Holi – that wonderful festival that conjures up images of rang, bhaang, gulal, abeer, and water pichkaris. It also reminds one of the childhood days, the complete abandonment with which kids play Holi and their oblivion to any notions of health or environment, as may be the case.
In India,...
Cambridge has many hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. First-time travellers to this city are simply overwhelmed by its rich cultural heritage and history that dates back many hundred years. Hats off to Cambridge Bike Tours for doing a fantastic job of giving tourists (and local British travellers)...
The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is an annual event that takes place in February each year in India. It is held in the Hindu month of Magh, three days prior to the full moon. In 2018, during this period, without having any prior knowledge of it, luckily, we were in...
Step wells of India have always mesmerised tourists from far and wide for their unique architecture and carvings. Not only does Rani-ki-Vav in Gujarat belong to this class of picturesque landmarks of India, but it also has a special historical beginning to it. There are various monuments which were...
During my journey as a traveler, I meet innumerable people from different walks of life, many of whom have lived a life in ways polar opposite to mine. While there are some I have never seen for more than a few hours, there are others who have turned into...
For centuries, we have been an agrarian country rich with indigenous and sustainable practices. As the topography of our vast countries varies from plains and plateaus to hills and coasts, so do farming practices and indegenous crops. One such community that has been able to retain its unique indigenous...
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...
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...
Temple bells, laughing waters, sacred rituals, and colourful pilgrims are just some of the features of this oldest holy city of India - Varanasi. That's why a weekend trip from Mumbai to Varanasi was irresistible and I had to tick it off my bucket list.
Day 1: I reached in...
Goa BECKONS many visitors for various reasons. For me, travelling around India has been a fascination for some years, with paying my respects at various pilgrim and holy temples being the main agenda on most of my trips. In the past six years, I have travelled widely in India...
A land of many cultures, several factors over the centuries have influenced the architecture of India. From the artisans who came to the country and built monuments of grandeur to the distinct seasons of its regions, inspiration from diverse sources resulted in unique and spectacular buildings that have stood...
What is Kolkata famous for? If we were to ask you this question, then we are pretty sure your answer would have at least two heritage dishes: rosogolla and macher-jhol.
Well, that is a conventional right answer. Even a recent report indicates that only 4% of the entire population in...
Dwarka, one of the char (four) dhams, is a must on every Hindu pilgrim’s itinerary. It has been referred to throughout history as “Mokshapuri”, where the soul attains salvation. It is also known as the kingdom of Lord Krishna, where he came to live after slaying his evil uncle...
Sometimes we need to make that external physical journey in order to make that inward spiritual journey and connect to our souls. That is the essence of the Pandharpur Yatra (pilgrimage) or ‘Wari’ as it is more commonly referred to.
The Wari
Sant Tukaram was the first one to set out...
West Bengal is not just Kolkata and the Victoria Memorial. The virgin territories of Dooars, the untouched mangrove forests of Sundarbans, the sylvan surroundings of Santiniketan are only some of the brilliant experiences that have made the state a vacationer’s delight. For centuries, Kolkata - the second largest city -...
