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Just About Everything

This blog is just about everything under the sun. It is really my diary....I jot out events that leave a lasting impression on me. It could be anything; relationships, business, culture...writing provides me a release from everyday stress and I take refuge in it very often. It gives me a lot of pleasure.

Durga puja Pandals, Kolkata, 2008

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- October 14, 2008

Some absolutely awesome Durga puja pandals in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

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The legend of Bon Bibi, Sunderbans, West Bengal, India

- April 08, 2012

I first came to know about Bon Bibi while reading Amitava Ghosh's Hungry Tide. In fact, Sunderbans unfolded before me because I read that book. Strange though, I was living in Kolkata for so many yaers but before that I had never had an urge to travel to Sunderbans! And I call myself a travel enthusiast! But seriously, my curiosity about Sunderbans happened only after that. "Hungry Tide" is a great book. I am a huge fan of Amitava Ghosh's books. Since I read that book, I have visited Sunderbans twice and I plan to go there again this winter. The legend of Bon Bibi fascinated me. In Sunderbans, Bon Bibi is the deity everyone prays to before going about their everyday business. She is the protector of the people; she protects the people from tigers. Hindus and Muslims alike, pray to the Goddess. According to the legend, there was a Sufi fakir, Ibrahim who lived in Medina. He was childless. Archangel Gabriel gave him a boon. He had two children, a daughter (Bon B...

Ancient Ellora Cave temples; Ravan Ki Khai (cave 14) and Dasavatara (cave 15) cave temples

- July 02, 2016

Ellora Cave 14, Ravan Ki Khai Today's post is in continuation to my earlier post on Ellora . Caves 14 and 15 of the Brahmanical group may not be as grand as cave 16 , but they are beautiful and you can see some amazing sculptures and carvings in these caves. Cave 14 is called Ravan ki Khai because of the sculpture of Ravana shaking Kailasa (this happens to be quite a popular theme in Ellora.). This cave seems to be dedicated to Shakti worship because there are a number of female deities in this cave temple. A panel on the wall has seven (could not get a good picture). Cave 15 (Dasavatara cave ) is grand. It is called Dasavatara because of the various beautifully sculpted incarnations of Vishnu in this cave. There is a dance hall (Natya mandapa) right at the centre of the courtyard. The ground section of the cave does not have too many sculptures, but the upper level has quite a few sculptures. The first thing that you see in the upper level is Shiva’s chariot, a beautifu...

Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's house in Howrah district, West Bengal

- February 02, 2013

Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's house Around 1 and a half hour’s drive from Kolkata (50 kms), is Deulti in Howrah district of Kolkata. It is a quiet place, and a perfect getaway for a picnic or a day's outing. Deulti is well-known for Bengali novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's house which is in a nearby village Samtaber. Just across the house, a short distance away, flows Rupnarayan river. I fell in love with the beautiful house, not only because it was where Sarat Chandra spent a lot of his time, but also because of the history of the place, and the serene and peaceful surroundings. Some of his famous works, among many, are - Parinita Devdas Srikanto Choritrohin Bordidi Mej Didi Entrance to the house View from the house Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's house Interiors of the house Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's house interiors Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's house interiors Courtyard ...