World Heritage Sites - Chola Temple - Brhadisvara

Great Living Chola Temples

[Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur; Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram;
and Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram]

The celebrated Saiva temple at Thanjavur, appropriately called Brihadisvara and Daksinameru, is the grandest creation of the Chola emperor Rajaraja (AD 985-1012). It was inaugurated by the king himself in his 19th regnal year (AD 1009-10) and named it after himself as Rajesvara Peruvudaiyar. Architecturally, it is the most ambitious structural temple built of granite. It has been regarded as a ‘landmark in the evolution of building art in south India’ and its vimana as a ‘touchstone of Indian architecture as a whole’. The temple is within a spacious inner prakara of 240.9 m long (east-west) and 122 m broad (north-south), with a gopura at the east and three other ordinary torana entrances one at each lateral sides and the third at rear. The prakara is surrounded by a double-storeyed malika with parivaralayas. The temple with its massive proportions and simplicity of design provided inspiration for future designs in constructions not only in south India but also in south-east Asia.

The sikhara, a cupolic dome, is octagonal and rests on a single block of granite, a square of 7.8 m weighing 80 tons. The majestic upapitha and adhishthana are common to all the axially placed entities like the ardha-maha and mukha-mandapas and linked to the main sanctum but approached through a north-south transept across the ardha-mandapa which is marked by lofty sopanas. The moulded plinth is extensively engraved with inscriptions by its royal builder who refers to his many endowments, pious acts and organisational events connected to the temple. The brihad-linga within the sanctum is 8.7 m high. Life-size iconographic representations on the wall niches and inner passages include Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Bhikshatana, Virabhadra, Kalantaka, Natesa, Ardhanarisvara and Alingana forms of Siva. The mural paintings on the walls of the lower ambulatory inside are finest examples of Chola and later periods which depict the contemporaneous scenes with legendary ones.

Sarfoji, a local Maratha ruler, rebuilt the Ganapati shrine. The celebrated Thanjavur School of paintings of the Nayakas is largely superimposed over the Chola murals. The temple is rich in iconography as well as inscriptions which provide an account of events showing achievements, financial arrangements, donations and bearing an impression of contemporary society.

Two great Chola Temples of the 11th and 12th centuries have been added to the 11th century Brihadisvara temple of Thanjavur, inscribed in 1987. The Great Living Chola Temples were built by kings of the Chola Empire, which stretched over all of South India and the neighbouring islands. The site now includes the three great 11th and 12th century Chola Temples: the Brihadisvara temple of Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikondacholapuram and the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram.

The Temple of Gangaikondacholapuram, built by Rajendra I, was completed in 1035. Its 53-m vimana (sanctum tower) has recessed corners and a graceful upward curving movement, contrasting with the straight and severe tower at Thanjavur. It has six pairs of massive, monolithic dvarapalas statues guarding the entrances and bronzes of remarkable beauty inside. The Airavatesvara temple complex at Darasuram, built by Rajaraja II, features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of Shiva. The temples testify to the Cholas brilliant achievements in architecture, sculpture, painting, and bronze casting.

Brihadisvara temple, Gangaikondacholapuram, Dist. Perambalur

Rajendra I (AD 1012-1044), the illustrious son of the great Chola king Rajaraja I (AD 985-1014) chose this location to build a new a great capital city for the Chola Empire most probably during the first quarter of 11th century in order to commemorate his conquest over northern territories. Nonetheless, he not only built a city, now in ruins and excavated partially but also a great temple for Siva. The Brihadisvara at Tanjavur had influenced this temple in many ways like the vast conception of the lay out and massive proportion of the elevation. 

The lay out – the sanctum with its axial units, the Chandikesvara shrine, the cloister mandapa with the subsidiary shrines and a gopura is similar to Tanjavur. The location of two smaller shrines – The South and North Kailasa (now the Amman shrine) are different. But the architect of this edifice has shown remarkable intelligence to correct some of the shortcomings in the design of the Brihadisvara at Tanjavur like the provision for erecting a wooden scaffolding in the masonry of the sanctum, the pleasing elevation by appropriately changing and placing the hara elements etc.

The inscription recording accurately the donations to the God of the temple is missing here. In fact, there is no inscription of Rajendra himself. The earliest inscription is that of his son, but recording the donations of his father. 

The temple has sculptures of exceptional quality like the dancing Ganesa, Ardhanari, Dakshinamurthi, Harihara, Adavallan (Nataraja) (on south wall niches), Gangadhara, Lingodhbhava, Vishnu, Subrahmanya, Vishnu-anugrahmurthi (west wall), Kalanthakamurthi,Durga, Brahma, Bairava, Kamantaka (north wall). But the most outstanding sculptures are found in the niches by the side of the northern entrance steps to the sanctum. They are theChandesanugrahamurti and Sarasvati. The bronzes of Bhogasakti and Subrahmanya are masterpieces of Chola metal icons. The Saurapitha (Solar altar), the lotus altar with eight deities is considered auspicious. 

A British officer in 19th century considered this temple as the best source for stones for the construction of a weir across the river Kollidam and therefore ordered its demolition. But the temple was not demolished due to protest by the locals. 

Airavatesvara temple, Darasuram, Dist. Tanjavur

Built by the Chola king Rajaraja II (AD 1143-1173), this temple is a gem of Chola architecture. Though much smaller in size when compared to the Brihadisvara temple at Tanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram, this temple is different as it is highly ornate in execution. The temple consists of a sanctum without a circumambulatory path and axial mandapas. The front mandapaknown in the inscriptions as Rajagambhiran tirumandapam, is unique as it was conceptualised as a chariot with wheels. The pillars of this mandapa are highly ornate. The elevation of all the units is elegant with sculptures dominating the architecture. 

A number of sculptures from this temple like the full set of Bhikshatana with rishi patnis is various moods, are now preserved in the Tanjavur Art Gallery. They are the masterpieces of Chola art. Remaining ones like Nagaraja, Agastya, dancing Martanda Bhairava, Sarabhamurti, Ganesa etc., are equally gracious. The labelled miniature friezes extolling the events that happened to the 63nayanmars (Saiva saints) are noteworthy and reflect the deep roots of Saivism in this region. In fact, the king made donation for the singing of hymns from Thevaram, the Saivite sacred book in Tamil, in this temple. 

The construction of a separate temple for Devi, slightly later than the main temple, indicates the emergence of Amman shrine as an essential component of the south Indian temple complex.

Reference:http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_cholabt.asp

Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros

The Great one horned rhino is commonly found in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and in Assam, India. It is confined to the tall grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Indian Rhinoceros can run at speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h) for short periods of time and is also an excellent swimmer. It has excellent senses of hearing and smell, but relatively poor eyesight.

However, no more than 2,000 remain in the wild, with only two populations containing more than 100 rhinos: Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India (1,200) and Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal (600). Despite joint efforts between Bhutan and India, the survival of a small population of rhinos living along the Indo-Bhutan border in Manas still remains doubtful (Jnawali et.at, 2000)

Physical Appearance:

Indian Rhinos are brownish-gray in color and are hairless. They have knobby skin that appears to be armor-plated. A single horn sits on top of their snout, and their upper lip is semi-prehensile.

The largest of the Asian rhinos, male Indian rhinos weigh approximately 2,200 kg (nearly 1,000 pounds) and range in height from 170 to 186 cm (67 to 73 inches) and are 368 to 380 cm (145 to 150 inches) long. Their horn can grow to 45 cm (18 inches)! Females* are smaller, weighing only 1,600 kg (726 pounds) and standing 148 to 173 cm (58 to 68 inches) tall. Female Indian rhinos are 310 to 340 cm (122 to 134 inches) long. A female is pregnant for 16 before giving birth. *Note: black, Sumatran, and Javan rhino females are similar in size to the male of the species

Conservation:

The Indian and Nepalese governments have taken major steps toward Indian Rhinoceros conservation with the help of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park in Assam, Pobitora reserve forest in Assam (having the highest Indian rhino density in the world), Orang National park of Assam, Laokhowa reserve forest of Assam having a very small population and Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal are homes for this endangered animal.

Reference:http://www.kaziranga-national-park.com/one-horned-rhino.shtml

The Malabar Giant Squirrel – The most beautiful of Indian Squirrels

 The Indian Giant Squirrel commonly known as the Malabar Giant Squirrel is a large bodied tree squirrel endemic to the forests of Peninsular India. The beautiful plumage colors and the characteristic long tail, about 2 ft in length, make it one of the popular species of Squirrels.

It is however unfortunate that they are an endangered species classified in the “Near Threatened” category of IUCN Red list. Here are some images of what we consider the most beautiful of all Squirrels found in India.

Reference:http://walkthewilderness.net/animals-of-india-47-the-malabar-giant-squirrel-the-most-beautiful-of-indian-squirrels/

Leucistic Malabar Giant Squirrel, Mahableshwar

by Anup Deodhar

Albinism and leucism are two terms to do with the lack of pigmentation in animals, that are often confused with each other. Albinism is the complete absence of pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes. Leucism (or leukism) is a form of partial albinism characterized by retention of color in the eyes, bill, and legs but the skin or plumage contains no color pigment.

The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that in albinism the eyes are usually pink or red, and albinism affects the entire animal, not just patches. Due to the lack of melanin production in both the retina and iris, albinos typically have red eyes due to the underlying blood vessels showing through. In contrast, most leucistic animals have normally coloured eyes like this leucistic Indian or Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica).

Leucism is extremely rare in animals. Though several squirrels exhibit leucism this is probably the first record for this species of squirrel.

This squirrel was photographed by Pune-based wildlife photographer Anup Deodhar in February 2013 in Mahableshwar, Maharashtra while accompanied by Rajendra Dhage and Sachin Vaidya.

Deepa Mohan helped compile this report.

Reference:http://www.conservationindia.org/gallery/leucistic-malabar-giant-squirrel-mahableshwar

Vultures flourish in Sathyamangalam forest

There is good news for bird lovers and environmentalists. While the country has lost more than 90 per cent of its vultures, the small population of these scavenger birds in Moyar river valley in Sathyamangalam forest remains healthy and stable.

Recent studies and field observation made by the Forest Department reveal that the white-rumped and long-billed vulture birds are seen in Moyar River in Thengumarada and Bhavanisagar forest areas.

These vultures are using the riverside as nesting site and Bhavanisagar forest area as feeding ground.

“We see a healthy population of vultures in Sathyamangalam forest these days and their population is found stable especially in Thengumarada and Bhavanisagar areas,” District Forest Officer N. Satheesh told The Hindu .

The Moyar river valley is an undisturbed habitat and the trees along the river are suitable for these forest scavengers for nesting and breeding. “Besides, the forests here offer adequate food sources for the birds,” Mr. Satheesh points out.

The vultures feed on the carcasses of livestock, wild animals in the forest areas and other dead animals in the nearby human habitations.

Once the white-rumped, long-billed and slender-billed vultures (Gyps vultures) were common throughout the India and now they are highly restricted to a few localities.

According to environmentalists, the presence of Diclofenac, a drug used widely as a painkiller in livestock, was responsible for the devastating decline in vulture population.

“Since vultures in Sathyamangalam depend on the food inside the forests and they are not exposed to the drug, which is one of the main reasons for the healthy and stable population,” Mr. Satheesh says.

Forest officials further say that the department is continuously monitoring the movement and feeding behaviour of the scavenger birds and efforts are being made to protect their habitat.

Recent studies made by the Forest Department reveal that the white-rumped and long-billed vultures are seen in Moyar River

Article By :S. RAMESH

Reference: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/vultures-flourish-in-sathyamangalam-forest/article2451654.ece

Pic Reference :http://wanttobeanomad.wordpress.com/tag/white-rumped-vulture/

The Next Ride of Unexplored Holidays 

Destination: B.R Hills.

BR Hills: A perfect weekend getaway.

Biligirirangan Hills, or BR Hills as it is commonly known, was once the hunting grounds of the rich and the famous. Situated about 5091 ft above sea level, this extraordinary landscape is rich with the flora and fauna of both the Eastern and the Western Ghats.

The forest with its range of wild life is a paradise for nature lovers. Once frequented by the then-maharaja of Mysore, this is the ideal getaway for those of you looking for a tranquil retreat with a bit of excitement thrown in.

Soak in the sylvan surroundings, breathe in the cool crisp air and take in what this paradise has to offer. Enjoy the company of a host of wild friends that include tigers, sambhars, chitals, barking deers, four-footed antelopes, bisons, leopards, wild dogs and cats, and sloth bears, not to mention the ensemble created by 254 different varieties of birds.

 Thanks to Project Tiger, a preservation drive initiated by the Government of India, there are over seventeen tigers living here. Large species of reptiles and amphibians can be found here and this is the only place where you get to see a particular species of frog scientifically known as Microhyla Soligari.

The Kapila and Kaveri flow through this valley, and are the watering holes for those who live here. For the aliens who visit this place, the rivers offer abundant water activities like angling, river rafting and boating . The hills and valleys are great places for trekking, hiking and biking.

The place is also home to the Soligari tribe, a community of hunter- gatherers that live in perfect harmony with nature. The Chapaka trees found in this region are considered auspicious and are worshipped by the tribe.

The best time to visit this place is from June to October.

Source:http://www.asklaila.com/article/Bangalore/BR-Hills-A-perfect-weekend-getaway-from-Bangalore/54/

PicSource;Google and personal collection of UH

Motorcycle Protective Gear – What You Absolutely Need To 

Have

Unfortunately, for many, when they think of riding their motorcycle they are thinking of being free and looking sexy and not about their own safety, which is why so many motorcyclists end up severely injured every year.
You can’t control what the other drivers on the road will do, but you can take some simple precautions to make sure you have a good shot at walking away if you are in an accident. 

Motorcyclists rarely come out on top when in a collision with a automobile so it’s essential that you protect yourself by using motorcycle protective gear whenever you ride.
Just stop and think for a minute what it would feel like to slide across a roadway at 55 MPH without adequate protection for your head and body. Not good. 

Whether you’re riding across town or across the county always wear protective gear, that’s the best way to insure you will be riding for many more years to come.

Here is a brief list of some of the absolute essentials in motorcycle protective gear , and don’t worry, a lot of it looks cool too:

Motorcycle Helmet – When buying a helmet you have a lot of choices in style and price, just make sure the helmet you choose has DOT certification. This means your helmet has passed strict safety tests. You also want to make sure you have the right fit. You want your helmet to be snug on your head, it shouldn’t slide back and forth. You also don’t want it to be too tight or have uncomfortable pressure points.

Motorcycle Jacket and Long Pants - We all love long hot summer days but riding a motorcycle is not the time for shorts and tank tops. Cover up. Keep your skin where it belongs, not on the pavement. 

A thick, well made jacket (textile motorcycle jacket/ leather motorcycle
jacket) can help protect you from abrasions and ‘road rash’. And don’t forget about your legs, always wear long pants, preferably leather, to protect yourself from head to toe.

Motorcycle Boots – Always wear heavy, over the ankle, boots or shoes. Do not even think about wearing open toed sandals or flip flops. 

Motorcycle Goggles – Bugs, dirt, dust, road debris – this is just a short list of some of the things that can cause severe eye damage when riding your motorcycle. Don’t risk your eyesight. Buy and wear full coverage, impact resistant eye protection whenever you ride. 

Motorcycle Gloves – Again leather is the preferred choice. But anything is better than leaving your skin exposed. 

High Visibility Indicators – It doesn't matter if you wear a neon vest or a brightly colored helmet do everything you can to make sure other motorists can see you. This is the time you want to draw attention to yourself. 

For anyone who has ever ridden a motorcycle on the open road you know what a fantastic feeling of freedom it can bring, but you also know that since we are sharing the roadway with other much larger and heavier vehicles it can also be dangerous.
There is no reason to take unnecessary risks. Enjoy the freedom of biking but protect yourself at the same time. Use motorcycle protective gear every single time you ride. Don’t take foolish chances with your safety. Protect yourself. And hey, leather pants can be pretty hot, too!

Source:http://blog.jafrum.com/2009/08/22/motorcycle-protective-gear/

What to Wear on Long Motorcycle Trips

Long impromptu motorcycle rides are probably one of the many reasons you got started riding in the first place. The sun, the wind, the open road and experiencing it all on your trusty motorcycle. But this unbridled freedom must be planned for to some extent in the name of safety. Ride right by wearing the proper gear for a long motorcycle ride.

Under The Sun

• The warmth of sunshine makes for great riding weather, but one must not begin a sunny ride of any length without being properly protected from the sun's often adverse effects. A sunny day may often call for a short-sleeve shirt and cargo shorts, but not on your motorcycle. Instead, opt for a light jacket with UV protection. These special jackets can be found at many motorcycle apparel shops and motorcycle dealers. As for pants, any lightweight jeans or riding pants will do.

  Use sunscreen on any part of your skin that will be subjected to direct sunlight, including wrists and ankles, neck and face.

In The Wet

• When dressing for a ride in the wet or rain, aim first for protection, second for visibility and third for comfort. You should wear a waterproof (not water-resistant) jacket and pants over your normal riding gear. Vinyl and tyvek suits serve this purpose well. Be sure that any rain gear is a bright, noticeable color to ensure visibility in the rain and fog. If it is cold out, invest in waterproof heated gloves and jackets, as they will make cold, wet weather much more bearable for riding.

Eat and Drink Right

• Gear that has pockets or storage space for water bottles and snacks is helpful. When leaving for any long motorcycle ride, no matter what the whether, be sure you are fully hydrated before leaving the house. Drink a full liter of water or sport drink before getting on the bike to prolong dehydration. A full breakfast will do much better for you than an energy bar, but bringing along an extra energy bar or other snack is always advisable. Fatigue and dehydration are easily avoidable when the right precautions are taken, so eat and drink right, and you'll always enjoy the ride.

Source:http://www.ehow.com/way_5534045_wear-long-motorcycle-trips.html

Fighting Fatigue on Long Motorcycle Rides

Motorcycling is more physically demanding that driving a car and exposes you to the environment, which can lead to fatigue. To avoid becoming tired on long motorcycle rises, you need to get adequate rest, plan and prepare, consume the right food and drink,

Experts say that fatigue contributes to between a fifth and a sixth of all car accidents. That may not be true in motorcycle accidents across the board, but fatigue is definitely an issue for riders on trips of three days or more. It's something that you need to consider and prepare for. If you are riding with other people, it is an issue that you should discuss and accommodate as you plan your trip. Different riders will have different requirements for rest, and if the trip is to be a safe one, all members of the group should be willing to accommodate each other.

Before you head out on the highway looking for adventure, coniser a few steps that you can take and plans you can make to avoid having one of your adventures involve falling asleep on your motorcycle.

Rest:
Adequate sleep can be a bit hard to come by before and during a multi-day ride. I am always thinking of things I want to do or remember to bring as I try to get to sleep on the night before I depart. I also have trouble getting to sleep while traveling. Many people also have trouble getting a full night's sleep as they get older. If I combine that with early departures, I quickly have a sleep deficit. For that reason, I like to plan to allow myself to sleep late every two or three days, setting no departure time.

Don't use alcohol as a sleep aid; it actually tends to reduce both the quantity and quality of sleep. You might think that you can't fall asleep on a motorcycle, but I have known riders who simply fell asleep while riding, waking up as they bounced through a ditch — or in the hospital. Riders who experienced these sorts of adventures often said they didn't even realize they were tired.

Experts say that you'll have "tired times" during every 12-hour cycle, most often between 3:00 and 5:00 (a.m. and p.m., you local time). You may want to plan to arrive by that point or stop for an early dinner. If you can or need to, take a day off just to relax and catch up on your sleep.

Physical Preparation:
Unless you ride your motorcycle almost every day or take rides of three hours or more almost every weekend, you may not be completely adapted to your bike. After a full day or two of riding, you will become acutely aware of muscles that you are using full-time to ride. You may be able to overcome some of this discomfort  and fitting components, such as a good aftermarket saddle, that make it more comfortable. However, you also need to give your body a chance to adapt. Taking breaks every hour or two, especially during the first few days of a long ride, will help this adjustment.

Calm:
Extended exposure to wind and sun dehydrates and fatigues you much more than your routine two-hour weekend jaunt. Riding in a tanktop and open-face helmet may seem like the best way to deal with the heat, but will actually wear you out and heat you up much faster than if you wear a vented or mesh jacket and a helmet that protects your face from the wind. Perspiration gets a chance to stay on and cool your skin if the wind flow is reduced but not eliminated. You will sharply reduce sunburn and windburn and their fatiguing effects by covering yourself fully. A windshield also reduces the amount of wind that's tearing at you but leaves enough to cool you.

Quiet:
Wind noise (and exhaust noise if you have loud pipes) will not only permanently damage your hearing, it will fatigue you quickly. Both noise sources are at their worst if you don't wear a helmet, but even a full-face helmet that seals your ears well won't attenuate these noise sources sufficiently on an extended ride, so you should wear earplugs as well. If nothing else, you'll appreciate them when you try to go to sleep at night and the roaring in your ears isn't as loud. A windshield can also reduce wind noise.
.

Clear:
Vision clarity can be an issue on extended rides too. About 15 years ago we did a comparison test where one bike had significant distortion in the top of its windshield. Several riders said riding it made them feel disoriented or tired or gave them headaches. If your windshield creates this problem, or if you have a faceshield or sunglasses that are optically imperfect, you should find a replacement or eliminate the problem, perhaps by trimming the top of your windshield. If your vision has changed so that your prescription is no longer adequate, update it before you leave.

Caffeine and Alcohol: 
A coffee or cola can briefly boost your alertness, but isn't a substitute for adequate rest. Having a beer before or during a ride is a bad idea for many reasons, but especially if you are slightly tired or fatigued. Discouraging your riding companions from having one also does both of you a favor.

Good Habits:
Those boring admonitions about diet and exercise also apply to fighting fatigue. They increase your energy level, which makes you stronger and more alert. Of course, drinking adequate water is important too, especially considering that you are being dehydrated more rapidly because of your exposure to the wind. I don't hold with the theory that you aren't drinking enough if you don't have to urinate every 30 minutes though.

Fighting fatigue provides benefits that go beyond safety. If you are alert and refreshed, the ride itself is more enjoyable, and you'll get more out of the sights and experiences that you came to enjoy

Source:http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/prevent_motorcycle_fatigue/

RULES WHEN RIDING THROUGH JUNGLE.

The Jungle tends to develop a man’s personality, the more time a man spends there the better is his personality. Jungles and forest make perfect getaways, and nature there has an ability to bring back the peace and tranquility we miss so much in today’s busy rush. But however there are certain rules and ways that one must follow in order to enjoy camping or spending time in the jungle. Below are a few tips I personally think will help you in your camping forays.


Clothes and Shoes

Wear light clothing cause our jungles can get pretty hot and humid. Use Earth/Jungle color clothing like olive green and browns, this makes you less conspicuous and helps u camouflage with the Jungle background. You will thus get to see more birds and animals. Avoid wearing primary/bright color and white in the jungles – white irritates most animals specially elephants and wild boars. Winters in the jungles can get pretty cold, especially in the night – you would need your warm pullovers and jackets here. Pack sleeping bag and clothes in waterproof stuff sacks. Clothes that you'll need on the trail such as rain pants should be at the top of your pack for easy accessibility. Wear comfortable, well fitting hiking boots/shoes. Blisters are the most common problem for beginners. Avoid buying new boots right before a camping trip. Tape foot areas prone to blisters prior to start of trip. Don’t use deodorants and perfumes in the Jungle; the smell can attract wildlife towards you.


Backpacks

Backpack weight is very important. The pack weight should be 1/4 of your body weight or less. Too much weight, just like blisters, can spoil a trip. Shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and feet are the stress points. Downhill hiking is much harder on joints. Uphill hiking stresses quadriceps and lungs.

Things which you might need more often, light snacks, torch etc should be packed last or in any of the side pockets so time is not wasted in pondering for them through the whole backpack. Prefer water resistant backpack to others.


Choosing a Camping spot
Choose flat ground to pitch your tent. If you have to pitch your tent on sloping ground – be sure to sleep with your head on the higher end, if done otherwise excess of blood flow to your head will lead to headache and nausea.

Choose your spot close to a water source that would help you in washing and cleaning. If you are camping in winter or monsoons pitch your tent under a medium size tree, this would offer protection against rain and dew. Use a dew cover in winters or you may awake to find your tent completely drenched. When you peg your tent make a note of the peg lines as we all tend to trip over them, sometimes it leads to injury while most of the time the tent gets a bad jolt. Do not smoke in a tent or light candles. 


Food
I have experimented with various types of outdoor foods, the best and easiest is tin food but tin food increases backpack weight. Maggie noodles with few veggies tossed in are quick and easy to cook. The latest, is the ready-to-eat food packets – “Ashirwad” is one of the brands. All one has to do is put the contents into a pan and heat it or dip the packet into hot water. The food packets are very convenient and tasty.

Chicken bar be que can be quite exciting, you must get along your pre marinade chicken or marinade the chicken at least an hour before roasting it. Cook over slow fire – coals. Fruits like apples and oranges are also good. Though they make a great diet, I avoid bananas cause they invariably get squashed up in the bag and turn all black. Eat light and drink a fair amount of water. While trekking carry at least two liters of water. You'll determine right amount for you with experience. Trail snacks [bring stuff that's easy to eat such as chocolate bars/chips, dry fruits etc. they give you an instant energy boost.] should be in outside pockets or near the top, this way you don't have to take out lot of gear from your pack while it's raining! 


Starting a Fire
In order to cook or make a cup of tea you must have a fire. Staring a fire can get pretty difficult especially when there is no wind or when it’s raining. Start the fire with small twigs and dry leaves, let them burn well and then insert slightly bigger branches and finally the logs. To start a fire quickly, add kerosene, but again kerosene tends to leak and mess your bags. Best is to insert a small-lit candle between the twigs, this gives a permanent source of fire and the twigs will burn quickly. During the rains most of the wood is wet, you would need to dry the wood over a small fire first. A small fire can be started with a candle as mentioned above or by burning a little bit of plastic with the wood. The plastic will give you a persistent flame. Be careful of the fumes emitted by the plastic; hence use plastic only in cases of wet wood. I carry a small portable stove, which works on paraffin inflammable balls. This stove suffices to cook a small meal and some tea. 

If you are making a campfire be sure that you collect a lot of spare wood. Campfires can get very demanding in their consumption of wood – stick to large logs, as they will not only burn brighter but also last longer, even after the fire has died out the embers will keep you warm. A note of caution, see that there is a buffer of cleared ground with radius of atleast 1 meter around the fire and make sure that your fire is completely stamped out before you leave. Most forest fires are cause by carelessly lit fires. These fires consume and destroy 100’s of acres of prime forest.


Flashlight

Flashlight should be small enough to fit in your mouth because that's where it will be when you pitch your tent solo after sunset. Carry extra batteries and bulb. Candles are an important source of light and also provide a nice ambience. If you want to spot wildlife in the night carry a 4 or 5 cell sturdy torch, the MAG lights are the best with their adjustable focus.

One more important tip for spotting night game is that you embark on such trips on “no moon night” the reason being – your torch light will shine much more in pitch darkness than on a full moon night where everything is bright. One more reason is that in pitch darkness your torchlight can pick up the eyes of animals easily and in turn the animals cannot see beyond the blinding effect of your torchlight giving u a much better chance to creep up on wild game. 


Insects & Insect Repellents

The basic rule. that if you go camping then brace your self for a few bites, scratches and itches. Although it is a small price to pay.

Mosquitoes: The humming that they make in your ears can be more irritating than the bite. During monsoons the mosquitoes are at their best. Most mosquito repellents are quite effective, but they all wear out pretty quickly. So the trick is to reapply a new coat every 3 to 4 hrs or whenever you feel the mosquitoes have made their undue presence felt. Try Neem leaves, it is a natural repellent – on condition that you find one close at hand.

Leeches: Leeches are by far the most dreaded creatures, as small as they are they will and shall suck your blood. No need to panic, although the sight of a leech sucking blood is unnerving but the bite of a leech is completely harmless and sterile. They have bitten me on numerous occasions with no side effects. They are attracted to the sound of your feet and the heat of your body. Some of them may even choose an Arial attack, don’t worry they don’t fly !! They fall of branches onto your back and when they have had their fill they will comfortably drop off. I have spent a lot of time with the leeches in the Jungles of India, the point is not to frighten the readers but caution them a bit. Most repellents will work with limited success. Salt or tobacco juices are the best preventions. Though in the jungle most smokers would find it a pity to waste their precious cigarettes for making a juice. Try the leeches:) Try not to pull the leeches off, instead gently apply the tobacco juice or salt and they will fall of immediately. 

Cow Ticks: I have saved this insect for the last because in comparison it makes a mosquitoes look quite harmless. Cow ticks are found around cattle and feed on their blood. Avoid camping on cattle grazing grounds and near cow dung, also avoid frolicking there in the grass or wayside. Cow ticks are minute insects but deliver a nasty bite. The climax is that the bite does not heal for almost 3 months and will send you into an itching frenzy. The itching will turn into violent scratching and the more you scratch the worse the bite will get. I am a living example – itching at work – home – restaurants –dates everywhere. Till, a good soul took mercy on me and suggested a remedy. Apply a cream called “Propygenta” as often as possible, it is effective! And of course you would have to contain your scratching. 


Snakes and Venom

I am not going narrate anything frightening and terrible against these beautiful creatures. The very fact to be noted is that people die of fear and panic more often than the venom of the snake bit itself. In India we have only 5 varieties of poisonous snakes the rest are all non-poisonous. The 5 varieties are – Hamadryad (king cobra), Cobra, Kraits, Russell’s Viper and Saw Scaled Vipers. People are under the belief that once bitten by a snake, death will come in seconds, it is not so! Here are some facts from a very authentic source – a Cobra poison will take 4 – 6 hrs before its victim can die, a Krait 2-3 hrs, Russell vipers 12-36 hrs, Saw Scaled Viper 3-7 days and final the Hamadryads which is the king of snakes and most dangerous, cause of its shear size and quantity of venom it can inject – the death comes in 90 minutes. Ofcourse these are average timings and a lot depends on the age, health, physique etc of the victim. The point here is not to panic as you have got some time to get help and get to a hospital in most cases. The key words is DO NOT PANIC – It KILLS!! In the jungle the only reliable remedy for a poisonous snakebite is to immediately make a deep cut into the wound with a sharp knife and suck out as much poisoned blood in the area as possible. This will minimize the effect of the venom and give you more time to get help and to a hospital where the anti venom can be administered. Oh! almost forget - The venom consumed by the person sucking the blood is harmless – venoms are just high in protein J. On final note snakes don’t bite and infact are very timid. They bite only when you trample them or come too close, they attack in self-defense. Ankle length boots and thick pants serve as good protection against snakebites. Keep an eye out for scorpions – their bite does not kill but can be a very painful experience. Remember to dust your shoes in the morning when you awake in the jungles, scorpions love cozy warm places. There have been many instances of scorpion bites when campers wear shoes in the morning.

Animals

Just a short note on Wildlife - consider yourself lucky indeed to have spotted any. The tiger is an animal of the past and if you happen to chance by him just hope you have a camera and strong nerves to use it. The tiger is a gentleman and will rarely attack unless it’s a mother with cubs. He will just look at you and stride off –“ Good day and be on it’s way” Panthers are illusive beast and are rarely seen, they will completely avoid you. Elephants in there wild state are usually peaceful unless you come across a male elephant in “musk” a period when he’s on a sexual high. In this condition he sports a nasty temper and will attack without any provocation. Elephants kill more humans in India then all other animals combined. Elephants and wild gaur (Indian Bison) dislike the colour white and will usually attack people or vehicles that are white in colour. The animals you should be careful of are, the wild boar and sloth bear they are quite dangerous and will attack on site in most cases. The reason being the poor animals lack good eyesight and hence feel threatened when approached. The Jungle rule is when in a situation with an animal in the jungle DO NOT turn your tail and “RUN”, instead stand your ground. All animals will make warning calls before they charge unless it’s a man- eater! Running only instigates an animal like the stray dogs on your street corner. Do not make any jerky actions, slowly back track to a safe distance by which time most animals would have made off too.


Jungle Ethics
Wear camouflaged clothing. Avoid using deodorants and perfumes, also soaps if taking bath in Jungle stream. Jungle walk should be done in silence, avoid talking, gestures is the best way to communicate in Jungle. Best time to spot Wild game is during Dusk and Dawn.

Do not urinate or defecate near any water source, campsite, or at a place where people are likely to congregate. Bury toilet paper in the hole, replace sod/dirt, and tamp down lightly. Wash hands or clothes well away from any water source. Remember, this is the same water you and others use to cook and drink!

Never litter while camping, plastic bags and other non-bio-degradable stuff should all be collected in a waste bag and discarded at a waste management spot.

Source:http://www.60kph.com/interact/junglerule.htm