Soneri Mahal in Aurangabad

Dear Readers,

On Monday, October 18, I decided to pay a visit to Soneri Mahal in Aurangabad. It is in the beautiful Dr Amedkar University Campus

The campus is beautiful. An ancient gate leads one to the Soneri Mahal. There is a pool in front of the Mahal a la Taj Mahal or even Bibi Ka Maqbara.

So far so good. BUT!

As soon as I passed through the gates and began to walk on the pathway alongside the pool that there were a few loud splashes. Oh gosh, there was a frisky family of frogs occupying the pool. I looked closer, the water was stagnant and filled with algae, no wonder the frogs were so happy.

Well, I don't really mind frogs so I walked on further and reached the steep steps of the soneri Mahal. Puppy dogs rushed to greet me! There was a Mother Dog with her playful pups just outside the Soneri Mahal.

There was more to come. My meeting with the homo sapien species. There was no board saying: Monday closed. The Soneri Mahal houses a museum which I did want to see. However, a few caretakers told me that the museum was shut. But, if I paid some money I could be allowed to look around. Some tourists had already paid up and were there inside the museum.

I decided to be content with playing with the puppies and watching the beautiful view. Now, I love dogs and don't mind frogs, but I am just wondering whether this was the place for them to be in. But then, they were far better than the homo sapien caretakers.

You can see the happy frog and doggie family in my photographs.

Happy Diwali.

Best,
Lubna

Sufi Shrine in Aurangabad: Hazrat Syed Nurul Huda Saiheb

Dear Readers,

Some visits are just destined to happen. Like any other traveller, before leaving for Aurangabad I had travelled in cyberspace.

I had read on the Internet of the shrine of Pir Ismail, Aurangazeb's tutor, located near Delhi Gate in Aurangabad and hence I hopped into an auto and asked him to take me to the shrine near Delhi Gate.

Instead, I landed at this very peaceful shrine of HAZRAT SYED NURUL HUDA SAIHAB, KADRI AND CHISTI LINEAGE.

It is off Delhi Gate, in a tree covered lane, next to a government office. An internet search is not throwing up additional information. So the only information I can provide is the name above as was inscribed on the Shrine.

It was so peaceful here, that it cannot be described. I was the sole visitor. The fragrance of roses wafted across to me as I sat on the cool marble platform, prayed and found solace. The twittering of birds - red vented bulbuls, cheerful sparrows, and the occasional screech of parrots was all that could be heard. I visited again and again, during my stay in Aurangabad.

It is one of the most quiet shrines in the city of Aurangabad. Do visit, if you want to find yourself or are searching for an answer.

Best regards,
Lubna

Where is this Taj Mahal?

Dear Readers,

I am back from a short trip to Aurangabad. I actually needed some peace and quiet and hence wanted to visit Khuldabad which is dotted with Sufi Shrine and is a wonderful calm place.

But, I did visit the usual tourist spots in and around Aurangabad as well.

For now, I shall just leave you with some photographs of Bibi-Ka-Maqbara.

I did take a few photographs with my blackberry (unfortunately the battery needs to be replaced and so it used to die out pretty quickly). I hope to process my film rolls soon and be back with better photographs and better stories.

Have a nice weekend.

Just added a photograph shot with my trust Canon (Film).
Best,
Lubna

All come together on the beach: People Watching on Chowpatty Beach - Part 5

Dear Readers,

Nothing unites Mumbai (Bombay) like the Chowpatty beach. From this office goer in a pink shirt with a lap top bag, to the toddler being pushed on a toy car, to families with tiny children or just couples seeking a quiet moment. Irrespective of class or caste we all flock here.

Photograph taken on Chowpatty beach on October 2.

With this, I shall take your leave and will be back only in early November.

Best regards,
Lubna

Just Playing: People watching at Chowpatty beach - Part 4

Dear Readers,

A handful of my friends are parents, fortunately they do understand the "power of play".

I came across this beautiful poem on the internet today (it seems the author is unknown) and I thought I would share it.

Just Playing

When I am building in the block room, please don’t say I’m “just playing”.
For you see, I’m learning as I play, about balance and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect someday.

When I’m getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies,
don’t get the idea I’m “just playing”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play; I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint or standing at an easel,
or molding and shaping clay,
please don’t let me hear you say, “He is just playing”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair “reading” to an imaginary audience, please don’t laugh and think I’m “just playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
don’t pass it off as “just play”.
For you see, I’m learning as I play. I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some “plaything” at my school,
please don’t feel the time is wasted in “play”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate. I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is “just play”.
I’m learning to follow direction and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,
please don’t say I’m “just playing”.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I’ve done at school today,
and I say, “I just played”,
please don’t misunderstand me.
For you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.
I’m preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work is play.

For those of you who would like to donate story books, there are a few books remaining from Humane Touche school's wish list. These books were carefully selected, hence please hop over to their Amazon wish list and be generous. The shipping address is included in the registry and the books will be directly shipped. (Sorry, no used books, please, as these do not always fit with the school's requirements and may not gel with the background/culture of the children in this school - such as Enid Blyton and midnight feasts - best avoided)

PS: This photograph was taken at Chowpatty beach on October 2, 2010. The mother of these children did not mind the photograph being taken and put on my blog.

And time stands still: People watching at Chowpatty Beach - 3

Dear Readers,

Times have changed. We no longer have Binanca toothpaste, the one which came with a tiny plastic animal (I had an entire zoo), instead we have a vast variety of toothpaste in various colours and flavours (Wonder why there isn't a chocolate flavoured toothpaste yet, or is there?). Or for that matter, do kids still play with glass marbles? I think they are just glued to their X boxes or TV remote.

Thus, on visiting Chowpatty beach, after a few years spent in Bangalore, I was pleasantly surprised to see that some things don't change. Such as the Saign-Ganderi wala (or Boiled peanuts cum Sugarcane cube seller). There is was patiently weighing out the goodies for his customers.

I need to go back again to Chowpatty beach soon for some more people watching.

Wish you all a great weekend.

This photograph was taken by me on Ocotober 2, 2010 at Chowpatty beach.

Best,
Lubna

We are a tiny speck in the Universe: People watching at the Chowpatty Beach - 2

Dear Readers,

We are a tiny speck in the Universe, we are just a tiny speck in time... If we realised this perhaps the world would be a more amicable place?

This photograph was taken at Chowpatty beach on Ocotber 2.

Best,
Lubna

Me and my newspaper: People watching at Chowpatty Beach - Part 1

Dear Reader,

A few things don't change, thankfully so. I love the smell of my newspaper as I open it every morning. I spotted this man blissfully basking in the shadows of this large pot (I rather not tell non Mumbaikars, what this beautiful pot actually is). He was reading his newspaper even as others went about with their work and play on Chowpatty beach.

I guess this is a not-so-typical capture at the beach.

Hope you've had a nice weekend, you can see that I did.

This photograph was taken by me on October 2, 2010. Fortunately, I finished the roll and got it processed within a few days. More photographs to follow, stay tuned.

Best,
Lubna