Bonding

This photograph was taken on a wintry morning at Jim Corbett National Park buffer zone area.What caught my attention here was this pair (I think its red-vented bulbul) that hopped from branch to branch together, not leaving each other even for a small fraction. 

Let me take this opportunity to wish all a cozy, happy & prosperous new year together!! Have a happy 2014 :)



Sharing with SWF & OWT family 

Sunset at Old Fort

I was lucky to catch this setting sun in camera the other day when I visited 'Old Fort'. Also known as Purana Quila, it is the oldest fort in Delhi and tells the history of Delhi in detail. 

Linking it to skywatch friday

Peace & hope

I sometimes visit this famous gurudwara for its peaceful sarovar (holy water tank/pond).Looking at the temple from this side of the sarovar gives me a sense of composure and peace.While standing & admiring like always, I noticed the reflection in the water and I took this picture. 

To see more beautiful sky click here.

One December evening!

Sometimes, instead of taking my usual brisk walk in the garden I prefer just a casual one in the company of my camera.Today was one such day! It's fun to actually sit there on the bench and observe people & the surroundings. 

 This park that I go to is famous for its historical monuments. Plenty of place to walk and jog around.There were areas where parrots were in plenty too :)

To know more about Lodhi Garden read my old post :New Delhi-How much could I explore in a day :)

To see more beautiful skies around the world,click here: Skywatch Friday

                                                                    &

                                                         *a piece of heaven*

Ugrasen Ki Baoli OR Ugrasen's step-well

Sitting there on top of the last steps, I could not stop but be amazed at how both the old and the new world have existed together all these years here. 

Spending time here was like those sci-fi movies where the character travels through time and within fraction of a second transports oneself from modern world to some place in history!

I too felt something like that when I entered through the gates to this historical step well (Baoli).

Honestly,I was amazed to see this step-well sitting quietly in the middle of this ever modern,ever growing and ever busy part of the city.Yes, it's right there in the heart of capital. Truly an off -beat place to visit.

There are stairs through these huge arched corridors that lead you to the next floor.I did manage to take one such flight of stairs. But I found that these were too claustrophobic with pigeons making their nests in it.

The step-well is inactive for a long time.The roughness on the walls, lots of pigeons, webs and the algae like substance lined on the sides of the lower steps completely gives the old & experienced look to it.

Coming out of the Baoli, I couldn't stop myself from capturing these two beautiful paintings/Graffiti on the wall at the entrance to the Baoli. Whosoever did this, could have added more and made the long wall more colourful.[Just a thought:)]

Facts about Ugrasen Ki Baoli:

-It was built by Raja Ugrasen,the forefather of the Agrawal community.He got this Baoli(step-well, an underground structure)constructed in order to cope with seasonal fluctuations in water availability.

- It measures 60 m along north-south,50 m wide at the ground level.

- Has been built with rubble and dressed stones.

- Sits quietly in the heart of the city:)

Skywatch

Delhi's Famous Lotus Temple

I recently visited Lotus Temple and took these pictures. This is a beautiful lotus flower like structure with 27 petals.Made up of white marble in the shape of a half opened lotus flower,this complicated yet beautiful structure was brought into realization by Fariborz Sahba,Canadian architect of Iranian origin and his team members.

There are 9 pools surrounding the building that signify green leaves of the Lotus. From the inside of it, it's a huge meditation hall with a seating capacity of around 1300 people at a time.There are no religious icons and symbols inside.

Temple height is 34 m from floor to apex and it is 70 m in diameter. In appearance it looks very much like Sydney Opera House, looks spectacular at dawn when its floodlit. 

To check more sky around the world, visit skywatch friday: click here

Next hop- Mysore!

After my visit to Nandi hills we decided to go on a car tour to Mysore. Yes! while we were in B'lore for one more day, we decided on taking the road to Mysore. Mysore is about 140 km from b'lore and is famous for its beautiful palace.The tour taxi was there on time at our place so this was also an early morning start. 

The road to Mysore from B'lore is famous for the 'The town of toys' - Channapatna. I mean, somewhere between Mysore and B'lore exists this explicit town. You would know when you start noticing roadside shops selling colourful wooden toys. Unfortunately, we did not spend much time there but luckily my friend managed some pictures of the toys there.And thanks to her that I am able to share the pics from the rest of the trip too:)

These toys are non-toxic and are made of wood and natural vegetable dyes. In local (Kannada)dialect this town is called as "Gombegala ooru"-i.e, toys town. 

If you make a trip here do not forget the visit the factories and the locals to see how these toys are made 

It is said that it was Tipu Sultan who in order to encourage toy making, invited artisans from Persia to train local artisans so that they learn the art of wooden toy making. 

Our breakfast at a local food joint, mouthwatering vada- idli 

A statue in the palace garden

Mysore Palace- It is also known as Amba Vilas Palace. This palace is a beautiful and huge property that has been converted into a museum now. It is said that originally it was built of wood and got burnt down in 1897. It was rebuilt completely later on and was designed by English architect Henry Irwin. 

Palace's interior is a beautiful mix of stained glass,mirrors,bright colours, wooden carvings and mosaic floors. Huge carved wooden doors were really impressing.I observed that there were large series of paintings that depicted important events from Mysore history. Although there were many Hindu temples inside the palace grounds but the one that caught my attention was 'Shweta Varahaswamy Temple' hehe...yep! you guessed it right, it had my name on it:) A temple dedicated to lord Vishnu. No cameras are allowed inside the palace. One can only use it outside of the palace. The palace is the official residence of the Wodeyars (the erstwhile royal family of Mysore) they ruled Mysore for seven centuries. Palace is illuminated every Sunday and all public holidays in the evenings.

We enjoyed admiring huge paintings statues artifacts depicting valuables of the royalty that were on the display but honestly I wasn't much impressed by the care given to the palace. Given the footfall this palace receives daily, it needs a little bit of more attention and care.

View of Mysore Palace

Mysore is famous for its Dussera celebrations. Arrangements are made for a lavish preparation with huge elephants decorated with large ornaments, dance and cultural programs. The celebrations & festivities go on for 10 days and is culminated on vijayadashmi.  

Illuminated Mysore Palace, newsonair.nic.in

Srirangapatnam- it is a small oval town, surrounded by river Kaveri, in Karnataka  located near the city of Mysore. this town is majorly famous for its beautiful shrine of Tipu Sultan and his family members. However, it also has religious, historical and cultural significance. If you are curious to know about Tipu Sultan then a visit here is a must.This whole town is surrounded by river Kaveri as it has been formed by the two subdivisions of the river. 'Sangam' meaning confluence in english. At the entry point of Srirangapatnam river kaveri splits into two streams. Sangam is a regular picnic site. One can also ride those round handwoven rafts called 'Coracle'.I noticed that People consider the presence of Kaveri as auspicious and pious.

A beautiful view of the river Kaveri

And this was a special ride for me:) yes, my first ever ride on those round handwoven rafts called Coracle.

A beautiful carved temple dedicated to lord Vishnu called Ranganath Swami Temple is also a major attraction here.The temple was originally built in the 9th century by Ganga dynasty rulers. However, one can see a impressive mix of Hoysala & Vijayanagar style of architecture on it as it was strengthened & improved by them later.

Ranganath Swami temple in Srirangapatnam

Daria Daulat gardens, Gumbaz & Masjid-Srirangapatnam was also the capital of Mysore under the rule of Hyder Ali & his son Tipu Sultan. It flourished during their rule.Hence, came up some Indo-Islamic structures that are today a big tourist destination here. 

Gumbaz is the burial chamber of Tipu Sultan along with his father Haider Ali and mother Fatima Begum. This chamber is built on a lifted platform and has many other tombs of his relatives and nobles around it. A beautifully carved Masjid(Mosque)is there next to the chamber.

Chamundeshwari hills- Beautiful hills !! Famous Chamundeshwari temple is situated at a height of 3489 ft, atop Chamundi hills. This is about 13 km from the palace city. It is named after a fierce avatar of Durga that has been revered by Mysore maharaja's for centuries. Her temple stands as a beautifully carved architecture. Chamundeshwari is also considered as the patron goddess of Mysore.The view from top of the hill itself is very serene. There are both steps (around 1000 or so) and a motorable road to reach the top of the hill. A beautiful Nandi statue (16 foot black monolith) statue stands half way through the hills. I admired the way it has been carved and beautifully ornamented with anklets and pendent bell.

Famous Chamundeshwari Temple on the hills. This is a must see when you are visiting Mysore.Not just the temple but the view that these hills hold especially during the sunrise and sunset. Standing there on the huge stairs nears the temple makes you want to freeze time for a moment.

The beautifully carved monolith of Nandi. A time well spent here observing the decorations on the statue and the hustle - bustle of the people around.

This was interesting :) there were a lot of vendors selling these small bronze idols of Hindu deities and other religious signs. I bought a small Ganesha statue for myself that day.

Tired but still in festive mood !!

Diwali wishes for all 

With Diwali gone by yesterday, people around me are still in the festive mood :) For me the last two days have been pretty hectic. Like every household, we were also busy cleaning & wiping every corner of the house, changing upholstery and doing a bit of a shopping for Diwali puja. Basically preparing with all our zest to welcome goddess Lakshmi to our house. 

Despite being a tired looking cleaning freak, to mela (fete) hopping shopper, to being a decorating expert during this time of the year, I love Diwali (festival of lights) the most. Believe me I am never in mood to take on the initiatives I just mentioned above during the rest of the year ;). Therefore, the idea of making lunch for myself today after all the commotion & festivities, totally seemed a very distant dream to me. I was just so tired that I thought of ordering food for myself from outside.(You would understand why!)

Sitting there with an empty stomach and not in a mood to visit the market I thought of this online food ordering portal that was suggested by a friend recently.  I was told that it comes handy during such times only. What the heck! I thought and started browsing the restaurant list, menu & food options.  

To tell you the truth I am not the kind who would open the laptop to order food! yeah, why ! 'coz we have grown up believing that food is something that is always enjoyed warm and hot at home or sitting in a restaurant having it served there. 

Then why order today *Grrr* Well ! today was different ! I was dead tired and almost died of hunger when food panda came handy.(funny name right but the panda looks cute there:)) I liked the name and the red and white flashy website and above all the menu kicked the taste buds of the hungry panda inside me. 

There's is a very easy to use and customer friendly website. It comes as a phone app too. I used the phone app and I am sharing pictures from my phone here. Once you enter the details like your city and area it helps you with the open restaurants and take aways near you. Order away as your appetite is and find interesting offers/deals too. I got mine clicking my way on my phone.

Not bad at all for a lazy person like me! I thought I'd share this post as my house is looking pretty with Diyas and my tummy is full :)Yeah, makki di roti, hara bhara kebab & paneer tikka made my day.( If you are still wondering, I had ordered veg platter for lunch).  Not to forget the fast customer service by the online portal. Yes, the food was on time as mentioned in the sms sent on my number. 

Next time when you feel like finding your food quickly, do it on food panda :) try it!

Bringing back music to life with 'THE BOSS'

To read the post click here-Bringing back music to life with ‘THE BOSS’

Misty Nandi Hills

That morning in Bangalore (B'lore), a quiet call and a whiff of hot coffee woke me up. My friend had made us a perfect cup! enough to make me jump out of bed and get ready for our early morning journey to the mesmerizing hills called Nandi Hills. 

Statue of  sitting 'Nandi' bull on top of a temple.It was very foggy that morning so the pictures are not that clear 

'Nandi' is the sacred bull,the vehicle of lord Shiva. There is a famous ancient dravidian Nandi Temple situated a top the summit. Hence, the name Nandi Hills.

We started our drive @ 0400 hrs from B'lore as we wanted to reach our destination before sunrise. Weather that day was perfect. Not to mention,B'lore has always had an awesome weather. Ever perfect- not too extreme. 

The misty fog, chilly breeze, freshness of early morning feel in the air made our car ride to the hills more rewarding. Nandi Hills is a beautiful weekend getaway. The panoramic view of the landscape from a top just holds you spellbound. It is 1,478 mtrs above sea level and is around 60/65 km from B'lore. It is best suggested to visit these hills before sunrise. The wind,the fog and the clouds magically blow towards you at this time of the day. Early morning clouds condensation brings water.That is why, while we explored the ruins, I felt soft water droplets continuously pouring. Although, it wasn't raining, however, it felt wet if you stood at one place for long. There is a good motorable road to the top of the hills and we stopped our car twice to enjoy the quiet sound of breeze and the mistiness of the clouds that beautiful morning.

When I saw the ruins on the top I was a l'll surprised as I had expected huge statues with huge temple complex. However, after spending some time, I could relate to the grandeur and majestic that this place must have reflected hundreds of years ago. We did find a small Nandi statue on top of the roof of a temple ruin. It was a sitting Nandi and was not a big one though. But I could imagine how magnificent it would have been when the area was alive during the reign of its various rulers. 

There is also a beautiful palace on top called 'Tipu's summer residence' but it was not opened for public that time. Tipu's drop is an interesting point here from where you get the best view. They say that Tipu Sultan punished his prisoners by getting them pushed off this 600 meters high cliff.

On our way back from the hills we loved walking a bit alongside the pavement, admiring the flora growing on the hills and the fog all around.

Me standing on the pavement near a milestone. yes,there was a lot of fog around that beautiful morning.

What Travelling has taught me !

Spread-your-wings-travel

 1) Be yourself!-Travelling to a place can be fun only when you are yourself while travelling. Whether you are a permanent or a perpetual traveller, touring traveller,worker traveller, adventure traveller or XYZ traveller, you enjoy, only by keeping up with your spirit & nature of 'T'(travelling). So why not travel keeping your mind and body free from any inhibitions. Keep a child like inquisitiveness in exploring the place around.Taste local cuisine,interact with the locals,keep an open mind in discovering new culture and geography. Trust me all this stays with you for your whole life. I read somewhere that travelling is one investment that always gives you something fruitful out of it and that stays with you for life long. The benefits of other investments may go away/fade/be consumed after some time but travelling always makes you rich for life!! Rich with knowledge,happy memories and sometimes good friends to keep.

2) Share what you enjoyed,saw and captured! While you enjoy your travels do make it a point to capture and remember every funny,knowledgeable moment/fact.It could be about that place you visited, a tradition following, about people, a legend, a story typical to that place or anything. Then share it with people,friends and family. They say sharing is an act that makes one happy. Believe me it works. You never know this act may bring friends to you from your community or from the other corner of the world. It is an act that opens up a forum for discovery. An act that definitely enhances on your individual outlook and philosophical perspective. Like I discovered the world of memes only because someone shared it with whosoever they could share it with. Thanks to fellow bloggers Indrani & Magiceye for introducing me to the world of memes through their posts. Also,to my blogger friend Don, that I discover beautiful nuggets of life & wisdom in various shades in his posts. 

3) Don't be judgmental, don't presume! Open up, be experimental while you travel. But respect the boundaries of nature, be gentle towards people you meet during travels. They may teach you something worthwhile through their interaction.I have observed that life's small learning lessons come to us like this only. So be open to receiving them. Do not presuppose or judge before hand just because you thought so or people think so. Don't stop your self from visiting a place because it doesn't have modern amenities like television or internet. Trust me such places are worth discovering and are worth discarding the modern amenities for a few days. This world will not end if you are living without television or mobile phone for some days:)

4) Spend time with loved ones, make your trips with people you love and like to be with. Be it your family, friends or colleagues. All my trips so far have been with one or the other such company and all these have been memorable ones. As it is we have created our world into a harsh and a competitive place to live in. Knowingly or unknowingly, we become a part of that rat-race. While in this rat-race we forget to invest on relationships and happiness of others. Making trips with your loved ones lets you understand them, care for them and respect them. Trust me caring for others/understanding others is  the first thing we lose and we don't even realize it .So visiting a cousin or an aunt or a close friend once a year doesn't leave you empty handed. It helps you invest in relationships.

5)Keep travelling! Yes, be it to a nearby touristy place or a far off travel destination. Be it by reading about it or by simply watching your favourite travel programme on Discovery. Keep travelling....Like I said, it is always an investment and you definitely grow up to be a far better traveller.

What are your learnings from travelling?

Do share :)

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Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

I saw this colourful building while taking a stroll in the market @ McLeodganj

These pictures are from my archives. I made this trip during monsoons almost two years back.I found them recently while working on something and I thought of sharing :) 

After hiring a taxi from Delhi for our destination, we followed the curvy roads amongst the greenery of tall trees, crossing the hills and finally reached Dharamshala in the evening. High & snow clad mighty Dhauladhar Ranges form a beautiful backdrop to the hill resort of Dharamshala. It is also known as the 'Little Lhasa in India' after it became the temporary headquarter of his holiness The Dalai Lama. 

It was a day's ride on road but was worth taking as you discover & observe much more when you are on road. After reaching Dharamshala we decided to rest for the day in the guest-house. Next day, we visited the main market, Bhagsunath temple & the waterfall. In the evening I took a stroll to the nearby local market. 

When you visit a hill station, you find your self mesmerized with the beauty of nature around you. (this happens especially with us 'the city people') Smelling  & feeling the pure and cool breeze, looking at the sunrise & the sunset behind the mountain ranges, doing a l'll bit of hill climbing or taking a simple walk around the area is something that fills your heart with contentment. 

Oh yes! I did all this while I was in the hills. A small walk around, walking up or down the roads,stopping by local tea stalls, enjoying the flavourful tea with a bun or a biscuit. Enjoying a 'll chat with the locals, knowing more about their lifestyles. Not to forget that the weather was also awesome and it complemented on my zest to explore more.

With an umbrella in my hand, prepared I was to explore things on foot:)Yes, rain played hide and seek that day:) It would come & go, it would pour for 5 mins and then next 10-15 mins it would disappear. This game of Rain Gods was new to me but to the locals there it was part of daily routine this time of the year. Thanks to the 'Khansama' from the rest house ...it was he who suggested that I carry an umbrella with me.

The people here are very helpful & jovial.They are all ears to give you directions and talk stories about their life on hills :)I had some fun time yapping at a small local tea stall.

Bhagsunath temple is a medieval Shiva temple situated 3 km from McLeodganj. Built in a huge compound with pools that are considered sacred among Hindu devotees. After doing my puja & a l'll chat with lord Shiva I looked around for the famous Bhagsu waterfall. It was at a walking distance from the temple. After a short walk I heard the sound of it and I saw it at a further more distance. The approach to the waterfall was interesting. It has fresh water springs, slate quarries and a beautiful waterfall. 

Bhagsunath waterfall

A narrow walking/climbing path through the hills. It was a good twenty minute walk to the waterfall. 

That evening I came back to the rest house and decided to leave for Mcleodganj next morning. I could not sleep that night much because of the constant jumping and walking sounds of monkeys on the roof. Yes, they were plenty there. Most of the houses are wooden and roofs are slanting so the top structure of the house is such that monkeys find a place to sleep during nights.

McLeodganj is 9 km from Dharamshala and is a well known centre for Buddhist community.The Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered here.The 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso was given refuge at Dharamshala in 1959.Since then McLeodganj is his official residence and has many Buddhist monasteries and tibetan refugees. 

View of McLeodganj & one side of  Dhauladhar range in the background

Because of a large number of exiled tibetans living here this place has the influence and style of the culture.The lanes on both sides of the road leading to the Dalai Lama's Temple (also known as Tsuglag Khang temple) were all full of small cafe & shops selling handmade shawls,local handicrafts. Although, I did not have the time to sit in those cafe but I could not stop imagining myself sitting there with my laptop and writing my way while sipping a hot cuppa:)

While we were at McLeodganj we paid a visit to the Dalai Lama temple as well. Apart from the tourism purpose many people come here to learn & study Tibetan Buddhism, culture and art.  Looking at lots of Thangka paintings, handcrafted bags, lamp shades, wooden & buddha statues, trinklets & jewellery, one gets tempted to buy them as souvenir. So, after buying a small sling bag with 'Om' written on it I walked slowly towards the parking area admiring every bit of visual my eyes could enjoy & take in...

View of Dalai Lama's residence & administrative area inside the Temple

View of  beautiful Dhauladhar Range 

*a piece of heaven*