Nomadic Tales

You know how some trips just happen? Like, you’re there minding your own business, sipping chai at a roadside stall & suddenly, destiny drops a surprise plan into your lap. When you’re a traveler, there are moments when plans go completely off the script. Picture this! I'm in the quiet, temple filled lanes of Badami, savoring a cup of chai. The sun’s setting & there’s this calmness enveloping the entire place. Then, two fellow travelers sitting next to me start chatting about their recent trip to Pondicherry. Now, I've had Pondicherry on my mind for years, its French colonial influence, serene beaches & spiritual retreats but nothing prepared me for how spontaneous and unplanned this trip would be. In fact, it was almost like the universe decided I needed to see it & I was all in! It was suddenly calling out to me, like a distant relative I hadn’t met in years but now couldn't ignore. And that’s how Pondicherry found me! Pondicherry or Puducherry, is a coast...

  As I sit by the window, the aroma of freshly brewed chai wafts through the air, blending with the nostalgic fragrance of the spices I collected from the streets of different cities. Today is World Food Day, a day that means much more to me than just celebrating food. For me, it's a chance to reflect on the countless culinary journeys I've taken, each dish a portal into the heart of a place and its people. Food, especially the kind that’s lesser known yet so deeply rooted in culture, has always fascinated me. There’s something about traveling to a destination just to savour a dish that’s both unique and tied to its origins & I’ve always enjoyed uncovering the stories behind these dishes. Travelling has always been more than just ticking off places on a map for me. I’m a firm believer in the idea that a destination’s true essence can be discovered through its food especially when it’s a dish that’s lesser known but packed with history. This thought has taken me through citi...

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...