Travel Vlog- Mindrolling Monastery Dehradun

2 February 2019

Dearest family of friends and loved ones,

I would like to officially announce my contribution as a writer in a book named ‘Unread’, a collection of literary works penned by a hundred writers from India.

It has been curated and edited by Platform For Artists. 

‘Unread’ is an eponymous title to unveil the unpublished writings of writers coming together for this project. 

I am thrilled, contented and emotional about the launch of the book ‘Unread’ on 23rd February 2019 in Mumbai.

I’ve been writing for years on tissue papers, notes section in my phone and mostly the emotions and thoughts stay in my mind which I translate into words on paper. 

During my elementary school days, I started writing but didn’t realise the essence of words at that point in time. So I used to write and throw the papers in trash cans making paper balls.

Later, during middle school days, I made a diary, a treasure of my poems and travel. The blogging world gave me the opportunity to share my poetry with the world and since 2007 I’ve been publishing the content there. 

I am grateful to Tushar Mangal, my childhood school friend as he rightly deserves a lot of credit to sow the seed of blogging. He also gave the name to my blog www.shaistazeasel.blogspot.com 

I am deeply indebted to all the readers and well-wishers in my life for appreciating and motivating me to write and share my writings on a regular basis. 

I am glad to continue writing to be recognised as a published Indian author today.

Siddhnath Barahdwari, Omkareshwar Hill

31.12.2018

Omkareshwar is a religious temple town in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh 80 km from Indore and 70 km from Khandwa.

Siddharth Barahdwari is an ancient temple standing tall on an Om shaped island hillock. 

The temple is built on an 8 feet high porch providing a stunning view of the Omkareshwar dam and Narmada river.

To reach this stunning architectural ancient wonder, one needs to take the Omkar Parikrama, a 7-kilometre hike between village homes and shops on the island hillock. 

A lot of harmless Langoors and dogs will keep you company with sweet locals selling lemon water. 

This is the last temple on the hike where one can sit in the peaceful aura for a while and feel the breeze.

The sculptures of elephants, gods and goddesses, flowers on the pillars and writings on the temple walls and pillars provide an incredible experience to history enthusiasts and travellers.

Second picture credit- Muskaan

Lakshman Jhula Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

11.1.2019

I backpacked solo to Rishikesh in June 2017 and returned with a heart full of love, adventurous memories of river rafting in the river Ganga and friendships.

Today, early in the morning, Sumiran Caprihan and I reached Rishikesh after a fourteen-hour bus ride from the snow-laden mountains of Manali. 

After a quick tour of Zostel Rishikesh in the morning at 7:10 am, we left for a walk in the peaceful, cold and windy morning. 

I feel blessed, happy and calm to be back. This place gave a lot to me and I am here to experience the unknown bliss I’ll gather in the upcoming moments during my stay this time.

Tip- Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the view of river Ganga and soak in the peaceful vibes of Rishikesh as evenings are busy especially on the swinging bridge Lakshman Jhula.

credit- Sumiran

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

11.1.2019
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
The rush in the mind is settled by the windy yet peaceful mornings at Rishikesh.

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.