Hrishikesh or Rishikesh (as the popular spelling goes) really needs no introduction. Yoga capital, ultimate adventure sports destination, holy city, and many such titles adorn this vibrant city, nestled on the banks of the mighty Ganges, in the state of Uttarakhand in north of India.
Continue reading “Rishikesh Vibes”
Browsing through the pictures on my phone, storage devices, social media, and almost every possible place, I’m yet again reminded of all the fond mountain memories and travel tales. Each picture instantly reminds of that day, that moment, that feeling that I experienced while capturing the picture – forever freezing the moment and locking it away inside the heart.
Continue reading “Things I Miss”
Pretty scenes from Majuli, #1
The tiny river island Majuli on Brahmaputra in Assam is a true beauty, and not just in terms of nature, but also it’s people and the many age-old stories depicting the interesting culture and traditions of Assam.
Continue reading “Pretty Scenes from Majuli – the River Island on Brahmaputra”
“Only fishermen are allowed on the Pier”, one of two lady Constables who were patrolling the area told me. I had asked them if I could walk on the pier. So I checked if I could walk on the shore around and under it, they nodded a yes.
Continue reading “Pondicherry: Old Port and Pier”
There was just a hint of light in the dark skies at the early hours of dawn. But places such as these are always buzzing with people, that time too, there were far too many people around me.
Continue reading “Sunrise on Pamban Island”
Though at first I thought of walking from Harshil to Mukhba village – the winter abode of Ganga ji from the shrine at Gangotri, I didn’t. The tiny village of Mukhba is about 3ish km from Harshil – the charming Himalayan valley by the banks of Bhagirathi.
Continue reading “Harshil to Mukhba: A Leisure Hike”
The clouds tired of raining,
drift leisurely across the mountains, into the sky
Continue reading “Hello Autumn”
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
― Albert Camus
Such pretty season autumn is, too bad that we don’t experience it as much here in India except for the Himalayan regions up north. I remember traveling to those places (Ah! the good old days when we could travel to our heart’s content!) around the fall season and watching the leaves change their colours. And swaying and dancing in the breeze, bright and beautiful, and falling on the ground as if falling in love with the earth.
Continue reading “Autumn Colours”
The Ki Monastery or Kye (Key) Gompa is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located in Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It is perched atop a hill, at an altitude of 4166 m above sea level.
Continue reading “Reminiscing the visit to Ki Monastery in Spiti Valley of Himachal”
It was a relaxed trip to Madikeri, Coorg, to unwind and just be. So I’m going to just add some pictures to give the feel. But if you still want to know any additional info., like where to stay, how to visit Mandalpatti, etc., drop me a mail. A visit to Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, however, is recommended if you have time and interest.
Continue reading “Coffee With A View At Mandalpatti, Coorg”
Kashmir is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places that I’ve travelled to. There’s so much I’ve missed and yet there’s so much I’ve experienced on each travel. Each time that I’ve been to Kashmir, I was always in for a new experience and abundant beauty to feast on. The people I’ve met, have always been so kind and friendly and listening to them has always given me new, fresh perspectives, much different from what is perceived otherwise .
Continue reading “Memories From Pahalgam: A Beautiful Town In Kashmir”
Come monsoon and the Sahyadris of Maharashtra get a stunning makeover. Emerald hills, roaring waterfalls, sprawling valleys enveloped in mist – its all just too irresistible! Here’s an account of one such gorgeous monsoon trek that I went on – Kalsubai – the highest peak in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
Continue reading “Monsoon Trek To Kalsubai – The Highest Peak In Maharashtra”
The best part about traversing the unpopular trails has its share of unbiased fun and the power to enjoy at your own discretion. The Nagalapuram forest trek is one such fairly uncommon, 1-day trek in the Eastern Ghats. Even at a moderate pace and stops to refill bottles or clicking photos, one can complete the ascent in about 3-4 hours. More often than not trekkers descend and camp at the base. The Nagala hill with their rocky faces and beautifully sliced gorges have levels of hills – the easiest peak being approx. 650 meter high. The trail can be trekked in several ways, by crossing the range from East to West or vice-versa, or trekking to and fro from the eastern/western side.
Continue reading “Trek to the Enchanted Nagalapuram Forests”
This article was originally published on B-Change
A book, a movie or simply for the sweet sake of wandering, whatever may have inspired you to plan your first trek – go for it! It’s never too late to start anything that has been on your mind for long. However, to do something you’ve never done before and because trekking in the mountains is way different from a leisure stroll, you need a fair amount of groundwork. Inadequate preparations and half-baked knowledge can turn a great experience into an unpleasant one.
Continue reading “Beginner’s Adventure Guide to Trekking in the Himalayas”
“Phoolon ki Ghati” the board read, meaning “Valley of Flowers”. A mountain stood tall behind it with its peak buried in the wispy clouds. The mist moved about slowly with an aim to embrace everything in its path.
Continue reading “Trekking in the Incredible Valley of Flowers”
Splash! A leap of faith taken! The surface closing overhead, you are sinking in slowly. Buoyancy is working its science but the weights on you help you descend into the colorless waters. You hear the sound of your breath and your heartbeat regulates with the rhythm of the quiet waters. Tranquility takes over and everything becomes still, even the chaotic thoughts go hush. Absolute peace pervades as you glide weightlessly in the vibrant underwater realm.
Continue reading “Scuba Diving In India”
Sitting in a sparsely crowded bus station at 5 a.m. and sipping hot tea, I looked around. A few curious faces stared back at me. I was waiting for the daybreak. A sudden plan & I had packed my backpack, journeyed overnight and landed in a new place at the wee hours. And so here I was, waiting for the sunrise to take over the hostile darkness. In about an hour or so, there was light & we strutted in the small town to lookout for a place to stay. After checking some places (read negotiating the tariff) we finally dumped our luggage in an okay-ish room (clean+affordable is always a thumbs up for me).
Continue reading “Roaming in the Western Ghats”
I woke up to the announcement saying, “ladies and gentlemen we will be landing shortly…”. I sat up groggily rubbing my eyes, “…please make sure your seats backs and tray tables are in upright position…”. I straightened up and followed the pilot’s instructions. I checked time in my wristwatch and yawned lazily only to get glared by my co-passenger. To avert the scowl and to hide my embarrassment, I looked out of the window. But I almost jumped and shouted excitedly in my seat – outside the little window, I could see a blue paradise! Below the fluffy clouds, in the middle of an emerald and turquoise sea was the little paradise land of the Andaman Isles!
Continue reading “Havelock Island: The blue paradise”