE YOUTH. AND THIS IS THE FLEA MARKET, WITH SECONDS CLOTHING. YOU GET REPUTED AND IMPORTED BRANDS OF SHOES, JACKETS AND MANY MORE AND A VERY REASONABLE PRICE. WITH WINTERS AROUND THE CORNER, JACKETS ARE THE MOST PREFFERED CLOTHINGS, THAT IS PURCHASED BY THE PEOPLE. THIS MARKET RUNS FROM START OF DUSSEHRA UNTIL THE DIWALI FESTIVAL, AND IS ONE OF THE MOST CROWDED PLACE AT DUSSEHRA EVENT. THERE IS LOTS OF DUST IN THIS MARKET AND IF YOU ARE THINKING OF VISITING THIS SECTION, YOU SHOULD KEEP A MASK OR HANKERCHIEF HANDY. 

 Dussehra is a one-day event across the country, but apart from this, Kullu Dussehra is seven-day long, this festival also holds the record of maximum number of women dancing together in the form of Kullvi Nati. Nati dance is a local folk dance of Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. PEOPLE COME DRESSED IN LOCAL TRADITIONAL ATTIRE FOR THIS FOLK DANCE. The Nati folk dance of Kullu district has made a world record by entering the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest folk dance in the world. 

 IT WAS PHRASED AS “PRIDE OF KULLU”. 9,892 participants were registered to make a world record of the “Largest Nati Dance” LOCAL KULLU ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT around 13,000 women had participated in the event, only 9,892 were registered by the authorities as there were strict stipulations and guidelines, including bar-coded chip for each participant, due to which many were left unregistered.  

ANYWAYS MATTER OF GREAT PRIDE FOR PEOPLE OF KULLU. SO THIS IS IS IT, FOR OUR COVERAGE OF KULLU DUSSEHRA. HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE VIDEO. DO NOT FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL. COUNTRYSIDETRAVELS. THANKS FOR WATCHING. STAY TUNED FOR MORE VIDEOS.

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Written by Super User

Category: Frontpage

Published: 24 September 2024

Hits: 185

 A high mountain pass in Zanskar region of Jammu and Kashmir, Baralacha La means the pass where many roads meet. 

The pass connects Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. The Baralacha La is better described as a plateau where three mountain ranges meet (Pir Panjal, Zanskar and the Himalaya.

We started 8 am in the morning from our village Dashal, near Sarsai, and it took us around 2 and half hours to reach Sissu, where we halted for breakfast, and then further 4 hours to cover next 105 kilo meters.
Weather is good and roads free from traffic. We will stop for food at Jispa on our return from Bara Lacha Pass.

The road condition is now very good, thanks to the border road organisation.

In ancient times it was part of a trade route. It once fell on ancient trade routes taken by caravans traveling between Tibet and India.

 

No food stall is available at the pass.

 

 

Acclimatization: Since it is a high altitude, acclimatization is necessary. Some days in Leh or Manali will ensure that any undesirable altitude sickness keeps at bay while crossing the pass.