Recent content by Sramana

Most people equate 'travel' with going to see the Eiffel Tower or Times Square. Travel is a state of mind. One can travel from one's own couch too :-) Until I was 21, I hadn't travelled much. I had a hunger to see the world, and I travelled to the US and Europe. I saw many major sights, some...

Diwali and Holi are excellent times to visit India. It helps that Diwali is in October/November and Holi is in March, which are both really pleasant months weather wise. However, you may want to be at the right place as well. Holi is celebrated in the northern part of India and not su much in...

I think it is easier/more rewarding to travel to offbeat spots in one's own country than in a new place, especially when one does not know the language. I agree that spending time with the local people is awesome - some of my best experiences have involved interactions with locals.

That's great! You are sure to find great biryanis in India. You could get Hyderabadi biryani if you go there (Paradise biryani is a popular chain that is reputed). This is just one of many varieties you could sample. There is also the north-Indian Lucknowi biryani (from the city of Lucknow), the...

@Selvi Thanks so much for your kind words, @Selvie. the more I travel abroad, the more I regret not having all the time in the world to explore my own country fully. Yes, I do hope that by raising awareness about heritage structures we can save them and share them with the rest of the world.

I would suggest a full day in T.Nagar, especially if you are shopping for clothes and jewelry :) If you want a general shopping experience, Saravana Stores/ Ranganathan St. will be the place to go. For sarees, clothes etc. Kumaran, RmKV, Pothys are good choices. I can't think of many shopping...

Mumbai and Goa have great seafood choices. actually most of coastal India - I recommend Samanth Subramanian's 'Following Fish', a book that looks at the fishing trade and various seafood cuisines and traditions all along the vast Indian coast. Kerala is known for its seafood as well as beef...

Hi @susieqanderson1, Please check my reply on the 'Best way to see India' thread for suggestions on popular places to see. If you would rather just unwind and spend time with your family, I would suggest the beaches of Goa or Kerala. For staying on a budget, you may know that the US dollar as...

I think people were suggesting two months because the original poster had said that she had two months to spare. Not like it's an ideal duration to take in all of India :-) India is so diverse with a rich cultural history going back millenia. I don't think even two years of sustained travelling...

You could check out the Sivananda ashrams. Here is the link to one in Uttarkashi. There is a lot of information about what to bring, what to expect, how to dress etc.

Nature lover, heritage enthusiast.

Man, I've always wanted to go to Varanasi and spend a few days just sitting by the ghats. Isn't there a festival where people light lamps and float them on the river? When is that?

Yes! I do. Love preparing for a trip almost as much as the trip itself ;) Here's my checklist for a week's worth of travel: Essentials: 1. Phone, phone charger, either loaded with sim/data or armed with some info about where to purchase it once I get to my destination, if international. 2...

As a rule, I would personally prefer the safety of a hotel rather than stay at an AirBnB. The rates in India are not too different from your average hotel. Also, awareness among the general public and law enforcement about AirBnBs is minimal. So even if you run into problems, talking to a...

I am from Tamil Nadu, and I have done some solo travelling within India. I like exploring hills, caves and old temples. I am passionate about visiting and maintaining heritage sites. However, many such places (cave/rock cut temples for example) are remote and not known very well. They may have...