India is more than the beaches of Goa, the picturesque mountains and lakes of Ladakh, the backwaters of Kerala and the hill stations of Shimla and Ooty. India is definitely more than that. Each of the 29 states offers a different experience to the traveller inside you. All you got to do is – explore….
Author: Just Yamini
Bringing in travel stories from the nooks and corners of Incredible India 🇮🇳
The burnt & broken: Shaniwarwada, Pune
Bajirao-Mastani hit the Cinema Halls in 2016 and took us on a visual treat. The movie got me thinking about many things & I resolved to read the translated copy of the famous Marathi novel ‘Rau’ & pay a visit to the much decorated (going by what the movie showed) Shaniwarwada in Pune. I could…
On your plate, from the streets of India!
With many fine dining restaurants & bars mushrooming here and there, burning a hole in the pocket has become easier than ever. These restaurants will ‘Sir and Ma’am’ you, serve exotic-sounding dishes in small bowls and plates (quantity enough for a bite or two) & take away all your money. In fact, the more I…
Where all that shines is Gold: Jaisalmer
The land is barren and the farms are dry. The weather is harsh and the temperature is very high. You would think that this can mar the spirits of the locals. But no ma’am, no. You are wrong. The place beams, the buildings shine & the locals,the locals sparkle under the hot Sun with a…
A little place of books: Waari Book Cafe, Pune
“Reading gives us a place to go when we have to stay where we are.” A book comes with no reservations. You can safekeep a book, begin it at your own pace, go back, flip forward or close it and take a nap. The book doesn’t mind & the book never moves. You will always…
Republic India; Incredible India!
India will celebrate its 68th republic day tomorrow on 26th January, 2017. The pride of the country will be seen in march pasts, rallies and other cultural programs as part of the republic day parade at Rajpath. Many television shows will lose their audience to the live telecast of republic day parades tomorrow because India…
Cafe trail: Seven places to check out the next time you visit McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
Some people are not meant for discotheques or bar hopping. They don’t identify with that. They can mask their emotions and pretend to enjoy the loud music, dark setting and glammed up gentry. But deep down, they long for their cosy bed where they can lie for hours reading a book or binge watching Hotstar/…
Orchha: the erstwhile capital of Bundelkhand
India is a country of colors. No matter where you go, you are bound to discover a new color – a sketch of the forgotten past with strokes of victories coupled with dabs of eloquent art and architecture. At a distance of 485 kms. from Delhi, between the heroic Jhansi & monumental Khajuraho, lies a…
A wondrous morning & ‘Waah Taj’!
“Let the splendor of diamond, pearl, and ruby vanish like the magic shimmer of the rainbow. Only let this one tear-drop, this Tajmahal, glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of time, forever and ever .” -Rabindranath Tagore More than three centuries ago, a muslim emperor built an ivory-white monument in the memory of his Persian…
The highest Gateway in the world: Buland Darwaza
“The world is a bridge, pass over it, but build no houses upon it”, reads the Persian inscription on the main gateway, Buland Darwaza. Akbar wanted to commemorate his conquest over Gujarat. He decided to do something extraordinary. Feasts were organized regularly & competitions were a regular affair, he wished to do something magnificent &…
The aloof tiger and the lazy Python of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
15 years ago when I visited Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary for the first time, our guide told us about a tiger that lived in the sanctuary and came by the lake in the evening to drink water. It was an excursion trip organized from KVS (Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan). I was in 9th standard and for the…
A walk down the ancient India: Pattadakal
At a mere distance of 22 kms. from the famous Badami caves, exists the rustic village of Pattadakal. Located on the left side of the Malaprabha river, Pattadakal lives graciously, away from the madness of the contemporary world. Evidence suggests that Pattadakal came into being around 6th or 7th century when the Chalukyas decided on…
Incredible India: 12 places for 12 months!
It was a Friday evening of humid April this year. Around 4 pm of that fateful evening, I found myself battling for breath. My life jacket was intact, but I could not come above the surface. Water started to get better of me. I was telling myself that nothing would happen. At best, I would…
Sunburn or not, new year means Goa!
Some places evoke a feeling of belonging. You long for them. All the unsettling thoughts and turmoil inside you begin to smooth over, in such places. You come here again and again & do the same things over and over. With the passage of time, you develop rituals. And these rituals only become meaningful when you are…
The pursuit of tea & the road to Munnar!
I am never alone. Because I always have a cup of tea to keep me company. I was 8 when I had my first cup of tea. It was a monsoon evening with a clear but clouded day. I played ‘nine tiles’ that evening. After an hour, I came back home a winner but drenched. …
Gwalior: Where she fought gallantly, the queen of Jhansi!
“No, impossible! I shall not surrender my Jhansi!” On June 18th, 1858, a 29 year old widowed queen of Jhansi, with courage in her veins and valor in her blood, fought against the British and lay her life in the battle of Gwalior, trying to save her state from the British. The British (greatly outnumbering…
A box of chocolates – Kodai Kanal.
My mother never told me that life was a box of chocolates. She had a list of adjectives that Life was – demanding, whimsical, eccentric, and mischievous – but it was never a box of chocolates in her dictionary. Chocolates were instead a treat for us reserved to be enjoyed only on special occasions like…
The Chai that never disappoints: Meri wali Chai at Chaayos
Come winters and my daily count of Chai (tea) soars like the weighing machine scale every morning. These days, I am on a count of 5-7 mugs of ginger-brewed tea with cinnamon powder sprinkled on the top. The ginger must be brewed for 2 mins. before adding tea leaves (powder) or you don’t get the flavor right. And…
Fantastic beasts and here to find them: National Zoo, Delhi
UPDATE as on November 2021: It’s absolutely cruel to cage animals & show them off like objects. Animals belong in the wild. And if we want to spend some time in their company or in their habitat, we must go to Tiger Reserves, National Parks or Bird Sanctuaries. This is why I haven’t been to…
A 1500 year old tale set in stone: Aihole temples, Karnataka
In ancient India, people relied on temples for learning, financial assistance and education. Temples were the know all, be all. Locals deposited their Gold and currency in the temple treasury chests and retired peacefully to sleep every night. Temples were a sacred place where the destiny was made and remade. So sacred were the temples that…
Top 7 destinations to Holiday this December for winters have come!
Winters, like Santa Claus, brings a bag of goodies with itself every year: late mornings, envelopes of mist, the momentary relief from chilling cold over sips of piping hot chai (tea) served over a plate of pakoras (fritters) & holidays. Holidays are the best part about winters and of course, the tea. Most would like to…
The Great Indian Parantha of Amrik Sukhdev, Murthal!
I have a theory – When something is denied to you, you crave it even more. And when that something is food, your cravings know no limits. Good food takes you to another world and that world is still untouched by the woes of real life. In that world, only happiness and only happiness exists….
Once full of terror, now lay dead and silent: the ravines of Chambal, Madhya Pradesh
Across the fertile Uttar Pradesh, arid Rajasthan & deciduous Madhya Pradesh, exists the landscape with eccentric formation of mud moulds that have existed for decades here. By the banks of pristine Chambal river, these mud moulds stand tall at about 10 ft. – 20 ft. & shield those who seek a refuge in these weird…
Dive in the Ganges & celebrate the full moon of Ganga Mahotsav in Haridwar & Varanasi
India is a land of religious people who love their Gods more than anything else. A lot of families still wake up before Sunrise every day and start their prayer rituals after morning ablutions and bath. They hold on to the faith that ‘good wins over bad’ & firmly believe in the power of the…
Leave the worry at home & bask in the glory of Tagore beach, Karwar
I have inquisitive eyes that twinkle at the slightest joy. That’s what people tell me at least. And rightly so; my eyes do a lot of talking. And they specially become chatty when I go on a holiday. While on road, they are mostly anxious about what’s going to happen next and perpetually hop from…
NO to Shacks, YES to getting high: an unusual day in Goa!
The entry to the fort is a modest walk of 5 minutes like the beginning of a great musical. Once you enter the fort, you see a sprawling area all around you with space to organize many orchestras together. In the middle, there is a four-storeyed light house that must have aided in guarding the place. It still stands tall like a soldier of the armies that must have camped here, Standing tall, the fort refuses to budge, keeping a watch to ensuring that it’s city is safe and sound.
Bow in love to the second highest statue of Lord Shiva at Murudeshwara, Karnataka
Murudeshwara (Lord Shiva), is located in Bhatkal taluk town of Uttar Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, some 165 km from Mangalore. Surrounded by the Arabian sea from three sides, Murudeshwara temple stands tall just next to the beach. The 123 ft. tall statue of Lord Shiva located inside the temple complex is the…
Hidden gems of India: Sparkling Kapu beach of Udupi, Karnataka
Those who want to skip the craziness of everyday life of a metropolitan; who want to experience what ‘quiet’ feels like; who do not fear the silence and can muster the courage to talk with self when no one is watching and no one is listening – would love the serene and undiscovered beach of Kaup in Udupi, Karnataka.
Bare bodies and bare souls, Varanasi
We began with the Ghat where people were bathing and swimming like they were in a pool. A mere dip in the river was supposed to wash away their sins. However, the bare, unclad bodies did not bother anyone and no amount of constant stares could bring embarrassment to the subject.
Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky – Golconda fort, Hyderabad
“He who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all its misfortunes. Only God, or a woman, can wear it with impunity.”, reads the curse of Koh-i-Noor. Clap inside the portico under the dome at the entrance of the fort and the sound will reach the person who is sitting in a…
Find your happy place in the mini Switzerland of India – Khajjiar
You are in a meadow, millions of stars in the sky. Just the warm breeze, and the moonlight flowing through the trees. That’s your happy place, right? No? Oh, I forgot! That’s the happy place of Phoebe Buffay, the famous character from the epic TV Series, FRIENDS. When I first heard her describing her happy…
The pursuit of eternal peace at the farthest corner of the country: Kanyakumari
Some come to travel; some come on a pilgrimage & some come in the pursuit of peace to the farthest corner of our country, Kanyakumari. Formerly known as Cape Comorin, the place satiates the spiritual & religious quests of many. And extreme restless souls like mine found solace here like wailing baby who stops sobbing when his…
Toy train ride from Kalka to Shimla: Don’t even think about it!
Beware of every blog that talks highly about the toy train ride from Kalka to Shimla; none of the authors have actually been through the journey themselves. The one who has traveled in the Shimla-Kalka toy train understands the pain of aching muscles, hurting joints & stiff neck. After 6 long hours when the torture ends, you come out of the train a little shorter & a lot crazier.
Toy train ride is only meant for kids below 10 years of age. With seats meant for dwarves, one can hardly adjust their bu** cheeks on the cushion. The space is enough only for one person which is why the other one sits half on the seat & half in the air.
This wasn’t enough which is why the Railways decided to play a game. They declared all compartments, general. So, anyone who has a ticket can board the bogie & stand above your head while you sit half on seat & half in the air. The only thing that salvages this journey is – the few moments of scenic routes during the journey.
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The fight for the window seat:
The railways want to have all their fun at the expense of toy train passengers which is why they have screwed up the seat numbering in the toy train. The window seat numbers indicate aisle seats while the aisle seats are numbered by the window. You can imagine the amount of fights that happen because of this.
Oh, did I use the word ‘aisle’?! Sorry, there is nothing like an aisle in a toy train. Since they can’t expect the passengers to hop above one another, they left a space of hardly 1 foot between two seats. One can’t even stand there.
As far as the luggage goes, you may very well keep it on your head since there is no space available to keep it. Or better, seat the luggage on the joke they call seats. And you sit over your luggage. That way, there will be at least one body part of yours that won’t pain at the end of the journey.
Food walk down the lanes of Vrindavan, Mathura!
Julia Child once said, “People who love to eat are always the best people.” I took this way seriously. And I am adamant to become the best of the best which is why I eat, gorge & binge. I have been through sizes – from ‘S’ to ‘XL’ – back to ‘S’ & then ‘M’….
104 steps leading to the darkest waters of History: Agrasen ki Baoli, Delhi
“Kahan jana hai madam” “Agrasen ki Baoli” “Kya? Connaught Place?” “Nahin, Agrasen ki Baoli. Aapko nahin pata kya? Mandi house ke paas hai” “150 lagenge warna rehne do” With a long face, I checked for an Ola & booked a micro in exactly 2 minutes. The same story repeated. The Ola cabbie didn’t know ‘Agrasen…
Discover your inner music at the singing hill of India: Dainkund, Dalhousie
We were on our way to Khajjiar from Dalhousie & were ardently following the Google Maps when Dainkund happened. Near the ‘Lakkad Bazaar’ in Dalhousie, we had to take the turn down the road while we took the one leading to the top of the hill. And we landed in the most beautiful place of…
Full of Eerie: Chunar Fort, Mirzapur
The Assistant Director of Gangs of Wasseypur died while filming at Chunar Fort, Mirzapur. The local priest says that he continuously flouted the rules of the fort in spite of numerous warnings & thus met his fate. A travel enthusiast couple visits the fort & meets a guide who shows them the dungeons where they…
Lift your spirits, ditch your fears & jump from 7800+ ft in BirBilling, Himachal
My feet started to shake when my glider asked me to run down the slope. “What if I fall? What if the parachute doesn’t open? What if I make a fool of myself? And then I saw a 10 year old flying with his glider.
Rely on God when you ride a horse in Kufri, Shimla
A stretch strewn with rocks, boulders & stones; a ride that’s 15 -20 mins. long & your fate that’s entirely dependent on the mood & prowess of your horse that’s taking you uphill, crossing the muddy, swamps & maneuvering its way to Mahasu Peak. Oh, we are talking about the much-recommended experience of Kufri, Shimla –…
Rejuvenate in Nilgiris; 11 things to do in Ooty
After crossing 36 hairpin bends & breathing tons of fresh air, we reached Ooty from Mysore, in 6 hours. A city that knows no season other than Spring, Ooty (or Udhagamandalam), is a beautiful hill station in the Nilgiri hills. Beautiful mountains, green valleys, tall Eucalyptus trees & colorful flowers all around have together given the town…
Rendezvous with Gods in Somanathapura
Somanathapura is a small town, some 35 kms. away from Mysore. The town is famous for the Chennakesava Temple (Kesava orKeshava temple). These temples were built by Soma, a Dandanayaka (commander) in 1268 CE under Hoysala Empire King Narasimha III. That was the time when the Hoysalas were the major power in South India. Read more about Somanathapura temples…
Where the 70s come alive: Beatle’s Cafe in Rishikesh!
“Oh yeah I’ll tell you something I think you’ll understand When I say that something I wanna hold your hand” When the Fantastic Four – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr played ‘I want to hold your hand’ in the 1960s, it was the dawn of a new era. As they balanced the chords & managed…
Photo blog: Cultural Heritage & Architectural Wonders of Somanathapura
Whenever I think that I have traveled a great deal in India with a few places left to visit; a new place pops up on the maps & I would be awestruck by its beauty & magnificence. In our last trip to Gaganchukki & Barachukki falls, we visited Somanathapura temples and absolutely loved them. Like the ruins of…
Be a part of your own Jungle Book at Bandipur National Park!
Each one of us has a ‘Mowgli’ in us, waiting to manifest. All we need is a good, green Jungle (forest). Unleash your ‘Mowgli’ in Bandipur National Park. Who knows you might even spot a ‘Bagheera’ in the Jungle & befriend a ‘Baloo’?! Where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats, God created Bandipur National…
Art Abound: National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi
‘Bride’s Toilet’ paints a beautiful picture of married and single women, celebrating the precious moments of life in simple ways. ‘Brahamacharis’ is a masterpiece illustrating how diversity exists in similarity. If you look in the eyes of the dark guy (at the left) of the painting, you feel he is looking at you back. Like he knows, you are trying to fathom the mystery of the painting, but won’t be able to do it unless he gives away the secrets. Try it!
This weekend, go visit – National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi
The dance of holy love and divine passion, Krishna Raasleela at Nidhivan, Vrindavan
‘Madhuvan Main Jo Kanhaiya Kisi Gopi Se Mile Kabhi Muskaaye Kabhee Chhede Kabhee Baat Kare Radha Kaise Na Jale, Radha Kaise Na Jale Aag Tan Man Me Lage Radha Kaise Na Jale, Radha Kaise Na Jale’ The decorated flute plays tunes of love, the peacock wing sways hither & thither, the surroundings are filled with…
How I had a narrow escape while white water rafting at Rishikesh
Water Sports remain sports until something goes wrong. For me, it went all wrong. Well, nearly! To unwind from a long, exhausting week, I planned my weekend to Haridwar & Rishikesh last month. I planned for white water river rafting hoping that it will beat my Monday blues atleast for a month. With much excitement,…
11 ways to come closer to the divine in Vrindavan, Mathura!
I grew up watching Shri Krishna. I participated in the dramas that were organised on the eve of Janmashtami. I was frequently dressed as Kanha & a few times dressed as Radha; I remember that. Lord Krishna has always been a naughty figure of god – the one that taught us love. The one that…
The house of the Gods & the monkeys, Vrindavan.
Brindavan mein radhe radhe Sunrak gaon mein radhe radhe Kalideh per radhe radhe Adyedapat mein radhe radhe Taan gali mein radhe radhe Maan gali mein radhe radhe O’man gali mein radhe radhe Gokunj gali mein radhe radhe Siva kunj mein radhe radhe Prem gali mein radhe radhe Shringar bat mein radhe radhe Cheer ghat mein…
Bonjour! Beaches of the French Colony of India – Pondicherry!
“L’amour est la poésie des sens.” – Balzac; meaning Love is the poetry of the senses. Pondicherry (or Puducherry), a French colonial settlement in India until 1954, is a Union Territory bordered by Tamil Nadu state. The city still has the French touch with French architecture, French streets serving cheese & street signs reading in French. In many…
A sip of happiness: Kulhar Chai
They say that you can’t buy happiness. But you can buy a cup of tea. And that’s almost the same thing. Isn’t it? 🙂 The world is full of tea lovers who will do anything and everything provided you bring them a cup of tea. And tea love is the best love in this world….
The tales of a bygone era – Hampi Diaries, II
After our tour to Elephant Stable, Lotus Palace & Vittala temple, we proceeded towards the rest of the amazing monolithic structures of the marvellous village, Hampi. Have you visited ruins before? If yes, you must be familiar with the goosebumps one gets when you watch the broken walls, dismantled bricks of high buildings & long, glaring cracks…
The tales of a bygone era – Hampi Diaries, I
Like many of us, I grew up despising History Lessons. The long narratives of valiant battles & mercurial dynasties bored me. The odd dates with prime numbers, between which wars were fought, drained me. The long, difficult to pronounce – names of Emperors & Kings, sapped my energy. Little did I know that I will grow up to…
The white & the saffron of Vrindavan!
“There are over 6500 temples in Vrindavan. How many can you see in a day, Bhagat?“, said our guide to my father. This came as a response to my father’s naive question, “How many temples are there in Vrindavan? How long will it take to see them all ?” To ensure that we cover the maximum temple…
Unknown, Untouched & Uncanny -Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kanyakumari
However, when the capital shifted from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram; the palace was deserted. The halls that were lit once were now dark. The music that was sung here once, existed only in the memories now.
Paradise in South – Kovalam, the beach city of Kerala
Coconut trees, Arabian Sea, Crescent-shaped beach, Lighthouses, Giant waves & sumptuous sea food, Kovalam is the paradise of the South, by all means. You might have seen, bathed in & surfed by a lot of beaches, but this beach will take your breath away. You might have hundred Kilometers of road on you, but this one will…
Fan of Sunsets? If yes, have you seen these?
In the words of Mattie Stepanek, “Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second.” Sunsets are gorgeous. And people who watch sun sets are gorgeous too. India is home to many such incredible places that take you to places far, far away – all with your eyes open. I, personally, love Sun sets….
In God’s own country, God’s own life!
Kerala – home to yummilicious food, green coconut trees, sapphire-blue beaches & sea life. There’s just so much in God’s own country to explore and experience that one or two trips will never suffice. In our recent trip to Kovalam beach , we encountered something new. Kovalam beach is gorgeous. It’s one of the most beautiful…
5 Travel Hacks that will always come to your rescue.
In the world of TripAdvisor & HolidayIQ, travelling has become fun & interesting. Whether you want to take a break from the 10*10 monotony or want to visit your favorite place, travel soothes you all the same. Planning the travel is even more fun – stay, food, itinerary or commute. Every little thing related to…
Where History Sings & the Gods dance – Badami Caves, Karnataka
Badmai cave temples, located in the Bagalkot district in northern part of Karnataka, India – are a phenomenal example of architecture in rock-cut art. Formerly known as Vataapi Badami, the caves were built around the time of Chalukya dynasty, who ruled Karnataka from 6th to 8th century. Badami Caves are a monolithic structure with four major…
Eclectic, Colorful Mix: Surajkund International Craft Mela 2016
Surajkund International Craft Fair or Surajkund Mela is a very popular annual craft fair where many states and neighboring countries participate. They set-up their stalls and exhibit the best of Craft, Clothes, food and decor from their place. And people from Delhi, Haryana, Noida & Ghaziabad, flock in thousands to experience this eclectic colorful mix! By the…
13 reasons why you should visit Delhi Haat every month!
Situated in the heart of Delhi, Delhi Haat is a brilliant example of what India stands for. Step inside Delhi Haat & you would understand what ‘Unity in Diversity’ means. Be it Momos of Nagaland stall, Madhubani paintings of Bihar, intricate craft work from Orrisa and Jharkhand or beautiful embroidery items from Kashmir; Delhi Haat…
Magic in Marble: The Taj Mahal, Agra
No amount of words, no exceptional movie scenes & no description in History books can even remotely describe the beauty & magic that The Taj Mahal creates. Taj Mahal is instrumental in putting India on the global map of travel and tourism. It’s not only gorgeous but very mysterious. It’s said that the Taj changes shades…
5 things no one tells you about Alleppey backwaters.
Alleppey Backwaters, popularly known as – Venice of the East, is a popular tourist destination of India. In fact, Kerala tourism thrives on Munnar & Alleppey. Since the time I first heard the word ‘backwaters’, I imagined it was something of a miracle. When I were a kid, I almost believed that Alleppey Backwaters would…
Just Married? How about these 3 Awesome places for a post wedding shoot?
Greeting Cards, Coffee Mugs or Photography – everything is commercialized & customized these days. Over the past couple of years, the popularity of ‘pre-wedding shoot’ has grown more than that of Sunny Leone. You log on to Facebook & all you see is – candid photographs of people – drinking water from the same tap…
How should you spend time in Auroville if you don’t meditate?
Back in 2013, after completing a huge project, I went on a break for 10 days out of which I decided to spend 3 in Puducherry. After the release of ‘Life of Pi’ in 2012, I have been rooting to experience the ‘French’ touch, they say exists in Puducherry (I am going to call it…
8 Mobile Apps. that every traveler must have.
2016 looks impressive in terms of extended weekends. Club your leave with optional offs & get yourself a holiday. Whether you are a crazy planner or believe to be ‘in the moment’, there are a few mobile apps. that make our lives easier & our travel happier. Here is a list of top eight mobile…
Royal Rajasthan presents Dharohar Dance Show in Bagore ki Haveli, Udaipur
200+ years old Haveli (mansion), 100+ rooms & numerous colorful, glass jharokhas – that’s Bagore ki Haveli for you. Situated by Gangaur Ghat in the vicinity of Pichola Lake, the Haveli offers a travel, back in time when ‘art’ was exclusive & ‘culture’ was revered. The silent corridors, airy balconies & open terrace, tell tales of a bygone royal…
Picture yourself in the Pine forests of Palani Hills, Kodaikanal
Situated in the lap of Palani hills, Kodaikanal is one of the finest hill stations we have. As you drive towards Kodai, the landscape changes gradually with glimpses of Eucalyptus trees against the backdrop of Pine trees. Temperature falls down degree by degree & even before you realise, your hands start searching for a jacket. Cross the hairpin bends & in half an hour, you are in the hill station brimming with honeymoon couples.
Not just any coconut, it’s the king coconut!
Come South India, and all you see around- is – coconut trees – at all geometrical angles possible. You see tall, towering coconut trees, standing with pride. You see slightly flexible coconut trees pulling off all Yogamudras that you can’t even think of. You see coconut trees, one after the other, along the road, waving…
5 things, a true traveller won’t do!
No matter how much you have travelled, no matter how well you can write, no matter how great you can photograph; you are not a great traveller if you litter, cheat & hurt. In my opinion, you don’t qualify to be a traveller if you: Litter around: why do we travel? Because we love to see, observe…
Rich & Rustic Rock Art at Edakkal Caves, Wayanad
Edakkal Caves – the caves between the stones are an exemplary example of rock art. While the beautiful carvings of animals and human beings on the rocks signify the life of a long lost age, the mysterious symbols and designs depict multiple objects at the same time like the moods of a woman; neither can…
Jog Falls, Shimoga: magical, musical waters
If Hogwarts were for real & they planned on opening one in India, it had to be right here nearby Jog Falls, Shimoga. The Jog falls would have marked the boundary of the school. The auditorium where us the muggles (homosapiens) watch the light & sound show; the chosen ones would have used it for their quidditch practice. And the boring KSTDC Maurya Hotel would have provided for the classrooms & libraries.
Majestic Thar: Sam, Sand & Sun in Jaisalmer
When you are finally in the Thar, there is nothing but sand all around. Camels merge with the sand & the only thing that stands out is the stroke of colors – Colorful beads around the suave camel neck, colorful attires of ladies singing & dancing, colorful bands in the sky before, during & after the sunset. You might not know but there exists a romantic in you. And that romantic manifests in the Thar.
Conversations & Camaraderie over Chai at Cha Bar, Delhi
I grew up in a middle class, north indian, baniya family. We celebrate everything over chai. People have come over lunch – we make tea. They have had lunch – we offer tea. They have stayed back till evening – we force tea. And once they have gone, we soothe ourselves over sips of tea.
Nainital: 7 must-do’s in the foothills of Kumaon
The honeymoon destination of 80s & 90s – Nainital -is one of the most beautiful, commercialized & planned hill stations of India.
Situated in the Kumaon foothills of mighty Himalayas, this hill station still manages to take your breath away. If you visit it in Summers, the bright, green colors of Pine & Oak tress leave you amazed & happy. And if you visit Nainital in winters, it takes you straight to the Bollywood movie scenes of 90’s where a newly wed couple is aiming & throwing snowballs at each other & suddenly the ‘heroine’ slips on the slippery, white snow only to be caught by the ‘hero’ in time.
Waah Chai: from the diary of a tea addict!
Sunrise, showers, morning, winters, evenings, gossips, hill stations, Sunday afternoons, today & everyday, a cup of chai (tea) is for every time & for every one! Captures straights from the Tea Museum, Munnar – the land of tea estates!
Include these 10 things in your next Road Trip!
Thinking of a road trip but worrying over whether it’s a good decision or not?! I would say, think not! Go on & hit the road! When you go on a road trip, you feel the travel. You breathe in the place, take stops at the local eateries & see for yourself how the landscape…
Life on weekends- Home 