Vijayawada diaries: Kondapalli Fort – a treasure house of medieval history
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…
Review: Novotel Vijayawada Varun – your gateway to Vijayawada and beyond
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…
Photoessay: Undavalli caves, Vijayawada: splendid rock cut architecture
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…
Amaravati: an important Buddhist site in Andhra Pradesh
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…
Veerabhadra temple, Lepakshi: a picture of architectural splendour
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…
Wooden toys of Kondapalli: of colour, charm and creativity
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…
Magical weaves: the elegance of Mangalagiri textiles
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…
A volery of birds at Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary, Guntur
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…
Hyderabad: enamour of the Old city
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…