Tradition, Preservation And Uniqueness Combined: Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh

GUJARAT

RANN OF KUTCH – It’s one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world— an endless sea of salt marshes or ‘Rann’ of Kutch. Divided into the Great Rann and the Little Rann, the marsh covers more than 12,500sq km between the Gulf of Kutch and the mouth of the Indus River situated in southern Pakistan. The grasslands as well as the desert harbour some unique wildlife including several endemic and endangered animal and plant species. Don’t miss the Indian wild ass or the thousands of greater flamingo that nest in the mudflats of the Rann. You could also catch the Rann Utsav in the winter months, where tented accommodation helps you soak up the vibrant culture of the region. The tent city in Dhordo is 80km/ 1.5 hours from Bhuj, and about 410 km/6.5 hours away from Ahmedabad.

SUN TEMPLE, MODHERA – The Solankis of Gujarat were Suryavanshi Gurjars, or in other words, descendants of the Sun God. Bhimadeva I of the Solanki dynasty built this magnificent Sun Temple in Modhera on the banks of the river Pushpavati way back in 1026 CE. And, like so many temples dedicated to the sun god around the world, it was designed to be lit-up by the first rays of the sun on the summer solstice every year. Again, like so many other sun temples, this one too is located at 23.5 degrees, quite on the Tropic of Cancer. The temple complex has three separate, axially aligned segments: the pond of surya kund, the sabha mandap and the guda mandap. However, no prayers or rites are offered in this temple complex. Modhera is located 102km/2 hours away from Ahmedabad.

Traditions from Gujarat

RANI KI VAV – The vavs or stepwells of Gujarat have traditionally been a system of subterranean water storage. However, the well preserved Rani ki Vav or the Queen’s Stepwell at Patan in Gujarat takes that to a different artistic level altogether. This multi-storeyed structure situated on the banks of the river Saraswati was built in 1063 CE by Rani Udayamati in loving memory of her husband, Bhimadeva I. An inverted temple saluting the sanctity of water, Rani ki Vav leads down seven levels and into a rectangular tank. It is a work of homage, a work of art and a work of architecture all at once—a marvel of a complex technique accompanied by enormous attention to intricate detail. Needless to say, it has been named as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Patan is 130km/2.5 hours from Ahmedabad.

 HARYANA

MONUMENT CIRCUIT – It’s not quite the Red Fort-Taj Mahal-Fatehpur Sikri circuit but that’s part of the charm… in various states of disrepair, forgotten and blending in layers with everyday living, Haryana is home to a fascinating circuit of lesser-known monuments. Meander around the districts of Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Mewat, drive past miles of yellow mustard fields, ask for the fort of Nawab Bahadur Jang Khan, peep into the number of different deserted baolis, take in spectacular tombs with inscriptions and sgraffito, explore the Safed Masjid and dargah in Dujana and find various ‘chhatris’ that just lie here and there, growing older in the North Indian sun. Jhajjar, Gurgaon, Mewat are all within a 50km radius of the National Capital Region.

Culture of Haryana

HIMACHAL PRADESH

GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK

Established in 1984, this is a relatively new national park but there is no doubt that the Great Himalayan National Park is one of our outstanding wildlife preserves. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site for its rich collection of fauna and flora. The Park counts 375 faunal species including the threatened musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr and the western horned tragopan—a charismatic pheasant that is on the park’s logo. With a wide altitude range, valleys and pretty meadows, the area is a favourite with trekkers. The park is accessed via the KulluValley.

SHIMLA – ‘The Queen of the Hills’ they called this town, and no greater accolade could ever be imagined from the British Raj, except perhaps the fact that they shifted their summer capital here. There is something about Shimla that just doesn’t fade away. You’ll be assailed by the sharp scent of deodar forests with the crisp mountain air all around you, but equally pervasive is the tang of history as you walk across the Ridge, past Christ Church, walking down Mall Road till you reach the imposing Viceregal Lodge… there is much to see and do in Shimla, and you’ll have to admit she is Queen for all seasons. Shimla is 360km/7.5 hrs from Delhi by road.

Himachal Pradesh is famous for its Himalayan landscapes, hill stations and temples.

SPITI – To the northeast of Himachal Pradesh lies a somewhat cut-off high-altitude valley—beautiful, remote and distinctive. Scattered villages, a haunting moonscape for scenery, high monasteries with the many-braided river flowing through, this is Spiti, ‘the middle land’ between India and Tibet, separated from the neighbouring Lahaul by the 15,059ft Kunzum Pass. Named after the Spiti river, the valley has some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in India. Check out the murals and sculptures of the 1,000-year-old Tabo Monastery. Spiti Valley is 240km/S hrs by road from Kullu over two high passes.