Of People and Places

A part of the Bhojeshwar temple complex Just outside of Bhopal, there is a little known town called Bhojpur on the banks of river Betwa. My friend and I went on a visit on the way to Bhopal from Hoshangabad. We got down from the bus and took a shared auto to go to the Bhojeshwar temple, and a shared ride it was indeed! The driver was more than happy to accommodate more passengers so that  there were 10 of us, not to mention our suitcase and handbags, all in 1 auto! We were crammed together like sardines, in uncomfortable positions. When I first  caught sight of the Bhojeshwar temple, I was blown away! It is a sparse landscape that surrounds the temple, and the huge structure in contrast, really catches the eye.  It is an incomplete temple, with one of the largest Shiva lingas in the world. You could see it from a distance but if you were to go inside the structure, even if you were to crane your neck you would be able to see only the bottom of the large pedestal and not the S

The beginning of summertime in Bangalore is a treat. The tabebuias are in full blossoms,  their delicate blooms falling down in a soft shower on the streets, kids are looking forward to their summer vacation and all the untold pleasure that it brings. Adults are more relaxed and willing to be wooed by the charm of the season. Even working in this season is a pleasure, all you need is a window to gaze out from time to time, to get into a good mood and feel motivated to work! Cubbon Park is at its best, offering perfect spots for family picnics and boxed lunches, nooks under trees to lie down in and while away time with a good book, or take a nap in the warm grass, hoping the ants won't crawl into your underpants!  I have seen many families, replete with grandparents and little kids get huge tiffin boxes full of mouthwatering biriyani. Puliogare, Chitranna, Sandwiches, Upma, Stuffed parathas,Pulau, Bisibelebath, Bhel, boiled eggs, need I go on? So go out and seize the day!

After a whirlwind trip to Pushkar in an extremely crowded local bus and being hoodwinked by a zealous auto rickshaw driver into a fool's errand to check a spot ( The deal, we came to know later, was to go on a camel ride for exorbitant rates. We refused....Ours was a shoestring budget - the kind of shoestring where you tie a knot and hang on for dear life!!), we were ready to go sightseeing in Ajmer. ( Do visit the Pushkar valley  - The route is breathtaking.) We visited the Ajmer Dargah at dusk.  The road to the Dargah is very crowded and filled with tourists, pilgrims, shop vendors and 'streetfood eaters'. Fairy lights twinkle overhead and  shine in children's festive clothes. The most unique shops are of the loban sellers -  I was astounded by the sheer variety of frankincense/ loban that are there. There were times when these shops looked more like a halwaii/ sweetshop   than those selling joss sticks and perfumed resins! I couldn't make m

On a trip to Mysore, we met this little fella in Dubare - A frisky baby elephant happy to be let loose for a little while. His mahout was a little kid of  about 8 or 9 years and I thought to myself, Well! Isn't this a great pair. They both ran into the Kabini river for bath time accompanied by a horde of tourists  wanting to  'bathe' the baby elephant while he just laid there in the cold water , happy as a lark , making gurgling noises and flapping his ears. I was one of the tourists and I was also happy to give the little one a scrub. I like elephants. As do most people. But I suppose humans liking them is not a very good thing for elephants themselves. There is a lot of cruelty involved in making them ' human - friendly'. Have you visited the Mysore Dasara and seen the elephant parade? Or seen an elephant in South Indian temples? And admired them because they look so mammoth, majestic and grand? And felt affection and warmth for them, accompanied by a lit