"Dad, it is hot," my son complains, and before I can give an excuse, his eyes are glued to his phone. My wife's idea of convincing me to take him along on this trip to the Sikkim Literature Festival seems like a daunting task now. How do I keep a restless teenager engaged in this land's rich history and heritage?
I Googled the route map and groaned as we went to the taxi stand. It is nearly an eighthour journey. I don't want to break the news to the grumpy teenager. Bagdogra is like most Indian towns, but the terrain changes as we leave its borders. The national park en route is lush and verdant, promising encounters with elephants and leopards. I suggest stopping, but Abhinav is not interested.
Slowly, the terrain starts changing. The familiar tropical trees give way to pines as the car climbs higher. Suddenly, my gaze shifts to a river flowing parallel to the road, its waters a striking cobalt blue. I nudge Abhinav, who is now engrossed in taking in the sights, his phone momentarily forgotten.
We watch in awe as the river meanders through the landscape, its colour contrasting with the verdant hills. The rivers my son has seen are either the polluted Yamuna or the placid green rivers of Kerala. This one is another beast. It surges in rapids and has a surreal colour.
As we reach Peiling, we can see the snowclad peaks. We stop for the mandatory chai and Maggi—a staple of travel in the Himalayas—before we continue our journey. A few kilometres later, the majestic Kanchenjunga Waterfall comes into view. Abhinav gasps, his phone now abandoned in his lap. The waterfall cascades down from a great height, its roar echoing through the valley. We stop for a while.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Can The Himalayas Outlast Tourism?
Love The Himalayas, But Worried About Its Future? Hear From Three Experts On The Future Of The Region And How It Can Be Protected
EATING MINDFULLY
SUNITA NARAIN FROM THE CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT DISCUSSES HER NEW BOOK WHICH COMBINES THE JOYS OF EATING WITH CARE FOR THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE WHO TILL THEM
The Jewels Of Costa Rica
A Long-time Birdwatcher Describes His Travels To The Lush Rainforests Of Costa Rica
WINGED WONDERS
The story of migrating birds is the story of a promise to return, flying thousands of miles beset with dangers.
THE LOOMINARIES
THE ROLE OF THE GREAT REVIVALISTS WHO GAVE INDIA'S TEXTILES A NEW LEASE ON LIFE CANNOT BE STATED ENOUGH. WE TRACE THEIR CELEBRATED LEGACY
KEEPERS OF THE CRAFT
FROM REVIVING TRADITIONAL WEAVES TO CONTEMPORISING THEM WITH MODERN SILHOUETTES, THESE DESIGNERS ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE LOOM TURNING WITH A FRESH TAKE ON HERITAGE TEXTILES
SONGS OF THE SOIL
WITH INDIGENOUS TEXTILES FACING THE WRATH OF FAST FASHION AND CLIMATE CHANGE, INDIAN DESIGNERS ARE RALLYING TO REVIVE AND PRESERVE THESE PRECIOUS WEAVES
CRAFT CRUSADER
THROUGH HER TEXTILE EXPLORATIONS ACROSS INDIA, DR PRITHA DASMAHAPATRA HAS BEEN PRESERVING ANCIENT CRAFTS, EMPOWERING ARTISANS, AND INSPIRING TRAVELLERS TO DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF HYPERLOCAL EXPERIENCES
ON THE GRID
THE VIBRANT MADRAS CHECKS, NATIVE TO SOUTHEASTERN INDIA, HAS NOT JUST TRANSCENDED BORDERS BUT ALSO TRADITIONS AND STYLES
GOLDEN SILK
THE PROPERTIES THAT MAKE MUGA SILK UNIQUE COULD SEE IT BEING USED IN THE BIOFUELS AND MEDICINES OF THE FUTURE