Welcome to Mawlynnong –“God’s own Garden”, a small village in Meghalaya India. So what’s so special about this village? It is called “God’s own Garden” because of it’s cleanliness. And it was declared as Asia’s (not India’s only) cleanest village by Discover India , way back in 2003. Just an hour away from Mawlynnong is...
Uganda – the Pearl of Africa, has been on my bucket list for quite some time now! I have been long fascinated by the lure of pristine wildlife areas and of course, the star attractions: the Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees in the tropical rain forests! For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of...
My kids have always been wanting to witness snowfall, always had skiing in mind coupled with some amount of hiking, trekking etc. So after a lot of iterations we decided to visit Himachal Pradesh and planned for a 10 day trip. Interestingly , while we were trying to optimise travel time, break the trip...
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.
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...