Posted ON December 23, 2022 Ramanathapuram is a land soaked in spirituality and enchantment like no other and the magnificent Ramanathaswamy temple here is a must visit for every tourist. It is famous for being one of the four Char-Dham pilgrimage sites of India.The magical town of Kanniyakumari at the southernmost tip of India boasts jaw-dropping marvels and serene vistas. At Kanniyakumari beach, located at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula, you can see the confluence of three major water bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. A short boat ride from here…
Author: NGT Staff
Posted ON December 23, 2022 Ramanathapuram is a land soaked in spirituality and enchantment like no other and the magnificent Ramanathaswamy temple here is a must visit for every tourist. It is famous for being one of the four Char-Dham pilgrimage sites of India.The magical town of Kanniyakumari at the southernmost tip of India boasts jaw-dropping marvels and serene vistas. At Kanniyakumari beach, located at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula, you can see the confluence of three major water bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. A short boat ride from here…
Posted ON December 23, 2022 Tamil Nadu has the second-longest coast in India. Cruise along the coast with halts at The Gulf of Mannar – for its biodiversity, Ramanathapuram – to discover a world of adventure and spirituality; Mamallapuram – to delve in history and architecture; Kovalam beach – for its shallow and clear waters among other things; Chennai – for its fine beaches, and marvellous architecture; and Kanyakumari – to visit tourist hotspots like the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue, an iconic structure signifying love and wealth in the exuberant coastline of Tamil Nadu. Video Courtesy: Tamil…
Posted ON December 23, 2022 Tamil Nadu has the second-longest coast in India. Cruise along the coast with halts at The Gulf of Mannar – for its biodiversity, Ramanathapuram – to discover a world of adventure and spirituality; Mamallapuram – to delve in history and architecture; Kovalam beach – for its shallow and clear waters among other things; Chennai – for its fine beaches, and marvellous architecture; and Kanyakumari – to visit tourist hotspots like the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue, an iconic structure signifying love and wealth in the exuberant coastline of Tamil Nadu. Video Courtesy: Tamil…
Posted ON December 23, 2022 Kongu Nadu cuisine, mostly found in the Western part of Tamil Nadu, is known for simple flavours that combine locally sourced fresh produce with ingredients like Turmeric (pause), pepper (pause), cumin seeds (pause) and other indigenous spices. A vegetarian favorite is Arisi Paruppu Sadam – a one pot healthy dish made with rice and lentils. Non vegetarians will love the Kongu Mutton curry which is a dish cooked in a thick gravy made of tomato, onions, chiliies, curry leaves and lots of turmeric. Distinctive to Kanniyakumari and its surroundings, Nanjil Nadu cuisine is a delectable…
Posted ON December 23, 2022 Kongu Nadu cuisine, mostly found in the Western part of Tamil Nadu, is known for simple flavours that combine locally sourced fresh produce with ingredients like Turmeric (pause), pepper (pause), cumin seeds (pause) and other indigenous spices. A vegetarian favorite is Arisi Paruppu Sadam – a one pot healthy dish made with rice and lentils. Non vegetarians will love the Kongu Mutton curry which is a dish cooked in a thick gravy made of tomato, onions, chiliies, curry leaves and lots of turmeric. Distinctive to Kanniyakumari and its surroundings, Nanjil Nadu cuisine is a delectable…
Posted ON December 23, 2022 Get ready for a gastronomical journey in Tamil Nadu with a burst of flavors that will stay with you forever. From the most popular buttery dosas, steamed idlis, crispy vadas, and freshly brewed filter coffee to the world renowned Chettinad cuisine known for rich spices and textured flavour and from the simple flavours of Kongu Nadu cuisine, mostly found in the Western part of Tamil Nadu to savouring Nanjil Nadu cuisine, a delectable mix of the rich culinary traditions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala – each regional cuisine in Tamil Nadu boasts of unique cooking…
Posted ON December 16, 2022 Powered by The story of Nagaland’s coffee is rooted in determination and dedication. From cultivating the bean in a non-traditional region to transforming the beverage’s consumption scene, a quick move and consistent hard work put the state on the coffee map. Driving along the bumpy tracks in the far North East, Suhas Dwarkanath drives to Kohima to catch a conversation with India’s coffee gurus and visionaries. On the final leg of India Coffee Stories, Hyundai TUCSON ascents smoothly and safely against the rough turfs and parks at Été Specialty Coffee Roasters to peek into the…
Posted ON October 21, 2022 A D V E R T I S E M E N T Even when the Diwali season doesn’t bring a long weekend or a series of holidays to hop into your car for a getaway or catch a quick flight, it usually sets the tone for the bracing winter months. No matter if you’re a solo traveller seeking due rest and relaxation or an invigorating trail somewhere in the hills, or looking for the perfect romantic getaway, or badly waiting to claim some family time on a short trip, we’ve got you. Families…
Posted ON August 15, 2022 A D V E R T I S E M E N T On the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, it’s time to undertake explorations so that communities benefit, traditions thrive, and ecosystems cop as little damage as possible. For NGTI’s July-August print issue, we curated 60 trips for slow, sensible travel across the length and breadth of the country, from staycations rooted in sustainability and run by locals, conservation-centric urban excursions and riveting train journeys to spirited family holidays and flavour trails in bastions both forgotten and fledgling. Glance at a few snippets below.…
A D V E R T I S E M E N T If we had blinked, we would have missed the signage of the Cantonment Board after crossing Dharampur on the Shimla highway. Just in the nick of time, Vikas managed to swerve the Jeep onto the steep, narrow road that led to one of the oldest cantonment towns in Himachal Pradesh. On its 5,689-feet high perch, surrounded by the layered contours of the Solan hills, Dagshai basked languidly in the warm sun. There wasn’t a soul in sight. We wandered down a winding road shaded by towering deodars,…
A D V E R T I S E M E N T Fancy a stroll around Marine Lines? This time it might lead you to the 13th edition of Asia’s biggest queer film festival. After two years of virtual screenings at KASHISH, the latest instalment will screen over 184 films from 53 countries from June 1 to 5 at the famed Liberty Cinema, and from June 2 to 4 at Alliance Française de Bombay. The films will also be available to stream online from June 3 to 12 for outstation enthusiasts. online.mumbaiqueerfest.com The vision of KASHISH is to significantly…
When we think of travelling in a train, what we often picture is chai served in mud glasses, fried fritters with newspaper packaging, and the wind in our hair. For some, these symbols evoke childhood memories of visiting a grandmother’s house. For most, they are a fond reminder of simpler times. Be it the Mumbai local or the cross-country Shatabdi, we Indians have always romanticised train journeys. This charming affair is also reflected in the mainstream cinema and literature of the ’80s and ’90s. Time and time again, we have cheered as lovers are reunited on a moving train in Dilwale…
A D V E R T I S E M E N T As soon as I set foot inside For The Record, touted to be India’s first vinyl bar, my eyes adjust to the moodiness of the dimly lit space tucked away in Fontainhas—a quintessentially Portuguese neighbourhood in Panjim, Goa. The walls are festooned with record posters detailing jazz album covers. A vinyl sits atop the bar counter, serenading visitors with Louis Armstrong’s “West End Blues.” It feels like I had been seated next to Duke Ellington and Miles Davis as symphonies from the trumpet continued to permeate the…
“You must always take a moment to look up from your screen and appreciate what’s in front of you,” Suyash Keshari says when asked about that one thing that in his view a wildlife photographer or filmmaker should always remember. If there’s one word that can define wildlife presenter-photographer Suyash Keshari, it’s surely “precocious”. The 26-year-old already runs India’s first virtual safaris, is a vocal campaigner of conservation, and a rage among wildlife enthusiasts across generations. Over the past decade, he has been stalked by tigers in Central India, charged by elephants in South Africa, and followed by dolphins in…
A D V E R T I S E M E N T Food Photography with Chef Michael Swamy A Mumbai boy through and through, Michael Swamy may have started his career in food, but has gradually evolved into a media specialist across several disciplines. While the culinary arts drew a young Michael into the heady world of cuisine, film and media has been an integral part of his formative years. His mother, an accomplished documentary filmmaker, inspired his love for the medium and Michael picked up many skills on film sets while he grew up. Once he was done…
A long horn blares through the morning mist announcing the arrival of yet another ship to Kochi. “Not a cruise ship,” says Zakir Hussain as he quietly sips his tea. Shanu agrees from behind his counter waiting on another pot to brew. “Yes, not that one. It will be a while before we get another cruise liner.” We are huddled outside Shanu’s tea shop in Vasco da Gama Square in Fort Kochi, mere metres from the beach. A dull grey vessel has appeared on the horizon. From the looks of it, it’s likely making its way to the Container Terminal…
Discover how to responsibly get up close to fascinating flora and fauna through word-of-mouth tips and takeaways from four wildlife experts—whose conservation and research efforts have involved the likes of wild otters, saltwater crocodiles, fishing cats, and sarus cranes—scattered across splendorous Indian wildlife sanctuaries. Atul Sinai Borker talks voluntourism on Goa’s Chorão Island, Tasneem Khan discusses field-based learning in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tiasa Adhya provides an insight into wetland ecotourism, and K.S. Gopi Sundar advises on how to best confront greenwashing. Atul Sinai Borker Founder at Wild Otters Flanked by the bank of the Mandovi in Goa,…
The on-ground version of the Jaipur Literature Festival at Clarks Amer, Jaipur, began on Thursday, March 10, 2022. With the packed schedule they have lined up, we figured you should know where to refuel at the end of the day. Here are our recommendations: Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar Hotel Head to Johri Bazaar for a taste of the state’s cuisine. Try their ker sangri (berries and dried beans) and ghevar (a disc-shaped Rajasthani sweet). LMB also does a mean Rajasthani thali that one would be amiss to not try. Shop No. 98-101, Opposite IDBI Bank, Johri Bazaar Road. Call 090246 09609.…
In the upper Indus River Valley at 3,520 meters above sea level, the remote town of Leh sits nestled in the Ladakh region of northern India, an area notorious for conflict between China, India, and Pakistan. The town, punctuated with Buddhist stupas and prayer flags, is a vivid contrast to the conflict zones that lie not far beyond. Leh is one of the highest permanently inhabited towns of the world, only reachable by one main highway, which connects it to the city of Srinagar to the west and Dêmqog, Tibet to the southeast. Ladakh’s tall mountains display rippled hues of…
Posted ON January 23, 2022 In celebrating the joys and thrills of travel, one often glosses over the upsets, scares, disasters, bad memories and misadventures—and often, one hopes, with good reason. However, more often than not, negative experiences significantly shape one’s attitude as a better traveller—one who is cautious, patient, and alert at the same time. Our readers recall their most harrowing travel episodes: Anu Sai Meena G. M., Chennai On a solo trip to Torna Fort, I took a government bus to reach the site from Pune. It’s a day hike, so one can trek and return on…
Posted ON January 18, 2022 Powered by Lush valleys adorned with clear streams and tall chinar trees atop gorgeous high cliffs set Kashmir’s landscapes apart from any other. Traversing the deep valleys of the western Himalayas, National Geographic explorer and filmmaker Eshika Fyzee decided to lose her bulky equipment and embarked on a thrilling expedition in the wilderness to capture some of the region’s most elusive species with the powerful Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. On the quest to find the hero of her adventure, she stumbled upon the most astounding landscapes in Dachigam National Park and Srinagar. Geared with…
Posted ON January 14, 2022 Powered by On an exclusive assignment for Samsung India, National Geographic photographer and traveller Tania Chatterjee sojourned at the lively Anjar village in Bastar to uncover the age-old traditions of the Bison Horn Maria tribe. Against the visually stunning landscapes of Chhattisgarh, Tania found herself snacking on spicy ant chutney, sipping Landa, all dressed up and dancing. But it was the festive sprucing of the tallagulla headgear – the tribe’s most prestigious heirloom – that caught her attention. Watch how Tania got to document their iconic dances and grand festivities up close, like never before…
The state serves up a delightful array of wedding destinations amid rolling sand dunes Culture Hotels Rajasthan | POSTED ON: March 30, 2021 Powered by : Rajasthan – the Land of the Kings – bears out its name through the cache of medieval forts and palaces it conceals. Scattered against the stark beauty of the desert landscape, the imposing structures offer a glimpse into the royals who held sway in the region through their ambition and valour. Apart from being an invaluable part of India’s cultural heritage, Rajasthan’s grandiose monuments make it the ultimate Indian wedding destination. From the…
The bucket list of must-visit places is set to be revised after watching this film. It’s been some while since you stepped out and took a break, and the mind, body, soul are all itching for a getaway. If you too are tied down by work, then this video might just be your moment of respite: presenting the Unseen India film. Watch the film here: The Unseen India film brings into play a mix of emotions: pride at the nation’s cultural diversity, wanderlust to go see the unseen, and a desire to discover the hidden gems of India.…
National Geographic Explorer Prasenjeet Yadav set out to capture the first ever cover shot generated using the 8K Video Snap feature Kerala VIDEOS Wildlife | POSTED ON: March 10, 2021 In Partnership with : Marking a new milestone in the role of camera phones in story-telling, Prasenjeet Yadav headed into the lush forests of the Western Ghats to capture the wildlife that lurks beyond the foliage, for the perfect cover shot. A highlight of his adventure was spotting the Gunther’s vine snake and the star-eyed tree frog, both of which are rare species endemic to the Western Ghats. However,…
Partner Content | Islands in the Sky A National Geographic photographer and a wildlife biologist embark on an unforgettable quest for the remote mountain tops of the Western Ghats. Kerala Wildlife | POSTED ON: March 8, 2021 Amidst the diamond-studded night sky, high grasslands, short-canopied forests, mountain slopes and tea plantations lies a unique ecosystem that hides special denizens in the Western Ghats. National Geographic Photographer & Explorer Prasanjeet Yadav takes on an expedition to #UncoverTheEpic with the incredible Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra into the Sky Islands. Follow him on his quest to capture the glorious and stunning endemic wildlife…
For centuries, perfumers in Kannauj have worked their alchemy to create “liquid gold.” | By Rachna Sachasinh Culture Uttar Pradesh | POSTED ON: February 16, 2021 Although Damask roses are cultivated in other parts of India, the varietal favors Ganges alluvial soils surrounding the town of Kannauj. For more than 400 years, the highly fragrant roses from Kannauj have gone into the creation of rose attar using the world’s oldest known perfume-making process. Photo by: Tuul and Bruno Morandi Tegh Singh arrives at his flower farm on the banks of the Ganges before sunrise, ready to pluck rose petals…
This Republic Day, travel to the nooks and crannies of India with Make My Trip. | In Partnership With: Make My Trip India | POSTED ON: January 26, 2021 Photo by: Dhruba Jyoti Baruah/shutterstock Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Ahmedabad to Imphal, India is home to many, many cultures, traditions and varied landscapes—and many of us don’t end up travelling beyond the touristy spots. With the coronavirus pandemic reducing travel internationally, this is a golden opportunity for Indians to explore their motherland. From Badami’s rock-cut temples to Lonar Lake, tiger-spotting in Sunderbans to snowy hikes in Chopta, travel beyond the obvious…
Go tiger spotting in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna National Park, or be one with nature in Assam’s Orang National Park—but how does one practice ethical wildlife tourism? India Inspire Me! Wildlife | POSTED ON: December 21, 2020 Be one with nature in Assam’s Orang National Park, on the banks of the Brahmaputra river. Photo by: Nejib Ahmed/shutterstock Wood-side Wonders at Orang National Park Assam On a trip to Orang National Park on the northern banks of Brahmaputra River in Assam, my family and I stayed in an Inspection Bungalow in the heart of the wild. The modest two-room circuit house…
Travel with friends and family in a caravan, or set out on a road trip to Darjeeling—in a pandemic, it doesn’t get safer than travelling in a personal vehicle. India Inspire Me! | POSTED ON: December 21, 2020 Road trips in campervans offer the ultimate luxury in pandemic times: travelling across the country with a core group, with minimal outside interaction. Photo Courtesy: Motorhome Adventures The Roadie Rage India In a pandemic, it doesn’t get safer than travelling in a personal vehicle—whether to escape or to see friends and family across the country. Why not make that journey comfortable,…
Make the most of the year of the remote office and work in cabins overlooking snowy Himalayas, Coorg’s coffee plantations, or thunderwaring waterfalls in Kerala. Hotels India Inspire Me! | POSTED ON: December 21, 2020 Take your pick of desk view through the novel experience of curated Indian workations, and you can get silver snow and blazing sunsets like in Glampeco in Manali. Photos Courtesy: OpusTrail Enter, Curated Workations India Cottages overlooking the Panchachuli range of the Himalayas, wooden cabins along Tarkarli beach, and a cosy haunt at the foothills of the Nilgiris—youwon’t miss a good view while remote-working…
Boost the local economy by surfing in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, meeting Chhau mask artists in West Bengal, and living like the Angamis in Nagaland. India Inspire Me! | POSTED ON: December 21, 2020 Painted faces of gods, tribal folk, mythical beasts and other colourful characters lend a splash of drama to the masks of Charida, used in Chhau dance. Photo by: Bappa Pabitra/shutterstock Finding Purulia’s Magic Masks West Bengal Hugging the Ajodhya Hills in Purulia district, amid rust-red soil and ponds packed with water hyacinths lies the ‘mask village’ of Charida. On most days, Chhau mask artists pore…
Stay at Chettinad’s old mansions, camp near Bengaluru, and cycle deep into the folds of the Sahyadris, Pondy, or Goa. Panshet Parikrama is a 160-kilometre cycling expedition in Maharashtra’s Sahyadris, organised by RAW Adventure Solutions. Photo Courtesy: Amit Kulkarni Try Cycle: Four Trips for Sustainable Sojourns Ethical adventures in the Sahyadris Maharashtra While the Himalayas up north work like a charm for adventure seekers, overcrowding in recent years has deeply altered the region. In 2021, let the mighty peaks breathe and plan some low carbon footprint adventures in the Sahyadris of Maharashtra—sans the tourists and hefty bills. Sandwiched between…
Rejuvenate by losing yourself in misty Himalayan valleys in Uttarakhand or majestic views of the Kanchenjunga in Deolo. India Inspire Me! | POSTED ON: December 21, 2020 The peak-fringed hamlet of Chaukori is a meditative retreat for those looking to escape the urban din. Photo By: ImagesOfIndia/Shutterstock In a Chaukori State of Mind Uttarakhand My friends and I were crestfallen to see black billowy clouds over the dreamy KMVN rest house upon our arrival at Chaukori, a languidhamlet tucked amid lofty Kumaon Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Though it provided for a dramatic setting, we could not help but feeldisappointed since…
From pork chops by chapels in Goa and highway restaurants across Maharashtra to hearty feasts in Tamil Nadu—eat your way through regional fares across the country. Food + Drink India Inspire Me! | POSTED ON: December 21, 2020 Rabbit, turkey, pigeon—summon your choice of interesting meat at a typical spread in Coimbatore’s Hari Bhavanam. Photo by: Julian Manning Hearty Fare at Hari Bhavanam Tamil Nadu Outside Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore often seems to be obscured by the cultural shadow of Chennai, that is, unless you’re a foodie—betteryet, a gourmand with the culinary bloodlust and curiosity of the late Anthony Bourdain.…
Trek the Western Ghats or set up base in the Meghalayan village of Rongmesek—slow travel your way through the country to see it like never before. India Inspire Me! | POSTED ON: December 21, 2020 Treks in the Western Ghats offer stunning views. Photo By: Dilchaspiyaan/Shutterstock Slow-Trekking Through the Western Ghats India The slowest form of travel has got to be walking through mountains, I thought as I climbed uphill, which took forever, until I finally stood atop the Western Ghats. At the very edge of the Deccan plateau, I enjoyed a breath-taking view of lush Kerala foliage. This…
This year tread kindly by trekking along the Western Ghats, feasting local in Coimbatore, and setting up your home-office in the Himalayas. India Inspire Me! NGT Staff | POSTED ON: December 21, 2020 For 2021, our hope for travel is sustainability, and travel which leaves no trace and supports local enterprise. Photo by: Dmitry Rukhlenko / Shutterstock The year of the pandemic hasn’t been kind. It trapped the elderly couple that saved all year for their annual jaunt to Darjeeling in a state of anxious house arrest. It stopped the aspiring writer from discovering his next novel at a…
From roving through the many villages in Himachal, supporting local artisans in Karnataka and cycling through the Indian countryside—our readers reveal their travel resolutions for the year 2021. India Travel Talk World NGT Staff | POSTED ON: December 18, 2020 Bora Bora is a big bucketlist favourite for Indian travellers. Photo By: Maridav/Shutterstock The year 2020 has been a tough one for the world of travel—plans halted, tickets gone to waste and the frustrations of being cooped up at home in the midst of a pandemic. But looking back, this year has taught us to be responsible in all…
From the Ganges illuminated by the light of a million diyas to escaping to the quieter climes of Himachal Pradesh—our readers reveal their favourite destinations to visit in the country during the bustling festival season. India NGT Staff | POSTED ON: November 13, 2020 Watching the sky over the Golden Temple in Amritsar light up with the sparkle of fireworks during Diwali, is an unmatched feeling. Photo By: Nitish Waila/Shutterstock As we swing into the final leg of the year—and with it, the highly awaited festival season, one has to wonder whether the celebrations are best experienced back at…
Whether it is a motorbike trail to India’s southernmost tip or a scenic drive to France’s Loire Valley, the charms of the road are not lost upon travellers. India Inspire Me! Road Trips | POSTED ON: October 19, 2020 Kanyakumari is a coastal town in the state of Tamil Nadu on India’s southern tip. Photo by: Puhaipadam Films/shutterstock 25. A South Indian Odyssey At 19, I was sure of three things: I was a travel enthusiast, motorcyclist, and I wanted to go to the southernmost tip of India. Routes were studied, bags packed, and the motorbike group assembled; so…
From migrant workers giving up their train seat to a solo woman traveller, to a mother-son duo offering a car ride and heartwarming stories to strangers in Texas—a little compassion on the road goes a long way. India Inspire Me! | POSTED ON: October 19, 2020 Thousands of migrant workers in India return home to their villages annually. Photo by: Yasonya/ Shutterstock 70. Berth of a Memory Six months into my first job at a publishing house almost 13 years ago, I knew the cubicle life wasn’t for me. A spontaneous resignation and a decisive plunge later, I found…
Travel is often a journey within—and these entries range from healing broken hearts to newlyweds on their first trip together. Inspire Me! Rajasthan | POSTED ON: October 19, 2020 Rajasthan provided the perfect backdrop for a honeymoon road trip. Photo by: Kawin K/Shutterstock 84. Sweethearts in Rajasthan When my wife and I whisked away on our honeymoon, we ditched our prior notions of a decadent five-star carousal for a more modest road trip in my favourite state, Rajasthan, where I had spent my early years. It was our first official holiday together as man and woman, and unlike the…