Mahindra Homestays » Ladakh

The Ladakh Festival

Mahindra Homestays — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:00:34 +0000

With the Himalayan wonder, Ladakh, becoming more accessible to visitors from across the country, it is a great opportunity to get an intimate view of the unique festivals of the region.

One of the most exciting cultural extravaganzas, the Ladakh Festival, is celebrated between every 1st to 15th September. Great weather and fewer tourists make this a great time to enjoy the region’s heritage, depicted in dances, music and local food.

About the Festival
The Ladakh festival was the brainchild of the state tourism ministry and local communities to bring forth the rich cultural heritage of the region for everyone to enjoy. Leh, Kargil and the farway Zanskar valley participate in this festival.

The festival starts with parades of local dance and music troupes which slowly go past the main Leh market to finally end in the Polo Ground. The most important part of the Ladakh Festival is the polo match. The winners are conferred with the Ladakh Festival Cup. This was introduced to take forward the lineage of this traditional sport of the Western Himalayas. Some of the other events include archery, singing contests and dance competitions.

The most exhilarating performance is that of the Lamas, who dance to haunting tunes in traditional colourful masks. These monks are chosen from a handful of monasteries and their performance is one of the highlights of the festival.

Local food stalls line up at the venues so dig into some Tibetan food like Thukpa and Tsampa. Skyu is also something worth a try. This is a pasta dish with vegetables. Apart from the local food, you can also find local versions of other cuisines.

The festival marks the end of the pleasant weather as soon after the festival, the weather gets chilly and the in a month’s time, the high passes close due to snow. The Ladakh Festival leaves visitors and locals with colourful memories before the cold takes over the region.

How and When to get there
Leh, the capital city where the festival is held, is accessible by both road (via Manali or Srinagar) and air. The road trip itself is magnificent, but if you are planning on arriving on the opening day, you should keep 2 days for road travel. You can also fly in from Delhi, but arrive at least a day or two early to acclimatise to the altitude. With much walking, participation and following the parades, it can get very exhausting.

Tips for Visitors

Get local help beforehand to get seats in the Polo Ground if you want to watch the entire procession. Alternatively, a great vantage point from atop a building also makes a good viewing point.
With prior permission from the Tourism office, you can also get close access to the parade to get brilliant photo-opportunities.
If you can arrange to meet some of the troupes before or after the parade, more up-close pictures can be obtained.
This is also a good time for shopping for handicrafts as locals bring out their best wares and the variety is incredible. Although be prepared to bargain as visitors can be over charged a little. Local help will come in handy to get a decent bargain. Silver jewellery, mementos, prayer flags and more elaborate souvenirs like shawls and rugs are in plenty.

Thanks to the photographers who shared their images under Creative Commons licence. All images link back to the original source by way of credit.

10 stunning photos of Ladakh and Leh

Mahindra Homestays — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 20:00:56 +0000

The stark, stunning beauty of Ladakh will impress even the seasoned travellers as you drive or fly over snow capped mountains into the region. Considered among the most extreme of environments, Leh with its gorgeous mountains, its arid desert terrain sprinkled with ancient Buddhist monasteries, and its dignified popplar trees is a photographers dream destination and the natural beauty means that as long as you have a camera you are guaranteed some amazing photos of your trip.

The relatively warmer months of May to October are the perfect time to visit this breathtaking region. We pick out our 10 favourite photos of Ladakh and Leh.

The magnificent Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh

Jewellery shop, Ladakh

Arriving at the pass Lanyal La

Portrait of a child in Ladakh

En-route to Nubra Valley

Village homestay, Leh

A view from Namgyal Hill, Leh

Lamayuru monastery, Ladakh

Cloth pieces with scriptures in the local language, Ladakh

Viewpoint, Leh

Thanks to the photographers who shared their images under Creative Commons licence. All images link back to the original source by way of credit.

The Hemis Festival in Leh, Ladakh

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 02:54:27 +0000

Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh (in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir). Located 45 km from Leh, the 300 year old monastery is home to the famous Hemis festival which falls in June or July every year.

History of the festival
The Hemis Festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava who founded Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. Also known as Second Buddha, the festival is of huge importance to those celebrating.

Hemis is celebrated on the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month in the Hemis Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh.

The ceremonies begin with an early morning ritual atop the Gompa where, to the beat of drums and the resounding clash of cymbals and wail of pipes, the portrait of the sacred Guru Rinpoche (another name for the Guru) is brought forward so that all devotees can take blessings.

The most esoteric of festivities are the mystic mask dances. The Mask Dances of Ladakh are referred collectively as chams Performance.

At the Festival
A bevy of locals and tourists alike are seen making a beeline in local buses and cabs to the cosy monastery, clearly not equipped to handle the massive surge of humanity. Many travellers also camp outside the night before to get early entry and row side seats to the wonderful traditional dances.

Masked lamas perform elaborate dances, special music performances and commentaries in front of a large but intimate crowd. The half day ceremony is watched in awe by thousands. As a spectator try and get a seat as close to the main courtyard. These fill fast, so arrive at the festival as early as 7 in the morning. Tickets are available for Rs 500/- to sit very close to the performance. It is a great experience to sit and watch this marvellous show with the locals. They too, come dressed in their traditional cummerbunds and head gear for this annual ceremony.

Outside the monastery, the ambience is nothing short of a fair. Local food, artefacts and knick-knacks are on display. This is a good occasion to pick up local handicrafts as all merchants come and display their wares at the festival.

Many thanks to the photographers who share their images under the Creative Commons licence. All images link back to the original source.

Trip to Ladakh in April

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:00:37 +0000

With the influx of local and foreign tourists in the Ladakh region, during the summer season the hotels are packed and it can be hard to find the quiet ambience you might be looking for. Explore before the peak tourist season and plan your trip to Ladakh in April.

How to get there?
The roads to Ladakh from Manali and Srinagar open only in the beginning of summer when the snow melts. June through mid September the army controlled roads are opened to civilians. This is recommended as the best way to travel as the changing topography on the way is breathtaking and unique from any other region in India. However, in April, you will have to take a flight to Leh. The closest and robust connection is from Delhi. This too is beautiful as the flight crosses over the high mountains and snowy tall peaks in the distance.

Why April?
April is good time to travel to Ladakh as you get the best of both weathers. The snow covered peaks are still close to you, yet the weather in Leh town is pleasant in the afternoons. This is great for photography. One can walk peacefully in the market without rubbing shoulders tourists from the planes. Though many cafes still maybe shut, you will still be able to find enough food on the menu. The other advantage is that you can get a good bargain on the souvenirs which are inflated during the tourist season.

One of the main reasons to visit Ladakh now is the famous Lamayuru festival. Other monastery festivals like Hemis happen in July and it is impossible to get seats at that time. Take a ride to the monastery from Leh and watch the traditional mask dances and other ceremonies. This is a great photo opportunity for photographers.

Trekking with local experts is a good option to try in April. This is usually impossible and not as exciting in summers as most operators are busy in overland journeys. The weather is challenging for those who wear adventure on their sleeve.

This trip might be good second trip to Leh after you have seen the Pangong Tso Lake and Nubra Valley as the roads still may be blocked due to weather conditions.

Packing Tip
Don’t assume that the dreadful summer heat of Delhi will follow you to the hills. It is going to be extremely cold so gather all your woollies and heavy jackets for this trip.

Where to Stay
Stay in a remote homestay in the mountains of Northern India. Friendly farm hosts will show you simple living in the land of snow leopards and clear night skies. Find out more about Ladakh homestays. Alternatively contact our reservations team or leave us a comment with your requirements.

Indian Festivals in September

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:37:49 +0000

Almost the entire country comes together in an effusive welcome for the month of September and it is a great season for travelling across the country. Colourful festivals are accompanied by singing, dancing and delicious feasts so get the camera ready and move your feet to the sounds of India celebrating.

Ganesh Chathurthi
While this is a national celebration it is most elaborate in western and southern India
Undoubtedly one of the most vibrant festivals of India, this one celebrates the devotion for the elephant God, Ganesha. Preparations for the festival can be seen almost a month in advance with small pottery towns in south India toiling at different sizes of Ganesha statues. The first week of September sees processions and celebrations and with that, lots of photo opportunities and a local flavour.

At the end of the festival, the clay statues are immersed in a local water body. For this, Mumbai is the perfect place to join the fun! Hoards of crowds converge at the beaches to immerse these statues amidst a din of dance and music.

Ladakh Festival
Base yourself in Leh for this lively northern festival
September is a perfect month to visit the mountains of Ladakh, perfect as you can also enjoy the Ladakh Festival. At the festival, which is held between 1st and 15th of the month, you can try various local cuisines, and see music and mask dances. The locals have a very strong sense of pride attached to this festival and it is a fantastic cultural event which has become a showcase for the region.

For full cultural immersion you can stay with a local family and join them in visiting Leh and other villages along the festival dates.

Onam
The largest festival in the southern state of Kerala
The harvest festival of Onam combined with a perfect setting of the backwaters makes September the perfect time to visit Kerala.

The Onam feast is known as ‘Sadhya’ and the flower carpet in front of every house is called ‘Pookalam’. Elaborate feasts on banana leaves, snake boats out for competitions, new clothes, dance and music bring a contagious energy and vibrance to the region.

September celebrations brings you a choice across the length of the country so take your pick! Is it going to be the serene landscapes of Ladakh or the mania at Ganesh Chathurthi?

If you would like to join in with some Indian festivals in August yourself contact our reservations team who will be happy to help you plan a trip.

Homestays offer the perfect opportunity to get a local insight into festivals and your host family will be happy to provide guidance on the best way to experience the celebrations. Check out our Indian homestay collection.

Get Festive in an Indian Summer: July Festivals in India

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:15:55 +0000

During the Indian summer a series of monsoon festivals waft through the country in the month of July. Here are some of the July festivals in India that will be a definite trip highlight. If you can’t stretch yourself across the country, take your pick from one of the regions!

Ladakh – Hemis Festival
Ladakh is maybe best known for it’s overwhelming topography but there is also a strong cultural tradition deep rooted in the region. The Ladakhis showcase their rich culture in an array of festivals through the year. The month of July brings with it the colourful Hemis festival.

Just off the Leh town, the ancient Hemis Monastery commemorates the birth of Guru Padmasambhava of Tibet. Colourful masked dancers, local craftsmen and food stalls take over the otherwise serene landscape. A photographer’s delight, plan your Ladakh trip with a slight twist and add to this to your itinerary if you are visiting in mid July.

Orissa – Rath Yatra Festival
If heading to the East, Orissa is a novel destination to explore. Off the radar for many travelling into India, the Rath Yatra Festival of Puri is a burst of colour and culture.

A ten day extravaganza, the festival sees Lord Jagannath with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra be brought out of the temple’s sanctum with hysterical reverence from the locals. Orissa offers a variety of experiences to the traveller so build time into your itinerary to see the wildlife sanctuaries, monuments of great historical relevance and smaller fairs and festivals that the region has to offer.

Haridwar and Rishikesh – Ganga Dusherra Festival
Looking for some spiritual awakening? The banks of the mighty Ganga might be the apt place for your next holiday in July.

The Guru Purnima and Ganga Dusherra festival in Rishikesh has a strong local flavour that immerses you in it. Watch hordes of devotees come into the town in caravans and take over the streets of Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. Chants, devotional songs and prayers resonate in the streets. The banks are packed with people who want to take a holy dip. So if you are looking to absolve your sins, take a plunge into the religious mayhem!

Kerala – Snake Boat Races
‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala throws up its unique culture towards the end of the month with the start of the famous Snake Boat Races.

The Pampa River is the first to witness the battle amongst the villages that put their entire pride at stake. More than 100 seater boats line up on the calm waters of the Pampa River for the Champakulum Race at the end of July. Regarded as one the most prestigious races in Kerala, centuries have passed but the fervour has not paled at all, here is a slice of authentic Kerala! For one of the best vantage points for the Champakulum Race stay at the Akkarakalam Memoirs homestay, which is situated at the banks of the Pampa River. Your host Jobin will be happy to help you understand the subtleties of the race right from his backyard.

Have a wonderful and festive July!

If you would like to experience some of the July festivals in India contact our reservations team who will be happy to help you with your plans. There is currently 50% discount on selected homestays so it’s the perfect time to travel!

National Parks of India – Hemis National Park

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:22:43 +0000

The stunningly beautiful Hemis National Park is located in the Eastern part of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir. It is the only national park in India north of the Himalayas and lies at an altitude of up to 6,930m above sea level, covering an area of 600 sq kms.

History
The park was founded in 1981 and is currently the largest national park in South Asia. Hemis was a destination and stopping point on the silk routes of Tibet and the park includes the famous 400-year old Hemis Gompa Monastery, for which it was named, within it’s boundaries.

Flora and Fauna
The park has been dubbed the “Snow Leopard Capital of India” and wide variety of flora and fauna can be seen here. The park is receives little rain fall and contains many dry forests, alpine grasslands and scrub lands. Wildlife lovers are drawn to this remote location are the park’s many endangered animals. Some of its inhabitants include the snow leopard, ibex, serow, Tibetan antelope and red fox. There have been 16 mammal species and 73 bird species recorded in the park so far.

Natural Beauty
Views overlooking the Indus River and the surrounding area make Hemis National Park photographer’s delight. The park offers a number of routes for trekking from mid-June to mid-October.

When to Visit
Visitors should plan their trip from May to October. During winters the temperature goes well below zero and heavy snowfall is seen.

Find out more about Ladakh

If you are interested in visiting Hemis National Park yourself then our reservations team can help you plan a trip based on your interests. Get in touch to find out more!

Best place to go trekking in India

Mahindra Homestays — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:43:58 +0000

When it comes to trekking in India, visitors will be spoilt for choice. From the arduous terrain of Ladakh to the more tame ones in Himachal and Uttarakhand, there really is something for everyone. Trekking is a common activity in all major hillstations but for specialised tours, it’s good to know about the various routes to choose from. Here are some of the best locations and routes for trekking in India.

Trekking in Ladakh
Without debate it can be said that offer some of the most scenic landscapes to its visitors. Trekking fans with all levels of endurances can find great trekking routes in Ladakh. They range from the easiest 5-day Sham Trekking Tour to the renowned Trans Zanskar Expedition, which can last up to 27 days. Snow-capped mountains, Buddhist monasteries, trekking, rafting and breathless views are highlights of trekking in Ladakh.

Where to Stay: Depending upon the route one can choose to stay in Manali’s Manali Meadows or for and exceptional homestay experience in Ladakh contact our reservations team.

Trekking in Uttarakhand
Treks to Badrinath-Kedarnath are some of the best in the country. Other than their religious significance, these majestic snow-clad mountains are a delight for avid trekkers. From the easy Har ki Doon trekking route to difficult Kalindikhal Pass trekking routes.

Where to Stay: Based on the chosen trek, one can stay in Dehradun’s Wild Side or Manali’s Manali Meadows.

Trekking in Himachal Pradesh
Home of the most renowned hillstations, Himachal offers a lot of popular trekking routes to visitors. The 21-day Kugti Pass trek is the longest of them all and includes Mcleodganj, Keylong and Manali. For shorter trips, which last around a week, one can opt to stay mainly in Dharamshala-Mcleodganj.

Where to Stay: Great homestays near Dharamshala are Om Mahal and Santushti. A little further away, is the great Darang Tea Estate.

If you are interested in trekking in India then get in touch with our reservations team who can help you plan a fantastic itinerary.

Indian lakes and rivers for a water based vacation

Mahindra Homestays — Sat, 29 May 2010 02:00:52 +0000

Sometimes referred to as the land of rivers the waterways of India play an essential role in day to day life with strong religious, cultural and economic significance. Tourists can enjoy the Indian lakes and rivers in a number of ways, from exploring spiritual lakes to riding white knuckle river rapids.

Ganga Dashara Festival

Haridwar: One of the holiest places in India is Haridwar (the gateway to God). Millions of people come here to wash away their sins with a dip in the Ganga. Haridwar is particularly crowded during the Kumbh and Maha Kumbh Melas. These two festivals attract a sea of humanity and is popular with both devotees and photographers.

Rishikesh: Rishikesh attracts a very diverse crowd. It is packed with pilgrims as well as adventure seekers. This is one of the most popular places in North India for white water rafting. Rafting and kayaking here are seasonal sports because during monsoons the Ganges becomes extremely dangerous. Rafting camps are organized in Shivpuri, which is very close to Rishikesh.

Chhota Chaar Dhaam: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath together form the Chhota Chaar Dhaam (the smaller holy four centers). The religious centers offer visitors divine beauty and an adventurous experience. One has to brave highly testing terrains to reach these locations. The glaciers that are the actual source of the Ganga and Yamuna are slowly melting, which has added to the urgency in people to see them as soon as possible. Of all the locations, Kedarnath is the hardest to reach and is off limits to people for several months of the year.

Rental boats on the shores of Nainital

Nainital: Nainital is possibly North India’s most popular hillstation particularly amongst families. Nainital is the land of nine lakes and the most popular activity here is boating on the Naini Lake. One can hire row boats, pedal boats or sail boats to explore the massive lake.

Bhimtal: The Bhimtal Lake is the largest lake in the district of Nainital and people come here in large numbers from Nainital for boating. On the lake’s island there is a beautiful aquarium, which replaced a famous but overcrowded restaurant. The aquarium houses many species of fish from all corners of the world.

Naukuchia Tal: just 4 kilometers from Bhimtal is Naukuchiatal. The serene lake rests at an altitude of over 1,200 meters. Activities like boating and walks around the lake are popular amongst young couples as well as families. Naukuchiatal attracts large numbers of migratory birds from all over the world and is a haven for birdwatchers.

Gurudongmar lake

Sikkim: One of the 7 states that make up India’s North East is Sikkim. And in North Sikkim one can find the revered Gurudongmar Lake. To reach this enigmatic lake one has to undertake a two-day expedition as this is one of the highest lakes in the world. Another spiritually significant lake in Sikkim is Lake Khecheopalri. It is a two-hour drive from Gangtok and is respected as a wish fulfilling lake.

Manali: White water rafting on the River Beas is a popular adventure sport in Manali. The 10 kilometer trip down the river starts at Mohal offering grade II and III rapids. Rafting season usually lasts from April till June and September to October but monsoons highly influence the possibility of undertaking a trip. A famous source of hot springs in Manali is Manikaran. It is located between River Beas and River Parvati at an altitude of over 1750 m. The spring is believed to have curative powers and is important for its piligrim centres.

Reflection on Dal Lake

Jammu and Kashmir : Located in the state’s capital of Srinagar is the beautiful Dal Lake. This is the sight of quintessentially Kashmiri scenes which have captured the world’s imagination for decades. The view of floating shikaras, houseboats and the floating gardens is simply mesmerising. These shikaras and houseboats are easily available for rent. Unfortunately, the river has suffered extensively due to years of eutrophication but the government has now undertaken multimillion dollar drives to restore the lake to its original glory. In Srinagar one can also find the beautiful Chashme Shahi (Royal Spring). This is the smallest Mughal garden in Srinagar but is home to many springs, cascades and fountains.

Leh and Ladakh: Ladakh is one of India’s most enigmatic regions and it’s a splendid retreat for adventure seekers who love truly daunting challenges. In Ladakh one can choose from many rafting options that are carried out on the River Indus and its tributaries. While the easiest trip would be in Karu, a popular stretch is the one between Spituk and Saspol. The rapids beyond Saspol can turn the nerves of the most hardened thrill seekers to jelly. Another such stretch is the route between Padum and Nimo. This journey requires advance preparation. The most intimidating route is the one involving the mighty Zanskar. Even with professional guides and participants, rescue crews are a pre-requisite on this journey.

Staying in a homestay provides an excellent base to explore India from as your hosts will be able to help you plan activities and can advise you on local sights. You can build your own custom itinerary staying in our network of award winning homestays with the help of our reservations team.

India Fact: Leh’s Magnetic Hill

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:08:13 +0000

Magnetic Hill

At an altitude of 14,000 feet, there is a place in Leh which gives new meaning to the phrase “magnetic attraction.” In this famous spot you will find the usual laws of gravity are defied by a strange phenomenon.

Switch off your vehicle and you will find it moving up the hill at the speed of 20 km per hour. Many tourists are drawn to (pardon the pun) this destination to observe this rare and natural occurrence. The magnetic pull here is so strong that even small aircrafts get adversely affected by it, if they closer than the distance specified.

Ladakh Landscape

To reach the spot, it is ideal to drive along the Leh – Kargil Baltic National Highway.

Ladakh is a region of Jammu and Kashmir , the northernmost state of the Republic of India.

Learn more about what else you can find in Ladakh.