Rajasthan - the land of shifting sands, heritage structures, cenotaphs and vibrant handicrafts - has always fascinated me and I was quick to grab the first opportunity to visit Jodhpur, the state’s second-largest city punctuated with palaces where Rajas and Maharajas still reside. The city is a bit of...
A visit to the world’s famous sculpture temples of Khajuraho was long on my wish list. Khajuraho, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Madhya Pradesh, was once under the reign of the Chandela Rajputs. Devoted to Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Sun, and Moon Gods, Khajuraho, the city capital of...
They say you can regret your words, but never your silence. Indeed, silence sometimes speaks much louder than words, caressing softly when the starkness of words fails. Aptly named Khamoshi Sili Sili (the damp silence), this play has a similar impact on the audiences. The musical softly and gradually...
Goa with its lush paddy fields, verdant hills, and the gushing shoreline is my go-to destination in the rains. This year, my stay in the most sought-after room (with a swing in the sit-out and easy access to a private beach) at the iconic Cidade de Goa Resort in...
Three regions, different religions, different landscapes are all connected by one singular fact: beauty. Jammu & Kashmir is one of the most strikingly gorgeous places you will ever see. Territorial conflict may dissuade some from venturing to this northern Indian state, but it’s done little to diminish its alpine...
Jaisalmer, the golden city of Rajasthan, exudes an air of regality that is unrivalled. Yet, to truly unravel its opulence, one must approach the exploration of this majestic city with thoughtful planning. Here, where the dunes whisper tales of bygone eras, and the forts stand as stoic guardians of...
The door's adorned with mango leaves, doorstep with rangoli...
The main doorstep of the house is being adorned with fresh mango leaves. A garland of yellow and orange flowers are also being made for the doorway. Rangoli, or muggu as it is locally known is being drawn at the gate....
Padharo Mhare Des! This literally translates to ‘please come to our country’. With a tagline that is so warm and convivial and a welcome that is even more warm-hearted, Panchavati Gaurav offers so much more than one of the best thalis in the country!
Being a vegetarian and a big...
Delhi means so many things to so many people. For people living in Delhi, no other place compares to it. Having spent my childhood in Delhi, having worked there in later years, and having close familial ties there, I have a fondness for the city that ensures I keep...
Today, Gurpurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti (the birth anniversary of the first Sikh guru), also known as the Prakash Utsav, is being celebrated with much aplomb in India and amongst the Sikh community and followers of Guru Nanak Dev all over the world.
Prabhat Pheris (early morning singing of hymns starting from...
It’s festival time at the Baluchi – The LaliT Mumbai’s signature restaurant – which is hosting the Goan Food Festival from the 21st to the 30th of July. It is rightly branded as Susegado Mumbai, ‘Susegad’ meaning a relaxed attitude and enjoyment of life to the fullest. Not just...
Alibaug (Arunima Takiar, 2019)
Cracked seashells,
your pointed edges
lucidly reveal
intact sand grains
wrapping fervently
around your body parts,
twisted in
unfamiliar time zones
fast-forwarded
from a past
of splinters
that defied
permanence,
trodden by
unknowing feet
on happy sojourns,
(broken)
not lost,
vestiges
in shining specks
of beach shimmer
that defy
impermanence.
When yours truly wanted to escape for the weekend and was looking for inspiration to write a poem, a...
