Full Stop India

Tourists relying on their trusty travel guide will miss out on this destination located within the historic Fort George of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. And while Marina Beach is nearby and captures most of the foreign visitor’s attention, St Mary’s Church has a fascinating story to tell. Locals, taxi drivers and car services can easily get you to the proper location past the imposing security gates at the fort entrance.

Deceptively cool morning air tricks the mind into wearing heavy clothing. Within an hour, direct sun shining on an open-top jeep and increased heart rates warm the body both inside and out. We’ve come on a mission. Forget the introductory speeches about the slim chances of hitting the safari jackpot. Like all tourists to the national parks of India, hopes remain high that we will be the fortunate ones to see the iconic orange, black and white stripes.

Two highly regarded Hindu points of interest call Chamundi Hill home (MAP). The first, Sri Chamundeswari Temple, sits atop the summit some 3000 feet high overlooking the hazy skies of Mysore, Karnataka. While the second, a monolith statue of Nandi the Bull, lies nestled in the hillside foliage.

Depictions of Nandi the bull, Lord Shiva’s vehicle, [...]

Many of South India’s famous temples are massive complexes with droves of visitors pouring into multiple entrances day or night. This can be an intimidating sight to a new tourist of India. But Sri Chamundeswari Temple is surprisingly intimate, accessible, relaxed and yet still very interesting. Just minutes (13 kms to be exact) from the [...]

Picturesque views, challenging trekking, wildlife refuge…just a few reasons tourists are drawn to Sarahan. But the main reason travelers venture off Highway 22, up the forested slopes nestled between the Sangla and Pabbar Valley, is to see Bhimakali Temple. Once a palace of the Rampur Bushahr kings, the twin wooden towers of the present day [...]