These Places In India Will Bring Out The Poet In You
“Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.” -Leonard Cohen
And there’s a poet inside all of us. You will find poetry in nature and you bring some of it with you.
Just ask yourself;
What is it? What has the power to bring out the poet in me? Is it the vast stretch of the Himalayas in the morning rays or is it the roar of the waterfalls or the sunrise in valley and shades of sunset in the desert that makes me most quiet so I can hear my inner poet?
These places have a surreal beauty to amaze you at every glance and have the capability to change you into a very different person. Make sure you visit these places and see the magic by yourself! 😉
1)LEH-LADAKH
Leh-Ladakh is a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, it lies athwart two other, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range. The beauty of the place can not be expressed in words. Right from gompas to the sensational momos, a superabundance of attractions to visit makes this city make it heaven on earth. It is said that only in Ladakh can a man sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time. The place holds so many surprises together that one can’t help but be awed.
2) Golden city in the desert- JAISALMER
Few journeys in life leave you spellbound and make you feel grateful for witnessing natural wonders at close quarters. For me, one such experience was the team offsite to Jaisalmer, especially camping under the stars in Thar desert. One of the best glamping experiences I’ve had.
The endless sands hold a beauty of their own and the world’s 9th largest subtropical desert, the Thar Desert makes for a magnificent sight. Watch uninhabited stretches of sand melt into the horizon, notice how the sudden green in some places makes you appreciate it so much more and how the occasional sights of the desert fauna make you smile at the lives that flourish there happily. The Thar Desert in Rajasthan is an experience to behold, a palette of shades of yellow that will give you the space you need to listen to yourself and hear the songs that your thoughts make up.
3)”KUTCH Nahi Dekha, to KUCH Nahi Dekha” – RANN OF KUTCH, GUJARAT
Kutch in the north-west and Gir in the south are the two choices before you on the vast map of Gujarat. Realistically, the two destinations can’t be covered in one trip over a week. To save you from the difficult choice, I am choosing the Kutch region for you – a traveller-approved destination in the past with brilliant opportunities for photographers.
The best time to visit the Rann of Kutch is from October to March when the marsh dries up and turns into a magical white paradise. The Rann Utsav, from November to February, is also a great time to be in Kutch when more accommodation options open up.
4) “City of lakes” – UDAIPUR
Travelling to Rajasthan is essentially like a multiple choice question with every option better than the other.
Udaipur was once the capital of Mewar Rajputana kingdom in southern Rajasthan. King Udai Singh II of Sisodia constructed this city in 1559 and shifted his capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur as he felt the former was vulnerable to enemy attack. He needed a more secure location which he found near Girwa Valley, along with the Aravalli Hills. This new capital city of Mewar was named after him. With the beautiful Lake Pichola on the backdrop, Udaipur is now a romantic destination dotted with exquisite medieval Rajput architecture. The city is built around huge lakes, namely – Fateh Sagar (‘sagar’ meaning lake in vernacular), Swaroop Sagar, Udai Sagar and Pichola to lend its popular names such as the “City of Lakes” or “Venice of the East”.
5) KHAJJIAR-Mini Switzerland in India
Khajjiar is tucked away in one of Himachal’s most northern fringes of Dhauladhar circuit, away from the squalor of cities and untamed urbanisation. Not many tourists are aware of this valley. Usual crowd heading to Himachal would go to the done-to-death ‘Shimla—Kullu-Manali’ route. But if you want something different and quiet, you should head to the Dhauladhar circuit. The nearest commercial town to Khajjiar is Pathankot, but that’s more than 100 km away. Pathankot is also the nearest railway head if one wants to reach Khajjiar from New Delhi.
6) Valley of Flowers
This vibrant and splendid national park nestled in Uttarakhand is famous for its charming meadows of alpine flowers. Absorb the view of how thousands of different flowers look together in full bloom. This lush region is also home to some rare and endangered animal species. It’s a valley that will enchant you- maybe force the inside of you to romanticise with the colours of nature.
7) LIVING ROOT BRIDGES
Ever wished you could be part of a fairy tale? Your wish will come true once you sit amongst the Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya. Part of the UNESCO Heritage, these suspension bridges, made from the aerial roots of banyan trees have to be seen to be believed! Some of the roots are over a 100 years old and even the local Khasi people do not know when or how the tradition of living root bridges started, but now that there is such a sight to behold- we might as well get there! With the stream flowing under theses bridges and the canopy overhead, it all appears to be straight out of a fantasy movie- just for you. And if such is the movie set, one could easily pen down some couplets. Also, if you head to Meghalaya for this then do visit the Mawlynnong Village once. It’s the cleanest village in Asia and this quaint village that comes alive during the monsoon with a myriad of lush foliage, waterfalls, small streams and orchids will make you question the city lives we live.
8) Closest to god’s soul – KERALA
Starting calmly from the high ranges, and crashing through gorges overhung with trees, Athirapally in Kerela is where the Maker also might come down to unwind. The entire sight is what you get when you combine streams, forests, an 80-foot waterfall, and perfect Kerala weather. The scintillating falls and the stream that flows ahead takes you away from the chaos. And who knows, you might just sum up your life in a rhyme or two! Sometimes, the loudest sounds are the most calming, but you’ll have to be here to believe that.
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