They say you can rediscover love in the hills. Maybe that’s what happened with my wife and me. We had gone to visit my sis-in-law in Haridwar, and had learnt that Mussourie was just a few hours drive from the holy town. Also learnt that it was possible to go there and come back on the same day, after spending a few hours sight seeing and having lunch.

This short but very sweet sojourn took place quite a few years back, and therefore the details are pretty sketchy in my mind, but do remember visiting the Gun Hills and Camel’s Back

We started around 9 AM from Haridwar and reached Mussourie around 11 AM, a slow meandering ride, since we stopped for tea/bits/bites. The ride to Mussourie was pretty exciting and picturesque, what with waterfalls, narrow roads and steep turns, from where the valley views were particularly spectacular. Riding with us, were our disjointed thoughts, across between enjoying the lovely views and exploring our inner universes, where a churning of thoughts and emotions were riding along with us. Our tumultuous ties of the past few years and our collective inabilities to find a track that would bring us together was a hovering like a black cloud during the whole, physically delightful trip!

However, we finally managed to reach our destination, the Mall road, somewhat tired, both mentally and physically. We gathered our stuff, paid the driver for one-way, and  told him to wait for our return journey, adding that if he found someone else, he was welcome to undertake that journey, since return cabs were available a-plenty…!

We walked out aimlessly at first, since we had about 5/6 hours to kill, and then finally we walked towards our luncheon destination, Padmini Niwas Hotel, famous for its vegetarian stuff. We reached the Hotel around 1 PM. We had lunch at Padmini Niwas Hotel, a fantastic place with a huge lawn and big dining hall, serving piping hot and very tasty Veg Gujarati meals.

Next, accompanied by a guide and on foot, since cars are not allowed beyond a certain point, we walked along Camel’s Back and do remember reaching the most picturesque point after some walking and a horse ride.

Next on our agenda was the cable ride to Gun Hills, a fantastic yet somewhat scary ride. We stayed at the half-way point for about one hour, enjoying the sights and having a look around, while enjoying the chaats on offer…

Our visit to “Lal Tibba”, the highest point of Mussourie was the highest point of our visit too, where watching the panoramic Himalayan range bought out the ‘hidden’ romantic instincts as well as arousing the love of travel within both of us. It was almost late evening, I recollect, and time for us to undertake the return journey to Haridwar,

We reached Haridwar, late in the evening, hungry and pleasantly tired!

That trip probably was the starting point of our future travels…

This was an incident that happened in April 2006, when we were on a trip to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang at an elevation in the region of 10000 feet remains snowed in for almost the entire year, with the journey covering rough terrains and severe hostile climates and temperatures varying from two to six degree Celsius even during April. The entire landscape was juxtaposed with sights of pine trees and pristine snow covering all over them.

It was during this time, that we could spot an old lady on another side of a mountain lying on the ground and struck by a few pine trees which prevented her from rolling further.  A light drizzle was happening and we could hear a sound of exasperation coming from that side, and was completely bewildered at that sight.

All the other tourist jeeps just kept zipping past and even our group was also not that interested in coming out of the jeep, but somehow my mind wouldn’t allow me to go past that sight and instinctively I made the decision to help her with myself being totally adamant on my decision although my other group members tried to thwart me.

But then it was easier said than done. After coming out of the jeep, I could notice that although the place where the lady was there looked nearer but the way towards it was quite rough and follows an upward rise to the hill. And with the wet soil it was not at all easy, but still slowly and steadily I followed my mind and went up to that place.

Lots of small sticks and dry branches of pine trees were scattered all around the lady, from which I presumed she came there to collect woods for her home. After touching her I could feel she was still breathing and was trying to speak something and was trying to point at something from which I could gather that she just wanted drinking water desperately.

The water source was quite far away and that too was frozen. So instantly I decided to take a lump of ice from a pine tree, break it and rubbed it with my palms so that it would melt faster and hold it near her mouth. That indeed worked and she started breathing a little faster than earlier. But my mind was still scared and was also wondering now what to do.

Slowly after a few moments I took her by my side trying to lift her as much as possible and slowly and steadily brought her to the main road. At this point I saw my other group members have managed to arrange two local lads from somewhere and immediately after seeing the old lady they recognized and said she is from their village. One of the lads after understanding ran away and called her family members within a short time.

That was a big sigh of relief for me that she finally can get back to her own home with her family members safely. Although we didn’t know as to how she fell down on the ground as the lady was unable to speak, but we presumed perhaps it was due to her age for which she just fainted there or maybe something stuck in her legs. The family members also promised that they are not going to send her uphill to collect woods again and I could take the journey with some kind of satisfaction in my mind.

Anjuna beach

Riding the bus to Panaji, I chatted up with the lady sitting beside me asking her if she knew anything about this part of Goa. She went on to tell me that the town was once a major Portuguese stronghold and before that was the capital of Bijaipur Kingdom as well. But apparently, most of the forts, weaponry, and traces of the era gone by have gone missing with time. Even though there has been a decline in heritage over centuries, the town is well maintained, inspite of the large influx of visitors year round. “You should explore the churches and temples there” she said before going on her way.

I got off in Panaji where the tour guide reccomended by a friend waited. He took over from where the lady had left off to shed more light on the history behind Old Goa. “The town was earlier surrounded by a fortified wall with barracks, a hospital and the prison. Europeans who ruled the region have left behind quite an impression apart from architectural marvels. I will show you some of the famous churches in this region for you to understand better.”

Along the Mandovi River

Within minutes we were on a road flanked on either side by a Grand church. “On your right is the Basilica of Bom Jesus and across the road is the Se Cathedral. Why dont you go explore the Bom Jesus Basilica first?” he said before wandering off to chat with some friends.

Basilica of Bom Jesus is a Church marked as a World Heritage Site standing tall but without a towering cross on top. Apparently in its place was a Hindu temple which the portugese demolished to erect the church on.. And the cross they installed kept falling off due to natural calamities, till finally they realised something bigger was in power there and so the church stands tall without a Cross.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

The interiors are overwhelming, huge ceilings, beautiful art work.. its absolutely breathtaking. The church houses two chapels, a main altar, a sacristy and a belfry at the back. Apart from these, the church also has a rich collection of paintings related to various instances from the life of St. Francis Xavier.Altars dedicated to St. Michael and to Our Lady of Hope are also present .

The church houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa. St Francis Xavier is also known as “Goencho Saib” meaning “Lord of Goa”. The saint died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2,1552. In accordance with his wishes , his remains were transferred to Goa the following year. Before I knew it, nearly an hour had passed. Making my way out onto the street to explore the Se Cathedral I noticed the guide lost in conversation.

Se Cathedral 

Inside Se Cathedral

The largest church in Old Goa, Se Cathedral is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. This Renaissance cathedral was designed in the 16th century and took nearly 80 years to complete. I noticed there was only one  bell tower, apparently the other collapsed way back in 1776 when it was struck by lightening  The interiors are filled with intricate detailing, the focal point is the 249 feet long central nave and a gilded high altar dedicated to St. Catherine.As you walk around , you will see the 15 additional altars inside the cathedral. What a beautiful building that was. I could have spent all day there, but I was thirsty for more…

I quickly made an exit towards our vehicle only to find the guide waiting there for me. “Shall we go? I have few more surprises to show you”, he chirped! I wondered what could be more magical than these structures I had just visited…

Goa with its long stretches of beaches, blue ocean, and the plethora of activities has enough to keep visitors engaged for more than a few days. Stay at the Club Mahindra’s property in Varca Beach, wake up to the sound of the ocean, and soak in the sun and sand, the ideal way to unwind and have a blast! Wish to see, check this:

Photo Credit:McKay Savage/Creative Commons

It’s hard to describe how a mountain child like me can be so fascinated by a water-logged channel in the backyard of Cochin. Think: a vast expanse of greenish-blue water, where the only ripples are those created by fish and ducks, and by the house boat on the deck of which you’re royally seated, greeted every now and then by a salty breeze. The palms occasionally give way to little coastal villages, one of which we stop at to watch elderly women weave ropes in their primitive ways.

Photo Credit: Christian haugen/Creative Commons

The landscape barely changes for hours, and yet my eyes remain fixated on the water and the horizon beyond. An aura of serenity establishes itself on the boat; no chatter, no movement, just a silent rowing to no destination.

As the sun spots dissolve on the deck, I watch the sun tease the sky with its colors, before rapidly sinking into the horizon. I have seen mountain sunsets, but watching the sun sink low enough to prove that the earth is round, is something else.

Photo Credit: Mikko Koponen/Creative Commons

At the first sign of darkness, stars fill the sky with their twinkling selves, and home-bound fishermen fill the backwaters with little boats and kayaks. Four years on, I can still reconstruct my memory of their darkened faces, their bright smiles, and their enthusiastic waves to us – travelers curiously discovering their  waters.

The backwaters of Kerala never seizes to amaze us, but there is more to Kerala than these endless waterways. When visiting Kerala, you should enjoy the beautiful  sights and sounds by staying at one of Club Mahindra’s properties across Munnar,  Ashtamudi, Poovar or Thekkady.

For example, have a view of the beautiful Club Mahindra Backwater Retreat – Ashtamudi, Kerala:

It is the largest Tibetan community in exile with about 40,000 people in five settlements containing monasteries, kindergarten to higher level secondary schools, health care clinics, a hospital and a traditional Tibetan medical facility. The ‘Lugsum Samdupling’ settlement established in 1961 has grown to a veritable township with monasteries, nunneries and cafes and stalls that showcase the Tibetan way of life.

As you near the settlement you will find monks in robes zipping past on two wheelers. Makes one wonder – what’s the hurry for the monks? Ah well, the monks here are well rooted in tradition and well connected with all modern technology too. You will see monks chatting away on a mobile phone in one hand and rolling beads on his rosary in another!

The most visited temple here is Namdroling (The Golden Temple) and the signage is loud and clear. And of course you can spot it from afar. Three beautiful larger than life gold plated statues look down at visitors above the altar. Buddha around 60 feet tall holds prominent place, flanked by Guru Padmasambhava and Amitayush (each around 58 feet tall). The walls are adorned with colourful paintings depicting gods and demons from Tibetan Buddhist mythology. The entrance has a curtain of beads which is the favourite of kids who love going in and out.

The monastery attached to this temple is considered to be one of the best places for higher learning. This monastery dedicated to the teachings of Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism was established by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche shortly after he came to India from Tibet. A long, leisurely visit to the Namdroling monastery would take up almost half a day. If you are lucky you will witness a prayer chanting session in one of the temples and it is a ‘must experience’. Rows of monks will sit and start chanting from their books and a couple of them will blow wind instruments while there will be another who will play the cymbals. All this will be accompanied by the rhythmic beat of the drums.

The exterior of the new Zangdokpalri temple looks majestic with a majestic rainbow arch. We are so used to being told not to photograph the idols in temples, that the ready willingness of the monks to let the idols in their temples being photographed is such a pleasant and welcome surprise. Most of the monks when approached are very friendly and ready to talk and answer all your question about their life there or Buddhism. It is almost like visiting a foreign country in your own!

There is a large parking area near the Golden Temple. A shopping arcade next to it houses many curios shops and restaurants.

Getting there: Bylakuppe is situated on the state highway 88. The nearest town for Bylakuppe is Kushal Nagar. Auto-rickshaw is the best mode for a trip to the Golden Temple from Kushalnagar. There are frequent buses shuttling between Mysore and Madikeri and you can get down at Kushalnagar.

Club Mahindra has a beautiful resort in Coorg and Bylakuppe is not too far away from our property.  Enjoy your visit to the coffee country with us and  plan a visit to Bylakuppe at your leisure.
Watch this video to experience the destination more.

It never ceases to amaze me how French and Tamilian cultures have come together and coexisted so beautifully. The Sri Aurobindo ashram is probably the most visited piece of real estate in the city. Years go by, but the ashram remains the same – a place of universal acceptance and abundant peace. A few minutes spent there will soothe your nerves. Walk across to the Manakula Vinayagar Koil to visit the temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha or just go there to see Lakshmi – the temple elephant. Lakshmi is always surrounded by locals and tourists some seeking her blessings, and some just enjoying watching her antics.

Both the temple and ashram are located in the French quarter of Pondicherry – the part of town that still has magnificent French style villas and where street names begin with “Rue” meaning street or road in French. Magnificent doorways peeping out from under a curtain of bougainvillea in full bloom welcome you instead of a regular metal gate. With imposing walls and long windows with grills, it’s practically impossible to take a peek inside, making these houses and their residents even more fascinating. You can walk around and take as many photos as you like, as the inhabitants of these villas take no offence. In fact, across the city, you are most likely to be greeted by smiling faces and people who will stop by to chat or help.

No one is in a hurry in Pondicherry. Rest is not frowned upon and afternoon siestas are a norm. As evening sets in, the seaside promenade comes alive. Crowded and full of vendors trying hard to make a sale, I prefer a walk by the sea in the mornings when it is calmer. French cuisine is well known the world over, but again considering its Pondicherry we are in, even French cuisine has been strongly influenced by the local culture. Known as Franco-Tamilian cuisine, you can sample this at the many cafes and restaurants located in the French quarter. Seafood lovers are in for a special treat. Different people visit Pondicherry for different reasons. Whatever it is that draws you to the city, you will definitely leave a calmer and rejuvenated person. There’s something in the air. While it’s hard to describe what this magical thing is, it’s a total pleasure to experience!

Club Mahindra has a beautiful resort- the Club Mahindra Big Beach Resort in Pondicherry. Make sure to experience the property when you plan your trip to Pondicherry.

I had this wonderful opportunity to spend a weekend at Club Mahindra’s new resort besides the Ashtamudi lake. The resort is situated a few kilometers away from the national highway to Thiruvananthapuram. A detour from Neendakara took me to the beautiful Ashtamudi resort.  With its well paved walkways, beautiful rooms facing the peaceful lake and the exciting floating reataurant this resort is well recommended for a relaxing holiday. The resort also has a kid’s play area, a few hammocks for the lazy bugs, a library and an huge boat jetty for the boats to pick you up. There are also options for canoeing and the Kettuvellom ride.

I found the floating restaurant to be quite fascinating and the mouth watering lunch made it all the more memorable. However, the disappointing fact was that they did not serve liquor and the reason was, they were yet to receive the license for the same. Hopefully it would be done the next time am there. A heavy lunch followed by a stroll through the walkway and a nap on the hammock made my holiday a relaxing one. I got hold of a book and made myself comfortable on the hammock. With the gentle breeze and the serene lake for company I enjoyed my solitude moments.

After a hot cup of coffee I headed to the boat jetty for a sunset boat ride on the Ashtamudi. The lovely boat ride took me past the swaying coconut trees, the colourful boats and numerous Chinese fishing nets. We had a close look at the fisherman who were pulling up the huge fishing nets and smiling at us. The boatman also took us closer to the homes of the people living besides the lake for whom the lake has become a part of their life.

As we cruised ahead we saw a couple of small islands in the middle of the lake. Munroe island is supposedly the most famous of the lot. The resort also provides boat rides to the island in the mornings. I had to miss out on it because mine was the sunset ride. The lake is also a good option for bird watching as there were numerous storks which had come visiting the place. Neendakara bridge was the last point on our journey before we returned back to the resort. This is the point where the octopus melts itself into the lap of the Arabian Sea. When we touched the place we could see the Arabian sea in the distance and the beautiful sun setting over the horizon. As we started our return ride we had lots of fishermen for company who were returning back after the day’s catch. With a beautiful day coming to an end, we witnessed a colourful sunset. Infact I had never seen a sunset more colourful than this one. The sky almost matched the colours on the palette of an artist. Simply mesmerising…!!

After a quiet dinner besides the lake and a peaceful sleep that night, I headed back to Cochin the next morning. For travelers who plan to have a relaxed holiday, I would suggest this lovely resort besides the Octopus.

What is the contest about?

Tiny Travel Tales is a contest that gives you the chance to publish your travel tales and get recognised!

So why is this contest so exciting?

1. Top 50 short entries (shortlisted by a jury of travel writers) gets their story published in this blog, and also wins a popular travelogue/ travel book as prize!
2. The Final Top 3 entries gets their travel tale produced as as an illustrated video/ animation and uploaded on Youtube for everybody to see! The Top 3 entries also Win the Grand Prizes (packed with travel goodies!)
3. And that’s not all, all 50 entries will get compiled into an illustrated book and sent across to all participants!

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If you take a leisurely walk down the malls and markets of these towns, they still smack of the colonial legacy. These hill stations were dubbed the summer capitals of the Britishers who lorded over them for several  years. And yet, one little hill station stands apart from the rest, defying the colonial hangover . It owes its existence on the political and tourist maps to an Indian ruler who made it his summer capital. This is the story of Chail , a town barely 45 kms from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh .

Located at a higher altitude than Shimla, the story goes that the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala made Chail his summer capital when the British barred him from entering  Shimla. Although the conflict was not on military grounds, the story goes that the Maharaja was romancing a daughter of Lord Kitchener, who was then the Commander in Chief of the British army. The Maharaja decided to give the British a fitting reply and went on to create his own summer capital in Chail.  He first built a palace near Khandaghat  called Chail View Palace and then  built a road to Chail and finally his own summer retreat in this little town surrounded by deodar forests. Ironically Chail itself had been gifted to the Maharaja by the Britishers earlier .

The Maharaja was an avid cricketer and had captained many an Indian team besides playing several first class matches himself .  He left Chail a trophy – a cricket ground which has the highest ever pitch located at 2140 metres and it doubled up as a polo ground as well.

Like many Indian towns , Chail has its own share of myths and legends. We visited a temple dedicated to a saint, Sidh Baba built on a hillock by the king. The locals believe that the king had planned to build his palace here earlier , but the seer had visited him in his dream and asked him to choose another location.

Nevertheless, the Maharaja couldn’t have found a better place to create his summer capital. With the Himalayas in the background and the valley beneath,  the river flowing down and three dense hillocks covered with deodar forests, Chail looked every bit a royal capital. The lights of Shimla and Kasauli came up  as I stood there for awhile watching the sun went down. Chail had indeed come a long way from an idyllic hamlet to a royal seat and now a tourist resort .

This story was published in The Hindu , as part of the author’s column, Inside Story

Club Mahindra has a lovely resort in Mashobra , near Shimla and the author was invited to the property as part of a blogger’s trip