travelandleisureindia.in
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NSNobody ever talked about Hanle. Until some physicists from the Indian Institute of
Astrophysics decided in 1996 that this remote village in Ladakh was the perfect
site for setting up an observatory in the Indian Himalayas. The prime reason:
over 260 spotless night skies in a year! By the turn of the century, the country’s
highest astronomical observatory—at a height of 4,511 metres—was ready to
roll. Currently the 10th highest of its kind in the world, the Indian Astronomical
Observatory is run by 25 people, including Dorjey Angchuk, the engineer-in-charge
who is happy to talk to you about cosmic matters. Base yourself in Leh, where you
can rent a motorcycle, get the required area permits, and make the six-hour road
trip to the observatory. With or without a telescope, Hanle’s night skies make for an
experience of a lifetime. iiap.res.in/centers/iaoRIDE TO INDIA’S
HIGHEST
OBSERVATORY
——Mythology, folklore, and snapshots of pastoral life painted in
bold colours—a Madhubani painting stands out easily in a sea
of traditional Indian artworks. Commonly practised on the walls
of mudhouses by the women of Mithila, a small village in Bihar,
Madhubani paintings have fans across the world today. The
art sources its dye from natural material like flowers, herbs,
lampblack, ochre, etc., and contemporary brushes are replaced
by twigs, matchsticks, and fingers. The act of learning to paint
is known to alleviate stress. Enrol yourself into a specialisation
course of two months by MITHILAsmita Art & Craft Gallery
in Delhi, which takes you on a learning journey that covers
everything from sketching, freehand drawing, colour blending,
and element studies, to creating complete artworks on wood,
handcrafted paper, canvas, and fabric. mithilasmita.comLEARN THE STROKES OF MADHUBANI PAINTING
——FROM TOP: KETTIK IMAGES/ALAMY; DINODIA PHOTOS/ALAMYTHE INDIA LIST