Travel: Love Locks, Cologne (Germany)

Love locks is a very romantic tradition/costom, believed to be originated from Italy some 100 years ago, during the World War I. A 'Love Lock' basically is a padlock fixed to a bridge or fence by sweethearts to show their loyalty to each other. It is there in many cities all over the world with different beliefs and traditions.

In the city of Cologne, couples put padlocks as a proof of their love on the 'Hohenzollern Bridge' over river Rhein and then throw the keys into the river to ensure everlasting love.

While having a closer look to these symbols of love, you will find many colorful customized padlocks with engraves of name, date etc. Also with decorations and personal stuff like rings etc. These locks are present in thousands of numbers and weighs tonnes.

Travel: Stuttgart City Center

Architecture: Kunstmuseum, Stuttgart

Designed by Berlin based architects 'Hascher and Jehle', Kunstmuseum is like a building inside building. With a beautiful glass cubical wrapping around the main lime stone structure, this art gallery comes to life as it gets dark. During the day it seems like a glass cube carefully installed at the Stuttgart city center with all historical elements around. With such a strong design principle, this building defines its presence by speaking its own language.

This beautifully crafted building has about 50000 Square Feet of exhibition space. With an approximate investment of 67 million Euros, this building was inaugurated in 2005.

Khari Baoli Spice Market, Old Delhi

'Khari Baoli' is a very known name for the chefs around Delhi for it's spice market, and it also believed as Asia's largest spice market. Located in old Delhi and being spread around Fatehpur Masjid, 'Khari Baoli' has its existence since last 4 decades. 'Baoli' means stepped well and 'Khari Baoli' means stepped well with hard water, the area got its name back in 16th century, though none of the baoli exist today.

'Khari Baoli' market started in 17th century and this 300+ year old market is Asia's largest wholesale spice market.

Travel: Tea Garden Near Dhramshala, Himachal Pradesh

With it's lush greenery and uneven surface... Tea Gardens almost look like a nicely woven green carpet. Munnar in Southern part of India no doubt is the paradise for such landscape lovers, also for photographers. Unlike many locations in South, North has hardly any option to enjoy such beauty. And did I forget to mention the Darjeeling stretch and Assam!!! Though the travel freaks from that part curse Northern guys for being at such close proximity to Himalayan range... anyways.
Himachal Pradesh offers glimpses of tea gardens in Palampur. Recently, I found a small stretch just 3-4 kilometers down Dharamshala during my visit and did spend quite some time roaming around and clicking few images. What I loved most about this small patch was, the light and shadow play of the trees poping up in between tea estate.
This 'MANN Tea Estate' is on Narghota Road.

Product Review: Miracase 6000 mAh PowerBank

Few days back, had to get a new power bank for my phone and I got this Miracase 6000 mAh from 'The Mobile Store'. Had to buy it urgently, so no option left for the online check or to check any review.

Before getting it, my priorities were;

- A power bank which looks good.

- At least can charge the Samsung Note 3 Neo twice.

- With in a price bracket of 1500 INR.

'The Mobile Store' being the closest option, I found this 'Miracase' and instantly locked it. The quick things I decided up on was;

- Its look was similar to Note 3 Neo. Even same leather texture (it is plastic and painted unlike Samsung Note 3 Neo).

- Was of 6000 mAh.

- The power cable is inbuilt and is nicely hidden.

- Two devices can be charged with one extra cable.

It costed 1999 INR. The price was little higher than the budget but it's look was con-vincible to me.

Technical details:

Capacity - 6000 mAh

Input - DC 5V/2A

Output - DC 5V/2A

Battery Type - Lithium-Polymer

Company claimed cycle time - more than 500 times

Nicely designed and hidden inbuilt cable and power indicator...

Usage Experience:

As of now, I am very happy with it. It's charging time is quick and easily charges my phone twice with one full charge. The charging time is also quick, though I am yet to note down the exact minutes. Its sleek, fits in pockets easily, even is easy to hold it along with the phone. It gives the illusion of a phone.

Few more weeks of usage and I will come up with more details if it shows any problem or something. As of now, it is a good buy to me according to my usage.

Travel: Monsoon Drive to Himachal

Monsoon no doubt is the best time to go deep into the hills. At least to me though it involves little risk because of the weather and land slides. I remember each of my monsoon ride bit by bit from the old biking days. With the changing priorities of life, biking has taken the back seat and so is the leisure travel to the hills. Either I will be travelling to the hills for work or just rushing somewhere near by just for the shake of the love of the Himalayas, that to caged. Being caged is not a complaint but comparison of the satisfaction level, particularly when you want to be wonder lust. Each of the earlier monsoon bike ride has given me the adventure of a life time to remember. And that crazy feeling pulls me always somewhere into the Himalays to feel the mist and to absorb my favorite shades of green and to get soaked in mother nature.

With the occasional rain here in the capital town, it reminded me of the nice drive to the North-West of Himachal, till Khajjiar. And to utter surprise, I did not even check the photographs since then which were lying somewhere deep inside a hard disc drive.

Khajjiar Panorama...

Uttar Purv Sanskriti Sangam 2015 (Day IV)

Uttar-Purv Sanskriti Sangam, a festival showcasing the various cultures of North-east and South is on from 31st March till 7th April at Meghdoot Open Air Theatre, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi. It is being organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. The timing is from 6.00 till 8.30 every evening.

The detailed event schedule is HERE.

Here are the glimpses from Day IV (03 April 2015).

Odishi by Sarvani Nandy...

Kathak in Group...

And finally Mudiyettu from Kerla...

Uttar Purv Sanskriti Sangam 2015 (Day III)

Uttar-Purv Sanskriti Sangam, a festival showcasing the various cultures of North-east and South is on from 31st March till 7th April at Meghdoot Open Air Theatre, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi. It is being organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. The timing is from 6.00 till 8.30 every evening.

The detailed event schedule is HERE.

Here are the glimpses from Day III (02 April 2015).

Kathak on Day III...

Kuchipudi by Bobby Chakraborty...

Manipuri by Menka Devi...

Uttar Purv Sanskriti Sangam 2015 (Day II)

Glimpses from the second day of 'Uttar Purv Sanskriti Sangam 2015' at Rabindra Bhavan's 'Meghdoot Theatre'. This cultural meet is on from 31st of March till 7th of April with performances from 6.00-8.00 PM.

Reached at venue little late and missed the martial art performance from Kerla. Then was Kathak, which was followed by 'Baul Gaan' and a 'Bangla Natak'.

Baul Gaan by Hasan Raja and Group... This guy was absolute brilliant. Baul gaan is basically folk song, sung straight from heart. 'Baul' word has the literal meaning of 'Mad'.

Bengali Act/Drama was interesting but being not able to understand Bangla language was a problem. Had to leave the performance halfway.