Category: In Spirituality

  • TriMandir – Adalaj, Ahmedabad

    Trimandir on the outskirts of Ahmedabad is a unique temple officially called a “non-sectarian” temple. It has three major deities – Simandhar swami, Shiva and Vishnu. Simandhar swami is from the Jain religion is the main deity of this temple with a large idol (about 14 ft). Along with him there are a number of…

  • Kali Temple of Kolkata, Shakti Peeth

    Spent a relaxed 5 days in Kolkata last month. I have been to this city earlier but always with family as my close relatives stay here including my grand mom 🙂 This time I planned to spend time with family AND explore the intriguing Kolkata! One of the first places that I wanted to take…

  • Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra – Behind The Scenes Story

    It so happened that I planned my Jagannath Puri trip a week before the Rath Yatra which brings millions of devotees to this sleepy, coastal town in Orissa. If I had planned a week later, I would have really struggled with booking and high costs. To attend a festival like the Rath Yatra – which…

  • Kumbh Mela: Ujjain Simhasth, May 2016, Photos

    Quick trip to Ujjain for the Simhasth Kumbh Mela happened in early May. I had traveled to Nashik for my first Kumbh Mela experience in 2015 and I deliberately went on the non-Shahi snan days. I was concerned about the crowds and overall facilities. This time for Ujjain I went impromptu on the 7-8th May…

  • Social Implications of Solo Travel, India

    When I started solo traveling in 2009, it all happened a bit impromptu. I had a basic plan in place, Mumbai – Goa – Bangalore (transit) – Mysore – Coimbatore (yoga ashram). I provided all accommodation details with contact numbers to my parents and that was pretty much it. As I started doing this more…

  • Varanasi Calling…

    Lately my heart is turning to Varanasi – that crazy, crazy city! I am cooking up plans to visit it again, just to have my thoughts clash about all the various trips I plan to make. It is a common dilemma I think, of travelers who aren’t on the road indefinitely. Don’t get me wrong…

  • Solo Travel Hacks: Enjoy the Solitude

    One of the common questions I get when I talk about solo traveling is ‘Do you feel lonely?’ or something on similar lines ‘how do you pass the whole day on your own?’. Here is my experience… I don’t just Enjoy & Love Solitude. I NEED it! I have always been someone who loves spending…

  • Travelogue: My Kumbh Mela Story @ Trimbakeshwar, Nashik

    The 3 lovely days I spent at the Kumbh Mela in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik were a truly unique experience. I was thinking of going with a few friends but they were busy with some work, so went on my own. Usually I travel solo but for the Kumbh Mela I was a bit concerned. Not concerned…

  • Solo at the Kumbh Mela – Notes for a Wonderful Experience

    Planning to be solo at the Kumbh Mela can be a daunting task for many as it conjures up images of huge crowds, religious frenzy and a truly eclectic bunch of people from rural folks to ash smeared sadhus. I was hesitant at first, but I really enjoyed my 3 solo days at the Kumbh…

  • Manikarnika, The Burning Ghat – Varanasi

    Having become Time itself, I destroy the world here, O Goddess! ~Shiva, Padma Purana 1.33.14 As I said Varanasi has been one of the most intriguing trips I have made. Never have I felt a city so full of going ons. Just inane, often crazy, some brilliant, other bizarre going ons. Just going on. Like…