Mumbai Games: Ab Mumbai Khelega

This January, Mumbai organised the first Mumbai Games. People played, exercised and got together for immense fun in various sports grounds and complexes throughout the city. ‘Ab Mumbai Khelega’ seemed to be the latest slogan on everyone’s lips as they marched to the sports grounds with their Mumbai Games bibs on. An amazing concept to bring the community together and encourage sports and good lifestyle amongst Mumbaikars, the Mumbai Games were evidently a huge success and are expected to hit the city soon. If you are living in Mumbai too, do not miss this sports extravaganza this time.

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Gateway of India; two of Mumbai's most iconic landmarks

Rules of The Games

Organised on two consecutive weekends (5^th-6^th and 12^th-13^th January, this year) Mumbai Games are modelled after the Olympics. The registration is simple and open to kids as young as 10 years. The participants are divided into eight contingents from eight parts of the city like Down South Daredevils, Navi Mumbai 21sters and more. People are given their contingents on the basis of the address they register with. For example, if you want to play for your company in Worli, though you stay somewhere else, you just need to register with your office address. Along with individual scores, scores will also be given to your respective contingent on your victories. At the end, the contingent with maximum points will be declared the winner.

Mumbai Games are modelled after the Olympics and feature a variety of different sports

Games For All

With nine popular games organised at venues like Goregaon Sports Complex, Tennis Centre of Excellence and Andheri Sports complex, Mumbai Games 2013 attracted people from all spheres of life, across all age groups and with varied interests. While some relived their college days on the basketball court and football fields, others came to cheer for their kids at the tennis and squash courts. Those who did not want to burn calories enrolled in the chess competitions and put their grey cells to work. Around the carom boards and table tennis tables, people cheered and celebrated with every strike. The participants also enjoyed a dose of celebrity status when they found their photos, while playing, on the Facebook Page of Mumbai Games. After the end of four days, some took back medals and prizes, while others found new company for tennis and squash. In fact, everyone agreed that they went back with a feeling of a weekend spent well!

From Vashi to Goregaon, from Andheri to Dadar, every Mumbaikar will be coloured in the spirit of sports yet again. I would say break free from your routines and go win some games. But then the organisers would say “haarna allowed hai”! So this time, get up, put on your sports shoes on and go play!

Mumbai is always abuzz with some fun-filled event or the other. Here, read about Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, the potpourri of culture and contemporary arts.

An interesting installation at the Kala Ghoda Festival in Mumbai | Photo Credit: Rudolph.A.furtado / Wikimedia

Also, some Unspoken & Unwritten Rules of Mumbai that many Mumbaikars can relate to.

MakeMyTrip offers several holiday packages, cheap flight tickets and Hotels Unlimited in Mumbai. 

Can I experience altitude sickness in Bhutan?

Nestled on the edge of a precariously high cliff, the iconic Taktsang Goemba (monastery) is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan

When travelling to high altitude destinations, altitude sickness is almost always a common concern. Having said that, travelers to Bhutan have nothing to fear since most valleys are under 2500 metres and majority of the tourist spots lie below 3000 metres. The maximum elevation one can reach by road is 3800 metres, a one and a half hour drive from Paro town, and is popularly known as Che le la Pass. The only time when you can experience altitude sickness is when you are trekking. Unlike Ladakh, where it takes a much longer time to get acclimatized, Bhutan is like any other hill station in India, with 70% forest area and breathtaking landscape, especially the rice fields and rivers flowing in every town. However, as a word of advice avoid trekking and climbing on the first day and carry medication as a precaution. 

By Nishant Jain

Discovering India & The World: Mahabalipuram

Just 60 kilometres from Chennai, Mahabalipuram does full justice to its UNESCO World Heritage site title courtesy the magnificent line of ancient stone carvings that both impress and intrigue. With its historical monuments, architectural stories, mysterious caves, cycling tours, beach side shopping, ayurveda massages and delicious seafood, the place packs in the punch of a great holiday destination.

One Rock Wonders

Intriguing monuments in rock

Mahabalipuram is known for its monolithic rock structures - monuments and temples - each carved out of one rock! Legend is that artisans would sit on top of a rock and carve out a temple from top to bottom unlike the conventional practice where the top is built at the end. Arjuna’s Penance, Mahishasurmardini Cave temple, Adhivarha Cave Temple, Tiger’s Cave, Pancha Ratha and the Shore temple are some of the famous monuments that should not be missed. Every one of these comes with an awe-inspiring tale that adds to the experience of being there. However, the Shore temple stands out with its brilliant Pallava architecture and masterful carvings, although most of it has gradually eroded away. 

Legend of the Shore Temple

The magnificent Shore templeDating back to the 7^th century, the Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram is the oldest rock-cut wonder to reckon with. Making it even more unique is the fact that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu reside here together. In fact, it is the only temple in India where Lord Vishnu is found reclining on the floor enjoying the sea waves. All other temples have Lord Vishnu in a standing position. 

The layout of the temple is patterned after the perfect cosmic body. It was believed that Shore temple is one of the seven temples that were built along the coastline but it was just a story until 2004 Tsunami unearthed remanants of sister structures that are now being dug up by archaeologists. 

A huge rock wall protects the Shore Temple from further erosion. Don’t miss the temple in the evenings when floodlights bring back its grandeur full force! 

Travel Tip

With every January comes the month long Mammallapuram Dance Festival set against the enchanting backdrop of the monuments here. Be there to experience an enthralling journey in to history, architecture and culture.

By Gitanjali Banerjee

Conference on Chromosomal Genetics and Evolution and More in Bangkok

Bangkok, the glitzy city in the heart of Thailand has for long enjoyed immense tourist attraction from all over the world. Be it street shopping in Chinatown or finding the perfect international label at the flamboyant malls; coming face to face with nature or enjoying a die-hard party at a bar, Bangkok has never disappointed. Even in the business sphere, Bangkok is giving cut throat competition to other Southeast Asian cities like Macau and Singapore.

The dazzling city of Bangkok

The Conference

This December, Bangkok plays host to scholars and researchers from all over the world who come to attend the extremely informative and important International Conference on Chromosomal Genetics and Evolution. An unparalleled platform for researchers, scientists and scholars to discuss the latest findings of the researches and to dwell over the challenges in the sector, the conference will organise paper presentations, posters, short courses and other informative competitions during the two days of the event, which are 24^th and 25^th December, 2013. Some of the important issues of discussion will be speciation mechanism, computational genetics, chromatin dynamics and plant breeding. This conference is an excellent opportunity for biotechnology students and those in the field of genetics to be a part of the latest discussions in this field and to also share their own work.

The Conference is an excellent platform for scientists to discuss the latest in the field of Chromosomal Genetics

The Venue

The venue of the conference is the splendid, Amari Watergate, Bangkok. Furnished with state-of-the-art style, decor and facilities, this hotel is where the crème de la crème of the society stay. The hotel is centrally located, with the famous Siam Square just five minutes away. The airport is around 40 kilometres from the hotel. With lavish dining options, pool side bars, a multitude of recreational activities, the hotel offers a luxury stay, in one of the most luxurious cities of the world. Make your bookings at this marvellous hotel with MakeMyTrip well in advance. If you are in no mood for splurging on accommodation, do not fret. Bangkok has no dearth of comfortable hotels for every budget type and with MakeMyTrip, the choices are simply unlimited!

Exploring Thailand

After two days at the conference, do take out time to unwind in and explore Thailand. Start off your Bangkok holiday and begin with sightseeing and explore both the enchanting ancient Buddhist temples and the crowning, sleek skyscrapers. Also club your holiday with other tourist cities like Pattaya and Phuket and lose yourself to the marvels of nature. As the sun sets, get ready for unlimited partying at the several bars and even beaches. Food? Satiate your longing for sea food in Thailand, one of the leading exporters of quality sea food in the world.

Ancient temples and skyscrapers; Bangkok is where heritage meets modernity

Go as an attendee to the International Conference on Chromosomal Genetics and Evolution and come back rested, rejuvenated and with happy Memories Unlimited of Bangkok. 

Hemis Festival: Yet another Reason to Visit Ladakh

Ladakh, with its windswept beauty and incredible vistas, is in itself a “must see” destination for the traveler with even an iota, or more, of the love of nature and its wonders. And there couldn’t be a better time than the month of June to visit Ladakh. Why? Because June is the month with pleasant weather and long days, perfect for sightseeing and exploring this mystical land.

The breathtaking scenic beauty of Ladakh leaves visitors awestruck

And there’s more. The fascinating Hemis Festival in Ladakh also takes place in the month of June and it is held at the largest monastery of Ladakh, the Hemis Gompa, which houses around 500 monks. The Gompa, 45 kilometers from Leh, will celebrate the festival of Hemis on June 18 and 19 this year.

The Gompa

Established in the 11^th century A.D. or perhaps even earlier, the Hemis Gompa is a major site on tourist itineraries. Adhering to the Vajrayana sect of Buddhism, its tantric practices derive from the tantric Yogi Tillopa of that era. His pupil Naropa became the founding father of the Kagyu line of Buddhism of which Hemis is the main seat. Over the centuries, the Hemis Gompa was the target of successive purges from Muslim attackers from its West, including when Ali Meer of Baltistan actually annexed Ladakh.

The iconic Hemis Gompa, a must-visit when in Ladakh

Its resurgence is due to the retaking of Ladakh in the 1600s by the monarch Singge Namgyal – the founder of Leh. Although Ladakh was again annexed, this time by the Dogras, this period was one of relative religious harmony. Hemis has one of the best collections of artifacts and Thangkas (tantric religious paintings) anywhere in the world and each Thangka is a book in itself, containing wisdom, religious belief and fabulous legends. For the interested, the monks will help with explanation. 

The Festival

This Festival of Hemis is in honour of the sage, Padmasambhava; or Guru Rimpoche as he is known, Rimpoches being reincarnations of Lord Buddha. Believed to have been born on the tenth day of the fifth month of the year of the monkey, he dedicated his life towards the betterment of the spiritual condition of all living beings. This festival basically celebrates his birthday.

Dancers perform at the Gompa during the Hemis festival

It would be best to reach the Gompa by dawn, when ceremonies begin and the Thangka of Rimpoche Dadmokarpo is displayed in all its glory to the beat of drums, clash of cymbals and blowing of the long-horns. This is followed by masked dances in the spacious square in the Gompa precincts, by dancers known as Chhaams (dragon dances included) depicting legends and the triumph of good over evil, and other rituals. There are recitals of traditional music also.

How to Get There

Hemis Monastery is located in the town of Hemis which is about 45 kilometres away from Leh. You can take a flight to Leh and then hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Hemis. Buses and taxis are easily available from Leh to Hemis and run frequently.

So be a part of this enchanting festival and witness the intriguing culture and beauty of Ladakh. Plan your trip today and book flights and hotels only on MakeMyTrip.com. Julay!