Unusual Ooty Sightseeing with Todas, Kotas & Badaga Tribes

Portrait of a Toda Tribal Woman - Pingalamma

Ooty or Ootacamund is considered as the capital of the Blue Mountains (Nilgiris). This hillstation has been a weekend getaway and a honeymooner’s paradise for centuries. Owing to its popularity, I won’t be surprised if you tell me that you have ticked off all the major Ooty Sightseeing destinations here. In fact, so did I … Read more

My 5 discoveries of the Balinese Culture

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Besides its enchanting nature and beaches, Bali has always been known to enthrall people with its unique culture and aesthetic traditions. The first time I visited Bali was in 2010 and at that point too, I was quite taken in by this aspect of Bali. I just returned from my 2nd visit to Bali , a trip … Read more

The charming corn village of Sainji, Mussoorie

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In my last post on Landour, I gave you a glimpse of this unique corn village near Mussoorie. The actual name of this corn village is Sainji Village.  Why it is called the corn village is evident from the moment you step in here. Besides the way it looks, there is something very unusual about … Read more

Touxeachem Feast – The Cucumber Festival in Goa

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With my recent trip to Goa, I was fortunate to have experienced a unique festival – the Touxeachem Feast. “Touxeachem” means “Cucumber” in Konkani and hence, its popular name – the Cucumber Festival. This is an annual celebration held at Santana Church in the town of Talaulim, where childless couples visit St.Anne to request her for a child in … Read more

The collection at Kelkar Museum, Pune

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My last post on the Mastani Mahal at the Kelkar Museum saw tremendous interest and response from all of you and as promised there, here is my account on the rest of the Kelkar Museum. To start with, let me introduce this museum to you. It has been in Pune for quite some time now … Read more

The Magnificent Madurai Meenakshi Temple

View from Kilikoondu Mandapam of Meenakshi temple

There are always some places that beckon you to return over and over again. It’s funny though how every time you visit those places, there is something unique that you discover. For me, one of those places is the Meenakshi temple in Madurai. Every Indian student finds a mention of it in the Indian history … Read more

Things to do in Munich

Things to do in Munich - Frauenkirche

The capital city of the largest state in Germany, home to the annual beer festival called Oktoberfest, and witness to history that changed the course of the world, Munich has a lot to offer to any traveler. From visiting elaborate museums and beautiful gardens to strolling down opulent palaces and historical marketplaces, there are a … Read more

Walking on the Street of Harmony in Georgetown, Penang

At the Goddess of Mercy temple on Street of Harmony, George Town

One of the most interesting things that I found about the Pearl of the Orient – Penang was its confluence of cultures. I suppose this struck me as familiar for quite like India, there were people from different origins who have settled here over generations. From the Chinese to the Indians, some British and even … Read more

Lost and Found – Alchi Monastery in Ladakh, India

The Chortens at Alchi Gompa

My first visit to Ladakh took me to the Lamayuru monastery – one they say is the oldest monastery in Ladakh. When this fact was shared during this visit, it also, sparked off an intense debate. Was it really the oldest or was Alchi Monastery the oldest? While Google settled Lamayuru as being the oldest, … Read more

Pinang Peranakan Mansion: The Chinese Way of Life in Penang

Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Penang for me, was a delightful destination  – not just for its variety of things to do but for its seamless blend of three unique cultures – Chinese, Indian and British. In my last post on the Street Art in Penang, I shared how I found this was manifested in their street art but what … Read more

The colors of the Naropa Festival in Ladakh

Musicians accompanying the relics as they go around the Naro Photang

If the vibrancy of Hemis Monastery left you enlightened with knowledge, it is time to experience the colors of a famed Buddhist Festival – the Naropa Festival that is celebrated here. In my last post, I left you with a glimpse of these colors. The huge Buddhist Thangka unfurled at the Kumbh Mela of Himalayas … Read more

Along the River Seine in Paris

Left and Right Banks of Paris (Rive Gauche and Rive Droit)

When I planned my trip to Europe, Paris, for me, was a must-visit, on-top-of-my-bucket-list destination. I was raring to get there and discover all that my French textbooks talked of. Another bit was of course, the curiosity aroused by the  Da Vinci Code ;-). With its amazing history and culture, this city did charm me but … Read more