During my recent visit to Vijayawada, I had a chance to visit Kondapalli town which is synonymous with the manufacture of wooden toys. But beyond toys, the town also houses an ancient medieval fort. Located about 25 km from Vijayawada to the west of the city, the fort is located atop of a hill. The… Continue reading Vijayawada diaries: Kondapalli Fort – a treasure house of medieval history
While the city of Vijayawada may not be synonymous with the conventional idea of a vacation or taking a break, this bustling city on the banks of the river Krishna actually packs a punch when it comes to unique experiences spanning history, culture, craft and tradition. And when scouting for places to stay in the… Continue reading Review: Novotel Vijayawada Varun – your gateway to Vijayawada and beyond
The bustling city of Vijayawada offers several interesting sights spanning nature, history, religion and culture. Arguably one of the best attractions of this city are the Undavalli caves located 6 km from the city centre. It is also an important Buddhist site just like the others sites in the state. The caves are one of the… Continue reading Photoessay: Undavalli caves, Vijayawada: splendid rock cut architecture
As mentioned in my previous post on Ghantasala, the southern state of Andhra Pradesh has had a profound influence of Buddhism. There are several theories that believe that Lord Buddha himself visited Andhra Pradesh when He gave sermons at Amaravati during the reign of King Suchandra. Buddhism spread in a big way during the reign of… Continue reading Amaravati: an important Buddhist site in Andhra Pradesh
Given India’s rich cultural history and diverse religious beliefs, temples have always been an integral part of our ethos and culture. Exquisite temples that are an epitome of grandeur have been built by Indian rulers since time immemorial. A travel to any nook and corner of the country is sure to reveal architectural gems in… Continue reading Veerabhadra temple, Lepakshi: a picture of architectural splendour
An integral part of our culture, India is home to a number of indigenous crafts that are the lifeline of several communities. Influenced by several factors like availability of raw materials, influence of ancient dynasties and local traditions, handicrafts of India are as diverse as distinct. One such distinctive craft are the colourful wooden toys… Continue reading Wooden toys of Kondapalli: of colour, charm and creativity
Given my love for indigenous textiles, I never miss an opportunity to visit handloom weaving centres during my travels. In line with the country’s rich footprint of textiles, the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telegana are prominent torch bearers too. Apart from the Ikkat, Kalamkari, Gadwal and Narayanpet, the elegant sarees of Mangalagiri have… Continue reading Magical weaves: the elegance of Mangalagiri textiles
It is often said that ‘too many disappointments are usually a sign of too many expectations’. Just like for most things in life, this quote is totally applicable to travel too. Many a time I have visited places with preset expectations and have come out utterly disappointed. This is when you realize the importance of traveling… Continue reading A volery of birds at Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary, Guntur
Often called the city of pearls, the historic city of Hyderabad is truly multifaceted. While the booming IT industry in the last decade and a half has given the name Cyberabad to the city, the good old charm of the city is still intact despite changing times. This is especially evident in the area of the… Continue reading Hyderabad: enamour of the Old city
