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Creating the Creator- Chokkhu Daan

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                        Compassion, Love and anger the big expressive eyes on Ma Durga denotes all. It isn’t merely art of making eyes on idols and bringing them to life but its an age old ritual. “Chokkhu-daan” as this ritual is known as ,is artistic way of making eyes of idol which requires lots of patience ,sensitivity and practice of generations. As per custom task of making idols begin on Rath-yatra ,even when entire idol is ready, eyes are made on Mahalaya i.e. last day of Pitrapaksha. “It is on the day of Mahalaya   when Maa Durga is invited therefore making the eyes on the day indicating she is ready to visit earth for the Puja” Apart from the shape the artist gives to the eyes, its the colouring which is intricate task. Seeds of tamarind is mixed with colours to give the eyes shine and real look. It is also believed that th...
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Raigadh Fort- Travel Diaries

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किल्ले रायगढ़  " or Raigadh fort, which Shivaji built as his capital in 1674 when he was crowned as King of Maratha Kingdom. Which later spread to Maratha empire in the times of his successors to western and central India. The fort rises 2700 ft above sea level, located in Sahyadri mountains range. There are two ways to reach the fort either climbing approx.1700 steps or Raigadh tramway (Ropeway)which takes you to the top in 10 mins at a very reasonable price. Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort in 1656 from king Chandrarao More, then known as fort Rairi.He then renovated it and alos renamed Raigadh. The British later attacked this almost invincible fort in 1818 and bombarded it with canon fire from the hills of Kalkai. The Palace ruins tells us story of once Glorious past. The main fort ruins consist of the queen's quarters, six chambers, with each chamber having its own private restroom. The Royal ladies used "Mena Darwaza" for ...
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Kaas Plateau -Valley of Colours

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Take yourself away to a colourful land called Kaas if you like nature and colours. Its Maharashtra version of Valley of flowers in Uttarakhand, but nothing less. I have heard about Kaas Plateau since long but was unable to find  opportunity.This  time monsoon period was stretched till September and I could find some time. Being a Tour planner decided to take a group with me but unavailability of rooms forced me to keep a small group. In all we were 8 people from Mumbai and 2 from  Pune.One  group has planned to visit Pratapgadh en route so we all met at Satara. Rooms were booked at a hotel on Kaas road overlooking beautiful Satara city. It was mesmerising to sit in the balcony and keep looking twinkling stars of Satara at night. Twinkling lights of Satara city Flowering at Kaas is generally between mid-August to Septemeber , as soon as rainy season ends and slight sunshine reaches mother earth, little blooms are ready for showtime. At Kaas plateau its bette...
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Bonedi Barir pujo

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Bonedi Barir pujo   The Rich legacy of Bengal can be seen at Bonedi Barir puja. What I understood Bonedi means rich and related to heritage. In undivided Bengal, Rich Zamindars had a luxurious lifestyle. Centuries later due to Abolishment of zamindari pratha after Independence, the lifestyle is not there, but these families still come together from all corners of World during Durga puja to relive the glorified past of their rundown palatial house which still has a hint of opulent time. Pandal hopping is famous during Durga Puja where one visits different Pandals but overlook these privately held pujas.Since many years different tour operators and West Bengal tourism organise tours to these affluent household pujas which are about 200 years old, where one gets to know the rich heritage and see puja organised with same nitty-gritty and dedication Although I stayed in Kolkata for four years, I never had a chance to visit a Rajbari puja. After leaving Kolkata, Goddess aga...
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