The Final Golu for this year... and a performance...

Over 2000 Km by road, in around 10 days. Stunning landscapes, wonderful people. That sums up our Ladakh trip. But how did it actually work? How did we make it happen? Read on to find out! Leh, the capital of Ladakh , is accessible by air and road. Flying into Leh is the easiest, and time-saving option, while the road is the time consuming one, but with the added advantage of driving past some of the most beautiful landscapes in our country. Each option has much to recommend it, and we chose the road for just one reason – altitude sickness. Altitude sickness was one of my biggest concerns, since I suffer from motion-sickness. Yes, I do travel a lot, but that is despite my condition, and, over the years, have learnt how to handle it. I struggled with it when we visited Nathu-La in Sikkim, and wondered if I would be able to manage a week at the even higher altitudes that we would encounter in Ladakh. This was the reason we stuck to a basic plan, of only 9 days in Ladakh, though we

The Final Golu for this year... and a performance...

The Fine Arts Society, Chembur is a hub of activity almost throughout the year. However, it is during Navaratri, that the place attracts even more crowds than usual. The reason is of course, their music and fine arts classes, which begin on Vijayadasami, but even non-musical people like me rush there to see their golu, year after year.

This golu is one of our favourites, and one we rush to see every year, even though the main dolls are all the same.There are a few new ones every year...

Bhu-Varaha represented in two forms...

This one, being white, I am guessing is Shweta Varahaswamy

and there are always some which we love to see... again and again and again!

On top are the Ashta Lakshmis or 8 forms of Lakshmi.
below are Ganeshas, represented as the Dashavatars

Under the tree are Adi Shankara and his disciples. Behind them are the pontiffs of the Kanchi Math

A Garden, with animals

We always love their Marapachis!

Vithala Rakumai look beautiful, dont they?

Ganesha

Ayyappa

Great Souls - Gandhiji, Buddha, Thiruvalluar, Tyagarjar, Raghavendrar, and Meera

Dhanvantari, with his medicinal plants spread out

But it is the side decoration that beckons us. This year, the theme is the Ramayana, and the entire epic has been recreated with handmade dolls.

Birth of Rama (and his brothers)

Sita's Swayamvar

with Sita and her sisters looking on

In the forest - Bharata taking back Rama's Padukaas

Sita being kidnapped by Ravana, while Rama and Lakshmana go after the golden deer

Meeting Shabari

Sita in the Ashoka Vatika

Ravana's court

And finally, Rama's coronation

This year, I was at the Fine Arts Society for one more reason... to see my sister dance. As some of you know, she is a Bharatanatyam and Kathak dancer, and performs at various places with her group from the Sanskriti Academy of Fine Arts, Thane, under the inspired guidance of Smt. Asha Sunilkumar. This year, I am proud to say that I believe she surpassed herself, with a performance that had everyone stand up and notice her. Of course, the entire troupe performed beautifully, but with my sister on stage, can I have eyes for anyone else? Here are a few glimpses of her expressive face....

You can see the entire album of photographs on Facebook....here

and on Google Plus Photos... here.

And those of you who are going to ask me why I didn't take a video, sorry, but my camera was running low on battery, and I didn't want to risk missing part of the performance. Besides, I don't really think I am good at videography, but I promise to at least try next time!

The Havelis of Bikaner - A Photo Post

The lanes are narrow , twisting and turning amidst buildings old and new. Crumbling old structures with intricate workmanship stand side by side with art deco buildings, and more modern constructions, which follow no particular style. Autos, bicycles, motorcycles and vans rush past, blowing their horns as loudly as possible, while cows saunter past peacefully, completely unaffected by the noise. In the midst of all this chaos, children play by the side, and women go about their chores, as we explore these by-lanes of Bikaner, and its beautiful Havelis. Facade of one of the Rampuria Havelis

Bhedaghat - Home of the 81 Yoginis

The Narmada flows down the mountains , carving out a path for herself as she makes her way down to the plains of Central India. She cascades from the rocks, her fine spray making it appear as if billows of smoke (dhuan) arise from the flowing streams of water (dhaar), giving it the name Dhuandhar. Dhuandhar Falls The force of her flow creates a gorge , smoothening and carving out the rocks into fantastic shapes, the pure white of the rocks standing starkly against the shades of the water. It is a joy to cruise down the river in a boat, seeing the natural contours created by the river, now famous as the Marble Rocks. We are at Bhedaghat, located on the banks of the Narmada near Jabalpur, where thousands of visitors turn up to see these natural landscapes, creations of the sacred Narmada, and pay obeisance to her. However, to me, the most interesting thing about Bhedaghat, isn’t the falls or the rocks, or even the river. What makes Bhedaghat special is t

Kabini Part 3 - After the Rains

Visiting Kabini in peak summer, we hadn’t bargained for the rains, which dominated our three days at the Lodge. While animal sightings were understandably lesser than usual, seeing the forest in the rain was an interesting experience in its own way. However, as we headed back into the forest for our second and third safaris, we hoped the rains would let up, and allow us to see more animals! Winding jungle paths

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