Day trip to Abu Dhabi

 I have seen many mosques all over the world but have never been inside one. Out of all those I have seen The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is without a doubt the most grand and unique of all the mosques I have seen. A must-see when you visit Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Whatever your faith may be, it doesn’t change the fact that this mosque is a work of art.

The Grand Mosque is known for its predominantly white color. It symbolizes purity and piety.

The attention given to all the details leaves me speechless!

Majestic

This mosque was initiated by the late president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure which unites the cultural diversity of Islamic world, the historical and modern values of architecture and art. This mosque is considered to be the key place for worship in the country. It is the largest mosque in the UAE. It is said that during EID prayers the mosque is visited by more than 40,000 people.

The mosque is built over a 30-acre expanse of land and looks beautiful even from far away. It looks incredible no matter what angle you look at it. I won't forget the first glimpse from the car as we drove towards the mosque.

The pretty courtyard inside has 1,048 columns.

There are 82 domes made of pure white marble & the largest dome is located in the center of the main prayer hall

Could not stop looking at the beautiful craftsmanship specially inside of the domes which features traditional Moroccan artwork with verses from the Holy Quran painted in gold color.

Entering the main hall

 They say that the design and construction literally "unites the world", using artisans and materials from many countries including Italy, Germany, Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia, Iran, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece and United Arab Emirates.

Every aspect is detailed so beautifully.

The carpet in the main hall is considered to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi. 

  

The white marbles used here were shipped all the way from Italy and the colored ones are from Spain, Morocco, China and India.

Mother of pearl work on the pillars

The Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from the company Faustig in Munich, Germany that incorporates millions of Swarovski crystals.

 

Walking towards the courtyard

Just a head's up, that while visiting the mosque the dress code is very important. Women must be covered from head to toe. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, then wear a scarf on the head. Men must also wear long pants and proper shirts. For those who are not fully covered they can borrow a burka which are available outside the mosque. Also bear in mind that this is a place of worship and so please respect and follow the signs and guidelines while taking pictures as well. Certain poses aren't acceptable. You do not want to unnecessarily offend anyone.

"One's destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things." - Henry Miller

Last glimpse

 

This place displays beautiful art & architecture and is truly

GRAND as the name suggests.

Eat Good Feel Good

Yes I am trying to eat healthy and NO I am not on a diet!! 

Be Free

Let the waves hit your feet & the sand be your seat

Live Love Bark

The darkest nights produce the brightest Stars

A place worth visiting when in Dubai is the Global Village. One evening isn't just enough! There are so many things to do -from shopping to amusement rides to experimenting different world cuisines and much more.

The concept is awesome - different countries & their specialities are represented in one place! 

Fruit Shopping

Walking through Byculla Market, Mumbai. 

Gliding in the Sky so High!

Sharklets standing tall

Good night!

The RWITC

The Mahalaxmi Racecourse is a horse racing track in Mumbai. It is one of the very few huge open spaces in the heart city. 

This area was originally donated by Sir Cushrow N Wadia. 

The Grandstand, off the race course is a designated Heritage structure. 

The worst enemy to Creativity is self-doubt!

Purity

Pretty wall painting I came across. 

Flying High_Airbus 320

     

Norwesters have arrived!

Take off!

The storm is coming!

As I sip my cup of chocolate milk & enjoy the clouds descending in +Kolkata. Witnessing the pre-monsoon weather which North India is known for, for the first time & loving it!

Horn Ok Please!

If your eyes are opened, you'll see the things worth seeing - Rumi

Taking a break to pose

 

 

Education - One of the most important challenges of a Community.

Many start school BUT how many Finish?

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!