13 Mountain Passes In India To See

Mountain Passes have always played an Important Role in Trade, Travel, Migration and War in the Himalayan Region. 

Today, they connect Various Regions that are Divided by Mountain Ranges. And getting to them requires Driving or Trekking on some of the Most Hazardous Terrain.

1. Chansal Pass

The Chansal Pass connects Dodra Kwar and Rohru in Himachal Pradesh. It is about a 5-hour drive from Shimla.

2. Dungri La Pass

One can get to Dungri La on a Motorable Road at a High Elevation of 5608 Meters. It connects India to Tibet through the Zanskar Mountain Range and is located in the Nanda Devi National Park. Not very far away is the Pilgrimage Site of Kedarnath.

3. Rohtang Pass

Located in the Pir Panjal Range, the Rohtang Pass connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys at a height of 3978 Meters. It is accessible on the Manali-Leh Highway, the best time to visit being between May-November. In Winter, there are risks of Avalanches and Road Closures.

4. Khardung La Pass

Located near Leh, it connects the Shyok and Nubra Valleys at an elevation of 5602 Meters. It is a Popular Route for Bikers as The Pass is Motorable.

5. Sela Pass

Perched at an elevation of 4170 Meters, the Sela Pass is situated in the Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Currently Tawang is being claimed by China as 'South Tibet' but the Sela Pass connects the District to the Rest of the Country through Assam. It remains open through out the year except at times of Heavy Snowfall. 

6. Borasu Pass

The Borasu Pass connects the Himalayan Regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh at a Close Proximity to the Indo-China Border. It was once used as a Trade Route between the Doon Valley and the Kinnaur Valley at an elevation of 5450 Meters. 

7. Jelep La

The Jelep La, at an elevation of 4270 Meters, connects Sikkim to the Tibetan Plateau and onwards to Lhasa. The Drive is Absolutely Scenic with Rhododendrons along the side of the Highway into the Chumbi Valley across the Chinese Border. 

8. Chang La Pass

At an altitude of 5360 Meters, the Chang La connects the Indus Valley to the Pangong Lake Region of Ladakh. It is the 3rd Highest Motorable Road in the World. 

9. Nathu La Pass

The Nathu La Pass connects Sikkim to Tibet and is 1 of the 3 Major Open Borders between India and China, The other 2 being Shipkila in Himachal Pradesh and Lipulekh in Uttarakhand. On the Indian side, the pass is 54 km East of Gangtok. 

10. Debsa Pass

The Debsa Pass connects the Kullu Valley to the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. 

11. Rupin Pass

The Rupin Pass is situated across the Rupin River and connects Dhaula in Uttarakhand to Sangla in Himachal Pradesh. There are Different Trails that access the Rupin Pass. One of them starts at the Sleepy Village of Gosangu, which is the Last Road ahead of Himachal Pradesh. Generally, Trekkers and Adventurers Travel to Gosangu by Road from Shimla via Rohru. The Alternate Route to Rupin Pass starts from Naitwar, which is accessible from Dehradhun via Dhaula. The uninhabited Rupin pass is located at an elevation of 4650 Meters. 

12. Lipulekh Pass

The Lipulekh Pass in the Himlayan Frontier connects the Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand to Purang in Tibet at an altitude of 5334 Meters. It is used by Pilgrims of the Kailash Man Sarovar Yatra who are on their way to Man Sarovar Lake and the Kailash Mountains. 

13. Karakoram Pass 

The Karakoram Pass is a Trisection of the Indian, Chinese and Pakistani Borders. At an elevation of 4693 Meters, it is The Oldest Route between Leh and Yarkant. The Siachen Glacier is situated in the eastern Karakoram Range and west of the Pass are The Great Himalaya Mountains.

20 Places In India You Have To Visit in Monsoon

1. Ooty, Tamil Nadu

The ‘Queen of Hill Stations’ will charm you with her Stunning Scenery during the Monsoons. June, being the Very Busy Season here, you’ll have to Plan quite well in advance.

2. Leh-Ladakh

The Best Time to travel to Leh-Ladakh is between June and September. Expect moderate to Heavy Rainfall and do carry your Windproof Jackets and Raincoats.

3. Mandrem, Goa

When is Goa off from the hustle and bustle of Tourists? During the Rains. During the Monsoons, you will see Goa like never before - quiet and quaint. Try planning a Monsoon Trip to Mandrem, which is to the north of Ashwem. However, be ready to see closed shutters and signs, as most Hotels and Accommodations are closed due to fewer Tourists. Needless to say, avoid Swimming in the Sea at all cost. 

4. Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra

If you’re in Mumbai and want a quick Monsoon Getaway, then head to Malshej Ghats. Home to Migratory Flamingos during the Monsoons, Malshej will rejuvenate you with its Foggy Hills and Beautiful Greenery.

5. Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya

Touted as one of The Wettest Place on Earth, Cherrapunjee receives insane rainfall during the Monsoons. And why should you go there to witness it? Well, if you truly love the Rains, you must see its other side too - the other side being an Extreme Downpour. 

6. Alleppey, Kerala

During the Rains, the backwaters will look straight out of a Painting. Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Alleppey needs to be explored through Lazy Houseboats. Go with your better half, because going with friends is utterly pointless. 

7. Pondicherry

A Monsoon Vacation in Pondy (as its fondly called) will be Sheer Bliss. It is an experience to walk under one's Umbrella on wet cobbled streets and pass through Bougainvillea-Draped Colonial-Era Townhouses in the French Colony.

8. Lonavala, Maharashtra

It’s a bit risky to plan Lonavala during the Rains. But if you take simple precautions then Lonavala should be more than pleasant. The Place has been tarnished due to an increasing number of drowning cases. The Hill Station has Dams like Bhushi, Pavna and Mulshi which are always Crowded with Trevellers. 

9. Lavasa, Maharashtra

You don’t need a season to visit Lavasa, however, the Monsoons enhance the beauty of its Lush Green Scenery. 

10. Hampi, Karnataka

A 6-Hour Drive from Bengaluru, Hampi is all about travelling back in time. The Picturesque Temple Ruins with the Clouds looming over will make for great pictures.

11. Darjeeling, West Bengal

If you love Sipping Tea by the window and watching the Rains from the cool confines of your home, then Darjeeling is the place for you. Monsoons are the best time to sit back and relax with a cup of Hot Darjeeling Chai (Tea) by your side.

12. Shillong, Meghalaya

If you don’t mind getting Drenched in the Downpour, we suggest you visit Shillong. Known as the 'Scotland of the East’, you will be surprised by what it has to offer.

13. Wayanad, Kerala

'The Land of Paddy Fields', as it’s called, looks heavenly during the Rains. Apart from the Delicious Kerala Cuisine on Banana Leaves, you will also get to watch Herds of Elephants enjoying the Rains.

14. Champai, Mizoram

The Scenic Champai is covered with Green Moors and Rice Fields. The climate during the Rains turn Misty and Cool and therefore attracts Local Tourists.

15. Sajjangarh, Rajasthan

After the scorching heat, comes the first drop of Rain, which makes Dry Rajasthan turn into a Verdant Oasis. Sajjangarh is one such Place, which will captivate you with its Location and Beauty. You can also head to Udaipur after experiencing Nature’s Play at Sajjangarh.

16. Tea Gardens, Assam

Make some Golden Memories if you plan to stay in the Boutique Heritage Bungalows in the Tea Gardens in Assam. 

17. Western Ghats, Maharashtra

Spread across 6-States, the Western Ghats are one of The World’s 8 Most Significant Hotspots, renowned for its Biodiversity. For Wildlife Enthusiasts, this Place is a Heaven as you could capture some Amazing Wildlife on your Cameras.

18. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

The hometown of author Ruskin Bond, Mussoorie would make you want to stay and never leave. During the Rains, you will get to experience some Amazing Views of Snow Capped Himalayan Peaks and some Fresh Clean Air. 

19. Coorg, Karnataka

For those who love Monsoon Trekking, Coorg is a great option to consider. Alternatively, you can also sit back and relax and gorge on some Akki (Rice) Roti and Pandi (Pork) Curry at the North Coorg Club, while it’s Pouring Heavily outside.

20. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Although the Jim Corbett National Park is mostly closed during the Monsoons, the Jhirna Zone remains open throughout the year. Rains put back Life into the Flora and Fauna and you could get some Stunning Photography done.  

Hidden Truth of Taj Mahal - Taj Mahal or Tejo Mahalaya

 No one has ever challenged it except Prof. P. N. Oak, who believes the whole world has been duped. 

In his book Taj Mahal: The True Story, Oak says -

TheTaj Mahal is not Queen Mumtaz's tomb but an ancient Hindu temple palace of Lord Shiva (then known as Tejo Mahalaya ) . 

In the course of his research O AK discovered that the Shiva Temple palace was usurped by Shah Jahan from then Maharaja of Jaipur, Jai Singh. In his own court chronicle, Badshahnama,

Shah Jahan admits that an exceptionally beautiful grand mansion in Agra was taken from Jai Singh for Mumtaz's burial . The ex-Maharaja of Jaipur still retains in his secret collection two orders from Shah Jahan for surrendering the Taj building. Using captured temples and mansions, as a Burial place for dead courtiers and royalty was a common practice among Muslim Rulers.

 

For example, Humayun, Akbar, Etmud-ud-Daula and Safdarjung are all buried in such mansions. Oak's inquiries began with the name of Taj Mahal. He says -

 

The term " Mahal " has never been used for a building in any Muslim countries from Afghanistan to Algeria . "The unusual explanation that the term Taj Mahal derives from Mumtaz Mahal was illogical in at least two respects.

 

Firstly, her name was never Mumtaz Mahal but Mumtazul-Zamani," he writes.

Secondly, one cannot omit the first three letters 'Mum' from a woman's

Name to derive the remainder as the name for the building. 

"Taj Mahal, he claims, is a corrupt version of Tejo Mahalaya, or Lord Shiva's Palace . Oak also says the love story of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan is a fairy tale created by Court Sycophants, blundering historians and sloppy archaeologists not a

Single Royal Chronicle of Shah Jahan's time corroborates the love story.

 

Furthermore, Oak cites several documents suggesting the Taj Mahal predates Shah Jahan's era, and was a temple dedicated to Shiva, worshipped by Rajputs of Agra city. For example, Prof. Marvin Miller of New York took a few samples from the riverside doorway of the Taj. 

Carbon dating tests revealed

That the door was 300 years older than Shah Jahan. European traveler Johan Albert Mandelslo, who visited Agra in 1638 (only seven years after Mumtaz's death), describes the life of the city in his memoirs. But he makes no reference to the Taj Mahal being built. The writings of Peter Mundy, an English visitor to Agra within a year of Mumtaz's death, also suggest the

Taj was a noteworthy building well before Shah Jahan's time.

 

Prof. Oak points out a number of design and architectural inconsistencies

That support the belief of the Taj Mahal being a typical Hindu temple

Rather than a mausoleum. Many rooms in the Taj ! Mahal have remained sealed

Since Shah Jahan's time and are still inaccessible to the public . Oak

Asserts they contain a headless statue of Lord Shiva and other objects commonly used for worship rituals in Hindu temples Fearing political backlash, Indira Gandhi's government tried to have Prof. Oak's book withdrawn from the bookstores, and threatened the Indian publisher of the first edition dire consequences . There is only one way to discredit or

Validate Oak's research.

 

The current government should open the sealed rooms of the Taj Mahal under U.N. Supervision, and let international experts investigate.

 

Do circulate this to all you know and let them know about this reality.....

Aerial view of the Taj Mahal

The interior water well

Close up of the dome with pinnacle

Close up of the pinnacle

 

Inlaid pinnacle pattern in courtyard

Red lotus at apex of the entrance

Rear view of the Taj & 22 apartments

View of sealed doors & windows in back

Typical Vedic style corridors

The Music House--a contradiction

A locked room on upper floor

A marble apartment on ground floor

The OM in the flowers on the walls

Staircase that leads to the lower levels

300 foot long corridor inside apartments

One of the 22 rooms in the secret lower level

Interior of one of the 22 secret rooms

Interior of another of the locked rooms

Vedic design on ceiling of a locked room

Huge ventilator sealed shut with bricks

Secret walled door that leads to other rooms

Secret bricked door that hides more evidence

Palace in Barhanpur where Mumtaz died

Pavilion where Mumtaz is said to be buried