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Among the colorful flowers blooming in the nature of Bengal, Krishnachura, Radhachura and Kanakchura are particularly notable. Many people confuse them with each other without understanding their differences. In particular, confusion is more common between Krishnachura and Radhachura. Many people think that Krishnachura flowers are only red, and Radhachura flowers are yellow. Some also mistake Kanakchura for Radhachura. But in reality, these three trees and their flowers are completely different from each other. The black cherry is one of the most beautiful flowering trees in the world, especially in warm regions. It is a woody plant and grows quite large. In summer, the tree is covered with red, orange or yellow flowers like flames of fire. The flowers of the black cherry bloom in clusters and the size of the flowers is quite large. Its branches are wide and provide a wide shade. This tree is planted on city roads, parks and school grounds to enhance its beauty. Radhachura is also c...

In the Himalayan mountains of Uttarakhand in India, the Chardham Yatra is a pilgrimage that leads to the sources of the Ganges and its tributaries. The itinerary brings together four sacred temples of Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamounotri, and Kedarnath. This trip offers to immerse completely in the universe of Shiva and other Parvati, in the shadow of the giant pillars of peaks bordering 7000 meters. The Kedarnath Peak culminates in 6968 meters, the Sumeru Parbat at 6350 meters, and the Bharte Kunta at 6578 meters. If the origins of Char Dham seem obscure, this pilgrimage to the gates of heaven is usually between April and October. Day 1 The adventure begins in Gaurikund. We arrive here the night before, after driving a full day on more or less pleasant roads. From the Himalayan village of Gaurikund, begins the slow ascent of 17 km at 14000 meters of elevation to reach the 3,600 meters of altitude of Kedarnath. As soon as I leave Gaurikund, along the meandering path, I find a motley army of...

I have a trying month in Delhi with the onset of the monsoon and all that it comes with is humidity, thunderstorms, and suffocating heat. I needed a place in the wild to get away from all the ubiquitous cacophony of Delhi. One of my friends told me about Nainital, a hilltop town at Uttarakhand in north India, surrounded by nature in a beautiful site around a volcanic lake. I did not think for more than a second. Nainital is a small lakeside resort at 1938 m, very popular with tourists from Delhi, Bombay or Calcutta. Day 1 5 o'clock in the morning. I wake up impatient and tense at the same time thinking about the day ahead. Here I am on the road accompanied by two acolytes in this mysterious adventure that awaits me. I have always loved traveling light and I do not mind getting dirty once on the road. So I take only a small backpack. It will take us about 7 hours to reach Nainital with of course stops on the road to nibble some cookies and stretch our legs. At this early hour, traff...

The monsoon appeared but luckily it ended at dawn. However, we had it also in the room, because when showering the shower hose fell down and water began to come out as it was a source directly from the pipe. We called at reception and all the boys were soaked. Thank goodness we took it with humor and we managed to plug it all together until the plumber arrived. In the end they changed our room and we left the hotel quite late. But we were going to keep on getting wet. The streets of Thamel are not paved. They are sandy and when it rains a mud is formed. In this case, it was directly a swamp, because there is no sewage system and the water entered to the stores of the basement of our building. When we reached the street, to the amazement of everyone who waited in all the places on the street to get out, we started to walk with water on our knees. At first I was evaluating some other possible route, but when I did not find it, I rolled up my pants and followed, with applause from the who...

Bhang has become synonymous with Indian festivals. So much so that bhang based preparations have become an essential ingredient of Indian festivities as important as Holi Festival. In Holi, the festival of color, drinks and food is impregnated with bhang. The thandai, the pakoras and the vadas, all hide that secret and sacred ingredient that helps to intensify the festive spirit of Holi. Bhang is a preparation made from leaves and chalices of cannabis plants. It can be smoked, ingested, chewed or prepared in infusions. Its intake causes a slight feeling of euphoria. The history of this plant is closely linked to the history of mankind. Over the years, their shoots have been cultivated for medicinal purposes, their stems used to make fibers and their seeds to make food. In India the bhang is associated with Shiva and plays an important role in religious life as a sacred intoxicant. In the ancient text Atharvaveda, bhang is described as a beneficial herb that liberates anxiety. ...

Since 2001, the second largest city of the subcontinent has been renamed Kolkata, but the evocative spirit, the charm and the tragic memories of the recent past remain inextricably linked to Calcutta, capital of the British Raj until 1911 and today considered the cultural capital of the country. This is a city that is home to Asia's first and oldest luxury hotel – built in 1840 as the Auckland Hotel and now known as The LaLit Great Eastern, and the first metro (built in the 1980's more than 20 years before the rest of India caught on) and only tram in India. Kolkata is not really a easy city to visit, and its not a city where you can nip around taking in the sights and feel like you have done it in a day. There are a few iconic sights, like the colonial grandeur of the Victoria Memorial and the Howrah Bridge one of the world's busiest and largest cantilever bridges, but I was told Kolkata is more a city that you feel. The aftermath of the cyclone that had hit the souther...

The Flame of the Forest is often associated with passion and strength due to its intense red color, reminiscent of burning flames. In many cultures, red flowers are powerful symbols of energy, courage, and determination. This meaning is especially relevant in the context of festivals and celebrations where this flower is commonly used. The natural beauty of the Flame of the Forest makes it a perfect representation of the splendor of nature. Its bright and vibrant flowers attract not only insects, but also humans who seek to surround themselves with this fiery beauty. The flower is often used in floral arrangements to bring an elegant and passionate touch. The leaves fall in early winter to make way for flowering. This not very large, twisted tree is completely bare at the beginning of the dry season, but from February it is covered with splendid orange flowers and then bears its English name of "flame of the forest". In India, where its Sanskrit name is palâça, Palash o...