- chefs kiss

This is the story from Thirukazhukundram. A story that defies logic.

There are journeys you plan... and then there are journeys that quietly change you.

One Friday night, I left Delhi with no grand expectations—just a backpack, a playlist, and a vague promise of "somewhere peaceful." The road unfolded through Meerut, Roorkee, Rishikesh, Chamba and then began climbing into the Garhwal Himalayas. Every turn seemed to peel away another layer of city noise until all that remained was the whisper of pine trees and the scent of damp mountain air.

That place was Kanatal.

I had never heard people rave about it the way they do Mussoorie or Nainital, and perhaps that's exactly why it felt magical. The mountains weren't competing for attention—they simply existed, draped in clouds, patient and timeless.

An early morning walk through Kaudia Forest felt like stepping into an old painting. Shafts of golden sunlight filtered through towering deodar trees while pine needles softened every footstep. The silence wasn't empty—it was alive with birdsong and the rustle of the wind. For the first time in months, I wasn't looking at my phone. I was simply looking.

The climb to Surkanda Devi Temple rewarded every breath with a wider horizon. Standing at the top, watching layers of Himalayan peaks dissolve into the sky, I realised some places don't impress you with luxury—they humble you with perspective.

If you're driving from Delhi, it's roughly a 7–8 hour road trip via Delhi → Meerut → Roorkee → Rishikesh → Chamba → Kanatal. The drive itself becomes part of the adventure as the plains slowly surrender to winding mountain roads.

XQXX+WCJ, Vannapuram - Mullaringadu Rd, Mullaringadu, Kerala 685607

Has anyone been here? If yes could you tell me exactly how to get to this spot to watch sunrise and see cloud bed. Thanks much appreciated.

Deep breaths. A still calm that exists way beyond the everyday tensions✨

So overwhelming to see a simple change in weather completely redefining a landscape. The first picture was captured right as a massive storm system was moving in, catching the golden hour light cutting right across the river valley. The second slide is the exact same view on a typical clear, sunny day.

Shanti Stupa, Leh, Ladakh, India. This iconic Buddhist stupa offers panoramic views and radiates tranquility. Photographed with Pentax K1 + smc Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 lens during golden hour. The dramatic sky and rugged terrain made for an unforgettable frame.

Back when many roads in Ladakh were still rough and untouched, every journey through Zanskar felt like a true expedition. The mountains, the frozen river, and the warmth of the locals made every mile worth it.