MapRoute Travel Blog
a Solo Woman Pilgrim Exploring India & the World
Intrepid solo travelling
These are the notes and stories of a solo woman pilgrim as she meanders through the world on adventures in known and unknown regions of the map. Fueled by a deep quest towards ultimate well-being, this blog includes her solo cycling trips around the world, ancient temple explorations, spiritual experiences, reflections on life, social challenges, balancing her work life and on-the-road stories.
Traditional Spirituality with Contemporary Independence
Over the years I have bridged the traditional spirituality that is ingrained deep in all of us Indians and the contemporary aspirations of an independent, modern woman who loves her solitude. I have found deep satisfaction by balancing these aspects. If you follow my blogs, I suspect you will find these different aspects merging and co-existing, each with its own elan. Thus, from calling myself a ‘solo woman traveller’, I feel more satisfied in saying ‘solo woman pilgrim’. Cause that is what all my travels and explorations are – a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is more about how we are within ourselves rather than necessarily having an external goal of a specific temple. Though, of course, I am often meandering around temples and ashrams and ‘traditional spiritual’ spots on my journeys. 🙂
Solo Nomad Life
Know more about woman solo travel, living nomadic life, working remotely and other challenges.
Pilgrim Tales
Thoughts on ancient temples, yoga centers, religious festivals and spiritual truths.
Wild Roads
Stories of my intrepid solo adventures cycling, camping, hiking ….
All My Recent Blogs
Arunachala Girivalam Preparation Checklist
Preparation points as you plan for your Arunachala Girivalam …
Nimbargi Sampradaya Pilgrimage Trail, Nath Tradition | Nisargadatta Maharaj Lineage
Nimbargi Maharaj –> Umadi Bhausaheb –> Siddhrameshwar –> Nisargadatta : A nath sub-path
A Quick Intro to The Nath Sampradaya
Let’s take a peek into the Nath Sampradaya…
Why Traditional Dharamshalas Don’t Allow Solo Pilgrims
Pondering on this strange archaic situation of traditional dharamshalas of India
Curate Your Shirdi Sai Baba Trip: One-Stop Blog Post
Writing this blog post to help you experience the most on your Shirdi yatra…
Joy of Gujarati Winter Vegetables: Undhiyu, Umbadiyu & Other Special Foods
The food scene in Gujarat changes quite a bit during winter…
Bangalore (Chikkaballapur) to Ahmedabad (Adalaj) Solo Self-Drive via NH 52 in My WagonR
Drive from Chikkaballapur (Bengaluru) to Adalaj (Ahmedabad) with a lot of detours and stops at wonderful places! Lot of vlogs coming soon…
Tuljapur Bhavani Temple, A Shaktipeeth & Shivaji’s Kuldevi in Maharashtra
Is it a fort? Is it a temple? It’s a Warrior Goddess Temple in Tuljapur, Maharashtra! Jai Maa Bhavani!
Solo Driving Through Fog, Low Visibility– Tiruvannamalai to Chennai During Pongal Holidays, NH 77
My first solo drive through fog induced low visibility roads..
Makar Sankranti, Celebrating Movement of the Sun: Kite-Flying, Pongal & More
The unassuming Sun completed its southward movement. As it started northwards, little did it know, all over India there were burst of myriad festivities!
3 Delicious Sattvic (No Onion, No Garlic) Food Restaurants in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
These 3 restaurants in Ahmedabad stood out for me in my search for sattvic and delicious foods!
Near the Adalaj StepWell, 3 Beautiful Temples: Trimandir, Jagannath & BAPS Hanumanji
A mix of beautiful temples by the highway right outside the Adalaj town, famous for the Queen’s Stepwell. Know more here.
My First Flight with Akasa Air: Review (not sponsored)
Excited to take the flight of a hitherto new airline for me 🙂
Solo Driving to Arunachala Mahadeepam, How to Enter Town: Chikkaballapur – Bangalore – Krishnagiri – Tiruvannamalai
Solo drive down to Tiruvannamalai, Arunachala Kshetra. Making entry into town on Mahadeepam evening, a daunting prospect, especially as a solo woman. This is how the story unfolded…
Arunachala Mahadeepam, Tiruvannamalai: My Solo Yatra on Karthik Purnima
Once in a while the clouds shifted and we could see the orange flare of the mahadeepam on the hilltop…
Girnar Parikrama: From Kartik Agyaras to Kartik Poornima (Dev Diwali)
A pilgrimage through a reserve forest with meagre facilities, ancient temples and powerful sacred spots.
Maldives Travel: 5 Reasons to a Truly Hassle-free Experience
Sometimes family trips can get hectic and tiring rather than relaxing. A trip to Maldives is unlikely to be that way…
Discovering the Joys of a Lagoon in Maldives, Lhaviyani Atoll, Kanifushi
I had heard about Lagoons only in movies. I never thought more about what type of water body it was. Wonderful surprise to explore a lagoon in Maldives ….
Jain Temples Outside Bangalore for a Serene Outing
Take a break from the bustle of Bengaluru at these serene Jain temples on the outskirts of the city limits…
Girivalam Temples to Visit on Your Pradakshina Around Arunachala
Planning your Girivalam? Which temples will you visit? Read on for some help… 🙂
Visiting Puttaparthi, Sathya Sai’s Birthplace
Puttaparthi, the town that seems to have grown with Sathya Sai Baba…
Sadhguru’s Naga Temple, the One with the Magnificent View of Adiyogi (Bangalore)
Naga, the guardian deity of the Bangalore Adiyogi kshetra lives in this impressive and beautiful mandapam temple!
108 Rudraksha Trees in Kauai, Hawaii: A Sacred Grove!
In the far off corner of the planet – Kauai, Hawaii – there exists a Hindu monastery with Shiva temples and a sacred Rudraksha grove!
Discover the Girivalam: Circumambulating the Sacred Hill of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
The common traditional practice of Pradakshina was fired up for me ….