My Deities

Have you ever noticed that there is a small temple of Lord Hanuman just outside Dadar Central Railway Station? Come out of Dadar (CR) Station from main gate. Immediately turn to left and you will find a temple. Lord Hanuman sitting on his knees and stretching both his hands. The statue is of silver. Yes, all solid silver. This is one of my prime deity. Whenever I reach Bombay (now Mumbai) by train. Since 1977 till this date, whenever I reached Bombay by train, I never proceeded any further without the "darshan" of this statue at this temple. Later on, a statue of Sai Baba is installed in the same temple with Silver Crown et all. I don't know why. But it is there now. Be as it may.

The second one is at Dadar BB! Do you know what is Dadar BB? We used to call and still we do call it Dadar BB. That is the area known as Dadar (West) now. BB is the short form of BBCI…. Bombay Baroda Central Indian Railway. That is known as Western Railway now. We used to call it BBCI. There is one "Kabutarkhana" at Dadar BB market. At that Kabutarkhana, you will find a temple in the middle of the junction of roads. That is the temple of Lord Hanuman. This is my second deity.

The third one is at Matunga. The road which originates from Kings Circle to Matunga Central Railway Station, on the right, there is a complex of temples! That is known as Aasthika Samajam. Within that complex, there are number of deities! Chief of them is Ram, Laxman and Sita. Lord Ganesh. Then you have Guru Vayyur and then all Nakshatras et all! And yes, Ramanjaneya too! I used to visit this Aasthika Samajam every Friday. Now I just go there whenever time permits.

Then you have this "Albela Hanuman". Come from Dadar TT circle towards Wadala side. At the first junction, turn left, immediately you will find the temple. That is Albela Hanuman. My God! This is the deity which sailed us through all exams. At VJTI!!!

Mahalaxmi temple is known to all. I have nothing more to add in respect of this except to say that it is our family deity (kuladevta). So after my engagement, I took my (then would be) wife to Mahalaxmi when we went out for the first time.

And last is………can you believe? There was a small temple having red dome at the top and walls pained in off white…. all in oil paint. The deity inside was fully painted in red. We used to go by BEST bus and get down at Agar Bazar stop and walk little ahead. At the left side, little inside in a 'wadi' there was this temple. Yes, that is Siddhi Vinayak at Prabhadevi. Yes, I used to visit him then. But his temple was too small as compared to what we have today. Today, it is a "sanstahn" !!! That time it was not! It was just an ordinary temple! Bhagwaan ka bhi naseeb hota hain! But there is something in the deity. I mean something in 'Siddhi Vinayak'. Even if it was a small temple, the feeling inside was different. Strange divine feeling used to raise in mind. I donated part of my first salary to this temple.

Today's vacation blues......... enter in the old walled city of Aurangabad of the era prior to year 1707 AD on your scooter......(caution: with wify on the back seat) and then hunt for the authentic Brass utensils of old Mughal fashion which can cook the authentic Murg Biryani with same age old technique......find them and purchase them instantly..... of course with HER approval ..........and then enjoy the authentic Mughlai Murg Biryani at home in the evening :) Kaun kehta hain......Dastrakhwan par Mughlai khana nahi raha? :) All are invited.........of course with HER prior approval :)

Satyamev Jayate and Kaksparsh

Memorable Sunday coming to end. Watched the serial "Satyamev Jayate" by Amir Khan at 11.00 am on Doordarshan. In the afternoon, went to see "Kaksparsh" a fantastically superb Marathi movie by Mahesh Manjrekar. I would say, both the shows focused on two different but grave problems of our society which pertain to women. Rather, the plight of women in those situations; which are projected there. I was shaken by the serial as well as the movie. The social structure as shown in the movie no longer exist in Maharashtra, but the central theme is still applicable. The message is loud and clear. Every one must watch the movie and if possible now, the episode of the serial.  

Taxing Times!!! :)

It is no less than 'torture' to receive notices to attend so many matters on Saturday before vacation............when you are dreaming about your plans for one full month of  vacation......you receive notices on E-mail saying that you are required to argue this many matters............and that too on Saturdays! It's really too much and 'taxing'! No matter that the matters are relating to taxes! :) (PS : Why the Saturdays just before vacation are working Saturdays? (when almost ALL Saturdays of the year are holidays?) :) Compensation? :)))

Zohra Sehgal

Zohra Sehgal .....completing 100 years of her life today! My respects to the most naughty woman of Indian Theater............I heard so may stories about her during my innumerable jaunts to Dilli .......in particular to SSP (Sujan Singh Park), Khan Market and Lodi Gardens. Witness of pre-independence era and witness to innumerable partition stories..........she is a living legend. Once gain.......respects to Zohra ji..........may you live long.

Jumma.........the bliss......:)

Jumma.........the bliss in city like Aurangabad......I never miss the Jumme ki shaam in the old walled city, whenever I am in Aurangabad on Jumma.......the aroma of traditional Itter ki Biryani all over........ filled in huge "Degs" added with carts and carts of Anda Bhurji/Omlette Paav Spots......mixed with the new phenomenon of Tawa Spots which are essentially various Chinese preparations modified for Indian taste buds :) If compared with the authentic Chinese preparations I tasted in country like Mauritius or in city like Kolkata. The Chinese will run away if asked to try this one!!! The Tawa Spots are purely Indian tastes served in the guise of Chinese food! But......... even then I accepted it because it really tastes fantastic!  Riot of garlic and onions in most of the preparations! Banged with cotton seed oil (Kardi ka tel) which is typical of Deccan (read Aurangabad and Hyderabad). :) To top all this.......there is Aurangabadi Paan..........yet another bliss.......:)))

U la la U la la :)

The grievance yesterday all over the social media was why a National Award wining film can not have national telecast? The legal answer according to me is....well....firstly we do NOT have clear definition of what is A, U/A, U and blah blah certification yet! The film has A certification..........now when entering inside the cinema hall, you need to produce proof of your age, if asked, to view a film certified as A, and then..... if it is aired on national or international channels............then??????? Who and How do you verify the age of the viewer??? The law is grey more than black and white sometimes :) Think on these lines. You will feel happy! U la la U la la............LOL..........

Mumbai in my mind

Mumbai....even today, in my mind, is limited from Colaba to Mahim and Ballard Pier to Sion only..........and not beyond. Because I was essentially a Matunga-Dadar guy for good number of years. Bandra, Andheri, Goregaon and Thane were the local stations where you get down from train only to watch movies when the tickets were not available in any talkies in Mumbai...........Today??? Well, the whole concept and geography has changed!!! The movies are available on your TV screen right in your home. No matter where you live! Technology..........you should only know.... how to use it!

Chicken Baida Rolls

What is known today as Chicken Baida Rolls.....are all together different in Mumbai, Aurangabad and Dilli. In Mumbai....though it tastes good, it is mechanical. There are joints in Mahim and Colaba. But to be honest, they all are just mechanical. Routine. In Aurangabad......the truly Mughlai city even today......it gives the taste of Jannat.... yes, just heavenly......the secret lies in the herbs which are added in it. And the herbs are available.... luckily even today....... in the mountains of Ajanta and Ellora......the traditional Mughal era route to Dilli from Deccan. In Dilli.....the authentic ones are available even today.....only at Urdu Bazaar, (opp. Red Fort). Above all, the purpose of writing all this is that, I found the authentic ones with herbs et all today in Aurangabad itself.............and just half a kilometer away from my home!!! There is this old Urdu saying....though it is in respect of a girl, I can't resist quoting it for these rolls "jisko dhund rahe the gali gali........woh makaan ke pichwade nikli" :)))

Samosa

Samosa......the great Indian snack.....seamlessly adopted throughout India except in South. When inserted in your mouth by yourself via pudina and then in imli chutny......it creates ripples inside. In Mumbai, in mid 1980's, it was divided, as Patti Ka Samosa and Punjabi Samosa. Of course, for ppl like me, patti ka samosa was the ultimate word. In the months of winter, patti ka samosa filled with fresh green peas and aaloo with sumptuous secret masalas or finely minced mutton kheema mixed with fresh green peas and occasional aaloo with secret masalas, was the sight and feeling of heaven! Just imagine, early morning cool breeze of humid Mumbai and patti ka creaspy samosa.....with riot of chutniys....topped with masala chai with still warm paav fresh from  bakery! The simple remembrance is just divine even today!

Kadak Paav of Mumbai

Holi-day adventure, which can be performed on any other holiday when in Mumbai. Sincerely work through whole day at your study table. Wait till 5 pm. At 5 go down to the bakery at the corner and stand in the Q. Relish your eyes on the view of hot soft as well as crispy paav being taken out of the furnace and put into the cane basket. Crispy Paav are in fact called a s Kadak Paav in Mumbai's lingo. The are crispy (Kadak) outside and very soft inside. At your turn, buy crispy repeat crispy paav. Don’t commit the mistake of buying soft paav, which are soft all in and out. Now run back to home. As soon as you reach back, open the paav half way by your fingers and apply 'permissible' amount of Mumbai’s most popular brand butter. Permissible is the right word because remember-you are at home J. Wait for few seconds to allow the butter to percolate deep inside the paav. Now close your eyes, open your mouth and take the first bite of warm paav…..go on and on….. till the last one. The interval of time between first and last byte is called as moments of instant Nirvana. Aamen! J All those who are interested in such Nirvana are cordially invited. Only pre-condition : obtain appropriate “permissions” before coming. J

Jumma........and emotions!

Jumma....nay....Jumme ki shaam....tonight in Aurangabad. Jumme ki shaam in Aurangabad and Mumbai are two different but unique experiences. Jumme ki shaam in Aurangabad is an 'experience' by itself! Roaming in old city on my old scooter and becoming nostalgic about all the things aged old....the 52 gates and 52 "puras"........yes! in fact "aged" old city I mean to say ..........that brings tears in my eyes. My life divided between Mumbai and Aurangabad makes me more and more emotional about the old city of Aurangabad and Mumbai too. The city where I really belong to....and the other city I emotionally belong to....I would not name them in any manner whatsoever.....in either way or in any way..... Because that is very very difficult!!! Almost impossible; I would say!!!

Our Weekend Spots

And now shooting of the film "Ajanta" has commenced at Ajanta valley starring Sonali Kulkarni playing the role of Paro and one foreign actor playing the role of the British Colonel. Exactly at the spot from where you can view the astonishing view of whole of Ajanta caves as a horse shoe. The relatively unexplored spot enjoyed by me, my wife and kids since 1997 i.e. the year when we bought our first car and hence could frequent that relatively unknown view point. Only last week, shooting of another film commenced near Daulatabad Fort starring Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor at the lake which is our fav. weekend spot for years. I have even posted several pictures of myself and my family at that spot on orkut/facebook since years. The moral of the story : Bollywood NOW realized the beauty of our age old weekend spots!!! :) Amen!!! :)

In fact, the Ajanta valley.........which my mother liked so much.....but was unable to visit often because we did not have a car for long. When I bought a car for the first time in family in 1997, she was the person who enjoyed the most of Ajanta Valley making me drive her down there on many weekends. Missing you mom now.....I lost her about 10 years ago in March, 2002.