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Classic Coorg – A Journey in Verse

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17th Dec 2009  Green, green everywhere, colored leaves swaying in the breeze, joy lit up my way. Morning air so fresh, pleasant chill upon my face, moments for reflection. At Navodaya, a new beginning began, hearty welcome, hearts nostalgic. Gautham’s journey started here, a step into memories and dreams. By the river near the school, the water flowed softly, a lone tree stood in stillness, thrill hidden in quietude. We searched for Mojho Rainforest Estate, bumped along unknown paths, and found a place so wondrous, cascading brooks and green valleys, bridges overhead, a perfect spot for lunch and awe. At Club Mahindra, our rooms were cozy, food and laughter filled the halls, warmth embraced each day. An hour away, Kanoor Bridge called, stony streams and clear waters, butterflies clustering in a riot of color, we played and laughed, hearts light and ecstatic. Madanpetti revealed itself next, mountains stretching endlessly, the air fragrant with coffee and spices, Pushpagiri peaks gl...
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BRT forest never fails to make you feel belonged

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    The forests of BRT wrapped around me like a living, breathing presence—fresh air filling my lungs, birds calling from every direction, and alarm cries rising through the dense canopy. Being there felt almost meditative, as if the forest itself was slowing me down and teaching me how to simply be . Day 1  Felt Magical  As the jungle safari began  We came across a large Brown Fish Owl, sitting perfectly still, as though rooted to its chosen spot. I felt like it was meditating.  As we drove further We saw the Indian tree shrew and I learnt something fascinating about shrews c that  DNA evidence has revealed that the elephant shrew is not a true shrew and is, in fact, distantly related to elephants, aardvarks, and sea cows. These animals all belong to a superorder of mammals called Afrotheria. A Crested Serpent Eagle struck a perfect pose, calm and regal, while a frightened Sambar deer darted into the thickets at the faintest sound. By the water, a sh...
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Kabini - Where every moment matters

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Day 1:15th Sep 2024 On my recent visit to Kabini, I wanted to practice Niksen, a Dutch concept that means doing nothing. As I entered the forest safari, I realized that embracing stillness can bring immense happiness to one's heart. I was fully present, feeling the breeze on my face and the scent of the forest. The forest air filled my lungs, as I took many deep breaths. I even prayed to the forest goddess to grant me the energy to live a purposeful life. As I practiced Niksen, I observed the shapes of the trees and was mesmerized by their unique forms. Each tree seemed to have its own character - some resembled groups of people chatting, while others were entwined in loving embraces. One of the trees had a necklace. One tree stood tall gazing upwards, while another had its aerial roots deeply embedded in the earth. The backlighting on the leaves added a sense of brightness and joy to the moment. In contrast to my earlier trips, where I focused solely on spotting animals and birds....
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New Zealand: Tales of Travel, Nature, and Legends

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Date:12th April 2017 - 29th April 2017                                                                     Aoraki the guardian Long ago, the Māori tell of a boy named  Aoraki , son of  Rakinui, the Sky Father , and his brothers. The four sons set out on a great voyage across the sea to visit their Earth Mother,  Papatūānuku . But fate had other plans. Their canoe became stranded in the vast ocean, and no matter how they tried, it would not move. As the cold southern winds swept in, the brothers climbed onto the canoe for safety. The winds grew fierce, freezing them where they stood. Slowly, their bodies turned to stone. Their canoe rose from the sea and became land, and the brothers themselves became mountains. From this transformation, the great Southern Alps were born.  Aoraki , the tall...
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Sublime Reflection

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It was rejuvenating to visit the  Himalayas again. wanted to capture each day, each moment, in words. D ivine mountain majesty ,  White peaks rise, dark green conifers stand  tall slanting  roofs peek from  my windowsill a quiet welcome from the mountains. Deodars carved by time and devotion, standing in heavenly trance, Hadimba watches over all, grace woven into stone and wood. Mighty mountains, relentless waterfalls meadows greener than green,  snowy summit daring the sky  exhilarating Hamta trek -Thrills the soul  The  Beas  gushes with untamed delight, rafting through its laughter, while in Agora abode -  Vashisht Kund , warm waters soothe, healing body and mind. Dark clouds descend, thunderbolts sing the sky, sweet rose scents drift on the breeze — Bijli Mahadev  awes, wild and free. Cozy comfort in cold weather’s embrace, apple orchards dripping inspiration, every drop a reminder of quiet beauty, every reflectio...
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Deva bhoomi - Hampi

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Jan 2013 Hampi  – Where Mythology Meets History I always believed Hampi had its own historical charm, but this trip completely changed my perspective. It wasn’t just about old ruins — it opened my eyes to its rich blend of mythological and historical heritage. We began our journey by seeking blessings at  Sasivekalu Ganapathy . Our guide, Mallikarjun, explained in his flawless Kannada (without a single English word!) that the deity was named after the shape of a mustard seed ( sasive kalu ). Built by a mustard seed merchant, the name and form carry a unique story. From there, we walked to the awe-inspiring  Lakshmi Narasimha , a massive monolith in a yoga posture. Today, only Narasimha with one hand of Lakshmi remains visible, but originally, a full statue of Lakshmi sat on his left thigh. Its solitary beauty is unforgettable. Just beside it stands the  Badavi Linga , always immersed in water, built by a poor but devoted woman in the name of Lord Shiva — ...
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