Take Me Anywhere

Hey all Varanasi!!! September 13, 2017 Picture source-Google It was our last day in Kashi!! As we sat down for breakfast at Granny's Inn(our homestay); as usual I was looking forward to meet the sisters, the Granny's Ashaji and Arunaji. It was the routine, that they usually sit with us over breakfast.  Also Read-  My first homestay experience at Granny's Inn-Varanasi But that day Arunaji not showed up. I was later told by Ashaji that today Arunaji is fasting; as it was Jivitpurika Vrat(Jitiya Vrat). Jitiya Vrat is a 3 day fast, a very strict fast. It's a no water fast(Nirjala Vrat).  Jitiya Vrat is one of the main festival celebrated mainly in Nepal and in states of Bihar, Jharkhand and U.P. In further conversation with  Ashaji she told me; it's an auspicious day for motherhood, women's  from far states comes to Varanasi on this day, to take a dip in Holy Ganga river and pray for the longevity of their sons. Arunaji too fasted for he...

Hey  all Year 2017!!! Time was running out of my hands; October already half passed. New year was right around the corner.  With just f ew leaves in hand; I was in constant struggle, where to head next!! It has to be Mountains, I was for so sure!!  The urge to reach the heights was high and so was my spirits.  It's being a while, I visited ridge of hills. Chakrata-Uttarakhand Mountains, that too in limited days???  Hmmm??? The best possible option came to my mind was "Chakrata" .  3 hrs ride from Dehradun, this peaceful hill station is nestled at 7000 ft height.  It's an army cantonment area, foreigners are totally restricted to this area; even Indian to some part of Chakrata. You should know,  Chakrata is less traveled and is not that popular and preferred as compared to other hill stations in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.  With thin crowd, no happening "Mall Road"; Chakrata is definitely not a "Fancy" take, it's y...

Hey all Guy's you should have seen by Dad's face, when I proposed him with an idea of staying at a homestay!!! I am not gonna stay at somebody's place!!! I want my comfort, he replied. I laughed off and explained him with the budding concept of homestays in India. Still today when we start planning for a vacation, the first thing comes in our mind is "Hotel reservations"; HOTEL=COMFORT LEVEL!! But with change in time, homestays are picking up it's pace and popularity; specially with avid travellers. In September 2017, w e took a short trip to Varanasi;  and I decided to ditch Hotels over Homestays.  With few points in mind, I searched around a while to book a perfect homestay.  Granny's Inn, was our home for next 3 days.  Here are my reasons to pick Granny's Inn- LOCATION Perfectooo!!! In the heart of Varanasi; just 10 mins walking distance to D ashaswamedh Ghat (main ghat). PRICE Booked through MMT, jus...

Hey all It's Divarrrrr Island!!! Fields at Divar Island Travelling in Monsoons, people usually not prefer. But for me it was the best decision I ever made. Goaaaaaa!!! Monsoons and Goa, a superrr deadly combination. Wild tides, green carpets, less crowd and superrrr perfect weather, what else I could wished for.  Somewhere the only urge was to enjoy the "Cruise ride over Mandovi river", as it remains close during monsoons. Now what to do??? hmmmm..... Divar Island!! Yes the best alternate for cruise ride is to alteast enjoy a ferry ride. A person like me, who never been on any cruise or ferry ride; even 10 mins on ferry was extremely joyful.  Ferry ride to to fro Divar Island On the way to old Goa, is the ferry pick up point for Divar Island. I landed the ferry with my scooter. And guess what, it was a freeee rideee, for M2 "Me and My Scooter".......hahaha, as in state Uttar Pradesh nothing is free(blink). For Goans, it...

Hey all My "Travel Buddies" In today's world, when everything is so commercialized and artificial ; it's so hard to find a place with great existence. One such place, still exiting in "RAW & PURE" form is "BINSAR" aka "Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary" in Kumaon region of state Uttarakhand.   In continuation to our journey to Kumaon region....... "Binsar" was our next destination. Just a day before 'Holi - Festival of Colors' we started off to Binsar from Kausani. Our driver and guide for this journey was Mr. Bhopal ji .   Also read Kumaon "The Dev Bhoomi".... One such place Ranikhet!!! Katarmal Sun Temple......Hidden Gem of Almora-Uttarakhand Beautiful Sunset at Binsar Beautiful Sunset at Binsar Oh, my gosh "Perfect Timing" it was!!! We reached Binsar at "Magical Hour", it was time for sunset. It seemed God was painting the sky by it's o...