THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016 ET PANACHE TRAVEL MUMBAI, DELHI, BENGALURU INDIA TRAVEL GUIDE 3

Pics: Sankara Subramanian Soak in the tranquil ocean The blue waters have a tale to tell, the rich marine life and the delicious food await you in Kadmat

felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of “I WHITE scenery — air, UNDISCOVERED DESTINATIONS mountains, trees, INDIA SPECIAL SANDS people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy’.” — Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar. India is diverse; locals and tourists who traverse through the length and breadth of India have always been fascinated by its cultural and geographical richness, architectural marvels, exclusive heritage sites, majestic monuments, IN SERENITY: Scuba dive and snorkel in the waters of the and exotic flora and Kadmat Island, it is a truly pristine experience fauna. On this page today, we celebrate the TAKE A DIVE also a narrow lagoon on the diversity of India - east. This is the only island Region: Kadmat Island Kadmat Island in in the group, which has Lakshadweep will his island is in the shape lagoon on both the sides. amaze you with its Tof a tear drop, with serene and relaxed 3.2 square kilometres READER vibes, Tawang area and is located on EXPERIENCE: ET Monastery can house as a coral reef. The tiny Panache Travel many of 700 monks, Kadmat Island is reader, Sankara need we explain why it truly exquisite and is Subramanian recently is so peaceful? And approx a kilometer visited the Kadmat Orchha will take you long at its widest, and Island. He says, back in time and 200m at its shortest. “Adventure Sports introduce you to the The unique and quiet Sankara should be top on the ancient ambience makes it Subramanian list - scuba diving, Kingdom. Of course, one of the most snorkelling, kayaking and there are several other exclusive islands of the sailing in that order. Also ‘hidden’ destinations in world. A favourite among seafood lovers should try out honeymooners, Kadmat is a India, if there is some WALKING ALONG: Morning the local catch, which varies haven of solitude with its secret getaways that and evening walks on from season to season. The fine lagoon of even depth, a hold special memories Kadmat Island, usual favourites are red long stretch of shoreline to your family and you, Lakshadweep are peaceful, snappers, tiger prawns, ideal for swimming. Apart do share them with us as all you can hear is the crabs and lobsters. I would from the shallow lagoon on on sound of the waves suggest the best months to economictimestravel@ the west that forms an ideal visit are from October gmail.com spot for water sports, there is through March.” By Rashmi Hemrajani

Winding the clock back Pic Jitendra SIngh Orchha in Madhya Pradesh will take you back in time, as you marvel at beautiful palaces and monuments

complex, located on an island on River Betwa. A four-arched bridge HISTORIC MONUMENTS leads to the fort complex on the island. The Jahangir Mahal, which Region: Orchha, Madhya Pradesh was built by Bir Singh Deo in the early part of the 17th century to A small town in Madhya Pradesh, Orchha is known to be frozen in mark the visit of the Mughal Emperor, is an important monument time. The town’s palaces and temples maintain the original of this fort. The Rai Parveen Mahal, dedicated to the 17th- grandeur. The Bundela chieftain, Rudra Pratap, founded the century poetess-musician, is must-visit palace within this complex city, located by the side of the beautiful , in the 16th as it is set amongst well-laid gardens. century. The word Orchha means ‘hidden’. When the Tughlaqs, who were ruling Delhi in the 15th century, pushed the NEARBY PLACE: Tourists flock to the historic city of Bundelkhand rajas out of Garkhundar, they retreated to distant which is located 18 kms from Orchha. A number of monuments Orchha. belonging to this period including Jhansi Fort and Rani Jhansi’s Palace are some of the important tourist attractions of Jhansi. MUST SEE: The main attraction of Orchha is the Orchha fort PERCHED HIGH

VIEW POINT: There are several lakes in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Pick your favourite! HERITAGE TRAIL The glorious mountains Hear the pin drop silence in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh MONASTERIES AMIDST MOUNTAINS REWIND: Visit the Orchha temple complex and get Region: Tawang bewildered by the Bundelkhand Rajas town that is thinly Apopulated, Tawang is favoured for its soothing silence and serene mountains. The 400-year-old Karwar located in Karnataka is Tawang Monastery is one of a popular choice among the oldest and the largest monasteries in India and the A BEACH STORY tourists this year biggest outside of Lhasa. The main altar with its 27 ft high statue of Lord Buddha

The young monks line up in the Tawang Monastery during meal times WOW continuously receives tempartures range between pilgrims who come from 3 to 6 degree. FACTOR across the world. The !monastery also has a centre FOOD: Usually food is a bit Nuranang Waterfalls for Buddhist Cultural pricy here because most of Studies, a library and a the supplies have to be is a spectacular 100 museum with valuable transported from the plains. meter-high artifacts and manuscripts. While the local food is waterfalls located Tourists flock to this quiet predominantly non- town in Arunachal Pradesh vegetarian, vegetarians will 40 kms away from as it is home to the not go hungry. Roadside Tawang. Also indigenous Monpa and stalls selling momos and Nishing tribe, of the Tibeto- thukpas are quite common. known as Jang Burmese origin and its If you wish to try the Falls, is a must visit several lakes add beauty. traditional food of the The best time to visit this Monpas tribe, be warned as for nature lovers. town is from May to it is liberally spiced with September where chillies and other herbs.

Answers to Travel Crossword from Page 2 What is on your action bucketlist, this year? Share your rare moments VERTICAL CLUES HORIZONTAL CLUES with us and send your photos at 1. Venice 6. New Orleans [email protected] or upload 2. Alaska 7. Valencia 3. Ottawa 8. Naples them on www.facebook/ETTravelIndia and ET Panache Travel reader Ramnath Bhat is from Karwar, a small city in Karnataka, which is emerging as a popular tourist 4. Montana 9. Mayrhofen the best ones will be printed in the next issue destination. He says, “Karwar is famous for varieties of fresh fish, organic vegetables and beautiful beaches. 5. Vienna 10. Antwerp of ET Panache Travel Ramnath Bhat Tourists can go deep in the sea to spot dolphins. Also do visit the Naval ship Museum and ride in Kali River backwaters.”

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