Meenakshi J

A four-page feature on one of the most eclectic neighbourhoods of India's capital- Delhi.

Situated on the banks of the westward flowing Narmada-holiest of the five rivers, 78 km away from the cleanest city in India, Indore, Omkareshwar is a sacred town in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.

Bright vibrant boats bob on the bountiful river, as half-naked kids enjoy themselves with a dip and swim in the waters nearby; saffron-clad and sacred-ash smeared monks roam around nonchalantly while devotees from near and far hustle to get a glimpse of the sacred rock on the Sanskrit OM shaped...

Sipping steaming green tea, I lean over the wooden gate fencing my boutique property in Himachal, lost in thoughts of nothingness. A cool morning breeze caresses my face and I warm up to the faint rustle of cherry blossoms across the stoned pathway, watching the routineness of early morning village life unfurl slowly: An elderly villager is guiding his flock of gaddi, a breed of sheep so wooly, so adorable, they look straight out of a baby’s touch-and-feel book; trailing the man is his gritty...

If you are the kind of traveller who is often seeking holistic experiences at quaint hill stations, Parvada, a picturesque hamlet in Uttarakhand should be on your list of places to visit this summer. Away from the touristy crowd, it is a village where you can press the pause button, unwind, and rejuvenate your soul by surrendering to the best healer, mother nature.

Parvada, Uttarakhand: Nature’s Bounty

Situated 11 kms away from the temple town of Mukteshwar, Parvada is an enchanting hamlet un...

Cocooned amidst the Shivalik ranges, this town in the Jammu region, with its past glory and modern engineering marvel waits to be discovered
We drive towards the arterial Jammu-Pathankot highway and begin our ascent through the winding mountain trails of the Shivalik ranges, flanked by trees and rugged cliffs. The tiny hamlets and pastoral terrace farms serve as a perfect foil to the hustle and bustle of Jammu city.
After nearly a three-hour-long outing, we are close to our destination that once was home to Sansk...

Ornate havelis, colonial mansions and opulent palaces of India have piqued the curiosity of travellers for long. Many of these residences of the bygone era have now been thoughtfully converted into heritage properties, welcoming guests from all walks of life. With the holiday season just around the corner and long weekends paving the way for family get togethers, these tastefully renovated stay options offer themselves as the perfect places to head to. Take a look at these luxurious heritage ...

As life gets more and more hectic for working professionals, a need for calm, peace and serenity arises. One way to de-stress and be one with nature and yourself is through a holiday—and not just at any location. A wellness retreat not only guarantees travellers a promise of rest but also treatments that can help with their lifestyle problems, ailments etc. This is the reason, a slew of wellness retreats in India have mushroomed. Here’s a look at the top destinations.
Wellness Retreats in Ind...

A paradisiacal region entrenched in prehistoric Vedic roots, breathtaking vistas, serene yet stuck in its harsh realities, is how I’ve always pictured the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. A family trip or a solo sojourn to this state is often equated with a visit to either the Kashmir region or Ladakh.

However, my recent sojourn unravelled a plethora of hidden gems....

I traversed the Sangam land of Tamil Nadu, India, in search of the famed micro-carvings and sculptures, in this article for Discover India travel magazine.

I was a contributing local expert for the Indian cities of Hyderabad and Chennai with Google's Touring Bird project. Both cities put together, a total of 28 local tips were compiled by me.

Touring Bird was a web-based travel app from Google’s Area 120 (a workshop for experimental projects). Users were able to explore, compare and book over 75,000 tours and activities from top providers. Touring Bird had insider and expert local tips for 200 total destinations which have now been integrated into its other sister platform.

Here is my write-up for Media India Group's travel magazine named 'India & You'. This magazine made it to the WTM 2018 London and also served as the in-flight magazine for Air India across Europe.

Well-known around the world for its palaces, forts and sand dunes, Rajasthan is also home to some of the most important pilgrimage centres for various religions. Come discover one.

I travel in search of street art when visiting a destination. Here is an article that I wrote about how besides adding colour to the environment, street art in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad is helping revive traditional art forms.

Street art need not always be associated with social messages and contemporary art. That, it may also help in the revival of traditional art forms is what I realised on my recent trip to Hyderabad. Come with me as I discover the bohemian side of this Deccan capital.

This feature was written after a media trip to Thailand in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Thailand is a land of varied shades. A country that has been culturally vibrant and has over 4,000 years of history is bound to offer more than its pristine beaches and happening nightlife to visitors. Tourists, especially from India, often restrict their Thailand visit to Bangkok and Pattaya.

If you are planning a vacation to the ‘Land of Smiles’, explore it beyond the beaches and nightlife. You’ll be amazed at how diverse the country is.