A Scrapbook Of Photos From Ahmedabad!

Here are some pictures from my recent visit to Ahmedabad. They say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will let the pictures do most of the talking. However, I am adding a few words to each picture to give it some context, and to make it relevant and more meaningful.

Atal Bridge runs across the Sabarmati River, occupying a pride of place along the Sabarmati Riverfront. Meant only for pedestrians, this is 300 metres long. Inaugurated in 2022, its design is inspired by kites underlining the importance of Uttarayan, or Kite Festival celebrated in Ahmedabad every year in January. I enjoyed crisscrossing the bridge on foot. I visited it in the early evening. Missed out on the illuminations that make it look like a sparkling necklace once it gets dark.

This store was more like a warehouse! Crammed with food products from floor to ceiling, it offered a variety of dry sweets and savouries--farsan in Gujarati--, that Gujarat is famous for. I ended up picking up more than I had planned for.

These little charkhas look neat, don't they? And surely they could not have been on display in a better location! Their vendor has laid them out for customers just outside the Sabarmati Ashram. 

Historic Bhadra Fort built in 1411 by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the walled city of Ahmedabad. The much revered Bhadrakali Temple is situated in this complex. The fort functioned as a royal court and a British prison.

Bhadrakali Temple in the early morning sun with the turrets of the fort in the background. I happened to visit it on a Tuesday, a special day for worshipping the Goddess. A group of people was busy singing bhajans to the accompaniment of musical instruments. The atmosphere was festive as the temple was getting ready to celebrate the 615th foundation day of the city of Ahmedabad. 

A stall inside the temple selling flowers, coconuts and red chunaris that visitors buy as an offering to the Goddess. 

The imposing Bhadra Fort. It was not possible to capture both the turrets in the picture.

This amazing gateway stands tall in the walled city. A relic from the past connecting the present with yesteryear.

This is Tankshal-ni-Haveli situated in a narrow and busy lane. This area housed the coin mint in olden days. The haveli was probably built in the 1800s. It features stunning woodcarvings. It was converted into a girls' school in 1925, but has been in disuse for a long time now. Passersby and residents are unaware of the importance of this structure and it is a pity to see it stand amidst the chaotic environment of its surroundings.

The fine carving on the upper floor of the haveli!

Mannequins in the cramped lanes of Ratan Pol. This is a bustling market selling fabrics and garments. 

Photos by Lata

I chanced upon this group of women dressed in their finery inside the Adalaj stepwell. Their bright attire provided an interesting contrast to the light coloured backdrop. At the same time the reds and pinks in the foreground accentuated the beauty of the exquisite setting.

A Scrapbook Of Photos From Kolkata!

I had been waiting to enjoy jhalmuri in Kolkata, and when it appeared in front of me in such an attractive way, I was delighted. This mixture of puffed rice with a variety of ingredients was tangy and spicy. I asked the vendor to add a bit of almost everything from his basket to the serving he was making for me, other than the customary mustard oil. Purists may scoff at my omission of this dressing, but I am afraid, my palate simply cannot take it. On the way from Kolkata to Shantiniketan.

Hordes of people had descended on the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Founded by Swami Vivekananda, the temple draws on Hindu, Christian, Islamic and Buddhist architectural styles as a symbol of unity. The sprawling campus looked very colourful and picturesque, with hundreds of seasonal flowers blooming in the gardens. In spite of the crowds, it was serene; the quiet Hooghly flowing nearby adding to its beauty. At the Belur Math.

Taking a well-deserved break in the middle of a busy day! Somewhere in the vicinity of the Marble Palace.

It is not yet five in the evening and the sun is ready to set soon! A boatman at work with people enjoying the ride in his boat. The Vidyasagar Setu looks grand and imposing. At the Prinsep Ghat.

This window looks so striking with its lovely contrast! At the Jorasanko Thakur Bari.

The blue door attracted my attention. The cycle added an interesting dimension. And the plants provided a touch of life to the frame. In Kumartuli.

The small temple makes everything around it so bright and cheerful! I could not resist taking a picture. In Kumartuli.

Kolkata was the first city to begin Metro rail operations in India in 1984. I took a ride and liked the experience. At Shyambazar Metro station.

The Rabindra Sarobar and its surroundings offer excellent recreational spots to people of all ages. The area is well-maintained and clean. A great place to be outdoors in the middle of a busy metropolis. View from the Calcutta Rowing Club.

A walk along the Rabindra Sarobar.

It was nice crossing the river from Babu Ghat to Howrah in this passenger boat. The ride costs Rs. 6 and lasts only a few minutes. Got treated to lovely views of the iconic Howrah Bridge from the boat.

It is difficult to get the bridge in a single frame. This is the best I could get!

As I alighted from the passenger boat and walked up the ramp, the Howrah station was just across the road.

Hand-pulled rickshaws continue to ply in Kolkata. In fact, they are one of the cultural icons of the city. Rehabilitation of rickshaw pullers and introduction of battery-operated modern vehicles is the need of the hour. At Shyambazar.

These windows are so typical of Kolkata! This is the scene in a lane on a lazy Sunday morning. In Shyambazar.

People living upstairs and small businesses downstairs. The beautiful balconies and drying clothes are so lively and colourful! The trees, shops and homes present a happy picture of co-existence. At Shyambazar.

Photos by Lata

This is where one normally exits the Victoria Memorial halls. The halls were bursting at their seams with crowds. They are impressive and loaded with information on Kolkata and its people. It was interesting reading about the beginnings of the city and how it came to be the bustling metropolis that it is today. Also, about all the distinguished personalities in various fields who contributed to the growth and glory of Kolkata. Being there was a humbling and enriching experience!

Read my posts on Jorasanko Thakur Bari and Kumartuli here.

More Snapshots From London!

I had the opportunity to live in Central London for a few weeks between mid-April and mid-May this year. Barring the first few days, the weather was generally great to go out and soak in the sights, sounds and smells of the city. The sprawling parks had just begun to look lovely with fresh green leaves on the tall trees and unending stretches of luxurious lawns spread across the length and breadth of their expanse. With the fabulous public transport, it was wonderful to experience London this spring. Here are some pictures to tell the story:

The shops were filled with merchandise related to the royal wedding weeks before the event. Shelves were overflowing with bells, boxes, decorative plates, mugs and masks displaying images of the handsome royal couple. Breakfast shows on the telly (that was the only time I watched it for a little while) couldn't stop discussing the forthcoming extravaganza. The British do adore and love their royals a lot! Pictures from Oxford Street.

And this one from a shopping centre in Surrey Quays! Parents were busy getting masks for their children a few days before the royal wedding.

St. Paul's Cathedral is imposing, and in spite of being located in a busy urban area, it manages to offer a good amount of space for citizens to take a break, or catch some sun on a nice day, or sit amidst the flowers and greenery while having a quick bite on a busy work day. At the St. Paul's Cathedral.

The telephone booth is one of several icons of London. This particular one at the St. Paul's Cathedral serves as a backdrop for many newly-weds when they pose in their wedding finery. With the Cathedral at one end and the Tate Modern at the other end, and the Millennium Bridge joining them; this area is very charming.

It is hard to imagine the streets of London without the sleek red buses winding their way through them. Some of them display "Incredible India" advertisements with images of popular tourist destinations in India. This particular one with the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

This beautiful water fountain caught my attention while walking in a park. When I went close and read the inscription, I found that it had an India connect (not surprising or unusual in London). But just that I was amused to find it when I was least expecting it. At the Regent's Park.

This stunningly beautiful piece of fabric attracted me with its radiant colours and rich tapestry. To my surprise, I found that it was possibly from Burhanpur in central India. It was used as a panel while making tents for the royals while travelling. At the Victoria & Albert Museum.

This is an ubiquitous item in our kitchens. A round stainless steel box containing several small containers for different spices. Looks like it has caught the fancy of shoppers in London! At the Borough Market.

Surprised to find signboards written in Gurmukhi in London? Well, it is Southall, the mini-Punjab in the city. With gurudwaras, turbaned mechanics at work in an automobile garage, Indian eateries, Punjabi matrons wearing salwar suits visiting the local market, and huge stores selling Indian groceries and vegetables; it gets as Punjabi as it can.

It was as if this peacock was trained to entertain visitors. It gave a long enough performance for everyone to shoot videos and take pictures to their hearts' content, its magnificent plumage spread like a huge fan against the green foliage of the garden. At the Holland Park.

Photos by Lata

This picture symbolises spring and summer in a London park, fresh, tranquil and beautiful! At the Regent's Park.

My previous post on the same lines is here.

Snapshots From London!

Sharing some recent pictures from my London album. These days, one takes hundreds of pictures when one is on a trip. I did too. Here are a few of them that tell a story or are just a bit different from the rest. Take a look!

I like how the little girl is holding her own in front of the ferocious-looking lion! Look at her posture, spunk and attitude. Did not particularly see her while clicking. Else I would have included her fully in the frame. Was amused to notice her later while looking at this picture. At the Trafalgar Square.

This picture too happened by chance. How interesting that the man and the woman in the sculpture are looking in the opposite direction while their counterparts in real life are facing each other! A nice contrast. At the Buckingham Palace.

Hundreds of lovely ladies and gentlemen waiting outside the Buckingham Palace on a pleasant sunny afternoon. Apparently the Queen had invited them to tea. While the security guards were busy assisting them and maintaining order, the guests were making the most of the opportunity by posing for pictures using the palace as a backdrop. The ladies were at their elegant best flaunting their flowing dresses and flowery hats. The men looked suave in their formal suits. I had no invitation, I just happened to be there and enjoyed watching the spectacle from the sidelines.

Serenity at its best. This lady had found an ideal spot to relax, rejuvenate or reflect on her life. At the Kew Gardens.

I was in a bus going towards the British Museum when this sculpture of the Mahatma caught my eye. I saw what the nearest bus stop was and made a note to stop there on my way back. 

While I was busy taking pictures, a group of people led by a lady descended at the statue. She stood there for a good ten minutes addressing her group, while I waited at a distance not wanting to eavesdrop. At the Tavistock Square.

The dark clouds. The majestic lion dominates the frame, watching the traffic pass by. A contrast between stillness and movement, this makes for an interesting picture, with the red bus so typical of London adding its own charm to the scene. At the Trafalgar Square.

So exhilarating to see the Indian tricolour fluttering gently in foreign skies. The massive building housing diplomats stands gracefully on a leafy street in Central London. I stood there for some time and witnessed a flurry of activity. Officials getting out of a car being escorted inside the building by a young staff member. Noticed that the car had a diplomatic number plate. At the Indian High Commission.

This pair of pigeons was having the beautifully maintained garden exclusively to themselves. The garden was featuring white flowers especially to commemorate Princess Diana who lived in Kensington Palace before her life ended in a tragic accident 20 years ago. She used to spend time in this garden and often talked to the gardeners. A nice tribute to the stylish lady! At the Kensington Palace Gardens.

As I said, most of these pictures were taken without much planning. I discovered these interesting elements only later while looking at them at leisure!

Photos by Lata

I could not have moved around in London without the Underground and the red busses. The bus has already appeared in one of the earlier pictures. Standing or walking on these escalators is an integral part of every Londoner's life. They take you up to the exit and down to the train efficiently and comfortably. Loved the Underground experience!