journey

Some trips stay on your bucket list for years. This was one of them.

About 11 years ago, I visited Mysore and Kabini on a FAM trip and promised myself that I would return someday. I also wanted to explore Coorg and Neeleshwar, but life had other plans. What I thought might happen in a year or two ended up taking more than a decade. Eleven years later, I finally made that long-awaited journey a reality with my family.

We flew into Bangalore and then drove about four hours to Mysore, a city that proudly showcases its royal heritage. Since it was a Sunday, in the evening, we headed to Mysore Palace for its famous evening illumination. Every Sunday, nearly 95,000 bulbs light up the palace creating a magical sight.

The next day, we began with a visit to the revered Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills, where the peaceful atmosphere and panoramic views of Mysore set a serene tone for the day. After spending time at the temple, we drove down to Mysore Palace to admire its grandeur in daylight.

Later we headed to Kabini (Nagarhole National Park), where we enjoyed every bit of our stay at Evolve Back Kabini. From a traditional tribal dance performance and a coracle ride to a sunset cruise and cycling along the banks of the Kabini River, there was plenty to keep us engaged. We were lucky to get a Safari slot at the last minute, and were even lucky to spot a Tiger in Nagarhole.  The Nagarhole National Park has a very good Tiger population, and plenty of other wildlife species including as a large population of Elephants, Gaur, Wild Dogs and Leopards and other mammals.

Our next stop was Coorg, where we stayed for two nights at the Evolve Back Coorg, nestled amid hundreds of acres of lush coffee plantations. It was an incredible place, and we absolutely loved our room—a sprawling 4,000 sq. ft Villa with a private pool. The resort offered a variety of in-house activities, and we enjoyed several of them while taking time to unwind. We also visited Bylakuppe, home to the largest Tibetan settlement in India, which added a unique cultural dimension to our stay.

The last stop was Neeleshwar, along the untouched coastline of North Kerala. After days of travel and exploration, it was time to slow down and simply unwind by the sea. We spent the last two days in complete relaxation—long walks on the quiet beach, watching the waves roll in, and soaking in the unhurried rhythm of coastal life. The golden sunsets were a highlight, turning the sky into soft shades of orange and pink as the day gently faded away. It felt like the perfect pause at the end of a journey that had been over a decade in the making, and the Neeleshwar Hermitage was a perfect place to end the trip.

By Atul Shrivastava

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Varanasi and Bandhavgarh along with a group of Travel Agents from overseas. This was my first visit to both destinations, and they had been on my bucket list for quite some time. I am delighted to say that the experience exceeded all expectations and was truly worth the wait.

We arrived in Varanasi around lunchtime on the first day, where our hotel was the Taj Ganges, a beautiful 5-star hotel, not too far away from the old city and the ghats. After a couple of hours of rest at the hotel, we headed out for a sunset boat ride on the River Ganges, followed by the famous Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The boat ride offered a fascinating glimpse into life along the ghats. On one side, we witnessed devotees taking holy dips in the Ganges, performing rituals, and conducting pooja ceremonies. On the other, we observed funeral pyres burning at the cremation ghats. At one point, five or six cremations were taking place simultaneously. Our guide explained that Varanasi is unique in that cremations are performed around the clock, unlike most Hindu traditions where cremations are generally not conducted after sunset.

Following the boat ride, we disembarked at Dashashwamedh Ghat to witness the evening Ganga Aarti. It was truly an out-of-this-world experience. The beautifully choreographed ceremony, accompanied by chants, music, and synchronized rituals, lasted nearly three hours. The ghats were packed with visitors, and our guide mentioned that most of the crowd consisted of tourists rather than local residents. Nevertheless, it is an experience that everyone should witness at least once in their lifetime.

The following morning, we embarked on a dawn boat ride at around 4:30 am. This experience was completely different from the previous evening. The river was calm and peaceful, while devotees quietly performed their morning prayers and rituals. The serenity of the Ganges at sunrise was breathtaking. Adding to the magical atmosphere were musicians on board, whose melodious tunes perfectly complemented the tranquil surroundings.

After the boat ride, we disembarked at Manikarnika Ghat and began a walking tour through the old city. The narrow lanes were bustling with activity and offered a fascinating insight into the daily life of Varanasi. During the walk, we saw the Kashi Vishwanath Temple (one of the holiest shrines for Hindu devotees) from the outside. Long queues of devotees waited patiently for their turn to enter and offer prayers. As some members of our group were non-Hindus, we did not enter the temple and instead admired its significance from outside before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

We also visited Sarnath, which is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Visiting the museum and learning about the life and teachings of Buddha was a wonderful experience. Sarnath is undoubtedly a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to Varanasi.

The next morning, we departed for Bandhavgarh. The journey took approximately seven hours, thanks to the improved road conditions. Upon arrival, we checked into the Oberoi Vindhyavilas, which I believe is one of the finest and most luxurious properties in the region. The service, food, ambience, and overall hospitality were exceptional and among the best I have experienced anywhere.

The following day, we enjoyed two jungle safaris. Our morning safari in the Magadhi Zone did not bring us any tiger sightings, which was slightly disappointing. However, the afternoon safari in the Tala Zone more than made up for it. We were fortunate enough to spot four tigers, making the visit truly memorable and fulfilling the main purpose of our trip to Bandhavgarh.

The trip ended with the drive to Jabalpur Airport for the flight back to Delhi. As the trip came to an end, I reflected on the remarkable contrast between the spiritual energy of Varanasi and the wilderness of Bandhavgarh. Together, they offered a unique combination of culture, history, spirituality, and wildlife.

This journey was everything I had hoped for and more. If you are looking for an experience that combines India's rich spiritual heritage with its incredible natural beauty, I would highly recommend including both Varanasi and Bandhavgarh in your travel plans.

By Ashu Gupta, June 2026