Tag: travel

Festival Of The Month: Jodhpur Flamenco & Gypsy Festival

Now in its second edition, the Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival celebrates the rich gypsy cultures of Spain and Rajasthan by transcending all musical and geographical boundaries. The message is simple – to teach everyone the importance of keeping folk music alive. Reportedly, Flamenco’s roots first took hold in Rajasthan, and to see it all […]

Best Hacks To Survive An Indian Festival

To immerse yourself completely in any Indian festival can be quite an experience, one that people cross the mighty seas for. But no one wants to be left overwhelmed, fighting for air to breathe, and without a place to call home for the night. Here are some tricks every wise traveller should know about when […]

Festival Of The Month: Sao Joao, Goa

In the glorious combination of ‘sun, sand and beer’, replace beer with feni when talking about Goa in June. Just before the first monsoon showers hit the state, hinterland Goan areas erupt with celebration and fun during the Sao Joao Festival. And the chief ingredient keeping the spirits fairly high, both literally and figuratively, is […]

The Indian Festival Calendar: July-Aug

In country so rich in culture and theme, every festival celebrated here is a sight to behold. And when talking about India’s many festivals, what comes to mind is poet Rabindranath Tagore’s famous line… “You are invited to the festival of this world and your life is blessed”.

Festival Of The Month: Nashik Kumbh Mela

Despite the sheer flood of spiritual travellers, holy men and photographers, the Nashik Kumbh, as always, promises to allure. It is, after all, one of the most significant Hindu congregations held every three years in either Ujjain, Haridwar, Trimbak (Nashik) or Prayag (Allahabad).Nashik’s history is draped in myth and legends, but Trimbakeshwar – about 30km […]

The Indian Festival Calendar: May-June

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to several festivals spread across India over the last few years, from annual tribal congregations in Nagaland to the hustling boat races of Kerala. I can say with reasonable surety that the one thing that synthesizes the ‘Indian experience’ is our love for celebration. The dramatic colours, dance and […]

Bastar Dushhera

A blend of both abundant natural beauty and spirituality, Bastar is Chhattisgarh’s most compelling destination. Even though the region is now fragmented by seven district boundaries, together these make the erstwhile Bastar. The region demands that you fine-tune your own rhythm to match that of the slow paced life it holds, and to immerse yourself […]

Temple Trips South India

Temple Trips South India: One of the most exciting books to research, the temples in Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh threw up the most intriguing legends and fascinating rituals. It was well worth my time to meander through snaking long queues to get a peek into the many sanctums. Armed with very little spiritual inclination […]

Pocket Bastar

Pocket Bastar: One of the most untreaded states of India, it was a delight to author the Bastar book for Lonely Planet. The region offers a riveting melange of dense forests, tribal culture and history. Even though the region is now fragmented by district boundaries of Kanker, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Dantewada, Jagdalpur, Sukma and Bijapur, together […]

Best Escapes North India

Best Escapes North India: For this edition of the lonely Planet Guidebook, I was thrilled to contribute a chapter on my favourite city in the world- Varanasi. Visit one of the oldest living city of the world for its mythological lineage, delicious street food, traditional music, hand-woven silk saris and a strong spiritual connect. One of […]