Behind closed doors & windows…

July 13, 2017July 13, 2017Leave a comment

I was just browsing through my photo gallery and realized there are so many different themes that I haven’t really focused on like I used to do before. So from now on, I’m going to make this a monthly post. Ill share with you all the pictures from my several trips, keeping a particular theme in mind. Hope you enjoy it!

For this month, my theme is doors and windows. During my recent trip to Rajasthan, I almost went crazy taking pictures of so many artistic doors and windows. Somehow, they have always fascinated me. A door and window could mean so many different things – A home. A beginning. An ending. A hope. A dream. An opportunity. A new adventure. Behind every door and window, there is a story…A story that gives you a glimpse into another persons life. And that’s what piques my interest. I love the fact that when you encounter a door or window, you begin to guess what could possibly be happening in there – is it a home with laughter and love or one with an array of secrets and mysteries you’ll probably never know!

So here’s a mini photo story. If you have any pictures, don’t forget to tag me (Instagram: @thatfoodie_chick or #ThatFoodieChick) 🙂

Happiness often sneaks in through a window you didn’t know you left open.

Every window tells a different tale.

He who is outside his door has the hardest part of his journey behind him.

Live simply…so others may simply live.

If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.

May your choices reflect your hopes. Not your fears.

You are the window through which you must see and observe the world.

If you don’t go through life with an open mind, you will find a lot of closed doors.

Stop looking at the walls. Look out the window. There’s a world out there that’s waiting for you.

The doors we open and close each day, decide the lives we live.

Maybe a reason why all windows are closed is so you open the ones that lead to happiness.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi

September 5, 2016November 10, 2016Leave a comment

Chef Ganesha

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most admired festivals in India. People eagerly wait for the merriments to begin as it is celebrated all over the country with fervor and excitement, especially in the state of Maharashtra. It is also celebrated in places outside India, which have a fair share of Hindu population.

According to Hindu Mythology, it is believed that Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati was born on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the lunar month. This is why the sacred festival of Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of the elephant-headed god and is celebrated by devotees on a grand scale all over. Known popularly as the god of wisdom and prosperity, he is widely worshipped as Vigneshwara, the remover of obstacles. Revered as the deity of happiness, his blessings are invoked at all religious ceremonies or at the beginning of any auspicious work.

Ganesh idol (3).jpg

Preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi begin a few months in advance when people start cleaning their houses to welcome the benevolent deity. Local craftsmen get busy creating idols of the lord in different shapes and sizes. Marquees or pandals are erected on brightly lit streets so that worshipers can make offerings and seek blessings.

On the day of the festival, life-sized idols adorn the streets while some idols are brought into houses and installed for a period of one and half, three, five, seven, ten or twelve days. Whatever may be the period; each idol is decorated with colourful garlands and jewelry and is worshipped with special prayers – morning and night. Piles of fruits and sweets especially modaks – an Indian sweet prepared using rice or flour with jaggery, coconut and dry fruits are offered to the lord along with other delicacies.

Ganesh idol at home

Celebrations continue with pomp and enthusiasm until the day of the visarjan when the idol is taken to a large water body for immersion. A long procession takes place where people dance, sing and celebrate on the streets. Once the idol reaches the lake, river, or sea, it is ceremoniously immersed in the water with cries of ‘Ganpati Bappa Moriya, Pudchya Varshi Lavakarya.’ (O Lord Ganpati, please come again next year).

Lalbaugcha Raja (2)

Ganesh idol at home

Ganesh idol (4)

*All photographs belong to That Foodie Chick

My Special Chabbis

February 3, 2016February 7, 20162 Comments

Since it’s my #SpecialChabbis today, I decided to list down 26 life lessons I’ve learned in 26 years. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Here’s to growing yet another year older by age but a year younger at heart.

1) Life’s too short to be taken seriously. Breathe. Have fun. Smileeeee! In fact smile a lot. Because there’s so much to smile about.

2) Eat good food. Because good food = good mood!

3) Travel…As far as you can for as long as you can. There is no better way to experience life.

4) Do what you love most and you will always be happy.

5) Take that leap of faith. If not now, then when?

6) No matter how many times you fail, don’t give up! Keep trying harder.

7) You know that thing they say about ‘quarter-life crisis?’ It’s for real! As you grow older, you realize not everything (rather nothing) makes sense. You question everything and hope to get an answer. You don’t know whom or what to trust anymore because everything feels different and strange. But that’s okay. Life has a way of figuring itself out. All you got to do is, hold on and trust the process.

8) Live in the moment. Nobody knows what’s in store for tomorrow. Stop planning your life and trust the life that has already been planned for you.

9) Everything happens for a reason. Yes, sometimes bad things happen to good people and its unfair but there’s always a reason behind it. Learn from it.

10) Sometimes no matter how much you want something, you won’t get it when you really want it. You’ll probably get it when you least expect it.

11) Life is one big leveler. What goes around ALWAYS comes back around!

12) In life, you will meet two kinds of people. Ones who build you up and ones that tear you down. But in the end, you’ll thank them both.

13) Things change. People change. Nothing lasts forever. And there’s nothing you can do about it. So stop whining.

14) The person you least expect from will surprise you and the person you expect most from will hurt you. That’s just the way it is. Deal with it!

15) Be yourself. The world is already filled with people trying to be who they’re not.

16) Make bad decisions. It helps you realize what you truly want and make better decisions later.

17) Don’t judge people. They’re all trying to figure it out…Just like you are.

18) You can’t change or undo your past. So let it go and start afresh.

19) Don’t always believe what you hear or see. No one’s life is as cool as it looks on Instagram or Facebook. Believe what you feel. And when in doubt, ask your heart! It always knows what’s best for you.

20) Your family is your constant cheerleader – no matter what you do, they’ll always be there to support you. Whether you’re happy, sad, angry, grumpy, moody, excited, they’re the ones who never give up on you.

21) Your friends are your true partners in crime. They’re the ones who make you smile a whole lot more when the world comes crashing down.

22) Get Inspired. There’s inspiration even in little things.

23) Make bucket lists. They act as a constant reminder to do things you’ve always wanted to do.

24) Love yourself…. Now & Forever!

25) Face your fears. Head on.

26) Be thankful. Because the more thankful you are for what you have, the more you’ll have to be thankful for 🙂

No Music – No Life…Know Music – Know Life

June 11, 20151 Comment

When words fail, music speaks

I live my dreams in music

Music is what feelings sound like

Music is the universal language of mankind

Lose yourself in the music

Lessons in Photography – Polka Cafe

June 9, 2015May 29, 2017Leave a comment

Lessons in Photography – Polka Cafe

Photography is all about exploring, experimenting and experiencing. My tryst with photography started in 2012 when I was gifted my first DSLR – a Canon 550D. Ever since I started clicking, there’s been no looking back. Every shoot has taught me something new about places, people, cultures and attitudes while every picture has made me learn from my mistakes and challenged me to capture better shots in the future. I have also interacted with individuals from all walks of life and realized that people who you least expect from are usually the most helpful ones.

I could probably go on and on about the things I have learnt ever since I’ve fallen in love with photography. However, listed below are five important lessons that I would like to share with you.

1) Do what you love – love what you do:
Like Confucius said, ‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’ Don’t waste your life doing something to gain that extra buck if you don’t enjoy it. Instead, do something that makes you happy – money and fame will follow

2) Observe – There’s beauty in everything:
‘When you start to change the way you see things, the things you see start to change.’ – Wayne Dyer. Stop doing whatever you’re doing and observe what’s around you. You will realize that there’s beauty in every little thing you see

3) Face your fears:
Always remember – Miracles happen when you least expect it. If you truly believe in something, don’t give up, no matter what. Fear usually makes us weak and makes us lose hope if something doesn’t turn out as expected. But it’s important to face your fears headfirst and have faith in yourself

4) Be curious:
Curiosity makes you learn. It leaves you with an urge to know more about things which is extremely helpful in every field. Knowledge never goes to waste and hence being curious is important

5) Think big:
Sky is never the limit for your thoughts. Always think big and keep dreaming. This will motivate you to wake up everyday and work towards your dream.

Photo Diaries: Benares

April 23, 2015April 23, 2015Leave a comment

“Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together ” – Mark Twain

Benares also known as Varanasi and Kashi is the oldest city in the world that dates back to over 3000 years. It is the most popular pilgrimage for Hindus, also famous for its temples. In Hinduism, it is believed that those who die or are cremated here attain Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The city is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva and is situated on the banks of the holy River Ganges which is known to have the power to wash away all of one’s sins.

Spiritual Yatra, founded by Ms. Sarita Nair, an avid-traveler and explorer of spiritual destinations has tapped over 750 spiritual destinations across India. She not only highly recommends a pilgrimage to Benares but also guarantees it will be a journey that will remain etched in your memory for a lifetime.