Colourful spectacle at the International Kite Festival
I had hear about the International Kite Festival from my friend, Chetna, several times, but travel plans never seemed to work out. However this year finally, I was lucky to be in Ahmedabad right in the middle…
On the tiger trail in Tadoba
Tadoba is Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park. I had lived on the edge of the Tadoba forest for over six years of my life. The magazine area of the ordnance factory campus where we lived, was…
A day trip to Annecy
Annecy is an alpine town which lies in south-eastern France. My husband was in Geneva for a meeting and I took a day trip all by myself to visit this picturesque town. Annecy is sometimes called “Pearl…
Landscapes at Bor
The usual notion is that wildlife sanctuaries are to look at animals. But sometimes the background and the wilderness are equally enchanting. Leaving you with some clicks from Bor Wildlife Sanctuary.
A Ramble on La Ramblas
When in Barcelona, a stroll on the central street, La Ramblas, is mandatory. It is the central boulevard which cuts through the heart of the city centre. It is a vibrant and lively promenade filled with Barcelona…
Sagrada Familia: Antoni Gaudi’s magnum opus
Sagrada Familia is a large unfinished Roman Catholic church in Barcelona in Spain. The church is still under construction since 1882. I have never seen so magnificent a piece of architecture in my life. The church is…
The ancient ruins of Nalanda
There are times when you tour the world hunting for treasures, while the treasure lies buried in your own backyard. One of those telling moments when I felt most proud to be Indian was when I visited…
Dantakali: The tooth-goddess in Nepal
A few kilometres from Dharan in Nepal, as you go uphill towards Bijaynagar, stands the Dantakali temple. It is a 20 minute drive from Dharan, and located at an altitude of 1572 feet above the sea level.…
The legends of the Budha Subba temple
I was visiting Dharan in Nepal for work. I tried to call home to convey the message that I had crossed the border. A Nepalese colleague chuckled: “Yes, tell them you are safe. You Indians believe that…
Small towns: Wannabe cities
As the taxi jolts its way through the traffic, I see the landscape change. I am travelling from the capital to Bareilly. Everything around me looks grey, although it is 11 in the morning. The smog-laden air…