A Soul Window – Top Travel Blog from India!

They fired me for traveling too much, I booked Everest Base Camp Trek the next thing!

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Bombay

HOW KALA GHODA ARTS FESTIVAL IN MUMBAI MADE ME TRAVEL MORE IN INCREDIBLE INDIA- AND MY BEST PICTURES!

HOW KALA GHODA ARTS FESTIVAL IN MUMBAI MADE ME TRAVEL MORE IN INCREDIBLE INDIA- AND MY BEST PICTURE! The website of KGAF says, “Kala Ghoda Arts Festival invites you all to come and experience a kaleidoscope of music, dance, theatre, literature, street stalls, films, workshops for adults and children, visual arts and heritage walks. Nine…

January 21, 2018 in Bombay, Posts.

MY 10 FAVORITE PLACES TO SEE IN MUMBAI, INDIA!

I have many favourite places to see in Mumbai. Having stayed in Mumbai for 7 years, I spent many weekends exploring the city. Many of my local friends have told me that they don’t understand Mumbai the way I do. In fact, when I was still living in Mumbai, my visiting friends often requested me…

March 4, 2017 in Bombay, Posts.

Gudi Padwa in Dombivali – The Grand Carnival Of Mumbai called Shobha Yatra

Everything in Mumbai is ‘Maha’ (grand) in size and stature. Be it the buildings, the vast expanse of sea, the industries, the heart of its citizens or the way they live their ‘larger than life’ despite the several personal and professional demons they struggle with everyday. Mumbaikars never skip an opportunity to celebrate their life…

April 8, 2016 in Bombay, Posts.

Have You Ever Experienced The 4 a.m. Mumbai? It Is My Favourite Mumbai

THE SINISTER PLAN: When I lived in Mumbai for 7 years, I often did this. There were Saturday and Friday nights when I used to be sleepless and restless. So it was 4/11/2012, a Saturday, 3:15 a.m. and I was watching my favourite scenes and songs from the ‘soul’ film of my life: INTO THE…

April 7, 2016 in Bombay, Posts.

PLS HELP A CANCER PATIENT I KNOW

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In November, 2014, I was fired from my corporate job of 7 years for ‘travelling too much’. Never mind, to celebrate , I booked Everest Base Camp Trek the next thing. …. More...

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We arrived at the famous United Way Garba Grounds after braving the crowds on our ramshackle bikes. We were underdressed and were completely overshadowed by the men and women who masqueraded as peacocks and peahens on the sprawling grounds. What followed next was jaw dropping. Men and women of all ages moved in synchronization and without missing a single step, they move like one giant whirligig. I can imagine I would have made a fool of myself. I would have bumped into some one, punched someone by mistake or fallen or hit someone with dandiya sticks. The way they moved their sticks and their body was admirable. It was an eye catching mélange of grace, skill and poise. What followed next was jaw dropping. Men and women of all ages moved in synchronization and without missing a single step, they move like one giant whirligig. I can imagine I would have made a fool of myself. I would have bumped into some one, punched someone by mistake or fallen or hit someone with dandiya sticks. The way they moved their sticks and their body was admirable. It was an eye catching mélange of grace, skill and poise. Have you been here? Check out my new blog for exclusive pictures and story. Link in bio. #Gujarat #GujaratTourism #Ahmedabad #Navratri #Navratri2018 #Dandiya #Garba #Garba2018 #GarbaNight #GarbaDance #Garbalovers #GarbaNights #Navratri2k18 #NavratriSpecial #NavratriFever #NavratriVibes #NavratriUtsav #DiscoverIndia #IncredibleIndia #India #Backpacking #Travel #Travelgram #Tourist #IGTravel #Travelingram #Travelogue #TravelPhotography #OctFestT17 #TravelBlogger

SOME COOL FACTS ABOUT GARBA MAHOTSAV IN VADODARA, GUJARAT! It was formed in 1987 as a not for profit organization. It supports the underprivilegedcommunities and small NGOs. Atul Purohit is a very well-known Garba singer who performs across the world but reserves his 9 days every year for Vadodara only. Can you believe more than 30,000 to 60,000 people visit it on a day?Around 30,000 dance together and without any stampede or bad behaviour. In 2011, more than 1, 00,000 people visited. (Source: Times Of India) United Way is mentioned in Limca book of Records as the largest garba ground in the world. Sample the local Gujarati food at the many food stalls set up here. I favourite is khaman, papdi nu lot, khandavi etc. Garba festival and similar group dances can also be experienced in other cities of Indian state of Gujarat such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar etc. THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN VADODARA RIGHT NOW. Have you been here? Check out my new blog for exclusive pictures and story. Link in bio. #Gujarat #GujaratTourism #Ahmedabad #Navratri #Navratri2018 #Dandiya #Garba #Garba2018 #GarbaNight #GarbaDance #Garbalovers #GarbaNights #Navratri2k18 #NavratriSpecial #NavratriFever #NavratriVibes #NavratriUtsav #DiscoverIndia #IncredibleIndia #India #Backpacking #Travel #Travelgram #Tourist #IGTravel #Travelingram #Travelogue #TravelPhotography #OctFestT16 #TravelBlogger

What's travel without a little action? Want to #DiscoverDestinations with #SCross Submit your entry to participate This is my entry from Rann of Kutch You can win awesome #roadtrip with SCross Don't forget to use #discoverdestinations & tag @NexaExperience #RannOFKutch #Kutch #RannUtsav #Gujarat #GujaratTourism #Dhordho #KaluDunger #Bhuj #DiscoverIndia #IncredibleIndia #India #Backpacking #Travel #Travelgram #Tourist #IGTravel #Travelingram #Travelogue #TravelPhotography #OctFestT15 #TravelBlogger #TravelBlog #TravelPics #InstaGood #PicOfTheDay #Sunset

This is where you get the best views of Ranchi from. The view of the Ranchi city from Tagore Hill was breathtaking. As soon as I arrived in Ranchi, my mother kept asking me on phone, “Did you see any hill?” She was disappointed when I said ‘No, there are no hills in Ranchi.” She must have heard of the hills from her relatives. But her ‘travel writer’ son disappointed her with his half baked knowledge. It is only after I arrived at the top most point of Ranchi, were I able to see its hills and numerous picturesque lakes. The top of Tagore Hills gives you a 360 degree view of the Ranchi city. The houses, their naked rooftops, clothes hung out for drying in the backdrop of scenic landscape. Yes, I did spot many hills exiting within the city from this point. And in far far distance, I could see a hint of long mountain ranges, shrouded in mist and mystery. “This is where the waterfalls must be.” I booked Capitol Residency Ranchi via @oyorooms app. I must say I am pretty impressed with the new additions to OYO Rooms. The interiors of the hotel were impressive. My room had a wardrobe on the right as soon as I entered. Next to it was the washroom with a curtain dividing the WC and shower area. Opposite the washroom was a rack for luggage, a large mirror, a cabinet below the television and a writing desk. There were different light fittings for different moods. Next to my bed were a coffee table and two sofas. Whatever I ordered at the hotel was brilliant. Be it the nicely done Pasta in pesto sauce or the Indian paneer curry and rumali rotis, the taste was perfect! In fact, I felt like staying for more just for the food. The room had a well stocked mini bar as well. Swipe for more images! #oyorooms #cheerstooyo #oyolife ________________________________________________ The view from my #SoulWindow is sweeping! ________________________________________________ #Ranchi #Bihar #Jharkhand #RanchiDiaries #Ranchi_Diaries #Ranchi_Shoutout #Jharkhand #JharkhandTourism #JharkhandPhotography #Jharkhandi #Jharkhand_insta #JharkhandDiaries #BeautifulJharkhand #IncredibleIndia #IncredibleIndiaOfficial #Luxury #Travel #TravelBlogger #India #BudgetTravel #SoloTravel #OctFestT13

Tagore Hill also known as Morabadi hills has connections to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. His elder brother Jyotirindra Nath had called this place his home for many years. Needless to say, he chose this place for silence, peace and meditation. A plaque at the place says that from 1910 to 1925 Jyotirindra Nath lived here in solitude and established ‘Shanti Dham’. His only companion here were domestic dogs Ganju and her pup (Puppy) and also a monkey called Roopi. Many luminaries and noted personalities used to come to visit him on his secluded abode on the hills in the place now called as Ranchi. The small temple like structure which looked very old, offered the best of views. I imagined Tagore brothers ruminating and meditating on it in silence. Tagore is worshipped like a Demi God in Bengal. The wind was fresh, cooler and breezy here, unlike the heat and dust of the city below. It was my first visit to Ranchi or even Jharkhand. I stayed at Capital Residency. I had booked the hotel via the @OYORooms app. It was very convenient for me to choose a hotel under my budget and in the location I wanted to stay. It is so easy to find hotels in OYO rooms app location wise. It also allowed me to filter based on various parameters such as ‘whether the hotel has a lift or not’, ‘Is breakfast included’, the pictures of the property, the works! Pls swipe to see images. #oyorooms #cheerstooyo #oyolife ________________________________________________ The view from my #SoulWindow is in a time warp! ________________________________________________ #Ranchi #Bihar #Jharkhand #RanchiDiaries #Ranchi_Diaries #Ranchi_Shoutout #Jharkhand #JharkhandTourism #JharkhandPhotography #Jharkhandi #Jharkhand_insta #JharkhandDiaries #BeautifulJharkhand #IncredibleIndia #IncredibleIndiaOfficial #Luxury #OctFestT12 #TravelBlogger #India #Backpacker #BudgetTravel #SoloTravel #TravelBlog #RabindraNath #RabindraNathTagore #Tagore

I made a mistake. I made a mistake of planning just 3 days in Odisha. I made a mistake of coming to Odisha after 10 years of independent travels. I am dazzled. The moment I landed at Puri railway station, I forgot to blink my eyes. Odisha is exotic in true sense. After a long time, I did a solo backpacking trip. I enjoyed roughing it out in transport buses and rickshaws. Yes. Puri to Konark was a meagre INR 30 and 1 hr. Puri to Bhubaneshwar was at INR 50 and 1.5 hrs. I kept my base at Puri. There are ancient temples at every nook and cranny. Built as early as 6th century AD, many of the temples are still in good condition (Thank you Islamic invaders 🙏) The sheer volume of temples and the breathtaking architecture has left me numb. The last time I felt like this was in Hampi and Kailasha Temple, both in India. Enough has been said that India was an intellectual, financial and spiritual superpower. You need to travel within India to understand this. I repeat, travel is not as expensive as its made out to be. So is comfortable stay. @oyorooms has really revolutionised the accommodation in India by providing standardised stay options with excellent amenities in good location and at affordable prices. After walking for 10 to 12 hours daily in hot and humid Odisha, all I want to do is write post like this in comfortable room. The bright yellow walls exude so much positivity and feel good that next time I book a hotel I am going to ask the color of walls the first thing lol. Pls swipe to see images. India, you never fail to impress me! India, you truly are incredible. Magic happens in India. Every few minutes. After a long long time any destination has amazed my travel weary mind. Not counting Kailasha Mansarovar Yatra. That was beyond any comparison and beyond brilliant. But. Odisha rocks. #oyorooms #cheerstooyo #oyolife ________________________________________________ #Odisha #Puri #Konark #Bhubaneshwar #BhubaneshwarBuzz #BhubaneshwarDiaries #OdishaTourism #OdishaClicks #OdishaDiaries #OdishaIgers #VisitMyOdisha #MyOdisha #KonarkTemple #KonarkSunTemple #JagannathPuri #JagannathTemple #IncredibleIndia #Luxury #Travel #TravelBlogger #India #Backpacker #OctFestT11

I am just back from my first time in @Odishatourismofficial after visiting @GoChattisgarh and Jharkhand for the first time as well. It was a super exciting solo budget trip. I kept my base in Puri and visited Konark, Puri, Bhubaneshwar and Raghurajpur. I stayed at Yellow Hotels by @oyorooms . As you can see the rooms are quite cool. Pls swipe to see images. The theme of yellow can be seen through the entire property. From my window I can see Jagannath Temple, which is just walking distance from this OYO rooms gem. And they have a nice al fresco dining option which is great because on one hand you can see the green oasis. While on the other hand you have sweeping views of the wide grand road and the ancient Jagannath temple. This is affordable luxury at its best. You can check details here https://www.oyorooms.com/39117-premium-oyo-16340-yellow-hot… #oyorooms #cheerstooyo #oyolife ________________________________________________ The view from my #SoulWindow is so refreshing! ________________________________________________ #Odisha #Puri #Konark #Bhubaneshwar #BhubaneshwarBuzz #BhubaneshwarDiaries #OdishaTourism #OdishaClicks #OdishaDiaries #OdishaIgers #VisitMyOdisha #MyOdisha #KonarkTemple #KonarkSunTemple #JagannathPuri #JagannathTemple #IncredibleIndia #Luxury #Travel #TravelBlogger #India #Backpacker #BudgetTravel #SoloTravel #TravelBlog #Octfestt10

It was late afternoon when we arrived at Yam Dwar. We circumblated around Yam Dwar and then passed it. We were asked not to look at the Yam Dwar again as it is considered inauspicious. We had still not seen Mount Kailasha even after walking for some hours. And then suddenly it appeared and left us with goosebumps. It was like meeting the God. The trek ended at Deraphuk. It was again end of luxury but zenith of spirituality. I had many amazing experiences at this place which I will write about in detail in another blog. From here we saw the North face of Mount Kailasha which was overwhelming and emotional. The Deraphuk kitchen of Madhuban Foods was the most difficult to work in. Not only was the climate volatile but the lack of resources made it even difficult for the staff. That said, the team worked diligently and succeeded in providing healthy vegetarian food at such altitude. And as I observed, they even catered to the special dietary requirements of some pilgrims. As one of them said, “We love working here. We have the best views and blessing of Lord Shiva.” The North face of majestic Mount Kailasha was right opposite the Deraphuk kitchen. This picture was clicked right there. Can you spot Lord Ganesha, lord Shiva, Aadi Shakti and Vaishno Devi on the this image? ________________________________________________ The view from my #SoulWindow is spiritual! ________________________________________________ With @scoutmytrip Madhuban Foods and Travel Pals ________________________________________________ #GreatIndianFoodTrip #LetsGoSattvic #MansarovarYatra #TravelPals #China #DiscoverIndia #IncredibleIndia #India #Backpacking #Travel #Travelgram #Tourist #IGTravel #Holidays #Travelogue #InstaTravel #TravelBlogger #TravelBlog #Tibet #MansarovaraLake #MountKailasha #Burang #Taklakot #Purang #Tibetan #ContestWithJaunting #KailashMansarovar #KailashMansarovarYatra #KailashMansarovarYatra2018

KYIRONG TO SAGA IN TIBET- A SAGA LIKE NO OTHER. Just when we thought bad roads are over, we drove on some rough patches on this route. Luckily the road construction was going on when we visited and things should improve soon. This was when we entered the high altitude zone for the first time. Navigating the beautiful landscape, we came across many breath taking sights which seemed identical to Ladakh in India. It looked exactly the same. Just as we reached Saga, it was dusk and there was a time when we literally drove over the mighty Brahmaputra river. Yes, you read that right! We arrived late in Saga. It is really a very small town. Ours was one of the big luxury hotels in the town which could be seen in its entirety within few hours. Saga is where AMS aka Acute Mountain Sickness hits most people. Luckily, I was spared. There is really nothing much to see here, still Saga was very interesting to me since it served as a good kaleidoscope of Tibetan and Chinese culture. ________________________________________________ The view from my #SoulWindow is interesting ! ________________________________________________ With @scoutmytrip Madhuban Foods and Travel Pals ________________________________________________ #GreatIndianFoodTrip #LetsGoSattvic #MansarovarYatra #TravelPals #China #DiscoverIndia #IncredibleIndia #India #Backpacking #Travel #Travelgram #Tourist #IGTravel #Traveler #Holidays #Travelogue #InstaTravel #TravelBlogger #TravelBlog #TravelPorn #Tibet #MansarovaraLake #MountKailasha #Burang #Taklakot #Purang #Tibetan #wblikess15 #ContestWithJaunting

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