"हे देवा दिली हाक उद्धार कराया
आभाळाची छाया तुझी, समिंदराची माया"

The eleven day long divine atmosphere experienced during the period of Ganesh Utsav in Mumbai cannot be matched. People dancing with joy, thronging pandals and soaking in the festive fun is a common sight in the entire city. The eye catching streets glimmer with bright lights and the whiff of fragrant flowers bring a warm smile on every individual's face. Being a Ganesh bhakt and self confessed fan of visiting different pandals to catch a glimpse of my favourite god in different forms, I always carry my camera along. The pandal hopping session began with Lalbaugcha Raja aka Market cha Ganpati in Lalbaug (currently in it's 81st year), one of the oldest and most revered pandals in the city. Right from the masses to the celebrity folks, no one can get enough of this adorable idol with beautiful eyes and super cute cheeks.


Various citizens run, push and jump in the crowd, only to catch a glimpse of him. They carry flowers and coconuts, asking the king to fulfill their wishes. But the lord, unperturbed by the hullabaloo around him, is calm and composed. His smile, which makes him look adorable as ever, stays on. Never mind the hundreds of volunteers who scream "Pudhe chala" at the top of their voice, the benevolent Raja keeps an eye on all his bhaktas and listens to them patiently.
Glimpses of our special meeting with the Raja.

That's when my camera plays an important role. These pictures are captured using a Canon rebel T2i. 

Hope you liked the pictures! Do you have any favourites?

Let me know via comments, tweet or an email!

Summer vacations have started and I can see a zillion families who have come to Mumbai for a holiday. When I go somewhere, I make a list of places to see and most importantly, I always jot down a list of must buy items in my diary. After all, every city/village or country have markets which sell traditional items, be it food items, accessories or apparel. Even if it's not traditional, I make sure I pick up something as a souvenir. Like during my last trip to Konkan, I picked up tons of wooden toys and accessories from Sawantwadi.

When people visit Mumbai, they want to visit the Gateway of India, take a horse ride outside Taj Mahal palace and towers and pray before the beautiful Siddhivinayak idol in Prabhadevi.

But, do they have a shopping trip in mind too? If yes, then this list will help you to decide which place you should head to for some good, really cheap items.

    Bandra (Linking Road) – It’s called the ‘Haven’ for footwear lovers! The entire stretch near

              National College has tons of shops that sell chappals in all shapes, sizes and colours. You can buy Osho's, Ballet flats, Mojris etc. Also, you will find street side shops that sell bags and t-shirts for cheap. Get down near the National College signal to get some real, street shopping experience.

Crawford Market - Another popular shopping destination in SoBo, you will find travel bags and school bags at good discount. Pick up some healthy fruits from the market, especially mangoes. Visit Beauty Centre if you are looking at stocking up on some beauty favourites and then, walk towards Lohar Chawl to buy lights, lamps or knick knacks. Also, check out the amazing variety of fabrics and ready made garments available at Mangaldas market nearby. For the hungry soul, a stop over at Badshah for their amazing Kulfi and Falooda is a must.

Fashion Street - Located in the heart of Churchgate, this is another favorite with college students and  shopaholics. From thrifted jackets to graphic tees and even fancy footwear, these guys stock up on everything. With an entire stretch, starting from the Old VSNL building to Metro cinema, dedicated to apparel and accessory stalls; you have a lot to choose from. Don't forget to bargain! There are a few stalls that have got labels like Asos, Topman and even H&M. You just need a little bit of patience and luck.