Religious

The magic of Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi

By

We were back to Varanasi around 2 PM. Our driver dropped us near Thatheri Bazar as we wanted to explore the area on foot ourselves. Bronze and brass products especially ornaments are sold here. Another purpose for coming to this market to enjoy the “Ram Bhandar” which is quite famous for amazing Poori, Sabzi and kachori.

Read More

Kolkata sightseeing and Gangasagar

By

We enjoyed a lot during our stay in IIM JOKA. After having yummy dinner in JOKA mess we explored the JOKA campus on foot. It was lush green area all. Campus is having 7 Lakes which symbolize seven of the most legendary professors of the institute.

Read More

Experiencing the temple town of Puri, Oddisha

By

Then panda took us to Anand Bazar area of temple and went away to collect Mahaprasad for us. It was offered to each of us on pattals i.e banana leaves. A huge variety was there but I think children will not like this as it consists of rice, daal and several other items most of which is not liked by children. At last we were offered Rabri, which was very tasty indeed and satisfied our taste buds.

Read More

अन्नू भाई चला चकराता – पम्म पम्म पम्म – लाखामंडल

By

कभी गाडी से इधर झांक, कभी उधर झांक | देखते के कुछ समझ आ जाए , क्यूंकि आगे तो हम लगातार देखे ही रहें थे आख्ने फाड़ें ,    हा हा हा …वहां गाड़ी की हेड लाइट की रोशनी में जो कुछ एक दो मीटर तक दिख रहा था बस समझो उस समय वही हमारी दुनिया थी बाकी तो कुछ दिख ही नहीं रहा था,थोड़ी देर बाद हमें खुद मालुम नहीं की कब कहाँ दो चार मकानो के बीच से होकर हमारी वो पथरीली सड़क गुजर रही थी (अँधेरा होने के कारण ) तब गाड़ी रोकी … वहीँ एक दो आदमी मिले। एक सज्जन से परिचय होने पर उन्होने बताया के वो रहने वाले तो बड़ोत (UP) के ही हैं।   यहाँ उनकी  पुरानी जमींन है, सो यहाँ भी रहते हैं।  वहीँ एक घर में भी बनी छोटी सी दूकान से दर्जनों  “पारले जी ” की बिस्कुट के पैकेट खरीद अन्नू और प्रवीण बाबू तो बिजी हो गए …..मै  वैसे भी भी बिस्कुट नहीं खाता और गाडी भी चला रहा था।  सो उन साहब से बातचीत कर आगे का हाल चाल और रास्ते का ब्यौरा ले चल पड़ा।

Read More

हम चले अमृतसर की सैर को

By

प्रोग्राम  अमृतसर जाने का तय हुआ, आरक्षण  कराया गया.४ नवम्बर की रात का स्वर्णमंदिर एक्सप्रेस (फ्रोंटिएर मेल) का जाने का तय हुआ, वापसी ६ नवम्बर को छत्तीसगढ़ एक्स्प. से थी. रेलवे स्टेशन पर जल्दी पहुँच कर, वंहा पर बैठ कर चाय वाय पीने का आनंद ही कुछ और होता हैं.

Read More

Yuksom – a peaceful abode in the laps of Eastern Himalayas

By

Yuksom is still regarded as the base camp of Kanchenjungha, although ascent from Sikkim side has stopped over a decade ago. The mountains are revered as God by localites and stepping foot on the sacred slopes amounts to desecration of the divine forces. Kanchenjungha is abode of the Gods. We came across camps of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Their basic and advanced mountaineering courses are conducted at Rathong Glacier, the starting point of which also happens to be Yuksom.

Read More

Kurukshetra and Karna Lake

By

About Karna Lake, this place is suitable for those who donot want to travel much from Delhi, loves peace and looking for a short break. My suggestion, this place is very good for 2 days and one night kind of itinerary and one will enjoy this place. Take a walk on the well paved path along the lake, it takes approx 30 minutes for one round, enjoy the beauty of the place. Sit near to lake , you will feel very good, this place gives lot of peace, do boating. I must state here that i have never experienced such a wonderful service, ambience, maintainence, food from a government tourist place, the staff is very polite, is ready to help to their level best, every thing on the food menu is availabe which we generally don’t see in hotels run by tourism department.

Food is little expensive but the service, taste and ambience of the restaurant is up to the mark. They also have a well packed bar besides restaurant in case somebody is interested and small gift shop.

We roamed around the lake in the evening, took our dinner and called it a day at 11 pm. Woke up at around 7 am in the morning , took some pics of Karna lake from the balcony, it was looking so awesome. Went for a walk around lake, came back had a break fast of tandoori parantha and puri bhaji.

Read More

Karni Mata temple – Not for the faint hearted

By

Besides the religious significance, the Karni Mata Temple is also a significant piece of art. Built in the late 19th century and finished in the early 20th century, under the patronage of Maharaja Ganga Singh of Binaker, the temple architecture reflects the Mughal style of artistry.

Read More

Varanasi

By

I do not care for the ‘truths’ they have faith in or the ‘lies’ they spread. This is not the first cremation that I am descrying nor shall it be the last, but in this moment, I’ve understood the human endeavor of fighting death with life. The answer to the fears of our faith is in welcoming it with our arms wide open and embracing it like a long lost brother. It’ll be perhaps in this gesture that the faithful shall be granted nirvana.

*

Around a 1000 strong crowd has gathered to see what is a daily ritual but is as powerful and enchanting as it must have been a 1000 years ago. The spiritual seekers have loaded the boats – some to get a better view, some for better pictures and some for their beliefs – an adventure of a lifetime. The head priest is crying hoarse asking people to sit down calmly – all the skills of a masterful showman.

So much for the lonely moksha… (sigh)

Read More