What is that one thing we can give someone without causing us any discomfort or reaching far into our pockets ? “Dignity” !! which lies in the basic right to identity, in belonging to the land and living life respectfully.…
Nestled in Peace- Gandhi Ashram, Ahmedabad
For me Ahmedabad was always synonymous with Gandhi Ashram. Every time I read something about Mahatma Gandhi, I wanted to visit the ashram. Finally, I had the opportunity to visit Ahmedabad on my way to Kutch and while I packed…
Gorgeous Vijay Vilas Palace, Mandvi,India
Vijay Vilas Palace overlooking the Arabian Sea in Mandvi (Kutch area) is one of the recently constructed palaces in India compared to its Rajput counterparts. It is an epitome of graceful curves built in fusion architectural style of local Kutch,…
Scenes from the Salt Desert: Great Rann of Kutch, India
The Great Rann of Kutch extending across India and Pakistan is a near infinitum (7500 sq kms) stretch of white salt desert across Western Gujarat. During monsoon, this entire salty clay area of 7500 sq kms is filled with water…
Escaping into a World of sisterly bonding – Adalaj, Ahmedabad
A Stepwell also known as “Vav” is a common structure all over Gujarat, which was usually built as a resting place for food and water for travellers and in some cases to escape from invaders. Most of these structures have…
Weekly Photo Challenge: Pattern in Sidi Saiyyed, Ahmedabad
Walking around in Ahmedabad city, we reached the busy street corner where the 450 year old Sidi Saiyyed mosque is located. The intricate “Jali” or Lattice Work Pattern carved in stone on the rear windows of the mosque is hard to miss.…
Hand Made Copper Bells of Kutch, India
While searching for hand-made bells in the villages of Kutch, I had actually landed at the doorstep of a bell maker turned part time Morchang Musician. After a musical session at his home in Nirona village, (on the way to…
Devpur Homestay ~ Home away from Home in Bhuj
While looking around for places to stay in and around Bhuj, I chanced upon Devpur Homestay in Darbargadh a heritage property around 40 kms away. After poring over the map and distances with my geographer friend, it appeared that this would…
Where Embroidery is Wealth for the Rabari Tribe
My road trip through Kutch in Gujarat was an eye opener in more than way. I have been overwhelmed by the love and affection of the people I met at every stop. We visited the village around the Heritage Home…
Mastery on Fabric- Rogan Art
I stopped by at Nirona Village while travelling through Kutch in Gujarat. Nirona is about 100 kms away from Bhuj, near Nakhtarana. We walked down through the village lanes to the home of National Award Winning Artistes (Khatri Ghafoor Bhai…