Shweta R Manian

 PAZHANI After we were enjoying the cold weather and mountains of Kodaikanal we headed off to Pazhani. The bus ride from kodai to Pazhani is very blissful. We could see the fog and clouds slowly disappearing as we headed downwards from the hills. The driver for our bus was surprisingly patient and cautious with the roads as it were rocky and also slippery due to the water descending from the hills. The bus took a 10 minute break which was a small tea shop located at one of the roads curves with the backdrop of the shop being an amazing viewpoint of the hills covered in trees and villages and fields beneath those hills. captured by - @shwetarmanian After few hours of more bumpy rides we finally reached Pazhani. Even after visiting this place numerous times, it still feels special everytime. Right from being surrounded by lush greenery and hills to friendly people and vibrant streets , it just enhances our spiritual journey. After a little bit of rest at our hotel which was a modif...

  KODAIKANAL In between this all round pilgrimage visit, we decided to visit someplace different. No matter how many hill stations you have been to, nature always has a way to fascinate. And that’s how kodaikanal came to our minds as it was nearer to Pazhani. We had to wait for nearly 8 and a half hours at the Madurai bus stop, which adds to one of the worst experiences we had. Staring at everyone leaving for their buses early and desperately looking at the bus stand entrance at midnight only to see nothing, by the time the bus finally came, add on top of that non-stop rains, I could merely remember anything and pretty sure was literally looking like a drug addict. Even though the bus probably traveled through some pretty steep roads, filled with rocks, I didn’t give a single damn about anything and dozed off the minute after the bus started travelling upwards. The only thing I remember waking me up was the cold winds passing through and me hitting into the window glass. ...

Travelling with Asian families is a whole different experience which in my opinion,   everyone needs to go through. Especially if the ‘family’ is Indian.  Travelling with Indian families will really help you know your survival skills and patience. Also, none of the family trips are complete without having at least one religious place in the ‘must visit’ list. In fact, religious places are the only trips most of us ever got to have as children and teenagers (even, as adults sometimes).  As exaggerating and dramatic as it sounds, it’s still a memorable experience depending upon the perspective you see it from, especially if you are more into exploring the diverse culture of devotees, streets and history of the place rather than “oh! Ok now that I have fulfilled my religious duty , let’s keep moving.” Kind.  And trust me, this happens; every time.  So I am sharing a few of my throwback trips which I really got to enjoy and cherish.  But the starting of th...

Hey All,  Thanks for coming here and  Welcome to another blog where I share my stories through my perspective. Once again I thank Venkat Uncle ( https://www.blogger.com/profile/00203564361517978433)   for featuring this blog and for giving me the support and encouragement I needed.

Even though there are times we prefer alone or 'me' time while going out to relax, sometimes we just need people with same vibe or energy to hangout or explore new places, especially if you are too lazy to get out of the house on your own. And I was glad I found the right kind of people to chill with. late, but still glad. And that is exactly how we found out about 'HOGWARTS KAFE'. This place is definitely a must visit for all the potterheads or anyone who is into nice and quirky ambience of a restaurant. The one we went to was in a much quiet street in Ashok Vihar, New Delhi Even though it looked small and compact from the outside, the interiors gave us quite the opposite impression. Every decoration was creatively done to bring the Harry Potter / Hogwarts aesthetic. For someone who loves cafes with difference ambience/aesthetic, we sure found this place really cool. I had the honor of sitting besides the one and only "Professor Albus Dumbledore" (it was a wa...

  Just this morning, I got to know through one of my friends about the passing away of  photojournalist Danish Siddiqui in the line of duty. I didn't exactly remember who he was until I saw one his photographs covering the Covid-19 phase and the Delhi Anti-CAA riots in New Delhi, India and recognized quickly.  His photographs delivered a devastating impact with an unspeakable language. His Images were beautiful (not in a good way) and grotesque, capable of making anyone numb and emotional. He tried showing us a struggling side of humanity that many of us ignored and still continue to do so. He showed us a dystopian reality that unfortunately, we are moving towards. When we were all worried about whether we will be able to continue with the postponed trip or attend that friend's wedding or how badly we wanted to this pandemic to end while sitting under concrete, air-conditioned roofs and scrolling through our smartphones, his photographs crushed all the privilege and ignor...