Mind Rolling Monastery, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Shaisology

15.1.2019

Mind Rolling Monastery

Dehradun, Uttarakhand 

During a solitary stroll in the Mind Rolling monastery, I passed through a smiling face sitting on a bench. Our eyes met and I took my steps backwards as the rosy cheeks, smiling and glowing face pulled me close. 

We both looked at each other to find a pure connection. 

Neither did she speak Hindi or English nor did I speak her local language. 

The woman and I talked for a few moments as the man sitting next to her became our interpreter. He told me that she hails from Ladakh.

I wanted a picture of hers to which she denied but agreed for a group picture. 

Adding a bright jewel to the treasure of my heart, she has become a part of me bringing smiles and kindness which fades away in the discomfort and sadnesses of daily life.

A surge of emotions floating in the mind 

like a boat sailing on rough waters 

about to drown

yet rising up again

like a phoenix from the ashes 

Focus, faith, knowledge

the sailor needs 

to pass through 

reaching to the smooth waters 

just for a while

• Shaista Dhanda 16.1.2019

Don't remember to forget but learn to unlearn. - Shaista Dhanda

Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount Mumbai

This beautiful, spellbinding historical Basilica commonly known as Mount Mary Church is located near Lands End Bandra in Mumbai. It is a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to Virgin Mary, made of stone.

Tourists, travellers, history enthusiasts, Christians and Non Christians have been visiting this CNon-Christiansreds of years. This ancient church, built in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761 is an interesting stone structure reflecting characteristics of Gothic architecture, looks stunning during sunsets. 

Bundi, Rajasthan

Spectacular • Silent • Poetic 

All I wanted to travel to Bundi was to sit back and enjoy this view. It is a forty-five-minute road trip from Kota, the nearest major train station. A seventy rupee ticket and a tuk-tuk ride from the bus station leads to this mesmerising palace.

3 AM

I sometimes feel I own the Night 

She sways her hips into sensuous tunes

Rendering songs she slowly burns

Glistens under the silvery moonlight

Lights up her mood with an ecstatic dance

Undresses the weariness of the day 

Later, blankets herself with diamond stars

- Shaista Dhanda 3.12.2018

Naked realities and 

sensuous words

Whispered in ears 

or 

written in bold 

Dipped 

in the ink of love 

Unfettered and wild 

Hazy words 

hang loosely 

on the steamy mirrors

Invisible in a while

- Shaista Dhanda

Autumn

Autumn

The movement of leaves

during fall is like the 

         first kiss 

Long and dreamy

The leaves rustle like footsteps walking 

ahead of our noisy past

The rays of the Sun create images 

on the bare white wall -- 

the soul’s projection of 

unfiltered

thoughts

- Shaista Dhanda

One Canoe

 

A poem about my canoeing experience in Denwa Backwaters of the main river Tawa which came into existence after Tawa Dam’s construction. Denwa is surrounded by The Satpura range loosely translated as seven hills.


One Canoe

Paddling the canoe into the wild 

Oh, Denwa!
The stillness of your backwaters
stays in my mind.

Oh, Satpura!
The silhouette of your hills
is an artist’s drawing.

Tawa Dam gave you birth
You are a mother 
to the flora and fauna 
of various kinds.

Fifty or hundred feet
Even just a few inches deep
You are home to many resident and migratory birds

Mesmerising Sambhar
or captivating ghost trees
River lapping or Kingfishers bathing
Eagles or monkeys perched high on boughs

Just one canoe at 10 am
sails smoothly until a croc is found
The wintry chill gets into our bones
He is sunbathing on highlands
thirty feet from us
Away
we intend to go

Our eyes meet and he camouflages
Into the marshy backwaters where he belongs

Oh, Denwa! The sky gazes
at its beauty into the blue mirror
Wildernesses and jungle sounds
are the only sounds one hears

12.12.2018

Bundi, Rajasthan

Garh Palace, Bundi, Rajasthan

Bundi is a little town near Kota, Rajasthan famous for its embellished architecture and structure.

History enthusiasts, travellers and artists have been taking inspiration from Bundi for a very long time.

It is popularly believed that Rudyard Kipling penned part of his famous novel ‘Kim’ in Bundi. In fact, so impressed was he by the place that he wrote,

“the Palace of Bundi, even in broad daylight, is such a palace as men build for themselves in uneasy dreams – the work of goblins rather than of men.”

Garh Palace was constructed during the reign of Rao Raja Ratan Singh (1607–31) and added to by his successors. It is a delightful sandstone structure speaking volumes about the grandeur of the kingdom and architecture.

                                                                                                           

Chitrashala, Garh Palace, Bundi

Chitrashala, Picture Gallery, Garh Palace
Mesmerising, bright and dreamy are the words I would like to use to describe the artistic ‘Chitrashala’ meaning picture gallery also known as Ummed Mahal taken care by Archaeological Survey of India.

Chitrashala, the picture gallery was built by Rao Ummed Singh (AD 1749 - 1773) located in Garh Palace which has its access through the Hathi Pol or Elephant Gate, Taragarh Fort.

The walls of Chitrashala are illuminated with historical paintings depicting the love stories, musical melodies, princesses’ hunting scenes with elephants and tigers, court processions.

Female dresses, pigeons as messengers are a few figures in my mind. Also, the most important frescoes are lifting of the mount Govardhan, Cheer- Harana, Rama’s marriage procession.

Hathi Pol, Bundi, Rajasthan

Hathi Pol, Garh Palace Entrance, Bundi
The Hathi Pol is a magnificent, magnanimous gate serving an entrance to the Garh Palace. 

The steep cobbled path ends at Hathi Pol and an instant glint in the eyes and a sweet smile would definitely brighten your face at the sight of the tall gate embellished with huge elephants on either side blowing bugles.

Woman