Way back 2018, my very first international travel experience was to one of the most remote places in India, Uttarakhand. Known for its numerous Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites, it is often referred to as the "Land of Gods." Uttarakhand is a state in Northern India that is neighboring Nepal on its east side. From there, I could already see the Himalayas.
I went there not solely for travel but as a personal milestone. In the process, I had the chance to witness the richness of Uttarakhand's culture. It is so well-preserved that it felt like I had traveled back in time.
Tuk-tuk Ride
As it was my first time in India, it was also my first time riding a tuk-tuk. I had always heard about the traffic and crazy roads in India before I came here. Riding a tuk-tuk didn’t feel too scary for me, as we have a similar vehicle in the Philippines called a trike or tricycle, but it is designed with a sidecar for passengers. The level of experience felt the same.
I was more amazed by the traffic: everyone on the roads was constantly honking, making it incredibly noisy, while drivers swerved randomly. What's more amazing is that I never saw a single accident.
Paltan Bazaar
An Indian friend of mine brought me in Paltan Bazaar. It is one of the biggest bazaar in Derahdun if I am not mistaken. I was full of excitement when we arrived the entrance of the bazaar. The place is bustling with people who are there to shop and also sell.
Here I found a whole street of stores selling clothes, both traditional and and formalclike western style Tuxedo and it is very cheap for a good quality.
I bought two kurtas to bring home, one for myself and one as a gift for my friend in the Philippines.
I also got myself a henna tattoo here, finding it interesting that they use natural ink from leaves.
As I roamed around the bazaar, I found it annoying that kids begging for money wouldn't stop following me. As soon as they saw a foreigner, they kept asking for money, and even if you gave them some, they wouldn't stop and would ask for more.
Mussoorie
Mussorie is a hill station famous for scenic beauty of mountain ranges around it. To its northeast, I have had a glimpse of the mountain range of Himalayas infront of me.
Going to the viewpoint of Himalayas, I had to ride an old fashioned ropeway.
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It was just a fun 5 minutes ride wher I got to ride with locals and just smile to each other as I don't really understand their language.
Reaching the top station, the viewpoint reveals the Himalayan snow ranges. I know it looks so far in the picture above but it is incredible to see in person. They also told me that, the mountain ranges infront of us is alreadt the foothills of the Himalayas.
Whats more fun? A toilet on top of the mountain with a view of Himalayas!
As I don't know if this will be the last time I will be here, I took the opportunity to haggle some souvenirs to bring home and display in my house.
Temples and Stupas
During my stay in India, I visited countless temples and stupas. Mostly are with different God and style. The picture above and below for example, is a temple of The Snake God (Naag Devtaa)
Here is another stupa that I visited; it is huge and packed with visitors. Even though I can hardly understand the values of these religions for the locals, I adore their faithfulness to their religion and gods.
Political History
During my stay, I was also introduced to some of the political history of India, with Mahatma Gandhi being at the forefront. Gandhi was an Indian independence activist and leader who played a key role in the peaceful resistance movement against British colonial rule.
He was also a prolific writer and thinker, writing extensively on topics such as nonviolence, civil disobedience, and social justice.
Research Institutes
On my last day in India, I visited the Forest Research Institute. Here I've seen a vast number of displays about forestry.
Final Thoughts
There, I experienced some of the deepest aspects of Indian culture. I visited temples, stupas, research institutes, and some of their busiest markets.
The moment I departed India to return to my country, my experience in Dehradun - Uttarakhand made me realize that traveling isn't just about being a 'tourist'—someone who tastes the food, visits tourist spots, and engages in leisure activities.
To me, it was more about engaging with the people, and diving into their culture, history, and traditions.
Edit: Before I visited India, I was told that "If you have not visited India in your lifetime, you are not yet a citizen of the world." I wondered why, but it all made sense after I experienced it myself.
I hope you took away some beautiful memories from here. Next time, plan to visit North East India, that place will mesmerize you. :)
Sending Love and Ecency Vote!
Yes! I took unforgettable and amazing memories with me during my travel in India. Thanks for suggestion, I will put it in my list 😁
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