When we visit the Valley of flowers in July August, it is like stepping into a surreal and magical world. For as far as our eyes can see, the valley is covered with flowers of varied hues. We are literally wading through a sea of flowers. It seems as if God is having fun, splashing […]

  I dreamt I had gone back to Chakrata (With apologies to Daphne Du Maurier). The mere thought of Chakrata fills me with a wistful longing to go back in nature’s pristine arms. The crystal clear mountain air, the view of the snow capped peaks fills my heart with pleasure. I had visited this small […]

Although I do not hail from the charming little town of Charlottesville, Virginia, I have spent the greater part of the last three years there, studying at the University of Virginia. I will spend two more years there, finishing my degree in poetry. It’s that kind of town, where poets, coffee aficionados, and street artists […]

On my  two and half hour journey from Pathankot to Mcleodganj, the taxi driver regaled me with the interesting history of our destination, Dharamshala. The road, beautifully bordered with coniferous trees and cantonment area, kept me company. I had boarded the train from Delhi to Pathankot, the day before. From Pathankot, I planned to transfer by […]

“I will lift mine eyes unto the Hills from whence cometh my help.”   I traced the words inscribed on the stone memorial. Beyond the white monument to the late botanist Margaret Legge, flowers spread away in all directions, a riot of colours that swayed slowly in the wind coming down from the mountain slopes. […]