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,...
“Holi Hai!” The sound of that instantly conjures a visual of a cloudburst of colours for anyone who has ever seen what Holi is. In a brilliantly plural country like India, every festival has its own unique tradition in different parts of the country and Holi is no different.
Holi...
Mewar: the food and culture of central Rajasthan
Mewar - the name itself carries with it the sounds of royalty and centuries worth of cultural richness. Mewar (or Mewad) is the south-central part of the largest state of India, Rajasthan. Although not a single city or district, Mewar is the...
Perhaps for most people who hear the word “Rajputana”, the picture that is immediately recalled to mind is that of turbaned men curling their moustaches or engaging in war with a “do or die” attitude to protect their legacy and honour. While this may be controversial and stereotypical at...
Khajuraho temples: art, worship, or erotica?
Khajuraho – a word that conjures up images of scenes from the lives of men and women and gods and goddesses, immortalized in stone and sculpture for posterity. There is a mystery shrouding these ancient temples in the state of Madhya Pradesh which many...
It is that time of the year when the pleasant February air BECKONS travellers who enjoy winter breaks much more than the summer ones. Usually, people run to warmer locales in winters (running away from the chills) but Himachal Pradesh is another story. It makes you fall in love...
Yes, right! What’s a trip to Lucknow without looking into its culture through its most famous embroidery work - Chikankari? This gorgeous thread work has become the lifestyle of the gorgeous city, making it globally a favourite!
Intricate and beautiful, the Chikankari work – a type of embroidery - is seen...
Here's how India would truly BECKON in 2020! You could start making your bucket list but before you do that, we would like to share with you our pick of five offbeat spots in the country every adventurer and traveller must explore.
The great French author and Nobel Prize laureate...
One of the places famous for its beautiful beaches in India is the State of Odisha. The beaches of Odisha (Orissa) can really envelop you in a festive spirit. While enjoying the glory of a moderate sun here, the golden beaches leave you asking for more. Embraced lovingly by...
The flawless blend of history, culture, architecture, natural beauty, spirituality, and serenity - Pondicherry is a must on every traveller’s list. It is one of those places that feels as familiar as home no matter whether it is your first visit or the tenth one. Such is the hearty...
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...
It is said that in order to truly connect with yourself, you have to disconnect from the world. And, when you come to think of ways to disconnect, camping in the wild has proven to be one of the most effective ways to do it. Imagine, sitting in the...
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...
Located in the western state of Rajasthan, Alwar is a small city that is rich in culture and is often visited by domestic and international tourists. Home to a fascinating museum and a gorgeous fort, Alwar shares close proximity to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, making this city all the...
