When I was In Lucknow – 1

This is the start of my post so no pictures here...

It was evening and raining when I was waiting for bus to Delhi. Though I was going to Lucknow but I had to finish some work in Delhi. Around 7 PM bus came into station. I had booking so I retired to my seat. Rain became fast which was creating wrinkles on my face because roads can get close anytime through the landslide. Some more passengers enter into bus otherwise it was almost empty.  I push my seat little back and stare out. Station was in mode of emptiness. Few shopkeepers were inside their shop and some passengers were strolling out in rain. Around 8 PM bus start as it was empty so everybody was silent. We reached Haldwani at 9.30. Haldwani was full of life and Kumauni songs were blearing with full volume…

Bus stops here for 1 hour and then starts again. It was a bore journey because nothing interesting was happening. Anyways few miles away bus stopped with full breaks. Everybody gets in active mode and shouted together – what happened ? Big python crossing road – driver replied. Everybody wanted to see him so as me because it was something new for me too.  Everybody has their own idea about python which they gave as their precious advice like he must come here by mistake that he is baby python that he is sick and so on and on and on.  Meanwhile python crossed the road and hidden into jungle.  All came inside and bus starts again. This was the only activity…

Morning 7 A.M. I reached Delhi. It was overcast but luckily not raining. Delhi was running like always. Every time when I come here, city looks new to me.  I took DTC bus and went to my destination. Whole day I did my work and by evening I went to Ghaziabad Railway Station to pick up the train to Lucknow. My train has to leave by 8.30 so I moved station by 5.30 which was itself a struggling journey. I again took ramshackle DTC bus giving feeling that anytime it can off from life anyways it was full so I stood inside. Half n hour later I reached Ghaziabad and took auto-rickshaw for railway station. Auto wala stuffed lots of passenger in rickshaw. No one could sit comfortably but he kept on stuffing as he is stuffing chickens inside. Eventually when passengers start shouting at him then he start auto but still stopping in every second for more passengers whom I don’t know where he is going to give seat. Finally I reached station by 7.45. I was assured my train would be on platform but for my disappointment train was two hours late. I had no choice accept to wait…

I thought to roam around in station because this was the only thing which I can do perfectly for time pass. Station was overcrowded with the heap of passengers. Floor of platform layered with passengers who were slipping on it. Where the space was empty I could see the layer of dirt and red stains of tobacco. Some were sitting on the top of their stack of luggage. I always noticed that Indians travels with lots of luggage. This is common scenario of many stations. Eventually I got one seat on rickety iron bench which was again dirty but I had no other option…

Trains were running on the track. Tracks were littered with plastic and other scraps. Station announcements were announcing about trains time and other information. My bench was near to track which was vibrating when trains were passing through. All trains were full because it was Rakhi festival. In many trains passengers were hanging out and some were sitting on the floor of train. I spend some time here and then again went to roam around. I crossed one platform through over bridge and went to another side. Here again all stairs, side paths, over bridges were packed. I was experiencing all this by then my train came on platform. Big smile appeared on my face but as I couldn’t get AC compartment so I was travelling in sleeper class…

I went to the train find out my birth and put my rucksack. It was lower side birth. This compartment was again overcrowded. Passengers were standing or sitting everywhere. I wanted to go to toilet but could not go. Whole night it was hustle-bustle in train so there was no option for sleep. Eventually I woke up and set on my birth to watch out. It was raining and all green which was the only thing to give pleasure. But railway tracks were littered with human dispose. I could see people sitting on the tracks which are new thing for me…

Train crossed many big junctions like Kanpur, Unnav and others. Here train become local and stopping in every spot. Collage going student and office people were main passengers. It was not raining but become hot. Around 10 AM I reached Lucknow…

Continue…

Durga Puja 2013

I was strolling on the Mall Road and decided to go for Naina Devi temple to see Durga Puja celebration and click some pictures. I have never thought that this celebration could be so sparkling and so lively. When I went there it was little hustle- bustle. I roam around for some time and then went to main temple.  Main temple was decorated with Goddess Durga statue, made by Local artist…

I came to know that the main worship will start by 6 PM. so I stand there and wait. Temple was crowed. Devotees were coming to pay their obeisance to Goddess Durga. One priest was telling devotional story and showing his grief for declining social values…

Suddenly hustle-bustle increased and sound of drum became louder… Few temple workers were keeping everybody away from the place where main prayer would be start after some time. Devotees were taking place to watch the big prayer. Everybody wanted to sit in front seat. I was still standing and busy watching all activities…

After one and half hour wait main prayer started. Head priest started prayer with different sort of things. He was moving his hand in full circle and he himself was also moving in circle. He did this almost 9 or 10 time and every time he were holding different thing in his hand. He started with wick lamp and ended it with earthen made lamp stuffed with fired coconut or jute strings. Now smoke was all over. Head priest has no reactions on his face. He was behaving as he is away from this earth and moving in some other world …

When he finished his prayer then devotees start their prayer. All has different style to show their devotion to goddess. Only one thing was common that earthen made lamp. Some did it with two lamp some did it with three lamp. One girl has danced first and then she hold lamp. Whole temple area was covered with layer of thick smoke and sound of drum was in full tempo…

I looked at viewers who were busy in clicking pictures with mobile. Almost everyone was clicking pictures and showing to others. I thought I was here because I wanted to click pictures but are they also here for the same reason or they had any religious regions ? I couldn’t get the answer.  Anyways this whole thing was very enjoyable which I did at that particular moment and then I went back with some pictures…

 

Small Trip to Small Town

I cramped into ramshackle taxi and waiting it to move.  When all seats became full driver start with lots of attitude.  I was going Bhowali, which is small town near Nainital, to see Nanda Devi Festival there…

When I reached Bhowali I moved to temple. Though I was thinking temple would be overcrowded but for my irony temple was empty.  Few saints were there and two priests were doing prayer in main temple of Goddess Nanda…

This festival is vastly celebrated in Uttarakhand, India. It says that this festival has begun from 16^th century which is still celebrates by the local people.  The special thing about festival is that the Idol of Goddesses makes by the local artisans. Basic structure of idol make by banana tree. This is very time taking and tedious work. It starts one day before festival.  Next day priest bring them to the main temple and grand celebration starts…

 

Well I went to idol of Nanda and Sunanda which was glittering with jewelry and gaudy items. I saw one priest between two was a young guy at the age of 14-15 only.  If he is doing this seriously then it would be really shocking but I am sure after festival he will turn into his daily life. My only goal was to click pictures but I did prayer also because one priest came and gave me flower petals and rice seeds. After clicking pictures I turned out… 

I told by one guy that some cultural functions are going on in this occasion. I went to the hall which was pitched on bare field. Hall was almost empty when I entered.  Red & white plastic chair arranged in one corner of hall and 4-5 big white sofas were placed in front of plastic chairs, which must be for special guest. I was thinking to sit on plastic chair but then a guy came and offered me to sit in white sofa. I was treating like special guest I thought. Well that guy knew me as a journalist, which he told me later. I occupied seat in white sofa and noticed raised platform at the other end where program would be start. There some more sofas were placed…

Hall was still empty but ear-deafening devotional music was blearing through loudspeaker. I don’t understand why always blear music in such volume which can’t be tolerated by anyone but people enjoy this chaotic sound.  Well I changed my seat to secure my ears from this sound. When I was busy in observing inside activity then group of dancers took entry. They were dancing regional dance called CHHOLIYA which is basically a fighter’s dance that’s’ why they always carry sword and in their hands.  But for my irony dancers were dancing in their own music and loudspeaker were still blearing songs…

After this dance crowd start coming in hall. One lady came to me and ask – are you journalist ? From which paper you belong ? You saw paintings ? My son won award for his painting.  She did not wait for me to reply and continue talking then she walks to the stage where paintings were hanging on the wall. I left alone again. 3-4 child artists came and went to back stage. Meanwhile few local artists took stage and start their performance luckily music has turned off now. One of them came to mike and shows his grief about spoiling culture…  

Organizers were sprinting from one end to other and busy to give instructions. Hall was pack now so as white sofas. Anchor came on stage give opening speech and start calling name who would be the chief guests. After 2-3 name anchor announced my name and said – Vineeta Yashswi please come on stage. I was amused by my name… I was there as a viewer not as a chief guest. But that time I could not do anything so moved to stage where a lady tie badge on my chest...

 This program went on till 5 minutes and then anchor again give stage to artist. And they start their performance. Though drum is not part of local music but now this is the age of fusion so we should accept this.  I noticed that one room is attached behind the main stage for artist to change.  From where kids were popping out to see stage program. I was on stage so not able to click pictures but I did try to click some...

 

Between the program hustle- bustle become fast and everybody went to the gate. I came to know that special chief guest of program is about to reach, who was Honorable Uttarakhand State Minister Mr. Govind S. Kunjwal . Everybody went to gate to receive him. He entered into hall surrounded by huge mob. He seems to be a simple person. He wished everyone then came to stage and takes his position.  Round of tea and sweet starts now. Anchor again hold mike and thank to Honorable Minister to accept invitation to come on the occasion and request him to start program officially to light the wick lamp. One magazine also has been released by him so he called him to release the book and also called us to join him...

 After this I walked off from the stage. One guy offered me food which was arranged by the organizers. I went to another hall which was attached with this hall. One long wooden table was surrounded with people where food was served. I also stand there. Food which was Rise, Dal, Sabzi and pickle served to me on dry leaf plate. For me this was the best part of this whole program. I thank everybody to give me such respect and back to taxi stand…

When I was In Kolkata

I recently visited Kolkata and had amazing experiences about the place... In this post I am posting some pictures of Kolkata and in next post I will update blog post with complete write up...

 

 

Red Fort Agra

I got chance to go to Agra year before last and get chance to visit Red Fort of Agra. 

Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 2.5 km northwest from the Taj Mahal.

Agra Fort built by Akbar in Red Sandstone when he was through with the consolidation of his power after accession to power in 1654, Agra Fort worked both as a military strategic point as well as the royal residence.

Architects laid the foundation and it was built with bricks in the inner core with sandstone on external surfaces. Some 1,444,000 builders worked on it for eight years, completing it in 1573.

The fort contains splendid palaces both in red sandstone and white marble built by two generations of prolific builders Akbar and later Jehangir and Shahjahan. Of the nearly 500 Akbari buildings built in the Bengal and Gujarati traditions only a few have survived, arrayed in a band on the riverfront.

Some Pictures of This Fort 

Old Fort : Delhi

In the month of February I went to Delhi as I had to finished some work in Chadni Chuak... After finishing my work I got chance to visit the Old Fort of Delhi and I have not miss the chance...

The Old Fort of Delhi, which is also known from the past as Purana Qila, is a large for that was built in the middle part of the sixteenth century by Sher Shah Suri. This was built after he had defeated Humayun and then conquered the city of Dinpanah. The fort was constructed with red sandstone and was made as a home for the ruler of the land to use. This is a key reason as to why the fort has a combination of both Afghan and Hindu influences in its design.

The fort had been out of use after Humayun's death because Humayun slipped on a stairwell in the Old Fort in 1556 and later died from his injuries. This caused some to believe that the fort was cursed.

The fort features a large build that is more than two kilometers in length and has walls that are at least eighteen meters in height depending on where they are located. There are many square pillars around the fort. The Afghan accents in the fort include a series of domes and arches around many points of the fort.

The three main gates around the Old Fort are very attractive. These gates feature three chhatris on their top spots. These spots are easily noticeable in that they are accents that take up around two stories each. The Forbidden Gate chhatri on the northern gate features a unique carving that features a series of lions in marble.

A beautiful mosque is also located inside the fort. This is the Quila Kuhna Masjid mosque. It features a combination of white marble and sandstone.

The Sher-Mandal is another great point in the fort. This octagon tower features a large plasterwork that was designed by Sher Shah Suri and was used by Humayan as his library. This is believed to be where the stairwell that Humayan fell down on is located.