Assam from Mythology to Neo Vaishnavism of Srimanta Sankardeva
Assam's cultural landscape can be looked at as pre and post Srimanta Sankardeva. In the ancient time, Assam was a country known as Pragjyotishpur. The name is mentioned in the Indian Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The literal meaning of this word is “astrology of the east” or “jewel of the east”. However, in the medieval period...
Travel Musings – Being Shiva – Create with love, Abandon without a care
Travel musings
Solo travel has a great way of clearing the mind. It allows one to think and delve into the self in relative anonymity. Paradoxically, the constant movement of travel induces a strange stillness of the mind - Samatha and hence Vipassana, as the Buddhists would have it... These are some of my travel musings...
Baobab: the “tree of life” is slowly dying
The exquisite silhouettes of baobab trees at sunset is a popular postcard for anyone who has been (or aspires to travel) to Madagascar or Southern Africa. This popularity of the Avenue of the Baobabs in Madagascar has brought some recognition to this grand but beleaguered species. In addition, various popular movies...
Chambal Valley – Protected by Infamy, Curses and Crimes
Chambal Valley – Protected by Infamy, Curses and Crimes The Chambal Valley is a cursed land as per mythology. It boasts of a barren and ravaged landscape, ravines, gorges and jungles. Bandits and dacoits. Outlaws and lawlessness. The setting for many iconic movies and the backdrop for many legendary Indian Robin Hoods… It remains pristine and untouched...
Isalo National Park – arid ‘Wild-west’ landscapes, Lush gorges & ‘Paradise’ pools
Few tourists visit the not so well known Isalo National Park in South Central Madagascar. The emblematic attractions of Madagascar i.e. the lemurs are present here but not as much in number as the more popular parks like Ranomafana or Andasibe. In addition, the relatively long time taken to travel here makes it less appealing! However,...
Hampi – Erstwhile Capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, temples, monuments, ruins and hippie island
Ever since the devastating earthquake caused destruction to the heritage sites in Kathmandu in 2015, I had made up my mind to visit the UNESCO Heritage city of Hampi - famous for its temples and ruins. In 2016, I decided to visit the capital city of the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire - Hampi. Thanks to Go...
A day in Ifaty, Madagascar: Golden beaches, turquoise waters and dry ‘Spiny’ forests
A discussion on the topic of tropical beaches in Madagascar would surely bring up the beautiful golden sand beaches of Nosy Be, Diego Suarez and the Island of St Marie (North and East Madagascar). Often missed out are the dreamy, lonely beaches of South West Madagascar i.e. around Ifaty, Anakao and Andavadoaka. This blog is...
Kirindy Private Reserve – a Wildlife Oasis in Madagascar
Kirindy Private reserve is a true wildlife Oasis – a spot of hope amidst the destruction caused by human development in Western Madagascar. Formerly a Swiss forestry training station and now an active German primate research base, Kirindy Private Reserve is an absolute gem. This 120-square-kilometre tract of dry deciduous forest is one of Madagascar’s truly outstanding natural...
Kumbhalgarh Fort Rajasthan- story of an invincible fort
We call it India’s Great Wall ! It is 36 kilometres long and 15 feet wide, and two cars can run side by side on the wall. Welcome to the Kumbhalgarh fort , Rajasthan. This fort is about beauty, architectural majesty and yes stories around it. Kumbhalgarh Fort, along with five other forts of Rajasthan,...