Nomadic Tales

As I set out from the bustling city of Hubballi on an early morning, the cool breeze of the Western Ghats promised tales of hidden gems awaiting my discovery. My destination was Udupi, a small coastal town in Karnataka that often finds itself overshadowed by its more famous neighbors like Mangalore and Coorg. However, for those who seek the road less traveled. Udupi is a treasure of experiences waiting to be uncovered. While the town is synonymous with its famous Krishna Temple and of course, the very common Udupi restaurants scattered across the country. But I was determined to go beyond the obvious, to explore the lesser-known nooks and crannies of this town that I suspected held more than what met the eye. This travel guide is your ticket to uncovering Udupi’s well-known landmarks and hidden treasures, alongside personal anecdotes that bring the journey, to life. Best Time to Visit Udupi Udupi's coastal climate makes it a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is bet...

"ऐक." "बस इथे." "आता किमान पंधरा - वीस दिवस बाहेर असणारेस." "तिथे अजिबात चिडचिड करायची नाही. कोणावर ओरडायचं नाही. दोघे सोबत राहायचं. जपून राहायचं. सांभाळून राहायचं." समोर बसवून आईने, आजीने आणि बाबांनी हा उपदेश दिला. पण मी मात्र पुन्हा वारीला जाणार ह्याचं विचारामध्ये गुंग होते. मागच्या वर्षी वारीचा एक टप्पा कव्हर करता आला पण ह्यावर्शी मात्र पूर्ण वारी कव्हर करायला मिळणार ह्याचा आनंद, उत्साह आणि हुरहूर होती. देहू आणि आळंदी ते पंढरपूर असा साधारण २०० ते २५० कि.मी. चा पायी प्रवास. ज्ञानदेव, तुकोबाचा जयघोष करीत तो लाखोंचा जनसमुदाय चालत निघतो. कुणी डोक्यावर बाचकी घेऊन, कुणाच्या गळ्यात टाळ- वीणा-मृदुंग, तर कोणाच्या माथ्यावर तुळशी वृंदावन ! राम कृष्ण हरी चा मंत्रघोष तर निरंतर सुरूच. एका मार्गाने ज्ञानदेवांची पालखी, तर दुसऱ्या मार्गाने तुकोबांची. या दोन संत श्रेष्ठांबरोबरच इतरही अनेक ठिकाणाहून अनेक संतांच्या पालख्या पंढरपूरच्या दिशेने निघालेल्या असतात. वारी ही आपल्याला लाभलेली धार्मिक व सांस्कृतिक परंपरा आहे. ही वारी करणाऱ्या व्यक्तीस वारकरी म...

"Into the Heart of India's Coffee Kingdom" In the heart of Karnataka's coffee country, Chikmagalur beckoned with promises of picturesque landscapes and the tantalising aroma of freshly brewed coffee. As a travel photographer, I embarked on a visual odyssey, eager to capture the essence of this serene sanctuary through the lens of my camera. This narrative encapsulates my immersive experience in a coffee plantation stay, where every click of the shutter was a step deeper into the captivating world of Chikmagalur's coffee culture. Chapter 1: Dawn's Palette   As the first light of dawn painted the horizon, I found myself amidst the enchanting vistas of Chikmagalur's coffee plantations. The air was crisp, carrying the intoxicating fragrance of blooming Arabica and Robusta. With the soft glow of sunrise casting a golden hue over the landscape, I embarked on a quest to capture the ethereal beauty of morning in the coffee groves. Each frame immortalised the i...