Nomadic Tales

Dear Travel, I hope you’re well, though I know you’re always on the move. You never rest, just like me. You and I have a story—a story written on the crinkled pages of well-worn maps, between the creases of a dusty backpack & across the unpaved roads of distant villages. Today, on World Tourism Day, I wanted to sit down & reflect on our journey together. You’ve been my companion, my guide, & my constant muse. Together, we’ve meandered through bustling streets, trekked over hills, dipped our toes into cool rivers & paused in silent awe before ancient temples. I write to you not just as a traveler but as a someone who has let go of the comfort of home & surrendered to the unpredictability of the road. So, this letter is my thank you, my reflection & my expression of endless gratitude. It’s a relationship built on curiosity, wanderlust & an ever-growing appreciation for the beauty, chaos & simplicity of life. As I sit under the shade of a banyan tree in som...

                         So, here’s how it all started. After scrolling endlessly through Instagram and feeling that familiar itch to escape the city madness, I stumbled upon this gem of a place called Badami, a town I had long heard about but never visited. The journey was as much about exploring the unknown as it was about connecting with history. This town is full of ancient caves, forgotten temples, and stories etched in stone it was like something straight out of a history book. So, without overthinking it (because when do I ever?), I booked my ticket on the Gadag Express and packed my bags. First things first, the Gadag Express is no Shatabdi, but it has its own charm. The journey started with the usual hustle at Dadar station. As the train chugged out of Mumbai, the city’s chaos slowly gave way to the quiet of the countryside. A warm plate of vada pav from a station vendor was my farewell to Mumbai—a last taste of t...

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...