Things I tell myself the night before Sunday walk: a) Be resolute, be strong. Be ready to abandon bed-blanket on a Sunday morn. Sigh! b) Be on time to hit the trail. Set the alarm for 5.45 and 6.00 am. Another one for 6.15. Then RUN! c) Carry the essentials. Excitement , wonder, curiosity, and… Continue reading Sunday Walk Through Paltan Bazaar, Dehradun.
Tag: india
A Hauntingly Good Walk!
The Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun India, is every bit grand as its name. Ask the locals and on cue they go into raptures. See the sweeping emerald green lawns and don't miss the museum and the botanical garden! The monkeys are a menace and be careful of leopards. Yes! They sneak up on… Continue reading A Hauntingly Good Walk!
Unexpected Beauty Of Akhnoor, India.
When your expectations are low because everyone says there isn't anything to see in a small, dusty town called Akhoor, you hide behind your sunglasses and nod off. You instead look forward to sampling the flavours of the sprawling Jammu City next door, perhaps launch a pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi Shrine. Till your eyes… Continue reading Unexpected Beauty Of Akhnoor, India.
Identity Crisis and The Indian Election Mahakumbh!
"Where are you from?" I am often asked this question. I blame my non distinctive looks that place me anywhere from the North Eastern region of India to Nepal, Tibet, Thailand. Once I was even excitedly pegged for a Japanese by my country men. Sigh! Closer home, confusion reigns supreme in my state of Uttarakhand.… Continue reading Identity Crisis and The Indian Election Mahakumbh!
Surviving Sheru
He arrived in a cardboard box, all the way from Kashmir, India seven years ago, a pup no one wanted, with a desi name Sheru that no one liked. In a household with two established fur balls, he was already the outsider. He made the adults apprehensive but the kids were ecstatic; he with the… Continue reading Surviving Sheru
The Water Trail Of Kumalda Village
Nestling among the mountains, Kumalda Village beckoned me like a siren's song. People spoke of its breathtaking beauty during the rains, the nearby River Song would swell in size and water cascade down in sheets. Well, I missed my chance during the monsoon but when my favourite walking group Been There Doon That announced another… Continue reading The Water Trail Of Kumalda Village
October fiestas and spooky discourse.
The festive month of October is over. We prayed and worshipped, fasted and feasted, exulted when the demons burnt and basked in the presence of family and friends. We glowed with desires and wishful thinking on karwachauth, the desi Valentines Day for the truly madly deeply in love and then in a blink of an eye,… Continue reading October fiestas and spooky discourse.
October Bytes#4: Cave walk At The Thousand-Fold Spring
We call it Sahasradhara, the Thousand Fold Spring. With a name so lyrical, the place is famous for its natural beauty and the sulphur springs. I remember it from my childhood, a quiet picnic spot, surrounded by tall limestone hills, a sparkling stream, the sun shining, birds chirping and the gleeful shouts of the local… Continue reading October Bytes#4: Cave walk At The Thousand-Fold Spring
October Bytes#3: Ravana Rush
Dussehra had always meant watching the towering effigies of the Asura king Ravana with impressive ten heads, Meghnad, his valiant son and Kumbhkaran, his fierce brother, installed in the huge open maidan appropriately called Parade Ground. Much of the conversation would centre around how it was a shade better than the year before; bigger definitely… Continue reading October Bytes#3: Ravana Rush
October Bytes #2 : Sticky Music!
Let's talk about ear worms, pieces of tune that wriggle into your mind and stick there. This sticky music, extremely pleasing to the ear so yeah, raises your spirits and may drive you a bit batty as well. My current playlist has these two amazing desi songs playing on a loop. I'd say a perfect… Continue reading October Bytes #2 : Sticky Music!
