A few days back my neighbors son 'Thomas' ran up to me doubting, if he indeed would be promoted to the next grade without writing his exams? Considering the Covid19 pandemic and the countrywide lock down imposed across India in 2020; it is natural to raise a doubt when not sure. So why blame Thomas? I am...
Murchison Falls National Park, at nearly 3,800 sq kms, is the oldest and largest protected area in Uganda. Along with the contiguous Karuma and Bugungu wildlife reserves, the size of the protected area goes up to around 5,000 sq kms. Murchison straddles the Victoria Nile as it cuts across through multiple rapids and waterfalls in its...
The Beatles and their India connection. Their spiritual journey with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Indian music and the White Album. The Hippie generation. The Swinging 1960s, The Beatles, India and The Fab Four. A generation disillusioned with the rush for materialism. The turning away from it all. Idealism, Spirituality, Yogis and Sanyasis. The search for Utopia. And...
You think Bridges are non-living things? Wrong You think Bridges are always built? Wrong You think Bridges become weak with time? Wrong You think Bridges retain the same size? Wrong You think Bridges are not handmade? Wrong You think Bridges are built by engineers? Wrong We are talking about the living root bridges of Meghalaya locally known as Jing Kieng Jri,...
This northernmost town of Kiruna, Sweden might not be a part of your bucket list but you might find your true calling in this cold, cold town if you are one for me-time, we-time or adventure. Kiruna is at the north of Swedish Lapland. The town is known for its huge coal mine which was the...
I have traveled a few times to Belur and Halebid in Hassan famous for its UNESCO heritage temples. I was however not aware of the Shettihalli Rosary Church - a 160 year old church until I read upon it. Shettihalli Rosary Church The French Missionaries built this church in 1860 for the wealthy British estate owners. I...
The Athi Varadar festival shot into prominence last year (2019) with people from all over India flocking to the holy city of Kanchipuram. This festival is celebrated at Athi Varadaraja Perumal temple. The Athi Varadaraja Perumal temple was built by the Chola's in 1053. Basically Athi means 'Fig' and Varadaraja means 'King who bestows boons', hence...
Abracadabra….heard of a place , where probably this is a rhyme ? Well, not exactly the same words , but the tradition of sorcery and magic is passed on from generation to generation ? A village where fortune tellers claim to predict a person’s future using seashells and broken glass pieces! Welcome to Mayong-the Black...
Kolukkumalai! The highest tea estate in the world at more than 7000 feet above sea-level. Some of the best teas of the world with a very distinctive flavor… Plus, the panoramic views of the rugged mountains and plains around it as a bonus… And its in India, less than 40 kms from the bustling hill-station of...
Bull surfing is an old and obscure cultural practice. This underlines the man-animal relationship. It is a part of the Maramadi Festival in Kerala, South India Surfing is all about the sea, water, pristine nature and a single person’s effort to control and ride the waves, right? Yes, but not always. Think muddy paddy fields, oxen and...
