Forests are the lungs of our eco system. So very true and apt. I had read this signboard on one of my trips to virgin Valparai. Nature is indeed god’s gift...

Kodaikanal a sylvan glade

It was an impromptu decision that took me to the Princess of Hills or Kodaikanal few weeks back. I was in my hometown for a marriage and decided to explore the mountains nearby....

Main Falls Courtallam

Follow my blog with Bloglovin We were driving through NH208, surprisingly in the not so hot Madurai weather. My uncle and aunt decided to take me to the spa of south...

Mimisal Fish Market

I was in the arid land of Chettinad when I decided to explore the coastal area around Karakudi. Thanks to the folks at The Bangala they drove me down to Mimisal 43...

Chettinad Lunch at The Bangala

During my visit to the land of Chettiars – Chettinad I stayed at The Bangala a heritage boutique resort for a week and scouted all around the villages of Karaikudi. During my...

A Chettinad House

An edited version of this article was published in the February’15 issue of  Travel + Leisure India and Southasia magazine as Chettinad’s treasure chest   A beautiful Kolam (Rangoli) welcomed the visitors...

Wildlife in Valparai

Wildlife in Valparai Valparai is a haven for flora and fauna. It has a rich biodiversity with some being highly endangered. The Lion Tailed Macaque is a threatened species that is...

Pristine Valparai

Valparai nestled in the Anamalai Ranges is a beautiful hill station with tea gardens and thick forests teeming with wildlife. Valparai has been hidden from the tourist sector since long and...

Chinnakallar Falls

Chinnakallar Falls Chinnakallar Falls located about 20 km from Valparai town is the wettest place in this region. It is also called the Cherapunji of the south as it receives second...

Stanmore tea bungalow

STANMORE TEA BUNGALOW I was at the colonial bungalow of Briar Tea right in the middle of tea plantations at Valparai. Stanmore bungalow or Injipara bungalow was built in 1935 by...

Solaiappan Swamy Temple in tuticorin

My second post on clan deities. It was my niece’s ear piercing ceremony which is normally done when the kid turns one year old. This ceremony is celebrated in the presence...

Ayyanar

It was my maternal grandmother’s first death anniversary, me and my cousins travelled to offer our prayers to the clan deity Lord Shiva. A forty five minute ride from Sivakasi, Tamilnadu in...

Vasanta Bhavan - Filter Coffee

It had been an early day for me. I had woken up at 3 a.m. in the morning to board my flight to Chennai from Pune. Hazy eyed I boarded the...

My first Pocket Cultures post. Check out the link – Pocket Cultures || Mangalyam tantunanena mama jeevana hetuna: kanthe banbjj hhjggdhnami subhage twam jeeva sarada satam || This is a Sanskrit shloka...

Green the color I love the most. One of the colors of Mother Earth also signifies fertility and gives a calming effect. Far from the bustling, burgeoning city life I decided...