So, we have been exploring the incredibly beautiful Konkan part of Maharashtra these days whenever we get a chance and after Ganpatipule, the circuit of Dapoli came next on our radar.  Let me be perfectly honest – prior to this, Dapoli was nowhere, never in my featured list of places to visit in Maharashtra. So when hubby suggested we visit Dapoli, I was kind of intrigued as to why would anyone want to spend their vacation in a luxury hotel in a place like Dapoli? Having now visited though, I have a completely different take. For one, I love the fact that Dapoli is kinda unpretentious, o ..read more

Goa is a lot on the radar of my mind these days. Goa, as they say, is a vibe and I was lucky, I could experience a bit of the Susegad way of life. While Goa is more hyped and popular for its parties, and nightlife, what I’m going to show you is the other side of Goa. This was the Goa that I experienced – the age old temples rendering stories of how faith was an inherent integral part for the natives of Goa, the history and heritage resplendent in its gracious Portuguese houses whispering tales of lineage and patrimony, the rustle of raindrops which flank the green paddy fields, playfully ..read more

As synonymous are the many gorgeous beaches and water with Goa; so is the flow, freedom and movement that comes along with them. And I found a homestay in Goa, that came packed with all of this and more! About the Homestay: Welcome to Saraya, a secluded homestay nestled in a quaint village named Sangolda in the heart of the busy bustling North Goa.  “Saraya” is a Sanskrit word meaning, “To Begin, To Flow.” True to its name, Saraya Ecostay is a creatively active space, spread in an acre of land, where you are invited to begin living in harmony with God, with nature and with your own divin ..read more

MTDC Resort Bamboo Cottages facing the Ganpatipule beach Ganpatipule has been long on my wishlist of places to visit from ever since I can remember. But as they say, you don’t go, can’t go unless the Lord calls. After waiting for mine for so many years now, finally the time came – when plans fell in place, tickets and hotel booked. When it came to booking a hotel in Ganpatipule, we looked no further than MTDC resort Ganpatipule which is seemingly THE BEST resort to stay in Ganpatipule. And truly so! This resort is a one-of-kind tropical oasis appropriately located right on the Ganpati ..read more

Just 30 kms. from Ahmedabad in Gujarat is the town where Mahatma Gandhi was born, pretty aptly named Gandhinagar. I have been to Ahmedabad multiple times but this was my first visit to Gandhinagar (thanks to the Statue of Unity FAM trip courtesy Government of India – Tourism Ministry and Gujarat Tourism), the capital city of Gujarat. With its lush greens, well planned infrastructure and rich historical cultural heritage, Gandhinagar is a great town to explore.Checking in to The Leela, GandhinagarIf you’re longing for a luxurious escape in Gandhinagar, then head straight to the drop dead... Th ..read more

 Last month, I visited Gujarat thanks to an impromptu invite from Gujarat Tourism, Ministry of Tourism – Government of India. Besides it being my first FAM trip, I was doubly excited for the place I was visiting. I was eager to see the Statue of Unity in person – was it really as grand as it is portrayed in the news and media or is all the hype around it just simply overrated? Armed with my bag of curiosity, I went with an open mind – I was either going to love or hate the whole idea of the World’s Tallest Statue but most importantly I was going to see the Statue of Unity – as it ..read more

The Holy Town of Tiruvannamalai: An introduction ----One of the most amazing things I find about my religion, Hinduism, is that we don’t always need an idol to pray. So, there are ancient temples where different forms of Gods or Goddesses are worshiped as deities and at the same time, there is Mother nature where elements necessary for our everyday existence and sustenance are venerated as deities.First View of Arunachaleshwara Mountain from the state transport busOne such pilgrimage I took last month was to the temple town of Tiruvannamalai in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu where the ..read more

Summer season is peaking. Since it’s getting increasingly difficult to step outdoors at this time, one of the best things you can do right now is to plan your next travel destination for the monsoon season. If you’re confused and wondering where you could travel next, allow me to suggest you the very destination that I have just returned from (thanks to an invite from Gujarat Tourism, Ministry of Tourism- Government of India) and one that mesmerized me not just for its monumental wonder and architectural grandeur but so much more for the historical, national, spiritual magnanimity it ..read more

There are a multitude of Gods in The Hindu Pantheon that we, Hindus, pray to. All these Gods and Goddesses are invisible, seen only from the eyes of the heart, through the lens of faith.Except one.The Sun God, Surya Bhagwaan.The Sun God, also known by various names like SuryaNarayan, Ravi, Aruna, Mitra, Bhanu, Kha, Pusha, Hiranyagarbha, Marichin, Aditya, Savitr, Arka and Bhaskara. Surya Narayan is the only God who can be seen everyday, also with mere mortal eyes, in the temple of the sky, as He generously blesses all the people - regardless of caste, color or religion, regardless of whether ..read more

A narrow dusty road winding up the curtains of the Bhopalgarh fort in the mountains of Beelwa led us to an ancient, unknown, offbeat temple - Rani Chundawat Sati Mandir near Khetri in Rajasthan. The trails were empty, devoid of any human beings or vehicles, and our lone but sturdy jeep bumpily trudged along with the unkempt bushes, Bhopalgarh fortress walls and the craggy mountains for company. A good 30 minutes later, we reached the Chundawat Rani Temple, which is also the patron deity of some of the castes of the state.On the way up the mountain The temple is a small, simple structure... Th ..read more