MapRoute Travel Blog

a Solo Woman Pilgrim Exploring India & the World

Intrepid solo travelling

These are the notes and stories of a solo woman pilgrim as she meanders through the world on adventures in known and unknown regions of the map. Fueled by a deep quest towards ultimate well-being, this blog includes her solo cycling trips around the world, ancient temple explorations, spiritual experiences, reflections on life, social challenges, balancing her work life and on-the-road stories.

Cycling in Different Corners of the World

All my cycling adventures around the world including countries like Germany, Denmark, Australia, Taiwan, Spain, Thailand and of course India!

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Solo Travel Safety: What Happens if Something Goes Wrong?

I travel solo. I land up solo in all sorts of random places – religious events, cycling in the countryside, ancient temples and recently trekking the himalayas.

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Adiyogi Complete Guidebook to this Iconic Shiva Statue

Most detailed and complete guidebook for this monument built by spiritual leader Sadhguru and his in-house team. Whether you are planning a visit, researching info or looking for accessories – this is the one stop page for all the relevant information.

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Traditional Spirituality with Contemporary Independence

Over the years I have bridged the traditional spirituality that is ingrained deep in all of us Indians and the contemporary aspirations of an independent, modern woman who loves her solitude. I have found deep satisfaction by balancing these aspects. If you follow my blogs, I suspect you will find these different aspects merging and co-existing, each with its own elan. Thus, from calling myself a ‘solo woman traveller’, I feel more satisfied in saying ‘solo woman pilgrim’. Cause that is what all my travels and explorations are – a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is more about how we are within ourselves rather than necessarily having an external goal of a specific temple. Though, of course, I am often meandering around temples and ashrams and ‘traditional spiritual’ spots on my journeys. 🙂

Solo Nomad Life

Know more about woman solo travel, living nomadic life, working remotely and other challenges.

Pilgrim Tales

Thoughts on ancient temples, yoga centers, religious festivals and spiritual truths.

Wild Roads

Stories of my intrepid solo adventures cycling, camping, hiking ….

All My Recent Blogs

Indians Traveling to Nepal: Visa, Currency, Language & Other Information

A little help for fellow Indians planning a trip to Nepal. Or for foreigners traveling to Nepal from India (with INR currency and Indian SIM etc..)

Exploring Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley as a Strict Vegetarian

Exploring Kathmandu and its neighbourhood was difficult as I am a strict Indian vegetarian. This is my journey of ensuring maximum exploration without starving AND a lot of tips for you, if you are also a vegetarian!

Impressive Nasik Road Railway Station: AC Waiting Rooms, Stays & Sleeping Pods

Calmly impressive railway station. Has some old and understated vibe coupled with many modern facilities. It was a good combo.

My 10-day Nepal Itinerary, An Intense Yatra of Katmandu Valley

My 10-day intense Nepal Yatra … here’s the itinerary to help you plan yours 🙂

My Experience with The Many Kumari or Living Goddesses of Nepal

Both the living goddesses had the same energy footprint in my experience.

Mauna (Silence) Ashrams of Surat & Nadiad on Banks of Narmada | Hari Om Mota

Mauna rooms for sadhakas from all walks of life to stay in solitude and silence

Indians Traveling to Nepal: Visa, Currency, Language & Other Information

Frequently Asked, Nepal

A little help for fellow Indians planning a trip to Nepal. Or for foreigners traveling to Nepal from India (with INR currency and Indian SIM etc..)

Exploring Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley as a Strict Vegetarian

Nepal, Vegetarian Food

Impressive Nasik Road Railway Station: AC Waiting Rooms, Stays & Sleeping Pods

India, West India

Calmly impressive railway station. Has some old and understated vibe coupled with many modern facilities. It was a good combo.

My 10-day Nepal Itinerary, An Intense Yatra of Katmandu Valley

In Spirituality, Nepal, Pilgrimage (Yatras), Temples

My 10-day intense Nepal Yatra … here’s the itinerary to help you plan yours 🙂

My Experience with The Many Kumari or Living Goddesses of Nepal

In Spirituality, Nepal, Temples

Both the living goddesses had the same energy footprint in my experience.

Mauna (Silence) Ashrams of Surat & Nadiad on Banks of Narmada | Hari Om Mota

In Spirituality, India, West India

Mauna rooms for sadhakas from all walks of life to stay in solitude and silence

Mahakuta Group of Temples, 6th Century Chalukya Religious Space

In Spirituality, India, South India, Temples

Mahakuta, a pool of water called Vishnu pushkarni amidst heritage Shiva temples

Powerful Hanuman Spot: Anjaneya Hill, Anegundi, Hampi

In Spirituality, India, Temples

Is it Hanumanji’s birthplace? Very likely. Anyway, 100% it is a powerful Hanuman spot and a great pilgrimage for all!

A Decade After Hampi, I Finally Visit Badami

India, South India

Sharing my stories of exploring Badami and answering some of the common questions about this lovely heritage place in Karnataka

Which Adiyogi to Visit? Coimbatore or Bangalore (Chikkaballapur)?

In Spirituality, India, South India, Temples

Coimbatore or Bangalore – Which Adiyogi should you plan for? What is the difference?

Tripping with Narasimha, the 4th Vishnu Avatar

In Spirituality, Temples

One fine day, I set about researching Narasimha, the 4th Vishnu Avatar and was amazed with the wide array of temples, forms and devotees!

Your Tirupati & Tirumala Balaji Trip Planner

In Spirituality, India, South India, Temples

Quick guide to your Tirupati Darshan

Arunachala Girivalam Preparation Checklist

In Spirituality, India, South India

Preparation points as you plan for your Arunachala Girivalam …

Nimbargi Sampradaya Pilgrimage Trail, Nath Tradition | Nisargadatta Maharaj Lineage

In Spirituality, India, Pilgrimage (Yatras)

Nimbargi Maharaj –> Umadi Bhausaheb –> Siddhrameshwar –> Nisargadatta : A nath sub-path

A Quick Intro to The Nath Sampradaya

In Spirituality

Let’s take a peek into the Nath Sampradaya…

Why Traditional Dharamshalas Don’t Allow Solo Pilgrims

In Spirituality, India, Women Solo Travel

Pondering on this strange archaic situation of traditional dharamshalas of India

Curate Your Shirdi Sai Baba Trip: One-Stop Blog Post

In Spirituality, Temples, West India

Writing this blog post to help you experience the most on your Shirdi yatra…

Joy of Gujarati Winter Vegetables: Undhiyu, Umbadiyu & Other Special Foods

Vegetarian Food, West India

The food scene in Gujarat changes quite a bit during winter…

Bangalore (Chikkaballapur) to Ahmedabad (Adalaj) Solo Self-Drive via NH 52 in My WagonR

Driving, India, Women Solo Travel

Drive from Chikkaballapur (Bengaluru) to Adalaj (Ahmedabad) with a lot of detours and stops at wonderful places! Lot of vlogs coming soon…

Tuljapur Bhavani Temple, A Shaktipeeth & Shivaji’s Kuldevi in Maharashtra

India, Temples, West India

Is it a fort? Is it a temple? It’s a Warrior Goddess Temple in Tuljapur, Maharashtra! Jai Maa Bhavani!

Solo Driving Through Fog, Low Visibility– Tiruvannamalai to Chennai During Pongal Holidays, NH 77

Driving, South India

My first solo drive through fog induced low visibility roads..

Makar Sankranti, Celebrating Movement of the Sun: Kite-Flying, Pongal & More

In Spirituality, India

The unassuming Sun completed its southward movement. As it started northwards, little did it know, all over India there were burst of myriad festivities!