Durga Puja 2017 At Bhubaneswar

Durga Puja is an important festival of eastern India. It marks the victory of good over evil.

Goddess Durga is Maa Durga i.e. Mother Durga. She had the powers to vanquish the evil demon named Mahishasura.

Durga Puja and Dussehra is celebrated with much fanfare and excitement at Odisha, India.

Capital city, Bhubaneswar, and its twin-city and former capital, Cuttack, have hundreds of Durga Puja Pandals. 

This Puja, I could manage to visit only half a dozen Pandals out of the hundreds!

Though it was raining heavily, the rains couldn't dampen the festive spirit. As the public flocked happily, the Pandals were teeming with ardent devotees.

Parking is a nightmare. But, Pandal-hopping is so much fun!

Bomikhal
The Bomikhal Pandal was like a white palace with angels on its walls beckoning us.

 Maa Durga and her team looked resplendent in gold.

Shhh! Don't Tell Anyone

Chosen as a WOW Post HERE

A Std-IX girls party was on in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

"Truth or Dare?"

When Siddha chose "Truth", her friends asked her to reveal a secret.

She had to share a secret which she never wanted anyone to know.

The honest girl that she was, Siddha did share what she had kept hidden for long.

Even her closest friends did not know.

"My nickname is 'Bayani'."

There was a pin-drop silence and then all the girls burst out laughing. 

'Bayani' means 'mad girl' in Odia language.
It is quite the same as the word 'Pagli' in Hindi language.

Anyone who knew Siddha, could vouch how mismatched her nickname was with her know-it-all and responsible personality. Her great grandmother had zestfully nicknamed her 'Bayani' and the name had stuck with her extended family. Her parents called her 'Siddha'- that means 'an ascetic who has achieved enlightenment'. 

The girls were laughing out loud as if it was the funniest joke they had heard.

Walk In My Shoes

Selected as a WOW Post HERE

Walk a mile in my shoes & you'll learn-
Why I walk the way I do, why I trudge/hurry?
Why this attitude & the madness makes me burn?
Why my life is a surprising different-flavoured curry?

Walk a mile in my shoes & you'll see-
A human like you with some flaws & goodness.
I'm the way I'm & maybe you'll consider to accept me...
Perhaps decide to end the journeys past & begin afresh?

Sunrise At Gopalpur-on-Sea

The holiday was special and meant a lot,
We would get to unwind in the scenic spot.
The resort room was comfortable and cozy,
The experience was delightful and rosy.

The stars winked and the moon shone extra bright,
Gopalpur-on-Sea waters sparkled in the moonlight.
Soothing lullaby of the waves hypnotized deep!
The luxurious night invited us to rest and sleep.

Though I had decided to wake up before sunrise,
Letting go of wishes, I shut my eyes feeling nice!
My body cajoled- "Please let me sleep late!"
"If not one sunrise, another will soon be in fate!"

Ganesha - Odisha Handicrafts

Lord Ganesha is much-loved everywhere in India and the world. Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated in a grand way in Odisha and in India. The pandals must be seen to be believed. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated once a year, but Lord Ganesha is worshiped everyday. There are many temples devoted to the lord. The Elephant God is also depicted in various handicrafts in Odisha.

It is wonderful to share some images of the exquisite and incredible handcrafted Ganesha items designed in Odisha, India.

Paper Mache Crafts:
Paper Mache Crafts of Odisha are designed in various forms including colourful animals and Gods.

Talapatra (PalmLeaf) Crafts:
Palm-leaf is skilfully etched and painted to depict mythology.

Stone Sculptures:
Odisha's artisans have always created magic with stone. The temples and sculptures provide testimony.

Happy Or Hopeless By The Window Seat ?

Life seems fine and happiness reigns by the window seat. 

The views are spectacular sometimes. One is filled with awe while viewing the clear blue sky and the vast expanse, the rich colours of the sun, the pretty shapes of the clouds, the flock of birds...

While I'm travelling by air, I like to occupy the window seat to witness all this and more. Sometimes, I spot an 'Oxbow lake' and some other natural features, and remember my Geography Ma'am and school text-books.

But, over the past several years, life by the window seat makes me wonder about the lack of greenery and forest-cover. Why are such great patches barren and devoid of any trees? 

The Alien Guest

She rechecked.

It was really him with another woman.

She was furious.

How could he do this to her?

He had no right to play with her trust.

She followed them secretly across the wilderness oblivious to the happenings in the world...

PHOTO PROMPT© Jan Wayne Fields

A spaceship had landed some hours ago.

The police was in search of a missing alien.

Seeing her with a binocular, they inquired if she had spotted the alien.

She nodded and pointed towards the tent...

The media interviewed her for 'Breaking News'.

No one knew the reality- the alien had randomly selected his form; thus totally resembled him...


Any clue what happens next? Do share in the comments below.

100 Words Story

Linking with Friday Fictioneers 

IndiSpire Edition-184- Do you have that one person who was once your best companion but now a complete stranger? What changed? #Friend2Stranger

ABC Wednesday- G for Guest

Odisha India Handlooms

Spicy Saturday Post Here

I am yet to visit most parts of our world. But, wherever I have been, I am conscious that I am not in my motherland, rather I am a cultural ambassador of India there. I make it a point to wear Indian clothes and use Indian products most of the time, especially when I am abroad.

Wearing Indian handlooms attracts a lot of attention. Random strangers stop by to shower gracious compliments- "Very nice costume", "So pretty", "Lovely dress", "Love the pattern/design/print", "I want something like what you are wearing!"...

The cloth/design refers to the Ikat cloth and handlooms of Odisha that I wear most of the time. 

The bright colours and patterns and varieties of dress-materials and Sarees steal hearts.

The Flood

The formidable dam of the past bursts at this hour:
The deluge and flood overwhelms my heart,
The waters lose no time to smartly play their part, 

Stirred and shaken, I shrink, shrivel and cower, 

Thorns pierce; I'm like an unloved trampled flower.

Bulls-eye! I'm the real target hit by the flood-dart...

Is it too late to journey ahead in my bedecked cart? 

Rejuvenate my once-upon-a-time spirit and power? 

Cycle Of Birth And Death

Here

You left me here without saying goodbye,
I know not where you went & how & why...
I screamed out loud hoping you'll hear me,
Despite my best efforts, I failed miserably...

They tried to reason with me fearing I'll go mad,
They couldn't fathom how much I was sad.
"Love makes the world go crazy", they said.
Earning back my loved ones was in my head.

I resolutely set out with a purpose that rainy day.
Clouds, Wind, Rain, Lightning...came my way.
The rainy-clouds thundered & showered their grace.
I didn't wipe the tears & raindrops from my face.