ಮುಸ್ಸಂಜೆ

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....

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...

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...

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 — ...

May 2nd 2012  Ever since we became members of Club Mahindra, I kept hearing about the beauty of Binsar Villa. Perched at 5,025 ft, overlooking the  Nandadevi  and  Trishul  Himalayan ranges, this place was described by everyone as magical. So, after our trip to Gir and Udaipur the previous October, we decided that our summer holidays would be for  Binsar and Corbett . Tickets were booked well in advance — thankfully, at a reasonable price — and the excitement began to build. When the much-awaited day arrived, Gargi and Amogh were bubbling with energy. They even enjoyed spending time at the airport lobby! From Delhi, we took a train to Kathgodam, and from there, a taxi to Club Mahindra. With plates of  hot moong dal pakoras  and cups of steaming tea, we drove towards our dream destination. At the resort, the staff welcomed us warmly with a local drink called  Buransh , made from the bright red rhododendron flowers that seemed to be b...