Kota - Off season traveller

The best time to visit Kota is from October till March

29 May, feeling like I’ve stepped in boiling rice starch

I got down from a train full of India’s future engineers

soon to be the prized catch of eager tuk-tuk charioteers

We took off looking for the regal Umed Bhawan palace

which turned out to be just 2 km away by God’s grace

Sautéed & stung by the scalding hot wind of Rajasthan

I shuddered to think if I would have to change my plan

But the pink-hued sandstones carved a place in my heart

So did the Edwardian clock & antique Rajasthani craft

An evening stroll revealed peacocks, langurs & nilgais

Still, it was the sunrise I waited for, as night passed by

to witness a sight that had sought my attention for years;

a river with a notorious past that had reaped many fears

Now discreet & distant, it flowed through a 300 ft gorge

cutting through pristine wilderness that eyes can’t dodge

tottering near the cliffs to get a little more of this terrain,

I nearly crossed path with a peacock with an ornate train

Stunned by blue & bright fluorescent colours all around

I settled under a tree, as the Chambal got me spellbound

Nagarkot, Nepal

Sitting in the shadows of those soaring peaks

a village more enchanting than what you seek

Perched at 7000 ft, swathed in shades of mist

waiting for you to veer off your little bucket list

to discover the raw Himalayas in all their glory

and capture with your eyes a panoramic story

Annapurna, Jugal, Numbur, Everest, Manaslu,

Langtang, Ganesh Himal & the Rolwaling too

And when you have gazed afar, look around

for colourful chirruping little birds to be found

fluttering over verandah as the sun winds up

and icy winds nip your nose seeking the cup!

Soon the clouds rumble & rain taps the roof

A perfect Himalayan abode! ………………..

………………………..Need any more proof?