Nostalgia | Durga Puja

Shines up by Grace of God, a photo by Kuntal Gupta on Flickr.

On Tuesday, I went to the temple yesterday after my classes, for Maha Ashtami Puja. It is the 8th day of Durga Puja, almost towards the end (only two more days to go). It so refreshing to sit in at a puja after quite some time. The sounds of women ululating, the clang of the bells, the booming sounds of the dhaak playing. The tinkling of the priest’s ghonta bell mingling with the verses and chants that he recited for the blessings and protection of the people of the world. The smells of incense, fresh flowers, and oil lamps. Getting drenched in shantir-jol (holy water that brings piece to those showered by it - literally translates to peace-giving water). And finally, the delicious bhog or offerings that we ate afterwards — hot khichuri and luchis and sweets. It was just lovely. 

Today is the actual last day of Durga Puja, Vijay Dashami. Today all over India, the statues of Durga are immersed in bodies of water, and it is said that she returns to her home in the Kailash Mountains. 

This weekend we will be celebrating Durga Puja in my local Bengali community with much pomp and grandeur. New clothes to wear (new saris!!!), good food, and all of my good friends and family. I can’t wait! :D

Wanderlust | Jodhpur, Rajasthan

simply rajasthan, jodhpur, a photo by nevil zaveri on Flickr.

Stained glass door at Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Rajasthan's architectural heritage is richly colored by the many forts and palaces the state holds. Stained glass doors and windows, exquisite carvings, enameled tiles, intricate mosaics, and lavish designs make Rajasthan a lovely historical and whimsical place to visit.

Maximum India! | Part 3

More from Maximum India!

Here's even more of the gorgeously crafted jewelry from Jaipur Gem Palace. 

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Do check out the rest of my Maximum India experiences here!

Enjoy!

A huge necklace with uncut emeralds and diamonds. The back of it features enamel work so the necklace can be worn backwards as well!

Boxes and cuffs inlaid with precious stones. I love the little bird with the emerald hanging from its beak!

This huge necklace was exquisite! It was inlaid with kundan work - a conglomerate of uncut stones. On the back, it was inlaid with minakari (enamel) work, so the necklace could be worn on either side.

 

 I like to call this the turban bling-i-fier - with emeralds, diamonds, and pearls, it's the headgear of a king!

Opals and emeralds - the perfect combo.

*All photos copyright Undercover Diva (Tania C)

Maximum India! | Part 2

More from Maximum India!

This time, some of the gorgeous, drool-worthy jewelry displayed from Jaipur Gem Palace. 

The Gem Palace was established in 1852 by the erstwhile Kasliwal family of Jaipur. Jewellers for over eight generations, the Kasliwals even have the distinction of being court jewellers to Moghul emperors. Situated in the heart of the royal city of Jaipur, The Gem Palace is a must-visit for connossieurs of fine jewellery. From antique jewels from the coffers of Maharajas to contemporary designs studded with the precious gemstones, the shop has it all.  

{From the Jaipur Gem Palace website}

Take a look! 

 A ridiculously opulent necklace and headpiece - made of hundreds and hundreds of pearls and studded with diamonds and other precious gems! It was stunning to look at - the photo doesn't do it justice! 

 A diamond brooch and tassel necklace.

A beautiful minakari (enamel-inlaid) box, enamel earrings, and carved bird ring with rubies and emeralds. 

 Ruby and emerald necklace. 

Like I said, absolutely drool-worthy, and most certainly fit for a queen.  
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More to come soon! 

*All photos copyright Undercover Diva (Tania C)

Maximum India!

Last night, I went one last time to Maximum India -- a amazing celebration of Indian culture at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. I'm on spring break so I was totally relaxed and I took a ton of pictures. Check out some of the cool stuff below!

 Gandhi's last speech written out in porcelain letters shaped eerily like bones.

Spice art in the Kennedy Center Cafe! 

The very cute Hi! I am India exhibit featured floors covered with facts and cartoons about India, colorful Mohra chairs to sit on, children's storybooks, Indian cartoons and a whole lot of fun!

I loved all the beautiful art inside the storybooks! 

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Stay tuned for more from the Kennedy Center!! 

*All photos copyright Undercover Diva (Tania C)

Maximum India!

The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, has a gem for the month of March - an awesome showcase called Maximum India. From March 1st to 20th, the Kennedy Center will showcase India's jewelry, crafts, food, dance, music, movies, theatre, and tons more.
I'm super duper excited to be living super close to DC! This weekend, I am going to see a free performance by Kailash Kher, one of my favorite Indian singers.Tomorrow night, there is a performance by Madhavi Mudgal and Alarmel Valli that will features two Indian classical dance forms - Odissi and Bharatanatyam. 

Other stuff that I'm really excited about:

• Food tasting sessions by the area's best Indian chefs
• A literature panel on letters exchanged between Mahatman Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore
• Indian culinary demos by chef Hemant Oberoi 
• Panels about the portrayal of women in Bollywood films with Nandita Das, the Last Mughal, and Bollywood (also with Nandita Das)

Exhibitions:  

Bharti Kher: I've Got Eyes at the Back of My Head (awesome bindi art!)

• Kaleidoscope: Mapping India's Crafts (traditional crafts from the sub-continent)

• Treasures of the Gem Palace (gorgeously crafted jewelry)

• SARI (a display of different types of Indian saris)  

• Craft Demonstrations: J. Niranjan, Satya Narayan Lal Karn, & Moti Karn (Craft demonstrations)

Check out the gorgeous brochure for the showcase here. ENJOY!

(Note: all images are from the official Kennedy Center website)

Glimpses of An Indian Summer :)

Remembering my Indian Summer :)

{Monsoon rains}

 {Rath Yatra}

 {My Aunt's Rooftop Garden}

{Dahi Phuckha = MAGIC!}

{Changing Summer Skies}

{Summer}

:)

Festival Season | Nostalgia

The time is fast approaching...it's getting cooler and rainier by the day. Durga Puja, Diwali, Navaratri -- all coming up soon! There is a definitely sense of excitement in the air in my Indian community for these upcoming festivities. I grew up in India for almost half of my life, so I really miss especially this season. When I used to live in India, my whole family used to gather in one city to celebrate Durga Puja and Diwali -- it was a very fun and exciting time for me. Here, I celebrate Durga Puja and Diwali with my second family of aunties, uncles, mashis, kakus, and awesome friends :) I can't wait to start preparing for the season -- I'm already trying to figure out new ways to decorate our house for Diwali!

I love the festival season -- new clothes, bright colors, fresh flowers, the smell of incense on the altar, hot luchis (an Indian flatbread), garlands of flowers, diyas (oil lamps), and more. I found some photos that sum up the festival season perfectly :)

Bright lamps!

Delectable Indian sweets - barfis and laddoos! Last year, my mom and I spent a whole weekend cooking up batches of delicious Indian desserts - it was so much fun!

{Source}

 I love round lamps -- these red ones are so cute!

 

Priests doing Diwali puja by the Ganges river.  

 

Marigolds - always signifies auspicious occasions. It cheers up anything -- I love the bright orange/yellow hues of the flowers.  

Lamps and Rangoli :) Rangoli is a form of decoration where colored powders are used to make intricate patterns on a flat surface, usually the floor.

 

 A temple decked out in marigold garlands - so festive!

 Dhunuchi Naach during Durga Puja - one of the most fun parts about the puja!

 
I will do a big post on Durga Puja and Diwali soon, so watch out!

What are you doing this festival season?

{Note: none of these photos belong to me}

Stormy Skies

bhige bhige din
Originally uploaded by ~ladanseuse

I'm sitting at my desk, studying for my exam. A light breeze, bringing along the scent of wet earth and rain, drifts in through my window. It instantly transports me to India -- where my memories of monsoon lie :)

Scenes From a Wedding

Small glimpses of my cousin's grand wedding this July, in Kolkata India. This was the first full, traditional Bengali wedding I attended in over ten year! So, of course, I took nearly 2,000 photos! The bride looked gorgeous, the groom was practically bursting with happiness, and the whole thing was so darn traditional that I loved it!
Here are a few glimpses of that wedding -- more to come later :)
Enjoy!

 

Boron dala, or a blessing tray, for the turmeric ceremony (gayey holud)

 

Sindoor daan, or the bride getting vermilion on her forehead. This marks her as a married woman.

 

Bridal henna!

The groom holding the container with the sindoor, or vermilion on it.

 

Henna on the bride's feet! 

 

The bride getting ready to do the seven circles around the groom.