THE PROS AND CONS OF FACEBOOK

Facebook is the most popular social networking site of all time. Within six years, Facebook has experienced dramatic growth—it has reached more than a billion users and is still growing rapidly.

For many, Facebook has become an integral part of day-to-day life. However, while the social media site can be very useful, it's important to avoid becoming addicted to it. This article features a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of using Facebook in your everyday life.

Did You Know?

1. Facebook.com, fb.com, and thefacebook.com all open the same site.

2. To find the official pages of Facebook founders, add "4," "5," or "6" to the end of facebook.com/. For example, facebook.com/4 will take you to the official page of Mark Zuckerberg.

3. More than 250 billion photographs have been uploaded to Facebook.

4. Facebook needs several exabyte servers to store all of the information uploaded by its billion users. One exabyte = one billion gigabytes

1. Facebook is free—and not only that, but it's also one of the best mediums for communication. You can send messages, start a video call, and upload photos and videos without charge.
2. Facebook lets you connect to different people from anywhere in the world. People everywhere these days are familiar with Facebook. This gives you the opportunity to learn more about the culture, values, customs, and traditions of other countries—a modern-day pen-pal service without the hassle. It also helps keep long distance relationships alive. Sometimes these across-the-world relationships get serious and even end up in marriage—a testament to the power of this social media platform.
3. Facebook is the most convenient tool for finding old buddies and keeping friendships alive. Often when friends move away it’s difficult to keep communicating with them. Facebook
   provides the opportunity to easily communicate with your old friends and keep up-to-date one what they're doing. It's fun to see their photos from around the world!
4. It's an easy way to share feelings and what's happening in your daily life. You can share your achievements to get some appreciation, or you can share your sorrows to get support from your generous friends.
5. The site has good privacy settings, allowing you to choose your desired level of privacy.
6. Facebook fan pages, groups, events, etc. are getting more popular by the day. Fan pages and groups are very handy for promotional activities. This is why almost every well-known brand has a Facebook fan page and is investing lot of money to get exposure to their core constituents.
7. Facebook groups can also be a great way to connect all of your close friends. You can create a group and keep it private in the group's settings. Features like group chat, notifications, file sharing, etc. can help you communicate and stay up-to-date easily.
8. Facebook now also offers you an email address, another handy feature. These email works just like Yahoo, Gmail, Outlook, and Hotmail, allowing you to send and receive email with users both within and outside of the site. The email address is based on your Facebook user name. For example, if your username is "Ding Dong," your Facebook email address will be "DingDong@facebook.com." You can also receive files attachment through Facebook email.
9. The newsfeed plays a very important role in getting the latest information. Facebook fan pages and users are constantly sharing articles, photos, and videos.
10. If you're a business, the site also allows you to advertise. Fan pages are very helpful for a successful marketing campaign, because they allow potential consumers to engage, stay informed, and share with friends.
11. You can chat both online and on your phone with Facebook messenger. For students who don't yet have a mobile device, this messenger can be downloaded as an app on an iPod or tablet and used just like text messenging in areas with WiFi.
12. Many popular celebrities and organizations are using Facebook to give regular updates to their fans, allowing you to feel closer to them than ever.
13. Students can use Facebook for group study by creating a group only for studying. There, you can share information about your projects, homework, assignments, exams, due dates, etc.
14. Relationships can blossom on Facebook. For long distance couples, the easy communication can help keep the love alive all the time they're apart. The site can even help people eventually tie the knot.
15. Facebook online games are popular and addicting. There are millions of users who regularly engage in these games.
16. Besides the games, there are thousands of applications, quizzes, etc. available.
17. You can also use the site to create your own social media platform. Share your article, blogs, photos, etc. to thousands of people.
18. Facebook's like button connects you to many other websites. If you see a like button on another website, you can click it to like it on Facebook, making it more likely for your friends to see it in their own news feeds.
19. Your login ID means that you don't need to waste your time for registering other sites. Most sites and apps now allow you to instantly register by logging in with your Facebook account.
20. Facebook is well-designed! There are no distracting colors or designs available. Facebook's simple design and efficient performance made it the world's dominant social site

Disadvantages of Facebook

Now it's time to talk about some disadvantages of Facebook. Anything, no matter how helpful, has its downsides. Some of the main disadvantages of this site are:

1. Facebook is addicting! For some people, Facebook can be as habit-forming as cigarettes! Facebook is a useful and helpful tool, but it becomes harmful if you begin wasting your valuable time. This is the site's biggest disadvantage, because the loss of your precious time can lead to other problems.
2. There are fake profiles and IDs. Now it is easier to create fake profiles using stolen pictures. People often use fake profiles to insult or harass someone they don't like.Teen girls are the most vulnerable to these activities. There have been several news stories about people, normally students, who became depressed or suicidal after being harassed on Facebook.
3. There are plenty of groups and fan pages out there that condone extremist, unaccepting points of view. These are being created to abuse or violate other religions, personalities, nationalities, etc. This kind of discriminatory and often racist activity is not acceptable on a global site like Facebook. If you see a site like this, report it. Facebook administrators should take necessary steps against all of these abusive groups and pages.
4. Certain Facebook activities have fueled conflict between social media-savvy couples. According to a recent study, around a third of divorce filings in recent years have contained the word "Facebook." Posts, pictures, and geo-tags that indicate a partner might not be telling the truth can be used as evidence in the divorce process.
5. Too much time on the site has been correlated with bad grades, or student results. Students who don't study or pay attention in class do not get good marks in their exams unless they cheat or are way too smart for the class in the first place!
6. People can stalk you and get your personal information. It is highly recommended not to share your personal information publicly.
7. Not only students, but also people working in offices can waste time on Facebook. That's why many offices have decided to block the site from their networks completely.
8. Many people have lost their usernames because their accounts were falsely reported. This is something Facebook administrators should be more careful about. However, you can get your username back with a government-issued ID.
9. Facebook chat often has glitches.
10. Different sources have found that Facebook can be life-threatening at times. Unknown people can track your activities and see where you are when. So be careful about whom you add as a friend. It's also a good idea to keep you activities private to people who are not your friends.
11. Facebook has also been at the center of some very violent news stories. One mother killed her child because it was crying in hunger while she was browsing Facebook, and a husband killed his wife because she changed her relationship status. These acts are rare but happen in extreme cases. More frequent are accidents caused by people not paying attention while looking at Facebook on their phones.

COGNITIVE COMPUTING

COGNITIVE COMPUTING

Clues can be about any topic on earth. There are no multiple choice questions. There is no option to phone a friend and winning entails an unerring focus on precision: You have to know the right answer. The human contestants were no ordinary contestants. They were grand champions who had amassed huge wins over many years based on their vast knowledge of the world. The company’s system wowed the world with its performance and this event was generally considered a very significant advance in the science and technology of natural language processing and artificial intelligence.

The Jeopardy! show signalled the dawn of a new kind of computing paradigm— Cognitive Computing, characterised by systems that learn with experience, that interact with humans in a manner more intuitive to humans (via speech, touch, or language), and that can be trained to excel in areas typically associated with human intelligence and requiring expertise. These systems are not programmed using declarative (if or then) rules, but trained and configured using examples. Cognitive Computing systems are playing an increasing role in our everyday lives and a perfect solution for business needs in the era of big data.

Five years have passed and today that system has advanced far beyond its question answering days. It is the most advanced cognitive computing platform in the world that includes core cognitive services ranging from deep text understanding, deep image understanding, machine learning and language processing. Today, cognitive solutions are reshaping industries and domains and scaling human expertise for professions across the board from wealth managers to oncologists to sales professionals.

I believe the defining challenge of our times is to create innovative solutions to some of the most pressing problems of the world—like healthcare and education—using Cognitive Computing.

This is particularly relevant for a developing country like India, where the need of the hour is to tackle challenges like urban transportation, healthcare and education in new and innovative ways. The opportunity is to engineer systems that learn (from examples) the unique requirements and characteristics of India and Indians and enabling expert services in a very personalised way.

Customer experience is being rapidly redefined by cognitive technologies. Today, robots with embedded cognitive technology are helping shoppers in stores in Japan. A retailer in North America provides specialised equipment for outdoor activities like camping or trekking. Fluid—a cognitive partner—developed a service called Xpress Personal Shopper (XPS) that is now deployed on the retailer’s website.

Using the XPS, customers can interact with the cognitive system using natural language dialogue to ask questions like, ‘I am going for a five-day camping trip in Utah. What gear do you recommend I need for this?’. The system can probe further and help the customer in meeting their needs in a very similar fashion to what an expert human agent in a store might do. From finding precise information about products to personalised recommendations of products, cognitive systems are redefining customer experience.

India is projected to have over 5 million developers by 2018, the largest of any nation in the world. How do we empower this force to build on the new paradigm of computing? The pressing need is for growing and ramping up expertise in the areas of machine learning and natural language processing and for platforms that enable building, training and configuring cognitive solutions easily.

There are cognitive platforms that enable developers to quickly create solutions composing services for complex technologies like deep learning, image processing, speech to text and natural language processing. Today, thousands of developers around the world and hundreds of ecosystem partners are building such solutions in many diverse fields.

As India is developing at a rapid pace, the number of people with surplus wealth is exploding. Banks and financial institutions are struggling to cater to this population with expertise to help with investment and taxation choices. Cognitive systems can help scale that expertise with advisors for investment recommendations, and bringing the massive amounts of information from financial news and investment advisory reports to the fingertips of wealth managers and investors.

We are living in exciting times. Within a short period of time, we can expect cognitive solutions to reshape and redefine our experience with many day-to-day activities through technologies that partner with humans to help us make better decisions and live our lives better.

- By Nandakishore Kambhatla, Distinguished Engineer & Senior Manager, Cognitive Technologies and Solutions, IBM Research

THE BEST CITIES TO LIVE

THE BEST CITIES TO LIVE

As the EIU ranking does not include cost of living as a criteria, we’ve also included the results from two other notable surveys and then used the rankings from all three to create an alternative top ten.

By using all three liveability rankings and awarding each city a score from 10 (for first) to 1 (for tenth) we’ve created an amalgamated/alternative top 10, which hopefully benefits from the best that the other three have to offer. Vienna is the only city to appear in all three top 10s, so it’s no surprise that it takes top spot in our combined top 10 and while the rest of our list doesn’t produce any major upsets, it’s worth bearing in mind that the differences between the cities is minimal. The EIU go so far as to say that there is relatively little difference between the first 64 cities of EIU’s liveability ranking, which are considered to have the “top tier of liveability”. 

In all three rankings mid-sized cities with lower population densities scored better, which explains why Australian, Canadian and European cities dominated top spots.

That said, while all three rankings have different findings, the overall pictures are similar and they have all been judged through a somewhat corporate lens. Both the EIU’s and Mercer’s indicators are rated based on a narrow perspective of liveability for well–remunerated expatriates and Monocle’s is targeted at the wealthy, mobile and cosmopolitan reader interested in culture, fashion and design.

Top 10 Best Cities To Live

10 | Toronto, Canada

Although ranked fourth in the EIU’s live ability ranking Toronto was ranked first in the EIU’s 2015 Safe Cities Index thanks to consistently high scores for live ability, cost of living, business environment, democracy and food security. Toronto’s motto is “Diversity Our Strength” and it really is one of the world’s most multicultural cities famous for a diverse choice of food, arts and festivals. The fifth largest city in North America and the largest city in Canada Toronto has vibrant downtown neighbourhoods. Although it has the second largest public transport system in North America gridlock on the roads is an issue as people commute from the Greater Toronto Area (home to over 6 million people) to avoid high housing costs in Toronto.

9 | Berlin, Germany

Since the Berlin wall came down the city has become a mecca for edgy creative types looking to enjoy the party atmosphere in a city brimming with galleries and a diverse nightlife. Since then it is earning a growing reputation as a tech hub as start-ups, and others, flock to the relatively low cost of living in the city. Having leapt up Monocle’s rankings to third spot, the magazine states “Berlin is far from passé….it’s simply at last transitioning into a post-poor but still sexy era.” Berlin still offers a colorful nightlife and tolerance but it also enjoys fabulous architecture, lots of green spaces and a quality of life that is relaxed and affordable.

8 | Munich, Germany

Munich represents conservative Germany and traditional values. The quality of living is high but expensive (by German standards). There are over 20 big parks in Munich and with just over 1.3 million residents the greenery and open spaces help give Munich a small town feel despite it being a large city. Strict building codes have ensured there are no high-rise buildings in the city center and its cobblestone alleyways and boutique stores have all helped Munich earn the distinction of being referred to as "the village with a million inhabitants".  Public transport is excellent, roads are well sign-posted and there are plenty of cycle lanes. The Oktoberfest is an annual highlight, but you can enjoy Munich’s famed beer gardens all year round (weather permitting).

7 | Tokyo, Japan

Ranked first by Monocle “due to its defining paradox of heart-stopping size and concurrent feeling of peace and quiet,” Tokyo has the world’s largest metro economy. With a population of around 13.3 million Tokyo is a city that thrives on efficiency and convenience. Public transport is clean, safe and prompt and strikes are unheard of. Amidst the hustle and bustle there is both calm and polished pristineness - where ancient rituals coexist with ultra modernity (the density of skyscrapers in Tokyo is among the top five in the world). Tokyo has the world’s highest volume of Michelin stars in a city but also excels at cheap street food. Although the cost of living is high so are most salaries

6 | Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and has ranked third on Mercer’s list for the third year in a row. In keeping with its rivals in Australia, Auckland boasts a sparkling harbor and beautiful beaches - perfect for outdoor activities.  Average income is around $21,000 a year but as Auckland’s natural wonders don’t cost anything, this is not a major issue. Low salaries however mean that Auckland has one of the world's 10 most overvalued housing markets. Affordable housing and infrastructure are Auckland’s weakest links, but $4.2 billion has been earmarked to improve Auckland’s transport system, which is a promising start.

5 | Zurich, Switzerland

Another great city for water lovers, Zurich has two rivers running through it and, of course, Lake Zurich. It is an artistic hub and boasts more than 50 museums and over 100 art galleries. Zurich is a clean and well-ordered city. According to Mercer Zurich scores highly for safety, absence of crime, few strikes, and timely public transport with airports very close to city centres and good schools, while the EIU says Zurich is the fourth most expensive city in the world. Luckily, with an average annual salary of $100,000 - this is not a problem for the majority of its inhabitants.

4 | Sydney, Australia

Elevated six positions by Monocle to fifth spot, seventh in the EIU ranking and tenth in Mercer’s - there is much more to Sydney than its iconic harbor. Like its archrival Melbourne, Sydney has four million inhabitants, enviable weather, plenty of green open spaces, pristine beaches, and fabulous food. Sydney is Australia's largest city. The cost of living is high in Sydney but housing is still considerably cheaper than New York, London and Hong Kong.

3 | Melbourne, Australia

The Victorian capital won perfect scores of 100 in the healthcare, education and infrastructure categories as well as in the sub-category of sport in the EIU’s ranking. Home to four million people, Melbourne enjoys a diverse and multicultural population. Melbourne is Australia's fastest-growing capital and the only city in the world to have won the title five consecutive times. Melbourne is Australia’s culinary capital and boasts a thriving cultural scene. Straddling the scenic Yarra River makes Melbourne a great place for boating and water sports and provides a great backdrop for the many harbor front bars and restaurants.

2 | Vancouver, Canada

Blessed with great weather and stunning scenery, Vancouver is one of a few select cities that haven’t managed to destroy the beauty of it surroundings - the 1001 acres of trees in Stanley Park, limits on urban growth, View Corridors and Vancouver Seawall have all helped make nature accessible for all on foot, bicycle and transit, making it both quicker and easier to access open spaces. Aside from its many outdoor attractions Vancouver also has great museums, excellent shopping, dining and nightlife. While housing is low to moderate compared with other global cities it is expensive by Canadian standards.  

1 | Vienna, Austria

Austria’s elegant capital, with its Habsburg-era coffee houses and architecture, palaces, operas and other cultural institutions make it a prime tourist destination. For those preferring the bright lights and hustle and bustle of say New York or London, Vienna might feel a little too sanitized and touristy, but Vienna has an abundance of green spaces and is positively brimming with culture. With a population of 1.7 million, Vienna boasts high employment and a low crime rate. It enjoys comprehensive health care and moderate housing costs and its extensive public transport system costs just 1 euro a day for an annual pass.

Spicy Cream Cheese Fiesta Roll-Ups

Spicy Cream Cheese Fiesta Roll-Ups

With just the right amount of spice, this colorful appetizer of rolled tortillas filled with a tangy cream cheese spread made with the Mr Sandeep Auluck ® Jalandhar Seasoning Blend will be the center of attention at any get-together to eat.

Ingredients::

• 4 large flour tortillas 
• 80 gm cream cheese (room temp.)
• 1/2 cup cheddar and  shredded cheese or Mexican cheese
• 2 tablespoon chopped bell-peppers(caspicum)(any color)
• 2 tablespoon chopped onion
• 2 tablespoon chopped lettuce
• 2 tablespoon chopped cucumber
• 2 tablespoon chopped green onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped tomatoes(no seeds)
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon pickle jalapeño
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic or garlic powder
• pinch of Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Taco seasoning

Method::

Using medium speed of an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and dressing mix until fluffy. Add onions, olives, roasted peppers and chilies; stir until blended. Spread mixture evenly over one side of each tortilla, leaving a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) border. Tightly roll up each tortilla jelly-roll fashion. Wrap rolls individually in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. Rolls may also be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator. To serve, trim ends off each roll. Cut each roll into 8 pieces. Makes about 4 dozen roll-ups.

Variation Notes:

* Use bread slices instead of Tortillas.(roll the bread slice and spread the mixture and roll)

* Use tomato or spinach tortillas for color roll-ups.

* Use your choice of vegetables with cream-cheese, like olives, carrots, cabbage.

* Great for Kid's school lunch box.

Happy Picnicking!!!

TOURIST PALACE IN JHANSI JHANSI FORT

JHANSI FORT (“RANI JHANSI KA KILA”) TOURIST PALACE IN JHANSI.

Jhansi Fort is a most popular fort in history of Indian country, that famous also name by the “RaniJhansi ka kila”. Jhansi fort is situated on a large hilltop called Bangira, in Uttar Pradesh, Northern India. It served as a stronghold of the Chandela Kingsin Balwant Nagar from the 11th through the 17th century.

The name Jhansi is said to derive from the word “jhainsi” meaning indistinct. According to legend: “Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha sat on the roof of his palace with his great friend the Raja of Jaitpur. He asked his friend whether he could see the distant fort on Bangara hill. The reply was that he could see it “jhainsi” (indistinctly). It has been a mute spectator to the turns of events in the Indian history and withstood heavy bombardment of British forces during the First War Of Independence.

Jhansi ki Rani

The throne got shook, and the tension erupted among the Raajvanshs, the royal heirs of the throne, In aged India, a new wave of youth was spreading, All the inhabitants of India had realized the worth of their lost freedom, All of them had decided to get rid of the British rule, The old swords started glittering again like new ones in the form of the freedom movement in 1857. From the mouths of the Bandelas and the Harbolas (Religious singers of Bandelkhand), we heard the tale of the courage of the Queen of Jhansi relating how gallantly she fought like a man against the British intruders: such was the Queen of Jhansi.

Poem (Jhansi ki Rani)

Sinhasan hil uthey raajvanshon ney bhrukuti tani thi,
budhey Bharat mein aayee phir se nayi jawani thi,
gumee huee azadi ki keemat sabney pehchani thi,
door phirangi ko karney ki sab ney man mein thani thi.
Chamak uthi san sattavan mein, yeh talwar purani thi,
Bundeley Harbolon key munh hamney suni kahani thi,
Khoob ladi mardani woh to Jhansi wali Rani thi.

TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN SIKKIM,INCREDIBLE INDIA

One of the Himalaya’s best-kept travel secrets,Sikkim is a welcome diversion from all conventional notions of an Indian holiday. Far fromRajasthan’s royal trail, Goa’s beaches and Kerala’s backwaters, this tiny Indian hill state prides itself on pristine alpine forests, lofty snow-capped mountains, craggy landscapes dotted with quaint villages and a rich tribal culture brocaded with vibrant Tibetan Buddhist accents.

A fantastic adventure off the beaten track, Sikkim is a place waiting to be explored. Here are 15 excellent ways to get under its skin.

Visit Rumtek Monastery

Considered one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most important centres, the magnificent Rumtek Monastery is a repository of countless invaluable artefacts (precious metal statues, gem-studded cenotaphs, exotic ritualistic paraphernalia) stacked within its cavernous portals. The official – though currently vacant – seat of the revered Karmapa Lama, the monastery is especially attractive during the Mahakala Dance in February, when giant figurines of protector deities raise hell in the courtyard and fight off evil demons.

Trek to Goecha La

Many hardened hikers consider this week-long adventure to be the best trek for sighting Mt Khangchendzonga (8586m), the world’s third-highest peak. Starting from the outpost of Yuksom in West Sikkim, the trail cuts up a sylvan alpine terrain to finally peak at a gravity-defying 4940m, from where you can take in sweeping views of the snows towering above. April and November are best for photo ops.

Explore North Sikkim

Sprawled across a remote northern region of the state, the sublimely beautiful valleys of Yumthang and Tsopta are scantly visited. Frequently ravaged by landslides and earthquakes, these mountains are tricky territory to travel in. But then, isn’t that what intrepid travel is all about? So jump into a sturdy four-wheel-drive and hit the bumpy road to paradise. To adjust to the altitude along the way, spend a night in the quaint and scenic hamlet of Lachen.

Sip Temi’s tea

The tiny village of Temi in South Sikkim stands its ground as the only tea-growing region in the state. Producing a mellow and delightfully aromatic brew, ‘Temi tea’ has a loyal following around the world, and the good news is you can now relish the nectar right where it is harvested. Simply schedule an excursion through Temi’s picturesque gardens, and savour grand 360-degree mountain views along with every refreshing sip of the amber beverage (best had without milk or sugar).

Go organic

Sikkim is poised to become the first state in India to go fully organic in terms of production and consumption of food material. The changeover is already apparent in local markets, where organic produce seems to be trumping non-organic. Needless to say, this is your chance to detoxify, indulge in a nutritious vacation and eat your way to good health.

Drive to Tsomgo Lake

 

Spanning a valley at a height of 3780m, Tsomgo Lake cuts a pretty picture against a backdrop of rugged mountains rising towards the Tibetan Plateau. The outing (a four-hour return journey from state capital Gangtok) is particularly enjoyable in early spring and late autumn, when parts of the lake are frozen over and the stalls by the lake serve piping hot tea and momos (meat-filled dumplings) to fight the numbing chill. A lakeside joyride on a friendly yak? It's got that too!

Row down the Teesta

Rushing down the length of Sikkim from icy glacial heights to tropical alluvial plains, the turbulent Teesta River promises some fantastic rafting opportunities on its foamy waters. From calm stretches for novices to curling rapids for experienced oar-wielders, the river packs a variety of challenges at every level. Whether raft or kayak, choose your preferred ride and let the adrenaline flow.

Understand Tibetology

Got a thing for antique mountain cultures? Then swing by the fortress-like Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Gangtok, and familiarise yourself with countless nuances of Tibetan culture and Vajrayana Buddhism. Don’t miss the museum, packed with relics such as ancient manuscripts, thangkas (religious scroll paintings) and Tantric ritualistic objects (human skull bowls and thigh-bone trumpets, anyone?).

Know your morsels

A bowl of steaming sisnoo (nettle soup), a serving of fried ningro (fiddlehead ferns) and, finally, a generous helping of rice with gundruk ko jhol (fermented mustard leaf soup) and fiery pork curry. That’s a traditional Sikkimese meal, delicious to the last spoonful. If the spice gets to you, simply wash it down with chhang, a refreshing local rice beer served in wooden mugs.

Embrace local life

Do you think hotels are characterless and boring? Wonderful. Shun the usual sleeping options and root for an absorbing experience at one of rural Sikkim’s many ambient homestays instead. Mingle with affable hosts, share stories and drinks over kitchen fires in the evening, have fun helping out with farm and household activities, and kill time with a book or iPod for company in the cosy comfort of your tastefully appointed room.

Find religion

Spirituality is an essential element of Sikkim’s social and cultural grain, and you can amply soak it up during your holiday here. Meditate in an ancient Buddhist gompa, attend a religious ceremony (such as the new year festivities of Losar), or pay obeisance at the many shrines in the temple town of Namchi. If you’re visiting a monastery, don’t forget to light a butter lamp for peace, love and prosperity.

Take a day hike

Sikkim’s mountains are criss-crossed by numerous foot trails traditionally used by locals to commute between villages. For travellers, this means a wonderful opportunity to bushwalk through the serene wilderness, exploring the region’s bucolic scenery and a plethora of plant and animal life along the way. The day walks from Yuksom to Khecheopalri Lake and Tashiding are particularly picturesque, as are short jaunts around the town of Ravangla

Smell the rhododendrons

Known to foster more than 500 species of rhododendron, the forests of Varsey and Singba (in West Sikkim and North Sikkim respectively) come alive in a riotous bloom sometime between March and May. Vivid shades of red, pink, yellow, mauve and white smear entire hillsides, and a walk under these colourful canopies is an otherworldly experience, to say the least. Mind those pesky leeches wiggling in the undergrowth, though.

Groove to Gangtok’s nightlife

Dusk is a happy time along MG Marg, Gangtok’s social and cultural hub. Snack stalls along the main drag whip up juicy servings of momos, lounge bars come alive with strains of rock and blues, and the appetising smell of freshly baked savouries perfumes the crisp evening air. The booze is cheap, the company is friendly, and the good times keep rolling. Drink, dine and dance the night away.

Glide like an eagle

The newest fix for adventure junkies in the region, paragliding is a fantastic way to enjoy bird’s eye views of Sikkim’s mountains. October and November, with clear sunny skies, are the best months for the sport – this is also when Gangtok hosts the annual Sikkim Paragliding Festival. So put on your helmet, strap on your chute and leap off the hill for a thrilling flight down to terra firma. And don’t forget to snap a self-portrait en route, to secure bragging rights back home.

Most Beautiful Indian Lakes That Everyone Must Visit Before They Die

India has a large number of beautiful lakes and great rivers spread all over the country from Kashmir to Kerala and from Rajasthan to Assam. Lakes in India can be divide as man made as well as natural, further natural lake again divided as freshwater lake and brackish water lakes. Indira Sagar reservoir the big lake is the biggest reservoir in India and The Sambhar Salt Lake is India’s largest inland salt lake. Most of the lakes in India are fresh water lakes, Dal Lake in Kashmir and Sasthamkotta Lake in Kerala are the example of freshwater lakes. These water bodies on the land surface are one of the most beautiful tourist attraction in India. The Cholamu Lake is counted as one of most beautiful lake in the world. The Lonar Crater the world’s oldest and largest crater in India is located in state of Maharashtra’s District Buldhana. There are so may beautiful lakes which are famous for bird watching such as Kolleru Lake, Pulicat Lake and Nal Sarovar Lake. The Kanwar Taal or Kabar Taal Lake at Bihar is Asia largest Fresh Water lake, Oxbow lake an oxbow lake is a U-shaped body of water. Some Of The Top Indian  Lake Details Are As Follow:

1.  Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar’s jewel, Dal Lake with its sparkling quiet waters, gaily painted shikaras and backdrop of the mist shrouded peaks of the Pir Panjal Mountains is definitely a sight for sore eyes. Go to sleep on an ornate wooden houseboat swaying gently in the serene waters of the lake and wake up to the water reflecting whatever shades the sun throws on it, with the glorious floating gardens swirling around you.Best place to stay: Dongola Palace HouseboatsBest time to visit: July- August: Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir © wackywanderlust Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar’s jewel, Dal Lake with its sparkling quiet waters, gaily painted shikaras and backdrop of the mist shrouded peaks of the Pir Panjal Mountains is definitely a sight for sore eyes. Go to sleep on an ornate wooden houseboat swaying gently in the serene waters of the lake and wake up to the water reflecting whatever shades the sun throws on it, with the glorious floating gardens swirling around you.

Best place to stay: Dongola Palace Houseboats

Best time to visit: July- August 

2. Gurudongmar lake, Sikkim

It takes a long bumpy ride on mostly dirt roads through a barren landscape to get to the Gurudongmar Lake, but the magnificence that awaits you is totally worth it. Backed by the surreal beauty of the Himalayan pinnacles, this highly revered lake with its crystal clear snow-melt waters and icy banks feels like a world away.Best place to stay: Apple Orchard Resort, LachenBest time to visit: June to August: Gurudongmar lake, Sikkim © indiamike Gurudongmar lake, Sikkim It takes a long bumpy ride on mostly dirt roads through a barren landscape to get to the Gurudongmar Lake, but the magnificence that awaits you is totally worth it. Backed by the surreal beauty of the Himalayan pinnacles, this highly revered lake with its crystal clear snow-melt waters and icy banks feels like a world away.

Best place to stay: Apple Orchard Resort, Lachen

Best time to visit: June to August

3. Pichola lake, Rajhasthan

Limpid, large and luminous, Pichola Lake is enveloped by lofty palaces, ancient temples and cool green hills on all its sides. Sail into a purple sunset on dreamy little boat or take a heritage walk around the tranquil waters of a lake which doesn’t need filters to look spectacular when silhouetted at dusk!Best place to stay: Jaiwana Haveli, UdaipurBest time to visit: September to March: Pichola lake, Rajhasthan © makemytrip Pichola lake, Rajhasthan Limpid, large and luminous, Pichola Lake is enveloped by lofty palaces, ancient temples and cool green hills on all its sides. Sail into a purple sunset on dreamy little boat or take a heritage walk around the tranquil waters of a lake which doesn’t need filters to look spectacular when silhouetted at dusk!

Best place to stay: Jaiwana Haveli, Udaipur

Best time to visit: September to March

4. Pookode lake, Kerala

Cuddled in the lap of Wayanad’s lushly forested mountains, Pookode Lake is an emerald hued lake offering a surreal encounter with nature at its most spectacular. Pedal across the placid waters of this beguilingly beautiful lake, indulge in some serious nature photography (check out the blue lotus) or take quick detour to the freshwater aquarium nearby for a relaxing holiday.Best place to stay: Pookode Lake Resort, WayanadBest time to visit: December to June: Pookode lake, Kerala © besthomestaywayanad Pookode lake, Kerala Cuddled in the lap of Wayanad’s lushly forested mountains, Pookode Lake is an emerald hued lake offering a surreal encounter with nature at its most spectacular. Pedal across the placid waters of this beguilingly beautiful lake, indulge in some serious nature photography (check out the blue lotus) or take quick detour to the freshwater aquarium nearby for a relaxing holiday.

Best place to stay: Pookode Lake Resort, Wayanad

Best time to visit: December to June

5. Suraj Taal, Himachal Pradesh

Revered as the Lake of the Sun God, Suraj Taal is the place to be if you are in search of tranquillity. There’s some mighty stiff competition in the Himalayas when it comes to glacier-fed beauty but what makes Suraj Taal so stunning is the surrounding landscape - the majestically jagged mountains, piles of snow smoothened pebbles and cornflower blue skies.Best place to stay: Triveni Hotel, SissuBest time to visit: May to October: Suraj Taal, Himachal Pradesh © lifeastraveler Suraj Taal, Himachal Pradesh Revered as the Lake of the Sun God, Suraj Taal is the place to be if you are in search of tranquillity. There’s some mighty stiff competition in the Himalayas when it comes to glacier-fed beauty but what makes Suraj Taal so stunning is the surrounding landscape - the majestically jagged mountains, piles of snow smoothened pebbles and cornflower blue skies.

Best place to stay: Triveni Hotel, Sissu

Best time to visit: May to October

6. Berijam Lake, Tamil Nadu

Surrounded by verdant Shola forests, Berijam Lake is so pristine that it has a haunting quality. The perfect place for bird watching, canopied trails, and quiet reflections, Berijam Lake lies deep inside the forest, away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. Do note that you need written official permission to enter the forest area, but the effort is well worth it!Best place to stay: Kodaikanal Dreamstay, KodaikanalBest time to visit: April to June: Berijam Lake, Tamil Nadu © indiantravels Berijam Lake, Tamil Nadu Surrounded by verdant Shola forests, Berijam Lake is so pristine that it has a haunting quality. The perfect place for bird watching, canopied trails, and quiet reflections, Berijam Lake lies deep inside the forest, away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. Do note that you need written official permission to enter the forest area, but the effort is well worth it!

Best place to stay: Kodaikanal Dreamstay, Kodaikanal

Best time to visit: April to June

7. Bhim Tal Lake, Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand has a bounteous array of beautiful lakes, but Bhimtal Lake has traits that make it stand out: the pretty town of Bhimtal dotted with quaint temples, a stupendous panorama of the Kumaon Hills, solitary trails winding along its scenic banks and a delightful little island at its centre. Close to Delhi, it’s the perfect destination for an idyllic weekend getaway!Best place to stay: Emerald Trail, BhimtalBest time to visit: April to July: Bhim Tal Lake, Uttarakhand © tourment Bhim Tal Lake, Uttarakhand Uttarakhand has a bounteous array of beautiful lakes, but Bhimtal Lake has traits that make it stand out: the pretty town of Bhimtal dotted with quaint temples, a stupendous panorama of the Kumaon Hills, solitary trails winding along its scenic banks and a delightful little island at its centre. Close to Delhi, it’s the perfect destination for an idyllic weekend getaway!

Best place to stay: Emerald Trail, Bhimtal

Best time to visit: April to July

8. Pangong Tso Lake, Jammu and Kashmir

Remember that stunning lake from 3 Idiots? Lined with an outlandish landscape of vast barren mountains, Pangong Tso is a sublime melange of dramatically swirling mountains and vivid blue green water conjured into a lake which photographs like a dream. Remember to pay your respects at the Darbuk village nearby where a chain of war memorials and historic army bunkers stand in commemoration of the 1962 Indo-China War.Best place to stay: Pangong Inn, Pangong TsoBest time to visit: May to September: Pangong Tso Lake, Jammu and Kashmir © hpcabs Pangong Tso Lake, Jammu and Kashmir Remember that stunning lake from 3 Idiots? Lined with an outlandish landscape of vast barren mountains, Pangong Tso is a sublime melange of dramatically swirling mountains and vivid blue green water conjured into a lake which photographs like a dream. Remember to pay your respects at the Darbuk village nearby where a chain of war memorials and historic army bunkers stand in commemoration of the 1962 Indo-China War.

Best place to stay: Pangong Inn, Pangong Tso

Best time to visit: May to September

9. Vembanad Lake, Kerala

As lovely as it is large, the Vembanad Lake is a warm weather paradise. Feast your eyes on the vibrant green palette and the sheer size of India’s longest lake, from the breezy comfort of your houseboat as you dine on ethnic culinary delights (don’t miss the karimeen fish). The beauty here is not just the landscape, but the glimpses of daily life amidst the swaying palms too.Best place to stay: Vembanad Lake Villas, KottayamBest time to visit: September to March: Vembanad Lake, Kerala © timespolls Vembanad Lake, Kerala As lovely as it is large, the Vembanad Lake is a warm weather paradise. Feast your eyes on the vibrant green palette and the sheer size of India’s longest lake, from the breezy comfort of your houseboat as you dine on ethnic culinary delights (don’t miss the karimeen fish). The beauty here is not just the landscape, but the glimpses of daily life amidst the swaying palms too.

Best place to stay: Vembanad Lake Villas, Kottayam

Best time to visit: September to March

10. Loktak Lake, Manipur

The largest freshwater lake in the North east, the only ‘floating’ lake in the world, beautiful floating ‘phumdis’ strong enough to build a thatched hut upon and a thriving wilderness – there is so much about the Loktak Lake that is special and unique. Remember to ask the local fishermen to take you on a ride of their graceful flat-bedded boats through the Keibul Lamjao Sanctuary, home to the famous brow antlered dear, the sangai.Best place to stay: The Classic Hotel, ImphalBest time to visit: October to March: Loktak Lake, Manipur © allresourceupdates Loktak Lake, Manipur The largest freshwater lake in the North east, the only ‘floating’ lake in the world, beautiful floating ‘phumdis’ strong enough to build a thatched hut upon and a thriving wilderness – there is so much about the Loktak Lake that is special and unique. Remember to ask the local fishermen to take you on a ride of their graceful flat-bedded boats through the Keibul Lamjao Sanctuary, home to the famous brow antlered dear, the sangai.

Best place to stay: The Classic Hotel, Imphal

Best time to visit: October to March

11. Tso Moriri Lake, Jammu and Kashmir

Sitting at the bottom of the secluded Rupshu valley, Tso Moriri is breathtakingly striking—its deep-blue water at odds with the browns of the craggy peaks and greens of sun-kissed grasslands that surround it. World’s highest Ramsar wetland, Tso Moriri, in its utter isolation, unending vastness and sheer raw beauty bestows a sense of untouched purity on every mortal lucky enough to visit it.Best place to stay: Tso Moriri Camp and Resort, KorzokBest time to visit: May to September: Tso Moriri Lake, Jammu and Kashmir © wikipedia Tso Moriri Lake, Jammu and Kashmir Sitting at the bottom of the secluded Rupshu valley, Tso Moriri is breathtakingly striking—its deep-blue water at odds with the browns of the craggy peaks and greens of sun-kissed grasslands that surround it. World’s highest Ramsar wetland, Tso Moriri, in its utter isolation, unending vastness and sheer raw beauty bestows a sense of untouched purity on every mortal lucky enough to visit it.

Best place to stay: Tso Moriri Camp and Resort, Korzok

Best time to visit: May to September

12. Lonar Lake

Earth's largest and only hyper-velocity impact crater in basaltic rock, the Lonar Lake’s watery expanses reflects the emerald green hues of the sprawling forest that stretches around it as far as the eye can see. Trek your way down to the Kamalja Devi Temple at the crater bottom, and revive yourself under the cascading waters of the spring at the Gomukh temple. Lonar, like the meteorite that put it on the map, definitely leaves a lasting impression!Best place to stay: MTDC Holiday Resort, LonarBest time to visit: October to January © whatisnature Lonar Lake Earth's largest and only hyper-velocity impact crater in basaltic rock, the Lonar Lake’s watery expanses reflects the emerald green hues of the sprawling forest that stretches around it as far as the eye can see. Trek your way down to the Kamalja Devi Temple at the crater bottom, and revive yourself under the cascading waters of the spring at the Gomukh temple. Lonar, like the meteorite that put it on the map, definitely leaves a lasting impression!

Best place to stay: MTDC Holiday Resort, Lonar

Best time to visit: October to January

13. Naukuchiatal Lake

With its iridescent bluish waters lovingly embraced by deep wooded forests, tree flanked promenade and appealing paddocks, every corner of Naukuchiatal or ‘the lake of nine corners’ is a picture perfect frame. Wake up early to witness the mists lifting from the lush green covers of Naukuchiatal, its gentle ripples glistening in the shy morning sun, to experience the sublime beauty of this lake.Best place to stay: Lake Village, ChunotiBest time to visit: March to July: Naukuchiatal Lake © treklocations Naukuchiatal Lake With its iridescent bluish waters lovingly embraced by deep wooded forests, tree flanked promenade and appealing paddocks, every corner of Naukuchiatal or ‘the lake of nine corners’ is a picture perfect frame. Wake up early to witness the mists lifting from the lush green covers of Naukuchiatal, its gentle ripples glistening in the shy morning sun, to experience the sublime beauty of this lake.

Best place to stay: Lake Village, Chunoti

Best time to visit: March to July

14. Nal Sarovar

A splash of turquoise surrounded by yellowing grasslands, Nal Sarovar is famous for its mind-boggling assemblage of migratory birds - from flamingos in huge numbers to rosy pelicans and vast flocks of herons, ducks and cranes. For a photo-op not to be missed, canoe through the shallow waters between the islets to spy on its spectacular birdlife, especially at dusk and dawn.Best place to stay: Forest Department Rest House, Nal SarovarBest time to visit: October to February © gujrattourism Nal Sarovar A splash of turquoise surrounded by yellowing grasslands, Nal Sarovar is famous for its mind-boggling assemblage of migratory birds - from flamingos in huge numbers to rosy pelicans and vast flocks of herons, ducks and cranes. For a photo-op not to be missed, canoe through the shallow waters between the islets to spy on its spectacular birdlife, especially at dusk and dawn.

Best place to stay: Forest Department Rest House, Nal Sarovar

Best time to visit: October to February

15. Hemkund Lake, Uttarakhand

Adorned by exotic blooms in a riot of colours, with the snowy Saptashringa (Seven Hills) towering in the background, the windswept Hemkund Lake is a place of wild, untamed beauty- and one of Sikkhism’s most important shrines. Look for the mythical yellow green flower, Brahma Kamal (Lotus of the Gods) on its rocky shores before warming yourself in the Gurudwara with generous helpings of hot tea and khichdi.Best place to stay: Ghangharia Camp, GhanghariaBest time to visit: July to October: Hemkund Lake, Uttarakhand © gypsyshack Hemkund Lake, Uttarakhand Adorned by exotic blooms in a riot of colours, with the snowy Saptashringa (Seven Hills) towering in the background, the windswept Hemkund Lake is a place of wild, untamed beauty- and one of Sikkhism’s most important shrines. Look for the mythical yellow green flower, Brahma Kamal (Lotus of the Gods) on its rocky shores before warming yourself in the Gurudwara with generous helpings of hot tea and khichdi.

Best place to stay: Ghangharia Camp, Ghangharia

Best time to visit: July to October

16. Sela Lake, Arunachal Pradesh

Rest your eyes on Sela Lake and you will know why it is also called the Paradise Lake. Sela Lake’s unparalleled beauty reaches out to your eyes and moves towards your soul. Lying en route to Tawang, the land of breathtaking valleys and misty rivers, Sela Lake remains snowed in for most of the year.Best place to stay: Hotel Pemaling, DirangBest time to visit: April to October: Sela Lake, Arunachal Pradesh © pinterest Sela Lake, Arunachal Pradesh Rest your eyes on Sela Lake and you will know why it is also called the Paradise Lake. Sela Lake’s unparalleled beauty reaches out to your eyes and moves towards your soul. Lying en route to Tawang, the land of breathtaking valleys and misty rivers, Sela Lake remains snowed in for most of the year.

Best place to stay: Hotel Pemaling, Dirang

Best time to visit: April to October