Set of hand painted terracotta pots

While dusting, I broke a decorative glass pot that I used to place on the side table in my drawing room. Without any decorative piece on the table, it looked too monotonous. An attractive art work could make that place interesting!

I surfed the Kraftly site as I loved the amazing and vast collection of art and handicrafts available on this site. I found the set of three pots very attractive and elegant for that corner. They are available in three different sizes, colours and designs. I am confused which one to buy. Can you help me in selecting?

The three designs are as follows :-

1.      Craftbell miniature Warli table pots blue in terracotta – Set of three gift items home décor

2.      Craftbell miniature Warli table pots yellow in terracotta – Set of three gift items home décor

3.      Craftbell miniature Warli table pots white in terracotta – Set of three gift items home décor

Effect of demonetisation

"Oh! Lift is not working! I have to take stairs to the fourth floor to reach the house of a bank manager, Mr. 'H'." I thought. "What a bad beginning of a day!"
On reaching there, I rang the bell of the house. His wife opened the door.
"Is sir at home?" I asked after greeting her.
"Yes, He is bathing." She replied.
"I just need the document which I gave him for signing."
While standing at the main door she shouted, "Ma'am had come and is asking for paper."
He replied, "I forgot my bag in the office and the document is in the bag."
While she was explaining this to me in detail, she looked inside her house and said, "Come, come! Its fine."
He peeped from on side of the door, wearing towel around his waist and trying to hide his nakedness with his right hand by covering his chest. He said, "It's really messy!"
I thought, "Ya. It is messy because you even forget to dress up properly before coming to the main door of your house."
His wife was smiling trying to control her laugh on the funny situation created suddenly.
I said, "I tried to call you yesterday but your mobile was switched off."
He said, "Sorry, ma'am. Actually I was sleeping as it was holiday. If I have not slept yesterday then today I will not be able to go to office. Sorry! I forget to bring the document amidst the hustle and bustle of demonetisation. From the past five days I was going to office at 8 a.m. and coming back at 9 p.m. It was so hectic. I will bring it today positively. You can collect it tomorrow."
"Fine." I said.
I turned to return, thinking, "What a humorous beginning of the day!"

Bizarre ideas for the study room

I want to renovate my study but in an unusual way, not like the uninteresting study room with books, study table, chair, stationary and pen stand. I wish to make it attractive, interesting and motivating. I search Kraftly site for such bizarre ideas and I find some. I like them so much that I am sharing with you.

1.      Terracotta three idiots pen stand – It’s uniqueness fascinated me. I love the idea. Whenever I will take out or place back a pen or pencil from it, a sweet smile will always appear on my face.

2.      Book Safe – What an innovative idea to fool thieves!

3.      Convenient wooden shelf with side wood log and handcrafted deer – It can be placed on table and is good for holding books. Different bookshelf isn’t it?

The smallest gesture that mean a lot to me!

In the month of August, it was raining and raining in Uttarkashi. It rained all the time. Most of the time, it's drizzling, sometime it's raining lightly and rarely it's raining cats and dogs. There were five - six green colour three sitter cemented benches by the Bhagirati river side in the ashram garden on which most of the students sit in their free time to read, to meditate or to watch the swift flow of river. I also loved to sit on them but my reason was to get some fresh air as I found my room congested. My room was a very small room and four people accommodated in it. Moreover, my room-mates wanted to keep the windows closed and curtains drawn all the time which make the room dark and suffocated. I felt uncomfortable to sit or read in the room.

One day, I took my book and went near the benches to sit, to read and to enjoy. All the benches were full except one on which Mr. 'G' was sitting on one side. I sat on the other side of the bench. As soon as I sat than I got up with a jerk. Even Mr. 'G' was surprised with my sudden reaction.
He asked, "What happened?"
I made my face as I couldn't find the right words to express the situation. He spread his long arm where I was sitting a few moments before to find out the reason. He stretched his fingers further on the bench and touched the water which have gathered there because of drizzling in the early morning.
He said, "Oh it is water!" And shifted towards the water side making space for me on the bench where it was dry.
I sat on the bench and said, "Thanks!"
This simple gesture of his goodwill touched my heart.

Siror Bridge, Netala

There are hundreds of bridge on a river for the persons, animals and vehicles to move from one side of river to another. During the day time, to and fro movement on them can be seen  frequently and during night a bit less frequently.

Though Siror Bridge near Netala is like any ordinary bridge over the river even then I like it very much, may be I love to watch the local people especially women carrying grass bundles or baskets at their back with sticks in their hands or men whistling to ponies to give them instructions and guiding them directions to the destination. Some times school children pass it, some times cars and some times cows but rarely army men cross it with guns for practicing in a nearby area.

During the two courses, whenever I found time I looked at it to admire its giant size so massive so mammoth.

I also appreciated its light swinging movement because of air and its quick swaying because of heavy movements of humans or animals or both over it.

I was amazed that it remained intact even in difficult times joining the two different regions together. It teaches us to bridge family members, office workers and friends together even if they have dissimilar opinions, thoughts and views.

It always inspire me to cross the bridge of my negativities, ignorance and insecurities so that I can embrace positivity and knowledge at the other end.

Antique decorative items for the drawing room

My friend pinged me again on Facebook.

I bought not only hand painted kettles from Kraftly site but also some decorative items for my drawing room.

I replied

That’s great! What did you purchase?

It was very difficult to choose as art and handicraft collection of Kraftly is marvellous.

Very true.

I bought elephant pair hand painted with multicolour shades and traditional kundan stone  work on it.

Its so beautiful! Amazing work by an artist from Jaipur!! What more?

I bought antique decorative gifted handmade ship model.

It seems that it is made up of wooden strips.

Ya. And I bought a pair of peacock made up of paper mache with lac work. I was searching for lac work decorative pieces but couldn’t find them in any shop or fair. I was delighted to find them on this online retail shop.

Wow! They are so cute.

Five most attractive designs of hand painted kettles

Last night, my friend ping me up on Facebook.

Hi Chandrika. I read your yesterday post on the blog about the handicrafts. The painted kettle was very attractive and your post very informative.

I replied

Hi. Thanks. :)

I wish to buy some, may be three or four to decorate my kitchen window. I love the idea of painted kettles but I want to go for some unique themes and vibrant colour combinations. Are there any other options?

Kraftly, online retail store has many exquisite designs. I am sharing some with you.

1.      Hand painted kettle with cards theme.

2.      Hand painted kettle with checkmate theme

3.      Hand painted kettle with Warli Hamlet theme

4.      Hand painted kettle with bicycle dreams theme

5.      Hand painted kettle with woman of world theme

WOW! They are so attractive. I will buy all.

The artistic gifts

I wished to gift my friend a nice gift on her anniversary that too in my budget. While surfing the internet, I came across beautiful handicrafts on Kraftly site. The handicrafts are artistic, attractive and eye-catching. They are made up of metal, wood or glass. They are painted with striking colours. The colour combinations and themes use to decorate them are very innovative. I am mesmerised with the variety of products available in my budget. I liked the hand painted kettle, doorbell with two birds and a wooden truck for the dining table.

1.      This hand painted kettle has exquisite designs and fine finish.

2.      This is beautiful casted metal doorbell.

3.      This is table decor truck.

Dear readers, can you suggest out of these three, which should I gift to my friend?

Banana Pomegranate Smoothie

One more smoothie recipe that I tried which tasted delicious.
Banana Pomegranate Smoothie (No salt no sugar)
Ingredients
Banana - 2
Pomegranate - 2
Buttermilk - 2

Method
1. Chop banana and add pomegranate grains to it.
2. Add buttermilk and mix them well.
3. Do not add any sugar or salt to it. Serve in a glass.

Height of interfering

"What Mr. 'K' was saying to you in dinning hall?" Ms. 'D' asked me as I entered my room.
The sudden attack of this question confused me as a few minutes before I was eating sweets alone in dinning hall while watching the swift flow of River Bhagirathi from the window.
I said, "I didn't talk to him during the tea time."
"During the brunch, when you were sitting next to him and he was saying something. Remember? What he was saying when you and that foreigner woman were listening to him?"
I didn't express my anger on intruding questions from her side rather calmly said,"Oh! At that time, he was saying that he was not able to hold the breath as long we were asked to retain. If he tried to retain longer then his hands get tensed therefore, he decided to hold for only that time he was comfortable with."
Ms. 'D' said, "I am also not able to hold the breath for one minute. What else he told you?"
I said, "He was also complaining that on prolonged sitting his back started aching and then he was not able to focus on his breath as well as retention of breath."
Ms. 'D' said, "I also have this problem. My back starts paining badly due to excessive sitting."

Next day when I entered my room my mind was prepared for the question my room mate was going to ask. Her third question was, "What you were talking with Mr.'K' in satsang hall?"
Even on asking such an interfering question, I remained calm and said, "He was telling that he bought some books from Rishikesh and sent them to his home."
Ms. 'D' asked with a bit of surprise, "Did he send all the books to his home?"
"Ya. The books were very cheap there."
"That's true. I will also buy some books from Rishikesh."
"I was very much curious to know which books he bought. Therefore, he was telling in detail that he bought the books written by Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevanada. He also bought the books published by Bihar School of Yoga, Munger."

Nobody has ever dare to ask me such an interfering and intruding question ever in my life - What I was talking with this or that guy?!!!!

Kraftly – The best online shopping site

“Granny, today my best friend ‘D’ called me.” I said.

“One who studied with you in the college?” Granny replied.

“Ya.”

“She also visited your house on the grahpravesh, sang ‘hey prabhu annanddata jnana humko dejeye’ a bhajan melodiously and gifted a pair of metallic elephant statue.”

“You remember her so well.”

“Her sweet voice is unforgettable!”

 “She invited me to her marriage ceremonies. Her marriage has been fixed in the coming week with a Punjabi guy who is NRI and works in a software company in U.S.A. The would-be-bridegroom has to return early therefore the ceremonies will be starting from tomorrow.”

“I am happy to hear about her marriage. Will you be going to attend the functions?”

“I wanted to attend each and every function. But which dress, jewellery, shoes and makeup I will wear in those functions.”

“One can’t repeat the same dress, jewellery, shoes and make up in all the functions because these days every moment are captured in photographs and videos.”

“May be some can wear the same dress is all functions but I can’t do that. I need a different dress with matching accessories for every occasion.”

“Then start shopping now, without wasting a minute.” Granny suggested me.

“Due to the festive season the roads are jam packed. It will take more than one hour to go to the nearest shop. Then how much more time and energy will be needed to shop all.”

“My dear child, actually I was talking about the online shopping.”

“Granny, I love you! You solved my problem.”

“hmmm....”

“In some sites the products are either too costly or of low quality.”

“To avoid such situations, you should only buy from a reputed online store?”

“Which online retail site is good one? Do you have any idea?”

“Kraftly is an online retail store which excels in woman wears. They have fabulous sarees, kurtis, kurtas, salwar kameez, blouse, petticoat, dupatta, churidars, lehangas, leggings, jeggings and tights.”

“I want to wear western dress in atleast one occasion.”

“They have a decent collection of western dresses, top wear, bottom wear, jacket, coats, shrugs, jumpsuits, sweatshirts, hoodies, suits and blazers.”

“To search for matching accessories is also a big problem.”

“They have watches, bags, wallets, sunglasses and other fashion accessories. There jewellery section is adorable. They have wide range of classic as well as stylish jewellery. Rings, necklaces, bangles, earrings, chains, pendants and pendants & earrings sets are amazing.”

“For shoes?”

“Heels, flats, flip flops, bellies, sandals, floaters, wedges, ethnic shoes, pumps and peep toes are trendy.”

“The prices will be too high.”

“The prices of Kraftly are reasonable and affordable to all.”

“Then the quality will be very poor.”

“No, my dear. The quality of the products is good. I wear clothes, jewellery and makeup bought from this site ONLY. I really like this site as it saves my time, energy and money. Moreover delivers good quality products in minimum time. Till now I haven’t return any product nor complaint about any of their product.”

“Now, I will shop with my finger tips on my laptop!”

Apple Pear Smoothie

Today I prepared a delicious and colourful smoothie. I am sharing its recipe here.

Ingredients
Apple -1
Pear -1
Spinach 8-10 leaves
Basil Leaves - 5-6
Honey - 1 tablespoon
White pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
Lime juice - 1/4 teaspoon
Salt to taste
For garnishing - water melon seeds

Method
1. Chop apple and pear in small pieces removing its pips.
2. Add chopped spinach leaves and basil leaves to it.
3. Add honey, white pepper, lime juice and salt to it.
4. Mix them well in a mixer. Pour the liquid in a glass.
5. Garnish it with water melon seeds and serve it.

Bhojpatra tree in Uttarkashi

While trekking in Himalayas from Gangotri to Bhojwasa, I saw some bhojpatra trees.

It's scientific name is Betula utilis and it's white bark was used in ancient times to write scriptures and texts in Sanskrit. Even these days, sacred mantras are written on it's bark for doing some special prayers.

Due to deforestation, most commonly found tree in hills is now rarely found!

Pineapple Smoothie

Today I tried a new recipe 'pineapple smoothie'. I added spinach to it to give unique colour to it. The light green colour was amazing and it tasted wonderful. The recipe is as follows :-
Ingredients
Pineapple - 4 -5 round pieces
Spinach - 6-7 leaves
Milk - 1 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1 tea spoon
White pepper - 1/4 tea spoon
Salt to taste

Method
1. Chop pineapple in small pieces. Add chopped spinach to it.
2. Pour milk in it and blend them with the help of blender or in mixer.
3. Add sugar, salt and white pepper to it.
4. Pour in glasses and serve.

Try this healthy drink.

Early morning chant

"Tomorrow morning after opening my eyes I will join my palms, fold them in the form of cups and looking at my palms I will chant the mantra
कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मिः करमध्ये सरस्वति ।
करमूले तु गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥Karaagre Vasate Lakshmih Karmadhye Saraswati |
Karmule Tu Govindah Prabhaate Kardarshanam ||" My roommate said.
"Nice." I said.
"I means that at the top of palm dwells Goddess Lakshmi, in the middle of the palm dwells Goddess Saraswati and at the base of the palm dwells Lord Govinda (another name for Lord Krishan) Therefore in early morning one should look at one's palm and contemplate on them.
"It is one of the best mantra to be chanted early morning before starting the day."
"Tomorrow morning first thing I will do is to chant this mantra."

NEXT MORNING
"SH*T!" She uttered. The alarm didn't ring on the set time and she got late for the class.

Powerful touch

"Are you ok?" Mataji, director of Sivananda Kutir, Netala asked me after putting the ash on my forehead at the time of initiation of Sadhana Intensive course.
"No." I said. I was shivering even after wearing jacket and shawl.
"What happened?" She asked.
"Severe dehydration, constipation and now I am shivering like an malaria patient."
"Do you have fever?"
"No."
To confirm my statement she gently touched my neck with the back of her hand. I have read many incidents in which when the master touches his disciple the disciple starts crying without any reason. I was quite sure that now tears will start flowing thorough my eyes.
"After this ceremony you come and meet me, I will give you medicine for that. Tomorrow morning you will feel better."
"I am taking homeopathy medicines. I only need an extra blanket."
She nodded.
I hurried towards my seat where the rest of my batchmates were sitting and waiting for their turn. I sat crossed legs and covered myself completely with shawl. Soon my eyes became moist and tears started coming out of my eyes without any specific reason. I wiped my tears before anybody could notice them.

Special chants on Diwali

A person updated her status on Facebook as
Today is Diwali, I will be chanting Goddess Lakshmi chants what I have learnt in TTC, Uttarkashi.
Ms. 'F' replied
I am doing chanting, opening and closing prayers and satsang chants regularly. I will be doing the special chants today.
Ms. 'S' replied
Generally I am doing mental japa.

Reading all these comments I thought, "I am only writing posts regularly on my blog."

Happy Chanting! :) Happy Diwali! :)

Hanuman Chowk, Uttarkashi

"We are near petrol pump. Where are you?" A friend asked me on phone.
"I am coming towards the market after visiting Kaleshwar Temple. On which petrol pump I have to come?" I asked.
"In Uttarkashi, there is only one petrol pump."
"I do not know where it is. In main market, I only know about Hanuman Chowk."
"Fine. We are going towards Hanuman Chowk. We have to pick the cake from a bakery which is situated near it. You come there and give a call to me."
"Fine."

I started moving towards Hanuman Chowk. I walked straight on not so good road then take a left turn and saw this beautiful scenery.

I clicked some photos. I wanted to stay there for some more time but I have to rush to meet my friends who were waiting for me. In hurry, I missed a turn and moved in a wrong direction. There were not so many people passing through that road. I doubted whether I am on a right path. To confirm I asked a man coming from opposite direction. He guided me. I couldn't understand the way.
He said," I am also going on the same side. You can follow me."
I turned and began to follow him.

We went some steps ahead on the road, took a narrow downward lane which I couldn't saw and crossed this bridge above the Bhagirathi river.

At that time, many people were crossing the river which was flowing harshly. We walked in the streets; sometimes taking left turn, sometimes taking right turn and sometimes walking on straight roads and sometimes on curved roads.
"Where are you? We are waiting for you. Come fast." I received the sms from my friend.

I paced and almost ran sometimes. As I saw the image of Lord Hanuman, I started running in full speed towards it. I forgot to say thanks to that man who showed me the correct path to Hanuman Chowk. How I could be so thankless!

This post is dedicated to him. :)

Movie Review : Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

Generally controversies arises for those movies which are not that good. This trick is also used to make 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' popular. The first half of the movie is entertaining and the second half is bit boring. The first half is full of jokes and Bollywood dialogues from old movies which one enjoys watching. Second half is full of useless emotional dialogues and not so interesting romantic drama. Moreover, whole movie seems like a never ending Saavn advertisement - singing and dancing on old Bollywood songs which doesn't fit in the situation.

The story is complicated. Saba's husband (Shah Rukh Khan) loves Saba (Aishwarya Rai), Saba loves Ayan (Ranbir Kapoor), Ayan loves Alizeh (Anushka Sharma), Alizeh loves Ali (Fawad Khan) and Ali loves someone else.....In short, it is a twisted romantic story.

Anushka Sharma looks beautiful on screen and her performance is too good. In acting, she is far better than Aishwarya Rai and Ranvir Kapoor. I will not be wrong in saying that 'Anushka Sharma is the soul of the movie'. Though Aishwarya Rai looks glamorous but her role is very short in the movie. The film is engaging, songs are melodious and locations are exotic.

One time watch only!

Kaleshwar Temple, Uttarkashi

As I crossed the river Bhagirathi in Uttarkashi to go to the village Joshiyara I saw this beautiful view.

I walked further on road and then on the narrow lanes with awesome views.

I reached Kaleshwar Temple which was dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The temple was small but there were hundreds of devotees offering prayers to Lord Shiva and his family.

Was it a cosmic experience?

As the conversation on the phone heated up I got up from the bench in the park and moved close to the river Bhagirati to convey my view point properly as well as to talk a bit loud without being overheard by any. There was exchange of hot dialogues from both the sides. After it was finished, I stood there thinking that may be by mere glancing at the cool water of Bhagirati river will cool down my emotions. I spread my arms to hold the rods of the fencing and stood there for some time. As I focused on the flowing water of river Bhagirati, I felt that the river become stationary and I started moving! I was moving with a fast speed. I was enjoying the rapid movement. I was elated that it was a sort of wow movement of my life that Bhagirati river becomes stationary and I began flowing in air. Was that a cosmic experience?

I googled this experience to confirm. Somebody explained on net that it is because of relative motion. The eyes follow the moving water and keep a track. But the brain interprets it as the same signals as stationary river and flowing me in the opposite direction. Brain interprets both the signals as same. People who become sick in moving cars or buses generally experience this because of mixed signals their brains struggled with. I feel damn sick in moving vehicle! Alas! That was just an optical illusion.

Useless Formality

"Om Namah Shivaya!" I heard the voice from the other side as I picked up the phone.
"Om Namah Shivaya!" I said.
"I am H.... Are you free to talk to me for two minutes?"
"No, I am not free. I will call you after 15 minutes."
"At that time, I will not be able to take the call as my phone will be out of the coverage area. I just want to talk for 2 minutes. TWO MINUTES ONLY!"
"hmmm..." I thought there might be some emergency.
He started talking about the topic on which he wanted to talk about.
I said,"If you want to talk to me about this topic it will be better if we can talk later on as I am doing important financial transactions. Moreover, this topic will not be covered in two minutes as this is a long story."
"Please talk about this now."
I thought, "What is the need of such a useless formality if he want to talk to me when he is free, want to talk about the topic that has no concern with him and there is no emergency involved. Instead of that he should have said I am free at this time, I will talk about this topic right now and it is of no concern to me where you are free or not."