Trivia: Stamped Moments

  Among the large number of stepwells that still exist in India, some are absolutely spectacular and worth visiting. Here is a list of 9 of the most wonderful stepwells in India one must visit. Though I love all of them, I have tried to make the list in a descending order of how I would rank them from an architectural/ aesthetic point of view.        1. Rani Ki Vav, Patan: Built in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati in memory of her husband King Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty, Rani Ki Vav is a masterpiece in architecture. The sheer size, intricate sculptures and magnificent structure are absolutely awe-inspiring! There are more than 1500 sculptures depicting religious, mythological stories and other themes like portraying everyday life of people. In course of time due to severe floods, the step well was buried under the earth. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.  2. Chand Baori, Abhaneri One of the deepest and largest stepwells in India, Chand Baori was b

Along with Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Mehsana and Patan a little north to Ahmedabad form an extraordinary travel circuit. To help travelers planning to visit this part of India, I put together a plan for 3 days.  Best time to visit: December to February. Day-1: Bird sanctuary | Ahmedabad Reach Ahmedabad in the evening of day-0. Have authentic Gujarati dinner at Pakwan restaurant or Gordhan Thal or Rajwado or Sasumaa (you can explore the next day as well). Nal sarovar bird sanctuary: It's a good way to start the trip with a visit to the nearby (60 kms) Nalsarovar bird sanctuary. The best time to visit a bird sanctuary is early in the morning, before sunrise. More than 200 species of birds- both local and migratory birds flock at the Nalsarovar lake and marshy land surrounding it during winter- spring season.    Sabarmati/ Gandhi Ashram: Late in the afternoon,   start again; y our next stop will be Sabarmati/ Gandhi Ashram. Gandhiji established this ashram in 1917 to carryout his Satyag

With a unique landscape, diverse cultures, great history and heritage, rich crafts, the largest district of India is a little enigmatic. In this article, I intend to share with you a list of five must-do things in Kutch, drawing from my long time experience in Kutch.  5 must-do things while in Kutch:  1. Watch the sunset over the salt-flats near Dhardo village: At about 80 kms from the district HQ of Bhuj, the village Dhordo is base for the great salt flats, where the annual Rann Utsav (Desert festival) is organized. Every year (Nov-Feb) during the festival, a temporary township is established by the government offering best of Gujarat's art, music, food and cultural vibes.   2. Have a little fun at the Mandvi beach: Mandvi, a small town in south Kutch, 60 kms from Bhuj, offers a pristine beach; good to visit both in the morning and in the evening. I would suggest staying here at least for a day. 3.  Marvel at the architecture of Vijay Vilas Palace: Built in the early 1920s by the