Explore The Nature

Major concerns with BJP's move to distribute Electric Induction Stove to 16 lac families in Himachal Pradesh

2012-11-27T19:52:00.000-08:00

BJP in Himachal has decided to distribute one Electric Induction Stove per family (16 Lac families) in a response to increased Cooking Gas prices. This strategic option was put infront of people at election time for their next Win. Here I would like to highlight some of the concerns associated with this BJP's approach.

Induction heaters has not been successful as a home appliance in India due to poor availablility of electricity in India. Indian government does not guarantee the availablity of electriocity to all at any given time and that's why there are lots of power cut in cities. A typical city user might have to wait for his turn for the electricity to run his induction heater. Suppose every family in himahcal wants to cook his breakfast in 8AM to 10AM time windows, now if we do simple calculation for 16 lac families, then even theoreticvally its not feasible to have electricity available to All in this industrial era. Voltage fluctuations will occur which will further demage other sensitive electrical/electronic instruments. Thats the reason its rarely been used by families in city. Restaurants can afford to have generator and hence electricity is not a problem to these guys. Power of each Induction heater varies from 600W to 4 KW, even during cooking the power consumption varies. My main point is that the induction heaters will make us dependent on the availability of the electricity.
Traditional cooking wares can not be used on all kind of induction heaters. Induction heaters require flat surface cooking ware made up of special electromagnetic material (for RF induction heaters, the cookingware material should be magnetic i.e stainless steel) Thus we should forget about our existing cooking wares like Kadhai, Tawa, Pateela's. That means 16 lac familes must buy new utensils in order to utilize Induction heater, isn't it a great business idea ?
For the people who love chapati's and Makki ki roti, forget now the taste of those roti's because induction stove has no flame, so you can not make those tasty chapati's, isn't it a great compromise to the food lovers ?
As of now flat Tawa's are not available in the market and people might opt for the Teflon coated frying pans to make chapati's as most people do in foreign countries. Teflon coated cookware when heated to high temperature (as in case of chapati's) releases substances which can cause cancer. Here is the wiki link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene#PFOA
Would anyone like to put his health on risk by cooking chapati's on the induction stove ? Wouldn't state suffer far more cases of cancer in the coming time?
Heating on most type of Induction heaters is not uniform (unlike the way it is on sas stove), and if you want to boil milk over an induction heater, milk might burn at the bottom layer of the Pan and relatively cooler on the top. I had such a experience many times.
When everyone'c electricity consumption will increase then the electricity prices might go up as per demand and supply principle.

Personally i am not a politically biased person and believes in a theory that any political party can deviate from the social working, if allowed to do so. And its the duty of the country men to keep tight watch on the activities of Govt using RTI like facilities. Individual candidates should be preferred over the party name at the election vaoting time.

London, United Kingdom

2011-10-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

The beautiful City London, United Kingdom

London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures.

Stonehenge, Salisbury, United Kingdom

Blackwall, East of London, United Kingdom

London Eye

Mile End Park, Greater London

London Bridge

St. Paul Church, london

London Bridge at Night

Trek to Tungnath Temple (Uttranchal, India)

2011-03-27T03:17:00.001-07:00

Tungnath is the Heightest Temple of the World situated at an Altitude of 3680 Meters. This is one of the Panch Kedar temples located in Chamoli district of Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. Tungnath is the source for Mandakini and Alaknanda river. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and believed to be abode of Lord Shiva.

Chandra Shila peak at Tunganath.

ChanderShila peak is 2 KMs away from the Tungnath temple. The best time to visit this place is in the early morning. We started from Tungnath temple at 4 am in the morning towards Chandershila temple and reached there by 6 am. The journey is quite sloppy with marvellous moutains covering all around (Chowkhamba peaks 7200 Mtrs). And the Sunrise at the peak is just speechless.

Tungnath Temple

Sarai for the stay at Tungnath Temple

Chopta valley

Himalay’s view from tungnath peaks (Choukhamba peaks)

Shadow triangle at Tungnath Peak

Stone’s game

resting among the himalaya’s

Biological research institute at Chopta

way down to chopta

Sheppard home.

thanks.

Flickr Tags: tungnath chopta trekking munish garhwal panch kedar

Bhakhra-Manali Cycling Trip

2011-03-23T08:45:00.001-07:00

On Holi of 2011, I and Rohit thought of making a cycling trip from Bhakhra to Manali on our newly bought MTBs.

We started from ISBT Delhi loading our bikes into back of HP Dehra Depot Deluxe Bus. Here is route map for our biking trip

Route Details (Distance 285 KMs Bhakhra to Manali)

In the morning of 18th we took bath & breakfast at my Home (Bhakhra Native) and started second phase of our journey..

Loaded our cycles into Boat (from Bhakhra to Kosarian)

its 8 KMs journey in Satluj lake at Bhakhra

Took Tea/Cofee at Ghat @ Kosarian

Road is 2 KMs awaya from the Lake, so lets test our shoulders

View of Satluj Lake from Shah Talai

Now next 8 KMs we have to climb the ShahTalai Hills (900 feet height gain) Govind Sagar Lake is at 1700 feet and shah talai at 2600 feet.

Crossing Kandraur Bridge on the way to Sundar Nagar – The highest Bridge in Asia

Mandi to Manali near Hanogi Mata Temple

3KMs Mandi to Manali Tunnel

Beautiful Kullu district has started – Beas River

Some reserved area at Manali

There are plenty of steel bridge’s at Manali (only for pedestrians and Cyclists)

Manali as seen from Hill top

Our friend from Sundarnagar accompanied us on our 3rd day of journey

Drive from Kullu towards Manali

House at bank of Beas river

enjoying the beauty of mother nature

Land sliding on our way.

much lesser polluted environment

Taking rest for a while

extra mile towrads Vashisht Temple

Reached our destination – Manali-Vashisht Kund.

In the evening of 21st we started our journey back to Delhi in Manali- Delhi volvo bus, and next day back to office work.

Trek to Shrikhand Mahadev (Kullu, HP)

2011-03-13T03:12:00.001-07:00

Trek Details : We took 5 days to cover this trek from Delhi-Rampur-Shrikhand-Rampur-Delhi. we started our journey in HRTC Bus from ISBT delhi on Friday night and arrived Rampur at around 2 PM Saturday. From there we changed our Bus and finally landed in Sarahan which is the one of the Base stations for Shrikhand Mahadev Trek.

Shrikhand Mahadev is a well known destination considered to be abode of Lord Shiva (Pilgrimage place for hindu’s). This place has an altitude of 5200 meters from see level. The pious journey to this place happens only once a year in the month of June-July-August. This place comes under The Great Himalayan National Park.

Shrikhand Mahadev Peak (The Final Destination) at Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh (Altitude of ~5200 Meters)

We started our journey from Delhi in Delhi-Reckong Peo Bus (HRTC Ordinary Bus) and changed the bus at Reckong Peo..

Bus driver took a break of half an hour for Luch near Shimla. We took our lunch – Kadi Chawal & rajmaah

Now we started towards सराहन sarahan

Met two localite friends who are serving as Doctor’s in Primary Health Center.

Me and Bittu are ready for the 70 KMs journey. ipods/camera batteries are fully recharged. jai Shri OM

Till end Of Day we could cover 1/3rd of the journey and it started slight rain. We decided to stay at this place.

Its morning now. The sun is much brighter today

Got few tea/food stalls along the journey. so lets have a heavy breakfast :P

This is a primary School for the local villagers. Don’t think there would be more than 10’s of students in this school

Steep mountains are on our way now. Its time to test our stamina.

Miles to go befreo we reach.. miles to go !!!!

Stay at Paravati Baag. Every night it rains heavy at this place.

Clouds are not close even.

The beauty of Nature, now we are entering into very high altitude range of himalaya’s (above 4500 Mtrs)

The beautiful Nayan Sarovar near paravati Baag. 12 KMs to destination from this place

Climbing steep from Nayan Sarovar

We do not apply probability & Statics here otherwise you would say chance’s of death =99%. Single slip is enough to take our life at few points

This region comes under The Great Himalayan national park.

The beauty of Man Free Land :) Thanks God not much population explosion here !!

Himachali Ladies are strong enough to lead :P (you won’t find that stamina anywhere else in India)

We are approaching the peaks, just 5 KMs more to go!!! at the altitude of 5 KMs. Altitude sickness starts for few

Most of the Travelling is on the peaks only since all other land is covered by slippery snow

Both of these were our company though most of our trip.

This place is worshiped for Lord Shiva and Goddess paravati and hence the pics of both of them

Finally there :P

Spend last night in no man’s Land . Jai Bhole ..jai shiv shankar

Trek to Chandrataal, Lahaul, Hiamchal Pradesh

2011-03-05T11:21:00.001-08:00

Chandra Taal (meaning the Lake of the Moon), or Chandra Tal, is situated at an altitude of about 4,300 metres (14,100 ft) in the Himalayas. Mountains of scree overlook the lake on one side, and a magnificent cirque presents a view on the other. The name of the lake originates from its crescent shape. Situated in the Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh (India), Chandra Taal is a popular destination for trekkers and campers. Chandra Taal is also origin of Chandra River.

I and Parvesh visited this place in the summer of 2010 in our Chevy Spark.

Beautiful Chandra Taal Lake, 15 KMs from Kunjum Paas, Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh

Diversion at Bataal Chandra Taal Marg – Chandra Taal is 13 KMs away from this place

Small tributary contributing to Chandra River

Road to Chandra Taal – very narrow, full of fun and danger

Chandra River just 1000 feet down the hill – nature does not allow U turn on this road.

Chandra River getting shallower as we are moving towards Chandra Taal

Finally my Spark reached Chandra Taal .. thank God u gave me courage to drive to this place

Few people already enjoying the mother nature.. vehicles can not go beyond this place so we parked our Spark here and continued rest of journey towards Chandra taal (3.5 KM one side)

waooo … its about to rain

we are gaining height now..

Miles to walk before we reach

the place is too photogenic

Now i am wordless. Himalaya’s are great!!!

We took our bath in the chilled chandra taal and enjoyed the sun bath there after.

That way we completed our chandra taal journey.

Flickr Tags: chandra taal lahaul kunjum chandrataal lake river trek mountains himalaya

Tannijubar Lake, Shimla, HP

2011-03-04T07:07:00.001-08:00

Tani Jubbar Lake is situated at an distance of 70 KMs from Shimla towards Thanedhar, Kotgarh.

It’s is an artificial water fed lake located near to Narkanda, Shimla in the state Himachal Pradesh of India. It's a fascinating place to spend some picnic time over here. To reach this beautiful place one need reach Narkanda, then rent a taxi for Tanijubar. Place is 12KMs from Narkanda. Here is my photo journey to this place.

Symmetric reflections of Tanni Jubar Lake

symmetry of Lake

Himalay’s not far distant

way to Narkanda

Got some drunk company

Lake is artificial water fed and it froze in winters

Statue of the person who gave birth to Apples in Himachal Pradesh (American Sailor who married indian girl and got settled in Shimla, fought for india’s freedom)

The Mall Road, Shimla, HP

2011-03-04T06:30:00.001-08:00

Mall Road is the main street in Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. Constructed during the British colonial rule, the Mall road is located a level below the ridge.

I tried to capture the evening view of Mall road in my small D90. here is the complete picture story :..

Church at Mall Road Shimla

State Library at Mall Road

dozens of people enjoying their evening walk at Ridge

New Shimla view from Mall road

Dr. Yashwant sing’s statue at Mall road shimla

Traffic is not allowed at the Mall, i don’t know that this traffic officer is doing here (May be constrolling the Human traffic)

Juice Bar at The Mall

Sun is setting slowly and slowly and temperature is going down rapidly

You will find most of the outlets/Banks ate Mall

Night view of Municipal Corporation, Shimla

Ridge – Night View

Blooming Church in the Night

City Never sleeps .. the whole Shimla at night

Flickr Tags: shimla,ridge,the mall,night,himachal,photography,travelling

Trek to Narkanda & Hattu Peak, Shimla, HP

2011-03-04T05:44:00.001-08:00

Narkanda is situated at an altitude of 2700 Mtrs on NH-22, just 65 Kilomaters away from Shimla. This place is surrounded by beautiful snowy mountains of Shivalik Himalayan. Hattu Peak is the highest peak of this region at an altitude of 3400 Mtrs and is just 6 KMs away from this place.

I along with few friends celebrated Holi of 2010 at Hattu Peak (1st March 2010). We started our drive from Gurgaon on Friday Evening (It was a long weekend) towards Shimla and reached Narkanda in the early morning (8 am). Here are few clicks from my camera.

Wooden Temple under construction at Hattu Peak, Narkanda (Altitude 3400 Meters) surrounded by Alpine trees and snow. Photo taken on 1st March 2010, Holi with colors of Mother Nature.

Road side Hotel on the way to Shimla-Narkanda

This is the Place for Snacks and Tea, All HRTC buses stop here for the break.

Sky is almost Clear and we are now very close to our destination.

Narkanda towards Skiing point, it started gathering Clouds all over the Sky

Narkanda Skiing Point. A competition event is in progress.

I gave it a try for couple of Minutes but not much success

Village at Narkanda

Just couple of minutes before it started raining in the late evening.

Finally we headed towards Hattu Peak early in the next Morning

The road is surrounded by 1 feet fresh snow and its quite peaceful.

Now its time to take a turn towards Hattu. Road got thinner and steeper

Both of these have been my friends for more than 10 years now (Rohit and Sunny)

Got an obstruction ahead..thank God we are on our feet :P

Got first stop on our way after 3 KMs of on feet journey- Tea/Cofee/Maggie on a half frozen pond

Rest of the journey on snowy road with snow increasing with altitude.

Aaahh.. Take some rest brothers!!!

Colors of Holy nature..

Sun is playing Hide and Seek and it seems like there will be rain again.

We are almost on the top of Hill and sun is shining brighter.. Goggles are must on Icy mountains

Foot steps are our guide as there are no other marks left on the Land

Sigh of relief as we saw the Hattu Temple

Got some Healthy company. These dogs do not need sweeter and jackets as they are made much stronger by the mother nature.

HP Govt. forest rest house at Hattu peaks.

upper View Shimla/Narkanda/Solan from Hattu Peak

Sign board stating an altitude of 3400 Mtrs at Hattu Peak

We spent couple of hours at this place taking sun bath and then we started our journey to Tannijubbar lake

' 3 idiots… haha

Back on our way … Trekking is beautiful

thanks,

Munish

Flickr Tags: hattu,narkanda,shimla,trekking,photography,travelling,himachal,tourism

Nako Valley (Kinnaur, HP)

2011-03-03T09:41:00.001-08:00

Nako is a small Village located in the Himalays of distt Kinaur, Hiamchal Pradesh, India. It is about 3662 Mtrs high from the Sea Level. Nako Lake is surrounded by Nako Village and Budh temples along with willow and poplar trees.
I had a visit to this place in the summers of 2010 along with my Friend Parvesh Kapil in our little Chevy Spark. 1000’s feet down to the valley Satluj river flows towards Bhakhra Nangal. Here is the Photo Journey to this Place through my camera.
Roads are narrow and hills are steep. Down 1000 feets Satluj is flowing in a great mood. Feels like no man Land !!

Just few Kilometers left to Nako Village. there is no sign of Life in this areas for hundreds of kilometers.. no water no plantation except at the river bed.

A very small village with population less than 500, just enough of food & water to survive. we approached the Nako Village. Peas in the fields are just grown up.

A very specialized way for irrigation. limited water – limited Land

Mahtma Budh Monestry at Nako Valley.

Something written in foreign language :( could not get a translator at that place

Another beautiful view of Rain Water fed Nako Lake.

Monestry at Nako

Could not identify this Object !!! Any one Please …

Another Monestry at Nako established by former chief minister of Hiamchal Pradesh - Virbhadra

Road Back to Kinnaur (RekongPeo) steering down at sharp angles.

Very far, very small but still dangerous Satluj River

Who says only water can flow downhill… Life can toooo :P

Approaching River Bad as we proceed towards Kinnaur .

Another narrow bridge just few 100 meters away. Policeman at check post will note down your details before crossing the bridge since the road ahead is simple DANGEROUS !!!

Happy Travelling

Munish Chandel

Flickr Tags: nako valley lake kinnaur sajluj trekking mountains himalayas

ManiMahesh (Chamba, HP)

2011-03-03T08:47:00.001-08:00

Manimahesh Lake (Also known as Dal Lake) is situated at a height of 4100 Mtrs in Bharmour, distt. Chamba of Hiamchal Pradesh.

The state-level Manimahesh pilgrimage Yatra starts on the eighth day of New Moon in the Month of August & september. This Place is worshipped for Lord Shiva and one needs to cover 34 KMs of on feet journey.

We completed this pious journey on 23rd of August, 2009.

Here is the Photo Journey to this place (Dal Lake, manimahesh, 4100 Mtr, 34 KMs onfeet journey).

We started our journey from Delhi after taking our dinner. Chamba is 22 Hrs away.

In the early morning near Jalandhar we got our vehicle’s tyre punctured… took 2 hours to repair.

We entered Chamba at around 12 AM in the morning with Ravi flowing alongside the road.

Flyover bridge connecting houses over Ravi

We are moving higher and higher from the river Bed as we are approaching Bharmour. Road is little dusty

Very less population density new Bharmour and sun is litting hills in its own way.

Roads are getting narrower and we are picking height as we are approaching Bharmour

After reaching bharmour we had some snacks and started our journey towards Manimahesh (Over night journey)

aah.. after a long and chilled Night we could cover only 12 KMs of it. The second day started and Sun has just arisen.

Long queue of people ahead of us. train of stones coming from upHill :P

Got some Tents for the Night Stay.

People are taking Divine Bath at Manimahesh Lake.

Pilgrims performing rituals after the Bath

Wooden bridge for crossing the Nullah. Water flow creates huge Noisa at this place

Now on teh 3rd day we started our jpurney back to Delhi..few last moments of Bharmour

Driving back to Chamba-PatahnKot-Delhi

Thanks.

Munish

Flickr Tags: Manimahesh Yatra Photography Travel Trekking Chamba Bharmour

Churdhar (distt Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh)

2011-03-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

One 17th of November 2010, I and Balwinder thought of heading towards Churdhar Temple situated in distt. Sirmour of Hiamchal Pradesh.

We started in our own Car starting our drive from Gurgaon. Below are the Driving Map details

Base point for the churdhar trek named Nauradhar is around 390 KMs away from Gurgaon, Haryana. And it took 12 hours to reach the destination via chandigarh-solan route.

Below is the PhotoJourney to Churdhar – pics say it better :P

Temple of Churdhar at the height of 12000 ft in Sirmour (18 KMs One sided on feet journey)

On the way to Nauradhar via Chandigarh Solan

just few Kilometers left to Nauradhar

Got the HP PWD Hotel for the First Night Stay at Nauradhar (among the queen of Hills)

Started Journey towards Churdhar temple at the very Next Morning.

All the load (bags, water bottle) is with Balwinder, i am just hanging D90 on my neck.

Sun is roaring higher and higher. It started feeling warmer as we are ascending higher

The entire journey is on the unpaved road guarded by wires

As the Sun gets higher, beauty of the valley blooms. Nauradhar village

There are few homes and wheat fields along the way to Churdhar atleat for few initial KMs

Not much on the greenary side

Clouds started forming in the sky

Balwinder is full of energy now as all the load is with me :P

Finally got the plane surface after 6Kms of steep hill climb. 1/3rd Journey is over

Got the First tea stall on our way. Took some rest here along with Tea and biscuits

This person told us few stories about the place and prepared Tikhi tea for we both

aah back to track again.. kilomerters to go before day ends (12 KMs)

Clouds started touching the ground and it feels like heaven (forgetting that we dont have rain coats)

Another 6KMs were cool compared to first 6 as the road was not that steep but feeling really tired now

Now we are entering into no tree land and there are more stones than anything else

Now down to brown grass fields with mist covering few of Alpine trees

The very First snowfall of the season is still alive, we can see at least few pounce of it.

Getting colder as Sun rays are blocked by the clouds (4 PM )

Balwinder is also tired by now :p but we have no other option other than reaching the temple.

miles to go .. steeper and steeper

Finally we covered 18KMs of the first day journey at Churdhar Temple

clouds roaring like anything

This is the main Churdhar temple (outside cemented inside wooden)

Few shops at Churdhar for tea and Food (though not much options in food)

Another view of Churdhar Temple and Sarai

Clouds are no Near now. we are far above !!!

Clouds everywhere

The very next morning it was snow everywhere (It kept felling the whole night)

Shops covered with snow

clicked from another angle

Started our journey back to Nauradhar (again 18 KMs to cover)

And that was the marvelous Journey to Churdhar

Flickr Tags: trekking churdhar nauradhar

Birds at Sultanpur Lake (Gurgaon, Haryana)

2011-02-10T08:13:00.001-08:00

Sultanpur National Park is situated 25 KMs away from the main city of Gurgaon. This is ideal place for bird watching, Photography and weekend getaway. On entrance there are two options to explore the park, we followed the road on the left side. Ideal time for visiting this place is from November till February in early mornings and late evenings.

In the very morning you will see lot of people silently enjoying the beauty of the place through their big-big telescopes..

The entire circle of Park is spread around 3 KMs and is full of trees except the small stretch where you won’t find enough of Buzz.

Park is surrounded by a tall concrete boundary and outside the boundary you will see lots of grass fields. On one side of the park there is an old restaurant and you will find couple of PeaCocks playing over there. This one in the picture is seeing straight in to my camera and get to know that he is being focussed. :P

Somehow i managed to shot the Dragon Fly while it was getting its food from a dry plant near the lake.

Vivid colors of the morning are worth seeing this place. Ideal time of visiting this place is either in the early morning or late evening. Sultanpur is alo known as Sultanpur Jheel (as known by localite)

There is a cut from main road towards the lake followed by beautiful shades of the trees.

Birds often fly in groups over the lake and you will notice different different patterns formed while birds flying high in the air.

Birds (Cranes ) relaxing in the air.

Cranes normally do live together in their nestles and you can see hundreds of them on single tree all surrounded by water. These cranes keep looking into water to get there food.

This pic made shot of my day. The joy of flying :)

passage to the mid of lake.

Mist covered Tree tops from a watch tower. Early Foggy Mornings in the month of December

Everyone is eyeing on US.

Where are my parents ?? little but cute :P

This one is resting on one of his leg.

That’s all I have to share with you all :)

Hope you find sometime to enjoy the beauty of this heavenly place.

thanks.
Happy Blogging !!!

Flickr Tags: birds,sultanpur,munish,chandel,trek,national park,gurgaon