• Places

    Welcome to Eastern Ghats – Tyda

    We have not come out of the magic spell that Western Ghats casts on nature lovers.  And we will never be able to come out of it. Yet, the Eastern Ghats, which run parallely to the east cost of India, from West Bengal in the north to Tamilnadu in the south, have been seducing us for some time. Not as tall as the Western Ghats,  these are discontinuous ranges with a few hill stations thrown in. (map courtesy:  wikipedia) Araku Valley had been on our radar for more than a year. Known for its highly fertile soil, sprawling fields, tribal…

  • Hotels - Places

    Himalayan Safari Tales # 9 – Kaal Hotel & Shanti Stupa

    Tucked away from the bustling Leh town, Kaal hotel played host to us for two days. Well-appointed rooms with a touch of traditional charm, very friendly staff, and a beautiful garden and lawn saw us relaxing a bit after the hectic journey for three days. Complete with a prayer room and meditation hall, rooms at Kaal offers a fantastic view of the Zanskar ranges. Being in the ground floor rooms, we couldn’t enjoy this view, but compensated for it from the terrace. The shopping spree that had a weak start in Srinagar picked up momentum in Leh, with a visit…

  • Places

    Himalayan Safari Tales # 8 – Alchi Gompa

    The narrow cemented path and the unremarkable mud houses did not impress us. We were at Alchi Monastery, our first monastery visit, and we expected an awe-inspiring introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. Little did we know about the marvelously adorned walls inside the mud houses! (The road to Alchi) Unlike most other monasteries in Ladakh that are located on hillsides at an elevation, Alchi is situated on the plains. Built in twelfth century, Alchi’s temples are believed to be abandoned around fifteenth century. Maybe, that’s why the magnificent murals are still intact as Alchi escaped the eyes of invaders. (Farming in…