You call your travelogues an invitation to enjoy journeys into places that are hard to reach. What first made you want to write your travels down, rather than simply take them?
I started writing travelogues with the thought of taking people to places that many cannot visit due to lack of time, money, or health issues, even though they deeply desire to see such locations. I mostly add photographs rather than providing detailed descriptions of the sites, since nowadays all that information is available online in great detail.
Was there one early journey that quietly turned you from a traveller into someone who had to write it all down? Take us there.
It would be difficult to pinpoint an exact moment, as I have been passionate about photography since my school days, starting with a Kodak box camera. However, my visit to Kailash Mansarovar was the trip that internally encouraged me to share my travels in detail. That journey stirred something in me, making me realize that my experiences were worth documenting and sharing with others.
Whose storytelling shaped the way you notice and describe a place — a writer, a book, or a fellow traveller who saw things you hadn't?
Nothing in particular shaped my approach, but I was deeply impressed by the Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore, especially his 'Letters from Europe and Russia; philosophical reflections'. Many other writers have also influenced my writing over the years, each contributing to how I observe and narrate my journeys.
Your journeys keep returning to ancient temples resting in the lap of undisturbed nature. What pulls you toward those quiet, hard-to-reach corners rather than easier destinations?
I have been curious by nature since childhood. Moreover, I find immense satisfaction in reaching hard-to-reach places. I always take on challenges to reach difficult destinations, and that drive is what pulls me toward those quiet, undisturbed corners of the world.
Which photograph from a journey has stayed with you long after you came home?
What about this place has refused to leave you?
The magnificent mountains of the Himalayas, seen from the Valley of Flowers route, have never left me. The sheer beauty and grandeur of those peaks remain etched in my memory, always drawing me back to that experience.
Which page or excerpt from a travelogue are you especially proud of?
What was happening on this journey that made the words come easily?
It was a trip to Tungnath and Deoria Tal. On our arrival in Rishikesh, we were informed that roads were closed due to heavy rain warnings. Despite that, we managed to reach our destinations, experiencing many thrills on the road, such as landslides and other challenges. These experiences made the words flow naturally.
Which photograph is from the most demanding trek your feet have carried you through?
What did reaching this place ask of you?
It was a Rudranath trip, one of the Pancha Kedar in Uttarakhand. It is the toughest trek in the Pancha Kedar circuit, demanding immense physical and mental strength to complete.
Which notebook, camera, or trusted gear do you never set off without?
Which of these do you rely on most, and why does it always earn its place in your bag?
My Nikon camera with an 18-300mm lens is my most relied-upon piece of gear. I always carry two sets of batteries and a stand. It earns its place because it allows me to capture the diverse landscapes and moments I encounter on my journeys without missing a shot.
Which photograph captures a person or a moment of local life you met along the way?
Who is this, and what did that encounter add to your journey?
On my trek, I met school-going children on the way. I also encountered a lady carrying fodder for her cattle, visited a local school, and talked with local teenagers. These encounters added a rich, human dimension to my journey, reminding me of the vibrant life that thrives in these remote areas.
Which place would you happily return to again and again?
What keeps calling you back to this place?
The ancient sculptures in Badami and the Himalayas, where I find nature and magnificent mountains, keep calling me back. The blend of history and natural beauty is irresistible, and I find myself drawn to these places time and again.
Which journey is still waiting on your list — the one you haven't written yet but can't stop imagining?
I am planning a visit to Harsil and Niti village next October. This journey is still on my list, and I can't stop imagining the experiences and stories it will bring.
Contact and Follow
Email: Maiti.satyabrata@gmail.com
