Udaipur Trip

It was a long awaited trip. I was consulting/requesting/offering/asking my friends to accompany me to Udaipur for a long time, but no-one was free to travel with me. Some friends were planning to go to some weird places, so I convinced them for Udaipur. Though it was hot, it was either this time or never. So predictably, I chose first and we were off to the city of lakes and Venice of west.

I planned to visit all important places of the city i.e. City Palace, Mansoon palace, Jagdish Temple, Gangaur Ghat, and Saheliyon ki Baari. Deepak, my friend's big bro, turned out to be a nice and well informed guide and he helped me to plan the places in an efficient manner.

In this part of India, Every tourist is welcomed by royal and enormous palaces, vivid and large lakes, and evergreen and colourful monuments, but tourists, visiting Udaipur this week, were greeted with more lively, colourful, and entertaining activity. Udaipur was celebrating Gangaur which is Rajasthan’s most known and fabulous festival. Thanks to unwanted, stupid and painful delays from my friends, now I was part of Rajasthan most fabulous fest @Rajasthan's most enjoyable city.

We started our day with brunch at Srinath Restaurant, which is at a walking distance (approximately 100 meters) from Railway station. This place is popular for authentic Gujurati and Rajasthani food. We all ordered Rajasthali Thali. They served us at least 4-5 vegetables, Raita, 2-3 sweetmeats, papad, salad, and breads of various varieties in a huge thali(plate). Food was so tasty that even after stuffing heavily, I was pushing a little more into my stomach. The restaurant surely exceeded our expectations.
My recommendation: If you want to eat good and authentic Rajasthani food, you must not miss this restaurant.

We were 4 people. 2 among us wanted to find the history of Udaipur and get acquainted with monuments whereas other 2 were interested in cozy wind and cold water at the rooftop of some hotel. So we split our paths based on interests.

Our expedition started now. We started with the City Palace which is the most popular and visited tourist place. Palace was built by Maharana Udai Singh. This palace is an exuberant display of Mughlai and Rajasthani architecture. Udaipur's Maharaja owns the palace and resides in it's one section, though this particular section is not open for public.

City Palace

We hired a guide, but he was in great hurry. Though he was helpful, he was neither informative nor patience enough. He rushed us through the various places of the greater historical significance and skipped lot of information. He was more interested in explaining us the various phases of peacock's sex life than explaining us the importance and significance of various artifacts, and places in the palace.

After entering through the main Tripolia (triple) gate, are the Suraj Gokhda (public address facade), the Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), the Dilkhush Mahal (heart’s delight), the Surya Chopar, the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of glass and mirrors), the Moti Mahal (Palace of Pearls), the Krishna Vilas (named after Lord Krishna), Shambu Niwas (royal residence now), the Bhim Vilas, the Amar Vilas (with a raised garden) that faces the Badi Mahal (the big palace), the Fateprakash Palace, the Shiv Niwas Palace (the latest addition to the complex), and the princess marriage mantap. Apart from these places, the palace has a crystal gallery, which contains lot of Rajputana artifacts. Entry fee for the crystal gallery is too huge, so it is seldom to see Indian tourist entering the gallery. Apart from the crystal gallery one smaller gallery also exists in palace. This gallery demonstrates history of the palace, kings and his dynasty, and Udaipur in pictures.

A picture at Museum

As most of the palaces in Rajasthan, this palace can also be rented to organize marriages. Though it is quite a nice business, but such businesses do not do justice to the greatness of such historical palaces. Government must really restrict owners to play with such artifacts which have such a great national importance.

Anyway it took us 4 hours to visit the entire palace, and we were really exhausted with the heat, and length and breadth of the palace.

It was already 4 o’clock in the evening and we were yet to visit many places before returning to Gangaur Ghat. We headed to the Sajjan Garh palace. It is situated in the outskirts of the city, on a hill top. It was built to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, it is popularly known as Monsoon palace. Along with rain predictions, kings and queens used the palace for hunting. It offers a panoramic view of the city's lakes, palaces and areas.

Palace has three floors. Among these 3 floors, first 2 are accessible to general public. It is surrounded by Aravali Range. Views from the 1st floor are indescribable. One side of the palace unleashes breathtaking views of the Udaipur city, whereas another side unfolds awesome views of the range. Many people visit the palace to see the glorious sunset. Though the Sun was still too high to elope, but as last vehicle was returning from hill top, so we returned without viewing the sunset.

Udaipur From Mansoon Palace

Aravali Range From Monsoon Palace

It was too difficult to find an auto from the outskirts of the Udaipur, but we found few generous folks who made sufficient space for us. We reached to the ghat by 630 in the evening. Huge ghat was packed with crowd. Ladies were in blue, red, yellow and other bright color. Kids were in their best possible attires. Westerns were trying to breathe in human ocean and get glimpse of Gan and Gaur idols, which were carried by ladies on their heads.

Many idols of Gan and Gaur were already deposited at the Ghat, and women were still bringing more. In the middle of the ghat, actors were performing Kachchi Ghori dance. Finally Udaipur’s queen and her subordinates brought royal idols in a big boat. In general all idols deposited should be submerged into the water, but in Udaipur, people take their idols back to houses and bring them again in next year’s celebration. It is a great tradition to save the water from pollution.

Someone from the crowd also danced with actual performers.

For us, Udaipur festival came alive after royal boat returned. Stage shows were commenced. Now it was time for music, dances, and live performances. First actor performed Shiva’s destruction dance. It was followed by Rajasthan’s welcome Song Kesariya Balam Aayo re. Then it was Goomar dance, fire dance, chart dance, Teerah Taali, and Raas (a musical performance of Radha Krishna’s affair). These 4 hours were the best hours of our trip. I never expected my trip to be so entertaining and thrilling.

Once festival was over, we realized how hungry we were. So we rushed to Santosh Restaurant to have my favourite food i.e. Daal, Baati, and Churma. Food was not as good as it was suggested. Anyway it filled my stomach and desire to eat Daal and Baati in Udaipur.

Day 2 was not as entertaining as Day 1. We started quite late today as well. After having some snacks, we visited Bagore Ki Haweli. It was restored as a museum from ruins. This is a small Haweli with many rooms. Museum started with a room which has many puppets of various sizes, mimicking various people, decorated in bright colors. Other rooms unlocked various Rajasthani cultural activities e.g. Shadi, war, courtrooms, weapons, and clothes etc. Though things placed in Haveli can provide good outlook of Rajasthani culture, it didn't attract me much because things were neither catered nor displayed in an efficient manner.

As it was hot and we were hungry, so we spend 2 hours in a café (Do not remember the name). It was quite near to Jagdish temple and Bagore Ki haweli. It was nice, peaceful café. 2 hours went without much fuzz.

After filling up our stomachs, we went for boating in Fatehsagar Lake. It was quite sunny by the time we reach the lake, so we killed 2 more hours in the nearby park. Around 5Pm, We took a ferry to reach to the Nehru Garden, situated in the middle of the Lake. Though the park was not startling, but there was a certain kind of romance in the environment due to eloping Sun. We returned with another ferry after spending some more time in the park.

Senset

Enjoying the Sunset and in love with Nature.

It was the time for dinner. Few people wanted to return to the city to some hotel which serves Alcohol, whereas I did not have such inclinations. So based on Deepak bhai's recommendations, we went to Raajbagh Restaurant.

It was a perfect restaurant for me. It has tables in open, which are adjacent to the Fatehsagar Lake. You could smell the water from your table. Lights were dim and every table was lit with candle. So it turned out to be a candle light dinner at the shore. I did not really care much about the food at such a nice place. Every item tasted cold, but good. Waiters were also good. We spend some quality time at the restaurant and left the restaurant quite late.
I must recommend this place to all people, mostly couples, to visit this nice restaurant. In nutshell, you would not go for food, but for the aroma and charm of the place.

In Udaipur, you do not get any kind of transport after 11 PM. So we were stuck at some unknown area without a hope of any public transport, but one unknown person helped us and drove us to a place where autos were available. So all in all, horrendous day ended with a smile on our faces.

Around 12 o'clock, I boarded to bus and left Udaipur. It was one among the best trips of my life.

Buck up, You got enough to face

We have sold our hopes to God.

We have sold our expectation to God.

We have sold our Goals to God.

He is building the chaos,

and yet we are part of it.

He is breaking things, 

and yet we are enjoying it. 

He can hurt the whole,

and yet we are hoping something out of it.

.

Then sometime we say

Why can not he stop making things?

Why can not he stop choosing things?

Why can not he stop breaking those chosen things?

and we feel that he isn't perfect.

He is some human who is enjoying the experiments.

He is some devil who is breaking the things.

He is some god who is making few broken things beautiful.

He is not gonna help us,

But He tells us, wake up you sneaky bastards.

I am enjoying your hopes,

but I am retarded with such hopes.

I am creating beautiful things,

But I am burdened with your singing.

I am managing the whole universe,

But I am overworked while managing each of you.

Buck up.

I have given you enough strength to fight.

I have given you plenty of mind to try.

I have give you plenty of things to make world right.

Let me rest, I am tired and stressed. I am tired and Stressed.

I am afraid

I have not spoken truth for a long time. I am afraid truth will hurt you, but still I am afraid lie will hurt me.

I have not sat idle for eternity now. I am afraid I will introspect and find something nasty, but still I am afraid I will never improve in life.

I have not found the answers of my questions. I am afraid to learn more, but still I am afraid of dying without knowing anything at all.

I have not visited lot of places. I am afraid of dying of boredom in my home, but still I am afraid of dying outside with someone known.

I have not understood lot of feelings of my dear ones. I am afraid to misunderstand them, but still I am afraid to disclose mine to understand theirs.

I have not taken lot of decisions. I am afraid of taking wrong decisions, but still I am afraid of suffering as I did not take any decision.

I have not told a lot yet. I am afraid of sharing it at my own, but still I am afraid what if there is no one left to ask.

I have not walked once without you. I am afraid to lose you, still I am afraid you will be gone once and forever.

When you have to go, then why should I worry.
When I have to go, then why Should I be sorry.

Yo God,
Give me some wings to fly.
Give me some fins to Swim.

I will fly, till I satisfy.
I will swim, till I am justified.
I will enjoy till I die.

Movie Review: Superman of Malegaon

Superman of Malegaon, 2012
Cast: .Shivram Krishnamoorthy, Farogh Jafri, Akram Khan, Shafique, Nazir Shaikh
Director: Faiza Ahmad Khan
Genre: Comedy, Documentary

Malegaon is a village where everyone is movie-buff. People of this village are little crazier than others. They have established their own Mollywood to create spoofs of popular movies. Superman of malogaon is a documentary, which is the making of a superman movie's spoof. This malegoan's superman performs every impossible act (which are introduced with side effects in original movie) in the spoof. At the start, it is little odd, but once actual making starts, it makes you laugh loudly and repeatedly.

. 

This movie was started as a project to produce documentary, which was supposed to telecast in Singapore, but later it turned out to be a nice documentary cum film for all kind of audiences. 66 minutes lively movie entertains us quite well. Without any big names and brands Faiza has directed a gem. Please stay away if you want to see some Rowdy type entertainment. It is jara hatke.

Malegoan, a village approximately 200 Kms away from Mumbai, has lot of movie loving people. So few such crazy people planned to direct/produce movies in their own village. After successfully showcasing 2 big Indian blockbusters' spoof in Mollywood theater, these crazy bunch of people planned to direct Superman in Malegaon. Here starts the hilarious and mind blowing comedy sequences. Superman is flying in sky, catching thieves, fighting bad people, romancing with ladies, and finally finishing the villain. Details of costume, casting, and direction have been covered quite well in the movie.

It is a short movie in comparison to other Bollywood flicks, but shorter length entertains you through out the movie, and does not bore at all. Director could have made it little lengthier, but still this version of movie works fine, and entertains us thoroughly. Hope Bollywood or rather Mollywood could produce more such movies in future, and entertain us more.

Movie Review: Road to Sangam

Road to Sangam, 2010
Cast: Paresh Rawall as Hasmat Ullah, Om Puri as Mohammad Ali Kasuri, Pawan Malhotra as Maulana Qureshi.
Director: Amit Rai
Music by: Nitin Kumar Gupta and Prem Haria
Genre: Drama, Social
Awards: 9th Annual International Film Festival (South Africa) - 2 – 8 November 2009 - (Winner of Best First Film Director) and Many more.

Road to Sangam showcases the zeal of a person who has to fight with the society to complete his duties for the nation. It demonstrates the handicapped state of a person in front of the current social foundation. A Muslim mechanic has been chosen to finish a very important work, which has a great historical significant in the Indian history, but he faces lot of difficulties to complete his work and at the end he has to stand against the society to complete his work.

Amit Rai has picked a controversial topic, but he has removed the controversy from the plot successfully and expressed his views effectively. Paresh raval has showcased his extraordinary talent again. Other actors, who have been part of movie, are hidden under the shadow of Paresh Raval's rock solid performance.

Hasmat ullah, who is a god fearing muslim and mechanic, is popular in community for his impeccable work  Hasmat has been handed over a vehicle which must be used to carry Bapu's ashes to immerse it into Sangam river. For some unknown reasons, the historical significance of the vehicle was kept secret.

Sooner few Muslims were arrested who were charged as conspirators in a bomb explosion. Few individuals, from the same community, took it otherwise and provoked others to stand against the government. In turn they closed their shops, and stood for their community members who were sent to jail. In the meantime,  Hasmat came to know the historical  significance of the car. Now he wanted to serve the nation by repairing the car at time. He could not go against his own either people or nation. So story of his struggles unfolded now. He had to fight with community,  teach people, bring them together and finish his work There were tense moments, and emotions, but finally he repaired and delivered the car to the people.

Though movie was a result of efforts from hundreds of people, but Ghandhian effect and Paresh Sir's marvelous acting worked too well in the movie. Script was great, no spice were added to such a noble but controversial concept. I loved this movie, and I could not understand the reason why these movies are not even advertised well by these directors. Great Movie must watch it.

World Peace

A video is circulated on Facebook, which depicts our ex-president. He is giving a speech in the European assembly. He recited one poem in his speech which is quite inspiring. So to remember it for a long time I thought to document it here.

Here is goes...

When there is righteousness in the heart, then there is beauty in  the character.

When there is beauty in the character, then there is harmony in the home.

When there is harmony in the home, then there is order in the nation.

When there is order in the nation, then there is peace in the world.

Those words are simple to understand, but inherit deep meaning. I am proud of our Mr X-President who has  increased nation's esteem in his each and every speech. I hope India can fuel in few more politicians like you.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=407641889307922&set=vb.185547141525640&type=2&theater

Social Media in hearts

Social platforms have been invading in our life for quite some time. These platforms were encouraged to widespread your views with different people. To meet new individuals, get to know them, and start a life with new dimensions.

This basic ideology does not hold true anymore. People are spreading junk on these platforms. People have been intellectual enough to support multiple causes by sharing, and liking. Though at one hand they demonstrate their heart in the cause, yet at the other hand they show their incompetency in the real world. Throughout the day their tweets, Facebook statuses, and social platform information will clutter your pages, but these hypocrites will not be able to procure enough time to work at physical grounds.

Now new trend has started on these platforms. New set of people have started showcasing their emotions not only to concerned people, but also to everyone on earth. Without any concrete emotions, their walls are cluttered with virtual love, kisses, and sex. Our personal interaction and privacy have been losing it's own esteem. Reaction of the concerned person is too less important than reaction of Facebook people, which is primarily measured with comments and likes on your status.

Even we share our concerns with people who do not even have any idea of the problem. Why have we lost our guts to speak to the person, we know for multiple years? Instead we waste our time in story telling the problem to the unconcerned world, and seeking virtual consolation from these unconcerned people.

Whatever it is, we must not limit ourselves in the boundary of the virtual world. Though technology has tried to reduce our distances, but it has created opposite effects on our mind. Now our intimate communications are not bed room conversations, but rather they are statuses on our walls. Hope god can save us, and bring us out from such rude and unnatural form or love.

Ahmadabad Trip: Mahudi

As Ahmedabad does not host lot of historical, religious, and scenic monuments, so my friend planned to visit nearby religious monuments. We started with Ghandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat. The city hosts the oldest Akshardham temple in India. So we planned to visit this temple first, but after turning up at it's empty gate, we realized a loophole in our plan. We visited the temple on Monday, which is the only resting day for the temple staff in a week.

Though we were disappointed, still we had planned to visit other temples. Hence rather than considering it as a set back, I welcomed it as a well timed relief. Mini Amarnath temple was next in line. This temple is a replica of the Amarnath temple. Amarnath temple, situated in the Himalayas, is the most popular and dangerous Hindu shrine. You need to walk, and trek a little to reach to the mini Amarnath temple's. This hall imitates a natural cave and it has a Shiv-ling. The Shiv-ling is created artificially using snow and maintained at -5 Deg C to save it from melting. If you have any temptation to touch the deity, you must be prepared to donate 1000 Rs. Apart from the main hall, this temple hosts 10-12 other Shiv-lings which are replicas of the most popular Shiv temples across India.

Next temple was a Jain temple. This temple, widely known as Ghantaghar Mahaveer Ji jain temple, is situated in Mahudi. Maudi is 35 Km away from Ghandhinagar. The temple is quite beautiful, but it is associated with plenty of rumours.

Second hall which host Idol of Ghantaghar wale Shri Mahavir Ji

Temple is spread across a huge area. Along with three prayer halls, it has a museum, library, inn, parking lot and mess. Out of 3 halls, biggest hall hosts idols of 24 Jain Tirthankars. The oldest and prodigious idol, which belongs to Padam Prabhu, has been placed in this hall. The architecture of the hall is quite impressive and elaborate. Second hall is dedicated to Ghantaghar wale mahavir ji, he is known as the guardian of the temple. Third hall has idol of Yognistha Acharya Bhagwant Shrimad BuddhiSagarSuriSwarji Maharaj Sahebji, who put the foundation stone of the temple. Main attraction of the temple is 2 bells i.e Ghanta(in Hindi). One of these bell weights couple of tons. This bell is used only once in a year on Diwali and it's sound can be heard at few miles away from the temple. Second bell weights 40-50 kg and it has been places at the top of marble ladders.

Sukhadi, as a Prasad, is offered to the deity. Sukhadi is prepared with Pure Desi Ghee, wheat flour and Jaggery, and it is quite delicious. Rumours say that if you taje the Prasad out of the Mahudi village intentionally or unintentionally, then you will face fierce consequences. As per local people, whoever tried to take Sukhadi home, didn't even reach home. They were met with an accident before reaching home. It must be eaten or distributed in the temple premise only. So keeping all these rumours in mind, the devotees are prohibited from taking this outside the temple premises.

However list of prohibitions does not end here. You are prohibited to take photographs in the premise. As per the rumours, deity is still active in the temple, and if he is captured in the photographs, then he can create problems in your life.

After visiting the premise, we went to the exhibition hall and found a narrator who narrated the complete story of the temple. He told us all the mysterious phenomenon associated with the temple and he supported most of these events with unconvincing stories and reasons. This session lasted for 90 minutes, and we collected some history, and unconvincing theories about the temple.

Mahudi temple was our last frontier for the day, still the day was not yet over as our nights were already booked for another Garba session.

Who are you?

If someone asks you to introduce yourself in the group of 10 people, your introduction differs based on the purpose, and the members of the group. But how would you answer, "Who are you?".

You are sitting in the office with 50 colleagues in a presentation. Presenter stops all of a sudden, and asks you, "Who are you?".

You will merely have time to think and respond to such a simple, but weird question. My crude answer will be, "I am Vishal Jain.". Oh wow! that's all. Will my name define me completely? I do not think so. I am much more than merely the name. But then why I didn't consider anything worthy enough to associate with myself at that moment. So in my opinion, this question needs a delicate and much refined answer.

This question was asked to different people. Presenter asked this question to the first person; he answered, "I am a human being". Presenter asked the question repeatedly, and this guy told few of his behavioral characteristics, before running out of them.

In the same manner another person was interrogated. This guy told his professional achievements to answer it. Third person answered it with his personal information. Though neither question, nor participants, nor listener changed, but none of the answers were satisfactory, and complete.

So how would like to answer such a simple question? We do not ever think of answering this question in life time. So why don't you take some time and tell me that "Who are you?".

Happy Diwali 2012

So it is time to celebrate Diwali, the biggest north Indian Hindu festival. Except the mythological essence of the festival, it has significant importance in our life. Reunion of friends, families, shopping, decoration, cleaning, hopes, wishes, and love within families are few examples of such significant matters that are associated to the common man.

On this day, hundreds of small lamps will illuminate every street in every city. Hundreds of traditional oil lamps and hundreds of electric bulbs will enlighten every house in the street. No street, house, and place will remain dark today. Apart from decorating houses with lamps, every house will certainly have a Rangoli drawn with different colors and decorated with twinkling lamps.

This day, most of us, will visit the market from one end to another and wish Diwali’s best wishes to everyone either known or unknown. We will visit our friends who did not get time to meet us after last Diwali. It will be the perfect time to visit their houses and have some sweets (I love sweets) which are served as part of the traditions.

With our families, we will worship goddess Lakshmi, and god Ganesh. We will ask goddess to visit our house and shower money on us. Lakshmi visits every house this day, decides which house is decorated best, and stays in such a beautiful house for eternity. Chanting and praying will stop after an hour, after that we will be free to demonstrate the power of bombs we bought last night.

All the kids will first start with the loudest bomb, then as soon as louder bombs finish we move to bombs and crackers that last little longer. Ladies burst more trivial crackers. Though there is noise from different directions, but everyone seems to like the noise and pollution on Diwali.

I love everything about Diwali. Whether it is cleaning and dusting, or it is decoration, or it is meeting with friends, or it is worshipping, or it is cracking the crackers everything is charming, and cheerful. Though I have not brought any crackers yet, but I will get them soon. Hope you all will enjoy your Diwali as much.

Wish you, and your family a great, and prosperous Diwali!!!!!!!