Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Wander.
Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam
The Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam ruled and fought over the southern region of the Indian subcontinent for centuries. At the beginning of the common era, southern India and Sri Lanka were home to three Tamil dynastic chiefdoms or kingdoms, each ruled by kings, together called “muvendar.” The Pandya, Chera, and Chola dynasties ruled over the Tamil people during ancient and medieval India, fighting among themselves and other forces for dominance of the region. Despite this turmoil, they were crucial in advancing south Indian art, architecture, and literature.
By manan yadav 4 years ago in Wander
Why Dubai Expo is so exciting to people all over the World
Dubai has finally opened its doors to the much-awaited Dubai Expo 2020 on October 1, 2021. This six-month-long mega-event is slated to run till March 31, 2022, and promises to be full of entertainment, shopping, culture, and fun. It is the first even world expo hosted by an Arab country and the first of its kind in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region. The exhibition got postponed due to COVID 19 pandemic for more than a year. But now it is finally here, and people can't wait to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. Let's look at what all is in store for you.
By Travel Trip4 years ago in Wander
Feature: Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa, Uttarakhand
To reach Badrinath, one of India’s holiest towns and temples, pilgrims in the past would have committed to an arduous trek up steep mountain passes on foot, pausing for rest in temporary shelters during journeys that lasted between three months to a year. These flimsy refuges and narrow paths are still visible today on the majestic site that plays host to the first five-star resort located on the Ganges, set in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, upriver from the city of Rishikesh. More than eight years in the making, Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa started life as an plot of agricultural land spotted by Canadian-Indian entrepreneur Arjun Mehra, who, while white-water rafting around a double bend in the river, realised this would have been the route that his great grandmother took more than a century ago: “It felt very nostalgic to sit and observe the exact path where she found the motivation to undertake such a difficult pilgrimage,” he explains. “The view across to the awe-inspiring Himalayan mountains that have stood for so many generations proved both humbling and invigorating.”
By manan yadav 4 years ago in Wander
Death Valley, California Road Trip
Have you ever been called by nature? Death Valley National Park called my name; I’m deeply grateful I listened. I visited the hottest place on Earth during the hottest year ever recorded! On July 9, 2021 Death Valley reached 130 degrees, record-breaking heat. I was there June 21-22, 2021, the temperature reached 107, with a refreshing wind during the day.
By Tess Timmons4 years ago in Wander
A Journey to Kenya (Travel from Home #15)
In September, I participated in the Slapshot Readathon and got the idea to read the new book Hockey Night in Kenya. So I decided I would fake travel to Kenya for my monthly trip. Finding a restaurant with specifically Kenyan food necessitated driving about an hour and a half to another state, so it was more of a real journey than I’m used to. It took a little planning, but I had a good time with it.
By Kate McDevitt4 years ago in Wander
My experience aboard an Amtrak train
Late August of 2021 my father and I decided to take a ride aboard the Amtrak train. The idea came about after a late-night deep dive on YouTube, and after seeing countless travel videos we were inspired to take a ride of our own.
By Amanda Mitchell4 years ago in Wander
Kedarnath shrine was under snow for 400 years: Scientists
Kedarnath Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand in India. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open only between the end of April (Akshaya Tritriya) to November (Kartik Purnima – the autumn full moon). During the winters, the vigrahas (deities) from Kedarnath temple are brought to Ukhimath and worshipped there for six months. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kedarnath, the ‘Lord of Kedar Khand’, the historical name of the region.
By manjeet kumar 4 years ago in Wander
Yellow Mountains
No grasp over the native language, a trek in the freezing winter with nothing other than normal running shoes to support me, and that, too, with total strangers - All these things didn't stop me from getting out of my comfort zone when I came to know that my days in Shanghai were numbered. Suddenly I wanted to experience all it had to offer. So one Friday evening, I wrapped up my work early and caught a bus to Yellow Mountain in Huangshan. With my zero direction sense and Mandarin knowledge, catching the bus itself seemed to be an achievement.
By chembarathi4 years ago in Wander
The Golden Temple of Amritsar Then and Now
Part of me is optimistic about the state of the Golden Temple. Not to be overly revisionist or reductionist in my opinion on the place, I like to remind myself that politics, ideology, and the like have always been at work in the world of the Harimandir Sahib. Problems apparent now are probably just a trade-off for problems of the past. But there is one thing that I cannot shake: the brash lack of care for our material heritage as seen in the conservation or otherwise of the buildings and art in and around Darbar Sahib.
By manan yadav 4 years ago in Wander
Arrival in Córdoba
So the arrival to Cordaba was pretty pleasant. It was around 5 in the afternoon. The sun was still high up in the sky. A man with tattos, an older man, but with a young energy gave us a ride. Used this app called BlaBla car. Most of the drive there, him and another man were speaking Spanish up front, while me and Sara sat in the back, a very comfortable back. Black leather seats, a fresh scent and lots of space. Through the window you could see the vast empty lands. There were point where trees would cover these lands, but the trees were of a dry kind. I think most were Olive trees. Those short ones with pale leaves. I enjoyed the views, it's always enjoyable to see something brand new, to see new lanscapes, to smell things that you haven’t smelt before, and to hear a language that you somewhat understand, but not fully.
By Kamil Jan Bazan4 years ago in Wander
