facebook twitter tumblr instagram
  • Home
  • Travel
    • Australia
    • Greece
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Malaysia
    • Mauritius
    • Netherlands
    • Philippines
    • Singapore
    • Thailand
    • Turkey
    • UAE
  • Vlogs
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Reviews

DocDivaTraveller

Powered by Blogger.
Our latest trip to Varanasi had two main objectives...spending Diwali with family and 'Mundan' of our daughter. For those who don't know what Mundan is, its the ceremonial shaving of the intrauterine hair of a child i.e the first shaving of the head of a baby. That is of course necessary to stimulate healthier hair growth. In some communities, it is done without any hue and cry. But in North India, its a big ceremony embellished with offerings and rituals and preferably a pilgrimage.

The day our baby was born, it was her grandpa's wish to get her Mundan done in Vindhyachal. That place has seen this ceremony of almost all his family children and hence his grand daughter's too.
Vindhyachal is a very famous pilgrimage site in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the beautiful Ganges, this place is studded with temples. Not to forget, the Vindhya mountain ranges encircle it from all sides. So most of the temples are situated atop the hills and require plenty of toiling hard to reach there.

After the Mundan ceremony of our baby (what a relief) we were relaxed enough to enjoy the place. We first visited the river Ganga which is really wide there. I chased around a baby goat which has been my favourite pastime since childhood. The narrow alleys to the temples were studded with quaint shops selling all kinds of items. Some shops had exclusively temple items while others had toys, jewellery, make up etc.

After climbing uphill for about half an hour, we reached Ashtabhuja temple. Ashta means eight and bhuja means arm. It was another form of Goddess Durga. The view from there was magnificent. The river ganges was surrounded by the lush green forests of Vindhya hills on all sides. There were monkeys everywhere with even one of them chasing me for my sunglasses!! I am really scared of these primates!!

It was almost late afternoon and we did not even have lunch. So we drove to a secluded plain area in the hills. It was filled with small ponds and date palm trees. We spread our mats and gobbled all the tasty morsel that we had packed from home. By the time we were done, the sun had almost set. With a long day and our daughter being bald, it was one exhausting yet fruitful day.


The lovely Ganges in the background...

All these have been tied in lieu of the wishes granted from the Goddess Durga at Ashtabhuja Temple...

Almost every shop sold such colourful dupattas...







Such a colourful shop!! It sold almost every kind of trinket!





the sun had almost set when our picnic got over...


picnicking among date palm trees...
playing around with a baby goat...my favourite pastime since childhood!! This one was so young that its cord was not yet shed off!!
Various offerings to the God or prashad. ..from left...incense sticks and flowers, coconut, sweets and puffed rice and sindoor or rori. 
Holy scarfs, flowers for offering, a man playing drums. ...

beautiful coloured stoles...these dupattas are for the offerings to Goddess.



Kurta: Biba
Pearls: Chandrani Pearls
Bag: from Mauritius
Bracelet: Forever21
11/28/2014 10 comments
Seems God has taken my wish to lead a farm life a tad too seriously!! Remember this post? Well Once again I got a chance to explore rural life but this time a bit more of a personal experience!

We all have our roots somewhere buried deep in the villages. With increasing industrialisation, we have lost our roots but somewhere its still there. Those places contain the memories and signs of our great grandparents and other ancestors. I love my grandmother's farm house and I was privileged to have visited my husband's too. Since the day we had started travelling, its been his wish to show me his ancestral property. Finally we were able to do so in our last trip.

Husband's ancestral roots goes back to a very basic village called ' Chandarkhan' which is a tiny place in Varanasi. As his grandparents migrated to the city, those property became abandoned. The farms bear crops every year but the house is deserted of course. Everything is lying there as it had been left.

There is a saying in Eastern Uttar Pradesh that if you don't eat tapioca on the day of Diwali, you are reborn as a mouse!! Funny and strange!! Anyways so we had to buy tapioca on the day of Diwali. Suddenly husband remembered that their ancestral house has lots of tapioca growing in the backyard. So we had one more valid reason to visit that place! We took the motorcycle and zoomed off!!

We crossed the national highway 2 and entered this quaint village of Chandarkhan. As strange as it may sound, hubby remembered every twist and turn to his ancestral house!! He had visited this place about 20 years back as a small kid with his Dad but he remembered everything!!

Finally we stopped in front of the house. The neighbours seemed to remember him and welcomed us. We opened the gate and the yard was overgrown with fruit trees and weeds. Then we spotted tapioca and uprooted it. We had the key to the house and on opening the door, everything was kept as it had been left. There were mattresses on the beds, utensils in the kitchen which gave me a creepy feeling. I decided to take some quick pictures and leave for good. It was really fun roaming around in such a primitive environment!!


the ancestral property even has a pond in it!!
the family's ancestral Shiva temple...

The house in tumble down condition...
at the doorway...

Even wild creepers can look so nice!



cow dung cakes getting dried in the sun...

pumpkin creepers in full bloom...


I have always loved thatched roofs!!

Dress: DKNY
Scarf: Forever 21
Bag: from Mauritius
Accessories: Kazo, Forever21, Globus
11/25/2014 10 comments
So it was our last day in Dehradun. We had our last last exam on the next day following which we had our train back to Delhi. We had not seen much of the city during these 12 days. Me the eternal wanderer was not satisfied. We had gone to Tapkeshwar Temple the previous evening but I wanted more. The culmination of the exams ( not yet) needed special celebration!

I wanted to explore Clement town or the Tibetian town of Dehradun and needed a companion. My friend Shraddha shared similar tastes with me. We were big foodies as well as explorers. But she was quite a tomboy unlike me. We both asked our peers whether they wanted to accompany us but all of them were busy studying. We boarded an auto and left.

On entering the Clement town we were mesmerised. I felt as if it was Thailand. The riot of colours of the Buddhist monasteries have always fascinated me. Luckily it was morning time and the sunlight was on the monuments...making them perfect for clicking pictures.

WE took the bylanes and walked towards the giant monastary. On the way we spotted an elegant gate and we entered. Then we realised that it was an Ashram, not the monastery. It was so beautiful that we took pictures. maybe that's why we had lost our paths!!

After that we followed the trail and finally reached the Mindrolling monastery. It had been built in 1965 and it looked brand new!! Beautiful architecture with perfectly manicured lawns..with cool breeze splashing our faces...what more could we have asked for!!
We frolicked around the entire campus taking pictures. It was hot yet the breeze made it easier. I loved every second spent inside the monastery.
We were hungry to the core as we could not have breakfast. On the way back, we stopped at a Tibetian restaurant and had a satisfying brunch.I was very tired when I reached the guest house. Though I took a nap which caused loss of my precious study time, I cherish every moment spent in the Clement Town.


Thanks to the bright sun my phone took pretty good photos!!

collaboration of nature and architecture...

a Buddhist ashram where we accidentally entered...
I always love colourful doors...
the colourful gate of the ashram...





the wheels of fortune...


the Mindrolling monastary built in 1965...




a bird's eye view of the entire campus...




souvenir shop...


Yummy food. ..


the Tibetian restaurant where we had brunch...

Top: Glpbus
Shorts: Old navy
Sunnies: Aldo
11/21/2014 14 comments
Back to Dehradun diaries. .....
We had completed 5 of the brutal exams and only one was left...it needed celebration!! One of our colleagues took us for lunch at a posh hotel right after our exams. After that we returned to our guest house, freshened up and then left for a small excursion.

I did not have any idea that we were going to a temple lest I would have dressed up modestly. My friends told me it was kind of a stream where we would get wet. That why few of us donned short outfits and were dismayed when we landed at a temple!!

Tapkeshwar is another name of Lord Shiva. There were other idols too including a giant statue of Hanuman Ji. The cave in which the Shiva Linga resides was once said to be occupied by Guru Dronacharya, that's why its named Drona Cave. The idols  are placed inside the caves and water seeeps from above.

The best part of this place is a river flowing below. There is also a sulphur spring where people take a dip to get rid of their skin ailments. The water was freezing but that did not deter us from wading in it. There was algae all over and few of us slipped too!

It was almost dusk when we reached. I am always disappointed when I dont have sunlight. I try to explain them that good photographs are possible only in daylight but my friends are so terrified of the sun that they start after the sun goes down. Anyways we paid our respects in the temple and then rapidly descended into the water. Oh it was freezing!! We splashed on each other, jumped around and took uncountable pictures. The time when we could bear the cold no more, we decided to embrace dry territory. 

We decided to walk down to the main road where we could get public transport. On the way we got many stares ( eyes popping ). We then went to the Tibetian market to grab a quick bite but unfortunately had to return empty stomach. Finally had dinner in  our regular restaurant.
At the end of the day, I wanted to study for the last and final exam. But I was so exhausted that I fell asleep with the book on my face!! Anyways it was a pleasant change from the mundane routine.


ice cold water and mesmerizing breeze...

our big gang of  doctors at the entry of Tapkeshwar Temple...


The sun had just set and the temple was getting lit up...







playing in ice cold water...


at the entry of the temple...


with the mighty hanuman ji...


harmony of nature and religion...


the beautiful gate of Tapkeshwar temple...

11/17/2014 18 comments
Whatever I have written in this post does not mean to offend any religion or any person in particular.

I had heard a lot about Osho since I started growing up. A lot of negative views had crept into my mind about him after listening to other people's views. But there is a natural tendency to get attracted to those things which are forbidden. Knowing Osho was a similar thing.

Rajneesh, the real name of the Osho was a philosopher. He was outspoken about his criticism for the politicians including Mahatma Gandhi. I knew about him as a spiritual leader who was open about sexuality. He was considered to be a bad influence on us youngsters. He had gained more followers in the US than in India. He has several ashrams all over India. He died at around 1990 but his path has already made a lot of waves.

My intrigue about Osho died a natural death with time. After so many years,suddenly, I spotted a board marking Osho Ashram when I was in Dehradun. It was about a kilometer from our institute and I decided that I had to pay a visit there.

On asking my peers as to who wanted to accompany me, I learnt that one of my friends had already been to his Pune Ashram, the largest in India. She added more fire to the fuel by saying that his disciples roam around wearing just a robe inside the ashram.

One evening after we came back from the exams, we hired an auto and went there. Contrary to what I had imagined, it was very peaceful there. There were beautiful flowers in the gardens and a sense of serenity prevailing all over. We were three girls and we did not open our mouths owing to the peaceful ambience. We hopped aroud the entire campus, took pictures and came back with calmness in our minds. And no, I did not spot any disciple with just a robe on him :D

Pardon the less than satisfactory quality of these phone pictures :)





the main building of the Osho Ashram


the garden was adorned with beautiful flowers..




trying to meditate for a while...




colourful hibiscuses all around...


fooling around :D

11/11/2014 12 comments
Newer Posts
Older Posts

Gifts for him

Gifts for him

Instagram @Docdivatraveller

Widget by EmbedSocial→

Search This Blog

Follow Us


Intellifluence Logo

I just got paid to review a product! Join me @intellifluence and you can too!

Intellifluence Logo

I just got paid to review a product! Join me @intellifluence and you can too!

pretty jewels

pretty jewels
Intellifluence Logo

Intellifluence Logo

I just got paid to review a product! Join me @intellifluence and you can too!

Cute Clothes

mommy me clothes

Winter Wardrobe

Ninacloak Cheap Women's Tops Online

Men's Fashion

Soinyou young men's outerwear

Cool Outfits

Holapick cheap women's t shirts

Beautiful Hair

Beautiful Hair

Cute Dresses

Prestarrs women's blouses

Wedding Dresses

Flat Tummy

Flat Tummy

Shoes

Shoessee Sandals for Women

For Men

Wayrates Training Clothes or Men

Maxi Dresses

Prestarrs Cheap Maxi Dresses
Mann Bamboo Fiber

Dresses

Callabuy Women's Dresses

Tops

Ninacloak Women's Tops

Like us

Docdivatraveller

Ladyfas Maxi Fashion Women's Summer Clothes 2019

Ladyfas Maxi Fashion Women's Summer Clothes 2019

Fab dresses

Dressab Design Bodycon Dresses Promotion

Dresses

Sheinstore Women's Sexy Party Dresses

Cute dresses

Charmmiss Cheap Women's Dresses

Clothes for cuties

Popreal Newborn Clothes

Dresses Online

Trendysuper fashion casual dresses

Cute Dresses

Selaros Cheap Skater Dress

Dresses

Omnifever Women's Dresses

For your Eyes

Premium Eyeglasses Online

Winter Fashion

Luvyle Cozy Outwear

Winters

Luvyle fashion boots

Cool Specs!

Cool Specs!

SHOP SHOP

Popreal Cyber Monday Sale

Cute Outfits

Fashionmia Cheap Dresses for Women

Translate

Dr Mandira Adhikari (@Docdivatraveller) - influencer profile on Dealspotr
dealspotr.com
BerryLook Women's Dresses

Dresses

Chicgostyle fashion sweaters

Popular Posts

  • Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney, Australia
  • Boombox Cafe , Gurgaon
  • Spring Wishlist
  • Nazmein Intezaar ki by Smita Parikh
  • Hard lessons learned from 6 months of home renovation
Visit blogadda.com to discover Indian blogs

Follow on Bloglovin

Follow
  • Home
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Twitter @ Docdivatraveler

Tweets by @docdivatraveler

recent posts

Blog Archive

  • ►  2023 (6)
    • ►  March (2)
    • ►  February (2)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2022 (34)
    • ►  December (4)
    • ►  November (3)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  September (4)
    • ►  August (3)
    • ►  July (3)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (3)
    • ►  March (2)
    • ►  February (3)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2021 (35)
    • ►  December (2)
    • ►  November (8)
    • ►  October (3)
    • ►  August (2)
    • ►  July (4)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (4)
    • ►  March (2)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (3)
  • ►  2020 (71)
    • ►  December (2)
    • ►  November (2)
    • ►  October (6)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (4)
    • ►  July (6)
    • ►  June (11)
    • ►  May (9)
    • ►  April (10)
    • ►  March (8)
    • ►  February (4)
    • ►  January (6)
  • ►  2019 (67)
    • ►  December (3)
    • ►  November (4)
    • ►  October (6)
    • ►  September (4)
    • ►  August (9)
    • ►  July (9)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (8)
    • ►  March (5)
    • ►  February (9)
    • ►  January (6)
  • ►  2018 (110)
    • ►  December (8)
    • ►  November (11)
    • ►  October (7)
    • ►  September (8)
    • ►  August (4)
    • ►  July (8)
    • ►  June (10)
    • ►  May (10)
    • ►  April (10)
    • ►  March (14)
    • ►  February (12)
    • ►  January (8)
  • ►  2017 (93)
    • ►  December (10)
    • ►  November (17)
    • ►  October (4)
    • ►  September (9)
    • ►  August (7)
    • ►  July (4)
    • ►  June (9)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (9)
    • ►  March (6)
    • ►  February (6)
    • ►  January (9)
  • ►  2016 (103)
    • ►  December (12)
    • ►  November (11)
    • ►  October (6)
    • ►  September (9)
    • ►  August (9)
    • ►  July (6)
    • ►  June (6)
    • ►  May (9)
    • ►  April (7)
    • ►  March (6)
    • ►  February (11)
    • ►  January (11)
  • ►  2015 (96)
    • ►  December (10)
    • ►  November (12)
    • ►  October (6)
    • ►  September (8)
    • ►  August (7)
    • ►  July (8)
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (7)
    • ►  April (8)
    • ►  March (11)
    • ►  February (6)
    • ►  January (6)
  • ▼  2014 (89)
    • ►  December (7)
    • ▼  November (7)
      • colours of Vindhyachal
      • back to the roots...
      • Clement town
      • Tapkeshwar Temple
      • Osho Ashram..home of the Zen master
      • Mactan Island
      • an ode to summers...
    • ►  October (10)
    • ►  September (8)
    • ►  August (7)
    • ►  July (7)
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (9)
    • ►  April (8)
    • ►  March (7)
    • ►  February (6)
    • ►  January (6)
  • ►  2013 (58)
    • ►  December (6)
    • ►  November (5)
    • ►  October (5)
    • ►  September (6)
    • ►  August (7)
    • ►  July (8)
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (7)
    • ►  April (7)

Created with by ThemeXpose | Distributed By Gooyaabi Templates