My last visit to Varanasi was nearly 10 years ago and it was so brief that I barely had time to dig into syrupy jalebis and crispy kachoris. This time, I had told myself that it would be a foodie…
Baby Taj ~ A jewel box for Itmad-ud-Daula
After a long day in Fatehpur Sikri and a sumptuous late lunch in The Pinch of Spice we headed towards Itmad Ud Daula located on the right bank of river Yamuna. The straight faced chauffeur managed to skilfully navigate through…
Sikandra ~ Where The Great Emperor Akbar is laid to rest
We stopped by at Sikandra in the outskirts of Agra very early in the morning on our way to Mathura. I had planned it as a brief visit but the early morning calm, the dancing peacocks, chirping birds and squirrels…
Lord Buddha performed miracles in Sravasti, India
Lord Buddha spent 25 rainy seasons in Sravasti. The rainy season is known as Vassavasa in Buddhist referring to the monsoon months when the entire Buddhist Sangha congregated in one place since the monks could not travel during that time…
Footsteps of Little Buddha in Kapilvastu, India
Kapilvastu in India is across the border from Lumbini in Nepal. Lord Buddha born as Siddhartha Gautama was born to Shuddhodhana the chief of Shakya clan who ruled in that area. The young prince spent his early years in Kapilvastu…
Turning the wheel of Law in Sarnath, India
Lord Buddha turned the Wheel of Law in Sarnath when he delivered his first sermon Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta to his first 5 disciples on the 4 Noble Truths (suffering, cause of suffering, end of suffering and the the path to the…
Lord Buddha lies in Eternal Sleep in Kushinagar
“Sleep” brings to my mind the reclined statue of Lord Buddha in Kushinagar, India where he is believed to have attained Nirvana and left his physical body. Kushinagar is an important stop in a Buddhist Pilgrimage. Lord Buddha attained…
Boat Ride on the Ganga during Sunrise in Varanasi
Varanasi, the oldest city in the world, teeming with activity in every lane and by lane, has its own special charm. When I stepped out of Varanasi airport on a surprisingly warm February evening, I was looking forward to exploring…