Priyanka's Escapades

Kaza Khas It is excitement that you want. The indomitable rush of adrenaline. Yet, at the same time, with peace and calm washing over you taking away the grime that has housed itself in the recesses of the mind, the undulating landscape of Himachal Pradesh, India, awaits you. These tracts of land have seduced many a traveller with its endless possibilities, spectacular views and crisp air. Whether you take off for the weekend, or vacation for a week, you will end up returning with a piece of the place in your heart. While people make a mad rush for Leh and Ladakh, many skip the similar landscapes of remote Himachal Pradesh in their rush to make it till there.  For travellers, the Spiti Valley is just as difficult to negotiate as is the Leh Valley, however, this is a road that is less travelled. Mountains, valleys and gushing streams. You will meet your traveller's dream right here in this state with its preludes of apple orchards and conifer forests.  ...

Music lovers enjoy the Easter weekend at Baikunth Resorts in Kasauli. Driving up to Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh will bring you across all the DL, CH, and PB registration numbers coming from or going to this town nestled in the Shimla hills. Well, apart from the great weather, the crisp air, summer homes, the resorts and the little market and some old architecture  there would be nothing much to come too if you had seen it all. The other destinations in Himachal are just as endearing as this little town and some places are, undoubtedly, preferred over this destination for its aloofness from the rest of the world.  Ustad Fazal Qureshi, Ravi Iyer and Pandit Ravi Chary jamming.  But my affiliation to the place stems from my family of course with my inclination to peace and quiet, I have the perfect getaway for the weekend at no additional cost of course! 150 kilometres from the noise and pollution of my city of Ludhiana, a bed and comforter are enough to help me...

A spectacular view of the Orchha Fort While coming or going from Jhansi, or even if you are just crossing it, a leisurely stop for lunch could well be had at  Orchha  (or Urchha), a town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. For a trip into history visit the seasonal island on the bank of the Betwa River, which is surrounded by a battlement wall and stands the huge palace- fort  of  Orchha .  The arches in the corridors of the Orchha Fort have intricate carvings. The  fort  houses tourism run resorts and multi cuisine restaurants that suit all kinds of pockets, however, due to the quaint historic feel of the place, tourists flock the  fort  all year round and bookings and reservations are best done well before hand. There is plenty to explore at on the premises of the  fort . It consists of several connected buildings erected at different times, the most noteworthy of which is the Raja Mahal. The Jahangir Mahal is bu...

Sound and Light show underway at the Western Temples When people talk about India the first images that have been fed to the people are a hazy reflection of the ancient architecture of the country. Images of temples, forts and castles swim deliriously in promotional ad films and documentaries on television; however, nothing beats the experience of actually visiting these places. The Khajuraho Monuments are a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Madhya Pradesh, India are located about 175 kilometers southeast of Jhansi. They are one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites situated in India that attract a lot of tourists all year round. The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures. Tourists and researchers alike can be found taking in the essence of that ancient time of royalty as the town itself has not flourished more than a tourist spot. Intricate sculptures adorning the walls of the temples. Khajuraho can be reached by road...

Kudle Beach The laidback town of  Gokarna  may not be on a popular list of vacation destinations. However, this out of the way coastal town in Karnataka could well be a vacationer’s dream destination. If you are disillusioned with the clamor of the more glamorous Goa, that is a mere one and a half hour train journey away, and seek the true bliss of seaside living,  Gokarna  is the place to be. Once you get off at the Kumta railway station, that mind you, does not have a platform, you are greeted by red soil and coconut trees. A short walk to catch a bus to  Gokarna  will put you with only locals who return home after calling it a day in the larger neighboring towns. The winding road from Kumta Railway station is a scenic and interesting one and will take you to a small bus stop with barely 15 buses to accommodate. The  Gokarna  bus stop is a nondescript one. Gokarna's colourful market A short walk from the bus station to your acc...

India's second highest statue of Lord Shiva at Murudeshwar The chugging of the train, the sound of the wind in the backdrop and the gaggle of fellow passengers interrupted by the sharp nasal calls of "Chai! chai!" sounds distant as the visual treat outside the window blots out everything else. The rows of coconut trees and lush green thicket punctuated by bright yellow and orange houses in clusters mark small villages and settlements on the banks of the Aghnashini and Sharavati Rivers that empty out into the Arabian Sea on the hour and a half journey between Gokarna and Murudeshwar, which are two small towns in coastal Karnataka. Scenic rural scapes unfold through the train's window The glistening basins of the two rivers that we crossed on the way are speckled with fishing boats that dock near the river islands. If you are lucky enough like us you might come across someone on the train who is familiar with the area and could give you an idea about how to...