There is much more to Haridwar or Hardwar beyond the ancient holy religious city. It is one of the 7 holy cities for Hindus as mentioned in the ancient Puranic texts. I had a brief stop over on the way…
Lost Temples of Kashmir~Architectural Excellence Ruined with Time
I am one of the lucky ones to have made multiple trips to Kashmir in the last few years. With all the news of strife, terror and hostility; needless to say I have experienced the best of Kashmiri hospitality during…
10 Must Do’s in Port Blair the Gateway to Andamans
Port Blair is the gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The first thing that strikes about Port Blair is the clean roads, dust bins located at frequent intervals on road sides and a very conscious civic administration engaged in…
Inside Asia’s Oldest Saw Mill in Chatham, Andaman
My neighbors in Kolkata had this small folding table in their home which caught my fascination as a child. That shining piece of sturdy wood was their prized possession which was made in Chatham and gifted to them. I would…
A Short Hike up Kangra Fort and Brush with History
Kangra Fort is perhaps the oldest Fort in India perched up on the hills between the gushing Manjhi and Ban Ganga Rivers. While the exact date of construction is not known it is assumed to be built by the Katoch…
Chandratal Lake in a Day; Stopover between Kaza and Manali
When I was planning a trip to Spiti, I was wondering whether to include Chandratal (Chandra Taal). I was quite convinced that I would trek there someday on my way to Kanamo Peak or to Hampta Pass. After some deliberation,…
The Rock Cut Temples of Masroor in Himachal
When I was planning my itinerary for a trip to Mcleodganj and Dharamshala; I came across some pictures of ruined rock cut temples in the nearby region being referred as the Ellora of the Hills. I immediately decided to include…
Golden Temple in Amritsar ~ Abode of Peace and Calm
After years of imagining and planning I was fortunate to be at the Golden Temple this year. It was the month of May and almost everyone warned me of the intense heat in Amritsar during this time of the year.…
Temples in Kangra ~ Bells echo in the Hills
Every trek in the Himalayas is a pilgrimage for me. I can feel the divinity of my soul as I spend the nights under the clear night sky and the days walking through narrow mountain paths forcing me to look inward and be…
Norbulingka Institute near Dharamshala showcases Tibetan Art
Norbulingka Institute established in 1988 is a must visit place during a trip to Dharamshala and Mcleodganj. I had read about it online, seen a few pictures but could not find anyone who had visited the place. It firmly figured…