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.
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
Solo Driving to Arunachala Mahadeepam, How to Enter Town: Chikkaballapur – Bangalore – Krishnagiri – Tiruvannamalai
Solo drive down to Tiruvannamalai, Arunachala Kshetra. Making entry into town on Mahadeepam evening, a daunting prospect, especially as a solo woman. This is how the story unfolded…
Arunachala Mahadeepam, Tiruvannamalai: My Solo Yatra on Karthik Purnima
Once in a while the clouds shifted and we could see the orange flare of the mahadeepam on the hilltop…
Girnar Parikrama: From Kartik Agyaras to Kartik Poornima (Dev Diwali)
A pilgrimage through a reserve forest with meagre facilities, ancient temples and powerful sacred spots.
Maldives Travel: 5 Reasons to a Truly Hassle-free Experience
Sometimes family trips can get hectic and tiring rather than relaxing. A trip to Maldives is unlikely to be that way…
Discovering the Joys of a Lagoon in Maldives, Lhaviyani Atoll, Kanifushi
I had heard about Lagoons only in movies. I never thought more about what type of water body it was. Wonderful surprise to explore a lagoon in Maldives ….
Jain Temples Outside Bangalore for a Serene Outing
Take a break from the bustle of Bengaluru at these serene Jain temples on the outskirts of the city limits…
Girivalam Temples to Visit on Your Pradakshina Around Arunachala
Planning your Girivalam? Which temples will you visit? Read on for some help… 🙂
Visiting Puttaparthi, Sathya Sai’s Birthplace
Puttaparthi, the town that seems to have grown with Sathya Sai Baba…
Sadhguru’s Naga Temple, the One with the Magnificent View of Adiyogi (Bangalore)
Naga, the guardian deity of the Bangalore Adiyogi kshetra lives in this impressive and beautiful mandapam temple!
108 Rudraksha Trees in Kauai, Hawaii: A Sacred Grove!
In the far off corner of the planet – Kauai, Hawaii – there exists a Hindu monastery with Shiva temples and a sacred Rudraksha grove!
Discover the Girivalam: Circumambulating the Sacred Hill of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
The common traditional practice of Pradakshina was fired up for me ….
Adi Annamalai Temple on the Girivalam Route, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu: Where Ramana Maharshi Heard SamaVeda Chants
One of the 3 oldest temples found in Tiruvannamalai. Situated on the opposite side of the hill from the famous Arunachaleshwar temple, this Adi Annamalai is an intriguing space surrounded with legends and stories.
I Haz Garmin Instinct 2S Watch ❤️
Not a sponsored post in anyway – but Garmin if you are reading – send me some sponsored goods for free, will review 😉
Rudraksha Trees in Nepal: Pashupatinath Temple & More Places
Ancient temples with Rudraksha trees in the courtyard. Shops selling Rudraksha beads, cultivated and harvested in Rudraksha farms. Intriguing Nepal!
The 21 ft USA Adiyogi at Isha Institute of Inner Sciences, Tennessee
Pondering on the 21 ft Adiyogi at the Isha Institute of Inner Sciences aka USA Isha ashram.
Where Can We Find Aghoris?
Where can we spot the arcane Aghori yogis? And if we spot them, will we recognize them for who they are?
My 2-Day Solo Drive: Chikkaballapur (Bangalore) to Coimbatore via Salem
Trying new routes to drive down from Chikkaballapur to Coimbatore and avoiding Bangalore Traffic. This time tried the usual Salem road with some difference 🙂
Girnar, where Aghora & Jainism Meet & the Current Hindu-Jain Controversy
From the cremation ground sadhana and all things TABOO to clean, marble temples and extreme non-violence. The coexistence of Aghora & Jainism on the sacred mountain of Girnar is an intriguing phenomena…
What To Do When Driving Alone? Mindful Driving Practices I Follow
I have solo, self driven over 6000kms across India so far. Some notes in this blog post on mindful practices I incorporate as I drive!
10 Best Tamil Nadu Temples I have Visited So Far
Temples of Tamil Nadu are world famous. In my many years of exploring this South Indian state, here is a list of the best temples that come to my mind!
The Incredible Adiyogi Shiva Statue Chikkaballapur, Bangalore: Location & Places to Visit
Thanks to the new upcoming Isha Yoga Center and Adiyogi Bangaluru, I have been able to explore a fascinating region a couple of hours from Bangalore. Know more about the amazing location of Adiyogi Chikkaballapur and noteworthy places to visit around it! This will be an evolving list… as there is so much to explore hereabouts!
Filmed By Bike Annual Festival: I Watched A Few Cycling Short Films
Reminiscing the cycle life with a few short bike films 🙂
105th Guru Pooja @ Sadguru SriBrahma Yelanahalli Ashram
Happy to have visited the 2nd Sadhguru ShriBrahma Guru Pooja event at the Yelanahalli ashram, Nilgiris.
Girnar Parvat, Lesser Known Jain Temples & Shrines
Most Jain devotees spend 80% of their time in the temple towards doing the pooja of main idol. In this blog, I am advocating exploring some lesser known shrines on Girnar
