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Theme 4: Entering Tigers’ dens & coming out alive: Tiger Reserves of North & Central India

As June begins, we are back with a brand-new theme to match the season. Welcome to Theme 4: Tiger Reserves of North & Central India. As the name suggests, we will take you through a few Tiger Reserves of North & Central India, where a Tiger sighting is almost guaranteed if you travel this time…

The Grand Aravalli: a journey along the mountain range in the royal city of Rajasthan

Welcome to the fourth blog of Theme 3, ‘From the land of Kanchenjunga & the Himalayas, mountain ranges of India’. As part of this theme, we have introduced a new Mountain Range from India every week of this month (May 2023). We started with the Great Indian Himalayas & covered Western Ghats in the last…

The hitchhiker’s guide to the stunning & 160 million years old Western Ghats

Yes, 160 million years old. That’s older than the Himalayas themselves. Welcome to Western Ghats, the Sahyadri Mountain range that runs parallel to the Western Coast of India. Lush-green mountains, pristine waterfalls, rugged cliffs, picturesque hill stations & endemic flora and fauna, the Western Ghats are more than a mountain range. It’s a collection of…

Adventure is out there: the Great Indian Himalayan Outdoors

Back in the Summers of 90s, when we had ‘Desert Coolers’, we would often draw the curtains in, switch off the lights and get the cooler to do magic. This was our way of boxing in the cold. In a couple of hours, the temperature would fall & it would get so cold that my…

From the land of Kanchenjunga & the Himalayas: Mountain ranges of India

Home to Mount Everest, world’s highest mountain peak, the great Himalayas is a mountain range that is mighty & mysterious. Crossing across several states in India, the Himalayas has become an integral part of India’s culture, heritage & landscapes. Together with other mountain ranges, the Himalayas has given India an enviable biodiversity – that’s too…

For the night is dark & full of terrors; enter at your own risk: Haunted forts of India

Creaking wooden floors or swaying windows don’t create as much noise as silent hallways do. When it’s dark outside & no tourists are allowed inside, the fort becomes dead quiet. In that eerie silence, you can hear the cries & soul-stirring screams of a young boy asking for help, “Kaka mala vachwa” (Uncle, save me)….

Stories of haunted Stepped Stairwells: Dare to visit alone?

Vavs/ Baoris aka Stepped Wells are well-like structures that were designed to store water in olden days. These wells were often designed to be deep so that more & more water could be stored; the water was made accessible with a flight of stairs directly descending into water. In India, there are about 2500 stairwells…

Theme 2: Haunted places in India that turn touristy during the day

Have you ever felt uncomfortable or queasy at a place? Experienced that feeling that someone is watching you and not with good intentions. That feeling of dread that something untoward is going to happen.No, no! I am not talking about your boss waiting for you to finish that damn piece of work so that s/…

7 tourist places in India that look like international destinations

Home to 28 states and 8 union territories, India is one of the most diverse nations in the world. The presence of Himalayas, being surrounded by water on the three sides and a rich, cultural heritage together make India incredibly unique. You can experience not only giant mountains, picturesque hill stations, beautiful beaches, forests, deserts…

The great wall of Kumbhalgarh, the second longest wall in the world: Incredible India

One of the seven wonders of the world is the Great Wall of China – next to none, a marvellous example of fine architecture and a must-visit destination on every international traveller’s itinerary. While the great wall of China has no other parallel in the world, I am proud to share with you a similar…

Emerald Green Tea plantations of Munnar that are way more gorgeous than those of São Miguel, Portugal

As part of our first theme, ‘Affordable places in India that will make you forget International Dream Destinations’, we are back with the second blogpost – the tea plantations of Munnar, India that are way more Green, Gorgeous and Glamorous than those of Europe. Two weeks back, I decided to launch a new campaign, ‘Rediscover…

Now experience the ‘Garden of Europe, Keukenhof, Netherlands’ in the Tulip Gardens of Kashmir, India

Last week, I decided to act on my readers’ opinions and launch a new campaign – Rediscover India, Incredible India. As part of this, I will choose a theme every month that would talk about the heritage, beauty and rich culture of Incredible India. Each theme will have 4-5 blog posts exploring unique and unknown…

Incredible India – my 7 year long journey through the country

On popular demand, beginning next Sunday, you will see a new series of blogposts on ‘Incredible India’. I will pick a new travel theme every month and write 4-5 blogposts on that theme every Sunday. I invite suggestions from my readers on these travel themes. There are 195 countries in the world. In this world,…

1212 pillars and the world’s largest temple corridor – in Ramanathaswamy temple of Rameshwaram, India

It was the occasion of MahaShivratri yesterday that ended with Sunrise this morning. A lot of Indians celebrated the festival with music, happiness and energetic sounds. In Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore, they hosted a night-long MahaShivratri festival that’s believed to be one of the biggest festivals in its own right. Each one of us has…

Amidst the mountains and (almost) subzero temperature in Uttarakhand: a few days of nothingness and yet everything

The worst part about 2022 was the volume of things I lost, and the best part about 2022 was all the things I gained especially towards the end of the year. In the nail-biting cold of the end of December, we stayed the last few days in Sari Village, Uttarakhand. And that was one of…

Two days in the wettest place on Earth: Cherrapunji, Sohra (India)

Back in the late 90s, they showed the footage of a place on TV that received the maximum rainfall. It took me no time to figure our that this was the wettest place on the face of this planet. It was Cherrapunji. Since then, I have wished to travel to Cherrapunji and realise my childhood…

Pitch dark night and a pair of glowing eyes: the spooky yet thrilling Night Jungle Safaris

“It feels like you are in a horror movie”, said our guide while we were waiting for the Tiger to show up. ‘Why would we pay up to get horrified.’, I thought to myself. The guide sensed my reluctance and started telling me all the things that make a night safari stand apart from all…

Nine travel recommendations to spruce up your long weekend of 26th January

So, the first long weekend of 2023 is just around the corner. You got plans? If yes, well done! And if not, how about you let me pitch a few recommendations to you?! Give it a thought, let it brew and decide whether you would like to spend the long weekend in the comfort of…

Resting up by the Ganges, overlooking the mighty Himalayas amidst nail-biting cold: Rishikesh and Tilwara in December 2022

In the last week of December 2022, when it had started to get colder in Delhi NCR, I took time to reflect on the year that was about to get over – to think of my happy moments, celebrations, regular days that I absolutely love, disappointments, arguments, my friendships ❤️❤️, friends who refuse to let…

52 travel blogposts & 52 destinations in India and International, one for each weekend of 2022

As the first week of 2023 comes to a close, I am so impressed and pleasantly surprised by the energy of people around me. So many resolutions, year-in-review reels and optimism. And no, I am not being sarcastic. I genuinely feel good about that fact that almost everyone is resolving to spend their 2023 in…

2022: year in review, the places I visited & the experienced I earned

2022 was brilliant in terms of teaching me new things. Like I said on my Instagram feed a few weeks back, I am thankful for all what this year gave, taught and took from me. But then, is that all? How could it be? It’s just rude to sum up 365 days of 2022 in…

Ruins of a Harappan City & Indus Valley Civilisation at Dholavira, Gujarat

Think of Gujarat, and what comes to your mind? Ahmedabad, a certain list of famous personalities from there, Porbandar, Statue of Unity, Temples or ocean, maybe? In my mind, however, the first thing has always been Rann Mahotsav. When the seawater begins to recede or dry up, the salt desert begins to take shape, and…

Fall in love all over again at the iconic Howrah Bridge, Kolkata

Who says that romance can be found over candlelight dinners, or cosy spots alone?! Romance can be discovered during an eye lock while travelling in busy local trains, while searching for books of your favourite authors in a library or exploring the busiest places of the country and rejoicing over an ice-cola! All you need…

A memorable sunset at Raja’s seat: intimate, beautiful and rainy

There are a few moments in life that you never forget, no matter what. No matter how trivial the place was, how you felt at that moment, how shitty or glorious life was, some incidents imprint on your memory and become better as years go by. One such memoryj is my trip to Coorg (Kodagu)…

Live a piece of history and the unwavering faith in Gods, inside Ranthambore Fort, Rajasthan

When you think of Rajasthan, it’s natural to think about delicious food, warm locals and stunning forts. Wherever you go in Rajasthan, there’s a fort waiting for you, ready to tell you stories of previous centuries, of Kings, Queens & royal staff who once lived inside these forts, of soldiers and commanders who fought to…

The Glorious Gorge, Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat, Jabalpur

As a child, I found it easy to solve Algebra, create fictitious answers, solve equations & imagine borders & atmospheric gases. What really baffled and hooked me was the Television. For years, I watched a minimum of one movie everyday. And like many of us, movies left a long lasting impact on me. Not the…

Where land ends: Dhanushkodi, a beautiful yet haunting ghost town of India

On our recent trip to South India, we had decided to stay in Rameshwaram for two days. You know, breathe in the religious air, grow a bit in the spiritual culture of the town and visit the nearby tourist attractions. My ultra religious family (read: parents) try and discover temples of every kind, on each…

A beautiful boat ride in the cleanest river of India: Dawki, Meghalaya

A few years back, I saw the picture of a clean river – spotless, virgin & sea-blue. What’s special about this river, you might wonder?! Well, the special thing is that it’s the cleanest river in the country. If you toss a coin in the river, you can actually see it hitting the river bed-…

13 places to explore over the weekends if you are in Delhi NCR, India

Something’s happened to our generation. The pressures that we faced from: academics, peers, neighbours, relatives and random strangers judging us – changed us a bit. And then we saw the world changing with the internet & smartphones. We learnt to focus on ourselves, our happiness and the joys of life. And we also got into…

My all time favourite: 8 iconic cafes from Bombay

Bombay wasn’t my favourite city when I lived there. But it grew on me. And now I miss the city so much so that I find reasons to go back and spend some days with my friends and family there. When I first arrived in Bombay, my friends often directed my attention towards the awesome…

120 hours in Berlin: Bread, Bars and a bit of brute welcome

When I reached Brandernburg airport, I was tired. Almost dead with exhaustion. And if that wasn’t enough, I developed a splitting headache and couldn’t keep my eyes open. On top of that, it was hard to tell which way were the conveyor belts, and how do I collect my luggage. Labels were mostly in German…

Of sandstone, stories and splendour: the stunning Mehrangarh fort of Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Rajasthan is one of my favourite places in the whole wide world. It houses all my favourite things in a multitude of colours and variations. As I cover the distance, the stories & people change too along with the places. I feel like an explorer who’s always hungry to have more, and Rajasthan gives me…

Encountering Occult and much feared black magic in a town of 21st century: Mayong, Assam

“A lot of cabbies don’t go there no matter the amount of money. We believe, ‘black magic’ is still practised there.”, our cabbie told us when we enquired about Mayong village of Assam. No no, it’s not that kind of story. So don’t just get scared yet. 🙂 🙂 But first, let me tell you…

Pandal Hopping, feasting on Bhog & dancing with Dhunuchi & Dhak: a soulful, extraordinary experience of Durga Pujo in Bombay 2019

I was in Bombay during Durga Pujo celebrations a few years back. Great company, great timing and with the support of my super awesome sister, I shushed my lazy self. Luckily, it’s the time of weekend and I could shift my focus from conversations, negotiations, deliverables to decking up, getting excited and hopping Pujo Pandals….

Maa Aaschen, Tumi Kothay? A humid afternoon amidst the magicians of Kumartuli, Kolkata

The best part about this time of the year is festivals that start end of July or early August. One after the other, we find causes for celebration – harvest season/ birthday of Lord Krishna/ arrival of Ganpati Bappa/ the relationship between sister and brother/ married couples/ the victory of right over wrong and what…

The pursuit for the best Litti-chokha in the erstwhile Magadha region

Let me say it: I am a hopeless traveller. I keep travelling to the same places, doing the same things over and over. I also go to places that might not figure in the bucket lists of travellers. You see, I fall in love with places. No biases. No demands. Just pure joy of discovery…

3500+ demanding stairs to one of its own kind, the double-decker bridge of Meghalaya

While man-made marvels excite me, I prefer the wonders of nature: the gushing waterfalls, towering mountains, an ordinary brook, a giant & old tree, a secluded beach somewhere remote and quiet spots inside a forest. Over the last seven years, I have been rediscovering such hidden and visible riches of my country…and waiting for my…

A rush of adrenaline and a bridge like no other: Pamban bridge, Rameshwaram

A long time back, a Brahmin King abducted the wife of a brave, Rajput king. The Rajput king in-turn waged a war to bring back his wife. He built a stone bridge from the southernmost tip of today’s India to erstwhile Lanka. And the rest is well known. 🙂 The Rajput king fought the war…

From peace and solace to bazaar like hustle bustle: Kovalam then and now

Some scenes get etched on your memory permanently. And no matter what happens to you in Life afterwards, no one and nothing can dampen the effect of that memory. That memory evokes happiness and joy whenever you come to think of it. It could be a walk with a loved one, in the hills. Or…

Following my heart in the ever admired & always fragrant town of Madurai

It’s my third visit to the town that houses one of the greatest temples ever. And yet I spent three days in Madurai like never before – exploring the city like a tourist, speaking with people like localities do and absorbing every inch of the place like there’s no tomorrow. Discovering the joys of Mallipoo…

Coffee tales straight from Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Once upon a time, there was a country that drank tea. The country and its countrymen were happy sipping sugar-laden tea until one Baba Budan Giri decided to give Coffee to his country, and thus began the coffee journey of India. It’s being said that Baba Budan Giri brought Coffee seeds to India and planted…

From NDLS to Sawai Madhopur, a train journey of 5 hours but of a hundred old memories

I don’t know anyone in my huge circle (thanks to jumping schools every two years & changing jobs every three years) who doesn’t romanticise train travel. It all began with planning in those days. Papa would pack everyone’s luggage bags and mom would be in-charge of snacks. We (me, my sister and brother) would try…

Things you don’t know about the Golden Triangle of India!

Delhi- Agra – Jaipur — the golden triangle of India – popular amongst tourists, generally busy at all times of the year & home to many stories that have been told many times over. I have been going to Agra and Jaipur since the time I was a child. I have lived some 20 kms….

16 acres of adventure in the heritage resort of Sawai Madhopor Lodge

I am a recent convert when it comes to staycations and retreats. Rains in Noida and an insatiable spirit to break out of routine took us to a gorgeous Taj property – Sawai Madhopur Lodge. Spread over 16 acres, this is a 100 year old property. Say what?! 😅😀 Yeah, not kidding! This hotel was…

Once upon a time, in the old, dusty college street of Calcutta!

I am 34 years old and have been working for the last 12 years. At this point in time, I can afford all the best scents that are out there: Musk, Jasmine, Rose, Vanilla, Bergamot, Patchouli, Vetiver & Sandalwood. But even today, my absolute favourite thing to smell is an old, printed book. When I…

Cave 16, 30 and 34: a grand tour of Ellora Caves, Aurangabad

In the last five-seven years, I have seen more of Netflix, Amazon Prime and other OTT than sunrises and sunsets. No no, I am not complaining. After a long day of work that ends pretty late at night, one needs to unwind with some more content. But then, on vacations, whenever I do end up…

A day of eternal romance in Pahalgam, Kashmir

It was almost afternoon when we reached Pahalgam. It had started to drizzle. I craved tea and before I could say anything, the hotel manager declared, “The tea is coming, ma’am” as if he read my expressions. But no surprises there! I am quite expressive. Anyone with a pair of eyes and a mind can…

12 things to take with you on your upcoming trip to Leh, Ladakh

Thanks to the growing popularity of travel bloggers, social media influencers, and the movie ‘Three Idiots’, Leh Ladakh has become a must-visit place on every idiot’s…errr I meant traveller’s itinerary. Come Summers, and people go berserk about making their already difficult life even more difficult by flying to Ladakh and gasping for breath at high…

A sultry afternoon inside the royal, splendid Mysore Palace

That was the year of Neelakurinji and that was the year of natural disasters. Twice we rescheduled our tickets to Munnar to view the once in a 12 years wonder! We could manage the trip, the third time. We were lucky; we could manage glimpses of Neelakurinji & left Munnar in time. The day we…

Salar Jung Museum & the veiled Rebecca

Disclaimer: The veiled Rebecca statue by Giovanni Maria Benzoni & the book Rebecca by Daphne du Murier has no correlation whatsoever in the real world. Please excuse my book-fanatic mind that couldn’t help but fit in pieces of Rebecca, the book in a blog about the the veiled Rebecca, the masterpiece by Benzoni. “I wish…

My bittersweet (read: disappointing) experience of flying via Emirates from Delhi to Barcelona

‘Fly Better’…is what the Emirates airline says about choosing to fly Emirates. That could be true only if they let you board the aircraft & fly. Apparently some of their ground crew staff double hat as ‘Immigration’ & justify their salaries by over interviewing passengers for no reason at all. What happened: I was over…

Another token of eternal love, Bibi ka Maqbara of Aurangabad

Shahjahan made Taj Mahal in the memory of his wife, Mumtaz. Five centuries later, the Taj is still a wonder to behold. Magic in marble, as they say.Rumour has it that there were plans to build another Taj right opposite to this one. Before he could do that, Aurangzeb captured his father & Shahjahan spent…

My first Mumbai rains & the onslaught thereafter!

There are two things that Mumbaikars love to talk about – evening party scenes & Mumbai rains. The first time I experienced Bombay rains was the first of that season. In May 2019. I was returning home from Phoenix mall, Kurla. I was just 5 mins away from my place when all of a sudden,…

12 amazing experiences in the land of one-horned rhinoceros, Assam

After having visited Sikkim in 2021, I have been craving for more of Northeast India. You know, how greed works. 😀 Not for exploring mountains, waterfalls or altitude, but for finding an escape from the daily life, for reminding myself that life can be simpler & meaningful, and for meeting people who haven’t yet been…

Goa forever | 4 days of heritage discovery in Old & Latin quarter of Goa

In life, there comes some opportunities that neither knock nor announce themselves. They just come & go, like long weekends. It’s upto you what you want to do with these opportunities. You may choose to sleep your way through it, Netflix & chill or brood over what all is wrong with your life (and what…

4 days and 3 nights in Odisha: a travel itinerary

It was my parent’s 30th anniversary. Actually it was the 31st anniversary but we will pretend that it was their 30th. Because 30th sounds way cooler than 31st. 😉 We wanted to celebrate with them by taking them out on a holiday. My father was still working at that time, and he was still not…

The smoky Dhuandhar Falls of Bhedaghat, Madhya Pradesh

Dhuandhar Falls are situated in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Famous for its Marble Rocks, Jabalpur is also the launchpad/ central point for the most beautiful Tiger Reserves of India such as Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench & Panna. While the best time to visit the falls is monsoons, I happened to pay a visit in…

Indian Coffee House and its smoking, hot stories!

It was a beautiful day. Humidity was at its peak. Temperature was soaring. I was getting thirsty every 30 mins. My black kurta was drenched in sweat, and my long hair were coaxing me to use the rubber band. But I didn’t want to break the character. With a bindi on my forehead, I was…

Would an apology ever come, ask the brave & grieving souls of Jallianwala Bagh?

On 13th April 1919, there was a gathering in Jallianwala Bagh. People from all age groups were present – elderly, youngsters, couples, families & kids. It was the day of Baisakhi & the holy Golden Temple was hardly 10 mins. walk away from the Jallianwala Bagh. A certain General Dyer arrived at the place with…

10 things to do in Hyderabad and soak in the royal air

Back in 2008, when I first visited Hyderabad with my mother, I was surprised with how friendly the city was. Wherever we went, we found people who readily helped, with a smile on their face. Since then, I have been to Hyderabad numerous times to attend conferences, business meetings or simply to explore the city….

Sabarmati Ashram | The stunning start to India’s Great Independence

“A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.” – Mahatma Gandhi Situated by the bank of Sabarmati, Gandhi Ashram (also known as Sabarmati Ashram) is a place of mythological significance, a place of worship, the land of duty (Karmabhoomi) & a significant milestone in India’s Independence journey. On 12th…

Abandoned tales of an admired country: Kashmir of Incredible India

Disclaimer: This post is a combination of my experiences as a child who lived in North India & as an adult who has worked with people from Kashmir, travelled to Kashmir & spoken with locals. I do not claim anything. I know no mechanism to decipher truths. Only stories…that I am sharing here. All pictures…

Two lazy days of rare birds and high mountains in Latpanchar, Darjeeling

Remember Zazu? “Well the buzz from the bees is that the leopards are in a bit of a spot. And the baboons are going ape over this. Of course, the giraffes are acting like they’re above it all… The tick birds are pecking on the elephants. I told the elephants to forget it, but they…

Cast aside your diet plans & relish the exclusive flavours of Amritsari Kulcha

Julia Child once said, “People who love to eat are always the best people”. We, Indians, love our food. We protect our recipes. We take (somewhat) pride in our methods of preparation. No two dishes taste the same here. In fact, the same dish would taste different as you move locations & landscapes. This is…

Driving through Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world

Some trips are impromptu & fun, and some need immaculate planning that starts from booking your plane tickets at least three months in advance, planning your leave so that it doesn’t coincide with any program launches or business reviews at work & designing the itinerary to have a fulfilling experience (which means not miss anything…

What’s so GREAT about the World UNESCO Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park?

People love their school days. I don’t. You would never find me reminiscing about my school time or talking about the memories one makes during their school days: planning for mass bunks, stealing food from your neighbour’s lunchbox, waiting for the Zero Period so that one can go out & play & going to the…

10 things to do in Calcutta (Kolkata), the cultural capital of India

Vir Sanghvi once said, “Calcutta is not for everyone. You want your cities clean and green; stick to Delhi. You want your cities, rich and impersonal; go to Bombay. You want them high-tech and full of draught beer; Bangalore’s your place. But if you want a city with a soul, come to Calcutta.” Having lived…

Thin air, low Oxygen & high altitude: Zero Point, Sikkim

A night before trekking to mountains or any other gruelling travel, I go to bed early. My body, soul & mind reach a consensus like it often happens between cross-functional teams before a tight deadline. There’s a certain calm that I feel with no anxiety, no worry and no bad memories. No matter the content…

Seven Truths about Bihar, Jharkhand & Chattisgarh

Most of you know that I was on a personal mission to visit all 28 states (29, then) of India by 2020. My own 2020 mission! I was making good progress and had done 15+ states by 2018. But then, life happened and all my travel plans were stalled & readjusted. It happens. It’s Life….

The Savanna of India: Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar

The best things in life are often chanced upon. They make their way into your life serendipitously when you expect them the least. The same thing happened to me a few weeks back when we had planned to spend a day in Velavadar. It was supposed to be a halt on our return journey from…

The flamboyant & the cinematic City Palace of Udaipur

Wherever you live on this planet – India, Asia, the US or Europe, chances are that you have heard of (or stayed in) this luxurious, heritage resort of India that floats on a lake – the magnificent Taj Lake Palace of Udaipur. Taj Lake Palace (formerly known as Jag Niwas) is known for many reasons…

Wolf, Wolf – cried our neighbour the third time that fateful morning!

It was a cold morning; I could feel the dense fog on my face while waiting in an open jeep, for our driver to arrive. The seats of the safari were drenched as these often are in early morning safaris & the driver hadn’t bothered to wipe those dry, as these drivers often don’t. With…

A piece of Portugal in Diu, the Diu Fortress

The most fun part about taking a road trip is the luxury to take a stop whenever, wherever you want to. You can improvise the itinerary on the go & visit the places that you won’t visit otherwise. This is why I love road trips. On one such road trip to Gujarat, Diu became a…

The empire that could have been, and the emperor’s resting place, the tomb of Sher Shah Suri in Sasaram

I was on my way to Bodh Gaya, Bihar. It was a six-hour long journey from the Chunar Fort in Varanasi. And I was getting bored. Well, sort of. It wasn’t because I was holed up in a car, doing nothing. It was because there was nothing interesting going on inside the car or on…

Igatpuri, in the Western Ghats: found on maps but not by cabs

Like a coin, every tourist place has two sides. There’s often a known side that’s exaggerated in blogs & glorified by travellers. It’s usually the good stuff that someone would tell you about after having spent their hard-earned money on a trip to that place. And then there’s an unknown side that everybody knows but…

An evening in the Wine Capital of the Country, to SULA Vineyards, Nashik

“Either give me more wine or leave me alone.” ― Rumi When you arrive at Sula Vineyards, it feels as if you have arrived at Cyber Hub in Gurgaon. You see the same glitz & glamour, people dressed up in fashionable clothes & a melange of smells wafting your way. Then, you look at the…

Where Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj defeated Afzal Khan: the Pratapgarh fort

Things that have to happen find a way to happen like our trip to Pratapgarh fort. When we went to Mahabaleshwar, I told my sister that we should go to Pratapgarh but she won’t listen. She wanted to go for star gazing & an early sunrise. Not only because my sister is as quirky as…

Spend a weekend with Painted Storks & Cormorants in Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary

During the three years of my stay in Gurgaon, not even once did I hear of this place. Every weekend, I would wake up & make new plans to spend all of my hard-earned salary & some of that of my parents. And yet I would end up exploring the pubs, the movie theatres, some…

Bodh Gaya, and the lessons of life!

I was in the queue, adjusting my mask & ensuring social distancing. My family was already inside the premises & I was still at the security check. Queues frustrate me – not because I have to wait for my turn but because there’s always some pushing & shoving going on. People behind you want you…

A journey like no other, from Patan to the 100 rupee banknote: Rani ki Vav

It is said that Egypt gave pyramids to the world, and India gave stepped wells. India gave a lot of other things to the world too (that are showcased in the museums all over) but that’s a topic for some other day. Today, let’s talk about stepped wells that are believed to have originated in…

7 things YOU don’t do in a Tiger Reserve or a forest!

India is an incredible country, home to the Western Ghats & the Himalayas & more. We have got Alpine, Rainforests, Tropical & Subtropical forests & more. 50,000+ species of plants & 40,000+ species of animals stay in India. So, yes, India has got gorgeous forests & must-visit tiger reserves. You don’t even have to be…

The oldest rock-cut architecture of India- Barabar caves, Bihar

I discovered Barabar caves when I read E M Forster’s, ‘Passage to India’. It was one of the recommended books, as part of the preparation for Verbal Ability in CAT. So, naturally I didn’t read the book then. I didn’t read it in MBA either. Because let’s admit it, who reads books (other than the…

Welcome to Sikkim

“Sabse bura log Dilli ka aata hai (The worst people we receive are from Delhi)”, my cabbie remarked. I couldn’t help but laugh at his candid and innocent ways. “Aap Dilli ka hai madam (Are you from Delhi?)” Well, you can say that I am from Delhi. Whether we go to Ladakh, Kanyakumari or Sikkim,…

Ranchi – the smart city of waterfalls, niceties & poise

What comes to your mind when you hear about Ranchi?! (Bombay people – it’s the capital of Jharkhand, just so you know.) Mahendra Dhoni, Erstwhile Bihar, or maybe the cult movie, Gangs of Wasseypur? At least that’s what comes to my mind. That, and my ex-roommate & super-cool friend, Neha Bharti from Ranchi, who shares…

A day in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh

On my recent road trip to Bihar, Jharkhand & Chattisgarh, the last stop was Raipur & then we were to go back home via Jabalpur, MP. We started early morning from Ranchi to drive down to Raipur. The trip was to end in another 2-3 days. I wanted to make the most of whatever was…

Home to Mowgli, the Pench Tiger Reserve

“But this is my home” – Mowgli As a child, I was shy. Really shy! I won’t talk to strangers, run away from people, hide in the tiniest possible corners of my home & would prefer silence to speech. I liked my own company and until people pointed out that I should be more social,…

Meet the prince of Jhalana – Rana, the leopard

Leopard is an interesting animal. It sometimes enters residential areas, attacks the pets & creates a terror amidst (otherwise terrifying) homo sapiens. Other times, it’s rarely seen. While you can certainly count the number of tigers in a forest, you can’t really ascertain the number of leopards. Why? Because it’s a super elusive animal, who…

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve: Unbelievable, Untouched & Unexplored

India is home to more than 75% of wild tigers in the world today. While that might swell your chest with pride, don’t overlook the fact that we have been excessively reckless with our resources & gifts over the centuries. Back then when we were a country of many princely states where each king harboured…

A long bumpy ride & two days of long walks on Mall road of Nainital

Around five years back, I had some free time at work, which is very unusual for me. Because I am usually buried under work with the grace of my bosses but mostly out of my own accord. That time, I was relatively free with no scary deadlines, nobody breathing down my neck and nobody to…

Riding down memory lane, my first trip to Pondicherry in 2013!

Today, I am going to talk about my visit to Pondicherry back in 2013. It’s a special trip because I planned it four months in advance, and saved a fixed portion from my salary every month, while proudly defaulting on my education loan EMI. Just a week before the trip, a big launch was planned at work, and I have been working towards making that happen. Everything was happening like clock work, and I happily reached Puducherry with a bag full of amazing clothes and a heart full of desires. By the way, do you know how I thought of ‘Pondicherry’ of all the places?

Running for shade when it rained – a day at Miramar beach, Goa

It needed 12 hours of drive to reach Goa, from Bangalore. We started early morning & before we knew; we all were in holiday mood desperate for an evening in beach. So, we took a halt in Karwar enjoying the beach walks & jhaalmuri. It was windy & beautiful – the perfect start to the next three days in Goa.

In Jaipur – memories over many years!

I still remember that night when I first reached Jaipur. It was a trip with friends, and we had booked our seats in a Shatabdi from Delhi. Even though I was tired, hungry & lugging around a heavy bag, I noticed the colorful railway platform of Jaipur. The coolies wore a beautiful pagdi & the sign at the exit said, ‘Padharo Mhare Desh’.

Wo ek shaam, Benaras ki!

“Don’t you ever dare to book trips without consulting me. Who asked you anyway.” This was my father’s reaction when I had announced that I booked a trip to Benaras the next month. While I was processing his response which was way different than I had imagined. My mother added, “You think money grows on…

Ye Sheher Muskurata hai!

“I am going to buy Chikankari today itself”, I told myself, almost making it sound like a project, taking all the joy of shopping out of it. In another couple of hours, I was in Lucknow, waiting outside Dastarkhwan along with 20 other people. There were a variety of Kebabs, around me, happily marinating, placed…

Kehwa aur Kahaniyan!

Two days before our scheduled departure to Kashmir, there was news about stone-pelting & open firing in the valley. They were showing live footage on the news channels. It would scare the hell out of people like us who began watching TV in the 90s & have heard only one kind of news when they…

Mountains NEVER called me. I showed up uninvited.

The Mountains are calling and I must go”. When John Muir wrote this in a letter to her sister, in 1873, sitting somewhere in Yosemite Valley, little did he know that in another 140 years, his letter would become public knowledge and his words would form one of the most popular headlines ever to announce the love for mountains. When I think of mountains, I think of my childhood. That’s where it all began anyway.

I am out of Bombay & Bombay is out of me. But there’s more.

One fine day in the January of 2019, I decided to move my base from Ghaziabad. I badly needed a change of scene. So, I started exploring my options which (I realised after a while) didn’t exist. In times like these, I turn to wiser people for advice. Even then, I turned to one of the…

We are back & it’s awesome!

I want to begin by saying that you all are amazing people. The whole of last year, most of you kept hounding me about why I am not writing anymore. And I kept telling you that I would, as soon as I get some free time. To keep it off my mind and back, I…

Away from the noise, the life in Manoribel, Mumbai

Every Monday, I drag my body with half a soul to work & begin running, only to take a pause on Friday night because the next morning won’t come with alarms and reminders. Sleeping like no one is watching on Saturdays & Sundays often help me find the rest of my missing soul, only to…

Inside the Gurudwaras, and beyond this world, Amritsar & Leh, Ladakh

A few days back, I woke up early to finish off some pending assignments. I could feel all 50+ kgs of myself when I had to drag myself out of the bed and slow-walk to the living room, trying excessively hard to keep my droopy eyes open. The struggle was on when I heard a…