himalayas

Neighbouring Nepal’s most famous landmark, Mount Everest has been the tallest mountain above sea level in the world since recorded human history. The majestic Himalayan mountain towers at a phenomenal 8,848.86 metres (over 8.8 kilometres). It also divides two major regions of the world with the China-Nepal border running through its summit. Mount Everest is the stuff of legends today and continues to grow at 4 mm or around 0.16 inches per year. However, its peaks were once on the floor of the ocean until…

Both mystics and sceptics are in search of truth but the paths they take and means they use seem quite different from each other. What made you bring them together in this book? Mysticism and scepticism are not in any way antithetical to each other. The mystic path is not one of fuzzy romanticism. It is incisive; it is discriminating. It is capable of enormous leaps in understanding. Scepticism is an aspect of that quest. There is often disappointment and disillusion in the journey of faith – that too must be examined.…

While road tripping, getting rescued by strangers if your vehicle breaks down or its tyres get punctured is a heart-warming gesture. Imagine the same gesture being carried out by a renowned celebrity, whom you have praised in all the years of your life. Such an incident happened with a person named Manju Kashyap when his motorcycle got punctured during his road trip in Ladakh. But he got the surprise of his life when he got a helping hand from none other than the famous Tollywood actor Ajith. Manju was riding his…

The Tata Nexon EV has driven itself straight into the record books by becoming the first electric SUV in the world to reach the frigid heights of the Umling La Pass in the Himalayas. The Umling La pass, situated at 19024 feet, is the highest motorable road in the world. The pass connects Chisumle and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh, and is of strategic importance. The Tata Motors team driving the Tata Nexon EV Max started the drive from Leh, and managed to drive across Umling La on the 18th of September 2022. Mr. Vivek…

A magnet for explorers, climbers and seekers of enlightenment, the Himalayas have drawn swathes of travellers over the years. The resulting outpouring of stories can leave one wondering quite what more there is to say.But at the outset of this extended travel narrative, Norwegian anthropologist Erika Fatland, whose previous books include Sovietistan, distinguishes herself from the stereotypes. She is not a “spiritual tourist” on a mystical journey, she explains, nor is she a climber, or a star travel writer looking to…

Dear Reader, There was a phone call earlier this week, that got the worlds attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Dalai Lama to wish him on his 87th birthday. And like everything about the Dalai Lama, this call too, was much debated. It added spark to the festivities; in Dharamshala where the Dalai Lama lives, here in Manali, and all over the valleys of the Himalayas, where prayers were offered for the long life of the spiritual leader and former head of the state of Tibet. Traditional Tibetan Prayer…