Travel Diaries

In the Seraj Valley of Himachal Pradesh, the quiet, unusual village of Shoja provides a peaceful haven in the middle of the Himalayas. Known for its snow-capped peaks, deodar forests, and verdant valleys, Shoja offers a tranquil getaway with chances for birdwatching, nature hikes, and touring neighbouring sites like Serolsar Lake and Jalori Pass. An overview Shoja is located close to Jibhi at an elevation of around 2,692 meters (8,832 feet) above sea level. It connects the districts of Kullu and Shimla.  Natural Environment: The settlement exudes a profound sense of tranquilly, surrounded by verdant deodar and pine forests and offering expansive vistas of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar hills. 🌿 Why Go to Shoja? Offbeat Charm : Shoja provides peace, calm, and a genuine Himalayan experience in contrast to the tourist-heavy Manali. Architectural Beauty: Local heritage is showcased by traditional Kath-Kuni wooden homes with stone and wood craftsmanship. Cultural immersion is pro...

One of India's most aesthetically pleasing, historically significant, and culturally diverse cities is Jaipur, also referred to as the Pink City. The capital of Rajasthan, it is a popular tourist attraction that blends architecture, art, history, and contemporary development. Along with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur is a well-liked tourist attraction that is a part of the Golden Triangle circuit. It is renowned for its colourful bazaars, temples, palaces, and beautiful forts. 📜 History  Amer's king, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II , founded it in 1727 . India's first planned city, Jaipur, was built according to Vastu Shastra , or traditional Hindu architecture. The city earned the moniker " The Pink City " when it was painted pink in 1876 to greet the Prince of Wales, who would go on to become King Edward VII. 🕌 Heritage & Culture With its vibrant attire, traditional music, folk dance, and cuisine, Jaipur epitomises Rajasthani culture. renowned for its havelis, ...

One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, Varanasi (also called Benares or Kashi ) is situated in Uttar Pradesh, India, on the banks of the Ganges River. For Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, it is a place of great spiritual significance and a popular destination for pilgrims who seek freedom from the cycle of reincarnation. Varanasi is well known for its temples, ghats, lively marketplaces, and rich cultural legacy, especially its silk weaving customs. Overview in General Location: On the banks of the Ganges River (Ganga), in eastern Uttar Pradesh, northern India. Known as: India's Spiritual Capital. Founded: cited in ancient writings such as the Rigveda; thought to be more than 3,000 years old. Languages: Sanskrit (used in temples and ceremonies), Bhojpuri, and Hindi (official). About 1.5 million people live there (as of 2023). The Significance of Religion and Spirituality One of Hinduism's seven holy towns, or Sapta Puri . Moksha, or freedom from t...

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum made of ivory-white marble located in the Indian city of Agra on the Yamuna River's south bank. Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who ruled from 1628 to 1658, ordered it built in 1632 to house the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, his beloved wife. In the entire spectrum of Indo-Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the pinnacle of architectural achievement. Concave and convex, solids and voids, and light shadows are all rhythmically combined to create its acknowledged architectural beauty; arches and domes, for example, further enhance the visual appeal. The Historical Context The fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, had a great affection for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan was devastated when she passed away after childbirth in 1631. He made the decision to construct the most exquisite tomb ever seen in her honour. The Taj Mahal was constructed by more than 20,000 craftspeople and workers from India and elsewhere. Materials such as valuable stone...