Bangaloreans please vote and create noise and force them to listen your voice. Please go to polling booth and press no vote button (few machines are already having this button - no idea whether your area has got that button or not) if you do not want to vote to any of the candidate.
Choose the least corrupt candidate only and do not get fascinated by the party or candidate status.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Managing Money - 10 Calculations to Know
Managing money can involve calculations to understand the worth of an investment. To arrive at a result, calculations can be done in a different way or by using a different formula.
Even the same formula can be used differently to arrive at a certain result. Here are a few commonly used money management formulas. Use an excel sheet to do these.
1. Compound Interest
I want to take a loan of Rs 1 lakh to buy a used car. How much will the car cost me at an annual interest rate of 8 per cent for four years?
The compound interest formula can be used here to calculate the final cost, which would include the loan amount and the interest paid. The amount that is actually paid for Rs 1 lakh is Rs 1,36,048.90. The total amount of interest charged for borrowing Rs 1 lakh is Rs 36,048.90.
Formula: Future value = P(1 + R)^N
Type in: =100000(1+8%)^4 and hit enter. P: amount borrowed; R: rate of interest; N: time in years.
Also used for: Calculating the maturity value on lumpsum investment (bank fixed deposits and National Savings Certificate, for example) over a fixed period at a certain rate of interest.
2. Compound Annualised Growth Rate
I had invested Rs 1 lakh in a mutual fund five years back at an NAV of Rs 20. Now the NAV is Rs 70. How should I calculate my returns on an annual basis?
Compound annualised growth rate (CAGR) will be used here to calculate the growth over a period of time. The gain of Rs 50 over five years on the initial NAV of Rs 20 is a simple return of 250 per cent (50/20 * 100). However, it should not be construed as 50 per cent average return over five years.
Formula: CAGR = {[(M/I)^(1/N)] ? 1} * 100
Type in: =(((70/20)^(1/5))-1)*100 and hit enter. M: maturity value; I: initial value; N: time in years. CAGR here is 28.47%.
Also used for: Calculating the annualised returns on a lumpsum investment in shares.
3. Internal Rate of Return
I paid Rs 18,572 every year on a moneyback insurance policy bought 20 years back. Every fifth year, I received Rs 40,000 back and Rs 4.5 lakh on maturity. What was my rate of return?
The internal rate of return (IRR) has to be calculated here. It is the interest rate accrued on an investment that has outflows and inflows at the same regular periods.
In the excel page type Rs 18,572 as a negative figure (-18572), as it is an outflow, in the first cell. Paste the same figure till the twentieth cell.
Then, as every fifth year has an inflow of Rs 40,000, type in Rs 21,428 (40,000-18,572) in every fifth cell. In the twentieth cell, type in ?18572. In the twenty first cell, type in Rs 4,50,000, which is the maturity value of the policy.
Then click on the cell below it and type: = IRR(A1:A21) and hit enter.
5.28% will show in the cell. This is your internal rate of return.
Also used for: Calculating returns on insurance endowment policies.
4. XIRR
I bought 500 shares on 1 January 2007 at Rs 220, 100 shares on 10 January at Rs 185 and 50 shares at Rs 165 on 18 May 2008. On 21 June 2008, I sold off all the 650 shares at Rs 655. What is the return on my investment?
XIRR is used to determine the IRR when the outflows and inflows are at different periods. Calculation is similar to IRR's. Transaction date is mentioned on the left of the transaction.
In an excel sheet type out the data from the top most cell as shown here. Outflows figures are in negative and inflows in positive. In the cell below with the figure 4,25,750, type out
=XIRR (B1:B4,A1:A4)*100
Hit enter. The cell will show 122.95%, the total return on investment.
Also used for: Calculating MF returns, especially SIP, or that for unit-linked insurance plans.
5. Post-Tax Return
My father wants a bank FD at 10 per cent return for five years. He pays income tax. What will be the returns?
The post-tax return has to be calculated here. The idea is to know the final returns on a fully taxable income. Interest income from the bank is taxed as per your tax slab.
Formula: ROI ? (ROI * TR)=Post-tax return
Type in: =10 ? (10 * 30.9%) and hit enter. You will get 6.91%
ROI: rate of interest; TR: tax rate (depends on tax slab)
Also used for: Calculating post-tax returns of national savings certificates, post-office time deposits, and Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme.
6. Pre-Tax Yield
My brother says that the investment in public provident fund (PPF), which gives 8 per cent, is the best. Isn't 8 per cent a low rate of return?
An investment's pre-tax yield tells us if its return is high or low. The return on PPF (8 per cent) is tax-free. Also, this has to compared with returns of a taxable income to estimate its worth. For someone paying a tax of 30.9 per cent, the pre-tax yield in PPF is 11.57 per cent. At present, there is no fixed, safe and assured-return option that has 11.57 per cent return and a post-tax return comparable to PPF's 8 per cent.
Formula: Pre-tax yield = ROI / (100-TR)*100
Type in: =8/(100-30.9)*100 and hit enter. You will get 11.57%. ROI: rate of interest, TR: tax rate, (depends on tax slab)
Also used for: Calculating the yield on an Employees' Provident Fund or any other tax-free instrument.
7. Inflation
My family's monthly expense is Rs 50,000. At an inflation rate of 5 per cent, how much will I need 20 years hence with the same expenses?
The required amount can be calculated using the standard future value formula. Inflation means that over a period of time, you need more money to fund the same expense.
Formula: Required amt.=Present amt. *(1+inflation) ^no. of years
Type in: =50000*(1+5% or .05)^20 and hit enter. You will get Rs 1,32,664 as the answer, which is the required amount.
Also used for: Calculating maturity value on an investment.
8. Purchasing Power
My family's monthly expense is Rs 50,000. At an inflation rate of 5 per cent, how much will be the purchasing value of that amount after 20 years?
Inflation increases the amount you need to spend to fetch the same article and in a way reduces the purchasing power of the rupee. Here, Rs 50,000 after 20 years at an inflation of 5 per cent will be able to buy goods worth Rs 18,844 only.
Formula: Reduced amt.= Present amt. / (1 + inflation) ^no. of yrs
Type in: =50000/(1+5%)^20 and hit enter. You will get Rs 18,844, which is the reduced amount
9. Real Rate of Return
My father wants to make a one-year bank FD at 9 per cent. On maturity, he says, the capital will be preserved and he would get assured return on it.
It is true that fixed deposit is safe and gives assured returns. However, after adjusting for inflation, the real rate of return can be negative.
Formula: Real rate of return=[(1+ROR)/(1+i)-1]*100
Type in: =((1+9%)/(1+11%)-1)*100 and hit enter. -1.8% is the real rate of return. ROR: Rate of return per annum; i: rate of inflation (11 per cent here).
10. Doubling, Tripling of Money
I can get 12 per cent return on my equity investments. In how many years can I double or even triple my money?
Formula: No. of years to double = 72/expected return
Type in: =72/12 and hit enter. You will get 6 years. For tripling, type in: =114/12 and hit enter. You will get 9.5 years. For quadrupling, type in: =144/12 and hit enter to get 12 years.
Even the same formula can be used differently to arrive at a certain result. Here are a few commonly used money management formulas. Use an excel sheet to do these.
1. Compound Interest
I want to take a loan of Rs 1 lakh to buy a used car. How much will the car cost me at an annual interest rate of 8 per cent for four years?
The compound interest formula can be used here to calculate the final cost, which would include the loan amount and the interest paid. The amount that is actually paid for Rs 1 lakh is Rs 1,36,048.90. The total amount of interest charged for borrowing Rs 1 lakh is Rs 36,048.90.
Formula: Future value = P(1 + R)^N
Type in: =100000(1+8%)^4 and hit enter. P: amount borrowed; R: rate of interest; N: time in years.
Also used for: Calculating the maturity value on lumpsum investment (bank fixed deposits and National Savings Certificate, for example) over a fixed period at a certain rate of interest.
2. Compound Annualised Growth Rate
I had invested Rs 1 lakh in a mutual fund five years back at an NAV of Rs 20. Now the NAV is Rs 70. How should I calculate my returns on an annual basis?
Compound annualised growth rate (CAGR) will be used here to calculate the growth over a period of time. The gain of Rs 50 over five years on the initial NAV of Rs 20 is a simple return of 250 per cent (50/20 * 100). However, it should not be construed as 50 per cent average return over five years.
Formula: CAGR = {[(M/I)^(1/N)] ? 1} * 100
Type in: =(((70/20)^(1/5))-1)*100 and hit enter. M: maturity value; I: initial value; N: time in years. CAGR here is 28.47%.
Also used for: Calculating the annualised returns on a lumpsum investment in shares.
3. Internal Rate of Return
I paid Rs 18,572 every year on a moneyback insurance policy bought 20 years back. Every fifth year, I received Rs 40,000 back and Rs 4.5 lakh on maturity. What was my rate of return?
The internal rate of return (IRR) has to be calculated here. It is the interest rate accrued on an investment that has outflows and inflows at the same regular periods.
In the excel page type Rs 18,572 as a negative figure (-18572), as it is an outflow, in the first cell. Paste the same figure till the twentieth cell.
Then, as every fifth year has an inflow of Rs 40,000, type in Rs 21,428 (40,000-18,572) in every fifth cell. In the twentieth cell, type in ?18572. In the twenty first cell, type in Rs 4,50,000, which is the maturity value of the policy.
Then click on the cell below it and type: = IRR(A1:A21) and hit enter.
5.28% will show in the cell. This is your internal rate of return.
Also used for: Calculating returns on insurance endowment policies.
4. XIRR
I bought 500 shares on 1 January 2007 at Rs 220, 100 shares on 10 January at Rs 185 and 50 shares at Rs 165 on 18 May 2008. On 21 June 2008, I sold off all the 650 shares at Rs 655. What is the return on my investment?
XIRR is used to determine the IRR when the outflows and inflows are at different periods. Calculation is similar to IRR's. Transaction date is mentioned on the left of the transaction.
In an excel sheet type out the data from the top most cell as shown here. Outflows figures are in negative and inflows in positive. In the cell below with the figure 4,25,750, type out
=XIRR (B1:B4,A1:A4)*100
Hit enter. The cell will show 122.95%, the total return on investment.
Also used for: Calculating MF returns, especially SIP, or that for unit-linked insurance plans.
5. Post-Tax Return
My father wants a bank FD at 10 per cent return for five years. He pays income tax. What will be the returns?
The post-tax return has to be calculated here. The idea is to know the final returns on a fully taxable income. Interest income from the bank is taxed as per your tax slab.
Formula: ROI ? (ROI * TR)=Post-tax return
Type in: =10 ? (10 * 30.9%) and hit enter. You will get 6.91%
ROI: rate of interest; TR: tax rate (depends on tax slab)
Also used for: Calculating post-tax returns of national savings certificates, post-office time deposits, and Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme.
6. Pre-Tax Yield
My brother says that the investment in public provident fund (PPF), which gives 8 per cent, is the best. Isn't 8 per cent a low rate of return?
An investment's pre-tax yield tells us if its return is high or low. The return on PPF (8 per cent) is tax-free. Also, this has to compared with returns of a taxable income to estimate its worth. For someone paying a tax of 30.9 per cent, the pre-tax yield in PPF is 11.57 per cent. At present, there is no fixed, safe and assured-return option that has 11.57 per cent return and a post-tax return comparable to PPF's 8 per cent.
Formula: Pre-tax yield = ROI / (100-TR)*100
Type in: =8/(100-30.9)*100 and hit enter. You will get 11.57%. ROI: rate of interest, TR: tax rate, (depends on tax slab)
Also used for: Calculating the yield on an Employees' Provident Fund or any other tax-free instrument.
7. Inflation
My family's monthly expense is Rs 50,000. At an inflation rate of 5 per cent, how much will I need 20 years hence with the same expenses?
The required amount can be calculated using the standard future value formula. Inflation means that over a period of time, you need more money to fund the same expense.
Formula: Required amt.=Present amt. *(1+inflation) ^no. of years
Type in: =50000*(1+5% or .05)^20 and hit enter. You will get Rs 1,32,664 as the answer, which is the required amount.
Also used for: Calculating maturity value on an investment.
8. Purchasing Power
My family's monthly expense is Rs 50,000. At an inflation rate of 5 per cent, how much will be the purchasing value of that amount after 20 years?
Inflation increases the amount you need to spend to fetch the same article and in a way reduces the purchasing power of the rupee. Here, Rs 50,000 after 20 years at an inflation of 5 per cent will be able to buy goods worth Rs 18,844 only.
Formula: Reduced amt.= Present amt. / (1 + inflation) ^no. of yrs
Type in: =50000/(1+5%)^20 and hit enter. You will get Rs 18,844, which is the reduced amount
9. Real Rate of Return
My father wants to make a one-year bank FD at 9 per cent. On maturity, he says, the capital will be preserved and he would get assured return on it.
It is true that fixed deposit is safe and gives assured returns. However, after adjusting for inflation, the real rate of return can be negative.
Formula: Real rate of return=[(1+ROR)/(1+i)-1]*100
Type in: =((1+9%)/(1+11%)-1)*100 and hit enter. -1.8% is the real rate of return. ROR: Rate of return per annum; i: rate of inflation (11 per cent here).
10. Doubling, Tripling of Money
I can get 12 per cent return on my equity investments. In how many years can I double or even triple my money?
Formula: No. of years to double = 72/expected return
Type in: =72/12 and hit enter. You will get 6 years. For tripling, type in: =114/12 and hit enter. You will get 9.5 years. For quadrupling, type in: =144/12 and hit enter to get 12 years.
Hogenakkal Falls - Water falls thru Graphite Rocks.
There was a 3 days off as 26th Jan 2009 was on Monday and I thought of utilizing this time to going out to Chikmagalur, kuuke subramanyam however due to unavailability of reservations in resorts and last minutes commitments I along with my friend and his family, have opted for one day trip to Hogenakkal Falls on Sunday the 25th so that we can relax on 26th.
my son playing with river water
On 25th Jan 2009, got up at 600 Hrs. Had morning tea, bath and finished other chores and were ready to leave at 7:45 AM. It was a pleasant morning with dense FOG with visibility upto 100 mtrs. We thought of leaving at 8:00 from my friends place on outer ring road however due to dense fog we decided to be late and leave by 8:30 AM.
I left my home(Kundalahalli – ITPL road near Kundalhalli Colony) at 8:00 in Hyjdai Accent car and reached my friends place on outer ring road next to Flextronics at 8:15 AM and left his place at 8:45 AM.
The idea was to reach Hogenakkal by 12.00 pm stay there upto 4.00 (as I was aware of waiting time for boating) and then start return journey.
As people told me about non-availability of food on route and at Hogenekkal we decided to pack food, cold drinks, snacks, sweets everything from home and taken plenty of water as well.
From Outer ring road we went straight to Silk Board Junction and taken left turn to Hosur road. Though fly over construction work is on till Electronic City yet we were lucky to pass the stretch in few minutes thanks to fog and early Sunday morning. Once you pass this stretch the road is a pleasant to drive with.
Within no time reached the Hosur. The scene at the entry to Tamilnadu is amazing as lots of taxis, cars, trucks were standing for permit check and orning tea and all. However there was no checking for private cars.
Crossed Hosur overbridge and then stopped for b/fast at around 10.00 am in Hotel A2B. Stopped for around ½ hour-45 minutes and again proceeded towards Krishnagiri. The three lane road is very good till Krishnagiri and we have driven our vehicles at the speed of 110 KMH. Paid the toll charges of Rs.38 for to and fro journey as I was returning in evening. Reached Dharampuri around 11.30 pm and left the highway to enter Dharampuri ( as I was not aware that we can avoid that turn and directly go to hogenekkal turn from highway) and taken right from first signal (Hogenkkal was 46 Km from here – you will never miss the sign board). It is a straight drive even tough you get many circles in between; you have to keep on going straight. We stopped in between to drink coconut water still covered the distance within 1 hour.
Before entering Hogenekkal one has to pay Rs. 30 entry charges by Block panchyat (Rs. 20 mentioned in Board) and Rs. 10 (for forest guard as a bribe) and then after reaching falls parking fee Rs. 20 and wasted our time in searching for parking space as it was our responsibility to find a space after paying money also. However we were lucky that one truck has left and we got the parking space in only 20 minutes.
Then we paid Rs. 5 each to use the toilets in TNTDC compound as local toilets were locked. Anyway please do not mind to pay this Rs. 5 as we got the place to have food later in a day.
Though we reached Hogenakkal falls at 12.30 pm but wasted so much of time in all this activities. I was amazed to see total Time taken 3.45 hours even including stop for b/fast, toll charges and all.
Now here start the real drama as it is clearly written on all the boards that Rs. 50 per person for boating and Rs. 50 for massage but no one likes to follow the rates.
myself at the top of waterfalls
The coracle person informed that he will charge Rs.600 for a full coracle as we were 5 adults and Rs. 50 (10 per head charges) for government tickets.
A bit about the boat (Coracle)
It is called coracle (’Parisal’ in local language). Perfectly circular in shape, coracle is made (woven together) of bamboo shoots/sticks. The base is some cloth or cover, topped by (actually bottomed by :) charcoal. Even though there are ancient references to coracles in other civilizations, I am told Parisal is a totally-Indian, indigenous product, whose shape and features have not changed over thousands of years! Also, a formal definition from the Glossary of Coracle Terms:
Parisal:- A bowl coracle formerly widespread along the rivers Cauverey, Bhavani and Coleroon of South India and the Tungabhadra and Krishna, so, its a very South Indian ‘device’, not to be seen anywhere in North India.
Our maid knows the tamil language and she tried her best to get the good rates. After enough of negotiation, she informed it will be Rs.500 for ride for 2 hour as there was a long waiting. We decided not to bargain much as it was really getting late and it was 1:45 PM, we said OK and started the ride.
We bought some wafers and cold drinks to carry along with us in boat. Boat person told me that we will get the same in river as well.
Once in boat, we had to pay 10/- Rs. per person to the government guy sitting at the base of the big tree (banyan, I think) as the tax/fee to cross the river. There it was: A government toll tax office at the roots of a tree! Anyhow, we crossed the river’s width and got off the boat. There are small pathways to walk and river Cauvery seems to be all around you. Just after alighting, we could hear the roar of the waterfalls and see the first one’s head.
During the starting of coracle ride, the person took us in his coracle to the other side of shore (it is like an island where lots of other people were also playing around in river. It’s a 15 mins ride in coracle) and asked to get down near watch tower and wait till he took his coracle to the main river.
After some photo sessions, we moved to the stairs leading to the next phase of boating. It was waiting for almost 20-25 minutes but it worth once you are in river surrounded by big rocks all around. At the bottom of the stairs, it looked very mystical! We got onto the coracle, and then began our ride into the heavy flow of the falls downstream. Once out of the corner from where be boarded the boat, and in the main river, the view was something which can not be describe really. Coracle took us to bit upstream so that we could see Falls from a bit up close. Once near to water falls,we decided not to go under the water fall as my kid was only 15 months old and my friend’s daughter was also not well and we also do not want to take risk with his weather.
The Hogenekkal falls are not a single waterfalls but a series of falls. There are so many waterfalls all over the place that it looks like the God decided to open her heart to the humanity. The whole scene is spread over a kilometer or so, with two sections, half-a-kilometer each, making maybe 110 degree angle to one another. The majority of waterfalls are on the first section and the second section is a canyon which forms the downstream of all the waterfalls.
Boating was a nice experience and continuing my ride, he informed about Karnataka side of water falls and Tamilnadu side of water fall.
Falls View from Watch Tower
On the other side of falls i..e once moving towards calm river we were actually in a gorge with famed Karnataka-granite rising high on both the side.
Later he showed us the Karnataka side of entry to Hogenekkal fall (it was pretty silent and not much of caos but we were not aware of this route. Boatman told us that it is via Mysore – I am not sure).
After all this travelling and since it is once in a while journey, usually people will come here and spend some where around 3~4 hours seeing around the place, enjoy playing in the water, drinking beer and massage.
Boatman showed us one restaurant near to shore of cauveri where one can good fish but we were vegetarians so avoided to stopover and asked him to skip this.
Another attraction was local kids showing their diving skills, for a fee. They can dive for you from a height of around 30 feet into the water and climb straight up back on the rocks in no time, all for mere Rs.10 from the spectator. There is competition within them and you may be offered a discount! A little downstream to the river is an wide plane where day trippers and picnic crowd spend most of their time, but you don’t really find a good shelter anywhere there. Men can attempt a massage offered by the local masseur but is best avoided.
boys waiting to jump
One ore attraction is a whole in Karnataka side rocks which was made by some movie shooting unit (other story is that it happens due to water force). People were going in to that whole and coming back.
Kids enjoyed very much seeing falls, ride in coracle (by keeping the hands in water and playing).
Kids having fun in boat- enjoying water
The heat was unbearable but it was not that bad once you are in water and that is the main reason lot many people want to take a dive in river and get wet under falls. After getting tired of boating and elephants were kicking tummy due to hunger we came back to island again. It was a trekking thru rocks from river to island and one has to careful while walking. Again a ride in coracle for around 15 mins and we were back where we boarded the coracle.
We paid the amount to the bat man and it was almost 4:00 PM.
We asked ladies and kids to go to the garden next to TNDS and me and my friend came back to our parking place to collect the food and drinks. We finsihed our lunch and started towards Parking at 4:40 PM
lunch inside hut
In this whole journey I lost my sunglasses and felt bad as I paid a handsome amount to buy those.
Back to travelogue, ladies have occupied one hut in garden to have our lunch which we had taken from Bangalore. By the time we finished and started again towards Bangalore it was 4:45 pm. Reached Dharampuri by 5:30 pm. Our target was to reach Hosur as early as possible because it’s a painful driving from Hosur to Bangalore because of traffic and construction work.
We reached the Krishnagiri toll gate by 6.30 pm and reached Hosur by 8.00 pm. In between we stopped one for petrol (my friend’s Wagon-R and for tea). At this time and on Sunday, I felt, the traffic on hosur road will not be too much and decided to take back the same route but traffic on Hosur road was impossible as everyone is driving in his own style and no lane discipline. Anyway reached silk board junction 8:00 PM and took the outer ring road to my place as my friend’s went to Total mall at Madivala for having his Dinner. We have to drop our maid so rush to home as fast was possible and parked my vehicle in my parking at 8:30 PM.
The water falls during August/September will be a scene to watch. Boat man showed us the water marks on the rocks. He also told us that boating is not allowed during monsoon if it rains. However during monsoon, the scenery and falls will be very good.
Date Travelled: 25-01-2009 (Sunday)Members in 2 Cars:Hyundai Accent - Me, Wife, one kid and maid
Wagon-R - my friend his wife and her daughter.Maps followed: Maps.mapmyindia.comTotal kms travelled : (To & Fro) : 395. Total Driving Time: 6-7 hours (to and fro)
Route taken: Home-Kundallahalli gate- Marathahalli – Outer rign road – Hosur road - Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharampuri-Hogenakkal and coming back was also in same route in reverse direction.
my son playing with river water
On 25th Jan 2009, got up at 600 Hrs. Had morning tea, bath and finished other chores and were ready to leave at 7:45 AM. It was a pleasant morning with dense FOG with visibility upto 100 mtrs. We thought of leaving at 8:00 from my friends place on outer ring road however due to dense fog we decided to be late and leave by 8:30 AM.
I left my home(Kundalahalli – ITPL road near Kundalhalli Colony) at 8:00 in Hyjdai Accent car and reached my friends place on outer ring road next to Flextronics at 8:15 AM and left his place at 8:45 AM.
The idea was to reach Hogenakkal by 12.00 pm stay there upto 4.00 (as I was aware of waiting time for boating) and then start return journey.
As people told me about non-availability of food on route and at Hogenekkal we decided to pack food, cold drinks, snacks, sweets everything from home and taken plenty of water as well.
From Outer ring road we went straight to Silk Board Junction and taken left turn to Hosur road. Though fly over construction work is on till Electronic City yet we were lucky to pass the stretch in few minutes thanks to fog and early Sunday morning. Once you pass this stretch the road is a pleasant to drive with.
Within no time reached the Hosur. The scene at the entry to Tamilnadu is amazing as lots of taxis, cars, trucks were standing for permit check and orning tea and all. However there was no checking for private cars.
Crossed Hosur overbridge and then stopped for b/fast at around 10.00 am in Hotel A2B. Stopped for around ½ hour-45 minutes and again proceeded towards Krishnagiri. The three lane road is very good till Krishnagiri and we have driven our vehicles at the speed of 110 KMH. Paid the toll charges of Rs.38 for to and fro journey as I was returning in evening. Reached Dharampuri around 11.30 pm and left the highway to enter Dharampuri ( as I was not aware that we can avoid that turn and directly go to hogenekkal turn from highway) and taken right from first signal (Hogenkkal was 46 Km from here – you will never miss the sign board). It is a straight drive even tough you get many circles in between; you have to keep on going straight. We stopped in between to drink coconut water still covered the distance within 1 hour.
Before entering Hogenekkal one has to pay Rs. 30 entry charges by Block panchyat (Rs. 20 mentioned in Board) and Rs. 10 (for forest guard as a bribe) and then after reaching falls parking fee Rs. 20 and wasted our time in searching for parking space as it was our responsibility to find a space after paying money also. However we were lucky that one truck has left and we got the parking space in only 20 minutes.
Then we paid Rs. 5 each to use the toilets in TNTDC compound as local toilets were locked. Anyway please do not mind to pay this Rs. 5 as we got the place to have food later in a day.
Though we reached Hogenakkal falls at 12.30 pm but wasted so much of time in all this activities. I was amazed to see total Time taken 3.45 hours even including stop for b/fast, toll charges and all.
Now here start the real drama as it is clearly written on all the boards that Rs. 50 per person for boating and Rs. 50 for massage but no one likes to follow the rates.
myself at the top of waterfalls
The coracle person informed that he will charge Rs.600 for a full coracle as we were 5 adults and Rs. 50 (10 per head charges) for government tickets.
A bit about the boat (Coracle)
It is called coracle (’Parisal’ in local language). Perfectly circular in shape, coracle is made (woven together) of bamboo shoots/sticks. The base is some cloth or cover, topped by (actually bottomed by :) charcoal. Even though there are ancient references to coracles in other civilizations, I am told Parisal is a totally-Indian, indigenous product, whose shape and features have not changed over thousands of years! Also, a formal definition from the Glossary of Coracle Terms:
Parisal:- A bowl coracle formerly widespread along the rivers Cauverey, Bhavani and Coleroon of South India and the Tungabhadra and Krishna, so, its a very South Indian ‘device’, not to be seen anywhere in North India.
Our maid knows the tamil language and she tried her best to get the good rates. After enough of negotiation, she informed it will be Rs.500 for ride for 2 hour as there was a long waiting. We decided not to bargain much as it was really getting late and it was 1:45 PM, we said OK and started the ride.
We bought some wafers and cold drinks to carry along with us in boat. Boat person told me that we will get the same in river as well.
Once in boat, we had to pay 10/- Rs. per person to the government guy sitting at the base of the big tree (banyan, I think) as the tax/fee to cross the river. There it was: A government toll tax office at the roots of a tree! Anyhow, we crossed the river’s width and got off the boat. There are small pathways to walk and river Cauvery seems to be all around you. Just after alighting, we could hear the roar of the waterfalls and see the first one’s head.
During the starting of coracle ride, the person took us in his coracle to the other side of shore (it is like an island where lots of other people were also playing around in river. It’s a 15 mins ride in coracle) and asked to get down near watch tower and wait till he took his coracle to the main river.
After some photo sessions, we moved to the stairs leading to the next phase of boating. It was waiting for almost 20-25 minutes but it worth once you are in river surrounded by big rocks all around. At the bottom of the stairs, it looked very mystical! We got onto the coracle, and then began our ride into the heavy flow of the falls downstream. Once out of the corner from where be boarded the boat, and in the main river, the view was something which can not be describe really. Coracle took us to bit upstream so that we could see Falls from a bit up close. Once near to water falls,we decided not to go under the water fall as my kid was only 15 months old and my friend’s daughter was also not well and we also do not want to take risk with his weather.
The Hogenekkal falls are not a single waterfalls but a series of falls. There are so many waterfalls all over the place that it looks like the God decided to open her heart to the humanity. The whole scene is spread over a kilometer or so, with two sections, half-a-kilometer each, making maybe 110 degree angle to one another. The majority of waterfalls are on the first section and the second section is a canyon which forms the downstream of all the waterfalls.
Boating was a nice experience and continuing my ride, he informed about Karnataka side of water falls and Tamilnadu side of water fall.
Falls View from Watch Tower
On the other side of falls i..e once moving towards calm river we were actually in a gorge with famed Karnataka-granite rising high on both the side.
Later he showed us the Karnataka side of entry to Hogenekkal fall (it was pretty silent and not much of caos but we were not aware of this route. Boatman told us that it is via Mysore – I am not sure).
After all this travelling and since it is once in a while journey, usually people will come here and spend some where around 3~4 hours seeing around the place, enjoy playing in the water, drinking beer and massage.
Boatman showed us one restaurant near to shore of cauveri where one can good fish but we were vegetarians so avoided to stopover and asked him to skip this.
Another attraction was local kids showing their diving skills, for a fee. They can dive for you from a height of around 30 feet into the water and climb straight up back on the rocks in no time, all for mere Rs.10 from the spectator. There is competition within them and you may be offered a discount! A little downstream to the river is an wide plane where day trippers and picnic crowd spend most of their time, but you don’t really find a good shelter anywhere there. Men can attempt a massage offered by the local masseur but is best avoided.
boys waiting to jump
One ore attraction is a whole in Karnataka side rocks which was made by some movie shooting unit (other story is that it happens due to water force). People were going in to that whole and coming back.
Kids enjoyed very much seeing falls, ride in coracle (by keeping the hands in water and playing).
Kids having fun in boat- enjoying water
The heat was unbearable but it was not that bad once you are in water and that is the main reason lot many people want to take a dive in river and get wet under falls. After getting tired of boating and elephants were kicking tummy due to hunger we came back to island again. It was a trekking thru rocks from river to island and one has to careful while walking. Again a ride in coracle for around 15 mins and we were back where we boarded the coracle.
We paid the amount to the bat man and it was almost 4:00 PM.
We asked ladies and kids to go to the garden next to TNDS and me and my friend came back to our parking place to collect the food and drinks. We finsihed our lunch and started towards Parking at 4:40 PM
lunch inside hut
In this whole journey I lost my sunglasses and felt bad as I paid a handsome amount to buy those.
Back to travelogue, ladies have occupied one hut in garden to have our lunch which we had taken from Bangalore. By the time we finished and started again towards Bangalore it was 4:45 pm. Reached Dharampuri by 5:30 pm. Our target was to reach Hosur as early as possible because it’s a painful driving from Hosur to Bangalore because of traffic and construction work.
We reached the Krishnagiri toll gate by 6.30 pm and reached Hosur by 8.00 pm. In between we stopped one for petrol (my friend’s Wagon-R and for tea). At this time and on Sunday, I felt, the traffic on hosur road will not be too much and decided to take back the same route but traffic on Hosur road was impossible as everyone is driving in his own style and no lane discipline. Anyway reached silk board junction 8:00 PM and took the outer ring road to my place as my friend’s went to Total mall at Madivala for having his Dinner. We have to drop our maid so rush to home as fast was possible and parked my vehicle in my parking at 8:30 PM.
The water falls during August/September will be a scene to watch. Boat man showed us the water marks on the rocks. He also told us that boating is not allowed during monsoon if it rains. However during monsoon, the scenery and falls will be very good.
Date Travelled: 25-01-2009 (Sunday)Members in 2 Cars:Hyundai Accent - Me, Wife, one kid and maid
Wagon-R - my friend his wife and her daughter.Maps followed: Maps.mapmyindia.comTotal kms travelled : (To & Fro) : 395. Total Driving Time: 6-7 hours (to and fro)
Route taken: Home-Kundallahalli gate- Marathahalli – Outer rign road – Hosur road - Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharampuri-Hogenakkal and coming back was also in same route in reverse direction.
“Nainital” - Glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace
“Nainital” is a glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace, blessed with scenic natural spledour and varied natural resources.
It was long awaited trip, almost for 2-3 years and finally this Holi Vacation I made it for a short trip to Nanaital and small temple Kainchi Dham situated in Bhuwali near Bhimtal.
We started our Journey from my hometown Bareilly in North western UP early in the morning as we wanted to be back by evening as Nanital is just 141 KM from my place.
Me, my wife, kid and my parents started at 7:30 and decided to have a breakfast on the way. My wife is from Rajasthan so she was enjoying the lush green outfields on the both sides of the road and my kid was sleeping as it is too early for him.
We reached Baheri a small town on the way (40 KM from Bareilly) by 8:15 and stopped at one road side shop(there were so many in a line) preparing fresh pakoras, jalebis and tea.
We had moong daal pakoras (famous in that area), Paneer bread pakora, garamagaram (hot) Jalebis bread butter and Tea. I was surprised to see that we had too much and bill was only Rs. 55. Now that is the advantage of small towns where you get everything fresh and at a lesser price than metros.
However we started our journey and crossed Pantnagar – town Famous for Agriculture university and now for TATA Nano and Lalkua famous for century paper mill and Katgodham – last railway station on the way to Nainital.
We reached Haldwani by 9:15 AM and stopped at one nice restaurant in market. My Father bought 5 KG black chick peas to donate in temple as this is the prasadam in that temple.
We guys entered into a restaurant to eat something. Though we all are tight but we had something as we will not get anything (except chips and cold drinks) near temple and also on the way to Nanital.
By the time my kid was full in mood and after finishing frooti had a good time with birds and parrots in a cage as one vendor was selling birds on the roads. We had poori-aloo, sandwich, and noodles there and started for the Nanital. Again the bill for only Rs. 101.
We reached the foothill in no time and after few minutes drive took a right turn to Bhimtal road.
Bhimtal Lake is one of the beautiful lake having a restaurant in between on a island. While driving alongside lake was reminding me off lockness in Scotland. We were amazed by the morning beauty and calmness surrounding the lake.
Well now the real fun started as we were now on hill drive and it is good to see valley from hill road. As this route has few hills to cross and it is not a uphill drive all the way.
My Kid had a terrible time as it was his first full fledged Hill journey and puked so many times. My mother and wife also had a tough time and my mother also puked once.
Changing Kavvy Cloths
My father was used to this route and also not a new journey for me so we were fine with this. However it is advisable not to have anything heavy or too much of drinks on hill drive.
Now I understand the meaning of dialogue in old movies that patient needs a change of atmosphere (hawa pani badalna). Bhuwali had a north India’s biggest TB hospital surrounding by trees so that a patient get natural environment.
Coming back to our journey, we stopped at Bhuwali on the road for ease and relax and started again towards Kainchi Dham.
Kainchi Dham is a small temple built by one learned Guru (sorry I forgot the name) and it is very famous in that area and have langars (Mass lunch) for lakhs of people during summer.
It was really a nice place having all the silence, cool breeze, water stream and nice black peas prasadam.No photography allowed inside the temple and also we have to switch off our mobiles (though there are no signals). We stayed in a temple for almost an hour and left that place at 11:00 after having one nice soda drink.
In front of the Temple
We reached Nainital by 11:30 and I must say nothing has changed in Nainital (I visited this place 10 years back) except few more shops and Hotels on the Mall road and few more houses and guest houses on the hills.
Dotted with lakes (Naini Lake, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, Khurpatal, Sattal, Ram-Seeta Tal), Nainital has earned the epithet of‘Lake District’ of India’. The most prominent of the lakes is Naini lake ringed by hills.
Nainital Lake
Nainital’s unending expense of scenic beauty is nothing short of a romance with awe-inspiring and pristine Mother Nature. Known for its salubrious climate and scenic beauty, the town is a popular health resort (TB Hospital in Bhuwali) and attracts tourists around the year.
Coming back to travelogue, we reached the flat area (see below for details) and parked our vehicle there and been to Naini Mandir (temple). It’s on the one shore of Naini Lake.
I was shocked to see that temple authorities didn’t allow my wife to feed my kid inside the premises though they had a huge area. However we shifted to near by Gurdwara along side flat as there was no restriction there. In the mean time my mother discovered a Homeopathic doctor inside the gurudwara and taken the medicine for vomiting for all and for kid too.
Anyway, after my kid finished his meal we explored the local market and bought few toys for him and been to boat ride.
We hired a boat for full lake ride and it costed me Rs. 120 (fixed by government) and even in the month of March it was very cold in a lake as cool breeze was hitting our faces and sneaking into the shirts.
Naini Lake is within a perimeter of nearly 2 miles. Girdled by lofty hills studded with attractive villas and cottages, it is the most frequented tourist visitation of the hill station.
Talking while boating - full Airtel Signals
Nainital is situated at a height of 1939 metres from sea level & is surrounded by some outstanding peaks and hills.
The town has the famous lake to which it owes its name. The surface of this lake has an elevation of 1.935 m above sea level. Maximum length & breadth being 1,434 m & 463 m.respectively.
A long walk along the Thandi Sadak along with Lake is another added attraction in Nainital. Nainital is one of the most charismatic hill stations that India harbors.
Beauty of Naini Lake and hills
The exquisiteness of this lake is doubly magnified during the night when its sparkling waters flirt with the numerous lights hanging on its edges.
The nucleus of Nainital’s exquisite beauty is beautiful lake. In the day, mirrored in its waters stand seven proud hills, dotted with pretty cottages and villas. This reflection alone holds one spell bound. More beautiful than this however is the lake at night when the myriads of bulbs from the hill sides and quite a large number hanging near the lake’s edge stab their magic light into its waters.
The exquisiteness of this lake is doubly magnified during the night when its sparkling waters flirt with the numerous lights hanging on its edges.
There are also opportunities for yachting, boating and paddling that makes it equally enticing during the day.
The depth of this lake is said to range between a maximum 28 metres and a minimum of 6 metres.
It took almost an hour to finish the boat ride and my kid lost his toys inside the lake. It is good to see that now government has installed a filter plant inside a lake which runs 24 hours and there are so concern about the lake’s cleanliness and beauty.
(I think Bangalore Government also learns something from it).
Some people say Nainital in Uttaranchal and Srinagar in Kashmir are comparable as both have lake and mountain scenery. The two towns are nevertheless different in morphological structure and setting. While Srinagar has urban core off the Dol lake, the Naini has the entire town around it. The town developed as the summer seat of the U.P. Govt. It contains the Government House and residences for legislators and officials. There are office buildings including the Secretariat (Presently High Court of Uttarakhand). Upto 1947, the State Government Secretariat functioned here from April to October each year. Thereafter upto 1962 the shifting was only for 2 months. After 1963 the summer exodus of the U.P. Government was stopped. However back to travelogue we left the boat and proceeded again towards the flat.The Flats are a vast level ground where visitors gather plainly in the evening. This place is a multi purpose place that has something to offer to everyone. There is a fountain, band stand, a statue of Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant and a sports ground that is used for sports and other cultural activities.Earlier ponies were also available in good number for joy rides and excursions but now they have been shifted to another location. Boats play in the lake for the visitors and a boat ride is extremely enjoyable.
The Secretariat building is now the High Court of Uttaranchal. The main centre of the town is the lake and its surrounding area. On one side of the lake are situated well furnished an stylish shops, hotels and residential buildings. Prominent are The New Club, The Boat House Club, Nainital Club, the Flats and Naina TempIe.
So many small shops selling toys, local and seasonal fruits like strawberries and other red, blue and black berries in a special cone shaped leaf.
We were hungry by now and luckily Flat has got few good chat counters cum restaurants and we had dosa, paratha and pao bhaaji there and left with a cup of coffee.
There was no time to go snow Peak and have fun in the ropeway. However started our journey back from Nainital at 6:00 PM and reached Bareilly with no stoppage in between at 9:00 PM.
Nainital factfileThe first recorded discovery of this now popular hill station of Nainital, was in 1841 when a British, Mr. Barron, chanced upon the lake. Moved by the scenic beauty of the lake and thickly forested hills, he constructed a house named Pilgrim’s Cottage. It was the first of many residences, which were to transform Nainital into a popular resort. By 1858, Nainital became a well-known hill station, and within a few years the summer seat of the provincial government.
According to local belief the origin of Nainital harks back to mythological times. Sati, Lord Shiva’s consort, committed suicide at the yajna of Daksha Prajapati. When Lord Shiva roamed across the universe carrying her dead body, Sati’s eye fell near the lake, where the Naina Devi temple now stands. The waters of the lake are therefore considered sacred and the Naina Devi temple is the venue of an autumnal fair. In ancient times, the lake was known as the Tri-rishi Sarovar, the lake of three rishis-Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha.
Prior to 1839, the valley was covered by thick forests and inhabited by hill tribesmen. A major landslide in 1880 led to the formation of the flats, the level ground by the lake. Nainital’s attractions range from quiet walks in meadows and forests of pine and deciduous trees, adventure sports as well as popular entertainment. This hill resort can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
Area : 11.7 Sq. km.Population : 30,951 (1991 census) Altitude : 1938 meters above sea levelSeason : March - June, mid September - OctoberClothing: Summer - Light Woollens; Winters - Heavy WoollensLanguage : Hindi, English & Kumaoni.Local Transport : Rickshaws, Dandies, Ropeway, Ponies, Taxis.STD Code : 05942
RailNearest railway station is at Kathgodam - 35 km, which is connected by metre guage to Agra, Bareilly and Lucknow. Some of the important train connections from Kathgodam are: Shatabadi Express, Howrah Express (3019/3020), Ranikhet Express (5013/5014), Rampur Passenger (1/2 R.K. Passenger and � R.K. Passenger), Nainital Express (5308/5307)
Nainital is 34 Km from Kathgodam, the gateway of Kumaon and the terminus of North Eastern Railway. It is 304 km from Delhi, capital of India, and 388 km from Lucknow. According to the District Gazetteer Nainital is situated at 29 degree 24′ north latitude and 79 degree 28′ east longitude, in a valley of the Gagar range running east and west, which is bounded on the north by the peak of China, which rises to a height of 8.568 feet, continued by the Alma peak (presently known as Snow-View) and the Sher-Ka-Danda to the eastern extremity, where the ridge descends almost to the level of the lake. On the west the rugged hill of Deopatha rises to a height of 7,987 feet, and on the south Ayarpatha attains an elevation of 7,461 feet diminishing gradually towards the east.
RoadNainital is connected by road to major centres of northern India, some of the major road distances are: Almora - 62 km. Agra - 379 km. Delhi - 277 km. Kausani - 117 km Ranikhet - 60 km. Corbett (Dhikala) - 128 km. Bareilly - 141 km.
Snow ViewSituated at 2270 meters this popular vantage point is accessible by rope way. It offers an excellent view of the northern Himalayan ranges.
Naina PeakAt 2611 meters this is the highest peak bordering the lake. A popular picnic spot which offers a panoramic view of the resort.
Dorothy’s SeatNamed in memory of an English woman who was killed in an air crash. This pleasant spot offers a partial view of Nainital.
Land’s EndSituated at 2,881 meters on the southern border of the lake, this hill affords a view of another lake, Khurpa Tal.
Hanuman GarhiA place of religious interest, also good for viewing the setting sun.
State ObservatoryLocated on the top of a ridge, the observatory is open to the public in the evening.
The MallNainital’s popular promenade offers a variety of entertainment
Kavvy having fun on the steps of Kainchi Dham
It was long awaited trip, almost for 2-3 years and finally this Holi Vacation I made it for a short trip to Nanaital and small temple Kainchi Dham situated in Bhuwali near Bhimtal.
We started our Journey from my hometown Bareilly in North western UP early in the morning as we wanted to be back by evening as Nanital is just 141 KM from my place.
Me, my wife, kid and my parents started at 7:30 and decided to have a breakfast on the way. My wife is from Rajasthan so she was enjoying the lush green outfields on the both sides of the road and my kid was sleeping as it is too early for him.
We reached Baheri a small town on the way (40 KM from Bareilly) by 8:15 and stopped at one road side shop(there were so many in a line) preparing fresh pakoras, jalebis and tea.
We had moong daal pakoras (famous in that area), Paneer bread pakora, garamagaram (hot) Jalebis bread butter and Tea. I was surprised to see that we had too much and bill was only Rs. 55. Now that is the advantage of small towns where you get everything fresh and at a lesser price than metros.
However we started our journey and crossed Pantnagar – town Famous for Agriculture university and now for TATA Nano and Lalkua famous for century paper mill and Katgodham – last railway station on the way to Nainital.
We reached Haldwani by 9:15 AM and stopped at one nice restaurant in market. My Father bought 5 KG black chick peas to donate in temple as this is the prasadam in that temple.
We guys entered into a restaurant to eat something. Though we all are tight but we had something as we will not get anything (except chips and cold drinks) near temple and also on the way to Nanital.
By the time my kid was full in mood and after finishing frooti had a good time with birds and parrots in a cage as one vendor was selling birds on the roads. We had poori-aloo, sandwich, and noodles there and started for the Nanital. Again the bill for only Rs. 101.
We reached the foothill in no time and after few minutes drive took a right turn to Bhimtal road.
Bhimtal Lake is one of the beautiful lake having a restaurant in between on a island. While driving alongside lake was reminding me off lockness in Scotland. We were amazed by the morning beauty and calmness surrounding the lake.
Well now the real fun started as we were now on hill drive and it is good to see valley from hill road. As this route has few hills to cross and it is not a uphill drive all the way.
My Kid had a terrible time as it was his first full fledged Hill journey and puked so many times. My mother and wife also had a tough time and my mother also puked once.
Changing Kavvy Cloths
My father was used to this route and also not a new journey for me so we were fine with this. However it is advisable not to have anything heavy or too much of drinks on hill drive.
Now I understand the meaning of dialogue in old movies that patient needs a change of atmosphere (hawa pani badalna). Bhuwali had a north India’s biggest TB hospital surrounding by trees so that a patient get natural environment.
Coming back to our journey, we stopped at Bhuwali on the road for ease and relax and started again towards Kainchi Dham.
Kainchi Dham is a small temple built by one learned Guru (sorry I forgot the name) and it is very famous in that area and have langars (Mass lunch) for lakhs of people during summer.
It was really a nice place having all the silence, cool breeze, water stream and nice black peas prasadam.No photography allowed inside the temple and also we have to switch off our mobiles (though there are no signals). We stayed in a temple for almost an hour and left that place at 11:00 after having one nice soda drink.
In front of the Temple
We reached Nainital by 11:30 and I must say nothing has changed in Nainital (I visited this place 10 years back) except few more shops and Hotels on the Mall road and few more houses and guest houses on the hills.
Dotted with lakes (Naini Lake, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, Khurpatal, Sattal, Ram-Seeta Tal), Nainital has earned the epithet of‘Lake District’ of India’. The most prominent of the lakes is Naini lake ringed by hills.
Nainital Lake
Nainital’s unending expense of scenic beauty is nothing short of a romance with awe-inspiring and pristine Mother Nature. Known for its salubrious climate and scenic beauty, the town is a popular health resort (TB Hospital in Bhuwali) and attracts tourists around the year.
Coming back to travelogue, we reached the flat area (see below for details) and parked our vehicle there and been to Naini Mandir (temple). It’s on the one shore of Naini Lake.
I was shocked to see that temple authorities didn’t allow my wife to feed my kid inside the premises though they had a huge area. However we shifted to near by Gurdwara along side flat as there was no restriction there. In the mean time my mother discovered a Homeopathic doctor inside the gurudwara and taken the medicine for vomiting for all and for kid too.
Anyway, after my kid finished his meal we explored the local market and bought few toys for him and been to boat ride.
We hired a boat for full lake ride and it costed me Rs. 120 (fixed by government) and even in the month of March it was very cold in a lake as cool breeze was hitting our faces and sneaking into the shirts.
Naini Lake is within a perimeter of nearly 2 miles. Girdled by lofty hills studded with attractive villas and cottages, it is the most frequented tourist visitation of the hill station.
Talking while boating - full Airtel Signals
Nainital is situated at a height of 1939 metres from sea level & is surrounded by some outstanding peaks and hills.
The town has the famous lake to which it owes its name. The surface of this lake has an elevation of 1.935 m above sea level. Maximum length & breadth being 1,434 m & 463 m.respectively.
A long walk along the Thandi Sadak along with Lake is another added attraction in Nainital. Nainital is one of the most charismatic hill stations that India harbors.
Beauty of Naini Lake and hills
The exquisiteness of this lake is doubly magnified during the night when its sparkling waters flirt with the numerous lights hanging on its edges.
The nucleus of Nainital’s exquisite beauty is beautiful lake. In the day, mirrored in its waters stand seven proud hills, dotted with pretty cottages and villas. This reflection alone holds one spell bound. More beautiful than this however is the lake at night when the myriads of bulbs from the hill sides and quite a large number hanging near the lake’s edge stab their magic light into its waters.
The exquisiteness of this lake is doubly magnified during the night when its sparkling waters flirt with the numerous lights hanging on its edges.
There are also opportunities for yachting, boating and paddling that makes it equally enticing during the day.
The depth of this lake is said to range between a maximum 28 metres and a minimum of 6 metres.
It took almost an hour to finish the boat ride and my kid lost his toys inside the lake. It is good to see that now government has installed a filter plant inside a lake which runs 24 hours and there are so concern about the lake’s cleanliness and beauty.
(I think Bangalore Government also learns something from it).
Some people say Nainital in Uttaranchal and Srinagar in Kashmir are comparable as both have lake and mountain scenery. The two towns are nevertheless different in morphological structure and setting. While Srinagar has urban core off the Dol lake, the Naini has the entire town around it. The town developed as the summer seat of the U.P. Govt. It contains the Government House and residences for legislators and officials. There are office buildings including the Secretariat (Presently High Court of Uttarakhand). Upto 1947, the State Government Secretariat functioned here from April to October each year. Thereafter upto 1962 the shifting was only for 2 months. After 1963 the summer exodus of the U.P. Government was stopped. However back to travelogue we left the boat and proceeded again towards the flat.The Flats are a vast level ground where visitors gather plainly in the evening. This place is a multi purpose place that has something to offer to everyone. There is a fountain, band stand, a statue of Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant and a sports ground that is used for sports and other cultural activities.Earlier ponies were also available in good number for joy rides and excursions but now they have been shifted to another location. Boats play in the lake for the visitors and a boat ride is extremely enjoyable.
The Secretariat building is now the High Court of Uttaranchal. The main centre of the town is the lake and its surrounding area. On one side of the lake are situated well furnished an stylish shops, hotels and residential buildings. Prominent are The New Club, The Boat House Club, Nainital Club, the Flats and Naina TempIe.
So many small shops selling toys, local and seasonal fruits like strawberries and other red, blue and black berries in a special cone shaped leaf.
We were hungry by now and luckily Flat has got few good chat counters cum restaurants and we had dosa, paratha and pao bhaaji there and left with a cup of coffee.
There was no time to go snow Peak and have fun in the ropeway. However started our journey back from Nainital at 6:00 PM and reached Bareilly with no stoppage in between at 9:00 PM.
Nainital factfileThe first recorded discovery of this now popular hill station of Nainital, was in 1841 when a British, Mr. Barron, chanced upon the lake. Moved by the scenic beauty of the lake and thickly forested hills, he constructed a house named Pilgrim’s Cottage. It was the first of many residences, which were to transform Nainital into a popular resort. By 1858, Nainital became a well-known hill station, and within a few years the summer seat of the provincial government.
According to local belief the origin of Nainital harks back to mythological times. Sati, Lord Shiva’s consort, committed suicide at the yajna of Daksha Prajapati. When Lord Shiva roamed across the universe carrying her dead body, Sati’s eye fell near the lake, where the Naina Devi temple now stands. The waters of the lake are therefore considered sacred and the Naina Devi temple is the venue of an autumnal fair. In ancient times, the lake was known as the Tri-rishi Sarovar, the lake of three rishis-Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha.
Prior to 1839, the valley was covered by thick forests and inhabited by hill tribesmen. A major landslide in 1880 led to the formation of the flats, the level ground by the lake. Nainital’s attractions range from quiet walks in meadows and forests of pine and deciduous trees, adventure sports as well as popular entertainment. This hill resort can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
Area : 11.7 Sq. km.Population : 30,951 (1991 census) Altitude : 1938 meters above sea levelSeason : March - June, mid September - OctoberClothing: Summer - Light Woollens; Winters - Heavy WoollensLanguage : Hindi, English & Kumaoni.Local Transport : Rickshaws, Dandies, Ropeway, Ponies, Taxis.STD Code : 05942
RailNearest railway station is at Kathgodam - 35 km, which is connected by metre guage to Agra, Bareilly and Lucknow. Some of the important train connections from Kathgodam are: Shatabadi Express, Howrah Express (3019/3020), Ranikhet Express (5013/5014), Rampur Passenger (1/2 R.K. Passenger and � R.K. Passenger), Nainital Express (5308/5307)
Nainital is 34 Km from Kathgodam, the gateway of Kumaon and the terminus of North Eastern Railway. It is 304 km from Delhi, capital of India, and 388 km from Lucknow. According to the District Gazetteer Nainital is situated at 29 degree 24′ north latitude and 79 degree 28′ east longitude, in a valley of the Gagar range running east and west, which is bounded on the north by the peak of China, which rises to a height of 8.568 feet, continued by the Alma peak (presently known as Snow-View) and the Sher-Ka-Danda to the eastern extremity, where the ridge descends almost to the level of the lake. On the west the rugged hill of Deopatha rises to a height of 7,987 feet, and on the south Ayarpatha attains an elevation of 7,461 feet diminishing gradually towards the east.
RoadNainital is connected by road to major centres of northern India, some of the major road distances are: Almora - 62 km. Agra - 379 km. Delhi - 277 km. Kausani - 117 km Ranikhet - 60 km. Corbett (Dhikala) - 128 km. Bareilly - 141 km.
Snow ViewSituated at 2270 meters this popular vantage point is accessible by rope way. It offers an excellent view of the northern Himalayan ranges.
Naina PeakAt 2611 meters this is the highest peak bordering the lake. A popular picnic spot which offers a panoramic view of the resort.
Dorothy’s SeatNamed in memory of an English woman who was killed in an air crash. This pleasant spot offers a partial view of Nainital.
Land’s EndSituated at 2,881 meters on the southern border of the lake, this hill affords a view of another lake, Khurpa Tal.
Hanuman GarhiA place of religious interest, also good for viewing the setting sun.
State ObservatoryLocated on the top of a ridge, the observatory is open to the public in the evening.
The MallNainital’s popular promenade offers a variety of entertainment
Kavvy having fun on the steps of Kainchi Dham
Kabini - Dine and Wine with Nature
I have heard a lot about series of wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka, I was slightly skeptical of the feasibility of going to them with a family, especially with few months old kid. This skepticism was given the usually dismal facilities and condition of anything that the country provides today in the garb of naturist vacations…
However, my company came up with an idea of offsite meeting at Kabini at Cicada resorts .Its a wonderful resort and the sunset and sunrise are your clocks here and the whistling of the wind or the water flowing by is music. The glory of nature is on full display.
To cut the long story short, I discovered that Kabini Cicada resorts, at the south of Nagarhole National Park, was one of the top 5 wildlife resorts in the world, voted by a prominent British travel guide.
We started at 7.30 AM in morning from our office in two buses and picked team members at various stops till Total Mall on Mysore road. We had all the possible fun during our bus journey.
However, my company came up with an idea of offsite meeting at Kabini at Cicada resorts .Its a wonderful resort and the sunset and sunrise are your clocks here and the whistling of the wind or the water flowing by is music. The glory of nature is on full display.
To cut the long story short, I discovered that Kabini Cicada resorts, at the south of Nagarhole National Park, was one of the top 5 wildlife resorts in the world, voted by a prominent British travel guide.
We started at 7.30 AM in morning from our office in two buses and picked team members at various stops till Total Mall on Mysore road. We had all the possible fun during our bus journey.
After driving for almost 2 hours (due to pick ups at various points) and crossing Ramnagram on the way we stopped at Kamath for breakfast. By the team we reached Kamath whole team was hungry as they starved from night for kamanth’s food and in my opinion it’s a must stop point to try out breakfast buffet at Kamath.
After having our breakfast removing all the dullness of getting up early and regaining some energy for the next 4 hour drive we started from Kamath
Driving about 5 hrs from Bangalore, and 1.5 hrs from Mysore, I was pleasantly surprised by the following:
1. The super smooth roads to the resort except for the last few stretches.
2. World class directional signs all throughout the journey, even in the remote wild.
3. The remoteness of the lodge and the genuineness of all claims in the website
4. The amount of wildlife we encountered even on the highway leading to the resort (Can you imagine there is a national highway right through the forest, with no streetlights, and elephant/tiger country on both sides)
When we reached the resort, we found that my cottage was the nearest to the river, and what a place it was! Neither words nor pictures can describe it. We strained to hear a sound other than natural ones. The silence was stunning, so were the views and the pristine surroundings. You will receive Airtel mobile signal but bit week.
A day at the Cicada river lodge includes everything. Yes everything! Bed tea, meals, safaris, entertainment, cruises… What more can you pack in a day?
I won’t go into the details of our schedule, because that would spoil the surprise.
However after finishing our lunch we went to cottage for some rest as we have to assemble in afternoon for Jungle Safari and the other group went for River safari.
Jungle Safari in evening
We saw the following in our safaris:
1. leapard waiting in the trees to pounce upon a herd of deer
2. hundreds of elephants - including a huge bull who decided not to like us and charged
3. crocs lazing on the river banks
4. massive gaur
5. ugly and dangerous wild dog chasing a bull gaur - In the royal years, killing and mounting a wild dog in ones drawing room was the ultimate proof of your hunting skills
6. Bear, deer and monkeys.
Apart from this, the scenery and greenery was breathtaking. The evenings were dreamlike, it drizzled and dawn was like a castle in the sky.
We came back and had some tea coffee. I must say cooks and staff at café are very generous and always ready to help you and provide you with the best of the food (something which are not in menu even).
After that we relaxed a bit and get ready for evening barbeque. We had a nice bonfire in evening and enjoyed dine and wine in natural environment with some barbeque and quality drinks.
Barbeque in Evening
After drinking and eating in barbeque there was hardly any place left for dinner but dinner was so mouthwatering that you cannot resist yourself and to surprise I had enough that evening. Food was outstanding with a combination of veg and non veg dishes. Dessert was quite good too.
After finish food I was not able to walk even till my cottage and took battery operated car to reach my Cottage. Some of the team members stayed there and enjoyed relaxing some enjoyed swimming in night till late. I opted for some nice sleep as all have to get up early morning for River Safari and another batch for Jungle Safari who been to river safari last evening.
River Safari in Morning
I would ask everyone to ensure that even though you would feel extremely lazy and want to just relaxed in Swimming pool , DO NOT MISS ANY OF THEIR ACTIVITIES, including the kayoing .
Relaxing poolside after lunch
The best season is March - May, but early June’s also perfect, as we discovered. However apart from rain one can visit there any time to enjoy nice hospitality in resort and to relax and enjoy nature with family and friends.
We started back late afternoon after having lunch and stopped at Café Coffee day while coming back and reached 10:00 PM to Bangalore (last drop).
Exhausted and tired
It was a nice experience and better than my Bheemeshwari Fishing Camp Journey as one has lot many things to do in Kabini resorts.
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