It is no surprise that you equate the Chettinad region to its food. Honestly speaking, these flavors of Chettinad Cuisine are the reason this region on a traveler’s map. So far my posts have been largely on travel to the offbeat Chettinad area of Tamil Nadu. However, once you are there, you will find that … Read more
If you are in one of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and are short of time, all you have to do is go along its lifeline. This is precisely what I got to do in that one day that I spent in Varanasi. Going along the Varanasi Ghats along the River Ganga … Read more
You have experienced the colorful Chettinad culture through the various mansions of Karaikudi. How about, a quick trip to the various Karaikudi temples while in the region. Trust me when I say that these are a must-visit even for the atheists for they present a different facet of the culture of Chettinad. The temples of … Read more
Ever heard of a Terracotta Horse Temple? Maybe you know them as the Ayyanar Temples? No? Well, I hadn’t either till I stumbled upon one near Karaikudi. After visiting this one (the local name being Andavar Solai Temple), I am looking forward to visiting more of the Ayyanar Temples of Tamil Nadu. If you are … Read more
Setting up Little Lhasa in Dharamshala involved more than just finding a home and building Buddhist temples and monasteries like the Gyuto Monastery. It meant finding employment, establishing schools and most importantly preserving the heritage roots. Over time, the Tibetan community settled in with all these amenities – some adapted to the existing Indian way … Read more
One of the things that travel has made me realize is that a destination is memorable owing to its people. It is they who bring alive a place. Their life and stories add vibrance to that place. Ultimately, they make it so desirable that you want to visit it again and again. For me, Kerala … Read more
Selamat Datang! Meaning …Welcome in Malay. A greeting to welcome you to a country of diverse landscapes, culture, nature and beaches. Malaysia in South East Asia, is one popular tourist destination owing to the varied choices it offers to its travelers. Every now and then, I keep getting queries to this destination and the most … Read more
It wasn’t my first time in a Buddhist monastery and yet there was something different about this one in Dharamshala. This was not the main Dalai Lama temple either. So then, what made the Gyuto monastery special? As I reflected on my visit, I gathered 5 reasons why this monastery appealed to me. Hopefully, they … Read more
Tegalalang Rice Terraces or for that matter any of the Bali Rice Terraces make lovely picturesque stops. Add to that the adrenaline rush of the Bali swings and other activities, they have the right ingredients to book a spot on your Bali itinerary. However, it is a walk through one of those Bali rice fields … Read more
Was it right or left? And did one go up the stairs or past it? The Bhool Bhulaiya in Bara Imambara Lucknow tended to baffle the best. “It’s pretty impossible to get out of that maze without help” – That is what my friend told me after threw up a challenge at me. This was … Read more
Have you heard of the “New Bali” of Indonesia? No? Well, then, welcome to Lombok Island. Located to the east of actual Bali island, Lombok has is a quieter cousin of this famous tourist destination of Indonesia. With its own unique culture, stunning beaches, clear waters, green forests, pristine waterfalls and traditional arts, Lombok has … Read more
It is not just nature that makes Indonesia a desired destination for travelers. It is the classical fusion of natural beauty with its unique culture that attracts visitors to Indonesia. Over my last trip, I discovered the Balinese culture and how it had similarities to my own Indian culture. This time, I uncovered a different … Read more