Election tours provide great opportunities to go to fascinating places and meet interesting people. Chasing candidates in the Naxalite-infested areas of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh, I had some of the most memorable experiences.


The legendary 1000 Pillars Temple of Warangal.


Hot idlis and coffee at a roadside dhaba at Suryapet in Nalgonda district, on election tour.




A temple of the toddy-tappers in Naxalite area of Karimnagar.



Beautiful gardens dot the Suryapet-Khammam Highway. This is at the Palair Reservoir. (Right)


Belying his age this toddy-tapper in Jammikunta near Warangal is about to reach dizzying heights as he takes to a palm tree.


(Right) A toddy-tapper with a fresh pot of the heady stuff.




It is a great drive on the Suryapet-Khammam Highway. My driver was happy to let me take the wheel!!



Early morning mist over this small lake on Nalgonda Road.