The second honeymoon is now quite a trend. And why not? Life is quite hectic nowadays don’t you think? There is the rat race with increasing levels of competition. There is rising insecurity as far as jobs are concerned. Obsolescence and competitive pressure. On the kids' front too, there is enough pressure and competition. This is...
Indian History – from Indus Valley civilization to Modern history Indian history is a long story. We haven't preserved the remnants of this history too well though. Sometimes, we have to piece things together to get a clearer picture. And why not? How can everything be ready on the plate? Humans have to use their intellect...
Bhangarh Fort – history, royalty, wars, a one-sided love story, black magic and GHOSTS Bhangarh fort! Let me tell you a story about it - a fairy-tale with a twist. This is a story of a beautiful princess. She lived in a majestic fort on a hill in Rajasthan. A poor magician nearby fell in love...
Malana, The Magic - Of ancient Sages, Myths, Alexander and Malana Cream. This is a strange story and a real place. It involves ancient sages, kings, mythology, legends, history and drugs. To understand this, you have to get to know the ancient sage, Jamadagni, and a bit of Hindu mythology. Let me start with ancient times...
Trichinopoly Cigar, the one that Churchill loved and Sherlock Holmes used was from a town in British India that lent its name to it - Trichy What was it that Winston Churchill, Sherlock Holmes and the average Balaji in South India loved? The Trichie or Tritchie. The Trichinopoly Cigar which is a type of cheroot that...
The KudaKkallu are ancient umbrella shaped burial sites in Kerala Kerala is located in the southern part of India. Stunning natural beauty, beaches and a very relaxed way of life typify this land. For this reason, it has become a staple for tourists visiting South India. Many other things make it a much-visited place. For instance,...
Burma and Madras have traditionally been linked by the British rule, people and customs. They still are... Burma- A mix of the old and the new This is a picture that I had clicked of a monk in one of the temples that I visited in Burma (current Myanmar). He was delivering a sermon under a makeshift...
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...
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...
