A friend's Marriage in PURNIA!

So, I am on the verge of starting another journey. To navigate through the lands where I have never been. Places which were calling me from a long time but I didn't get FATE on my side to visit them. Finally, fate provide me this opportunity and I grabbed it COMPLETELY with BOTH (and all possible) hands!!

Setup of PLOT:

Rakesh was getting married in his hometown and he invited US( me and many more) to attend his marriage. That wasn't the voice of Rakesh, it was the call of FATE, asking me to visit BIHAR!

START:

Me and Sam both reached office on 25th with our bags as we were the only two guys going from Bangalore to the LAND OF EDUCATION of ancient INDIA. Worked the whole day (;-) ) and started our journey. We boarded the flight to Kolkata. Plan was to reach Kolkata, stay in Gyan's brother house. We reached Kolkata pretty late. Met Gyan's brother and bhabhi jee. As soon as we hit the bed, the day was OVER!

Second Day:

It was a time to visit BENGAL! As soon we hit the road, it was all "MITHAAYI" SHOP everywhere. People, who know me because of my habit, know my week point. It's not blood which flows in my veins. It’s the SUGAR SYRUP and after watching those many sweet shops, I went INSANE and ate whatever ... wherever I got. Laddu, gulabjamun, pede, burfi, jalebi, chamcham, mishti dahi, chhena, rassssgulley......... LIST was endless and quality was awesome! I ate until my stomach cries internally - “YOU MORON... I know you don't have LIMIT but I have. “And Sam cried the same as he is a CALORIE conscious guy who was calculating my calories and cost of whatever I ate. ;-)

As soon as we reached home, FIGHT started between my belly and tongue as bhabhi jee was all ready with her machi. I had the same when she visit Bangalore last year. Although my belly was crying for some rest but it’s impossible for me to say NO to her love which she poured in that MACHI. My senses supported my tongue. After that I was so full that it was difficult for me to start the next round of city visit. Even oxygen has to fight with food in my throat to reach till my lungs.

We Watched the world cup match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Shahid afrildi turned the whole match in his first spell. We spent the whole evening in front of T.V with snacks and sweets (can't live without that...) and had dinner (again fish and a delicious vegetable WITH SWEETS) to finish the day!

Third Day:

Plan was to go DAKSHINESHWAR temple on bank of HUGHALI! It is one of the most famous temple of goddess KAALI in Kolkata. We hired a cab. I was amazed to find that for a journey of about 1.5 hour, meter was showing just Rs 80/- but my findings were shattered instantly when cab driver told us that they are using ERA old meter and whatever it shows, you have to pay DOUBLE of that. We finished the darshan in next 30 minutes. Sat near the bank of hughali(Local name of Ganga jee). Then we headed towards another market to try MORE versions of Bengali food. Sam knew one good restaurant. Being a new person, I let Sam order the food with a clear instruction that food should be AWESOME. He ordered pator maach, sukhto, biryaani and chapaati. Believe me, this was the first time, I was having these dishes and THEY WERE AWESOME. Even at one time, I was ready to kill Sam for masala of pator maach!

After having lunch, we went to roam south Victoria palace, city mall, visited city's metro- India's first. After saying goodbye to bhaiya and bhabhi, we started the next phase of our journey. We caught the train to Purnia. It was an overnight journey so we went to our bed as soon as we entered in coach.



D-Day!- Reason for the TRIP

Rakesh's Wedding day.

We reached Katihar railway station at around 6 AM. Rakesh had sent a car to pick us to his home, which was around 60 KMs from there. As soon as we reached there, a warm welcome by his entire family! I already know his sister. But, I was surprised when his brother in law said "This must be Jeevan". I found that everyone seems to know me. But the reason was clear. Rakesh has explained all my features, habits and my weakness to them. Even for breakfast, they gave me a full box of rasgulley!! I showed a little courtesy in beginning but failed to keep resistance from that box for long and ended with finishing half (plz read almost full) box.

After finishing our breakfast, we headed towards our hotel. We got fresh and went out to roam in the city and ended into a sweet shop. ;-)

Since Sam wants to see Rakesh's village, so we headed towards the village. It was me, Sam, Rakesh and Rakesh's brother in law. It was a good sight of big wheat and corn's fields on both side of the road. The last stretch of the road was very bad. His village was a typical old Hindi movie kind of village, unlike villages in Uttaranchal. In Uttaranchal, one village's perimeter is around 1 KM as houses are very distant from each other because of their stepwise architecture. While here I witnessed close neighborhood, dry grass roof to keep the temperature down in summer. A nice experience!!

Since it was Rakesh's wedding day and it had been almost 3 days that Rakesh had not seen her "to be" wife so we decided that we will go back home via his "to be " in laws house. On the way to their house, Rakesh was so happy but when we are just around 100 meters away from the house. He was pale, frightened with his in laws or don't know what. He didn't let us get out of the car and without meeting our BHABHI JEE, we came back to hotel.

Baaraat was suppose to depart at 6 PM( I(Stretch)T- 7 PM) So we had enough time for a quick nap. By the time, I got up, Sam was ready. After making our self ready, we reached Rakesh's house. Rakesh and his parents were busy in performing last rituals of his BACHELOR life. Old people were discussing their issues in other groups. Some people were running here and there to prepare themselves for the occasion. Kids, they were very much fascinated with my camera and were busy in posing for me. Those cute faces refreshed my memories of my childhood, when we used to plead with our uncle to click our photo, with his 32 film kodak camera and most of the time, he used it's flash rather than roll, to make us happy! Thanks to my Digital camera, I was able to capture all those faces and poses in my camera and MEMORY forever!!

Finally Rakesh finished all customs and get ready with his attire. He came out and was all set to CHARGE on his in-laws house to rescue his wife, who might have feeling ALL ALONE there! All people started in cars and reunite in front of GIRL's house.

It was time for all invited people to show OFF their talent. These people are those UNKNOWN Participants who are talented but generous enough to let other people WIN in TV dance shows. It was time to show off their skill and let this world know that God created everyone with their dancing shoes and these shoes work in all stages of life. Be it an old woman of age 80 or a small kid of age 5! People showed their power during their dance step by lifting another person on their shoulders. Kids were trying to imitate elders while others were creating their own moves! Even i tried my hands... sorry legs (Actually both) in same and was all tired while entering the party hall. We got kicked by others. We pulled so many people to dance with us. All in all, enjoyed the dance session more than what we saw on those BAKWAAS channels.

Finally Baaraat entered in main Hall and everyone reached to the centre stage. Now Along with Rakesh, everyone was waiting for our (to be) Bhabhi jee. Wait was over and bhabhi jee entered in Hall. She was looking GORGEOUS; after all she was the MISS INDIA of the day. All eyes set to the couple which was standing on the centre stage for their VAR-MAALAA! Both looked (or trying to look) confused, tensed before varmaalaa but the tension fled as soon as varmaalaa was over. Both started smiling after looking at audiences as if they were saying- Thanks for being here!! :-)

Now it's time for DAAWAT( The DINNER). But before that, I clicked some pics of bhabhi jee and Rakesh. One of the Bhabhi jee's relative was telling her the all possible poses she might have seen in all photo albums and Bhabhi jee was giving them with full ISSHTYLE!! It was Rakesh, who was all shy, sitting on a corner, waiting to finish us with this photo shoot.










As soon as we finish this, I headed towards Dining room. I need not to ask anyone about the directions. It was the aromas which just hold my nose and directed me to my plate. I started with mutton, sabji, papad and chapati. Second round has homemade rasgulley, rice and veg curry. By this time, Sam was done with his dinner while my third round with rice curd, rasgulley and gulabjaamun was finished. I was done but as soon as I was getting up from my seat, Rakesh's elder brother came and asked me to join with him. I was unable to say No to him and accompanied him with ONLY sweets in my plate. People around me started looking at me as if they had never seen a sweet-aterian in their life. However finally we got up from the table and headed towards the PANDAAL to see the rest ceremony of the weddings.

It was month of February, neither cold nor hot. A perfect night to sit and see the rituals of wedding. Rituals were all similar as in our village. Role of bride's mother and father, brother, process to tie MANGAL-SUTRA, MAANG bharaayi. Everything was over by 4 AM.

Now Rakesh had officially (and willingly) lost his BACHLORS while his wife had gained her Masters HAPPILY. Now it was the time to come back to our HOME. We had a train from Katihaar to Patna at 6 AM. So we said Bye to Rakesh and his family. Rakesh arranged a car to drop us till railway station. Train was on time. With a night full of adventure and after being LIVE evidence of changing Rakesh status to SINGLE to MARRIED, we entered in our coach and fell asleep.

Next destination was Patna where we met Gyan's dad on railway station. We bought sweets from station as we have to fly from Patna to Bangalore in next 4 hours. Uncle insisted us to visit us to visit their home. Since it was our first trip to Patna, he told us about every single local point, museums and roads so that we won't face any problem. His hint was that Gyan's marriage is also approaching. Meanwhile, we reached Gyan's home where auntie jee was full ready with lunch. We finished our lunch and headed to see uncle's office as it was just 2 streets from their home. After meeting his whole office staff, we started our last phase of journey with a bag full of sweets, namkeens and SO MANY MEMORIES. While taking my seat in flight, I was just trying to run all my memories in FAST FORWARD and found the draft of this story.

Take off from this trip:
1. There is NO better place than KOLKATA, in terms of CHENNA sweets.
2. India is full of surprises. Same process... same task but different style of rituals. Be it a process of tieing saree knot or any particular wedding process.
3. If so many people know you because of your some habit, it means either you have a VERY BAD habit or you are JEEVAN NAILWAL. ;-)
4. Loved the warm hearted welcome from each and every person of Bihar. Be it my friend's family or their relatives or any local guy. Respect in the language - calling "HUM" for me and "AAP" for you. It feels AWESOME!
And last, but not the least, whenever you get an opportunity to visit eastern part of INDIA, just GRAB it. It will be a lifetime opportunity for you, as I did.

With this last advice, I am closing this blog and promise you to come back with more trip stories, more adventures and more incidents. Till then, Take care and KEEP EATING SWEETS... ;-)

In search of Ancient INDIA

Again a pledge - to Find something NEW, in myself and in this world. While I was a kid, I always wondered and fascinated by those Red/white faces, big hats, cameras in hand. It always amused me what was that which pull so many foreigners to this country. Till this point of my LIFE and the journeys I had taken, I admit that I had been surprised by MOTHER NATURE for showing me such lovely and beautiful places in India.
But, this time I thought to give humans a chance to prove their artistic hands, minds to prove that even they are able to pull the audiences.

Trip details:
Place - Hampi, Northern Karnataka
Distance - Around 350 Kms from Bangalore
Mode of Journey - Car
Number of people - 7!
People - Alok, Baba, Gaurav, Gyanendu, Jeevan, Utkalika and Rupali
Date: 30th Nov 2010 @ 4 AM!

Day 1: STARTING DAY---
Packed and waiting for Cab at 4 AM. Yes, you read it right.. at 4 AM! As usual cab came late at 4:15 and we headed towards Ut's house to pick her up. Next destination was Koramangala, to pick Alok and her friend, Rupali. Now all the passengers were full and ready to hit the road with a pen drive of music, lots of snacks and of course, lots of BAKAR too!!


As soon the journey starts, everyone start pulling legs of each other as thats the only way to cut your time in that boring and SLOWWWW journey. Thanks to the old age driver who has taken an OATH for not to hit the speedometer bar over 70 KMPH even on a empty 4 lane highway! By the way, his habit, gives us lot of time to fight over various things.

At around 11, we reached Chitradurgaa fort. The place chitradurgaa is still standing high with his high tombs, made by ancient kings. The archeological department has taken care of the main fort but situation of outside walls and the welcome gate is pathetic! We entered in the fort with our cameras and start clicking the pics. pillars, flowers, Entrance of carious gates in fort, Big gigantic rocks, small temples..... these are just some things whose images, we stored in our cams to retain our memories of this FORT.


Dialogues of SHOLEY( A Hindi movie) and our pranks are always there to let the people of Chitradurgaa know that some MUSKETEERS were here!


We spent around 2 hours in exloring the fort and moved toward our next destination Hampi. We got information that the distance is just 150 KM so we thought that by 2 or 3PM, we will be at Hotel BUTTTTT here comes the real excitement. State highway 12 from Chitradurgaa to Hampi is one of the worst roads i have ever seen in my life. Road was such a BIG mess that once we allowed our driver to go faster . BUT, after geting 2-3 head bumps (FOR EACH ONE), we ask him to slow down. Result- We were at Hampi @ 5-6 PM, 3 hours late than our expectations!!

Since we have no time to explore Hampi on that day so we decided to see TUNGBHADRAA dam's evening show in evening. We left our hotel at 6. Sun was going down and that lovely RED light on sky was indicating that within few minutes, street light will lead us to our destination!

We visited a mini aquarium, A musical fountain and Tungbhadraa dam that night. It was a nice experience to see water in two different forms. At fountain, we saw some water streams, dancing on the beats of music and lights While at DAM, we saw the VAST amount of water to make the noise and generating electricity. IRONICAL!

The day was OVER with a late night dinner and then resting on our BED. Plan was to get up at 6 and be ready by 7 to see HAMPI.

DAY 2:
------
Got up by 7 AM while the plan to start was 6AM, thanks to individual's (I mean EVERY one's) laziness. finally we came out of our rooms, had a HEAVY breakfast as lodge owner told us that HAMPI is very dry place and we won't get much to eat on our way. After that we sat in Car and reached to Hampi in 30 minutes. Driver left us at a temple which was of 1300 AD era. We went in for darshan and came out with Tilak on everyone's forehead. After ward we had few drinks(SOFT-drinks) as it was very hot and Hampi is all rocky place which enhances the effects of solar heat. We took 2 Litre water bottle for each one and started with our HIGH ENERGY! We hired bicycle for the day and started the local sight seeing. Roads were going up and down testing our stamina and desire to roam around the city. Hampi is the place of temple and got destroyed by Adil Shah. But still One can see the master peice of old times in the ruines of the temples.

There were temples of almost every single God which includes, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Pandavas, Kuber and many others. Main highlight of all temples was the carvings on the stone over such a long areas. It might have taken years to build each temple. Each single temple has a story related to it. We went in so many temples and found a different style in every temple. Out of dis-figuring of these temple, one can still see the amount of labour and art of the artists of that era. It was enormously brilliant work - A MASTER PEICE!!


Riding to these places on our cycles was a fun. We keep shouting on the Ones who was going ahead to pull them with us while we are shouting to cheer/motivate to the guys who were behind to stay as group. We were making funs on ones who were loaded with extra KGS under their bellies. It was a trip in which everyone has a reason for smile. As people with extra fat are down because of their extra MASS while lean body people have to carry extra baggages on their cycle to make the balance! With people finishing their quota of water and eying on other's bottles. Sometimes they requested, sometime snatched to get away with their thirst. but the conversation in between was a great fun. Finally we came back, handed those bicycles to the owner had some COLD-drinks and sat in AC of car to take the LEISURE of advance technology.


Our next destination was a RAM MANDIR. It was on the hill top. With the help of Car's engine and under AC's cold air, it took few minutes and no efforts for us to reach there. There was a marriage happening in this temple. Elders were busy in their rituals while kids were running here and there, as usual. While other choose to rest in temple campus. We, Gyan and me, roam around to check the surrounding. We went to the backside of the temple and got flattened by the aerial view of HAMPI. this temple was at a height and from there we can see the other end of HAMPI. After reaching this place, that how much we traveled by cycle and why we are feeling that much exhausted!! After this view, we realized that how big this archaeological place was. As per our observation, it was more than 20 SQUARE KM out of which we covered around 20-25 KMs on cycle in those 4-4.5 hours(under scorching SUN). I called others to saw that view but none was ready to see that. They were happy in watching rituals of marriage and were busy in playing with local kids. We spent around one hour there and then moved back to our hotel.

By the time we came back to our hotel, we were all tired. We took some rest and then went out for dinner. We planned that we will start at 8 next day and will go from Bellary route to avoid the patchy state highway of Chitradurga. With this decision, everyone came back to their sleep and had SOUND SLEEP after the day's hard works!! ;)

It was a loooooooong journey than our expectation as this Bellary route was 100KMS addition + the speed with which our driver was driving was making us feel like we are travelling in a bullock cart!! We reached Bellary post afternoon and were pretty relaxed as we know that by this speed we won't reach bangalore prior to 7-8PM. we checked GOOGLE to see if we can visit any other place in our way. Luckily, Baba explaimed the name - Halebidu! It was a place in our way and is known for another archeological aspects, known for it's old Heritage temples. we made a small stop at Halibedu. While Baba finished his prayers in the local temple we click some photos of the place to keep the memories of those sculptures in our memory forever.


After that, we were headed to our HOME, Bangalore and everyone had a small nap meanwhile. we reached Bangalore by 8-8:30 PM and after dropping everyone, we were in our beds by 9:30. It was a LOOOONG journey with a slow but attentive driver, Full of MASTI and smiles in our group, A great display of ancient rock art and many more things. Carving on those stones or temples proves the fact that with his ART and INTELLIGENCE, human race can turn a STONE into a GOD!

Delhi's Darshan with Sachu!

Introduction: Sach is in Delhi for her North India Darshan. Agra and Brindavan are done in the night of a shady day . And finally with lots of hiccups( internal and external BOTH), we reached Delhi on 13th at 3AM!
Story:
Day 1:
The first thing which I did after reaching at my home at 3Am in morning was to make TEA for Sach and my mom! Next morning, my father woke us while he was leaving for office. That means clock has reached to 9AM mark. Got up and got refreshed, but it was my story. Sach was still watching her unfinished dreams with her open eyes. She browsed and checked her mails and went back to BED. The whole day went like that. I was trying to pull her blanket to get her out of the bed while she was trying to WIN this “TUG OF WAR” by pulling the same on her side. The whole day was over with this non verbal fight!
Day 2:
“THE” Second day started with a right note that Sach was up on her feet( with shoes) by 8 AM and we started for our first destination- INDIA GATE. As soon as we reached India gate, saw an Art Gallery where some models of Architect Anish kapoor were getting displayed. We visited the gallery for around 1 hour and watched his unique amazing masterpieces. After that we went to India gate - A monument which was built by British empire to mark a tribute to the soldiers killed in first world war. After saving the memories of our presence at India gate in our cameras, we went to Amar Jawaan Jyoti, which was created after independence. This eternal flame was lighted in commemoration of the unknown soldiers who laid their lives to serve this nation.
Next destination was Jantar Mantar. Another monument of 17th Centuary which was made by a Rajput king for astronomical observation. In earlier era, it was used to tell the exact location of various stars, planets and other heavenly bodies.
After finishing a glimpse of ancient India, we headed towards the market of modern india. Now, It was turn of JANPATH market near CP. We ate (YUMMY)Choley bhature at a stall at Ashok Road, roamed here and there. Sach tried her hand in her favourite PASSTIME – SHOPPING. After that, we had a quick view of inner CP.
Next destination was GURUDWARA BANGLA SAHIB, A sikh shrine made by a Hindu King to mark his homage towards Guru Harkishan Ji Maharaj. I always loved the gurbani and short stories, recited in gurudwara to tell the meaning and goals of the life of saints. I enjoyed every single second while I was there. Be it the time of listening Gurbaani, eating halwaa or clicking snaps of Sach to restore her memories.
Our next destination was Birla Temple but we made some last moment changes in plan to go to Lal quila and Chandni Chowk(CC) to have our Lunch. First we went to see Jama Masjid, One of the oldest mosque in Delhi. It was made by shahjahan in 17th Centuary.Then we went to see Lal Quila, the red building which stand tall behind our PM, on every 15th August. BUTTTTTTT if someone takes my soul out of my body and ask the best place in world. My answer (from brain and belly too) will be, there can’t be a better place than CC in Delhi. As my Dad Said, “Dareebaa ki JALEBI, Parathey wali gali ke PARATHEY, Sheeshganj ki LASSI aur CC ka HALWA” jisne nahi khaaya usne kyaa KHAAYA?? “ As soon as we entered CC streets, I memorized my college days. Those smells….. ignite my engine of HUNGER. As soon as we entered Agarwal Ji’s shop, we ordered 4 parathey and 2 plates of Rabri( First name of Lalu’s wife ;-) )!!! The aroma of food filed me by 5 % and I kept waiting for food to kill rest 195%. Sach was fully excited to taste the food. Even the process of making the parathas developed the curiosity in her. As soon as, she watched the paratha and oil in that, she was half full. I ate 3.25 paratha out of 4 that we ordered and 2 FULL plate of RABRI and was completely out of the world while paying the bill. I want to have a Patiyala of Lassi but left the will as Sach says that SHE will die even if she gulp a single drop of water. My problem is…. I can’t drink my “PEG” alone. ;-)
Next destination was Akshardhaam Temple. One of the beautiful and awesome master piece of recent times. There are only two types of such temples. One is in Gujarat and another one is in Delhi. Third one was proposed in New Jersey, America. The most amazing thing about the temple was that it has been created by 7000 people in just 5 years of time in an area of around 1 KM. The art was amazing whether it’s in the Elephant carving outside the main temple or on the wall or ceiling of temple. We saw a musical fountain there. Fountain started with Aarti and followed by the music representing the Trinity of Indian god- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Music and the water show was ULTIMATE.
Finally, It was time to wind up the day’s activity and go back to home. But before that, it was time to see the latest HIGHLIGHT of Delhi-The Metro. We boarded metro from Akshardhaam temple till Nirman Vihar and reached home by 9:30 PM. I had a nice session of my scolding from my dad which Sach enjoyed. Even she adds inputs from her side to get maximum for me. She had a similar fit of laugh outside Akshardhaam temple when she started screaming by herself and 2 times, I was about to get arrested. For the information of general public who are reading this blog, Delhi police is one of the most FIERCEST police of the world which give a very (I mean VERRRRY) special treatment to eve-teasers!( I had seen a few examples when i was in DU.)
With these memories, loads of pics (all of Sach, not of mine) and a tired body, we went to sleep. It was time to gain our energy packs to start the new fight on the next day.
Day 3:
Plan was simple as we had just 2 things in our list, Qutub Minar and Lotus temple! I don’t want to drag Sach to many locations as on the next day; she has to travel back to her home town.
We started from home at around 10 and reached Mehrauli in an hour by Metro. After walking few steps from the metro station, we reached Qutab Minar- the highest monument of Mughal Era by noon. Created by Qut-ub-din-Aibak and later expanded by another emperor Khilji. The monument was closed from inside for public from last 2 decades. This place was filed up by ancient madarsaa(schools) and maqbaras(graves) of all those kings!
From there, we catch the bus to reach Nehru place- The hardware hub of computer market. Sach did some personal shopping from there. From there, we went to Lotus Temple- the Bahamese place for worship. One of the best creation by Bahamese society to mark their tribute the Saint (forgot his name) who gave the lesson of ONE god. There was a long queue there but once we reach inside. It was pin drop silence initially. Later they started prayers in different language. Echo of the voice of prayers in that hall was like the whole world is praying for PEACE!
Finally, we boarded the METRO to come back to our destination. Sach has to travel to her hometown next morning so she ate early and went to bed. On next day, at around 9 AM, she was out of Delhi, flying to her hometown!
With this, VOYAGE of Sach to see Delhi was over. It was a memorable one for me too. Like my second visit to Qutab Minar and Lotus temple after 15 years. Apart from refreshing my memories, I got some new memories too. Be it my close encounter with Delhi cops(twice) or my tension when Sach was lost at metro station! I will always memorize Sach’s face on her first counter with my area’s cows. and the way, she recited those voices which I told her to shoooo away the cows! Although, same cows seems to be hypnotized by Sach when they gave her way while moving out of house on next day.
With these details, I will sign out from this blog and would like to pass my thanks to all my friends who made their trips and included me in same either for FUN or for using my NAVIGATION skills. This way, they had helped me to press “F5” on my older memories and “CTRL+F” on new experiences too!
See you all again with a new blog with another trip with old/new friends and new experiences!!