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The Vaishnodevi Experience 2023

My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.

Preparing for Navaratri

Ten days of any festival can get quite hectic, but preparing for it is much more so, especially when there are five steps to decorate, as well as loads of craft work to make. Last year, I had posted detailed posts on my Navaratri Preparations. Those of you who havent seen them can take a look at them, as well as my Navaratri Posts here.

Here is a sneak peek into what we are into, for Navaratri 2010,which begins the day after tomorrow.

First off, is the fort - something we had to think a lot about....... but which turned out to be quite simple, once we got an idea....


A couple of boxes of Kellogs Chocos, a few leftover pieces of thermocol, and a couple of plastic bottles lying around... thats all it took.....


Here's what it looks like, finally....


And now, heres what we made with another Kellogs box.....


In case you haven't guessed yet, thats a tunnel through a mountain....


This has been made by special request - Samhith's of course!


It consumed masses of newspaper and tissues....


Does the result look anything like what its supposed to be?



And finally, here are the mountains which are supposed to make up the backdrop....



The major work seems to be done, but this is just the beginning.... there are steps to be set up, the layout planned and laid out...... and much, much more... and all I have is a day in hand.... a normal day with school, classes, et al........ Wish I had more hands to use... or a few extra hours to snatch.... I shall be back once I manage to complete the work!

Comments

  1. nice work. Couple of watch towers on top of fort would have been nice

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  2. I am sure Samhith would have had a gala time doing this.

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  3. Cool Fort! Love your theme-based gholu. Can I invite myself to see it on one of the days? :)

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  4. I am sure this is going to be wonderful time for Samhith.Good work there.

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  5. hey!!!! u plz come home na! u can write abt this house too.... its really mela here!!!!

    kanthi

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  6. @Shrinidhi: thanks... there are two small watchtowers at the ends.. thats what the bottles were used for... unfortunately they are rather small due to the space constriction... wish i had a huge place to make use of.. would go mad trying things out, probably!!!

    @Mridula: Samhith is actually doing little except getting in the way and dropping fevicol all over the house! as of now, there really is nothing much he can help out in, except getting me stuff and seeing what i am up to.... he will be making his blocks houses once the main stuff is ready so we know what exactly he needs to make... but it is fun!

    @Monisha: thanks a lot... your blog design is interesting....

    @Bindhu: hey, u can drop in anytime.. would love to have you here.....

    @Chitra: thanks.... i hope he likes the way it finally turns out!

    @Kanthi: that is your job... tu kya kar rahi hai???

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  7. This is so nice.
    Everything shown step by step.
    Kids would love to follow this.

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  8. Thank you for following me.

    I have been thinking about gollu's a lot these days, but considering we did only one gollu when I was a kid, I am not at all sure I know how to go about it.

    Reading about last year's Navaratri has inspired me to attempt something next year.

    Are you in Bombay too? Asking because of the Matunga mention.

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  9. @Haddock: Thanks.... I have been taking so many ideas from others' blogs, it felt right to show detailed steps so that others could use mine too!

    @Rayna: I just happened to stumble on your blog, and loved it!I enjoy navaratri and making all that stuff because this is the one festival where i can satisfy all my creative urges... We could never keep Golu when I was young either, but I grew up hearing about it... so u also can try it out.... I am in Chembur, chedda nagar actually... what abt u?

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  10. Simple Ideas, Turning into amazig outcomes...wow....you must have gone through a lot and at the end enjoyed the fruits of that!!! Amazing effort and passion - what is this guy and you upto next is something that I am eagerly looking out for manni - Siva

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