Kumbh Mela Ground

The 2013 Maha Kumbh Mela is spread over an area of about 2000 hectors at Sangam, Allahabad. And the whole mela area is divided in to 14 sectors. Few glimpses of mela ground from different points...










As seen from Naini Bridge...

Religion: Aarti of Ganga Jee at Sangam, Allahabad

(Devotional offering to Goddess Ganga(River Ganges) at Sangam, Allahabad)

River Ganges has a special importance in Hindu Religion and is considered as the most Holy river in India. Every evening, the Aarti or offering ritual is performed at holy places on the river bank. At Rishikesh, Haridwar, Allahabad and Varanasi, this spiritual ritual is very powerful.

For the first time, I witnessed this at Triveni Sangam, Allahabad.


Preparation...




The worship rituals...






The worship rituals at River bank...

Maha Kumbh 2013

A panorama of crowd at Sangam...

Spent few days in Allahabad during this Maha Kumbh, more details and photographs to follow soon.

Travel: Chail, A quickie to Hills for Snow :)

Last weekend, we a bunch of friends drove up to the hills till 'Chail' to have some snow...


Who cares to party on a Friday night till morning if you can drive into the Himalayas to see the Sun coming out in a glory from behind the Hills ;)




And if you think that you need to go to Europe to see such things... This is for you. And this is not at all a high altitude :)


To beat the sub-zero temperature...


And our drive this time, DCS's trusty Zen...

Architecture: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus)

The building as we see from outside...


The grand entry to the building with solid doors and solid granite columns...


The multidimensional arch over the local ticket hall...



The grand dining hall...

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), designed by F.W. Stevens, is an architectural marvel because of the unique blend of influences from Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and Indian traditional buildings. This building, originally planned as the office of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway is presently the Headquarters of Central Railway.
The construction started in 1878 and took a decade to complete. Stevens designed this monumental Terminus as the largest building then erected in Asia which, even to this day, is a standing testimony of his of his innovative talent. It symbolized Bombay as the 'Gothic City' and a major international mercantile port of India having a distinct impression on many important buildings of that time in the city, thus truly becoming a pioneer in its style and grandeur. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus building has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2004.
(Text: Central Railway)

This building is open for public for first time ever since it was built. With an entry fee of INR200 (100 for students with valid ID card) and is open from 3PM to 5PM, Monday to Friday. The fee includes a guided tour of the building and refreshments. Photography is allowed (the best part).

Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2013

Kala Ghoda Art Festival in Mumbai is on from 2nd Feb to 10th of Feb this year.

Few glimpses from the festival on inauguration day.