Trek to Tandulwadi Fort
Tandulwadi is a fort located near Saphale about 50 km north of Mumbai, and provides great views of the confluence of Surya and Vaitarna rivers Read more →
Posts in Category ‘India’
I live in India and love to study its cultural diversity. Particularly Mumbai, being a cosmopolitan city offers a variety of experiences both good and bad. I focus on the good ones.
Cycling to Vandri Lake
Vandri Lake is a natural lake with a dam that raises its capacity. An idyllic spot for a long weekend ride or just a picnic with the family Read more →
Cycling to Fort George – the last remaining vestige of Bombay Fort
Fort George is the only remaining vestige of the Bombay Fort that marked the turning point for an archipelago of islands to become one of the commercial capitals of the world Read more →
Fruit Bats in Mumbai
Fruit Bats have been feasting on mangoes left over from the mango season on trees in Mumbai. We were lucky to be able to photograph one just outside our window! Read more →
Badlapur Step Well – a rare historical site
An old step well lies in an open field in Devaloli, a village near Badlapur to the north east of Mumbai city. With some exquisite carvings and still containing water, the well is small but very well preserved. Worth a weekend visit. Read more →
History of Byculla’s Central Railway Hospital
The Central Railway Hospital building in Byculla has an interesting history that is not widely known – this was the initial location of two premier educational institutions in Mumbai – Elphinstone College and VJTI! Read more →
Cycling to Banganga Tank and Walkeshwar Temple
Banganga Tank and the various temples around it called Walkeshwar Temples are some of the oldest historical sites in the city of Mumbai, built when the Shilaras ruled northern Konkan. It is a great destination for a weekend cycle ride Read more →
Cycling to Kondhane (Kondane) Caves
Kondhane caves are just 15 kms from Karjat, and a great place to visit. But if you cycle from Mumbai, there is a great route with off-road sections and beautiful views of two lakes. The caves themselves are exquisite, and have the same architecture as the Bhaja caves near Lonavala. Read more →
Revisiting Madh Fort (Versova Fort)
Madh fort is located on Madh island, just across from Versova over the creek. Also called Versova fort, it is normally closed to visitors but we were lucky to be able to enter it thanks to a film crew that had opened it for shooting a television serial. Read more →
Cycling to Dahanu and Tarapur Forts – a beach and history holiday!
Dahanu and Tarapur are coastal forts in picturesque locations at the northern end of the Maharashtra coast with pristine beaches along side – a great holiday! Read more →
Riwa Fort or Kala Killa – hidden in the slums of Dharavi
Dharavi is known as one of the largest slums in the world, but hidden at one end in it is Riwa Fort (Kala Killa) with a mysterious secret tunnel inside it – a perfect cycling destination! Read more →
Kamandurg – an ancient fort near Vasai
Tungareshwar is a well known temple and a weekend getaway near Vasai that is also a nice and easy trek. But there is another little known trekking destination – an ancient fort called Kamandurg. An ideal destination for a cycling cum trekking expedition that provides some nice off-road patches and a trek that passes through some dense forests to provide a wonderful view of the Vasai plains with the Ulhas river meandering towards Vasai creek. Read more →
Cycling to Jawhar Fort and Jai Vilas Palace
Jawhar is a small hill station near Mumbai (166km) and Nashik (80 km). The special attraction of Jawhar is the historical fort and palace of Yashwant Rao Mukne that still stands proud amidst a plantation of cashew-nut trees. Ideal for a cycling expedition from Mumbai or Nashik. Read more →
Goecha La Trek – experiencing Sikkim at its best
To really experience Sikkim, do one of the high altitude treks in it’s mountains – the Kanchenjunga Trekking Trail that leads from Yuksom to the Goecha La pass Read more →
Trek to Asherigad – protector of the Palghar region
Asherigad fort in the Palghar region is a moderate trek, providing some great views – and Maratha and Portuguese artifacts, testimony to its various occupiers Read more →
Cycling to Barvi Dam and Lake – Bird Watching Paradise
Barvi Lake located 90 km from Mumbai between Badlapur and Murbad is an excellent destination for a cycling expedition combined with some amazing bird watching! Read more →
Cycling to Mumbra Devi Temple – in search of Parsik Fort
A nice cycling route to Mumbra Devi Temple located at the north end of the Parsik Hills range where I was hoping to find traces of an old fort – Parsik Fort Read more →
Trek to Takmak Fort – a story of the boy and his dog
Takmak fort is a medium grade trek on a 2000 ft hill near Virar, 50 km from Mumbai. Fabulous views of the plains with Vaitarna-Tansa confluence and Vandri lake Read more →
Cycling to Uran – Dronagiri Hill Fort – Migratory Birds
Uran is a fishing village 90 km south of Mumbai and has a lesser known Dronagiri fort – also enroute see migratory water birds at Airoli and Ranjanpada Read more →
New Year Celebrations at Snehasadan – shelter for homeless kids
To celebrate the new year’s eve of 2013, a group of friends and their families came together at Snehasadan, a shelter for homeless children at Jogeshwari Read more →
Cycling to Nalasopara – Buddhist Stupa and Chakreshwar Mahadev Temple
Nala Sopara or Shurparaka was a major cultural center since 1500 BC. The Chakreshwar Mahadev Temple and the Buddhist Stupa are scanty evidence of its past glory Read more →
Cycling from Mandwa to Murud – Janjira Fort and Khokari Tombs
One of the most scenic cycling routes along the Konkan coast from Mandwa jetty to Murud culminating in Janjira Fort and the Khokari Tombs – and beaches all along Read more →
Cycling to Sewri Docks and Sewri Fort
Sewri on the east coast of Mumbai island is a great place to catch the sunrise, and flamingoes on the mud flats. And not to miss a visit to Sewri Fort! Read more →
OxFam Trailwalker 2013 – an experience of a lifetime!
OxFam Trailwalker 100 km completed in 30:58 hours! Saw beautiful countryside around Mulshi lake, trekked through Tamhini hills, open meadows and dense forests! Read more →
Cycling to Ambernath Shiva Temple (Ambreshwar)
Located within 50 km of Mumbai, nestled in the fast growing town of Ambernath near Kalyan, is magnificent Shiva Temple that has some exquisite stone carvings preserved through the ages Read more →