Latest news with #Himalayan
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Thinking Of A Quick Getaway? These 7 Hill Stations Near Raipur Will Blow Your Mind
The administration center Raipur in Chhattisgarh state stands out through its culturally diverse ambiance and business activity plus historical significance. A selection of beautiful hill stations lies at reachable driving distance from Raipur City where residents can find instant relief from urban activity. The hill station locales combine stunning natural vistas with peaceful environments that invite visitors to spend time amidst nature. Raipur residents can find their most beautiful travel destinations at these hill stations which lie close to the city. 1. Dongargarh The religious site of Dongargarh exists about 80 kilometers outside Raipur while simultaneously maintaining its position as a beautiful hill town. Several thousand pilgrims each year visit Mahamaya Temple because it is located atop a hill and draws worshipers to its sacred grounds. Anyone visiting this temple can see both valleys and green forests during their exploration. Visitor can experience both the cool breeze and peaceful surroundings of this location when they choose to spend their weekend break. 2. Sirpur This town lies at a distance of 85 kilometers from Raipur and it showcases both archaeological assets alongside its natural scenic landscape. This former capital of South Kosala Kingdom contains numerous historical sites among which you can find Lakshmana Temple and Gandheswar Temple. Satuated within forests and hills Sirpur functions as an escape that brings you heritage sites and natural environments simultaneously. History enthusiasts together with nature enthusiasts will find this destination interesting. 3. Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary established in Kanker district stands at a 140-kilometer distance from Raipur as one of those hidden natural areas surrounding the city. The sanctuary exists within the UNESCO World Heritage Western Ghats where visitors can witness a wide range of animal and plant species including protective animals such as tigers along with leopards together with many avian species. Visitors who enjoy eco-tourism will appreciate the peaceful environment of this site because of its hilly landscape and dense forest structure. 4. Mainpat Mainpat stands 3,600 feet above sea level as an area that locals call the 'Mini Darjeeling' of Chhattisgarh while remaining 200 kilometers away from Raipur. The hilly landscape at Mainpat includes tea plantations and Colonial-period houses which create a resemblance to famous Himalayan towns. Visitors should not miss the Thakur Baba Temple located at the summit since it stands as a prominent feature of this area. Mainpat draws many visitors with its cool atmosphere and beautiful views which provide an ideal spot for tourists taking a rest from daily life. 5. Chitrakote Falls The major feature of Chitrakote waterfall attracts visitors yet this destination spreads through hilly regions which complements its natural beauty. As 'Niagara of India' describes the horseshoe waterfall exists in an environment dominated by dense forests along rocky cliffs. When rainfall arrives the flowing waters produce a stunning sight to see. Visitors can reach two more attractions after enjoying Chitrakote Falls: the Tirathgarh Waterfalls and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary. These destinations complete the amazing experience in this natural(word) wonderland. 6. Kawardha From Raipur Kawardha stands as a delightful small town that sits within the Maikal Range hill region by about 170 kilometers. Kawardha stands out as a town that combines historic sites with natural scenic attractions. Many people visit Bhoramdeo Temple because its artwork compares to Khajuraho but Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary also stands out as an important traveler destination. The hills surrounding this place make a wonderful setting for leisure walking and scenic photography. 7. Amarkantak Amarkantak stands as a sacred location and wildlife haven that lies 230 kilometers from Raipur. Amarkantak spreads across the zone where the Vindhya Mountains merge with Satpura Mountains to form the final source of two venerated rivers Narmada and Son. Visitors discover magic throughout this area thanks to its thick woodland coverage and fast-moving streams along with ancient worship sites. Visitors can walk hills while exploring Narmada Udgam Temple among other options as they absorb the magical peace this place has to offer. Why Choose These Hill Stations? Raipur residents can discover varied activities through these hill stations because they provide an adventure option as well as spiritual and leisure experiences. The hill stations maintain convenient access from the city enabling you to have quick vacations without extensive travel times. The locations in Chhattisgarh display the region's abundance of natural landscapes together with its unique cultural treasures thus enabling visitors to learn about the state's history in depth. Tips for Visiting Demand the best times to discover these hill stations between October and March because the weather stays favorable during that period. All these destinations can be accessed through roads which provides visitors with two easy transportation choices between self-driving and taxi rental. Mainpat and Amarkantak feature suitable lodging choices but other locations need reservations in advance mainly during popular holiday periods. A traveler must bring packing essentials that include comfortable clothing along with sturdy trekking footwear and sunscreen and insect repellent for an untroubled holiday journey. Final Thoughts Raipur serves as a starting point for people who want to experience the secret attractions of Chhattisgarh because of its close proximity to enchanting hill stations. All these regions offer unique opportunities to discover spiritual bonding or learn history as well as discover the beauty of nature that create remarkable travel memories. The adventure into these scenic hill stations around Raipur will provide you with beautiful memories as an escape from city living.
The Mainichi
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Dalai Lama to turn 90 amid succession argument between Tibet, China
DHARAMSALA, India (Kyodo) -- With the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's spiritual leader, soon to turn 90, the issue of how to identify his successor, traditionally viewed as his reincarnation, is a key issue facing Tibet's government-in-exile and China, which took control of the Himalayan region more than 70 years ago. While China has claimed the sole authority to determine the successor, the current 14th Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959, has warned that Tibetans will not respect anyone chosen as his reincarnation by the country they see as having invaded their homeland. Amid speculation that the Dalai Lama could identify his successor while still alive, potentially through a process of recognition based on "karmic" connection, the president of the Tibetan government-in-exile has told Kyodo News that selection after the spiritual leader's demise on the basis of reincarnation remains the more likely scenario. "I cannot say for sure, but what we have listened to (from) His Holiness and what has been going around so far indicate (the successor's selection would) more likely (be) by reincarnation" than by identification by the spiritual leader, Penpa Tsering said in a recent interview in Dharamsala, northern India. Dalai Lama has also said in the past that his successor could be a woman. Tsering said the Dalai Lama will make an announcement in a video message at a meeting of representatives of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries on July 2, four days before he turns 90, although he said he did not know whether the succession issue would be touched on. Turning to China, Tsering said the key issue for Chinese government officials is selecting a new Dalai Lama "to fulfill their political needs." The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, assumed the role in 1950 after being identified as the reincarnation of his predecessor when he was 2 years old. He exiled himself to India soon after the failed Tibetan uprising against China's imposition of control in 1959. He later established a government-in-exile in Dharamsala. China considers the current Dalai Lama as a separatist who aims to break Tibet away from China. He, however, has insisted he is seeking autonomy for Tibet, with steps to preserve its religion, culture and language. In 1989, the Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating peaceful solutions to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the Tibetan people. Formal talks between Tibet and China were last held in 2010. Tsering, the second president of the government-in-exile who took office in 2021, said the two sides have since only used unofficial channels to communicate. He said he believes that China's policy on Tibet and other ethnic minorities revolves around "eliminating the identity of the nationalities" of the ethnic groups. "That's why they are striking the very root of every nationality's identity, including Tibetan, by having this colonial style -- holding schools where a lot of restrictions are imposed on teaching the native language," he added. Tsering was recently on a month-long tour to officially visit the United States, Canada and Japan to discuss the Tibetan cause. While Dalai Lama had a knee surgery in the United States in June last year, Tsering said the spiritual leader is in good health. "His Holiness keeps saying 'I will live for two decades (from now) and more and live up to 113 years of age,'" Tsering said. "There are also prophecies that he will live very long." (By Rini Dutta)
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Earthquake of 4.6 magnitude hits the Andaman Sea
An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 struck the Andaman Sea on Saturday, June 27, the National Centre for Seismology said, adding that it hit at a depth of 25 kilometres. Earlier on June 25, an earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale struck the Andaman Sea in the early hours on Wednesday(Pixaby/Representational Image) The quake's epicenter in Andaman Sea was at latitude 9.75° N and longitude 94.06° E, with a depth of 25 kilometers beneath the seabed, as per the NCS. 'The earthquake occured 254km South East of Portblair, Andaman and Nicobar island,' National Centre for Seismology (NCS) posted on its official X account. 'EQ of M: 4.6, On: 27/06/2025 20:28:18 IST, Lat: 9.75 N, Long: 94.06 E, Depth: 25 Km, Location: Andaman Sea.', NCS wrote on X On June 25, an earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale struck the Andaman Sea, as per the NCS. Last month two earthquakes within a gap of two hours were reported in Manipur. However, there was no report of any damage. In April, an earthquake of magnitude 3.4 hit Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. This earthquake in Mandi was parts of four earthquakes that struck India, Myanmar, and Tajikistan within just one hour on on the same day, raising concerns across central and South Asia. From Himalayan towns to Central Asian cities, the tremors caused residents to flee buildings in fear, reminding many of the region's volatile tectonic landscape. Also read: Watch. Young boy refuses to take cover, runs back to finish food during earthquake An earthquake hit the southern Philippines as well on Saturday, State Geological Survey said. The earthquake was of magnitude-6.1 earthquake and struck deep off the coast of the United. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quake, which the USGS reported occurred at a depth of 101 kilometres and about 70 kilometres from the nearest areas of Davao Occidental province.
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Why Cloudbursts and Flash Floods matter for your UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up on your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: In 2022, UPSC has asked a question: Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudbursts in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. Questions related to climate events and climate-related reports have been UPSC favourites. In this regard, having a comprehensive understanding of this topic is important from the exam perspective.) Three bodies were recovered in Kangra on Thursday (26th June), taking the toll from flash floods triggered by cloudbursts to five, said officials. At least four cloudburst incidents were reported in Banjar, Gadsa, Manikaran, and Sainj of Kullu district, officials said. Given the heightened risk of floods, landslides, and cloudbursts following the active monsoon, the Himachal Pradesh Police Headquarters has issued an advisory. 1. A cloudburst is an extreme weather event. In simple words, it refers to intense rainfall occurring over a short duration within a small area. It is called an extreme weather event because the frequency of cloudbursts has increased due to global warming across the world. 2. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines it as unexpected precipitation exceeding 100mm (or 10 cm) per hour over a geographical region of approximately 20 to 30 square km. Significant amounts of rainfall such as this can result in floods. (Note: Basically, all instances of cloudbursts involve heavy rain in a short period, but all instances of heavy rain in a short period are not cloudbursts if they do not fit this criterion.) 3. The formation of clouds and even cloudbursts occur suddenly. Doppler radars (used to determine the velocity of an object) can predict heavy rainfall events up to two hours in advance but they cannot detect the velocity if a mountain obstructs the signal. Also, cloudbursts are not confined to one place. The conditions that trigger cloudbursts can develop quickly in one location and then move to another, making it difficult for early prediction. 4. Excessive or continuous rainfall over a period of days, or during particular seasons, can lead to stagnation of water and cause flooding. Flash floods refer to such a situation, but occurring in a much shorter span of time, and are highly localised. It commonly happens more where rivers are narrow and steep, so they flow more quickly 5. In India, flash floods are often associated with cloudbursts – sudden, intense rainfall in a short period of time. Himalayan states further face the challenge of overflowing glacial lakes, formed due to the melting of glaciers, and their numbers have been increasing in the last few years. To raise awareness about the significance of preserving glacier health in a warming world, the United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation. 6. Frequently, flash floods are accompanied by landslides, which are sudden movements of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope. It is common in mountainous terrains, where there are conditions created for it in terms of the soil, rock, geology and slope. 📍In the hill states like Himachal Pradesh, three main factors contribute to cloudbursts: first, the wind pattern; second, the height of the mountains; and third, the level of moisture and humidity in the air. 📍In the mountains, low-pressure areas form at the top, attracting clouds with significant force. Warm air creates thunderstorms. When air coming from the opposite direction collides with the mountain, it can result in a heavy downpour. This is why the height of the mountain matters in this scenario. The air cannot penetrate the mountain. 📍In these areas, sometimes saturated clouds ready to condense into rain cannot produce rain, due to the upward movement of the very warm current of air. Instead of falling downwards, raindrops are carried upwards by the air current. New drops are formed and existing raindrops increase in size. After a point, the raindrops become too heavy for the cloud to hold on to, and they drop down together in a quick flash. 1. According to the recently released State of Climate in Asia 2024 report, prepared by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in collaboration with regional and international meteorological organisations. The report highlighted how changes in key climate indicators such as surface temperature, glacier mass and sea level will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region 2. According to the report, Asia experienced its warmest or second warmest year on record in 2024, with its average temperature 1.04 degree Celsius above the last 30-year average. Asia is warming up nearly twice as fast as the global average. 3. The impact of this high rate of warming in 2024 manifested through a range of extreme weather events such as 29 tropical cyclones, prolonged and intense heat waves and extreme rainfall events, including India. 4. In India, extreme heatwaves caused over 450 deaths across the country, the report said. During heatwaves in 2024, temperatures were in the range of 45-48 degree Celsius for sustained periods and touched a high of 50 degrees at some locations. The country also saw deadly lightning events, killing about 1,300 people, the report said. 5. Glaciers continued to lose mass, as per the report, with 23 out of 24 glaciers in the High Mountain Asia region of central-south Asia spanning Himalayas, Pamir mountains, Karakoram, Hindu Kush. The melting of glaciers affects sea level, regional water cycles and the occurrence of local hazards such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). 6. In terms of extent, marine heatwaves created a record in 2024, impacting an area of nearly 15 million square kilometres. The northern Indian Ocean, adjacent to Japan and the Yellow and East China seas faced particularly severe or extreme intensity of marine heatwaves. Which of the following statements with regard to cloudburst is/are correct? (UPSC CDS 2017) 1. It is defined as sudden localized very heavy downpour with cloud thunder and lightning. 2. It mostly occurs in the hilly areas. 3. It results into very high intensity of rainfall, i.e., 250 mm-300 mm in a couple of hours. 4. It occurs only during the daytime. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1, 2, and 3 (b) 1, 3, and 4 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 2 only (Source: Asia warming nearly twice global average, hit hard in 2024: WMO, Explained: What are cloudbursts, and why they occur more in places like Amarnath, Explained: What are flash floods and why they may increase in the next few years, Find out how a radar can help prevent damage caused by cloudburst) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
No roads too long
A few weeks after the terror attack in Pahalgam, a parking lot in the Kashmir town hosted an unusual sight. A caravan from Kerala had pulled in and as the evening chill set in, a group of women prepared dinner inside, surrounded by snow-dusted mountains and settled for the night–another ordinary stop on their extraordinary journey across India's highways. For Jalaja Ratheesh, her sister-in-law Surya MB, and daughter Devika Ratheesh, driving massive trucks across the country has become as routine as managing their household in Kottayam. These women from the Puthettu family have shattered stereotypes, proving that India's trucking industry—long dominated by men—has room for fearless female drivers. The trio recently completed their 'Himalayan family trail,' a caravan journey from Kerala to Ladakh that covered 18 Indian states. But this adventure represents just the latest chapter in their remarkable story of life on the road. Jalaja, the pioneer of the family's women drivers, has already traversed 24 states and six Union territories, extending her routes even into neighbouring Nepal. Her most recent marathon assignment saw her navigate 10,500km in her 12-wheel BharatBenz truck, hauling goods from Kottayam to Gujarat, then to Arunachal Pradesh and finally to Nagaland before returning home. The family's trucking legacy began with Jalaja's husband, Ratheesh, who started driving for a relative before purchasing his first truck in 2003. Today, their fleet includes 25 twelve-wheel trucks and an 18-wheel trailer. When Jalaja married into the family that same year, she initially accompanied her husband just to see the country. By 2014, curiosity had transformed into commitment—she obtained her driving licence, followed by a heavy vehicle license four years later. For the past six years, Jalaja has commanded trucks with 25-tonne capacities, earning respect at checkpoints, from police officers, and in villages across the nation. 'We have special consideration wherever we go,' she explains. 'People tell us to drop by again when we pass through their area next time.' Despite the respect they receive, these women face unique challenges that male drivers rarely consider. 'Give us clean toilets,' Jalaja's primary request to authorities reflects a universal concern among the family's female drivers. 'It's difficult to find hygienic washrooms, especially in northern India.' The women have adapted by carrying toilet sheets and rarely staying in hotel rooms during their journeys. 'We find our truck as the safest place,' Jalaja says. 'We also struggle to find parking for our long trucks if we stay in hotels.' Surya, meanwhile, drives mostly during her children's school vacations. She earned her licence in 2023 and describes her first cross-country drive— with kids in the cabin and her husband in the second truck—as both challenging and unforgettable. She stresses that inadequate facilities become particularly problematic during menstruation. Yet these practical challenges haven't deterred the women, who've customized their trucks with 300-litre steel tanks and small kitchens beneath the cargo area. Twenty-one-year-old Devika represents the family's next generation of drivers. The BCom student has already driven through 21 states since obtaining her licence in Jan 2024. 'My vacations are always in the driving seat,' she says. 'I love driving at night, listening to music.' Their journeys have become so routine that Google Maps has become obsolete—they know the routes by heart. 'Once you're interested in traveling, difficulties aren't a bother,' Surya observes. There have been tense moments, too. In West Bengal, Jalaja once realised mid-drive that robbers had jumped into the back of her truck and were cutting the tarpaulin to steal rubber sheets. She didn't panic. She sped up, drove into a crowded area and the robbers fled. Their success, they say, is as much about the men in their family as it is about their own determination. 'They trusted us with the trucks,' Surya notes. The family's adventures now reach beyond personal achievement. Ratheesh has begun documenting their travels through 'Puthettu Vlogs,' which has attracted 5.25 lakh subscribers. What started as casual footage during a Kashmir trip has evolved into a platform offering viewers authentic glimpses of truck driving life across India. 'I want people to get an almost real-life experience of our trips,' Ratheesh explains. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
