"Yoga" and "meditation" are buzzwords in Rishikesh.In fact, it claims to be the Yoga capital of the world, and the number of classes advertised on boardings everywhere certainly supported that.So how could I turn down this chance to roll out my exercise mat and begin chanting "Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"? But which class to chose?Simple.Although laughing yoga sounded fun, and we missed the chance to have a go at this in Mumbai (www.laughter...

The Beatles have much to answer for! Not just some of the greatest music ever, but also adding a very significant stop on the hippie trail to the East, for Westerners, and probably ending the rampart use of drugs in modern Indian society. Huh? Come again. The Beatles famously came out to Rishikesh for a few months and produced their White Album thereafter. But they became very upset with the Swami Maharashi and his frequent demands for more money and the way he ...

Another early morning steping over the sleeping bodies of the reception and other staff of the hotel as we head out the door to catch another early morning bus to Dehra Dun and then ANOTHER one to Mussoorie. Oh well.....if you are heading off the beaten track, you have to do as the locals do. After a quick cup of masala chai and the bags tied to the roof again, we were off. By this time, we are so nonchalant about travelling in the buses that near misses and sh...

Chandigarh is called India's cleanest and greenest city. But interestingly not through any result of its own policies and plans, but rather through that of a French architect. Le Corbusier was given a dream commission - design a city from scratch! What city planner or architect would not jump at the chance to start with a clean slate and design the perfect city? The result of his design and thoughts and philosophies is Chandigarh. The city has big broad bouleva...

The toy train from Shimla to Kalka is considered by many to be one of two of the world's most scenic and spectacular journeys by train anywhere in the world. Since we were here, and were heading to Chandigarh down on the plain, and a bus was not an option, train it was! It is truly impressive; especially when you consider the specs and stats. The train line was first proposed in 1847, but only completed in 1903. It has 103 tunnels, innumerable bridges and viad...