Meenakshi J

Indore, the second-largest city in Madhya Pradesh, has been a buzzing trade center since ancient times. Located on the edge of the Malwa plateau in Central India, Indore city was founded in 1715 by local landlords and named after the Indreshwar temple that they built a few years later.
In 1733, the Holkars won Indore as part of their war booty in their conquest of the Malwa region. They established their capital here, and reigned over the Malwa region until the advent of the East India Compan...

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...

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

A round-up article on the lesser-known architectural spaces of southern India.

The three Nusa islands, off the shore of Bali in Indonesia, bring you up close with beauty — of nature and people
Ornate Balinese temples dot the freeway through which our tourist bus moves towards Sanur harbour. The group that I am part of waits along a seaweed-filled shore for a cruise boat which will take us to the lesser-known trio of Indonesian Nusa sisters.

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...

A feature on the Cheriyal Scroll Paintings of Telangana

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...

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...

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....

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...

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.

Thailand is a multicultural country with unique practices and, as in India, temples dot the land. But, it isn’t widely known that there is a huge South-Indian Tamil influence and presence too in Thailand's cultural renditions, festivities and rituals. Come along as we unravel them.

Glittering temples, vibrant and serene Buddhas, monk chants, reverence to the monarchs, flamboyant festivities steeped in traditions, eye-catching spirit houses and colourful idols of Ganesha and various celestial ...