SUTRA SHOWS US WHERE TO GO THIS HOLIDAY!

2007 has undoubtedly left most of us feeling more than a little overworked, stressed and frazzled, but it’s finally time to get away from the boardroom and the office. The big question is; “Where do I go to relax, revitalize and energize?” SUTRA MAGAZINE HAS THE ANSWER!

BACKPACKING TO NORTH INDIA!

Almora
Almora is one of the most beautiful places in Kumaon region in Uttaranchal. Almora is a very virgin hill-station and is full of scenic beauty. Nestled in the lap of nature this region has small houses built on the slopes and splendors of this place are added colorful attire of the natives. Just besides city flows the Koshi (Kaushaki) and Suyal (Salmali) rivers.

MussoorieIt is located at a height of 2,500 meters in the green Himalayan range. Due to its location and beauty Mussoorie is considered as the best hill station in the northern region. In 1820 Captain Young from the British army was influenced by the beauty of this place and made this place as his residence. The name, Mussoorie, is derived from plants of ’Mussoorie’ which were found in abundance here. The modern bungalows, malls and well-laid gardens, which are located on the small hills around the area, are enough to attract any tourist.

Nainital
Once this area had many lakes and it was called the City of 60 lakes or ’Chakta’. Most of the lakes in the region have disappeared and whatever remains is just a glimpse of what they might have been in the past. Today the life of Nainital revolves around the lake of Naini. But there are few other lakes around Nainital, which are equally beautiful and attractive as the Naini Lake.

Gulmarg
The valley of Gulmarg, a large meadow about 3-sq-kms in area, stands at 2,730 meters, 56-km south west of Srinagar. The name means ’Meadow of Flowers’ and in the spring it’s just that, a rolling meadow dotted with countless colourful Bluebells, Daisies, Forget Me Nots and Buttercups. The valley itself is about 3-km long and up to a km wide. All around are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day one can see all the way to Nanga Parbat is one direction and Srinagar is another. It’s a popular day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg, although many people extend their stay or use it as a base for trekking. The road from Srinagar rises gently towards the lower slopes of the range, passing through rice and maize fields.

Srinagar
The capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the largest city in the state, Srinagar (1,730m) is famous for its canals, houseboats and Mughal gardens. The city itself is quite unlike most other large Indian cities for here you are much more in Central Asia than on the sub continent. It’s a city full of intriguing alleyways and curious buildings. A place where it’s very easy to spend a few hours simply wandering - particularly along the old city streets near the Jhelum river.

Pahalgam
At an altitude of 2,130m and about 95-km from Srinagar, Pahalgam is probably the most popular hill resort in the Kashmir valley. Since it is rather lower than Gulmarg the night time temperatures do not drop so low and it has the further advantage of the beautiful Lidder River running right through the town. Pahalgam is situated at the junction of the Aru and Sheshnag Rivers and surrounded by soaring, fir-covered mountains with bare, snow-capped peaks rising behind them.

It is needless to say that the experience is exceptionally exhilarating and invigorating, for these and other East Asian getaways, go to www.sutramagazine.net or get a copy of SUTRA™ MAGAZINE at your nearest retail outlet.
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