The Four Cubs of Bhanuskhindi (T-17) and Chota Matka (T-109), Tadoba

By now there were eleven jungle safari vehicles gaping at the tigress even as she eyed us with nonchalance (see previous post here). And as she turned and walked away into the bamboo thickets to the left, all eyes instantly started scanning the long patch of tall grasses to the right of the path. This …

Female tiger, Bhanuskhindi (T-17), Tadoba

The wind-chill that winter dawn was pronounced due to the speed of our open jungle safari vehicle hurtling, and at times bouncing perilously, down the dirt road. Our safari guide had specific information of tiger movement that morning and we had to reach the location – a good half an hour drive away – before …

Male tiger, Tala (T-100), Tadoba

Two sets of fresh pugmarks led away from the shores of Anandvan lake – a male and a female tiger walking away after a drink in the early hours of the crisp winter morning. The chill at dawn was suddenly replaced by a rush of adrenaline-infused warmth as the hope of a tiger sighting stoked …

A’poie’tizer

The Portuguese left behind the legacy of their proficiency at bread-making for the poders (local traditional bread-maker) of Goa. Though the customary method of using toddy to ferment the dough is rare to come by now, there's nothing to beat the distinctive aroma, light smoky flavour and unique textures of the staple bread of Goans. …

An En’tree’ting En’tree’

None of these! The abundantly dung-endowed, narrow, winding, mud tracks; quaint, brightly coloured houses with red-clay Mangalore-tiled roofs, each having their own coconut, betel nut, banana, mango, jackfruit, kokum, breadfruit trees, a courtyard with a cow dung floor and a tulsi vrindavan holding centre stage, compound walls of neatly stacked laterite stone with dried fern …

Ruminant Pursuits (Cud 1 of 2)

Eager they trudge from the stifling shed, at dawn the hoofed herd pure bred, mothers and calves together they tread, grunting and nudging by a doyenne they’re led. Moseying down the known tracks rusty red, the pastures of their dreams loom up ahead, now grazing at abandon till well they’re fed, and chewing the cuds …

“Ca-shew” Like It!

A native of Brazil, the Cashew was introduced to Goa by the Portuguese in the middle of the 16th century. Though the other Portuguese imports such as potatoes, tomatoes and pineapples immediately caught the fancy of the Indian palate, the cashew took some time in coming into the limelight. Basically because the cashew was brought …

Easter: Celebrating Rebirth and Rejuvenation!

Easter is a festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which according to the New Testament occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion. For many people the world over Easter is also a celebration of the spring season – the beginning of new life all around! In fact, the word Easter …

Rajdhani Express: The Foodie Trail meanders through Delightful Delhi!

It was a perpetual conundrum which would beseech me for a palatable answer as to why my “Mumbaised” friends from up North would ever so often belittle the so-called North Indian snacks available in Mumbai with an upturned nose – whether snooty or unsympathetic, I had no inkling then – and would subsequently disappear behind …