Winter-Time
Robert Louis Stevenson
Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.
Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.
Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.
When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.
Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding cake.
Nishan Chinh the symbol of strength and protection is wrapped in an orange cloth which gets changed every month. The patience required by the person doing the task reminds us of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Vand Chhako- Sharing with others, helping those with less or those who are in need.
Kirat Karo (work diligently)- Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud.
Naam Japo (contemplating God's names)- Meditating on God's name to control the five evils and living a satisfying life.
#ekonkar #lostbandar
Sometimes the best things are just round the corner
#lostbandar #kasaulihills #himachal
Tso Chikgma or Chandra Taal (meaning the Lake of the Moon), or Chandra Tal is a lake in the Spiti part of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh (India).[1] Chandra Taal is near the source of the Chandra River. Despite the rugged and inhospitable surroundings, it is in a protected niche with some flowers and wildlife in summer. It is a favourite spot for tourists and high-altitude trekkers. It is usually associated with Spiti, but geographically is a part of Lahaul. Kunzum La separates Lahaul and Spiti valley.
The Chandertal Lake is accessible only during the summer months i.e. June, July, August and September, and for the rest of the year the lake remains frozen. One will get awestruck when they will see that the color of the lake keeps on changing with the color of the sky. The shimmering lake is flanked by the green-carpeted Chandra Baga mountain range.
As per the legends, it is the spot from where Lord Indra took the eldest Pandava brother, Yudhishtra in his human form to Swarga, in his chariot. People of the neighbouring villages believe that the lake is often visited by fairies at midnight.
#lostbandar @indiahikes #incredibleindia
HALDI GHATI
The siege of Chittorgarh in 1568 had led to the loss of the fertile eastern belt of Mewar to the Mughals. However, the rest of the wooded and hilly kingdom was still under the control of the Rana. Akbar was intent on securing a stable route to Gujarat through Mewar; when Pratap Singh was crowned king (Rana) in 1572, Akbar sent a number of envoys entreating the Rana to become a vassal like many other Rajput leaders in the region. When the Rana refused to personally submit to Akbar, war became inevitable.
The site of the battle was a narrow mountain pass at Haldighati near Gogunda in Rajasthan. Maharana Pratap fielded a force of around 3,000 cavalry and 400 Bhil archers. The Mughals were led by Raja Man Singh of Amber, who commanded an army numbering around 10,000 men according to Persian sources, Mewari sources give an account of 80,000 Mughal troops against the 20,000 strong Mewari army. While both accounts differ significantly in total numbers, they agree on the point that the Mughal army outnumbered the Mewari troops by a factor of four to one. [4] After initial successes by the Mewari army in battle, the tide slowly turned against them. In a fierce battle in which Pratap found himself wounded, he called a tactical retreat. A few of his men under Jhala Man Singh covered the retreat in a rearguard action.
Story telling by @asifkhandehlvi -@delhikaravan
Video @lostbandar @ishpreets.tilted.tripod
Perched 2,000 feet above the city of Hyderabad is Taj Falaknuma Palace, a jewel amongst the clouds. Built in 1894, it is the former palace of the Nizam, rumoured to be the richest man in the world at one time. Overlooking the twinkling City of Pearls, this enchanting palace hotel in Hyderabad exudes romance and grandeur that take one back to when the Nizam ruled Hyderabad. From the moment you arrive at Taj Falaknuma Palace in a horse-drawn carriage, our palace butlers treat you like royalty. Walk the walk of kings through the Grand Staircase to retrace the steps of Nizams, European royalty, enchanting Begums and distinguished Heads of State. The five-star luxury hotel, spread over 32 acres, allows you to journey to the gilded ages, where opulence and excess is celebrated and savoured in equal measure. The 60 rooms and suites are beautifully refurbished and lovingly restored by Her Highness Princess Esra, the Nizam’s Turkish wife. Each provides marvellous views of the palace courtyard and the 400-year-old city of Hyderabad. Go on a sumptuous, gastronomic ride at our Indian fine-dining restaurant, Adaa, and savour multi-cuisine specialities at Celeste. Enjoy breakfast at Celeste & Gol Bungalow and and afternoon tea on the Jade Terrace or private dinners at South East Garden & Jade Terrace or a Unique dining experience at Gol Bungalow. The stunning Durbar Hall, Jade Room and massive 101-seater dining hall bedecked with Belgian chandeliers, and assorted gardens and terraces lend royal decadence to celebratory events and elegance to business meetings. Feel holistically rejuvenated at our Jiva Spa, rooted in the traditional Indian approach to wellness; complemented with a wellness menu that employs the finest principles of Ayurvedic cooking. The royal city of Hyderabad merges modern lifestyle with ancient heritage. Our concierge will gladly arrange your tours to art, culture and shopping destinations, as well as to spectacular landmarks like the Charminar, Mecca Masjid,
The Silk Route Exploration
From the 16 Th to the 18 Th century Rajasthan was well established on the silk route as tradesmen favoured a southern route through India and Pakistan over the treacherous Pamir of Central Asia heading towards the Indian hinterland. And so the state prospered, a city of caravanserias in which the merchants took shelter as they came to trade or barter their exotic goods.
As the monsoon clouds makes Rajasthan green and cooler… plan your trip in advance and explore the less explored and a chance upon treasured on the old silk route.
#rajasthan #lostbandar
Music without words means leaving behind the mind. And leaving behind the mind is meditation. Meditation returns you to the source. And the source of it all is sound. “- Kabir
The most remarkable story -and by far the most famous- concerns Kabir’s passing away and his double funeral: feeling his end at hand, the saint demanded to be left alone in a hut where he lay covered with a single cloth. But when the cloth which concealed was lifted, nothing but a spray if flowers remained. The flowers will dry and become dust and the only thing that would remain are his words.
What’s behind a Mask?
I stood smiling when I saw my daughter at the entrance of my sisters place, she did not react, was she not happy to see me and then in that orrible moment I realised that my smile was hidden behind the mask.
All these emotions of love , joy, contentment & fear... are hidden behind that small mask we wear.
Behind The Mask
Hiding the hurt, hiding the pain
Hiding the tears that fall like rain.
Saying I'm fine , when I'm anything but,
This ache In my soul rips at my gut.
My skin is on fire, I burn from within
The calm on my face is an ongoing sin.
The world must stay out, I've built up a wall
My fragile lie will collapse should it ever fall.
Loneliness consumes me, it eats away the years
Until my life is swallowed by unending fears.
Waiting for someone to see I wear a mask
And care enough to remove it, is that too much to ask?
#MelisaBernards
Happy Mother’s Day
#Shakti is responsible for creation, as mothers are responsible for birth. Without shakti, nothing in this universe would happen; she stimulates siva, which is passive energy in the form of consciousness, to create.
May our Shakti bless us to go beyond and fight the demon we all face.
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#mothersday #mothersmatter #goddess #durga #saraswati #laxmi #annapurna #dharti #earth #blessings
