As part of our Ramayana Trail, we traveled to Janakpur in southern Nepal, a city deeply associated with Mata Sita, King Janak and the wedding of Lord Rama and Sita. Known in ancient tradition as the capital of Mithila and the kingdom of King Janak, Janakpur remains an important pilgrimage center, with temples, sacred ponds… Continue reading
Sri Lanka had been on our travel list for some time, and in January 2026 we finally undertook a seven-day journey through the island, primarily following the Ramayana Trail. Along the way, we also visited some of Sri Lanka’s important heritage and cultural attractions and spent time on two safari drives in Yala National Park…. Continue reading
During our Seven-day Ramayana Trail through Sri Lanka, we visited some of Sri Lanka’s popular heritage sites along the way. While this post focuses on the heritage, history and cultural significance of these places, our separate post, [Sri Lanka Ramayana Trail – Following the Footsteps of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita & Hanuman], covers the Ramayana connections… Continue reading
Sri Lanka is closely associated with the Ramayana, with numerous places across the island connected by local traditions and legends to Rama, Sita, Ravana and Hanuman. During our January 2026 journey, we visited several of these sites, following a trail that took us from ancient temples and sacred springs to mountains, forests and waterfalls. Planning… Continue reading
After completing our visit to Hampi, we boarded a train to Mysore, from where our four-day road trip through Coorg (Kodagu) began. Covering nearly 350 km by road, this journey offered a delightful blend of spirituality, scenic landscapes, waterfalls, wildlife, and the rich coffee country of Karnataka. Our itinerary included the Golden Temple at Bylakuppe,… Continue reading
Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka, India, is truly a paradise for history lovers. Nestled amidst boulder-strewn landscapes along the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi was once the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, which flourished between the 14th and 16th centuries and was one of the most powerful kingdoms in South… Continue reading
In September 2025, we undertook a four-day journey through southern Tamil Nadu, tracing places associated with the Ramayana while also visiting several other ancient temples en route. Day 1: Madurai to Rameswaram We travelled by Vande Bharat to Madurai, and from there we hired a cab for the entire trip, ending at Nagercoil. In Madurai,… Continue reading
In September 2025, we went on a four-day pilgrimage covering Gokul, Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Govardhan. Walking through the very places associated with Lord Krishna’s childhood was a deeply moving experience that blended devotion, history, culture, and faith. Day 1 – Journey from Delhi to Mathura Our pilgrimage began with a train journey from Delhi… Continue reading
A Scenic Journey Through Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Split, and Dubrovnik In recent years, we have made it a tradition to include a short European stopover on our trips between the U.S. and India. Last year, our journey led us to Croatia. Arrival in Europe – Frankfurt to Zagreb We landed in Frankfurt on August 26… Continue reading
In October 2022, we undertook one of the most sacred pilgrimages in India — the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. The tour was arranged by SOTC with Heli Yatra being the local operator. Nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, the Char Dham circuit includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, each carrying immense spiritual significance in Hindu… Continue reading