The twin Buddhist sites of Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda in Anakapalle are a fine example of Buddhist architecture. The first time I heard of Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh was several years ago when I was on a visit to Vishakapatnam. However it was until many years after that I could actually visit the site. Located in… Read More Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda
A small village in Andhra Pradesh, Mangalagiri is known for its eponymous handlooms and the craft continues to thrive despite several odds. Located between the cities of Vijayawada and Guntur is the tiny hamlet of Mangalagiri that is known for its fine cotton textiles. Almost every home here is involved with something to do with… Read More Mangalagiri Weaves
My first trip to Vijayawada was on the invitation of Novotel Vijayawada Varun Hotel. Also perhaps it was serendipity that I finally made my way here as I missed attending the launch and my good friend and General Manager at Novotel Hyderabad Airport, Ravi Khubchandani had mentioned that the property’s design was quite unique. And… Read More Five Reasons to Stay at Novotel Vijayawada Varun Hotel
The romance of rains is like no other. And India with its tropical climate has several destinations that can help you make the most of your tryst with the monsoon. As the sun makes way for clouds it is that time of the year once again when the monsoon comes calling. And India is slowly… Read More Best Places to Experience Monsoons in India
If there was one temple in the world that attracts the most number of devotees and visitors it has to be the Venkateshwara Swamy Temple at Tirumala, Tirupati. Said to be the richest temple in the world, there is a sense of power and faith that permeates through the serpentine queues that give you a… Read More Tirupati Calling
Visakhapatnam is a delightfully clean city on the northern coast of Andhra Pradesh and wears its moniker ‘Jewel of the East Coast’ with great pride. As my car whizzes past the rather broad roads of Visakhapatnam, I am a little confused. Well, there is so much street art on the walls flanking either side of… Read More Vishakapatnam Travel Guide
April and May are important months for Buddhists as this is when Buddha Poornima and Vesak or Buddha day are celebrated. This year Vesak falls on May 21/22 and here is a look at some of the most important Buddhist sites in India where Buddha lived 2500 plus years ago as well as those that… Read More In the Footsteps of the Buddha in India
Can you imagine hopping on to a luxury yacht and sailing on the east coast from Vishakhapatnam until the Andaman’s? Well this could be a reality soon, as the organisers of the Vizag Yachting Festival have this and more in the pipeline. When I received an invitation to the first Vizag Yachting Festival I was… Read More Vizag Yachting Festival
A small town in the Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh on the Guntur-Vijayawada Highway, Mangalgiri home to the Padmashali community whose traditional occupation is weaving and textiles. With about 5000 weavers and over 50 outlets selling the famous weaves of the region – Mangalagiri fabrics, saris, salwar sets and more in silk, cotton and cotton-silk.… Read More Mangalgiri Weaves
As a drink that most of South India wakes up to, coffee has no parallel. Coffee lovers cannot do without their morning cuppa and freshly brewed filter coffee is seen in almost all South Indian households. Incidentally India has an interesting history and is the sixth largest producer of coffee globally. Read this story… Read More Coffee Dossier – all about coffee in India