Chasing Shiva: The connection with Peripheral God & Himalayas

Coming from a Hindu family, I grew up listening to stories of the mighty Shiva, the God from Mt. Kailas in the Himalayan mountains, who was the destroyer of all suffering. He was a God who, when outraged, would open up his ‘third eye’ and cause devastation to the entire Universe. This was enough to capture my imagination. It was not hard to see him in the mountains and be lured to the ‘fairytale’ and the mysticism behind it.  … More Chasing Shiva: The connection with Peripheral God & Himalayas

5 amazing treks we lost to Guided Trekking Companies in 2016

We take no pride in listing 5 Himalayan Treks we lost to the bogarting presence of Guided Trekking Companies in 2016. We give a perspective of what Independent Backpackers feel about the overt commercialization of trekking in India. Read on. … More 5 amazing treks we lost to Guided Trekking Companies in 2016

Astonishing glimpse into an ancient fire festival in Malana

A torchlight procession in Malana village evokes an imagery of exoticism of the Orient. One can be hoodwinked in relating this fiery congregation with the infamous Ku Klux Klan. Take a second look and a group of villagers is seen rejoicing Fagdi mela, one of their two biggest festivals.

Read more about this astonishing ancient fire festival of the famous Himalayan Hamlet. … More Astonishing glimpse into an ancient fire festival in Malana