2017 Travel
India — A land of diversity culture & tradition, a land of dream & hope. Journey of me unfolding myself to the magical land of India, manifesting in all its glory, its people, monuments & landscapes. I feel blessed to travel to such amazing places in such time.
I started my travel journey in Goa last year. Traveled to celebrate New years with some Australians friends. Goa has intoxicating night life, exotic food, surreal afternoons and the vibes- a find for every traveler. And this was perhaps my best ever trip to Goa. Ended up spending 2 more days then what i planned initially.
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
After being in the sun & the beaches for few days i travel all the way to Rishikesh. Rishikesh is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it’s also known as The Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas. Rishikesh is the place that enchants and overwhelms at the same time. A place with so much culture, and so much history.
Traveling — it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.
I then traveled to Ahmedabad to celebrate Makar Sankranti — a festival that celebrates life and fertility. It’s one of the most vibrant and multi-coloured festivals celebrated every year in January. Numerous kites of various colors, shapes and sizes filled the clear blue skies of Ahmedabad. It was an experience I will cherish forever.
you dont have to be rich to travel well
It was then time for a special place on planet earth, Leh Ladakh — the lands where heaven seems to meet earth. I traveled to Leh for my Chadar trek on a Frozen Zanskar River. It’s one of the most stunning and exhilarating winter treks across the blue planet. Chadar Trek is a thrilling expedition & it’s beauty leaves you breathless & gasping for more!
Take only memories, leave only footprints
The season of spring is a time when India goes colourful & so did I, when I traveled to Mathura to celebrate Holi. Holi is one of the biggest Indian festivals and is also one of the most fun ones. The festival marks the advent of pleasant spring after the cold winters.
one’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things
The vibe, the Sun, clouds sliding over the looming lush green mountains, is a very simplest and most enduring way to describe Himachal Pradesh. It was in July when I packed my bags & traveled to the Mountains again. Himachal offers spell-binding views, hot springs, fairy-tale-like fog surrounding the villages and a lingering scent of pines and freshness.
Travel far enough, you meet yourself
It was that time of year in India when Festivity was blooming across nation and I found myself in ‘The City of Joy’ during Durga Pooja. Calcutta or Kolkata, stands true to its name. The city is colourful and has history and a rich heritage which is evident from the old buildings, the architecture, the trams and the passion of people here — be it their love for football or love for food. It’s India’s third largest city, so it’s certainly huge, chaotic, and disorganized — but somehow it manages to function — and it will probably leave you amazed at just how things manage to work.
half the fun of travel is the esthatic of lostness
Varanasi also known as ‘Kashi’ & ‘Banaras’ is India’s oldest city, located along the banks of the famous River Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. In early November I took my mind, body & soul to Varanasi for the Dev Deepawali festival. Dev Deepawali is celebrated on Karthik Purnima (Full moon night) of Hindu calendar which comes 14–15 days after the Diwali. I must say, it’s one of the most amazing places i’ve ever traveled to
“Varanasi” is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together — Mark Twain
In November, I was on a Ultimate Journey to Kanyakumari on the Southern Coastline of India. To witness both sunrise and sunset, Kanyakumari is very popular for this spectacular sight, given the fact that sun is submerged inside the Ocean.
Adventure may hurt you but monotony will kill you.
I then traveled to Kodaikanal, walking in between the gigantic Pine trees where sun was peaking through the famous Pine forest. In Tamil, Kodaikanal translates to ‘The Gift of the Forest’. And the hill station stays true to its meaning even today.
Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before
Hampi is one of the most beautiful & evocative of all historical sites in India, the abode of bygone ruins, rusty colors and fascinating landscape. Being in Hampi is like living in history, entire city dating back to the 16th century, preserved till today in 20th century. After so many years of travel within India, I finally arrived in Hampi.
there are no shortcuts to any place worth going
I was Craving to feel the sand beneath my feet, so I pack my bags again & left for Gokarna to fulfill my desire. Along the western Coast of India, lies this laid-back, peaceful little town with serene beaches. Happiness here is sought in simple things, like lying down on the beach & listening to the sound of waves against the shore.
Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.
To close out year 2017 on high, nothing better than skiing on the snow clad mountains in Gulmarg. An unbelievably beautiful landscape, valley of flowers, serene lakes and amazing trekking trails, Kashmir has a bit of everything to offer to its visitors. During winters, Gulmarg is coated with a blanket of thick, soft snow, turning its gentle slopes into some of the finest ski slopes.
It’s better to see something once, than to hear about it a thousand times
A traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.