Author: Archana
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Journey to the Mountains: A travelogue: Day 10
Kalpa – Narkanda Waking up with the morning sun in the mountains is a mesmerizing experience, and today’s sunrise was no exception. The sight of Kinnaur Kailash and other peaks bathed in the first light was breathtaking. I captured a timelapse video to relive this moment later. Gratitude filled my heart as I marveled at…
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Journey to the Mountains: A travelogue: Day 9
Lhalung – Kalpa At 2:30 AM, the room was filled with moonlight from the full moon. I enjoyed the sight but couldn’t stay up long due to the cold. By 5:30 AM, I was up again. The first rays of the sun on the mountains were spectacular. I set my phone for a timelapse video…
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Journey to the Mountains:A travelogue: Day 8
Kaza – Chicham – Ki – Lhalung After two days in Kaza, we said our goodbyes. Our original plan included a trek to Dhankar Lake and a visit to Lhalung today, but the kids were not keen on trekking. This allowed us to visit the remaining places from yesterday. Vikram, our driver, told us to…
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Journey to the Mountains : A travelogue : Day 7
Day 7: Kaza – Langza – Komik – Hikkim – Kaza Kaza Yesterday, our driver Vikram informed us that we could start late today since our destinations were nearby. Despite my body clock waking me at 5:30 AM, the cold kept me in bed until 7. Little N was up by 7.30 AM and busy…
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Journey to the Mountains : A travelogue : Day 6
Day 6: Tabo – Dhankar – Pin Valley – Kaza Tabo Our day began with a visit to one of the oldest monasteries in India, Tabo Monastery. The buildings, made entirely of mud, exuded an ancient charm. A monk guided us through the monastery’s history, though photos were not permitted inside. The monastery’s walls were…
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Journey to the Mountains: A Travelogue : Day 5
Day 5: Karccham – Nako – Gue – Tabo I woke up late today, having had a restless night. The morning was even colder than the previous day, making it tough to get ready. Little N woke up feeling ill and experienced a seizure for the first time, which was frightening. Fortunately, it lasted less…
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Journey to the Mountains: A Travelogue : Day 4
Day 4: Rampur to Sarahan-Chitkul-Karchham After a hearty breakfast at our heritage hotel, we set off for Sarahan. Our first stop was the Bhimakali Temple, an 800-year-old shrine regarded as one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, known locally as Bhimakali, this temple is a popular pilgrimage site. The current Bhimakali…
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Journey to the Mountains: A Travelogue : Day 3
Day 3: Shimla to Rampur I woke up at 5:30 AM without an alarm. It’s always a marvel how I manage to rise so early on these trips despite the previous day’s exhaustion. I watched a beautiful sunrise over the mountains, accompanied by the morning birds’ songs. I pondered why it’s so tough to wake…
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Journey to the Mountains: A Travelogue :Day 1& 2
We had been planning this trip for ages. It was supposed to be my friend, her daughter, me, and Little N. Coordinating dates was a nightmare, but once we sorted that out, we were off! We began our adventure on the 16th, heading to Chandigarh. This was my first trip with Little N without my…
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Betel Leaf
As I start on the leafy tales of betel, I find myself scribbling about a plant that seemed as mundane as a garden plant. I had no idea that the vines of betel leaves in both my ancestral and current homes would unfold into a lush narrative of traditions, memories, and unexpected revelations. Memories of…
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Sesbania grandiflora – Agathi cheera
Botanical Name: Sesbania grandiflora Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)Common name: Agati • Hindi: गाछ मूंगा Gaach-munga, Hathya, अगस्ति Agasti • Manipuri: Hawaiman • Marathi: शेवरी Shevari, हतगा Hatga • Tamil: Sevvagatti, Muni • Malayalam: Akatti • Telugu: అవిశ Avisha, Ettagise, Sukanasamu • Kannada: ಅಗಸಿ Agasi, ಅಗಸೆ Agase, ಚಿನ್ನದಾರೆ Chinnadaare, ಅರಸಿನ ಜೀನಂಗಿ Arisina jeenangi • Bengali: Buko, Bak • Urdu: Agst • Gujarati: Agathio • Sanskrit: Varnari, Munipriya, Agasti, DrigapalakaEtymology:Sesbania: The genus…
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A book launch @ Anemane Farm
Today was a truly wonderful experience as I witnessed the launch of a captivating book amidst the serenity of Anemane. Nestled at the base of Suvarnamukhi hills, near the breathtaking Bannerghatta National Park, this idyllic farm was the perfect backdrop for this event. Surrounded by lush greenery, the air filled with the melodious symphony of…
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MY LITTLE THOUGHTS LANE 