Welcome to my blog
Stories Worth
Stories Worth
Remembering
A journal of travels, discoveries, recipes, reflections, and everything in between.
✦
🌱
Life Stories
When Plans Changed, Purpose Remained
A senior leader's school visit was washed out when heavy rains shut schools for a week. Three months later, a small group of volunteers went ahead anyway, running a session on clean energy, planting saplings, and leaving with handmade bouquets, succulents, and a heart full of gratitude.
🤝
Life Stories
Leave the Designation Aside, Kindness Matters
After a meeting with an external support team, a lunch invitation to a senior colleague was politely declined, and the moment felt like it could have been handled differently. Diksha stepped in with an invitation of her own, a small reminder that warmth matters more than rank.
🌅
Life Stories
When Life Says, “Pause. This Is Good.”
Difficult moments tend to stay with us far longer than happy ones. A reflection on choosing to pause, telling yourself “this is good,” and not rushing to decide what a hard chapter means while you are still living through it.
📖
Life Stories
A Small Book, Big Impact
A pocket-sized Hanuman Chalisa gifted by her little brother sat unopened in her purse for years, since she knew it by heart. One spontaneous evening with friends prompted her to read it cover to cover, and a daily routine and a quieter, calmer mind followed.
⛈️
Travel
An Impromptu Monsoon Getaway
A dressed-up Sunday visit to a friend's family function turned into a spontaneous outing when the kids asked for a drive. A quick change of clothes led to Kundamala waterfall in the rain, a walk through Durga Tekdi, and a satisfying stop for chhole bhature and sugar-free chai on the way home.
🎤
Life Stories
Sometimes the Best Interview Isn't About the Interview
A nervous fresh graduate struggled through a campus hiring interview, visibly doubting herself before every answer. Choosing to set the technical questions aside for a few minutes and share honest career lessons instead, Diksha watched her hesitation give way to real confidence.
📱
Life Stories
A Small Help, A Big Relief
A house help on a morning walk route was stuck with a phone that wouldn't place calls. A couple of minutes navigating Hindi-language settings revealed the culprit — airplane mode — and turned her confusion into visible, grateful relief.
🥤
Life Stories
The Pune Connect in Badrinath
A cold evening at Badrinath after darshan called for warming glasses of masala milk, followed by a search for a late dinner spot for mom. A restaurant owner's warmth, despite an odd-hour request, turned an ordinary stop into a memorable one.
✈️
Life Stories
He Owed Me Nothing, Yet He Came
A brief, transactional interview years ago with someone who later settled in Toronto resurfaced when Diksha's first international work trip landed her in that very city. What followed was an unexpected reminder that some connections quietly outlast the circumstances that created them.
🤝
Leadership Thoughts
The Leader who asked for Three Minutes
During a stakeholder visit, one manager noticed something no one had planned for — the teams building the product never got a moment to meet the visiting leader. A quietly arranged floor walk, born from noticing an unmet need rather than following any process, left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
💌
Life Stories
The Invitation That Made Me Smile
A young teammate, deep in his sister's wedding preparations, suggested that Diksha's name appear on the invitation as "Special Appearance" — a phrase usually reserved for celebrities. His innocent idea sparked a lingering reflection on what actually deserves to be celebrated: a title, or the work behind it.
💼
Leadership Thoughts
A Spoon, A Lunch, and a Lesson in Leadership
An early morning in a near-empty Bengaluru office led to an unplanned catch-up with a former manager — and lunch together. Despite her seniority, she never carried the weight of hierarchy, offering a quiet lesson in approachable leadership.
💧
Life Stories
A Bottle Worth a Life?
A young man darted into busy traffic to save a discarded plastic bottle from being crushed — a stark reminder that what one person throws away without a thought can mean survival for another.
🎤
Life Stories
The Interview That Stayed With Me
A predictable day of campus recruitment interviews took an unexpected turn when a candidate burst in unannounced, breathless and behind schedule — leaving a lasting impression that had little to do with his résumé.
🙏
Life Stories
Gratitude in Every Glass Served — Sewa
On the shaheedi diwas of Guru Arjan Devji, the Sikh community set up a chabeel distributing free sweet drinks as sewa. A colleague's WhatsApp status led Diksha to join in — reconnecting with a cherished tradition from her northern India childhood, now in Pune.
🎉
Life Stories
The Celebration We Earned
Early in her career, Diksha worked with a geographically diverse but tightly bonded team building a product from scratch. After years of collaboration and thinking outside the box, they created something that surpassed the industry standard — and the celebration that followed was truly earned.
🌟
Leadership Thoughts
When Someone Believed in Me Before I Did
Early in my career, a manager quietly assigned me the task of building a team — before I even understood what that meant. The experience taught me that good leaders see potential in people before those people see it in themselves.
🌿
Food & Cooking
Good Food After a Great Journey: Our Green Planet Experience
After a peaceful evening at Adiyogi near Isha Foundation, hunger kicked in on the drive back. Google led us to Green Planet Restaurant at Veerdency Resort — and despite a bumpy approach road, the warm ambience and food made it well worth the detour.
🍦
Food & Cooking
Magnolia Bakery, Bengaluru — Dessert Stop That Turned Into a Mini Adventure
After pizzas at Brik Oven, a sister-in-law's insistence led us to the wildly popular Magnolia Bakery — cakes, pastries, brownies, and ice creams in a buzzing Bengaluru evening. Self-control? Quietly left the building.
💼
Leadership Thoughts
The Manager Who Taught Me That People Matter
Fresh out of college at Infosys, a simple question from my manager — "When are you planning to take a break?" — taught me the most lasting leadership lesson: great leaders don't just manage work, they care for the people doing it.
🍕
Food & Cooking
Brik Oven — Woodfired Pizzas, Church Street
After a long day on Bengaluru's iconic Church Street, Brik Oven was worth every minute of the wait — hand-rolled bases, a wood-fired oven, and a smoky Margherita and Farmhouse Pizza that delivered on all fronts.
🕉️
Travel
Isha Foundation — Chikkaballapur
While in Bengaluru, we visited the Isha Foundation at Chikkaballapur — home to the 112-foot Adiyogi statue, Mahashula and Naga temples, and a beautiful light and sound show. No entry fee.
🏙
Travel
Summer Vacations 2026 — Bengaluru Trip
After 15+ years of avoiding it, love and excitement brought me back to Bengaluru for a week with the kids — first Volvo sleeper bus experience and new city discoveries.
✈️
Travel
Year End Annual Road Trip 2025
A 17-day, ~4400km road trip through 5 states — temples, beaches, nature walks, history, shopping and so much more, all in one epic family journey.
🍓
Travel
Day 17: Kolhapur – Pune
The final day of the road trip — Mahalaxmi temple darshan and a sweet detour to Tapola to pick fresh strawberries from Rahul Strawberry Garden.
📋
Life Stories
Driving Licence Renewal in Maharashtra
Step-by-step account of renewing a Delhi driving licence in Pune — from the Parivahan portal to the RTO office at Moshi.
🍽
Food & Cooking
Discovering MTR Beyond the Ready-to-Cook Packs
MTR restaurant at Bhartiya Mall, Bengaluru — masala dosa, podi dosa, idli and filter coffee. A packed Sunday breakfast spot that was a complete surprise.
🏆
Life Stories
Innovation Marathon 2.0
Serving as jury member for an emerging tech marathon — 600+ teams, 7 months of mentoring, and one inspiring final day.
🛕
Travel
Day 16: Mysore – Kolhapur
A 695km drive to seek blessings at Kolhapur's Mahalaxmi Mandir — said to make a Tirupati darshan truly complete.
🏰
Travel
Day 15: Mysore Outing
Chamundeshwari darshan after 17 years, the grand Mysore Palace, silk shopping and the iconic Mysore Pak — a royal city revisited.
🦚
Travel
Day 14: Ooty – Mysuru
Crossing Mudumalai and Bandipur tiger reserves — deers, elephants, peacocks spotted close to the car — then a full day at Mysore Zoo.
🏓
Life Stories
The Pickleball Tournament
Signed up for a women's pickleball tournament knowing nothing about the game — 2 practice sessions and we made it to the finals!
🥕
Food & Cooking
Gajar Halwa — The Traditional Way
Red carrots, 4 litres of full-cream milk, ghee and patience. My daughter's most requested winter treat made the slow and proper way.
🍛
Food & Cooking
Singh Saab, Balewadi — Punjabi Feast
An Instagram reel led me to this gem. The special thali, lachchha parantha, chhole bhature and thick lassi did not disappoint.
Blog Category
Travel
Road trips, pilgrimages, hill stations and the everyday magic of discovering places across India and beyond.
✈
⛈️
Travel
An Impromptu Monsoon Getaway
A dressed-up Sunday visit to a friend's family function turned into a spontaneous outing when the kids asked for a drive. A quick change of clothes led to Kundamala waterfall in the rain, a walk through Durga Tekdi, and a satisfying stop for chhole bhature and sugar-free chai on the way home.
🕉️
Travel
Isha Foundation — Chikkaballapur
While in Bengaluru, we visited the Isha Foundation at Chikkaballapur — home to the 112-foot Adiyogi statue, Mahashula and Naga temples, and a beautiful light and sound show. No entry fee.
🏙
Travel
Summer Vacations 2026 — Bengaluru Trip
After 15+ years of avoiding it, love and excitement brought me back to Bengaluru for a week with the kids — first Volvo sleeper bus experience and new city discoveries.
✈️
Travel
Year End Annual Road Trip 2025
A 17-day, ~4400km road trip through 5 states — temples, beaches, nature walks, history, shopping and so much more, all in one epic family journey.
🍓
Travel
Day 17: Kolhapur – Pune
The final day of the road trip — Mahalaxmi temple darshan and a sweet detour to Tapola to pick fresh strawberries from Rahul Strawberry Garden.
🛕
Travel
Day 16: Mysore – Kolhapur
A 695km drive to seek blessings at Kolhapur's Mahalaxmi Mandir — said to make a Tirupati darshan truly complete.
🏰
Travel
Day 15: Mysore Outing
Chamundeshwari darshan after 17 years, the grand Mysore Palace, silk shopping and the iconic Mysore Pak — a royal city revisited.
🦚
Travel
Day 14: Ooty – Mysuru
Crossing Mudumalai and Bandipur tiger reserves — deers, elephants, peacocks spotted close to the car — then a full day at Mysore Zoo.
🌄
Travel
Day 13: Coonoor Sightseeing
Ketti Valley viewpoint (world's second largest valley), MRC Wellington museum, Sim's Park and the famous Nilgiri toy train.
🏔
Travel
Day 12: Ooty Sightseeing
Doddabetta Peak, Rose Garden, Ooty lake and the beloved chocolate shops — a misty Nilgiri hill station at its finest.
🌊
Travel
Day 6: Puducherry Part 2
Eden beach — said to be Pondicherry's cleanest — clean water, high waves, sand castles and a local shopping stroll.
🚣
Travel
Day 5: Puducherry Part 1
Mangrove forest boating, Arikamedu archaeological site, Manakula Vinayagar temple and silent moments at Aurobindo Ashram.
🗺️
Travel
Day 4: Tirupati – Puducherry
Sripuram golden temple (idol of 70kg gold!), Kamakshi temple in Kanchipuram, and an evening drive through to Puducherry.
🙏
Travel
Day 3: Tirumala — Sri Venkateshwara Swamy
Kapila Teertham dip at dawn, scenic drive up the Tirumala ghats and the long-awaited Balaji Special Entry Darshan.
💒
Travel
Wedding Travel to Aurangabad
A bestie's wedding, a reunion after 6 years, beautiful ceremonies and warm memories made in Chhatrapati Shambhaji Nagar.
🌸
Travel
Kaas Plateau — Valley of Flowers
A 3-hour drive from Pune to catch the last monsoon wildflowers at the UNESCO-listed Kaas Plateau in Satara district.
🕍
Travel
Weekend Outing — World Peace Dome and Temples
MIT's World Peace Dome, Ramdara Temple, Theur Ganpati and a Gurudwara — a lovely Sunday monsoon outing around Pune.
🏔
Travel
Teen Dhaam Yatra
Annual summer pilgrimage to Yamunotri, Gangotri and Badrinath — three of the four sacred Char Dhaam in the Uttarakhand Himalayas.
🍓
Travel
Mahabaleshwar – Tapola – Panchgani
A pre-birthday weekend — Mapro Garden, Arthur's Seat, Pratapgarh fort, Tapola strawberry picking and Wilson Point sunrise.
🏖
Travel
Aravi Beach, Shrivardhan
A 162km drive through Tamhini Ghat to an unspoiled beach — soft white sand, near-full-moon waves and pure relaxation.
🏛
Travel
Gujarat Road Trip — Full 13-Day Itinerary
Ahmedabad, Dwarka, Somnath, Gir National Park, Rann Utsav and more — the complete blog of a landmark Gujarat road trip.
🏜
Travel
Saputara – Pune (Gujarat Trip Day 13)
The foggy final drive from Saputara back home — winding roads through mist and sweet memories of an unforgettable trip.
🌊
Travel
Saputara Sightseeing Part 2
Fresh strawberries from the farm, honeybee center, adventure park zip-lining, Saputara lake and a fish aquarium.
🌿
Travel
Saputara Sightseeing Part 1
Gira waterfall, Waghai botanical garden and local bamboo craft shops — exploring the hill station of Saputara in Gujarat.
🐎
Travel
Japalouppe and Imagicaa Snow World
Horse riding, pet farm, hearty breakfast and then Snow World at Imagicaa — a full action-packed Diwali weekend near Pune.
⛵
Travel
Khandi Point — Independence Day Getaway
An impromptu Independence Day long weekend drive — scenic roads, fog-covered mountains and a hidden river near Pune.
🌧
Travel
1-Day Monsoon Getaway Near Pune
BAPS Swaminarayan temple on Guru Purnima, Necklace Point in Bhor — a refreshing monsoon Sunday drive.
🛕
Travel
A Short Religious Day Trip (Punjab)
Summer vacation at mom's in Mohali — Mata Naina Devi shrine in Himachal Pradesh and a Gurudwara visit on a hot Punjab morning.
✨
Travel
Fireflies Festival — Bhandardara
A magical overnight camping trip during the Fireflies Festival — lakeside walks, bonfire and nature at its most enchanting.
🦩
Travel
Bhigwan and Bhuleshwar
Bird watching at Ujani Dam (flamingos!), early morning boating, and a visit to the unique Bhuleshwar Shiva temple.
🚗
Travel
A Week-Long Trip in Maharashtra
A 7-day Christmas road trip across Maharashtra in the new XUV700 — expressways, temples, forests and quality family time.
💧
Travel
Mau Waterfall
An unexpected monsoon discovery — a clean, off-the-beaten-path waterfall just a 5-minute walk from the roadside.
🌲
Travel
Aadrai Forest Trail
A post-covid office group trek through the lush Aadrai jungle near Khireshwar — rain, river crossings and team bonding.
🏕
Travel
Kamshet Waterfall
An impromptu monsoon Sunday drive — a short easy trek through greenery to a sparkling waterfall the kids loved.
🌳
Travel
Gram Sanskruti Udyan and Someshwar Temple, Baner
A birthday outing to this unique cultural park depicting traditional Indian village life with life-size statues.
Blog Category
Life Stories
Everyday moments, little victories, and the unexpected stories that make up a life well-lived.
🌸
🌱
Life Stories
When Plans Changed, Purpose Remained
A senior leader's school visit was washed out when heavy rains shut schools for a week. Three months later, a small group of volunteers went ahead anyway, running a session on clean energy, planting saplings, and leaving with handmade bouquets, succulents, and a heart full of gratitude.
🤝
Life Stories
Leave the Designation Aside, Kindness Matters
After a meeting with an external support team, a lunch invitation to a senior colleague was politely declined, and the moment felt like it could have been handled differently. Diksha stepped in with an invitation of her own, a small reminder that warmth matters more than rank.
🌅
Life Stories
When Life Says, “Pause. This Is Good.”
Difficult moments tend to stay with us far longer than happy ones. A reflection on choosing to pause, telling yourself “this is good,” and not rushing to decide what a hard chapter means while you are still living through it.
📖
Life Stories
A Small Book, Big Impact
A pocket-sized Hanuman Chalisa gifted by her little brother sat unopened in her purse for years, since she knew it by heart. One spontaneous evening with friends prompted her to read it cover to cover, and a daily routine and a quieter, calmer mind followed.
🎤
Life Stories
Sometimes the Best Interview Isn't About the Interview
A nervous fresh graduate struggled through a campus hiring interview, visibly doubting herself before every answer. Choosing to set the technical questions aside for a few minutes and share honest career lessons instead, Diksha watched her hesitation give way to real confidence.
📱
Life Stories
A Small Help, A Big Relief
A house help on a morning walk route was stuck with a phone that wouldn't place calls. A couple of minutes navigating Hindi-language settings revealed the culprit — airplane mode — and turned her confusion into visible, grateful relief.
🥤
Life Stories
The Pune Connect in Badrinath
A cold evening at Badrinath after darshan called for warming glasses of masala milk, followed by a search for a late dinner spot for mom. A restaurant owner's warmth, despite an odd-hour request, turned an ordinary stop into a memorable one.
✈️
Life Stories
He Owed Me Nothing, Yet He Came
A brief, transactional interview years ago with someone who later settled in Toronto resurfaced when Diksha's first international work trip landed her in that very city. What followed was an unexpected reminder that some connections quietly outlast the circumstances that created them.
💌
Life Stories
The Invitation That Made Me Smile
A young teammate, deep in his sister's wedding preparations, suggested that Diksha's name appear on the invitation as "Special Appearance" — a phrase usually reserved for celebrities. His innocent idea sparked a lingering reflection on what actually deserves to be celebrated: a title, or the work behind it.
💧
Life Stories
A Bottle Worth a Life?
A young man darted into busy traffic to save a discarded plastic bottle from being crushed — a stark reminder that what one person throws away without a thought can mean survival for another.
🎤
Life Stories
The Interview That Stayed With Me
A predictable day of campus recruitment interviews took an unexpected turn when a candidate burst in unannounced, breathless and behind schedule — leaving a lasting impression that had little to do with his résumé.
🙏
Life Stories
Gratitude in Every Glass Served — Sewa
On the shaheedi diwas of Guru Arjan Devji, the Sikh community set up a chabeel distributing free sweet drinks as sewa. A colleague's WhatsApp status led Diksha to join in — reconnecting with a cherished tradition from her northern India childhood, now in Pune.
🎉
Life Stories
The Celebration We Earned
Early in her career, Diksha worked with a geographically diverse but tightly bonded team building a product from scratch. After years of collaboration and thinking outside the box, they created something that surpassed the industry standard — and the celebration that followed was truly earned.
📋
Life Stories
Driving Licence Renewal in Maharashtra
Step-by-step account of renewing a Delhi driving licence in Pune — from the Parivahan portal to the RTO office at Moshi.
🏆
Life Stories
Innovation Marathon 2.0
Serving as jury member for an emerging tech marathon — 600+ teams, 7 months of mentoring, and one inspiring final day.
🏓
Life Stories
The Pickleball Tournament
Signed up for a women's pickleball tournament knowing nothing about the game — 2 practice sessions and we made it to the finals!
🙏
Life Stories
God's Blessings — Life Savers
A tyre lodged in a hidden pit on a dark Kodaikanal street, and the kind strangers who stopped to help a stranded family.
💚
Life Stories
Selfless Help by Citizens
A muddy road during heavy rains, a few selfless men standing guard to keep others safe — kindness still exists around us.
Blog Category
Food & Cooking
Home recipes, restaurant finds, and the joy of food — from traditional Indian kitchens to favourite dining spots.
🍽
🌿
Food & Cooking
Good Food After a Great Journey: Our Green Planet Experience
After a peaceful evening at Adiyogi near Isha Foundation, hunger kicked in on the drive back. Google led us to Green Planet Restaurant at Veerdency Resort — and despite a bumpy approach road, the warm ambience and food made it well worth the detour.
🍦
Food & Cooking
Magnolia Bakery, Bengaluru — Dessert Stop That Turned Into a Mini Adventure
After pizzas at Brik Oven, a sister-in-law's insistence led us to the wildly popular Magnolia Bakery — cakes, pastries, brownies, and ice creams in a buzzing Bengaluru evening. Self-control? Quietly left the building.
🍕
Food & Cooking
Brik Oven — Woodfired Pizzas, Church Street
After a long day on Bengaluru's iconic Church Street, Brik Oven was worth every minute of the wait — hand-rolled bases, a wood-fired oven, and a smoky Margherita and Farmhouse Pizza that delivered on all fronts.
🍽
Food & Cooking
Discovering MTR Beyond the Ready-to-Cook Packs
MTR restaurant at Bhartiya Mall, Bengaluru — masala dosa, podi dosa, idli and filter coffee. A packed Sunday breakfast spot that was a complete surprise.
🥕
Food & Cooking
Gajar Halwa — The Traditional Way
Red carrots, 4 litres of full-cream milk, ghee and patience. My daughter's most requested winter treat made the slow and proper way.
🍛
Food & Cooking
Singh Saab, Balewadi — Punjabi Feast
An Instagram reel led me to this gem. The special thali, lachchha parantha, chhole bhature and thick lassi did not disappoint.
🥞
Food & Cooking
Radha Krishna, Pimple Saudagar
Anniversary breakfast buffet — misal pav, idli, poha, dosa and more in a huge spread for just Rs. 199.
🌿
Food & Cooking
Shriniwas Veg, Seasons Mall
Tomato bruschetta, dragon rolls, butter garlic naan and a sizzling brownie — a new veg restaurant worth revisiting.
🍽
Food & Cooking
Pakwan — The Food Tradition, Pimple Saudagar
Famous for a jumbo thali built for 6. Good decor, prompt service and a wide menu for smaller groups too.
🍕
Food & Cooking
Pizza Hut, Calangute, Goa
Kids demanded pizza on a Goa trip. Good pizza, painfully slow service — an honest review with lessons in holiday expectations.
Blog Category
Leadership Thoughts
Leadership insights, reflections, and perspectives on leading with purpose.
📖
🤝
Leadership Thoughts
The Leader who asked for Three Minutes
During a stakeholder visit, one manager noticed something no one had planned for — the teams building the product never got a moment to meet the visiting leader. A quietly arranged floor walk, born from noticing an unmet need rather than following any process, left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
💼
Leadership Thoughts
A Spoon, A Lunch, and a Lesson in Leadership
An early morning in a near-empty Bengaluru office led to an unplanned catch-up with a former manager — and lunch together. Despite her seniority, she never carried the weight of hierarchy, offering a quiet lesson in approachable leadership.
🌟
Leadership Thoughts
When Someone Believed in Me Before I Did
Early in my career, a manager quietly assigned me the task of building a team — before I even understood what that meant. The experience taught me that good leaders see potential in people before those people see it in themselves.
💼
Leadership Thoughts
The Manager Who Taught Me That People Matter
Fresh out of college at Infosys, a simple question from my manager — "When are you planning to take a break?" — taught me the most lasting leadership lesson: great leaders don't just manage work, they care for the people doing it.
The Author
About Me
Hello! I'm Diksha — writer, wanderer, and eternal curious soul. Based in Pune, I write about what I love — road trips across India with family, seasonal home cooking, life experiences and the beautiful small things that happen between the big adventures.
This blog is my personal space to document memories, share travel notes, recipes and life stories I want to cherish forever.
Things I love:
Get in Touch
Contact Me
Whether you have questions, want to share travel tips, or just want to say hello — drop a message below!
Travel Blogdikshatravels.blogspot.com
Cooking Blogdikshacooks.blogspot.com
Based inPune, India