Mumbai Dharshan

Thanks to Geeta, I could have the privilege to have yummy food made by her bhabi and visit friends before others joined, few couple of days, her home was mine, and Vivana Mall my second home. 

Entry home awaited my favorite thali:

Her family became my extended family and her nephew's mine.  Nithesh was just the same, caring, considerate and composed. I was mismerised by Deven, he calling me buva, blew me off and Yash was always different, the three times I met him. Her mother was just the same. Was in her house the first day, went to Kargar/Vashi the second, to Meet John's parents - their house was very well kept and was glad to see how happy Aunty, uncle and John were and be part of another time with them around Christmas:

and the third day went to Kalyan. Met my friends from 4th standard to college - Sarita, Smita, Juhi, Geeta - went to School. 

Wanted to meet so may, but could not. My mother and Geeta kept saying, I am like kitanu - I enter anywhere. Everyday had surprised good and bad. Lost the bag of paintings at the airport, got the news Rajesh is not joining, Prasanth was working in Thane, Ghatkopar aunty is in Kerala, and highlight was could not attend wedding and reception because of ill health watched it on you tube live.

Reached Ghatkopar - exactly at the same time as my sis and family on the day of their arrival - like planned. Had excellent host there as well - Sujatha Chechi and Raju Chettan  and the bonus was Spiky - the dog that took away the fear of my nephew. But we missed their children and mother. Raju Chettan took us to Gateway of India, showed us around Mumbai, had yummy dish from Hajji Ali - so how only eaters from there could park the car and others were fined, saw places of importance in and around, went through one way and came through the other. Spoke to Prasanth, and was surprised to know he worked at Thane. We had Pav Bhaji from Achija and walked home. 

Next day visited Siddhi Vinayak Temple - had to prebook, Mahalakshmi Temple/Haji Ali, Babulnath temple and Elephanta caves. 

When we were at the restaurant for morning breakfast Rajuchettan called and asked us which restaurant we are having break…I looked around saw budweiser written on the wall and said budweiser restaurant… so all had a good laugh 😃 no restaurant name was not budweiser… it was the famous beer brand ad...I became popat.

Saw Regal Theater, had best Mumbai Biryani from Delhi Durbar.

 Visited Sujatha Chechi's parents at night. 

Next day before going for the wedding went to temple as it was father's death anniversary, Also went to Goregaon met Prabha Uncle and family and had hearty laugh, after the mehndi eve.  Though that was the main agenda of the visit, it looks smaller, in the wider activities done. Loved knowing and seeing how the gen. next is comming up though we missed. The cycle of life. 

Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard, but always near. So loved, so missed, so dear. 

The Gateway of India

This is one place we happened to be four times during the short visit to Mumbai, and what Neil was all excited about.  He wanted to share his pic here with his friends, which is a rare event as he would not like his pics. clicked, and if done, does not like sharing especially with his school group. 

We were fortunate to have the view both at night, on the day of their arrival, and during day, a gathering spot for locals, street vendors, and photographers soliciting services.

Enroot Elephant Caves could click this pic, which has now become the Ikon of Mumbai. It is located on the waterfront at an angle, opposite the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel and overlooks the Arabian Sea. Today, the monument is synonymous with the city of Mumbai, and is amongst its prime tourist attractions.

 And this was clicked while returning. 

Interesting to know that this was erected to commemorate the landing in India of King Emperor George V and Queen Mary On the 2nd of December, at Ramchandani Road near Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Chowk in Mumbai.

The foundation stone was laid in March 1913 for a monument built in the Indo-Saracenic style, incorporating elements of 16th-century Gujarati architecture. The final design of the monument by architect George Wittet was sanctioned only in 1914, and construction was completed in 1924. The structure is a triumphal arch made of basalt, which is 26 metres (85 feet) high.

Other interesting structures around are Shivaji Maharaj Statue and Statue of Swami Vivekananda.  

This place has been close to the heart, especially more after the Mumbai attack. Kept wondering, how and why did they do it, who facilitated, are were the real culprits caught? For sure, there would have been insider help. But why? 

Many of us especially Mumbaikars lost friends that day. That justice still hasn’t been delivered after 13 years means no closure. Prayers  for 26/11 victims and of the various attacks. 

May there be Peace and Happiness Humesha!

An Amazing Marathi hybrid wedding

Thanks for the Wedding Invite, which helped relive some good old memories , had a first hand experience of beach sided mixed, Mumbai wedding inspite of the threats from Corona and Omicron. The question I kept hearing from my nephew is - is this wedding western style or Indian?

Though not a mehndi person, and had applied it only may be three times, it was amazing, to be part of this function, meet all after years, and be by the sea side with music, dance, food and fun. 

Loved meeting Visu Uncle, Sraddha and Sruthi after years, though did not feel so. Deedhi was and is always the same - like her nick name - Bubli. 

It was night to meet all Vishu Uncle's cousins. 

Halad Chadavane:

In Maharashtrian culture, this is performed the day before the wedding by the women who performed the ‘muhurat karane.’ Turmeric paste is applied by mango leaves on the groom’s shoulders, forehead, hands and feet. The paste is then sent to the bride’s home and is used to perform the same ritual for the bride. But because this was not done before, the event for the day started with this. 

Chura:

In the ‘chura’ ceremony, the bride is given a set of green glass bangles, along with gold or pearl ones. In Maharashtrian culture, green is seen as a symbol of life, creation and fertility. The color is considered lucky and represents hopes for a newly married couple’s happy life. The bangles are meant to be worn till at least a month after the wedding.

Ganpati Puja:

A Ganpati puja marks the beginning of all auspicious occasions in Maharashtrian culture to ensure the success of every endeavour without any obstacles. The wedding days begin by first invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha for the couple’s future happiness.Punyavacha:

At the venue of the wedding, the bride’s parents ask the relatives and guests to bless their daughter during the ‘punyavacha’ ritual.Devdek:

The “kul devta” or family deity is once again invoked at the site of the wedding.

Seemanpujan:

The groom arrives at the venue with his family, and is received by the bride’s mother who washes his feet, applies tilak on his forehead, does aarti and welcomes him inside.

Gaurihar puja’ where she worships a silver idol of Goddess Parvati placed on a mound of rice. She offers the idol some rice and asks her to bless her with a prosperous future.Antarpat:

The groom arrives at the mandap, wears the ‘mundavalya’ (holy ornamental thread tied around the heads of the bride and groom) and sits on his seat. He is hidden by a cloth curtain called the ‘antarpat,’ to prevent him from seeing the bride.

The ‘antarpat’ is removed and the couple lay eyes on each other for the first time, which makes for quite an emotional moment. They exchange garlands and are showered with ‘akshatas’ (unbroken yellow colored rice and flowers).

Kanyadaan:

In a ritual common to all weddings in India, the father of the bride gives his daughter to her groom with blessings for their new life. The grooms accepts her and pledges to love and respect her for a lifetime.

Lajahoma:

The bride offers grains to the holy fire or havan as she chants three mantras, which the groom repeats. She then chants the fourth mantra alone, silently. The bride’s parents then worship the couple as reincarnations of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, after which the bride and groom tie holy threads on each other’s hands. Finally, the groom puts sindoor on his bride’s head and ties the mangalsutra around her neck.

Saptapadi:

The couple then perform the ‘saptapadi’ which involves walking around the holy fire seven times while reciting their seven wedding vows aloud.

Kama Samapti:

The wedding rituals come to an end with the ‘kama samapti’ ritual, where the couple perform Laxmi Puja till the fire goes out, after which the groom gives his bride a new name.

Kaan Pili:

In a cheeky tradition, the bride’s brother twists the groom’s ear to remind him to take care of his sister. After that, the couple seeks everyone’s blessings.

Varat:

After the wedding, the bride bids her family farewell as she leaves for her new husband’s home. As she says her emotional goodbyes, the groom carries the Parvati idol she had worshipped in the ‘Gaurihar Puja.’ A large procession accompanies the couple to the groom’s residence.Griha Pravesh:

The newlyweds are greeted by the groom’s mother at the entrance, where she performs aarti and then washes the couple’s feet with milk and water. The bride then knocks over a kalash (a traditional water bowl) filled with rice before entering the home with her right foot and typically accompanied by her husband.

Reception:

The celebrations conclude with a reception party, where the bride is formally introduced to all their relatives and friends. The bride dons a saree gifted by the groom’s family, while the groom wears an outfit gifted by the bride’s family.

 Highlight was the groom saying, I will do all that the bride as to, as we are now partners - so if one has to suffer, the other too has too. It was so kind of  them coming to meet us the next day after the wedding. 

An Artist in making amidst others

 

Like mom , like son 

Loved watching the creative talents of Mom and son being appreciated, but not much was spoken about, especially the youtube channel. 

Amidst being excellent in academic,  playing piano  https://youtu.be/r_QP153kXGg

He makes beautiful  drawings as well. Was amazed to see the number and kind of books that he reads. May he continue to bring out his talents, in the age of digital age. 

This indeed need time and effort.

My favorite which gave me lot of insight into Greek Mythology continue to be:

Arre wah!!!! Is all we could say. This is cute 💕

Kid is a prodigy indeed. They are actually interesting. These make us realize the characters, stories and myths are lot similar to ours. Which proves that we all had same past n as we went far away, modified our own versions. 

But also it is important to check on him to stay intact with present coz at times these stuffs (especially the advanced stuffs) alienate you from the present real world. Keep going from reality to myths and other dimensions is quite tricky and would play games with your brain. Must have a balance.

Mom is balanced,  so would be the son.