Jaisalgarh hotel

Nice pretyy little hotel just on the outskirts of Jaisalmer.

Now off to indo-pak border which is about 125 kms from here.

Sunset at Sam dunes

The amount of people is staggering.

I thought desert would be a lot quieter than this.

Haldi vegetable

Wow.

I didn't know there were vegetables made from haldi - entirely!

Deshnook - Mice everywhere!

Situated about 40 minutes from Bikaner, this is a temple built for goddess Karnimata who was 1 of the 7 sisters that have temples dedicated to them.

The temple is famous for being a place that's crawling with mice - called kaaba.

The Rajasthani word for 'little boy/son is Kabba and kaaba is derived from that - the mice are considered as sons of the goddess.

Considering how dirty they are, it was surprisingly clean and absolutely un-smelly.

The 600 year old temple has never had a single case of plague in its history. Even when there have been plague cases nearby.
It is said that the mice of the temple never ever step out of the temple - which seemed true since before entering we couldn't see even one!

It is further said that the mice from outside the temple don't enter the temple either - something a LOT harder to verify - but probably giving a good explanation for their ability to escape the plagues - insulation/isolation.

The temple has a long 'parikrama' that spans 36 kilometers and apparently has to be finished in one night - this year 80k people finished it.

Interestingly enough, the lady forbid people to worship her through her entire life (150 years estimated) but ofcourse once she was dead, people went ahead and did it anyway.

Karnimata was not really interested in the social life but her parents were after her life to get married. So, she did what any normal goddess-in-the making would do - she married the king.

However, she probably didn't like the honeymoon destination or maybe the king sucked at seduction but the wedding wasn't consummated because she wasn't interested. So she got her sister married to the king as well so that THEY could have a normal married life - I think some minus points for lack of foresight of getting the sister married in the first place - especially since she was a goddess in the making.

Anyway, so coming back to the temple, there are literally hundreds, maybe even thousands of mice roaming the place - so much so that first time visitors are advised to put their feet on the white tiles because its easier to spot mice on it - and avoid stepping on them.

Apparently its lucky to see a white mouse. I saw one - twice!
Don't care whether its true or not but its a good feeling :))

Bikaner

Christmas at select citywalk

More amazement at just how seriously we celebrate this festival.

For shops, ofcourse this is another reason to offer more discounts and increase footfalls.

For me, its a 10 day vacation! Woohoo!!

Also, why is this purple?

Christmas decorations

At dilli-o-dilli at IHC.

I find it increasingly surprising just how many places are getting these christmas decorations and just how many of us look forward to christmas breaks.

It speaks volumes for our collective secularism. Well done!

Man ka radio

At the hall. Attempting to watch Man ka radio. We are the only 7 ppl in the hall.

I plead temporary insanity.

Taj Mahal Photos

Photos from my recent trip to the Taj

Enjoy!

These are sweets!

This is a 'seasonal mithai' which is made only during winters since its made of butter - which melts in summers rather quickly :)

It was too sweet and I couldn't get over the watermelon look - which is one of the few fruits I hate!

I don't know what this is called though. Do you?

Lifesaver

At 2am, and with temperatures that felt below freezing, we took shelter under this gas heater.

There were 3/4 of these surrounding the area where the feras were taking place.

We also had our suits on as well as a razai to curl into.

It was all I could do to not fall asleep!

It was fun though!

My bro gets married!

It always amazes me when 2 people tie the knot and decide to spend the rest of their lives together - through sickness and health, sorrow and happiness, triumphs and tribulations.

Even though I have known the bride for about 3 days, I can say that my bro is one heck of a lucky guy. She is super cool - and that is a word I don't generaly compliment ppl with very often.

Btw, this raised platform was an excellent idea so everyone could stand around and have their fill of the 'doolah dulhan'

Have a great life you two!

Pottery

At fatehpur sikri.

Better pics from my recent agra trip will follow shortly!

Wall fixture

Cool wall fixture at lazeez on malcha marg.

I'd like to put this on my cieling so that it looks like stars twinkling at night!

The Wedding spread

It's amazing just how many gifts get spread out at weddings.

I've been asked to sit in a room full of wrapped up presents while the ladies do their dance etc. in another part of the house.

Weddings are awesome!

Foggy morning

Slight fog and lots of cold as I begin packing to leave for agra.

Oh and, finally IT gave me my BB back so atleast the camera works :)

Phone slippers

I have never seen a 'cuter' phone accessory than this slipper attachment.

Cinderall phone jokes flood my mind.

Awesome tag line

Reads: "Joins everything except broken hearts! :)"

Genuine Imitation Life

Recently, one of my relatives walked into a room where us 3 brothers were sitting together, each busy on his own laptop or mobile device.

Jokingly, he referred this belafonte song - Genuine Imitation Life and it has been stuck in my mind ever since:

--
Chameleon changing colors-
while a crocodile cries
People rubbing elbows,
but never touching eyes.
Taking off their masks,
revealing still another guise
Genuine imitation life

People buying happiness and manufactured fun
Everybody doing what everybody's done
People count on people who can only count to one
Genuine imitation life

All the pretty clouds are a lovely shade of black
You find the right direction, someone tears up all the track
People worship crosses, fingers crossed behind their back
Genuine imitation life

Old friends get together but it's solitaire they play
Everybody's rainbow done in different shades of gray
It's a lovely place to visit but I wouldn't want to stay
In a genuine imitation life
Genuine imitation life
---

I am back!

It's been a while since I've posted here.

One of the main reasons was working around the various corp BB restrictions - my primary mode of blogging is banging my thoughts out on my BB.

Hopefully, I can be more frequent now!