The Musafir Stories - India Travel Podcast

This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to a traveler and product manager, Anaya Vats, as she takes us to the princess of hills!
Today's destination: Kodaikanal!!
Nearest Airport: Madurai  International airport (IXM)
Nearest Railway Station: Kodaikanal railway station (KQN)
Requirements: n/a
Packing: Pack depending on the weather, winters are cool and summers can be HOT! 
Time of the year: June to Feb
Length of the itinerary: 7 days
Itinerary Highlights: 
Ananya covers some of the highlights from her trip to Kodaikanal, which started out as a weekend getaway but turned into a longer workcation. Some of the points of interest covered on the podcast include 
Dolphin’s nose
Waterfalls including - Silver cascade waterfall, Bear Shola waterfall, Liril waterfalls, Pambar waterfalls
Lakes including Kodaikanal lake, Mannavanur lake, Kookal lake
Poombrai village
Pine forest
Coaker’s walk
Guna caves or Devil’s kitchen
Pillar rocks
View points
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
Food - including Altaf’s cafe, Abby’s cafe, Mia’s treats, Astoria
Links:
Link to Ananya’s newsletter:
https://ananyavats.substack.com/
Link to Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ananya_vats?igsh=MXFmOXJ4NTFqcHpvaw==
Photo by Preethi RB on Unsplash
Follow the Musafir stories on:
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en
website: www.themusafirstories.com
email: themusafirstories@gmail.com
Do follow IVM Podcasts on social media.
We are @‌IVMPodcasts on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.
Follow the show across platforms:
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This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to returning guest, Aditya Worah, a traveler and audio producer as he takes us to New Delhi
Today's destination: New Delhi!!
Nearest Airport: Indira Gandhi International airport (DEL)
Nearest Railway Station: New Delhi railway station (NDLS)
Requirements: n/a
Packing: Pack depending on the weather, winters can be cool and summers can be HOT! 
Time of the year: October to Nov
Length of the itinerary: 1 days
Itinerary Highlights: 
The walk begins at Lodhi Gardens, following which one moves through Delhi’s iconic Khan Market with its book stores and eateries, and then passes through the Judah Hyam Hall, North India’s only Synagogue. We then pass through an ‘Art Nukkad’, move across the Taj Hotel, and reach the corridors of power, where MPs, Judges, Civil Servants, and top names of the Armed forces reside. We now reach India Gate, and the Central Vista Zone, pass through a museum and an art gallery, walk across the Grand Masonic Lodge as we enter the commoner’s road from the King’s way, pass Jantar Mantar, a Mughal-era observatory, which is better-known these days for the protests around it. After a near-10,000-step walk, We finally reach Connaught Place, with its cinemas, shops, and eateries, truly the heart of Delhi. 
Understanding ‘New Delhi’ 
The cities of Delhi
What, Where, is ‘New Delhi’ 
Shift of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi
Lodhi Gardens
Khan Market
Partition and History
Bookstores
Khushwant Singh, Sujan Singh Park and Sir Sobha Singh
Judah Hyam Hall
Street Art Nukkad and Delhi Street Art
Corridor of Power 
‘Lutyens Delhi’ 
LBS Memorial 
10 Janpath 
AICC 
VP’s Home
India Gate 
Central Vista
Kingsway to Rajpath to Kartavya Path
Janpath
National Museum
NGMA
Jantar Mantar, Dissent and Dosa
Kutty’s
Kerala House
Agrasen ki Baoli
Connaught Place 
Historic Overview
Moving around CP
Cinemas of CP
In and around Regal
Rivoli
Plaza
Odeon
The Bollywood Mural
Dhoomimal Art Gallery
Food
Conclusion
Correa and Stein - connecting CP and Lodhi - a note on the architecture in and around Lodhi Gardens and ‘Steinabad’, and on Charles Correa’s Jeevan Bharati building at CP. A walk that begins with one great architect and ends with another. 
Map Link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1yfha9m5qJXS4TdvYlseOyPZ0tBg0ULU&usp=sharing
Links:
Link to Aditya’s twitter: Worah | #WalkingInDelhi (@psychedelhic) / ...X · psychedelhic1.6K+ followers
Link to website: http://adityaworah.in/whois/
Link to the KBC  clip:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cpAYSw4c5s
Link to the Old Delhi episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/74UpUSZOB2qX9evCHx8NKV?si=5hd5ZQ-RQA6L_UvD-ARraA
Photo by Abhidev Vaishnav on Unsplash
Follow the Musafir stories on:
Twitter : https://twitter.com/musafirstories?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themusafirstories/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en
website: www.themusafirstories.com
email: themusafirstories@gmail.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to returning guest, Sahana Kulur from https://vacaywork.com/
Today's destination: Chikmagalur, Karnataka!!
Nearest Airport: Mangalore airport (IXE)
Nearest Railway Station: Kadur railway station (DRU)
Requirements: n/a
Packing: Pack depending on the weather, winters can be cool and monsoon 
Time of the year: October to February
Length of the itinerary: 5 days
Itinerary Highlights: 
Sahana begins the conversation with the meaning of the town of Chikmagalur or “younger daughter’s town”, named after one of the paleygara or town cheif.
The points of interest  include 
Adventure activities including trekking to Mullayangiri peak, Baba Budangiri, Gaali kere, Kudremukha, Balladarayana durga, Ettinabhuja trek, Narsimha parvata
Another option is to cut off from the busy town life  and opt for a cosy homestay and some self care. 
Estate visits to plantations like coffee, tea, spices, arecanut, betel nut. Visiting in Jan-March will enhance the sensory elements. 
Wildlife tours is another option like Bhadra wildlife sanctuary as well as the kudremukh reserve.  
Temples such as Belur and Halebidu in the nearby Hassan district, lesser known ones in Javagal, Chikmagalur. 
We also talk about the delicious cuisine of this region including fruits like jackfruit, vegetarian food like akki rotti, roast, steamed food,chutneys  and non-vegetarian food !
Other places of interest/things to buy include Panchami kallu, Sringeri, river rafting in river Bhadra, Kyatanamakki hills, banana chips, coffee powder, spices, herbs and oils, haale toppi, or areca caps.
Links:
Link to Sahana’’s Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sahana.kulur
Link to blog post:
https://vacaywork.com/chikmagalur-travel-guide/
Link to website:
https://vacaywork.com/
Link to the Bijapur episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SHkw6h3NVYWcqoEA07bMv?si=oBL-7i0FRhKeg94MgkG5Ow
Link to the Madurai episode:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sfbo4CGkeJJImd1Acx5K1?si=8lb2biYOTcuyd5yIqCJ2Zw
Photo by Sachin S Nair on Unsplash
Follow the Musafir stories on:
Twitter : https://twitter.com/musafirstories?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themusafirstories/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en
website: www.themusafirstories.com
email: themusafirstories@gmail.com
Do follow IVM Podcasts on social media.
We are @‌IVMPodcasts on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.
Follow the show across platforms:
Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Gaana, Amazon Music
Do share the word with your folks!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to museologist and archivist, Amruta Dhalkar as she takes around the district of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra!
Today's destination: Ratnagiri  district, Maharashtra!!
Nearest Airport: Kolhapur airport  (KLH)
Nearest Railway Station: Ratnagiri railway station, RN
Requirements: n/a
Packing: Pack depending on the weather, summers can be hot
Time of the year: Post monsoon or winter months
Length of the itinerary: 8-10 days
Itinerary Highlights: 
Amruta takes us around her hometown/district of Ratnagiri. The journey is split into four cluster of places which can be easily bundled with other itineraries or transit stops while travelling between major cities. 
The four clusters include 
Dapoli, Khed, Mandangad
Chiplun, Guhagad
Sangameshwar, Ratnagiri town
Rajapur, Lanja
We also talk about the delicious cuisine of this region including alphonso or hapus mangoes, jackfruits, amboli, modak, fish, crab, misal pav, vadas and exotic vegetables and greens!
Links:
Link to Amruta’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amrutadhalkar/
Link to Amruta’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/amruta_dhalkar
Link to the Kolhapur episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SHkw6h3NVYWcqoEA07bMv?si=oBL-7i0FRhKeg94MgkG5Ow
Link to the Sawantwadi episode:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6OjyGV4HqBPirul8EjlMr8?si=S5N-lwXTSJqDhgcLV6oZog
Photo by Jayesh Nikam on Unsplash
Follow the Musafir stories on:
Twitter : https://twitter.com/musafirstories?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themusafirstories/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en
website: www.themusafirstories.com
email: themusafirstories@gmail.com
Do follow IVM Podcasts on social media.
We are @‌IVMPodcasts on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.
Follow the show across platforms:
Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Gaana, Amazon Music
Do share the word with your folks!


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to traveller and writer Priyanka Gupta as she gives takes us around some villages in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh! 
Today's destination: Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh!
Nearest Airport: Kullu Airport (KUU)
Nearest Railway Station: Joginder Nagar railway station, JDNX
Requirements: n/a
Packing: Pack depending on the weather, winters are cold
Time of the year: Summer
Length of the itinerary: 8-10 days
Itinerary Highlights: 
Priyanka shares some of her time spent in the villages of Himachal
The primary locations include the lesser known villages in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh
We start by exploring the ancient village of Pangna and its historic connections and legends. 
The next pitstop is the village of Chindi where Priyanka has the opportunity to interact with the local girls, explore apple orchards and engage in some profound conversations with the locals
Chindi is also one of the starting points to the trek to Shikari Devi temple. Priyanka shares some near mishaps during this challenging trek. 
Another popular trek is the Kamrunag trek which is popular among the locals. 
Priyanka also spends time around the Karsog valley, engaging in apple picking, tasting radishes and some local greens
Other places in the vicinity include the Prashar lake, Rewalsar lake and Mandi town. 
Priyanka also shares some lip smacking local dishes that one should not miss out on while in this region. 
Links:
Link to Priyanka’s blog: https://www.onmycanvas.com/
Link to Priyanka’s Instagram: https://www.onmycanvas.com/contact-me/
Link to episode on Manali: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7jMetTs5Kg0T3V4MOmAMLk?si=aEDm0nocQTagVMGnLcwJRg
Link to episode on Bhagsu Nag: 
https://www.audible.in/podcast/Bhagsu-Nag-Going-Offbeat-in-Himachal/B09F1Z9XHY
Link to the blog posts
https://www.onmycanvas.com/meandering-in-himalayas-simple-joys/
https://www.onmycanvas.com/apples-himachal-pradesh-india/
https://www.onmycanvas.com/himalayan-girls-patriarchy-grateful-hardearned-freedom/
https://www.onmycanvas.com/hotel-mamleshwar-chindi-karsog-mandi/
https://www.onmycanvas.com/shimla-tattapani-himachal-karsog-mandi/
https://www.onmycanvas.com/shikari-devi-temple-mandi-himachal/
https://www.onmycanvas.com/village-pangna-karsog-mandi-himachal/
https://www.onmycanvas.com/himachal-pradesh-images-india/
Photo credits: Priyanka Gupta on https://www.onmycanvas.com/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en
website: www.themusafirstories.com
email: themusafirstories@gmail.com
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.