Travelogue! Traveloge! Travelogue!

We set out from Gwalior for an overnight journey to Indore.

Indore.
A city of foodies. It has developed a lot in the past decade, learned to progress with time and can be called the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh. The people here are smooth-talkers. The talk is so saccharine-coated here that it tends to repulse *sometimes*... but, Indore will be loved for its accented tongues and rich cultural diversity.

A few hours journey from Indore took us to Ujjain.

Ujjain.
The city of Mahakaal Lord Shiv, called by many names in the past. This city boasts of its antediluvian culture. There was Mahakaal temple where you have to wait in a long queue to go to the temple situated in a cave filled with the aroma of marigolds and a commotion of spirited people. Then there was the Bhairav Baba who's offered liquor as "Prasaad". The place I loved the most was the ghat situated on the banks of River Shipra (or more correctly Kshipra). Simply divine. The agnostic in me had taken a backseat and I had fully immersed myself in the mood of the city. If God exists, he must be feeding on human faith in India 'cause it is in abundance here.

Then we took off to the commercial capital of India- Mumbai. This was the first time in my life that I had boarded a flight, believe it or not, till now... I had been traveling in a world where buses and trains were the only feasible options.

Mumbai.
Not much to do here especially when you are with family. The Gateway of India and the Hotel Taj facing each other is a sight to behold. The Haaji Ali Dargah is so humbling, it takes you down to your knees while you watch in awe. We also went to see the Siddhi Vinayak Temple, the hanging gardens and Mahalaxmi temple. But, more of the time was spent crawling in the traffic. The Victoria Terminal Station is majestic and brings so many deja vus for a regular Hindi cinema goer. Mumbai is too busy to wait for anyone.

In the evening, we were flown to Chennai. This is the place about which perhaps I have the most to say about-

Chennai.
Tamilians don't like Hindi. Period. What I thought was a mere predisposition by the North Indians- the ones who call all South Indians- Madrasi and mock their accents and even language. But, turns out that the Tamilians indiscriminately loathe the Hindi language and those who mouth it. Hope things are a-changing now. No signs for it though. Chennai... a city of the learned ones. The ones who prefer The Hindu- a supposedly boring newspaper over other gossipy yet entertaining ones. A city of South Indian culture and human zeal. People are not fans, they are worshippers her. The abundance of faith makes Chennai so Indian! The co-existence of brain and faith (heart) in the same land is a little scary for me. The words written outside the gates of a famous temple had such an effect on my mind that I will never ever be seeing Hinduism in the same light of piousness as before. Chennai tainted Hinduism for me with the words- "Non-Hindus are not allowed inside" written on the notice board outside the temple gates. I felt like returning... I am a Hindu and I felt so unwelcome!

ANYWAY! The temples of Mahabalipuram were a treat to the eyes. The sea shore temple and the history behind it was mesmerizing. We were accompanied by a few hundred schoolgirls during our visit to the temples. It seemed like an excursion. Their "Miss" was so strict and "khadoos"... it seemed funny.

We also saw a sea lion perform amazing stunts at a resort and a crocodile zoo filled with crocs and crocs on one another soaking up some sun.

More later.... am tired now...

Pictures Tomorrow!

So.........! *Sigh*

I am back from the holidays and like always, there's a lot to say. I think I'll better blurt it out on my other blogspot. I'll post the pictures here though. So, watch this space.

Here's the link to my travelogue- the link

:)

Happy Journey to me........

Off to the Andamans!

Dam!

26-08-08

Today would go down as a memorable day in my diary. Me, Krishna and Atul went to a water reservoir about 20 kilometers away from the city and went boating and trekking, (well, sort of) there.

Amidst all this, the unrelenting humidity of this landscape was trying to kill us with dehydration through perspiration, our saviour came in the form a sweet little drizzle and later on the cool breeze through the hilly highway.

Kabhi khud pe hansa main.....

... kabhi khud pe roya.... That's the lyrics of the first Indian Rock album sung in Hindi! I like that track!

Today was a dull day. The day began at 3 in the noon or something.... I was lazing on the Sofa when Atul came and we took off to some outdoorsy action. It was hot and humid outside as it is right now and is very irritating!

Life in South India is so much better weather-wise and otherwise. Us North Indians have a philosophy which is very non-violent in nature but still has something wrong about it. It is- "Live and let die." Maybe, it's the weather. South India which has a much gentler climate produces much gentler people. I was born in Spring so maybe that's why I am so gay-ishly gentle. Hehe!

Janmashtami

Today, as I was riding through the busy streets of Gwalior on the eve of Janmashtmi- a festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna... an unexplainable aura gripped me and led me through the festive spirit of India-ness. It is a special feeling to feel Indian, rarely it happens but when happens, it leaves you with goosefleshes and a glitter in the eye.

People had come down to the roads to celebrate the birth of their favourite deity. Such love, such faith, such enthusiasm.... it fixed a smile on my face....

Human pyramid in the middle of the road to break the matki, all the order in the chaos.... people here love to celebrate the fact that they can celebrate. I am proud to be one of them!

GOVINDA AALA RE!!!!!

Fort Today

Today, me and Krishna went to the Gwalior fort. Had fun playing with the Sony Handycam I got from one uncle....

Have a look-