Dharavi - An example of Diversity

Dharavi was earlier a mangrove swamp; however later this swamp filled in & so there was room for people besides the kolis. The Kumbars came from Gujarat to establish a pottery colony, tamils from the south opened tanneries, many from Uttar Pradesh came to work for the booming textile industry, many women became involved in the papad industry. Many industries developed here from which many products are exported around the world. As a result Dharavi became a very diverse slum in India's most diverse city - Mumbai

Dharavi - An unexpected maze

As I enter the World's Largest Slums - Dharavi is totally an unexpected maze! Before the late 19th century, the present day area of Dharavi was a mangrove swamp which was inhabited by the koli fishermen & the area was referred to as "the village of the koliwadas". It is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, diverse settlement. 

The World War1 Memorial @Ballard Estate,Mumbai

This memorial commemorates the employees of the Bombay Port Trust, now known as the Mumbai Port Trust who lost their lives during World War1 (1914-1918) & also the Port Trust's contribution to the war efforts. 

Man belongs to the Earth, The Earth does not belong to Man

Today felt two tremors in Kolkata. It was the scariest experience of my life. Just feeling the ground shaking makes you think how unpredictable life is & we don't know what we are going to face the next day. 

I can't imagine what the people in Nepal are going through where the earthquake originated. Prayers for everyones well being in the affected areas & strength to the families who have lost their loved ones. 

Enter with Calmness

Every cloud has a silver lining

Every cloud has a silver lining

Life is Beautiful

Sun is shining, weather is sweet, make you wana move your dancing feet.

Body & Soul

The Sun sees your body, the Moon sees your soul.

Mango Time

Its my favourite time of the year!! NOT because of the heat BUT because of the Mangoes!!!

Black & White

Colourful Ganesha in Bangkok

Pretty Sunset

Its impossible to watch a sunset & not dream.

6Es standing side by side!

                                                                6Es standing side by side!

Belur Math

Visited the  Lovely & Serene Belūr Maṭh which is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, a chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. It is located on the west bank of Hooghly River, Belur, West Bengal, India. This temple is the heart of the Ramakrishna Movement. The temple is notable for its architecture that fuses Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of unity of all religions. Swami Shivananda, the then President of Belur Math laid the foundation stone on 16 May 1935. The mission proclaims the Math as a "Symphony in Architecture"Its was nice to walk around the lovely grounds, sit in the gardens, relax & enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
However closing time you get "whistled" (literally) out by the guards. So better go a little early so you have enough time.  
                                                                           

Oasis among the Chaos

Recently I visited the Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden, formerly Royal Botanic Garden in Howrah, West Bengal, India. In 2009 it was renamed to honor Indian plant physiologist and physicist Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose. It is situated on the west bank of the Hooghly River, opposite Kolkata. It was founded in 1787 by the East India Company.

This garden famous for its enormous collections of bamboos, palms and many other plants. This garden is most famous  for its known landmark - the Great Banyan Tree, for its very large canopy & thought to be more than 250 years old.

This place is a total break from the pollution & chaos of the city! This is one of the oldest botanical gardens in India.It was from these gardens that the tea now grown in Assam & Darjeeling was first developed.

 This banyan tree is the largest known in India. It was damaged by 2 cyclones when some main branches were broken & some attacked by fungus. The tree now lives without its main trunk, which was decayed & so removed. It has about 3300 aerial roots reaching the ground.This tree looks more like a mini forest than an individual tree!