FOTOFLOCK By EPSON Photo Contest

We did the Darma Valley trek in May 2010 & win the photo contest hosted by FotoFlock, ESPON

 

Pipali - A Village of Sikh Negi in Pauri, Uttarakhand

PIPALI- A village of Sikh Negi in Pauri

A small & beautiful village in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand where villagers are are called Sikh Negi's who follow the Gurudwara founded by Guru Ramrai

Whenever I see the only photograph of my parents marriage. I wounder what kind of temple it was. Later when we visit our mamkot (mother village) I was surprised to see the Gurudwara in the village. One of my uncle was the only person in the village which used to do the ardas (prayers).

Pipali lies in Patti Malasyu, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Pipali is one of the only three villages of SIKH NEGI's in Garhwal region other two being BIJOLI and HALUNI. Sikh Negi are the few rajputs who adopted sikh panth during Aurangjeb's rule for specfic reason and return to Hindu ritual after accomplishment of mission.

Pipli Village-    Coordinates: 30°01'09.13"N 78°51'53.78"E
Bijoli Village-   Coordinates: 29°54'29"N 78°49'24"E
Haluni Village- Coordinates: 29°53'37"N 78°49'46"E


Few are the images of Pipali Gurudwara.

The main building of the Gurudwara

The complex of the Gurudwara
Nana Ji, Mana Ji DIG J.S. Negi & Kamlesh Bhaiya

 The complex of the Gurudwara

The Gurudwara

If any one have more information, please share with us.

In the valley of SARASWATI- Badrinath & Mana Pass

In the valley of SARASWATI

A Bullet trip to Badrinath & Mana Pass

Five riders on Royal Enfield Standard, Machismo & 3 Thunderbird on the mission of riding one of the new world's highest motorable road to Mana La/ Pass (Indo- Tibet border) at the elivated height of 18399 ft (5608 mt.) replacing Khadung La @ 18380 ft a.s.l..

This is the new record for TV Today Networks channel AAJ Tak to be the first documenting this untouched & unexplored region as well as the first ever bikers to touch the soil of Saraswati Valley.

BRO statement on Mana La- http://www.bro.nic.in/index1.asp?linkid=159&lang=1&projectid=57

The team Vivek Shukla, Kiran Rawat, Kartik Virmani, Rajeev Ranjan & Tilak Soni

Starts from Anand Vihar ISBT, New Delhi

On the way to Badrinath

In Badrinath Valley, near Halipad

View from Mana Village

A day wasted in mechanical work

For the final ride of the lifetime

In the valley of Saraswati

My BULL in some where in the valley 

The T.E.A.M.

The team in the valley 

The rest day for both of us

In the valley 

Bridge on the Saraswati River

A retreat near Pipalkoti 

A retreat near Pipalkoti, a beautiful bath in fresh water 

A great moment of my life

My photographs of Burash (Rhododendron) were publised on Swagat March 2010 issue.

To the great surprise I was featured on the cover page of the magzine.

Location- Devria Tal (Lake) & Chopta-  Uttaranchal



LANSDOWNE, Uttaranchal

Lansdowne was founded and named after then Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne in 1887 (during the period of 1888 - 1894) and the originally known was, Kaludanda, after Kalun (Black) and Danda (Hill) in local language. It was developed by the British for catering for the Recruits Training center of the Garhwal Rifles. Lansdowne was a major place of the activities of freedom fighters from British Garhwal during British period. Nowadays, the famous Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army has its command office here. It is well connected with motorable roads but remote in its own way. It is situated at an altitude of 1,700mts above sea level surrounded with thick oak and blue pine forests in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Presently it has the command office of the Garhwal Rifles division of the Indian Army.

On 5th November, 1887, the first battalion of Garhwal Rifles migrated from Almora to Lansdowne. Lansdowne was the only city after Almora in the late 70’s. People of different culture and states came to do business in Lansdowne after it become popular. The buildings and church of Lansdowne built during British India dates you back to pre independence period.

The salubrious weather and pristine environment of Lansdowne leaves an immortal impact on the tourists. It is the perfect place to meditate and rejuvenate your soul. Adventure activities like, trekking, bird watching, boating, paddling etc. can be done while a visit to Lansdowne. Lansdowne is one of the most popular hill station of Garhwal region when it comes to weekend destination.

The War Memorial at the Parade Ground of the Garhwal Rifles Center is an attraction for the visitors. Places of interest around the city are Santoshi Mata Temple, Regimental Museum, Bhulla Taal, St. Mary's Church, Lover's lane. The excursions from the city are Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple, Bhairav Garhi temple, Bhim pakora(a stone which vibrates if touched).The Annual ‘Sharadotsav’ (Festival of Autumn) is also organized at this hill station during autumn season.

Surrounded by thick oak and blue pine forests, Lansdowne has scenic beauty and good surroundings. The climate of the city is pleasant in summer, very cold in winter. Lansdowne can be visited any time of the year in the month of Jan- feb there is snow fall.

Lansdowne is located at 29°50′N 78°41′E / 29.83°N 78.68°E / 29.83; 78.68. It has an average elevation of 1,800 metres (4,593 feet). It is situated en route Kotdwara-Pauri road, NH 119. One has to take a right turn from NH 119 at a place where Garhwal Rifles has put a huge signboard by paining the directions on rock.

How to get there

By Air- The nearest airport Jolly Grant is at Dehradun.
By Rail- Kotdwara is at a distance of 41 km from Lansdowne is well connected with rest of India.
By Bus- Buses route had good connectivity from Delhi, as well as shared jeeps are also available

Accommodation- Local hotels are in Lansdowne & reports near by. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam resort is also available

Route- Delhi – Meerut – Bijnaur – Najibabad – Kotdwara – Duggada Lansdowne