On a hot summer afternoon in Kolkata many years ago, a 9 year old me read a poem that transported me to a far away land in the hills, where the air was cool, flowers bloomed to the rhythm of waterfalls and…
Foodies Guide to Shillong’s Cafes and Street Food
During my week long trip to Meghalaya, I explored the cafes and food joints in Shillong and all the other places I visited in search of local flavors and a glimpse into their culinary styles. I compiled this Foodies Guide to…
Memories of the Jaintia Kings; Nartiang Monoliths
After a good six days of Shillong and the Khasi regions, it was an off beat day and so I decided to go in search of the memories of the Jaintia Kings in Nartiang. The drive through the winding mountain…
Worshiping Nature for Preservation, Mawphlang Sacred Forest
In between the undulating green hills, gurgling waterfalls, flowing streams and hanging bridges is a sacred forest in Mawphlang, Meghalaya. Located about 25 kms away from Shillong, this sacred forest is core to Khasi culture. Though the Khasis have adapted to…
Road less Traveled to Laitlum, Meghalaya
After a busy 6 days in Meghalaya, I was looking forward to spending a quiet day away from the tourist humdrum. I hired a vehicle for Nartiang where the monolithic rocks and an ancient temple had promises of Jaintia history but…
Around Mawlynnong, cleanest village of India
Until about a decade ago, hardly anyone knew about Mawlynnong, the cleanest village of India as well as Asia. Tucked away in the East Khasi Hills about 80 kms from Shillong, this tiny village of a handful of households has won the…
Glimpse of the Dawki-Tamabil Border Post
During my recent trip to Meghalaya, I had planned a day trip to Dawki the last frontier for India with Bangladesh. The chaffeur suggested that we go ahead to the Dawki-Tamabil border post as well which was a good 10…
Spoonful of Culture, Mouthful of Nature: Road Trip in North East India
Lands brimming with history, animal and plant kingdoms coming alive, taste of earthly geography, rising and ebbing emotions defining a life going by, swaying to country music, lip smacking food, heartwarming chats with people in language unknown while watching the…