Cobblestone Chronicles

Ellora Caves. ©Flickr When we think of Ghats and Caves, the first thought that might spring to our minds is a tedious and dull journey of exploring these ancient structures with information, not more than what we might have read in books or studied earlier but, what seldom seems to intrigue us is what these ghats and caves might have been used for, how they were created and the trade routes that existed long before we did. They tell us about an era forgotten by many and impel us to think upon the history of our land, its unheard stories. A journey to these historical sites is more than just a day’s picnic and there is so much to learn about these magnificent sites as they convey tales of relics bygone. You would be surprised to know that Maharashtra has the most number of caves namely Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, Karla and Kanheri, along with several others, serving as a symbol of varied influences. Each cave has a distinctive form of architecture, divergent features and spectacular art ...

City Palace, Jaipur I read somewhere recently - “Jaipur is the finest jewellery ever created on earth, where king was the jeweller and bricks his gems”, and how true! One always falls short of words while describing the generous charm that the city has to offer to every first timer and sometimes, even the locals. The culture, traditions, art, architecture, jewellery and textiles of Jaipur have always charmed the tourists . It is one city that, even after modernisation, still holds to its roots and values. I have a small ‘online tradition’ before I begin writing a new blog. I type in the destination (in this case) ‘Jaipur…’ on Wikipedia to see how my friend,  Wiki , auto fills my search. What follows is mostly a twinkling giggle and a subsequent state of utter dismay. Sharing a few examples of what I found online below. Relax, it is not a rant. Just a perspective. Now first of all, never go for the whole ‘1-day Itinerary’ tourism, otherwise you will never b...

View of the snow-capped Dhauladhar ranges from Billing. You would be surprised by the vast number of clandestine suburbs Himachal Pradesh is an abode to. While places like Kutla , Barot, and Bhunbuni are few where natural bounties are copious, there are also few destinations in the ‘dev bhoomi (Land of God)’ of India where the mountains kiss the sky, which are meant to fly, and I mean that quite literally! Tucked away in the valleys of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, are the hamlets of Bir and Billing; and even with a treacherous mountainous roadway of 14 kilometre between them, these towns are almost always referred to as one, and for a good reason too! Back in 2015, Bir-Billing witnessed the International Paragliding World Cup. Ever since, these towns have attracted colossal crowds. However, Bir-Billing are more than just paragliding destinations; for me, I will often remember this place as the home to some of the most serene locales – some poised and placid meadows, a multit...

A place of enormous cultural, economic and financial influence in the country as well as globally, Barcelona stands today as one of the most important cities on the Mediterranean sea. The Gothic architecture, the mountains and the sea make for a unique and vibrant city. The most captivating part of the city is the symmetry. It is remarkable how well-planned the city is, right from the times when it was under the Roman Empire. The city lies on a bed of land engulfed by the Mediterranean on one side and the Serra de Collserola mountain ranges to the west. The Catalan capital is naturally a tourist hotspot, with travellers coming from all over the world to experience the rich culture, the scrumptious cuisine, the welcoming vibe and the fandom for sport. I visited Barcelona at arguably the best possible time, Christmas. The excitement in anticipation of the festival of merriment was tangible, and every street was extravagantly lit in preparation to bring home the holiday cheer. ...