MUMBAI, DELHI, BENGALURU

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016 ET PANACHE TRAVELNEWS YOU CAN USE2

Savouring the traditional New Year

PIC OF THE WEEK

ET-PanacheTravel readerSiddhesh Naik

recently trekked upto the tallest fort ofMaharashtra, situat-ed in Satana district of Nashik.He says, “There are two routes toclimb this fort. We chose the Eastend from Waghambe Village. Theother one is from the Salherwadion the West end. The climb iseasy but the gradient however islengthy. It takes approximatelyfour hours to climb this fort.When you stand at the base vil-lage, on the left side, you can seeSalota and on the right side is Sal-her. As you begin your climb, onthe way you can spot carved wa-ter tanks, which are designed insuch a way that very little sun-light reaches the water level andthus keeps the water inside thetanks quite cool even in sum-mers. On top of the fort, there is atemple of Parashuram. In fact,you must make it a point to take agood look below from temple topto get a 360 degree view of the en-tire area. It is indeed breathtak-ing. I would suggest you soak inthe sights during sunset time.”

SiddheshNaik

PICTURE ENTRY: Enter this contest by sending in a picture you shot along with a picture of yourself to economictimestravel@gmail.com. DISCLAIMER: Pics sent to us are considered a property of ET-Panache Travel.

CMYK

The Great HimalayanNational Park is carved outof the splendid mountain

terrain of Kullu district, and is thelargest protected area in HimachalPradesh. The secluded TirthanValley harbours a variety ofwildlife common to this area —wild mountain goats like theBharal, Goral, and Serow, theHimalayan Brown Bear andpredators like the Leopard and thevery rare Snow Leopard. Birds likeHimalayan Pied Kingfisher, BrownDipper, Bearded Vulture, andHimalayan Parakeet can be seenduring the BNHS trek. Date of trek: 16– 22nd April 2016 (ex Delhi).Grade: Moderate, three day hike

from Ecozone into Park, daily 8-10km gradual gradient walk amongthe hill forests taking about five-seven hrs. To join this trek, getmore details by sending an email to:

bnhs.programmes@gmail.com

FROM MUMBAI: UMRED KARHANDLA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY,MAHARASHTRA

GETAWAYQUICK FROM BANGALORE: RANGANATHITTU BIRD SANCTUARY,

KARNATAKAOnce the examinationschedule of school kids isover, it’s time to take them on

a fun picnic session amidst nature tobeat the heat. We suggest you takeyour kiddie group along to a greenspot of Ranganathittu BirdSanctuary, few kilometers away fromMysore. The drive is pleasant andonce you get here, make the most ofthe ranger-guided boat tours ofthe isles, available throughout theday. It’s a smart way to watch birds,crocodiles, otters and bats. There isno lodging at this tiny sanctuary, sovisitors will need to makearrangements to stay over at Mysoreor Srirangapatna. The Salim AliInterpretation Centre, maintainedby Forest Department, screens a 4-minute documentary to specialinterest groups and it’s a good idea towatch it before you go bird watching,The islets inside the sanctuary cameinto being when an embarkmentacross the Kaveri River was built in1648 by the then Mysore King —

Kantirava NarasimharajaWadeyar. The ornithologist Dr SalimAli observed that the isles formed animportant nesting ground for birds,and persuaded the Wadeyar kings ofMysore to declare the area a wildlifesanctuary in 1940. The ForestDepartment of Karnataka State ismaintaining the bird sanctuary andputs its efforts to improve thesanctuary, which includes purchaseof nearby private lands to expand theprotected area. Some of the birds youcome across on your birding tourinclude snake bird, darters,spoonbills, river tern, open billstorks, white Ibis, little cormorants,egret, heron, stone plougher,kingfisher and partridge.

Apart from home to native avianhabitants, the sanctuary each yearattracts a large number of migratorybirds. Wildlife experts believe thatmigratory birds come to thissanctuary as far as from Siberia,Australia and even North America.

www.karnatakatourism.org

LOOK CLOSELY: A rare sightingof a tigress with its cubs

The Umred KarhandlaWildlife Sanctuary, about 58kms from Nagpur is spread

over Pauni, Umred, Kuhi and Bhiva-pur Taluka. It’s easy to guess thatthis sanctuary has also connectionwith Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reservethrough forest along Wainganga Riv-er. The sanctuary is home to residentbreeding tigers, herds of Gaur, wilddogs and also rare animals like flyingsquirrels, pangolins and honey badg-er. Located 40 kms north of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and 50 kmsouthwest of Nagzira Wildlife Sanc-

tury and 60 kms from Nagpur, Maha-rashtra, this sanctuary is popularwith student groups who come onschool guided excursions. PenchTiger Reserve is 80 km to the north-west. In the last few years, the num-ber of tourists inflow has increased,thanks to the easy connectivity fromUmred and Nagpur city. The touristswho have visited here in the pasthave been quite lucky to spot not oneby even tiger families together. Thepicture (below) is one such spotting.

www.maharashtratourism.gov.in

TRAVELLER’S DIARYET-Travel offers you events in Luxury, Entertainment, Food,Sports, Music and Nightlife to experience around the world

BAILAMOS FESTIVAL When: April 8,9, 10, 2016 Where: Powai, Mumbai● Bailamos Festival — Brain child of Neeraj Maskara willunite dance lovers from across the country and also fromaround the world. Featuring a line-up of world-famousartistes, celebrities and DJs, Bailamos Festival will be a redcarpet event where anyone who loves to dance can immersethemselves in the variety of activities taking place over anentire weekend. The event will take place at RenaissanceMumbai Hotel and Convention Centre in Powai.To know more, visit www.bailamosfest.com

TULIP FESTIVAL When: Ongoing till May, 2016Where: Srinagar, Kashmir● Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty andwith the tulips in full bloom, it’s somesmerising all around. The Tulip Festival inKashmir is a big attraction for tourists wholove to visit the scenic place of Srinagar. Ittakes place during April and moves on till themonth of May. It is truly the prettiest festivalthat takes place at the Siraj BaghChashmashahi in the capital city of Srinagar. Itis also referred to as Indira Gandhi MemorialGarden. This blooming festival is a real treat tothe eyes as the garden is spread over 5 hectaresof land at the foothills of Zabarmwan near theDal Lake. To know more, visit www.jktdc.co.in

PUTHANDU & VISHUWhen: April 14, 2016

Where: Tamil Nadu & Kerala● Tamil New Year of Puthandu is also known

as Varusha Pirappu and is observed on first dayof Tamil month Chithirai. Kani means ‘fruit’ andon that day, locally produced seasonal fruits are aspecialty in the dishes prepared as offering duringthe puja. Thus, ritual of Chithirai Kani is observedon Puthandu, the traditional new year festival.● Vishu is one of the most important festivals ofKerala. According to the traditional Malayalamcalendar, it is the 1st day of Malayalam month‘Medam’, which is the astronomical New Year. Tra-ditional rituals are followed to bring in anotheryear of prosperity. ‘Kani-Kanal’ is the main eventof the day. Family get-togethers mark this day arespecial as the entire family prays together.

●● Ugadi/Gudi Padwa/Chettichand — Friday, April 8●● Puthandu — Thursday, April 14●● Ram Navami — Friday, April 15●● Mahavir Jayanti — Tues/Wed, April 19/20

UPCOMING HOLIDAYS IN APRIL 2016ET-Travel suggests you take a casual day offat work to make the most of an extendedweekend in coming months. Here’s where youcan head to...

TRAVEL CROSSWORDVERTICAL CLUES1. The world’s largest seafoodmarket Tsukiji is located in thiscity of Japan (5 Letters).

2. The bamboo forest of Arashiyama islocated in this city of Japan (5 Letters).3. This is the only active volcano in Japan(5&4 Letters).4. This is the currency of Japan (3 Letters).5. Enjoy family time at Universal Studiosin this city (5 Letters).

HORIZONTAL CLUES6. The Miyajima Island or theShirne Island is located in this

prefecture (9 Letters).7. The Daisetsuzan National Park famousfor autumn colours is located in thisprefecture (8 Letters).8. The golden shrine of Kyoto is called (9 Letters).9. This buddhist shrine has 1,001 armedkannon statues (13 Letters).10. The most upmarket shopping district inTokyo (5 Letters).

Answers on Page 3

On Salher Trek

Gudi (a stick with apot on edge) is being

decorated for the GudiPadwa in Maharashtra by

local shops

Family get-together over a traditional puja is performed on Puthandu (TN) and Vishu (Kerala)

UGADI / GUDI PADWAWhen: April 8, 2015 Where: South India and Maharashtra● Ugadi or Yugadi or Gudi Padwa is theNew Year’s Day for the people of theDeccan region of India. The Sakacalendar begins with the month ofChaitra (March–April) and Ugadimarks the first day of the New Year.Chaitra is the first month inPanchanga, which is the Indiancalendar. In some parts ofIndia it is known asVikram Samvat orBhartiya Nav Varsh.

Uniting the world through dance forms

PATH OF BEAUTY: Tirthan Valley attracts trekkers from across India

Special Japan Diaries

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HOLIDAY MOMENTSUpload photographs of your

favourite holiday travels and anecdotes on

www.facebook/ettravelindiaor mail them to

economictimestravel@gmail.comand the best ones will get published

Salher trek is a lovely experience in Maharashtra

FROM DELHI: TIRTHAN VALLEY TREK

CAMPING: Outdoor camping is agreat experience

Sweetsprepared

with jaggeryare a

traditionaloffering on

Gudi Padwa

Nashik Dhols are popularon the streets markingcultural activities in Pune and Nashik

KR Marketin

Bangalorehas fresh

flowers thatare beingsold right

from earlyhours in the

morning

The Southern states are alreadyexperiencing high temperatures.Shopping for Ugadi is startingearly in the mornings

ET-Panache Travel captures the festive mood in your city for Ugadi and Gudi Padwa

Ugadi puja preparations are done to welcome the traditional New Year

Traditionalofferings onUgadi includejaggery andneem. Localmarkets alsosell a readymade mix

FOLKLORE

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Birds flock nearRanganathittuislets