The Lakhamandal Temple Walk

I was eating my dinner when my phone lit up. My regular walking group, BTDT (Been There Doon That) had posted a message. They were oraganising their 500th walk to a temple literally up in the clouds- Lakhamandal. The Temple in the clouds Many moons ago, I had walked BTDT’s walk No 1. I had…

Gallery: A Touch Of Magic All Around

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” -Roald Dahl So begins my mission of finding beauty and magic around me. Unlikely places, hmm. January glowed in the hinterland.…

Unwind In Andaman Islands

Move over Maldives and Seychelles. I thought only they could match the blues of the Baltic or the Swedish sky. Enter Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Hubby and I spent Christmas break there, under the care of Jacky George. He was our tour manager, driver, guide and responsible for our inter-island…

Blink, Day One Of 2024!

What are your biggest challenges? I’ve noticed January 1 has the knack of slipping away faster than the other days. So here goes my very short list of tasks to do on January 1. Go to a temple and pray. Since I’m presently in Ayodhya, there is literally no excuse for not doing the first…

Good Morning, World!

I’m waking earlier than usual. Well, before my alarms go off. I have three set on my phone, each five minutes apart. That’s because when I reach to turn it off, I get sucked into the scrolling game. The training to chuck the phone away quicker or better still, to ignore its siren call, is…

Going For The Ram Mandir Darshan In Ayodhya

If you are in or around Ayodhya, literally all conversations and roads lead to the Ram Mandir. It doesn’t matter that the said temple is under construction. It is a magnet for everyone visiting the city. We want to see it and the locals know it too. Flower Power I must have been accosted by…

Finding Peace In Ayodhya

I first visited Ayodhya, land of Rama, in December 2021. It was a city doused in the colour yellow. The golden haze of the winter sun enveloped the walls and the building by the side of the road which lead to the city center. Coincidentally all of them seemed to be painted in a cheery…

Last Chance

I spent the last three months struggling to write a post. Just when I had almost given up, the universe sends me a sign. It literally said 'Last Chance'. That's the name of the Lens-Artist challenge for the week. So taking the chance to get it done, before December ends. How we spend our days,…

Doors Of Ayodhya, India.

I'm presently in Ayodhya, the city famous for temples and a particular one under construction. Judging by the massive crowds of pilgrims I see, I'd say it is growing as a major religious destination. Doorway to salvation, perhaps. Going beyond the obvious temples, Ayodhya is a treasure trove of interesting architecture, particularly doors. After all,…

Strolling In Sarnath, India.

Sarnath was never on top of my list of places to visit. I was mildly curious for Gautam Buddha had preached his first sermon here. Also the Indian national emblem, the Ashoka Lion Capital was from this place. A cursory Google search described Sarnath as ‘a one street town’. After Varanasi’s chaotic energy, I was…