Retaliation!

Featuring a video which shows that not only humans retaliate but few creatures on the world if triggered would definitely retaliate!!
This video that was shot by my respected father, begins with a kid troubling a calf. Initially the calf continuously ignores the kid. But it turns to be 'too much'. The calf is instigated and retaliates.
The video ends with a bash.

Have a watch!

The world's a mind game!!

With the huge multitude of the tasks to be performed, even 24 hours a day seems quite a small period to complete the everyday tasks. The CPU of the human body i.e. the brain suffers the most then. Just like a machinery that requires a periodic oiling to prevent rust, the human brain also needs few exercises to keep it working tooth and nail and free from 'rust'. Few people realize it.

Presenting 11 tips on how to workout your brain so that it can fire out all its cylinders.

1. Challenge yourself: If you are right handed try being left handed and vice versa to workout the other side of brain.
2. Learn new things: Throw down all the shackles. Learn a new thing that you have gone mad about always. If you love moonwalk- 'Moonwalk yourself', if u love guitar- learn it and perform it live in a concert.
3. Friendship with brain games: Let yourself know how powerful your brain is. Get a 'sudoku' and solve it or pick up today's newspaper and solve the crossword puzzle or develop an interest in chess, defeat your opponent and show him/ her how mentally powerful you are!
4. Buy a great time time for yourself: Don't forget to love yourself . Go out for a walk into the park, eat an ice cream, scream out loud, party hard and laugh out loud.
5. Read and read: Select a few books of the topics you love and read them and enjoy. Remember Television only 'shows' you the things but reading leads to a complete workout of the mind and transfers you 'into the book'.
6. Run: Yes, but don't worry. You don't need to be a marathon runner to do so. Just lace up your sports shoes and set out for it. Both the mind and the body shape will be taken care of.
7. Memorize: Next time you meet a person during a party or a meeting, ask his name and ask his name to yourself. I assure you, at the end of the party or the meeting, you'll still retain it. Find out where you kept the car key last time, what on earth is your neighbour's cellphone no.
8. Be your own compass: Keep away all your navigation aids loaded with the newest and smart GPS systems or anything new. Start early and reach to your destination accurately. Repeat it daily. You'll feel yourself smarter.
9. Calculator?? Naah!!: The next time you visit a mall or a supermarket, let your brain calculate the total bill. Vedic mathematics comes in handy in such scenarios.
10. Meditate: Remember what our forefathers have left us are the time tested ones. Find a quiet dark and soothing place for yourself. Light an incense stick of your choice and meditate while contemplating yourself.
11. Be a computer worm: Surf the net, blog your articles, play some really high definition racing games or mission games, apply all the shortcut keys one bu one. Be the master of your computer.

The Darjeeling

Buddha idol in seated posture
(Japanese Temple)

Be it the beginning of a cloudy and crisp morning with a cup of hot tea, be it the hissing shrill of the steam engine emerging out of the greens from nowhere, be it witnessing the rising sun from the 'Tiger Hills' or be it spotting numerous Buddhist monasteries, all of them have one thing in common...

Yes, I'm talking of none other than the magical land of 'Darjeeling'. Situated at an average elevation of  6,710 ft (2,045.2 m), the tea town stands in utter grandeur and majesty with a sea of utter silence, only seldom disturbed by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or the famous toy train and the flowing traffic.

The serpent shaped road to Darjeeling

The journey to the tea town starts from the city of  Siliguri and after undergoing an adventurous journey of 77 km through the National Highway 55 the town that stays obscured behind the clouds becomes visible. From the height of Darjeeling the left behind city of  Siliguri appears tiny and the roads imitate a brisk moving serpent. Besides this the  World Heritage Site by UNESCO or the  Darjeeling Himalayan Railway comes in handy for an awesome journey in the laps of the Himalaya, if time is not a factor or the track is free from landslides.

The first glimpse of Darjeeling

The Himalayan 'Toy Train'

Close to nature- bee collecting nectar

Once in Darjeeling, one develops immense love for the town. The local people display their friendly character evident from the delicate flower pots they exhibit on their gallery. For a tourist nothing is much needed than this!

Here comes the Sun from behind the clouds

The day starts with a glimpse of the rising sun from the 'Tiger Hill' which seems to be a matter of luck! In fact Mr Sun turns a shy one here rarely revealing itself from behind the dark clouds. I was lucky to get a glimpse of Mr Sun.

A trip into the clouds

Then we travel steering through the cloud clad narrow road to the Buddhist Monastery which reminds the rich cultural and spiritual beliefs aptly retained by the people here. Here a giant idol of seated Buddha grabs the limelight! In addition to this the chants of the Buddhist monks bring every people to halt and have a glance to this practice.

War memorial- Batasia loop

Next comes the Batasia Loop. As clear from the name this place is
known for 'Batas' or the breeze blowing through this area. This used to be a part of the Toy Train track, which has now been converted into a war memorial in remembrance of the 'Gorkha' soldiers.

The Japanese Temple

Standing atop a steep hill en-robed within the clouds comes the 'Japanese Temple' or Peace Pagoda, featuring several idols of lord Buddha in various postures all painted in metallic golden color. At this place the phrase NA-MU-MYO-HO-REN-GE-KYO becomes prominent with the monks chanting it to the beats of a drum its translation in Indian language being 'Saddharam Pundarik Sutraya'.

Moments of leisure!

Following this the tour approaches its last phase- The Padmaja Naidu
Himalayan Zoological Park and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. The zoo showcases a variety of Fauna commonly prevalent in the region. There are Himalayan wild dogs, bear, barking deer, the Royal Bengal Tiger, cheetah, yak etc. This spot serves as a hot spot for amateur photographers like me!

A climbing rock

Lastly we approach the Tenzing Rock, a steep rocky structure intended for the training of the mountain climbers. Just a fascinating location. A part of it is open to tourists who wish to get an experience in climbing on a ticket of minimal charge.

And what to say about the tea gardens. Initially started by the British planters in 1856, the 'Darjeeling Tea' has taken the world by it like a storm. Not only India, but a host of other countries have come up as great consumers of the tea. The fact that one is in Darjeeling is evident from the large rows of tea trees covering both sides of the roads, kilometres before approaching the town.



Lastly the tour gets its 'The End'. The mind and soul that has become so much attached to the place finds it difficult to leave it. For me if there is a Heaven on Earth, it's Darjeeling. It has attracted many troubled minds for rejuvenation and revival, and will keep on doing so. Still in the laps of nature, seemingly untouched by humans a land full of pines and flowers, the magical land bids a farewell to me and so do I. Goodbye Darjeeling! Stay awesome forever!

The tea gardens
credits: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tea_Garden_Darjeeling_West_Bengal_India_(3).JPG

N.B.- excluding the last one, all photos are clicked by me

The Durga Puja and Bengalis

Om Sarvamangalya Mangalye Shive Sarvarth Sadhike;

Sharanye Traymbake Gauri Narayani Namostute!

Yes! with the holy words a Bengali starts to get into a dream. The dream of celebrating the Durga Puja  with his/ her family and loved ones. The environment which has turned green after the Monsoons seems to welcome Maa Durga in a Grand manner. Everywhere in the air a festive scent mingles. The playful heart synchronizes it self with the rhythms of the Dhaak. And why to keep aside the jolly and playful Dhunuchi Naach.

 After a year the wait is over. Maa is all set to descend down to earth and assure the humanity that life is still good and the earth still a wonderful place to be! There is a sudden change in the routines of people. The shops and bazaars become populated. Each one strives to get the best and the Market competes to fulfill their desires. Everything  seems New in the festive season!

Durga Maa's idol at Bindu Bhawan, Udaipur

Traditionally the Durga Puja is celebrated during the Devi Paksha and is preceded by Mahalaya (15 days before the Durga Puja) and the end is marked by the Kojagari Lokhkhi Pujo.

Durga Puja is celebrated thoroughly in the indian states of West Bengal and Tripura which are predominantly Bengali. Besides these, the states of Assam, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand also play an active role in the Durga Puja celebration. Nowadays many expatriate Bengalis who have settled down in other states also mark their participation into the festival with great enthusiasm and zeal. The states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat and many more give a tough competition to the festive Aura during the days of Puja.

The Bangla Proverb 'Sholoyana Bangaliyana' comes to reality in concrete form during these days. It is during these days that a Bengali forgets his hectic schedule and breathes rejuvenation and revival into his life. The 'Bangalir Adda' becomes a prominent scene in the Puja pandals. And when there is Adda, should there be any compromise to the 'Pet Puja to the Bongos'?

The pandals start brimming with the aroma of the mouth watering delicacies cooked and served in traditional Bengali style . While few who prefer roaming in the city, the roadside stalls are an option nothing can second by. The mouth watering 'Foochkas' are the starters and for those being passionate about their stomach the roadsides seems like an 'Oasis' to a thirsty camel! The Mughlai Parathas come in handy, the entangling of the noodles to the fork seems an interesting job and as if it was not enough, there are ice creams ranging from the flavors of chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, blackforest and many others! Surely a Bongo and away from food? Impossible!


Day by day the four days just vanish away like a swift deer and people are left with the day of 'Bijaya Dashami'. Yes Maa has to go now promising a comeback the next year but till then, the wait stays on! Leaving behind numerous brimming eyes filled with a dream- a dream to Welcome back Maa as soon as possible!

And then begins the Days of Bijaya as is locally referred as! People visit people and when ther is a visit then no compromise is expected for the 'Paet Puja'. The Bengali houses become a store for 'Narkeler naru', 'Raushogolla', 'nimki' and many other delicacies. These are the happiest days for them in the year.

Lastly these magical days come to an end with the 'Kojagori Lokhkhi Pujo' and life returns to its previous routine but yet keeps motivated to the humans with dreams in their eyes- dreams of achievement' dreams of being successful, dreams of creating a better society and making world a better place to live. Motivation that Maa will soon be back! :)

Asche Bochor Abar Hobe- Maa before immersion