Victorious Visitor

She was fed up as no matter how much she tried here, she could not change anything.

She yearned to discover a new planet for herself that would have her own rules.

photo by NASA

Victory was hers when she succeeded in her mission in her dream, and paid her dream planet a visit like a victorious visitor!

Silver City Cuttack

Cuttack is the former capital of the state of Odisha, India.
It is the twin city of Bhubaneswar, the present capital of Odisha.


Cuttack is an ancient city of immense historical significance. Owing to its rich history, Cuttack is also called the Millennium City and the City of 1000 Years.
It is called Silver City due to its amazing and exquisite silver jewellery works that are available.
Cuttack is also famous for its Silver Filigree Durga Puja statues and wonderful Pandals, lighting and celebration. Idols are worth crores of rupees.

Durga Puja - Khan Nagar, Cuttack

Banajaga Yatra And Nabakalebara in Puri, Odisha

Lord Ram's birth is celebrated as Ram Navami. It was celebrated yesterday.

During the birth month of Lord Ram i.e. in Chaitra, in Puri, Odisha, India, there are processions with the idols of Lord Ram, Sita & Laxman. There are grand celebrations for 15 days. This is called 'Sahi Jata'. In Odia language, 'Sahi' means locality/street. There is a 'Jatra' /'Yatra'- procession where people wear masks and costumes and there is theatre sort of Odia RamLeela. Residents of different localities of Puri have been taking part in this since 1230 AD:

Sahi Jata at Puri, Odisha ; Source

Tower Room In A Castle

I love fairy-tales. I have often imagined living in a Castle like a fairy-tale heroine!

The explorer in me wants to travel, loves to travel and has many places on her wish-list to explore. 

Black Forest in Germany is one such place. 

We all might be familiar with the Black Forest Cake and might have tasted it.

Did you know that the name of the cake has been derived from the German dessert that literally means "Black Forest cherry-torte” that originated in Germany? 

As I love Black Forest cake so much, I have plans to visit its place of origin & try it out! Yummy! 
The foodie in me wants to eat such delectable treats!

My 12 Most Important Reasons To Visit LA

LA or Los Angeles is called the City of Angels.

As everyone says I am an Angel too, hence I MUST visit the City of Angels :D

Jokes apart, here are my 12 most important reasons to visit LA-

1. To fulfill a childhood dream & to visit my family & friends & fulfill promise...

I have been dreaming to visit LA ever since my Uncle gifted me a pen that had "I LOVE LA" written on it...

I believe in Dalai Lama's quote- "Once a year, go someplace you've never been before." 

Haven't visited LA yet & dreaming to visit LA soon.

Source: Static Quotes

My Uncle & Aunt, Cousins & friends stay in LA & have been inviting me to visit them! 

LA has been in my travel wish-list for long. The last time I was in the USA was during the 9/11... & that ruined all my plans... 

I really wish to visit LA & fulfill my promise of meeting my loved ones there.

5 Places I Wish To Visit

I wanna travel smart around the world.

Before doing that, let me discover my home-state- Odisha, The Soul Of Incredible India, first! 

Travel, like Charity, begins at home!

Malaysia In My Kismet

Hinduism believes in the concept of Karma (action, fate or deed) & also Kismet (destiny or fate).

Needless to say, we need to have a good past & present Karma & a great connection with Kismet!

There is even a Bollywood movie named 'Kismat Konnection' that stresses on Kismet to unite the hero & heroine!

Source

Malaysia On My Mind!

The explorer in me has always wanted to visit Malaysia ever since I was in school. 

For me, Malaysia is like India - a Kaleidoscope of cultures, races and religions where many languages are spoken. 

Also, like India, Malaysia upholds 'Unity in Diversity'.

Source

Travel Smart!

To select one destination where I plan to visit in 2014,

I closed my eyes and visualized; there’s a lot to be seen…

Source

I became a “Sky-Scanner” as I quickly scanned the skies!

I zoomed in to my target- a blue planet greeted my eyes!!!

Source

Source

I got my answer- Planet Earth is my lovely destination!

I wanna visit the whole world & travel smart under the Sun!

Wanna Visit All The Continents & Countries in our World!

No, I am not an Alien in a spaceship from outer Space!

Just a travel-junkie, a traveller on Earth for numbered days!

 

Source

I’m not Jadoo; but travel means wonders & magic for me!

Travelling, exploring & learning is fun & funky, you see!

As I am yet to earn a free trip in a World-Tour Contest,

I have to strategize & smartly plan my world-trip best!

Now I’m planning & saving money for my future-travel,

Future-ready sensibly as I have the world to unravel!

Teaching my kid & learning Geography lessons myself,

Reading all books, magazines, newspapers that can help!

Everyday a new land lures & beckons me with its magic..

The world of Books & Knowledge is my smart pick.

Guidebooks, Journals, E-zines, Newsletters,

Such #TravelSmart Materials are my resource!

In this Tech & e-world, I feel so very privileged,

Google-Panorama Views & Photo Spheres I'm blessed.

Famous landmarks & natural wonders to explore!

With beautiful 360° panoramas, heart wants more!

 

Wonders of the World & must-visit places are a click away,

No issues about thieves, reservations, seasons or night/day! 

Any time is great for Travel as I #TravelSmart !

Safe & Economical e-experience that I heart!

Source

Lucky with the Travel Videos, Apps, Images & Stories,

Seated in my home, I can #TravelSmart with all these!

I literally see & explore places with Virtual Reality-

Though at one place, I can still say- "Veni, Vidi, Vici!"

For now, I’m travelling so; soon I'll have my fantasies for company...

Someday, I’ll travel for real to all places & a great explorer I’ll be!

Odisha Quiz

I shared a poem & images in 'Guess This Place!'. 
The 'Place' is- Odisha.

Recently, I got to conduct an Odisha Quiz in Twitter - My First Twitter Contest As A Curator.

Here are the Q & As for you to check out your OQ- Odisha Quotient!

Q1- This depicts the Rath Yatra. What are such traditional paintings of Odisha called? 

A1- Pattachitra

 
Q2- Which place of Odisha is famous for such colorful applique works that are also named after the place? 

A2- Pipili


Q3-  Which city, famous for such Tarakasi (Silver Filigree), was the previous capital of Odisha? 

Tarakasi or Silver Filigree

 A3- Cuttack


Q4- The Shanti Stupa at Dhauligiri is on the banks of which river of  Odisha? 

The Shanti Stupa, Dhauligiri

 A4- Dayanadi or Daya River


Q5- Identify this traditional cheese-based syrupy sweet-dish that originated in Odisha.

 A5- Rasgulla/Rasagola

 
 Q6- What do the #Odisha attractions- Atri, Deulajhari, Taptapani & Tarabalo have in common? 

 
A6- Hot-Springs


Q7. Rushikulya Estuary & Gahirmatha Sanctuary in Odisha are famous for which marine creature?  

A7- Olive Ridley Turtles


Q8. Which city of Odisha is known as the 'City of Temples' as at one time it's said to have 100,000 temples? 
 

A8- Bhubaneswar


Q9. Name Asia’s largest brackish water lake that is in Odisha.

A9- The Chilika Lake


 
Q10. How many Wheels are there in this UNESCO World heritage monument in Odisha ? 

A10- 24 Wheels in the Sun Temple, Konark.


How many answers did you get right? Please do share!

Learn more about Odisha from the- Odisha Tourism Government Website