Punjab Articles
FANCY TRYING OUT 84 STEPS TO MOKSHA AT GOINDWAL GURDWARA?
FANCY TRYING OUT 84 STEPS TO MOKSHA
AT GOINDWAL GURDWARA
SANS FEAR OF SUCCUMBING TO HYPOTHERMIA?
...
FANCY TRYING OUT 84 STEPS TO MOKSHA
AT GOINDWAL GURDWARA
SANS FEAR OF SUCCUMBING TO HYPOTHERMIA?
10 TIPS ON HOW TO RETAIN YOUR BODY HEAT
DURING THE WATERY & CHILLING WINTER ADVENTURE
Note: What prompted me to draw up the following list was news of a foreign tourist’s intention to visit Goindwal Baoli this winter and to dip repeatedly in the icy-cold river Beas at the foot of its 84th step. What proved to be even more awe-inspiring and touching were first-person accounts I came across. These were tales of courage, faith, determination, humility, suffering and even miraculous cures at Goindwal Baoli, experienced by pilgrims who had accomplished the 84 step ritual in one go (a feat that takes up 10 to 20 hours in stiffening cold), and by others who had abandoned the quest midway. I sincerely hope my piece will contribute in some small measure to making such pilgrimages physically more bearable for participants without, however, denying them those divinely powerful, powerfully divine ‘aha’ moments that the victorious at Goindwal have so eloquently written of. I also trust that visitors to Goindwal who follow these warmth retention tips will enjoy equal opportunity for attainment of Moksha/Liberation from the 84,00,000 cycles of life for ultimate unity with The Divine, as goes the belief associated with the ‘stepwell’ at Goindwal Gurdwara.
1. Ensure you’re in top shape: Prepare for the challenge by exercising weeks in advance (regular walks, deep breathing, yoga/Pranayama etc.), getting adequate rest and sleep, eating wholesome/nutritious meals and drinking plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, tobacco/nicotine and caffeine.
2. Consult your doctor: Some medications like sedatives, tranquillizers, anti-depressants and cardiovascular drugs lower the body's ability to respond to cold.
3. Set off on the pilgrimage with a calm, spiritual and devotional frame of mind.
4. Carry along the following items of clothing/bathing in a waterproof bag: a woolen cap, two light-weight towels in quick-drying material and a fluff blanket, at least two to three sets of fairly loose, lightweight, inner and outer wear in warm yet water-resistant, wind-proof, breathable, quick-drying materials. Cotton would be a definite no-no. Down, while wet, serves no purpose.
5. Have at hand a flask containing a warm, sweet beverage for frequent consumption, as well as high-energy foods containing carbohydrates, proteins, fats: energy bars, chocolates, nuts and raisins, jaggery (gur), roasted grams (channa), toffees, peanut butter are good options.
6. Keep as much of your body out of the icy-cold water as possible and well-covered, while bearing in mind that areas of the body most susceptible to critical heat loss are head and neck, armpits, sides of the chest, and groin. Dry yourself and change into dry clothes whenever convenient. Avoid any form of unnecessary exercise between dips/immersions.
7. Use H.E.L.P. (Heat Escape Lessening Position) whenever the going gets really tough: Hold your arms tightly against your sides and across your chest, pull your legs together and up towards your chest. For performing HELP on the cold, wet steps at Goindwal Baoli, carry along a 2 x 2 foot cushion/pad made of closed-cell foam, for sitting on.
8. Massage your body with Vaseline prior to immersion, and with mustard oil once you’re done with all immersions. Cover yourself with the fluff blanket whenever the cold feels unbearable.
9. Use the ‘Buddy System’ with fellow-visitors to keep an eye on each other for warning signs of hypothermia.
10. Last but not the least, use visualization techniques to make believe you’re happy and warm: see yourself sunbathing on a Goan beach, riding across Jaisalmer sand-dunes on camel back, sitting before a roaring log fire in Manali or glowing under a celestial light … one of these imageries is bound to work!
Contributed by Sonya (Delhi-based independent Tourist Advisor cum Guide, as well as travel writer-photographer-researcher, who recently upgraded her skills by qualifying in First Aid and Basic Life-saving).
sonya09{at}rediffmail{dot}com 1 November 2016
Top Punjab Tours
$35 Per Day
Indo - Pak Beating Retreat ceremony at Wagah Border followed by dinner
Indo - Pak Beating Retreat ceremony at Wagah Border followed by dinner
Destinations: Amritsar - Wagah Border
Duration: 4-5 Hrs
The ceremonial closing of gates and lowering of flags of India and Pakistan.. BSF and Pakistani Rangers march towards the gates from their respective sides. After the gate is thrown open, the soldiers salute each other and start lowering the flags
...Read moreIndo - Pak Beating Retreat ceremony at Wagah Border followed by dinner
Destinations: Amritsar - Wagah Border
Duration: 4-5 Hrs
The ceremonial closing of gates and lowering of flags of India and Pakistan.. BSF and Pakistani Rangers march towards the gates from their respective sides. After the gate is thrown open, the soldiers salute each other and start lowering the flags
Highlights.
• Enjoy Evening, Indo- Pak parade Ceremony at Wagah Border.
• Enjoy dinner at Local Restaurant.
• Visit BSF and Pakistani Rangers march towards the gates from their respective sides.
• Private Transfer from Hotel.
Evening at 4PM Pick up from Hotel and proceed to Wagah Border for Evening Indo – Pak parade ceremony. After parade ceremony back to Amritsar and Enjoy your dinner at Local Restaurant.. After dinner come back to Hotel and retried for Night.
Wagah Border (Beating Retreat)
Wagah border post, about 29 km from Amritsar on the Grand Trunk, has become famous for the ceremonial closing of gates and lowering of flags of India and Pakistan.. BSF and Pakistani Rangers march towards the gates from their respective sides. After the gate is thrown open, the soldiers salute each other and start lowering the flags. The flags are carefully folded and carried back. The ceremony reaches a crescendo with the soldiers return to the border line for the final handshake. Once done, no glance is exchanged and the gates are slammed close. Blowing of the bugle marks the end of the ceremony. As the ceremony climbs to its apogee, cries of Jai Hind and Pakistan Zindabad render in the air.
Package Cost (per person basis)
• Single sharing basis - $ 77
• Twin Sharing Basis - $ 51
• Triple Sharing Basis - $ 45
• PKG cost for 4 Person- $ 43
• PKG cost for 5 Person - $ 40
• PKG cost for 6 Person - $ 41
• PKG cost for 7 Person - $ 39
• PKG cost for 8 Person - $ 35
Package Tour includes
• Entry Fee of all Mentioned Monuments.
• Complementary 1 dinner.
• Transfer and sightseeing by Private air condition Car.
• Mineral water.
• Local Assistance.
• All taxes and service charge.
Package does not include
• Air or train fare
• Camera fee at monuments
• Expense arising out of unexpected circumstances like natural calamities, flight cancellation or delay
Payment & Cancellation Policy
• 30 days prior commencement of tour, No cancellation charges.
• 29-10 day’s prior commencement of tour, 25% of travel cost.
• 09-3 day’s prior commencement of tour, 50% of travel cost.
• Less than 03 days prior commencement of tour, No Refund.
$141 Per Day
2 Days Private Golden Temple Amritsar Tour with Evening Indo - Pak Beating Retreat ceremony.
2 Days Private Golden Temple Amritsar Tour with Evening Indo - Pak Beating Retreat ceremony.
Destinations: Delhi – Amritsar - Wagah Border - Delhi
Duration: 2 Days
2 Days Private Golden Temple Amritsar Tour with Evening Indo - Pak Beating Retreat ceremony.
Destinations: Delhi – Amritsar - Wagah Border - Delhi
Duration: 2 Days
Amritsar or the Pool of the Nectar of Immortality is a part of the great Indian multifarious spiritual tradition but stands luminescent as an institution in itself. Deriving its name from the legends of knowledge, healing and spiritual immortality in the pool surrounding the Golden Temple, Amritsar is a paradoxical landmark on the terrains of North India.
Highlights.
• Enjoy Evening, Indo- Pak parade Ceremony at Wagah Border.
• Visit golden Night view of pool surrounding Golden Temple.
• Visit Reality presents the harsh images of the Jallianwala Bagh.
• Enjoy local shopping at Hall Bazzar.
Day 1:
Early Morning at 06:00 Pick up from Delhi Hotel and proceed to Amritsar by Train/Flight or Car... (We shall arrange one of transport mode from Delhi to Amritsar) on arrival Amritsar around 1-2 PM Transfer to Hotel.. After fresh up and Lunch. Drive to Wagah Border for Evening Indo – Pak parade ceremony. After parade ceremony back to Hotel and Enjoy your dinner.. After dinner transfer to Temple for Night Visit Golden view of Golden Temple.. Later come to Hotel and retried for Night.
Wagah Border (Beating Retreat)
Wagah border post, about 29 km from Amritsar on the Grand Trunk, has become famous for the ceremonial closing of gates and lowering of flags of India and Pakistan.. BSF and Pakistani Rangers march towards the gates from their respective sides. After the gate is thrown open, the soldiers salute each other and start lowering the flags. The flags are carefully folded and carried back. The ceremony reaches a crescendo with the soldiers return to the border line for the final handshake. Once done, no glance is exchanged and the gates are slammed close. Blowing of the bugle marks the end of the ceremony. As the ceremony climbs to its apogee, cries of Jai Hind and Pakistan Zindabad render in the air.
Day 2:
Morning after breakfast, Explore the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)
The Harmandir Sahib also Darbar Sahib and informally referred to as the "Golden Temple" is a prominent Sikh Gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, It was built by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan, in the 16th Century..
After Golden Temple visit, Jallianwala Bagh
Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in Amritsar in the Punjab state of India, and houses a memorial of national importance, established in 1951 to commemorate the massacre by British occupying forces.
After Jallianwala Bagh explore Hall Bazar and other local bazaar and back to Hotel,, check out from Hotel and proceed to Delhi by (Train, Flight or Car) Reach Delhi around 11 PM .. Transfer to Delhi Hotel.
Note - Your Transport mode from Delhi to Amritsar will Via AC Train, Flight or by AC Car, we shall confirm your mode of transport after making the booking.
Package Cost (per person basis)
• Single sharing basis - $ 517
• Twin Sharing Basis - $ 263
• Triple Sharing Basis - $ 223
• PKG cost for 4 Person- $ 185
• PKG cost for 5 Person - $ 182
• PKG cost for 6 Person - $ 167
• PKG cost for 7 Person - $ 152
• PKG cost for 8 Person - $ 141
Package Tour includes
• One night hotel accommodation in 3 Star Hotel on single/twin/triple sharing basis.
• Entry Fee of all Mentioned Monuments.
• One Breakfast at Hotel.
• Complementary 1 lunch and 1 dinner.
• Transfer and sightseeing by Private air condition Car.
• Delhi – Amritsar-Delhi Travel by Train/Flight or Car
• Mineral water.
• All taxes and service charge.
Package does not include
• Air or train fare
• Camera fee at monuments
• Expense arising out of unexpected circumstances like natural calamities, flight cancellation or delay
Payment & Cancellation Policy
• 30 days prior commencement of tour, No cancellation charges.
• 29-10 days prior commencement of tour, 25% of travel cost.
• 09-3 days prior commencement of tour, 50% of travel cost.
• Less than 03 days prior commencement of tour, No Refund.
$43 Per Day
Private Full day India’s best Planed City Chandigarh’s Tour with Rock Garden and Lunch
Private Full day India’s best Planed City Chandigarh’s Tour with Rock Garden and Lunch
Destination – Chandigarh
Duration – 8 Hrs.
Private Full day India’s best Planed City Chandigarh’s Tour with Rock Garden and Lunch
Destination – Chandigarh
Duration – 8 Hrs.
While serving as a capital to the states of both Punjab and Haryana the union territory of Chandigarh is a land mark in aesthetic ergonomic civil design. Which is why it is also occasionally referred to as the City Beautiful.
Highlights.
• Explore India’s Best Doll Museum.
• Visit Rock Garden fantastic garden entirely from industrial and urban waste.
• Visit over 1600 species of roses decorated in neat lawns and flower beds at Rose Garden
•
Morning after breakfast at 10:00 AM our driver will report hotel lobby and drive to Chandigarh, for exploring the India’s best planed city..
1st you visit International Doll Museum.
International Doll Museum.
Doll Museum is the one of best Museum in India, its located Sector 23. Museum has beautiful dolls collection from all over world. . It was set up for the purpose of entertaining the kids. It serves like an amusement park for children. Museum has over 250 types of different dolls collection…
After Doll Museum. Drive to Rose Garden and enjoy the beauty of Rose garden.
Rose Garden naturally cultivated wonder is the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden. Spread over thirty acres it is Asia’s largest with over 1600 species of roses decorated in neat lawns and flower beds. There are plenty of competitions and cultural festivals illuminating the gardens all year round.
After rose Garden Enjoy lunch at Local restaurant and driver will take you at Rock Garden.
Rock Garden.
The artist, Nek Chand, modeled this fantastic garden entirely from industrial and urban waste. With a fantasy kingdom as its binding theme, it works within fourteen chambers interspersing with the natural landscape. The root and trunk sculptors flourish alongside the electrical fittings, broken chinaware, glass bangles, fluorescent tubes, mudguards, forks, handle bars, metal wires, burnt bricks all sculpted into a thriving folk kingdom with temples, deities, villagers, soldiers, kings and queens. The waterfalls, bridges and pavilions give way to a natural theatre that hosts cultural and art shows especially the Teej Festival with its henna art and folk dances. The rock garden’s anomalous beauty will pull you once for sure; but the urge to return forseconds is a guarantee!
After rock Garden driver will drop you at Sukhna lake for 1Hr where you can do some photography and enjoy the beauty of lake , later drive to famous Sector 17 Shopping Market where you can do shopping and take a taste of local food. Later drop back to Hotel.
Package Cost (per person basis)
• Single sharing basis - $ 111
• Twin Sharing Basis - $ 69
• Triple Sharing Basis - $ 58
• PKG cost for 4 Person- $ 49
• PKG cost for 5 Person - $ 53
• PKG cost for 6 Person - $ 49
• PKG cost for 7 Person - $ 46
• PKG cost for 8 Person - $ 43
Package Tour includes
• Entry Fee of all mentioned monuments.
• Complementary 1 lunch.
• Transfer and sightseeing by Private air condition Car.
• Mineral water.
• Local Assistant.
• All taxes and service charge.
Package does not include
• Air or train fare
• Camera fee at monuments
• Expense arising out of unexpected circumstances like natural calamities, flight cancellation or delay
Payment & Cancellation Policy
• 30 days prior commencement of tour, No cancellation charges.
• 29-10 day’s prior commencement of tour, 25% of travel cost.
• 09-3 day’s prior commencement of tour, 50% of travel cost.
• Less than 03 days prior commencement of tour, No Refund.