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...
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,...
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...
Skeleton Lake of Roop Kund in India – where Myths, Mythology and Nature conspire to hold and reveal a gruesome secret The Skeleton Lake Roopkund (also known as Rudra Kund, Mystery Lake or Skeleton Lake) is a high-altitude (about 5000 meters above sea-level). It is a glacial lake in Uttarakhand in northern India, at the base of...
The Ellora (also known as Elura or Elapura) Caves are one of the largest rock-cut monastery cave complexes in the world. There are around 100 Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves at the site, of which 34 are open to public. They are locally known as Verul Leni This complex of monolithic temples in India narrates a...
