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Very cool and very interesting. I love learning about the cultures of the world.
Yes, tell your wife she did a beautiful job! |
I agree with hammerfan. Love learning about different cultures.....and yes...Mrs. V did a wonderful job on the rangoli.
I'm assuming........It is the first one I've ever seen. ;) |
Thanks guys but really, its one of her more terrible efforts this year. She is an accomplished rangoli-maker, and has won plenty of prizes too, but this is one of her weaker efforts.
This is the one she did on our first Diwali together...one of her more improved efforts. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...2102006001.jpg Rangoli-making is an art. A very difficult one at that. There are many who are far superior than her in this field. I ll see if I can scan some of those which were published in today's newspaper...just to give you all a glimpse into the HUGE talent in this field of art. Will do so later. |
Well though your wife may be able to do better as you say, all of them ar far superior to what I could ever do!
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Wow, V. Incredible!
And yes, your wife certainly has a wonderful talent. |
It seems to need hell of a time & patience to do such a beautiful works on that kinda canvas! And yes...above all, that wonderful talent for sure.
The first thing comes to my mind after hearing the word "Rangoli" is....:) |
awesome artwork your wife does V!
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It's been awhile...
...but finally, I got the chance (and some much-needed free time) to take a trip of the city I live in. Be warned though, I am armed with only my Nokia 2700 with a very humble 2.0 MP camera without flash! So, without any further ado, let's go! Headed towards the entrance to the city of Jagdalpur http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0001.jpg' The Kumharpara Chowk (translation - junction) - Entry into Jagdalpur http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0002.jpg I am coming from the city. The road to the left leads outside to the National Highway (Interstate, like you call it), and the road to the right goes past the Airport to turn around and head into the Bus Terminals. We will go through the road on the right shortly to see the entrance to the Airport. Kumharpara Chowk from the other side http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0003.jpg Beautiful, aren't they? The lighting isn't so good because its very cloudy today. We have been experiencing afternoon storms and thundershowers lately. The road on the left heads into the city, the way I came from. The "Wall" http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0004.jpg A statement by the uber-talented artists of this region, slightly beside the Chowk. A long stretch of wall of the Civil Supply Office, decorated with an artist's impressions of a typical Bastar (regional) marriage procession. We will go close to the "Wall" in a bit. Entrance to the Airport http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0005.jpg Closed and guarded heavily. Entry without written permission prohibited. The entire Airport is under the control of the military, since the times this became a Maoist-infested region. No commercial flights have started yet, although there is a strong possibility of private flights starting from July. (To be continued...) |
Okay, close-ups of the "Wall"...
(from left to right) #1 http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0006.jpg #2 http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0007.jpg #3 http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0008.jpg #4 http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0009.jpg Ok, we have admired the art of the "Wall" enough. Let's head back into the city again. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0010.jpg |
City proper starts from here
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0011.jpg As is evident by the buildings on both sides, and increase in traffic on the road. The Shahid Park http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0012.jpg Just like any other normal greenery-covered park. With plenty of benches to sit, and lots of children stuff for them to play around. Entrance is near the white wall on the far left. (near the person) Will take some pics of inside the park soon. The Artificial Waterfall http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0013.jpg Took this pic from the side, not from the front. It looks like a bunch of rocks right? After sunset, they open the pipes above and let the water splash down, with plenty of dazzling lights. It is a sight to watch then. Hence I didn't bother taking a better pic of this. Will get the night pic of this soon. The Jhankaar Movie Theater http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0014.jpg Going through expansion right now to seat a few hundred more. Entrance is near the very far left (hidden behind the cars and two-wheelers parked in front). This one runs the some of the most recent Hollywood releases. Small theater. Very comfortable. Nice sound and picture quality. Doesn't boast of anything. Headed towards the centre of the city http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0015.jpg (To be continued...) |
SBI Main Branch, Jagdalpur
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0017.jpg The main bank of the city. SBI, of course, stands for State Bank of India, the largest bank in India. Main city area http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0018.jpg The road heads straight into the heart of the city, with all sorts of shops on both sides of the road till its end. We will go through this road sometime in the future. Very crowded, lots of traffic - shoppers and on-road alike - and in the evenings it gets uncontrollably loud and congested. Turning to the left from this road... The Chandni Chowk http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0019.jpg Another fine example of tribal art of this area. Roundabout junction. The road left leads to the Artificial Waterfall, Shahid Park and back towards the Kumharpara Chowk. The road straight ahead leads towards the SBI Collectorate Branch, the Collectorate and SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) office, the AIR (All-India Radio) office, the Sessions Court of Jagdalpur and onward towards the Bus Terminals and the west exit from the city. The road to the right leads to the Maharani Hospital, the main Sanjay Market area, and onward towards the road home. We shall proceed there. Oh, and in case you are wondering what the hell that contraption in front of the Chowk sculpture is, its called a rickshaw. Used for paid navigation (like a taxi), but its basically a tricycle. I hate these on the roads. The Road straight ahead http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0020.jpg You can see the background of the huge Hospital behind the vehicles, who have stopped because my light was green and I was crossing the roundabout. We are turning right from where we came. Main entrance to the Maharani Hospital http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0021.jpg Named after the Queen of Bastar region. Always crowded. Also houses a Medical College (which we will see in the next pic). Basic facilities available. Critical patients are only given immediate medical treatment, before being referred to the bigger Raipur (5 hour drive from here) hospital. Yes it is sad. Still plenty of time before the medical facilities of this area develop enough. Has about 35 doctors - 15 of them specialists in their fields. Contd... |
Medical College entrance
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0022.jpg The gates are closed for the public. Only students, doctors and other faculty members are admitted. Very recent. Still needs to be developed a lot more. The New Narendra Movie Theater http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0023.jpg The biggest, most spacious and comfortable, fully central AC-powered theater in town. Runs the latest Bollywood and Hollywood blockbusters. Boasts of Dolby 5.1 Sorround Sound and Widescreen experience. Very nice leather seats, plenty of popcorn and Coke available. Always full, always noisy before the start of any film. The City Ground http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0024.jpg The pic doesn't do the ground justice. Partly covered by the stalls in front (and partly by my lack of skills as a photographer), its a huge open ground where many cricket tournaments are held. Children play in it all the time. During the month of October, an annual October-fest is held in the grounds where all the big companies in Jagdalpur put up their stalls for customers. The road ahead http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0025.jpg Crossing the city ground, headed towards Sanjay Market - the biggest open market of Jagdalpur. The Sanjay Market Chowk http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0026.jpg Road to the right leads towards the Dharampura area, where my colony is situated. Road straight ahead leads towards the west exit of the city. The market is on the immediate right. |
Roundabout - the start of the journey home
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0027.jpg Small roundabout which signals the start of the Dharampura road. The building on the left of the pic houses the office of the Congress (I), the ruling political party of India. We will head straight from here. The Anupama Movie Theater http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0029.jpg Another very wide and spacious theater. Although it doesn't boast of anything, its a very comfortable and nice place to watch a film. It is also in direct competition to the New Narendra Movie Theater seen earlier, and is easily the 2nd best theater in town. Straight ahead http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0030.jpg From the roundabout, the road takes a downward slope all the way to home. Dotted with shops and houses on both sides alike. ...and ahead! http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0031.jpg Keep the cameras rolling! The Balaji Temple http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0033.jpg The biggest temple in Jagdalpur, dedicated to the Lord Balaji. Funded entirely by the Balaji Foundation. Looks very rich and sophisticated from close quarters. Will take a pic from close of the temple soon. Contd... |
WOW!...You have so many beautiful structures
If I took pictures of MY city, it would be so very boring, especially compared to YOURS I'm serious, google Erlanger, Kentucky and take a tour down a few of our streets...So completely plain and ordinary...I guess the Turfway Park racetrack up the the street from our house is about the only interesting thing here (many celebrities head here for the Derby, and other 'important' horseracing events...lol, just saying that is funny)...And it's really not all that interesting to be honest OH, but we DO have the smallest church in the world, it's in Ripley's...Look up Monte Casino Chapel in Northern Kentucky...It's in front of the entrance to Thomas Moore College, and it's within walking distance of my house...Umm, and we have the factory that makes Airheads and Mentos.....Uh, yeah...That's pretty much all we've got :p http://www.keeneland.com/Pictures/Ab...way%20Park.jpg http://joeorman.shutterace.com/Bizar...tecassino1.jpg The Monte Casino chapel measures six by nine feet. Built in 1878 at a nearby monastery by Benedictine monks,it was named in 1922 by Ripley's Believe It of Not as "Smallest Church in the World." The monks subsequently left the area, in 1965 it was moved to the Thomas More College campus and restored. We have nothing like what you have, V...Thanks for sharing, it's like traveling to other parts of the world :) |
Gateway to the Balaji Temple
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0034.jpg From the direction we came (from the city), you take a turn right and head straight down to the temple through this gateway. Very nicely built. SBI ADB Branch near my home http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0035.jpg Ahh yes, home is near. This is the SBI branch right beside my colony. ADB stands for Agriculture Development Branch, and it is open to facilitate farmers and people below the poverty line with loans, credit cards and insurance facilities. It also has an ATM machine, which is shown in the next pic. SBI ADB Branch ATM centre http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0036.jpg Self explanatory. Front Arch - Mahavir Residency - my residential colony http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0038.jpg A more clearer pic. Looks wonderful, doesn't it? Home straight ahead! http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../Image0039.jpg We are here! |
Ah, so your 'colony' is pretty much what we would call a subdivision, or a gated community here in the United States...I just live on a regular street...There's no 'entrance' or anything...Like I said, boring :)
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Very cool pix, V! Thanks so much for the travelogue!
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That's an amazing collection of shots you have there. Just had to trawl my way back through the thread. The scenery is incredible and some of those street shots are fantasic. Looks like you got yourself a nice set-up. :cool:
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very beautiful city V
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very nice pics V.
Love "The Wall"......if that was here in the states it would be covered in graffiti. :mad: |
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The main gate is closed at 12 PM. We have 3 colony guards who stand guard throughout the night. Water supply is also shared. All payments are done through our colony's society, made up of members from every home. And, I d love to pay the world's smallest church a visit someday, if I can. :) You are welcome, everyone. :) |
Wow! It was like we are just having a cool virtual tour on your beautiful town, Avi. You are guiding & taking us to all those nice places with you.:)
There are so many awesome places in India, even in my Bangladesh and as a whole in our sub continent that often I get confused with my most awaited tour plan to make a visit at somewhere some point. I think it'll need multiple tours & years to finish visiting at least all the major or renowned places in India. Thanks for sharing, hope to make a surprise visit at your door someday.;) |
Last night I watched a show on the wildlife of the Western Ghats. Such a beautiful place! Much of the wildlife there is found nowhere else in the world.
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Thunderstorms, a huge tornado and flash floods...not a nice combo I tell you!
Today, 9 AM - http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...hoto0023-1.jpg http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...hoto0024-1.jpg http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...hoto0025-1.jpg Today, 3 PM - http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...hoto0027-1.jpg http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...hoto0028-1.jpg (Contd.) |
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...hoto0028-1.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...hoto0029-1.jpg http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...hoto0030-1.jpg A huge thunderstorm accompanied by a severe tornado hit us early yesterday evening. The rains poured down in torrents and haven't stopped till now. And early this morning, the floods came rushing into our homes. Water has receded slightly but not much. The floods poured into our homes from this morning and still haven't relented. Half of the city is under water right now. If the situation doesn't improve till evening, we will be moving out to a safer and drier place, temporarily. Pics have been taken by my Samsung Monte. Sorry BR finalists, you have to hold on till I come back. Power was knocked out since last evening and returned about an hour or so back. Just as I type this, power's gone out again. Hoping to return soon. Out for now. |
Yipes. Good luck, V! Take care!
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No problemo, bro. Just stay safe & take your time until everything else come into a normal shape.
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Holy smokes, V!
Good luck ! |
oh my! take care V
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Floods have receded slowly but not fully. We are back home today and busy with cleaning and such. Both my cars have water inside them. Rooms were immersed in ankle-deep water, which are being cleaned right now as I type this. The floods inside the colony have gone but the drains are still overflowing in many places. A lot of dirt and slippery mud has been left behind by the flood water.
In the city, some of the roads are filled with water and jammed on all sides. News has come in that the bridges leading to two adjoining states have gone underwater so we are cut off from the rest of the country for now. Thankfully cellphones, electricity and other essential things are working, except for fresh vegetables and food (for now). Thank you everyone for all your kind wishes. Life might become normal in 2-3 days time, hopefully. |
Man! That totally sucks!! Sorry to hear that, V.
Good luck with the restoration. |
Really sorry to hear this V. Best of luck you get things straightened out as soon as possible
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I was very sorry to hear this. I don't know how things like homeowners' insurance or flood insurance work where you are, but hopefully it's better than here in New York where if you have to make a claim your insurance won't pay up or will drop you and then no other insurance company will want anything to do with you.
Best of luck, and take care of yourself.:) |
thanks for the update, sorry to hear about the damage though. I hope everything is okay. Take care.
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Just reading this, sorry to hear about your situation. Hope things are back to normal for you quickly and that no major damage was done.
Good luck with everything. |
Damn, can't believe I didn't notice this. Sorry to hear about all your troubles these past few days. Hope things get back to normal soon and there's no lasting damage.
Stay safe & good luck getting things straight. :) |
I have become the proud owner of my own home! Finally!
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/01-2.jpg The colony in which it is located... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/02-2.jpg The parking space good enough to park 2 cars... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/03-2.jpg Space for a small (future?) garden in front... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/04-2.jpg Entering the house, work progressing in full swing in the dining area right now... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/06-1.jpg (Contd.) |
Stairs leading up to 2 bedrooms above, a living hall in-between, and two open balconies on either side of the house... (pics of those to come)
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/05-2.jpg Work in progress in the kitchen (Anya getting a modular kitchen made)... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/07-1.jpg The downstairs bedroom (space for the huge double bed!)... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/09-1.jpg Shelf in the bedroom... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/08-1.jpg The backside of the house, behind the kitchen's outer door and the boundary wall... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/10-3.jpg (Contd.) |
View of the parking space/garage from behind, towards the main gate...
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/11-2.jpg View of the houses in front of our house (pic taken from the parking space)... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/12-1.jpg We had a short 3-day trip in-between for a medical check-up of Mother at the city of Vishakhapatnam (10 hour journey by train), and the view from the train during the whole journey was breathtaking! First up, Mom and Anya inside the train cabin... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/14Tr.jpg The lush green rice fields just outside our city as we head out... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/15-2.jpg From Mom's viewpoint... http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g12/ravenavi/16.jpg (Contd.) |
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