Sarnath, the birthplace of Buddhism

Sarnath, the birthplace of Buddhism

By

Sarnath, probably a corruption of Saranganath, is the birthplace of Buddhism. It is here, 26 centuries ago, that Gautama Buddha delivered his first ever sermon after attaining enlightenment. A massive monument, the Dhameka Stupa, was erected at this spot by the Magadhan Emperor Asoka.

Read More
From the Editor – Citizens of a Positive Community

From the Editor – Citizens of a Positive Community

By

The question is what do we do when we read someone’s well-written post that makes the amount of hard work that would’ve gone towards creating the story apparent. Do we post a comment or do we simply appreciate the story in our mind and move on to the next? And if we do post a comment, is it just a general comment or do we take pains to show the author that we read through each line and appreciate the details?

Read More

On Cloud 9 ! Skydiving in Dubai

By

I put on my eye gear, tied my hair tightly and let Ellis attach me to his harness. We were waiting for our pilot to sign us when we would reach the 12,000 ft mark and as he waived a Thumps up….Oh F***, we have to jump now….NOWWWW!!!!!!….we crawled our way to the entrance of the plane, I could see the Palm Jumeira view and he said Jump….I bent my knees, jus couldn’t think anything and I jumped….we both jumped together, the freefall was amazing, the cool air dashing my face. Was I flying?? Have I reached heaven???? Is this really happening??? Am I a bird???? Wait wait wait….I was so shocked by the whole experience, so stunned by the beautiful views of Atlantis and Palm Jumeira and the lovely infinite blue and green ocean…..its just like a different world….Mind blowing !!!!!

Read More

To the last & the highest village in the Baspa Valley – Chitkul…..

By

The condition of the road was getting worse by each passing kilometer. The tar road made way to the grainy, rocky road covered by dust. At some of the stretches the water tankers were moving on the road to keep down the dust. Suddenly the roads became never ending and driving getting difficult especially for a lone bike rider all along the way. I kept on driving slowly and crossed Wangtoo, Chooling and reached the Karcham Dam. A right from here would take me off the NH – 22 and put me on the Sangla- Chitkul road. The winds were also picking up and it was getting difficult to stand near the dam. So, i started the bike again to cover the final stretch of the day. The road condition was bad and the way to Sangla was steep and narrow. One slip here and i would have to pay for it with my life. So, with all the concentration on the road and a speed of 10-15 kmph i began the ascent on the hair raising Sangla – Chitkul road.

Read More
Kashi – a spiritual sojourn

Kashi – a spiritual sojourn

By

Kashi has temples everywhere, a dozen of which are important; hundreds of smaller ones  crop up in unexpected places: along the river bank, in cul-de-sacs,  under trees and in various nooks and corners of its byzantine lanes. The origin of some is lost in antiquity, some of them are less than a century old but the holiest of them all, the Vishwanath Temple is the cynosure of Hindu pilgrims. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (manifestations of the Lord as Light) of Saivism.

Read More

“Fall”ing in Love

By

One of the many abstract joys of traveling is discovering your fascination for specific things you learn to seek in your journeys. For example, I have an amazing fascination for sunrises and sunsets I never knew of before. I have difficulty waking up for my 9 am classes, but I will have no difficulty waking up at 5 on a cold, wintry morning to take a walk by the sea, hearing the waves roar and the birdies fly by as the sun comes up and says hi. Similarly, I have a fascination for trains.

Read More

Shri Gajanan Maharaj Shegaon / शेगांव- श्री गजानन महाराज परिचय एवं मंदिर दर्शन

By

इस श्रंखला के पहले भाग में मैंने आपको परिचित कराया था महान संत श्री गजानन महाराज के पवित्र स्थान महाराष्ट्र के विदर्भ क्षेत्र में…

Read More
Post Monsoon Drive to DHANAULTI – Part-1

Post Monsoon Drive to DHANAULTI – Part-1

By

Every year it easily takes about 8hrs to reach there. But this time 5hrs was only possible beacuse of the improved road conditions. After reaching my grandparents place, got freshned for lunch. I was dead tired as I did not sleep the previous night, above this the fever and throat infection and then driving. But still “Itni Door Ghar pe Baithne Ke liye Thoda na aaye Hain”. After all, We are Ghumakkars and Travelling is our main motive.

Read More