Kerala Travel Mart – KTM2026, An Overview

Posted on October 9, 2026 by Currylines

Sep 24th – Sep 27th, 2026

The drums erupt in a thunderous rhythm, the beats matching the electrifying atmosphere, while the clarion call of the Kombu (trumpet) fills the air, heralding the grand celebrations of the evening.

The Kathakali dancer flutters his eyes, beckoning with a tantalising come-hither gaze. Beside him, the Theyyam artiste is no less hypnotic. His face, painted in blazing reds and intricate patterns, seems to summon the ancient spirits of Kerala itself, while a gentler looking King Maveli welcomes onlookers with a benevolent smile and open arms, embodying the warm hospitality of Kerala.

Every two years, the lure of Kerala brings together travel and tourism professionals, media personalities and passionate travellers from across the globe to Kerala Travel Mart, the biennial extravaganza held in Kochi, Kerala, India.

For a few blissful days, wars being fought in distant lands, borders that divide nations and  differences of race, religion, community and caste seem to fade into the background. Within a little corner of Kochi, a microcosm of the outside world fleetingly comes into being, with people from various countries and cultures coming together in bonhomie and camaraderie, united by a shared passion for travel and tourism. It is almost as if this tiny space has been briefly insulated from the strife, turmoil and trauma of the world outside and has turned into a short lived yet veritable piece of paradise in God’s own country (as a very secular Kerala proudly calls itself), the way God surely intended it to be!

And that my friends, is the timeless magic of travel, with its ability to make strangers less strange, make borders feel quite seamless and to remind us that despite all our differences, it is still possible to coexist in peace and harmony.  

So join me at the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), a specialized trade exhibition focused entirely on the tourism and hospitality business and be as enthralled as I am, at the pomp and glory with which the state of Kerala is showcased and celebrated. 

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Posted in Domestic travel, Event reviews, Holidays, Hotels and Resorts, Reviews, Travel, Travel Mart | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mango Mulch – The Enhanced Version

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Currylines

Aug 30th – 31st, 2026

I stand beneath the towering canopy of the ancient mango trees, the cool breeze carrying the earthy scent of the grove and I know I have returned to a slice of paradise. This is my fourth visit to Mango Mulch and rustling mango leaves play a nostalgic melody in welcome.

This is a home stay which I had first written about in 2018 and have had the pleasure of returning to its familiar embrace again and again over the years.

But this time as my eyes sweep across the landscape, exciting new silhouettes emerge through the greenery and I notice that though the soul of this serene retreat has remained intact with its unhurried pace and reverence for nature, it however has gracefully expanded to weave in a few more elements of rustic tranquility.

The three original cottages have now found new companions in a freshly minted twin cottage, a dining hall cum kitchen and a charming little lily pond lying placidly in between the two and I am excited to explore these additional spaces this time.

So join me as I bask in the quietude of this home stay that lies tucked away in the hinterland of Talakad in the Mysuru district of Karnataka, India and let the silence heal our noise ravaged city ears, even if just for a day! 

But wait, before you proceed, let me urge you to first read all about my original visit to Mango Mulch, for that will lay the foundation for this story! Continue reading →

Posted in Domestic travel, Environment, Holidays, Home Stay, Hotels and Resorts, Millets, Organic, Reviews, Travel, Vegetarian, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Soul Nest at Pyramid Valley International – Trip 2

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Currylines

Jul 11th – 13th, 2026

The instructor’s soothing voice washes over the audience, holding them in rapt attention inside the womb of a mega pyramid, a gigantic structure which has been specifically designed to induce optimal focus in those who seek to find peace in its embrace.

I am at the Stillness Summit event at Soul Nest, a distinctive space where luxury merges with the spiritual. The event is a thoughtfully curated blend of learning and reflection through insightful discussions and wellness experiences.

This is my second visit to this delightful resort after my initial and equally pleasurable stay in Jan 2025.

Soul Nest beautifully intertwines comfortable accommodation with bespoke experiences for both mind and body, spanning yoga, meditation, sound healing, gaushala visits and even outdoor activities like swimming, boating and other adventure activities.

This luxury retreat located in the premises of Pyramid Valley International, a globally well known meditation center, lies in the Kanakapura Taluk of Ramanagara district (now renamed as Bangalore South district) in the state of Karnataka, India.

So enter into this tranquil haven with me and heed their persuasive exhortation which urges you to ‘Relax, Recharge and Reconnect’!

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Posted in Domestic travel, Event reviews, Holidays, Hotels and Resorts, Reviews, Travel, Vegetarian, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Avathihalli Railway Station Silk museum And Other Station Restorations By INTACH

Posted on July 26, 2026 by Currylines

July 2nd, 2026

A cloudy morning, gentle diffused sunlight and the aura of nostalgic heritage greets me as I stand before a relic of a bygone era that has been lovingly coaxed back to life.

I am in the precincts of a railway station featuring a charming stone building which is one of four railway station structures that have been painstakingly restored from the decrepit condition into which they had deteriorated.

A project undertaken by INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), these buildings that are over a century old, have been given a new lease of their ‘old’ life.

The heritage route covers four distinct stations, beginning at Doddajala, wending through Devanahalli and Avathihalli and culminating at the charming Nandi station right at the base of the Nandi hills.

Avathihalli also has the distinction of housing a compact silk museum labelled Story of Silk, which is a tribute to the sericulture cottage industry that has been the hallmark of this region right from the 18th century.

So chug along the heritage track as I embark on a journey to visit structures that take us back in time, not too far from our very modern, bustling Bangalore city, Karnataka, India.

Live the experience with me as I try to tempt you to visit these architectural gems for yourself and revel in their quaint colonial charm and the pleasant relief of their restored glory.

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Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary – Trip 2 and Trip 3

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Currylines

Feb 8th, 2026 and Feb 19th, 2026

The boat glides forward, its oars briskly slicing through the gently flowing waters of the Kaveri. We weave alongside mini islands … thickly vegetated mounds that rise out of the water and provide sanctuary to the innumerable birds that make these trees their home … birds so many in number, that their large, pale forms hunched along the branches are visible even from afar.

As we draw closer, we are greeted by the guttural squawks of hundreds of pelicans, open billed storks and painted storks, which oblivious to our presence, go about their daily routine of lifting their large wings and balancing like ballerinas, flying around busily in search of fish, attending to clamoring little chicks in their nests and in general, inadvertently performing for us, their enraptured human audience who have come to be entertained by this avian extravaganza in this renowned bird sanctuary called Ranganathittu which lies in the Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district in Karnataka, India. Standing in clusters, their white bodies glowing in the sunlight and webbed feet gripping the tangled branches, they make for easy targets for the camera, even one as basic as mine … and I click away to my heart’s content.

So join me on the waters of the bountiful river Kaveri and enjoy the beautiful winged specimens that she and her islands generously play host to, where every branch holds life and every breath of wind stirs wings into graceful motion.

This post is about my second and third visit to the place and I am combining the 2 in one post because they happened in quick succession, 7 years after my first visit in 2019 (not counting the few times that I visited as a child, of which I have no photographic records!)

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Posted in Birds, Domestic travel, Holidays, Nature, Reviews, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Mayasandra Lake, Bangalore

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Currylines
Jan 18th, 2026 
I am greeted by the breathtaking spectacle of European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) lined up row after vibrant row, brilliantly adorning the branches of a few isolated dry and leafless trees. 
I marvel at the sight of these jewel like, vividly multi-hued avians which have migrated all the way from Europe and Central Asia to delight us on their seasonal holiday. 
Birding enthusiasts will vouch that the sight of these beauties perched in their characteristic shoulder-to-shoulder huddle, is greatly rewarding indeed and I for one am certainly thrilled to be a beneficiary of their presence on this cold winter morning.  

A few lakes in Bangalore and its surroundings are privileged to play host to these lovely birds and they in turn, obligingly grant delightful ‘darshans’ (views) to those who come seeking them. Since they hang around or should I say Perch around only for a short duration of a few weeks in winter, it is a good idea to quickly make your way to this lake as soon as abundant sightings are reported.

So come with me on this trip to Mayasandra lake which lies in the town of Anekal in the Bangalore Urban district of Karnataka, India and join me in gazing at these bejewelled branches in all their glory!

(Please be aware that there is another Mayasandra lake in the Tumakuru district around 100 km away from Bangalore, which could create confusion while invoking Google maps).

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The Pause, Camrose Estate – Sakleshpur

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Currylines

Jan 14th – 16th, 2026

Shall we start the New Year with a Pause … a true pause to stop and smell the roses? Well, the cliché takes on an almost literal meaning when you find yourself at The Pause at Camrose Estates.

I enter the gates of the property just to be greeted by the welcoming notes of innumerable birds. I quickly activate my Bird Call app which I have recently discovered (better late than never) and in moments it results in an impressive list of nearly 25 species of birds which are currently ‘performing’ exuberantly in my honor … or so I would like to believe.

I am now within the grounds of this picturesque villa tucked deep inside the heart of a lush coffee plantation, where birdsong is the only soundtrack by day and utter silence, your companion by night … a silence so profoundly ‘loud’ that your ‘city abused’ ears are initially thrown into bewilderment but then slowly made to realise that this gift of a complete absence of noise is to be savored to the fullest … and a sound sleep which one has not enjoyed for ages, is to be thoroughly Slept!!!

And to further delight those in quest of quietude, this spacious and charming retreat with verandahs overrun by delightfully unruly flowering climbers and the serene backwaters of the Hemavathi river lapping its periphery, is barely a leisurely 4.5 hours from Bangalore.

So join me on my first discovery of 2026 and stop awhile at the The Pause at the popular hill station of Sakleshpur in the Hassan district of Karnataka, India and spend a couple of days unwinding in its lap and relearning the art of staying still.

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Posted in Domestic travel, Holidays, Home Stay, Hotels and Resorts, Pet Friendly Stay, Reviews, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sri Saumyakeshava Temple, Nagamangala, Mandya

Posted on December 20, 2025 by Currylines

Magnificence in stone … an apt way indeed, to express the gorgeousness of Hoysala temples of Karnataka. While the 3 temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura which are also recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites, definitely are the most famous of these, one also cannot discount the numerous others which are remarkable too, despite being smaller and not as much in the limelight.

One such place that I recently had the pleasure of visiting, is the Saumyakeshava temple at Nagamangala town in the Mandya district of Karnataka, India.

On an online hunt for bird-friendly lakes to visit with my bird photographer friends, I came upon the Hirikere lake in Nagamangala. Further exploration via Google, led me serendipitously to the almost adjacent temple which even in its virtual avatar, caught my fancy and ironically as you will see, became the main focus of my trip, with the lake getting just a cursory visit and being bookmarked for another day for a more thorough visit.

The Saumyakeshava temple is yet another exemplification (albeit a smaller version) of the ornate and intricate unique South Indian style architecture developed under the patronage of the rulers of the Hoysala empire of the 10th to the 14th century era.

So step into its sacred precincts with me and be prepared to be charmed by this beauty in stone.

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Trishvam Symphony, Krishnagiri – Trip 2

Posted on November 29, 2025 by Currylines
Nov 16th, 17th 2025
When a place is so easily accessible, beautiful, comfortable, has a wide range of dishes to satiate the palate and is wonderful for a quick getaway, then it is exactly what I would choose to visit multiple times!

My second visit to Trishvam Symphony comes close on the heels of my first visit in July 2025, barely a few days after it was launched and I am writing about it again just because I like to document all my trips 😊

You can read all about Trishvam Symphony – Trip 1 here.

Lying in the lap of the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu, India, Trishvam Symphony is one of the resorts of the well known brand, The Great Indian Group of Hotels and Resorts (TGI)

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Shampoo Ginger – Zingiber zerumbet

Posted on November 27, 2025 by Currylines

During my visit to the Trishvam Symphony resort in Krishnagiri, I had the pleasure of realizing that a large part of their well landscaped garden was dedicated to the prolifically growing Shampoo ginger shrub.

The Zingiber zerumbet is also called pinecone ginger because of the likeness of its flower head inflorescence to the pine cone.

This is an unusual plant whose mature flowers produce a mildly scented and slightly soapy fluid, somewhat like thin honey in viscosity.

This blog post is to document what little I have learnt about this plant and I will update the information as and when I discover more about it.

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Posted in Fruits and Vegetables, Wellness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments