Tag: weekend

Between Hills And Sea

Decidedly the most well-located metro for accessible weekend getaways, Bengaluru is a treat for those who drive. Silvery-grey highways take off in all directions, ferrying travellers to dense national parks, coffee-bush draped hills, breezy corniches and crumbling atmospheric temple towns. From a robust inventory of destinations that lie less than 400km away, I knew exactly […]

Bengaluru To Ramanagara: On The ‘Sholay’ Trail

“Thakur,” my colleague called out from across the cubicle. “Can you please send me the weekly report?” The thick shawl wrapped around my shoulders as protection from the air-conditioner’s draught perhaps made the nickname inevitable.

Bengaluru To Pollachi: Beating The Heat

Tamil Nadu? In this heat?” My mother questioned my seemingly ludicrous pick for a weekend break from Bengaluru in June last year. After all, April and May are the region’s hottest months, with June bringing a few relieving showers. The best time would have been from November-February. What I had held back—to surprise her later—was […]

French Benefits

The name Pondicherry conjures up an image of a laid back breezy coastal town, with French and vernacular Tamil architecture juxtaposed in the ‘White’ and ‘Black’ towns respectively. It offers an experience of India’s colonial past still embedded in Tamil roots. The striking European flair of the cobble stoned streets, criss-crossing through the French quarter, […]

Beach Escapes

Beach Escapes: India’s coastline covers more than 7500 kms. I was fortunate to travel along Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and contribute to the some of the beach escapes to the Lonely Planet Guidebook by the same name. Escape to a beach if you like the sun and sea breeze, fresh seafood, and your […]

Best Escapes South India

Best Escapes South India: Traversing between the narrow lanes of Charminar in Hyderabad, the sunny cobblestone streets of Pondicherry, museums of Trivandrum and bouldery backdrop of Hampi, I couldn’t help but think of the wonderful diversity that South India encompasses. The southern states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh offer an inimitable flavour […]

Backyard Beauty

I opted for the one-km steep trek to Surkhanda Devi, huffing my way to the summit at 9,976 feet. I braved the aggressive gangs of monkeys to reach the ancient temple dedicated to Parvati.