Friday, November 29, 2013

Royal Experiences at The Royal City of Mysore

Well what a city I would say a perfect blend of the rich culture, rich in its culture which is witnessed not only in the culture and tradition the city possess but also the culture shines bright up in the residents who whole heartedly contribute to maitain the peace, cleanliness and prosperity of the city. Before peeping into the experience would like to make some google search for the historical information about the city and then study the same and get back to the personal experience.

To begin with, I owe this moments to one of my Best Buddy "Swetamari" who infact dragged me to her beautiful home at Mysore and a special at the time of Dasara, tank full of Thanks :-)




The journey began on 19th Oct 12 with some difficulties as we were not in state to take risk travelling at night.Late with lot of discussions still in confusion :-) but then at a moment we together said 'Let's make it', this is one statement which drove us and immediately staretd our Journey from the busy city Bengaluru to the calm city Mysore at 8:00 pm in the night and we had to travel around 140kms by road and which would take.

I don't think I can write up the history it's so very vast but I suggest you people to atleast read if not visit as there is so much to learn which will make you proud for having such a wonderful city around you.Bu then my interests is food and place so would like to share few things which the city is known for. Mysore Pak is a sweet dish which is made up of pure ghee and yum to taste, Mysore Palace how come one can afford to mention this beautiful monument built, the eyes will get tired by the view it's so damn beautiful that you get lost into the world of royalty followed by the Mysore silk sarees, Mysore Peta (Silk turban) and not to forget the very reason for me to visit this place the Dasara festival wherein the entire city actively participate in the festivals and their participation is very much visible as every street you step in you see the lights glooming at each sqaurefoot which gives a delight to watch the grand scene, sweet dishes is prepared and exchanged at every home, there are so many visitors who come from different cities and nations to just experience this grand festival.

The reason I call it as grand, royal and great is due to the trend which is been observed which has been changing every hour, now a days we hardly witness people celebrating all the festivals marked on the calendar, further no exchange of communication with the neighbour next to you to celebrate on ocassions as everyone prefer having communication virtually, so all these factors have tremendously affected the way and also the number of people celebrating the festivals in the Kalyug. In line with this I must say this is one sucj city wherein the people, government organisations, businessmen, children, outsiders everyone who comes to be a part of this festival has something to contribute to the celebration of the Dasara festival which has been derived from Sanskrit carrying the meaning "removal of bad fate", known to one of the prominent festival celebrated in India in different forms across the States.

I was lucky to experience this grand festival.


Sunday, November 24, 2013

Ganesh Chaturthi with Family and Friends at Namma Hubballi

My favorite festival Ganesha, celebrated on the occasion of rebirth of Lord Ganesha. He is considered to be the Lord of wisdom and prosperity. This has been my favorite festival since my childhood. There are many reasons why I like this festival. It's so much fun and adventurous as the rituals that take place during the festival is amazing. Festival symbolizes celebrating together, sharing the happiness and goodness along with exchange of some good wishes and not to forget the delicious varieties of snacks. I love Ganesh Visarjan as there's music all over, crackers bursting with lighting's, people dancing in front of the Lord who is pulled over on the vehicle with all that grand decor. Feels like a royal celebration. Arielle and Yana accompanied me this time to my home for the celebration.

The first day we visited to Mundagod, a Tibetian colony where the refugees live. With the help of government of India in the early 1960's thousands of acres of land was allocated. This place is a repository of the Tibetian life and culture. It depicts the life of refugees at the same time the transformation of the society into modern. Beautiful monasteries built in the city. It has some spectacular architecture. All 3 had many things that went into our kitty after shopping.



Back home ready for some grand celebrations. I must say I celebrated this festival experiencing lot of new things. Especially I was taken back to my childhood. Went around the city to have a sight at the various shows(short stories) which are mythological stories, majority of which surrounds the life of Lord Ganesha. This was an awesome experience as went around the city in the morning 12.00 am to see all the colorful and entertaining shows.



Next day we headed to Gokarna to spend some relaxing and fun filled time at the Om beach. Began with some lovely breakfast on the way to Gokarna. It was really exciting to see the beach from the top in the shape of Om. I loved the moments and happiest was when the waves hit the rock and then water splashed all over me. Then played for a while in water and relaxed on the beach lying down for the first time in my life. It's so strange small things like tasting some new variety of food, lying on the beach, playing in the sea and other small things give so much of joy. Cool lunch at the beach side restaurant was an add on. Had lunch like for 3 hours, enjoying every bite, loving the sight at the beach, cool breeze adding to our joy.



It's always wonderful and worth to experience new things in life. You never know if you are there tomorrow to enjoy the infinite opportunities available in this world. My love for travelling is getting stronger. I'm in love with experiencing new places, people and whatever the place offer for making it a wonderful and memorable experience in life.

An excusrion to the Land of Temples - Madurai


Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. It feels great to visit the city. Well, on an occasion of wedding to attend at Vedasundur in Dindagal district, Arielle and I decided to take a small tour of the oldest city Madurai.




We stayed at the best hotel which gave us a roof top view of the temple which was just splendid. The sunrise, the sunset, the cool breeze and the sprinkling rain all the weather could be experienced at it's best on this roof top hotel and we both enjoyed the beautiful landscape around specially the Meenakhshi temple was such a beauty.

The first day we began our tour with visit to Meenakshi temple which forms the heart of the 2500 year old city. I heard that we need a guide to go around the temple as it's so huge. But then we decided to go on our own. Excited and equally upset because foreigners are not allowed inside the temple and this rule separate Arielle and me throughout the journey. When a person of another religion respects and have no objection to follow the rituals with all the divinity I don't think anything should stop them from visiting the main temple. Well, rules are rules I do not understand on what grounds these are made but yes at the end being respectful to the existing norms we followed and moved ahead.

The temple was such a beauty to see. I could feel that my mode of life is switched to 1000's years back as the architecture around make you feel so. So, happy to experience such splendid things existing around. After getting the blessings from Goddess Meenakshi we moved to Thirumalai Nayakar Palace which was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style by the King, one of the national monument of India. It always amazes me to witness the royal architecture which was built ages ago without any technology or design innovation scope. And each of the style and carvings on the walls represents the life of the Kingdom vibrantly which is yet again interesting to learn.

 

Next on our list was Gandhi Museum. Museum actually do not excite me but then this was on the list of must visit at Madurai. It's one of the 5 museums which has the collection of Gandhi. The best part of the museum is the illustrations depicting the freedom struggle. It also includes the dhoti of Mahatma Gandhiji which is blood stained worn by him when he was assassinated by Nathuram. After the visit headed back to the taste some delicious food and then back to our awesome rooftop room.



Next day we went to Vedasundur which is quite a distance from Madurai. Arielle was excited because she was wearing a saree for the first time and me because it was my best friend's wedding. Awesome celebrations with some grand dinner. Back to Madurai, shopping was awaiting for us. Then some good dinner which had one of the best idli's I have ever tasted in my life. I would definitely would like to go back to the place just to taste the food.




Bye - bye Madurai : Blessed us with loads of serene and traditional landscape, awesome stay and some delicious food.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

INK Live 2013 and an Extended Tour - A Scintillating Experience at Kochi

INK Talks has been on my mind from more than a year now. In fact, I did apply for the INK Fellows program as well this year but my application did not go through. I applied to be an INK fellow as it would open up a world of opportunities for aspiring change-makers. Sharing ideas multiplies them unlike money and resources. INK is a platform to hunt for solutions, seek opinions, develop new ideas, share experiences, get mentor-ship and build dreams. Such programs help a reach a larger set of people, especially the right set of audience, appeal to policymakers, and interact with decision makers on topics of public and national interest. They help in cutting down the gestation period for enterprises significantly and do a great deal in taking life forward.

So, I even created an INK profile in the process. Check out http://www.inktalks.com/people/priyanka2787.

I have been watching a lot of INK Talks. Anu Aga's talk titled 'Investing in the living' is one of my favorite INK talks as I relate to what she speaks for having gone through similar situations in life. Her humble way of life despite all struggles and her efforts in the field of education inspire me.


Inspiration, appreciation, support, encouragement, love - everyone would love to receive. These words have large impact on what one is doing leading to build oneself and place themselves a step higher than existing one. Well in this world of competition where one wants to pull back others and move ahead I strongly feel that people should start appreciating their neighbors and people around with the simplest things. It is essential for the growth of a society as it will enable people to focus on what they intend to do and in turn motivate others to take a new step towards developing oneself. From childhood we tend to learn through observation as to what others are doing. There's a pinch inside which lit up the fire in you and motivate you to take up things which are challenging and that's how each one begin to make use of their unique talent and contribute in their own to make the world a better place to live in.


On similar lines, I appreciate INK for taking an initiative to dig out such gems and presenting before the world which motivates others to take a step ahead. I happened to visit INK Live 2013 and I must say it was an awesome experience. It was so interesting to learn that people across the world have their efforts kept going in spite of the hardships they face. One thing that keeps them going is the passion they own to create certain change. There exists problems at every phase in life. There exists problems at every corner of the world. It's amazing to learn as to how individuals get associated and inclined to focus on an issue and work on the resolution. Personally, I believe it's the circumstances and difficulties that one faces tends to get closer, frustrates in the initial stage motivating one to take up the challenge and fight for the community as a whole. The experience holds good for me. The purpose was to do some networking which got together people of the social sphere at one platform. Helped them explore and know about the interests of others and connect with them to work on the solutions in a larger community.


Let's flip the professional to the personal side of the visit. Now, here you go. Kerala considered to be the most beautiful city because of the serene nature around. On my list from a long time and finally here at Cochin. BTH Sarovaram is the resort where I stayed. I must say it reflected the beauty of the city it's miniature set up. We started exploring the city with the heritage walk and first thing that we visited was the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica one of the eight Basilica's in India. It was built by Portuguese. Then visited Vasco da Gama the first European to enter India by sea. He was buried in Cochin and after 16 years he was taken back to his home land. We could happen to see his tomb built at Cochin. Later moved on enjoy some cool breeze at the Fort Cochin beach and then some yummy pasta's at the Fort Cochin restaurant.

On the next day was exciting as we took a big ride around the Arabian Sea which overwhelming as it was an hour ride. Then tasted some Kerala style food. Something creative stuff was done by me at the Levis workshop and I could come up with some random art which formed the part of the final art piece. Deepa and Raghav asked me to help them to articulate their ideas into a painting. I being no good at painting could come up with an acceptable one which made them happy and I was glad. Wooo.......then party time. Headed to the disco for the first time in life at Harbor View and enjoyed the music.

Final day also had exploration of lot of new things. Pepper House a restaurant at Fort Kochi was yum. Tasted cheese cake for the first time and I must say it was a bliss to enjoy the taste. Headed to Synagogue - A place of worship of Jews located at Jew town. The architecture inside was nice to see. Was happy to have my footstep marked at places I haven't heard of and have no idea about their presence. It's so nice to learn about existence of such amazing things around. Then what else shopping this completes our journey at Cochin and headed back to the real world of daily wars.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Hyderabad Diaries - An Excursion to the City of Pearls and Nawabs

Travelling, to me once upon a time was a task. It bothered me as it takes time and energy thus I it avoided completely. Now, I must say that I'm in love with travelling. On travelling you meet new people, taste variety of food which your taste buds on the tongue get excited about, go for shopping and fill your kitty with different kinds of stuff which makes it special to experience, get to see the diversified culture which is so interesting to learn about.

Hyderabad, I feel it's a beautiful city with perfect blend of modernization and preservation of the cultural heritage. There was no much traffic, the city was glowing with all it's reserved cultures, strong essence of the city could be felt by the history which reflects it's flavor around the city. Could happen to visit Char Minaar, Golkonda Fort, Ramoji Film City, Nehru Zoo and was happy walking around the tiny, colorful and vibrant market which speaks about the accessories people love to be a part of them.

The Laad bazaar was beautiful walk around with tonnes of bangles made out of glass in majority. Just loved them bought a pair of them. Char Minaar is considered to be the face of the city. Mohammaed Qutub Shah prayed to eradicate the plague and promised to build a mosque at the place of his prayer and thus Chaar Minaar took it birth. The architecture is such a beauty. I wonder at the time of 15th century when such beautiful architecture could be made without any degree or any qualification then why not at present?

The amount of money people invest in buying a flat or a house with just plain four walls cost in crores. Art/architecture has also become history. People travel and are curious to visit to such places just to enjoy that moment of bliss by the sight of the building with amazing architecture which a has a story to tell and that amuse anyone. You could get to see a very nice view of the busy tiny bazaars of various kind from top of the Char Minar by the sight at which you feel happy to know that you have so many options available to shop at an affordable cost and need not worry about affordability. I heard that even now prayers are done at the Char Minar but only the royal families are allowed to pray at this place and this was just above the place where we could see a beautiful view of the bazaar. Its interesting to see that how a place is defined based on the experience one is allowed to experience at the same place. It was just a matter of few stairs and the experience one could get was a different world altogether. 

Another fantastic view my eyes were blessed with was Mecca Masjid, one of the 7 wonders of India according to NDTV, which is considered to be one of the largest mosques in India. It was a beauty and so serene to look at.

Golkonda Fort
What an experience I must say, amazing. For some it might be just like any other building built with stone/rocks etc. But for me it was something interesting to see. How nice it is to see the existence of life before you. It has many stories to speak. The history was so interesting to know. It could tell me as to how and why people belong to a particular community based on the profession they practice on which their livelihood is built. The way it is passed on to the generations to preserve the culture in order to represent themselves as a community. The lazer show made me get back to the history as by the arrangement one could just feel they are at the dynasty in 15th century and could sense how people led their life. It upsets me that we have just left with very few remains of such amazing places. How interesting it would have been that each of my history class would  have a tour to the kingdom/city to visit and learn them in an interesting way.

Ramoji Film City
One of the biggest film cities in the world. Sometimes, it so happens that due to the trapping and exploiting system of the country you live in, you tend to question and doubt the value a country possess.

As many others I didn't expect much out of the film city trying to judge it's experience based on the standard the country possess. It was splendid and awesome for people who love to experience something new and different. There was so much to do that one day was not enough to have a look at this sprawling 1666 acres of wonderland. The variation of the experience that it gives is just amazing. You get to see the artificial set up to shoot films. It's so wonderful to see that how the different flavors of different states and countries is put together. You can see the small tiny streets with vibrant colors representing the South India. Turn around and you see a Castle and the surrounding which will take you to the land of England.

Every single place needed to shoot for a film is built so close to the real one's that it's amazing. If you are bored looking at the sight you have an option of experiencing live events. The one which I liked were the Stunt show wherein in you can experience the ambiance of the real entertainment industry shooting which was an amazing experience as you could get to feel the essence of the entertainment industry. The other one was Ramoji show which had some entertainment shows lined up like the various types of dance forms and some talent show which was quite entertaining. At the end what else can be better than to experience the rides at the amusement park. It was special to me because of the tough rides like Ranger which flips you upside down on a height which anyone would be sacred of and I was so happy that I faced this fear of mine and got over it.

Nehru Zoological Park
I don't remember looking at any wild animals till the time I visit the zoo at Hyderabad. Well organised, well maintained and a very promising zoo to visit. They had a collection of as many as possible wild animals by the sight at which any visitor would be happy and content to see the animals.

In a Nutshell
This visit I would say, was with a mixed feeling. At one side I was happy to see the animals and birds which are getting extinct but on another side I was more than upset to see that  just  for the sake of an experience human has interfered with the nature and trying to alter it's natural setting. There's another good side of this set up some animals and birds were in a set up that were very close to the nature but the only restriction aspect was the area of movement. It was so wonderful to go on  Safari and see the wild animals around you. I was super happy to see my favorite animal Lion to see in the jungle. It was bliss to see the deers, peacocks, bear and the bison's living with harmony together. Sometimes, such small experiences add up to your life.

For me life is all about what you experience and what you make out of it. The sight of beautiful and colorful birds, the roaring wild animals, the happy birds flying around, the water animals enjoying their random dives in the water under the scorching temperature of the city, the nocturnal animals, the reptiles every creature was so amazing to see. It's very upsetting that we have almost lost them and that the sight of very few left one's can be called as a blessing. I was in a kind of wonder land as at each step I could find a new creature around.

Happy and exciting tour as I could see one of the very few cultural heritage preservation's like Char Minaar, Golkonda fort, Ramoji film city which makes our nation proud to own them. Felt blessed to see the fastest running bird - Ostrich and other huge birds which were so beautiful. Super happy to see the animals which were getting extinct - Rhino, Leopard, Panther, Lion, Hippo, Tiger, special one - White Tiger, Bear and many others which are the beauty of the nature. Tasted certain delicacies like kurbaani ka meetha, pizza's cooked on the wood, the famous karachi biscuit, the famous veg biryani, sweet potaoes cooked in a very delicious way all excited me.

Every city has it's own history and a story to tell. Every city has own set of people who are culturally bonded together. Every city has it's own set of domesticate and street animals which has a story to tell. Every city has it's own mode of transportation made use of based on the geographic dimensions Likewise, the people, the pigeons, the autos, the local trains, the tiny and colorful bazaars, the architecture of the buildings built in Hyderabad represented an old city where the essence of the Nawabs who ruled is witnessed.