Saath saath

Aur ek saath. 07/07/07.

To commemorate (?) this day, I'm posting this super photo by Twilight Fairy, who, it turns out, is a major shutterbug. Check her Flickr account here.

What do I think of this Taj tamasha? I was there at the Taj last December. Its an absolute wonder. In my heart, it will always be that.

But do I need to vote for it to be kept among the "Seven wonders of the world"? I'm not sure what that achieves. I'm not a big fan of the national pride thing either. Somehow I can't hear the goonj in "I'm proud of the Taj". I mean sure its an absolute marvel, its a symbol of love. And that's what its meant to be. A personal thing for everyone. The world pretty much knows it. Those who don't, will one way or the other. So I'm not voting to keep the Taj in the wonders of the world.

There was once a Mughal emperor who built this monument as an expression of love. And that's what it will always remain. Love's universal. A wonder of the world on its own.

The beauty that is the Taj

Following up from my earlier post on Fatehpur Sikri, this post is on my visit to The Taj Mahal.

It has to be the most beautiful structure I've ever seen. I wish there was a full moon night for us to see it, I can't imagine what it must have looked like.

Thankfully, or at least from whatever I saw, the ASI has managed to keep the Taj and its adjoining structures much cleaner as compared to Fatehpur Sikri.

I was completely in awe of the Taj. Everything I’d heard and read, it all seemed to fade in oblivion when I saw it. Some feelings can’t be put in words and photos can’t convey feelings. For those who’ve been there, you probably know what I’m talking about.

Here are some photos.

The Taj


A close-up of the dome


One of the two red buildings on the sides of the Taj


A parrot on one of these red buildings

After this trip to Agra, I think I may just have a thing for history after all. Even if it’s currently too small to fire up wanderlust.

Technorati tags: India, travel, history, heritage site, Agra, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri.

Who is Bablu ?

I don’t know. Do you ?


Whoever he was, he thought this wall was a great place to proclaim his love for Neetu (click the photo if you can't see his name). This wall, which is part of a 400-year old structure, part of Fatehpur Sikri – which was the political capital of the Mughal Empire.

Shabbash Bablu. And shabbash to all the others who’ve etched their names on that same wall.

I knew of how our heritage sites have been (are?) vandalised. I’d even read about it. But to be walking around this huge, resplendent place and to look at that wall…it disgusted me. A feeling of revulsion. Which then gave way to a feeling of failure and of shame.

To stand there and see those foreigners with their cameras, listening to their guides explaining the story of Akbar-Jodha…..looking at the beautiful structures of the Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khaas…and at then looking at this wall proclaiming Bablu’s love for Neeta, along with God alone knows how many other such scribbling defacements. Complete shame.

Anyways, moving on...here are some other photos of this magnificent heritage site. Go there if you’ve not, because these photos can’t convey half of the beauty of these structures.

Jodhabai’s palace


Panch Mahal


Salim Chisti’s tomb


For a really good virtual tour of this place, go to the World Heritage Tour website (link via Wikipedia).

My next post with some photos of the Taj is coming up next...

Technorati tags: India, travel, history, heritage site, Agra, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri.

The silly photo tag - this time for real

I've been reminded that I've not participated in the...er..."true spirit" of this tag passed on to me by Vulturo (via Amit), and also been threatened with dire consequences if I don't fall in line.

So, I've come up with something else, which should surely fit the bill.


That's me doing the Peacock number. It's an office party and as it happens in these kind of situations, someone from somewhere got peacock feathers. Various people were then invited, coaxed, cajoled, coerced, harried and harassed to wear these on their back and do..well, the peacock dance. The above was my turn. No, it didn't start raining later, but fun - and hangover - came.

I think this entitles me to one tag and I tag Dhoomk2. Over to you.

And finally, for a nice list (with photos) of other bloggers looking silly, go to Gaurav Mishra's post here.

This time its silly

(Update - also read this)

Ok, first let me make this clear - the sole purpose of this blog is not to be part of tags.

I mean as if this and this weren't enough, now thanks to Vulturo (via Amit), I have to upload a "silly photo" of myself. So here we go-


Before you protest, please note I've stuck to the rules. That is me there and it is silly - I mean come on, you did laugh when you saw it, right ?. History - 2003 Geography - Colombo.

And now since I've done this deed, its time for me to tag. Hmm..who shall it be now.. ah! why don't I tag back Kusum Rohra and Punds. Abhi aapun fittoos.

Lost for thought

As if the company of Dilip D’Souza, his friends Abodh and Mira, his son Sahir and Sahir's cousin Varun wasn’t enough, there was the experience of walking around Chor Bazaar. It had to be a trip to remember.

(All pictures below have been processed by Azhar Chougule who, along with Samarth Bhasin, runs this superb blog - The Daily Sunrise)


The last time I came to Chor Bazaar was 15 years back, when I was all of 19 years. Tagging along then with a group of friends who wanted to buy car stereos, car dashboards, car everything, I was lost in the crowd. And I was lost now.

Our trip starts at B. Merwaan’s, an Irani restaurant opposite Grant Road station. We soaked khakhras in our chai but were sadly late for brun maskas, mawa cakes and other goodies, all of which were over for the day.


Chor Bazaar spills out on the street. Everything is sold here. DVDs, VCDs, cameras, calculators, porn, furniture, clocks, fans (table, ceiling, industrial, etc. etc), brooms, phones…the list is endless. As are the street vendors, the shops and the people.


The Pepsi crate is acutally full of a soft drink called "Fine". Fine Cola, anyone ? We passed.


I wanted to catch the old man with the shining gramophone in the background. He wasn’t too thrilled, but acquiesced all the same.


We pass two mosques - "ek naya, ek purana" we are told.


We notice a broom of a size I didn’t know existed. This was an instant hit with the kids. Two are bought immediately and the lads go about dissecting them with gusto.


Next up is jeera-golli for everyone. The colours are so much brighter now. But the thrill is the same. Even if you can’t get them as easily now near schools.


We stop for masala soda and Abodh informs me that these are still made, even if one can’t find Sosyo on the shelves. Over this refreshing drink we talk about how photography is banned at Chowpatty. Yet, Abodh said he had argued with a cop at the beach. He's posted some nice photos here.

I talk about the Mumbai Mill Land case, and Dilip reminds me of the passing away of his dear friend, Rajnarayan Chandavarkar. Brief silence.

Moving slowly out of Chor Bazaar, we are now at Kumbharwada and facing Null Bazaar. Just ahead is Ladi Bazaar and further on is Khetwadi to our left and Kamathipura to our right.

As we head towards Gol Temple (literally a round-shaped temple at a junction there), the names of the streets change. We leave Husainaya Marg, and Sayed Lane to move on to S. S. Maharaj Marg and Trimbak Parshuram Street.

This is also the area which saw some of the worst rioting in 1992/1993. I stood rooted at the Gol Temple for some moments, trying to rewind to 13 years back and grasp what must have happened then. I can’t.

This link on the Srikrishna Report informs us that the Gol Temple saw many “communal incidents”. Twenty people - largely pedestrians - were attacked and killed on one day alone - 7th Jan 1993 in this area around V.P. Road.

Looking at the way people were rushing around, pushing carts, driving their cabs, on their way home, selling bhutta, channa…….and to think that for days at a stretch, there was arson, riots, loots, murders. All of it, and much more. I still couldn’t get it. I still don’t.

Cut to the present. Both kids are now tired of walking around. So are we. They leave in a taxi, and I follow soon. The crowds begin fading as I reach Marine Drive.

I never thought I’d be a lost within Bombay but today I was. Lost within the streets of Chor Bazaar, lost for thought at Gol Temple, and lost for the myriad of experiences, that is this city.

Bandra Fort, Band Stand - a photo tour

The good thing about a public holiday is fewer crowds outside. Last week had two bank holidays, so I headed over to Band Stand to take a few photos of Bandra Fort and Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Point. Here's a photo tour.

The area is under a project called "Restoration and afforestation of [Bandra's] Land End." As this sign-post informs us, the area is protected, preserved and maintained by the Bandra Bandstand Residents Trust (BBRT).


Welcome to Bandra Fort. [Not surprisingly, the BBRT's littering rule is not being strictly adhered to.]


Here's a brief history of Bandra Fort - a fascinating read. Click on the photo to enlarge and read the text of this plaque.


This is the arch forming the entrance to the Fort. Note vandalism at its worst. I hope the BBRT can remove all that writing around the arch.


The plaque on the arch reads something like this - "ES? BALVAR TE SEFE??? LOVOR DONO ME DEIEOVS EM Ib" (Help - can anyone translate?!)


After walking in, there's another arch inside Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Point.


Here's what the plaque on the arch reads "Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Point. The land form in this point and the path leading to it was presented to the public by Byramjee Jeejeebhoy (ESQ RE) CSI who also contributed a large portion of the expenses of constructing the sea side road and it is therefore also called after him Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Road".



This Point offers an amazing view of the sea to your right. And on your left and front you have the the Bandra Worli Sea Link. [For photos of the BWSL, you can check my post here.]



At almost all times, this area is a favourite for couples. In deference to the privacy of the two couples present when I was there, I left after taking this snap of waves lashing the point.


Coming out of the point I noticed this sign that warns us of snakes in the hills. Luckily, I didn't encounter any.


My picture of the day - This is a view of the Byram J. Point taken from above the hill. There's one of the couples I spoke about above. Also note the aloof gentleman plonked next to them - contemplating the open sea. Ah Bombay - privacy in the open. You can have your space as long as I can have mine. Also note the litter - again Bombay-style.


Here's what the Garden looks like from above. On your right hand side is Sea Rock Hotel (shut since the Bombay Bomb blasts).



And finally, before leaving, I noticed this shop that's in the area, but separated from the garden by a rope. I don't know how the BBRT expects the garden to be clean if you have an eating place inside serving "Chinese Cuisine".



On quiet mornings like this, Band Stand seems far away from the hustle and bustle of crowded Bombay. The litter all around the area depresses me. The vandalim on the arches frustrates and angers me. The BWSL construction bemuses me - a sign of progress that aims to ease daily traffic problems...or an eyesore over a beautiful view.

But then, this is Bombay. Maximum City. A city that at times makes me love to hate it....perhaps because I've dared to love it in the first place.

Links to my other photo posts -
The Bandra Worli Sealink, the view from Band Stand
Thaipusam festival in Bombay
Great gig in the sky
Small gig in the sky

Thaipusam in Bombay

Seeing religious processions in Bombay is not unusual. Even if it consists of people with rods pierced through their faces. Today I happened to have my camera with me, so I clicked some photos.

I thought I'd ask this guy perched on top of a truck what exactly was going on. Language was a bit of a problem so after fumbling for words, I just asked "Bhagwan?" (as in which God?), and he gestured with his hands to make an infant and said "Ganesh ka.." - so I assumed "brother of Ganesh". Then I asked him "Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayali?" (yes, yes - make fun of my ignorance) and he answered "Tamil..Wadala".

Googling on "Tamil procession body piercing" seems to indicate that this is the festival of Thaipusam, commemorating the birthday of Lord Murugan. However, other blogs (like this, this and this) say that this has already been celebrated in Feb. Um..could someone please help me here?

Here are six of the thirteen photos I clicked. You'll figure why I didn't upload the others.

Warning - you could find some photos disturbing.

I haven't seen anything like this. These men are hung by a rope - through hooks pierced in their bodies.

And no, these men were not in pain. At least they didn't show it. Here's another snap.


Yes, all those thin rods are pinned to his body. The stool in that white-shirted guy in the background is so that the devouts can sit, if they want. Thank God for tender mercies.

And this my snap of the day. Those women are feeding milk to that child who, as you can see, is pierced through his mouth. No, he wasn't crying.

And if you thought only the men participated, have a look at the women.

Phew..that was something. Religious fervour (or body piercing?) Bombay style. Again - could someone please let me know if this is not Thaipusam, and if not, then what exactly is it?

Morning with two views

Facing severe writing block, and being more occupied with my other blog with posts on Peddar Road Flyover (here, here and here), I've decided to put these two snaps which in some random ways depict my state of mind at times.

First pic, titled "Stuck". I still don't know what exactly is happening out here. Probably the big ship got stuck in low tide, and these two smaller ships will, at some point time, drag it out.


Second pic is titled "Black and white".




You can also view my other photos here and here.

Ladakh - beyond heaven

Ladakh is beyond words. Let the pictures do the talking. 

My Shimla trip

I'm still getting the hang of Picasa and posting pictures on my blog. Meanwhile, here are some snaps from my recent trip to Shimla, all taken from my hotel room. I tried to get the same frame in various stages of clear sky to snow - and we did get snow, but on the last day of our trip.

I did venture out only once to the Mall Road, but was put off by the crowd, and yes, the dirt. I do wish we could do a better job of keeping our hill stations as pristine as possible.

I must also commend Mr. Sanjay Leela Bhansali for making Christ Church look beautiful in reel life (remember Black?), because it looks nothing like that in real life.