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 ...

There is a place in Central India where the sky meets the holly woodland. For when the sun begins to head home, hues of orange and yellow stretch far and wide. A blanket of clouds fill them in and a few moments later or so, the once cyanic sky turns into a never-ending canvas, right from the painter’s palette like an abstract splattered above the scenic plains. Though I’d tell you that there are several places in Central India that make for a unique and fulfilling holiday if wildlife or birding is something you’re fond of, the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is one my favourite places when it comes to wildlife. Now, I’ve travelled to Bandhavgarh only once but, the memory of that particular trip is etched in my mind in a way that I can almost visualize every sighting I had on the six safaris that I undertook there and given a chance, I’d travel to this pristine land any day. Bandhavgarh was an experience like never before.  A deeply desired tourism destination by many, Bandha...

“In every walk with nature, one receives more than he seeks”- John Muir As the golden rays gladly dance on blooming wildflowers in the distance, a pandemonium of parakeets screech high above in the canopy and the cold winter chill greets us as we enter the ironclad gates of the national park. Butterflies swirl in playful waves and a flock of yellow-footed green pigeons sunbathe on the towering Sal. The forest feels alive with an ancient soul that stretches into everything it possesses and behind that very gate lies a world so extraordinary, we seldom find a chance to contemplate it. In a place where folklore and mystery intertwine, a safari in the breathtaking jungles of India, namely Tadoba, Kanha, Pench, Nagzira, Bandhavgarh, Corbett and Ranthambore might just turn you into a nature lover if not a safari addict for sure! Others like Panna, Dudhwa- famous for its stunning backdrops, Kabini- for its black panthers, Kaziranga- for the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros ...

Spending three nights and four days in a jungle is no doubt fun, relaxing, interesting and there’s absolutely nothing you’d need to worry about! With cozily nestled resorts that offer you everything you need while on a holiday to their humble staff and jeeps rights at the doorstep, a safari getaway is simply the best you can make of your trip. But, if you’re the kind of person who often looks for a mix of adventure and mystery in every trip, Nagzira is the place for you! The abode of leopards they call it; the Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve, unlike other national parks, surprises you with an experience that is raw and unsullied in its own way. A vital forest, linking central and southern areas of forests such as Kanha, Tadoba and others, this forest is uniquely named ‘Naag’ after a snake temple situated in the middle of the forest and ‘Zira’ which means a ‘source of water’ that comes from a hill in the place. Interesting, isn’t it? In the day, the paths tell a differ...

You won’t believe me at first when I say, we’ve known the mystic land of Pench ever since we were little kids. We loved every bit of how fiction and reality interlaced, weaving an age old story of the adventurous little Mowgli and his wild friends who found comfort in the wilderness, swayed from branches all day, fought the mighty Shere Khan and went after the Red Flower! Take a peek into your childhood days when watching the venturesome Mowgli on TV made you smile. I remember how diligently I never missed an episode! In the cartoon, Mowgli’s home was the astounding forest of Pench, a place that inspired Rudyard Kipling to pen down one of the most loved and appreciated work of children’s literature; The Jungle Book. I almost instantly fell in love with this jungle on my very first safari, understanding why Kipling had decided upon this very forest as the setting for his story. Nestled in the Chhindwara and Seoni districts of Madhya Pradesh, Pench National Park g...