Ranthambore Chronicles: Peacock blues amidst the rustic hues

Brown, beige, pastel yellows and rustic reds interspersed with the striking blues of the Peacock strutting along the forest foliage. Truly a sight to behold in the dry summer jungle of Ranthambore...

Found in plenty, the bird was a pleasure to click. With a backdrop of the Fort, the presence of this bird added to not just drama but kindled quiet a romantic mood through our drives. It was quiet an eye relief from the scorching summer heat.

The forest filled with intermediate hoots of the peacocks and sometimes with the rather heavy flutter of its flight that could make you flip a heart beat if caught unaware!

The National Bird of India, true to its expression, the Peacock embodies qualities of beauty, grace, pride and mysticism. Often found in Indian mythology with dominance in Krishna Avataar and various Royalties, the peacock continues to rule the beauty quotient among the bird families.

I cannot but agree more and this trip at Ranthambore only deepens my love for this bird multifold.

More experiences wait to be chronicled as I move on from the National Bird to more wilderness in the following few posts. 

Xoxo,

Sensuous2Spiritual

Ranthambore Chronicles: The royal orange Ranthambore morning

This summer, our destination was to explore the wilderness of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The official game reserve of the various Royal's of Jaipur (Chauhans and the likes) until India attained its independence.

Our first few moments that introduced us to this heritage laden national park

The expedition began with most amazing warm orange sunrise that contrasted against the scanty yet dense foliage of thorny plants and huge mountain ranges at a distance. Not a single cloud in sight; just a clear orange skyscape that had only one large dominant golden globe- the hot summer sun, staring down at us and making its heat evident with every passing moment.

View of the Park from the National Highway at 5:45AM

The Main Gate which opens access to the Park for zones 1 to 5.

Cool forests and winding roads interspersed by stone gates indicates the presence of Royal Heritage that engulfs this park:

Beautiful winding tar roads nestled by reddish brown loose soil invited us to the forest terrains of the Jungle Zone. Clearly cooler than the otherwise barren drive up to the main gate of the Park, the heat continued to overwhelm us with its harsh dry warm whiff  that touched our skin and left us quiet uncomfortable for a while.

 
Cooler roads invite us deeper into the jungle.

Obvious historic relics keep us busy while we just can't seem to stop admiring the blend of man and wild.

With this panorama unfolding before our eyes we continue our journey into the next 3 days filled with excitement, awe and bewilderment of the beauty of this Royal UNESCO Heritage Site called Ranthambore National Reserve lined along the picturesque Ranthambore Fort in a small town called Sawai Madhopur.

More on #Ranthambore in the following few blog posts.

• Ranthambore Chronicles: Peacock blues amidst the rustic hues
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Zone-3 is all about mystic ruins, water bodies and the wild.
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Meeting Krishna and her 3 cubs
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Trailing Krishna till the Rajbaugh ruins

Xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual

Farmers' Market came to town!

Its not that often for a Farmers' Market to come to a Suburban locality like mine. And when it does, we don't miss!

Last Sunday was exactly one of those beautiful summer mornings. My Son's school closed for the long summer break and there was no better way than to begin the holidays with the Farmers' Market. Though a hot and humid day, we spent a lot of time enjoying the open air under thatched roofs that saved us from the direct sun and the sweet flavorful fresh sugarcane juice.

The market was flooded with fresh farm produce and household products. There were fashion products woven from natural material and a whole lot of activities with potters, eco-planting kits and fanfare to add to the fun elements of the fair.

Not to mention, the neighborhood added to the festive feel. Lots of chit-chat on cane beds placed under the shade of large Gulmohor trees and make-shift swings added to the rustic festivities.

Here are some captures of this fun day with the family at the Farmers' Market.

We were perfectly timed for breakfast and what better than feast on freshly made sumptuous Indian grub!

Coconut water was available in abundance. The natural thirst quenchers.

Fresh juicy fruits that one just couldn't have missed!

The mouth watering farm fresh vegetables. They always have such a distinct flavor and taste.

The farmers ensured they stock up lentils at the sale...

So the next stop was obvious. It was time for condiment shopping. Fresh tamarind, onion, ginger and garlic all stacked up around the corner.

Farmers market without honey is not a market at all! :)

The grapes were worth its weight!

Beautiful terracotta art being taught by a fine artist.

Some more cooler terracotta indulgences- mishti doi (sweet curd) in a bhadh (clay pot). Unique to the fair and made me want to run back to Kolkatta!

Some greens to encourage the crowd to begin planting a home garden...

The sweetest stall at the fair! The juice was simply the best I have had in years...

The art n craft under the thatched roof!

The little patient hands!

Some home decor ideas...

With so much of action packed in one half of the day we were exhausted and yearning to crash land at home. :)

So we bid adieu to the Farmers' market and its fluttering buntings and wish that there are many more such beautiful experiences packed through our summer break.

Signing off on that fluttering note... :)

Xoxo,
Sensuous2Spiritual

Aam, kola ar chire makha- a delicious summer day snack in the Bengali Household

Early memories of Summer Holidays and visit to Kolkatta (my home-town by birth) are so finely etched in the mind. Time with cousins, lots of pampering and the delicious treat of chire makha every evening before we set out to play.

The mangoes we ate were the little ones from the local market and they were the sweetest smelling ones. The tasty treat was paired with the small yellow bananas and chire (also known as poha OR flattened rice) along with a lavish dash of milk. Frankly, the Mom's were happy and sorted with one such portion going down the kids...the calories were enough to keep one going on like they were loaded with the 'Everyday' battery!!!

I have a 6 year old now and summer is when we follow the same old tradition. Thankfully, this kid has taken to the taste as well! :) The only difference for this one is that he also gobbles slices of mangoes while he has his bowl full of delightful chire makha! :)

Here is a step by step guide to make your portion of chire makha:

Ingredients:
Mango: 1 medium alphonso OR 2 small sweet deshi variety
Banana: 2 elaichi (small ones) bananas
Chire (flattened rice/poha): 1 bowl, rinsed well in drinking water and kept aside for a few minutes.
Milk: 1 cup

Method:
1. Squeeze the mango pulp on the soaked chire (poha/flattened rice).
2. Now mash the bananas and add it to the mango and chire.
3. Pour the milk. Mix all the ingredients together.
4. Serve with cubes of mangoes.

If you wish to, you can substitute milk with curd. This is for the lactose intolerant few. :)

Happy summer holidays!

Pumpkin in a bush. Oh! so often on a village walk...

Strolling along the mud path of the villages of India, encountering numerous pumpkin wines effortlessly climbing various types of supports is more than often; a blind spot.

To me they make exciting subjects for a shoot. Also, I have a vested interest. Almost in all my walks I get lucky, I get to carry the tasty fruit back home! :D

Sharing a few shots from some of my recent escapades with you lovely people.

Did you know: 
Pumpkin flowers make very tasty fritter! A Bengali household delicacy, here is the recipe just for you:

Ingredients

Pumpkin Blossom (Kumro Phool) 8 nos.

Besan (Bengal Gram) 1/2 cup

Maida (All purpose flour) 2 tbsp.

Green chillies, 2 nos., finely chopped

Poppy seeds (Posto) 1 tsp.

Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp.

Asafoetida (Hing), a pinch (optional)

Baking soda, a pinch

Salt as per taste

Water to make the batter

Oil for deep frying

Preparation

Make a smooth thick batter with besan, maida, green chillies, posto, turmeric powder, asafoetida, baking soda and salt.

Heat oil in a wok. Dip each blossom in the batter and put into the hot oil. Fry each side for about 2 minutes or until they are crisp and golden brown in colour.

With a slotted spoon, remove the fritters from the oil and place on a paper towel so that the excess oil gets soaked.

Serve hot with a good brew of tea.

April, the month of prosperity and travel!

Finally the first day of the financial year opens its arms. Many celebrate it as the 'Fools' day but to me it is a day that opens a month full of prosperity (many of us get our bonus pay this month!), fun n frolic!

April is the month when the ripest of Alphonso Mangoes flood the markets. It is a month when the birds twitter around full bloom branches and the month that brings in a lot of travel with the family!

April also brings in the auspicious moment of Akshay Tritiya, a day which is integral for new beginnings in the traditional Indian homes. This year it is being celebrated on 21st April.

With so much to look forward to, here is your copy of the exclusive Sensuous2Spiritual April Calendar.

To download your copy of the April Calendar, please click here.

Wish you a great summer season ahead!

xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual

Rose wine and crystals!

There is something about Rose-wine and crystals that attract me beyond words.

I can work on the decor aesthetics for hours to get that perfect lure in place before we pour the wine into the crystal ware.

It is quiet a romantic set-up and for someone who loves this wine, it just cant get any better!!!

:) Here are some of my shots in getting the decor just right before I slug on the light and berry flavored liquid from my most precious collection of crystal!

Cheers!!! :)