Dal Lake is one of the most breathtaking places in India. It covers a significant area of Srinagar and feels like a small town within the city itself. There are local families who live on the lake, rowing their personal boats and running their shops of all kinds from groceries to pashmina and saffron. All this makes Dal lake a …
Turtuk – the last village on India-Pakistan border
“Welcome to our village” – shouted a cheerful group of 8-year-old kids. “Here is your entrance gift” – told a girl with a smile handing me a few fruits. I was amazed by this hospitality gesture. Today, you will see many happy kids running through the streets of the village after the classes. Nevertheless, it was not always the case. …
Diskit – a gateway to Nubra Valley
“How do you survive winters without electricity?” I asked curiously. “That’s a very good question. I think people can adapt to anything with time” – told Sonam, one of the residents of Nubra. Diskit is the main town and administrative center of Nubra Valley. If all the roads lead to Rome, the roads of Nubra Valley definitely lead to Diskit. …
Sand dunes in the mountains – Hunder, Nubra Valley
When you think of a desert, most probably Sahara, the Thar Desert or any other area filled with sand, oasis and unbearably hot climate comes to your mind. I was thinking the same until I visited Hunder. This is a natural phenomenon of a desert in the mountains at the altitude of 3000+ meters which is covered with snow in winters. …
Budget guide to Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh
Ladakh is one of the most desired road-trip experiences in India. It has breathtaking landscapes, fascinating architecture, responsible lifestyle and a mix of Tibetan and Kashmiri cultures that makes it a curious destination to explore. But what if you don’t drive? Then you will definitely find next few posts handy! You can travel through major part of Ladakh by combining …
Bylakuppe – the biggest Tibetan Settlement in South India
Many people associate all Tibetan with Himalaya, mountains, snowy peaks. If you are remotely interested in Tibetan culture, most probably you’ve heard of Dharamshala – the biggest Tibetan settlement in India, where Tibetan government resides. Nevertheless, there is another small town in India which is important in Tibetan culture, yet people rarely talk about it. Bylakuppe – the second largest …
Goa Velha – exploring the heritage sites
Goa Velha is a historical district in North Goa that used to be a capital of Portuguese India. Despite Portugal was ruled by Spain, the Portuguese maintained the influence in certain areas of India for 450 years. As a result, you will see a cultural blend in cuisine, architecture, and traditions in these parts of India. Today I would like …
Jibhi – an offbeat village in Himachal
Many years passed since my first encounter with Himachal Pradesh. It was the next day after my arrival in India. That time I was working for a consulting company in Delhi. Since one of the company’s clients was in Shimla, it was a great idea to take a drive to Himalaya after a 25-hour long flight (sarcasm! yet Himachal is …
Aru Village – a hidden gem of Kashmir
Aru is a small picturesque village in the South of Kashmir. Despite being just 12 km away from a very touristy Pahalgam, it often gets overlooked. Nevertheless, both Pahalgam and Aru offer different experiences. In this post, I would like to share with you Aru story and advice on how to approach it in a better way. I would like …
Hoysala heritage in Somnathpur temple Mysore
Hoysala Rulers who built many temples in present-day Karnataka, ruled over Mysore Plateau between 11th and 14th century. As lovers of art, they evolved a new form of Architecture, Hoysala architecture. The most notable temples of this style are in Belur, Halebid and Somnathpur. Somnathpur temple was one of the first temples built under Hoysala regime. To give you a broad …