Moon – Page 19 – Footloose Forever

Jaisalmer – the essence of earthly Rajasthan

May 7, 2015August 24, 2025Posted in RajasthanTagged Fort, Gadisar lake, golden fort, jaisalmer, Rajasthan, sonar kella, sunset, thar desert50 Comments

jaisalmer, cityscape, rajasthan, explore the elements, photo contest

After a wonderful day in Mount Abu our next destination was Jaisalmer as per our itinerary – Jaipur – Pushkar (via Ajmer Sharif Dargah) – Udaipur (via Chittorgarh) – Mount Abu (via Haldighati) – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur.

I was well acquainted with the name Jaisalmer and some of its characteristics since childhood just like every other Bengali kid who has seen the movie Sonar Kella by Satyajit Ray at least once in their schooldays. 🙂 Scenes like Feluda and company chasing a train through the desert mounted on camels or the little boy Mukul searching for his home of the past life inside the fort are unforgettable.

Anyway, it was a tiring 10-hour long bus journey through the scorching desert land. We reached Hotel Sudarshan, a budget hotel with room rates ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 700, at around 7 pm. The rooms were small but appointed with all the necessary furniture. There was a spacious marbled bathroom with hot and cold water supply. The most notable thing about Hotel Sudarshan is it’s traditionally designed interior and exterior. Jaisalmer Fort was clearly visible from the hotel’s rooftop dining hall.

Rajasthan is a large province and a versatile place with its exotic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and a plethora of remarkable architecture spread across its various cities and towns. If you want to experience Rajasthan beyond its royal legacy Jaisalmer is the place to visit.

Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort is the oldest living fortified town in India. Today it is the main attraction of the place. The fort is now popularly called Sonar Kella or Golden Fort after Satyajit Ray’s movie Sonar Kella which was mostly shot in Jaisalmer. Our guide Mr Raju Sharma said Jaisalmer Fort was popularized because of Ray’s movie the story of which revolves around this fort mentioned as “sonar kella” several times in the movie.

When we reached the main gate of the fort its gleaming sandstone exterior turned golden yellow under the glaring desert sun.

Established in 1156 AD by the Rajput king Rawal Jaisal on top of Trikuta Hill Jaisalmer Fort is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort is dotted with a number of temples and mansions (called haveli in vernacular). We started the walking tour with the Jain temple decked in intricate stone detailing on exterior walls and columns. Inside you’ll see the statues of sacred Jain preachers (tirthankar) including the last and most well known Mahavira. The interior artwork is equally beautiful and reminded me of Dilwara Temple in Mount Abu.

We wandered along the zigzag lanes of the fortified town, visited some of the merchant havelis and Sonar Kella movie shooting spot, bargained at a craft shop and not to mention took a lot of photographs.

Some portions of the fort are in dilapidated state while some buildings and structures stood the test of time.

While we made our way to the main gate of the fort we came across this narrow alley which reminded me of Varanasi, the oldest living city in India.

Gadisar Lake

Gadisar Lake is another must see in the fort premise. The lake was created to store rainwater. Our guide said it is one of the largest manmade lakes in Rajasthan.

Note: The guides charge to show the lake, temple and fort was Rs 400 for our group of 28 people.

Camel Ride and Sunset

The evening was reserved for the most coveted as well as exciting event – camel ride and sunset watch in Thar Desert.

Folk Dance Performance

Next was an enthralling folk dance performance at Oasis Camp Resort. From dancing on a small metal platter while carrying 6-7 earthen pots stacked on top of their heads to walking on burning camphor the dancers did it all with their extraordinary skills. The entire show was mind blowing! I returned to hotel in complete contentment that night.

Note: The total cost of camel ride at the desert and folk music show was Rs 330 per person. The entire arrangement was done by our hotel’s travel desk.

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Intricate

May 3, 2015Posted in Photo challengeTagged architecture, intricate, Jodhpur, Meherangarh Fort, Rajasthan, stone work26 Comments

palace window, intricate stone detailing, architecture, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.

~ Frank Gehry

Rajasthan is a place of exquisite architecture and rich culture. The medieval sandstone edifices and monuments in various cities and forts of Rajasthan is a fusion of European and Islamic architecture with Hindu Rajput style. Hence, the moment I saw this week’s photo challenge theme ‘intricate‘ I could immediately relate with it nothing but the fine stone detailing I observed on several palatial facades, walls and interiors of age-old Rajasthani architectures. This one is from the royal palace inside Meherangarh Fort, Jodhpur.

Published in response to Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Intricate.

Travel in Style in Leggings – Do’s and Don’t’s

April 29, 2015May 18, 2015Posted in LifestyleTagged coloured leggings, fashion, layered clothing, leggings, lifestyle, oleva leggings, printed leggings12 Comments

Summer is in full swing. Many of you might be thinking of switching to leggings from jeans; if not already have done so. Light, stretchable, skin-friendly cotton-lycra leggings are ideal for hot and humid tropical summer. Those who are involved in 9 to 5 jobs know best. Sitting 8 hours in the cubicle in a pair of trousers or jeans can be uneasy at times. I used to feel this problem especially after lunch. 🙂 But leggings can give you the desired comfort at its best.

Now this was about office goers. What about the travel buffs? The best thing about stashing 5-6 leggings in your rucksack is that neither they eat up much of your storage space nor they add much weight to your backpack. On the contrary, when you are on a backpacking tour you can’t afford to carry equal number of jeans in your bag, right? If you want to travel light yet don’t want to get bored with your look (in same jeans and a couple of tops) leggings and layered clothing is the way to go.

However, wearing leggings involves some rules.

Do’s

Length of top: Team up your leggings with long tops or tunics or short dresses of mid-thigh length (or kurti for ethnic wear) so that you butt remains covered. Otherwise, it looks odd and you may make yourself ridiculous. Please note that you can wear leggings with your miniskirts too.

Knit: Go for thick, double knit leggings to prevent showing skin through clothing.

Colours: Leggings are not just about neutral colours like black, white or beige. Coloured leggings are very much in vogue these days. If solid colour is your preference go for Oleva Leggings. They offer high-quality leggings in a wide range of colours to choose from. You can buy free-size Oleva leggings online right from the comfort of your home. Remember, when you experiment with coloured leggings keep your top neutral or in lighter shades. It will not only highlight your legs but also maintain a balance in your look.

Layers: Wear layered clothing with leggings. It not only looks stylish but also practical for backpackers travelling to regions where temperature fluctuates during night and day. When the ensemble is in solid colours, casually wrap a printed scarf around the neck for a more dramatic look.

Prints: Mix and match your solid colour tops with printed leggings and vice versa. Animal prints, multi-coloured geometric prints, exotic tribal prints can do wonder.

Shoes: Choose your shoes wisely with leggings. Flats and flip-flops are for casual summer look while boots and pumps lend a formal impression.

Don’t’s

Carry your white/off-white leggings while travelling as they easily gets dirty and you may not get a chance to wash your clothes on the go.
Wear leggings made of finer fabric. It can show your bulges and mar the look.
Wear short top or tank top with leggings.

Here is how our favorite celebs flaunt their legs in leggings.

So what are you waiting for? Add a dash of colours to your wardrobes this summer with economical, high-quality Oleva leggings and create your own style statement.

Images are collected from Google Images.

‘Our nature consists in motion; complete rest is death’

April 25, 2015April 26, 2015Posted in Photo challengeTagged daily post, Nainital, Photo challenge, photography, waterfall13 Comments

In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time. ~ Leonardo da Vinci

I have seen small streams, rather springs while traveling to mountains in Sikkim and also in Darjeeling when I was very young but never saw a waterfall in my life. Whenever I see pictures of waterfalls I imagine myself as a diminutive figure standing in front of the roaring water awestruck by Nature’s uninterrupted motion. So, when I came to know about the waterfall in Nainital I was delighted that finally my dream would come true.

However, when we reached the site of the waterfall the sun was about to set. I was expecting a wide-open space in front of me with the sight and sound of mighty waters flowing down the rocks. Strangely the driver stopped the car on one side of the road from where I could see rock-cut steps which disappeared into the trees and bushes along the mountain slope.

“Is this the right place?” I asked skeptically.

The driver smiled and replied, “Yes, this is the place. You follow the steps and buy tickets from the counter over there.”

I did what he said. After crossing the counter I could see a canopied walking trail, brief enough to bring me to the waterfall in a minute. And much to my astonishment I saw a narrow stream of water flowing down the cascading rock bed.

Oh God! This is what they call a “waterfall”!

It was a mixed emotion of shock, disappointment and finally amusement. Never be prejudiced when you are going to see new things or places. I scolded myself. 🙂

I stood in silence for a few moments, and then slowly stepped into the water. The cool touch of rippling waters felt awesome. The rocks were slippery with lichens all over. The pebbles in the waters sharpened from years of erosion pricked at my bare feet. Yet it was most wonderful to feel the motion of the water below my feet.

Published in response to Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Motion.

How to Beautify Yourself This Summer

April 24, 2015April 28, 2016Posted in LifestyleTagged beauty, beauty tips, lifestyle, personal care, skin care, summer, sunscreen12 Comments

beauty, summer, skin care, personal care, beauty tips

Staying beautiful in summer is a relatively difficult task. Constant sweating on hot and humid days makes a person look weary and tired. However, some highly effective sun protection lotions make sure that women of all ages retain their beauty in summer too. A branded sunscreen lotion nourishes the skin and gives you a glamorous look all the time.

Harmful UV rays from the sun can badly affect your skin. Problems like sunburn, dark patches and other skin related diseases can easily invade your body unless you take protective measures.

You can easily protect your skin during summer by following these simple tips.

Always use a branded sunscreen lotion or cream while going outside. If the product is not available in your locality you can buy it from online stores. Buying online also makes you eligible for good discount and cash back with active discount coupons available exclusively at cashkaro.com.

Your daily intake of fruits and vegetables should be the part of a proper diet. Usually cucumber, watermelon and gourd among other food are essential to keep your internal health alright.

Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. An adult person should take 8-10 glasses of water every day. It helps to flush the toxins out of our body.

Wake up early in the morning and sleep early in the night. It is also important to stay away from stressful life and keep yourself calm and relaxed as much as possible.

Wear light cotton clothes in summer. This will keep you relaxed and cool.

How to Purchase Beauty Products Conveniently from Home

Shopping in summer means more exhaustion. Visiting one shop to another in search of your favorite product could be a time taking and laborious task. However, online shopping can solve all your problems in no time. It is a very simple process to buy your favorite products online. You need to select the products on online shopping websites to avail the deal.

Once you have selected your beauty products on the site, you need to furnish your credit card or debit card details. Once the checkout process is completed you will receive an email confirmation that the transaction is successful. The products will be delivered to you after 1 or 2 days.

Some Quintessential Beauty Products for summer

Anti-Pollutant Face Wash: We are well aware of the fact that pollution can affect our skin and face. Don’t forget to wash your face and neck twice a day with an anti pollutant face wash on a daily basis.

Body Lotion: It is also important to have the necessary amount of moisture present in your skin. Although we regularly use moisturizer in winter, we often neglect moisturizing our skin during summer. It is definitely not a good practice. A body lotion with the goodness of Aloe Vera is the ideal one you should buy.

Sunscreen Lotion or cream: Use a good branded sunscreen lotion regularly in the summer to stay protected from scorching sunlight. The best way to buy one is to visit stores like nykaa. Shop for your favorite brand and get discount with the use of nykaa coupons to save more.

Branded perfume: Getting out without perfume, especially during summer, is unimaginable. You must always keep a good quality perfume with refreshing fragrance at your disposal.

Vanishing cream: Sweating makes life miserable in summer. However, you can still look refreshed and rejuvenated by using a branded vanishing lotion or cream. Fair and Lovely is one of the most famous brands specializing in selling vanishing cream.

Therefore, staying beautiful is no big deal. You only need to dedicate a certain amount of time for skin and face care every day. Remember beauty doesn’t fade away on its own unless we constantly ignore it.

Benefits of having black t-shirts in your wardrobe

April 24, 2015April 26, 2015Posted in LifestyleTagged black dress, black t-shirts, clothing, fashion12 Comments

When I was in college I could never wear black t-shirts with jeans although I loved black so much. Can you guess why? Well, both my parents had an aversion for black clothes as they considered black depressing and it represented negativity. It took me so long to convince them about the benefits of wearing black, by then my days in college were over! (sigh)

When it comes to wearing black, I have seen there are three categories of people in the world – those who don’t like to wear black (probably inspired by similar thoughts as my parents once had.) those who wear black only because they are not sure what colour to wear and find black mitigates the risk of going wrong and finally, those who love to wear black (not just for one reason, but for several reasons) …just like me. 🙂

Gone are those days when that little black dress (LBD) was a staple for women’s wardrobe only. Modern metro sexual man has pretty good fashion sense and he has become conscious about what he wears and how he looks while going out. So, men also need to add black casuals to their wardrobes.

The advantages of wearing black are many

Black makes you look slender. Black helps to hide your baby fat and ensures a more shapely appearance. As a reason black dresses have always been popular among women. So guys, why don’t you try that trick too? In fact, a black t-shirt has all the potential to make you look sexier. 😉

Having a few black t-shirts in your wardrobe can actually save your time. Be it a party, special occasion, date or a casual night out there are times when you get confused what to wear and what not to wear. That’s the time you should put on black without wasting your time in such quandary. You know, I wear black when I am in a hurry. 😀

It’s easy to team up a black t-shirt with any shade of jeans or trousers. You can enjoy more freedom and flexibility when it comes to selecting accessories to match black outfit than to clothes of any other colour.

Black is a convenient choice for backpackers and travellers. If you are a footloose like me you know how convenient it is to wear black on the go. Whenever I travel I carry t-shirts of dark shades such as black, navy blue, maroon or coffee. Since dark colours camouflage dirt and stains well I don’t need to wash my clothes often during backpacking trips.

Black clothing has some distinctive psychological effects. Black hides the odds and the irregularities on your body. So you come out as a more confident person more in control of how you look than you do in any other shades. Most importantly, when it comes to fashion, black is the mark of elegance and sophistication.

Things you should consider while buying black t-shirts

If you don’t find plain black t-shirts appealing then go for graphic t-shirts. Remember black doesn’t look equally good on all fabrics. The shade looks more attractive on viscose and synthetic materials than on cotton. Cotton t-shirts also tend to wear out quickly. So be careful about the quality of fabric before buying anything in black.

Black is mysterious. Black is seductive. Black is stylish. Add a dash of black to your attire to up your style quotient and see the difference. 🙂

Boutique hotels in Kolkata that leave you enchanted

April 23, 2015April 26, 2015Posted in KolkataTagged boutique hotels, hotels in Kolkata, Kolkata hotels20 Comments

Boutique hotel, the concept originating in the 80s in England and popularized across Europe and North America, is now a familiar term in India. However, Kolkata was not so much acquainted with boutique hotel services until a decade ago. The city’s hospitality industry was content with a handful of plush 4-star/5-star hotels and swanky business hotels when it came to luxury accommodation. But just like any other metros in our country Kolkata is evolving in every aspect starting from road transport and communication to commercial and business infrastructure. Hotel businesses here are no exceptions.

During the last decade a few boutique hotels have come into existence in Kolkata.

If you are a connoisseur of luxury and upscale lifestyle you can definitely go for a reservation in any of the boutique hotels in Kolkata in your next business visit.

Here I would like to discuss about boutique hotels for those who confuse the term with luxury hotels. Boutique hotels indeed offer luxury accommodation but “luxury” is not the only term to describe or define this type of hotel.

Now, what exactly is a boutique hotel?

A boutique hotel is a small hotel (number of rooms ranging between 10 and 100) usually built on exclusive property with distinctive design and settings, offering highly personalized services to its clientele.

Then, why would you choose a boutique hotel over regular mid-segment hotels in Kolkata? Well, the reasons are many.

If you are not among those who seek “home away from home” in hotels and if you do not mind spending extra bucks for an unmatched experience then boutique hotels in Kolkata are the best places to stay.

It’s true that Kolkata’s boutique hotels might be more expensive than mid-range business hotels. But they ensure an all together different level of experience with personalized service, intimate ambiance and uniquely designed interior for added visual delight. The services in boutique hotels are tailored to their clients’ specific needs to heighten the level of comfort and convenience.

Each hotel maintains its distinctive decor and setting that makes it unique from all the others. For example, Bodhi Tree is one of the oldest boutique hotels in Kolkata and is designed on Buddhist monastery theme. On the contrary, the theme of newly built The Corner Courtyard reflects Kolkata’s colonial past with its red brick interior and matching furnishing.

Boutique hotels usually have limited number of guests. So you can expect more peaceful quiet stay there. Like any upscale business hotel boutique hotels also feature exclusively designed restaurants and bars as a crowd puller.

Since boutique hotels are latest addition to Kolkata’s hotel industry these properties are either new constructions or entirely renovated with new thematic designs.

Kolkata’s boutique hotels are situated in prime locations to ensure easy and quick access to the city’s important commercial districts.

However, be it a business visit or holiday trip you should consider authentic sources for hotel bookings in Kolkata to grab the best deals.