Our travel stories | Your travel clues
While three of the Hindu Char Dham sites are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Rameswaram is the only one devoted to Lord Shiva. So, it holds a special significance. We visited Rameswaram last year as part of our south India monsoon exploration. While sharing our experience, here’s a travel guide to Rameswaram, the Hindu sacred town.
In the cold, harsh deserts of Ladakh, Buddhism provides the much needed equanimity. Though human settlements in Leh- Ladakh are few and far between, they are invariably characterized by the presence of Buddhist symbols like chortens, mani walls and gompas (monasteries). This article lists the best monasteries in Leh- Ladakh for visitors’ convenience.
Vaishno Devi temple is near the town of Katra in Jammu. It’s among the most popular pilgrimages in India today. As per estimates, 9.4 million tourists visited the shrine in 2023! Though Vaishno Devi gets mention in Hindu mythology running into thousands of years, its popularity is of relatively recent origin.
Yuksom in west Sikkim is gateway to the Kangchenjunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One can see elements of both cultural and natural aspects of the World Heritage Site all over Yuksom. Serene landscape, ancient heritage, sleepy villages and laid back lifestyle of people, are features that I love Yuksom for.
Amritsar is known world over, of course, for the magnificent Golden Temple, or Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib. Amritsar has much more to offer though. Here’s my narrative of Amritsar, its history, monuments, people, culture and food, gathered from my two visits.
Millions visit the ghats on the Ganges in Varanasi every year, and come back immersed in a deep sense of spiritualism. Though not all Hindus follow the same belief system, Varanasi, nevertheless is an important pilgrimage for all Hindus. Its history and legend go back thousands of years, making it one of the oldest cities in the world!
This article is about my experience in a remote island village called Karang in Loktak lake. From witnessing the fascinating Phumdis to boating in the serene waters, and celebrating Holi with local villagers, I had an amazing day. Manipur truly is the Jewel State of India.
A road trip from Bengaluru to Mangaluru via Shravanabelagola and Coorg was one of the best road trips we have ever had. It had everything- a metropolis to an ancient site to an enchanting hill station in the western ghat mountains, culminating in a beach town. We couldn’t have asked for more. Here’s an account of the beautiful road trip.
Rishikesh is a great weekend destination for Delhiites. But it’s also an amazing place for a long peaceful sojourn. Rishikesh has something for everyone. Here is a list of the best things to do in Rishikesh in different seasons.
Maheshwar tells a lucid story that is intricately woven by its traditional weaver community around the pious river Narmada and the glory of its most famous rulers, the Maratha-Holkar dynasty. With a great architectural heritage, one of India’s finest weaving traditions, and a serene Narmada flowing by, Maheshwar is a cultural hotspot in central India.