When in Manali...

When in Manali - get familiar with local stuff.
Angoora (rabbit wool) shawls. It's possible to see busy looms weaving away if you visit on week-days.
The finest of these shawls can easily pass through a finger-ring, and cost upwards of Rs 80,000.
One of the older factories at KulluThe shop at Naggar palace, where Subhash cheerfully shared secrets of the different varieties of shawls and cautioned "Take care to look for genuine local produce, not bulk items shipped up from factories in the nearest cities"
Another showroom on the way to Manikaran
The traditional headgear Manali native - of late, the sunglasses are part of the costume. Several ladies like Bimla carry a set of costumes including traditional jewellery for couples to try out. (Be wary - rates vary from Rs 10 in the late evenings to Rs 250 to the gullible non-native)We are dismal shoppers, but very happy to watch the items on offer, and gave in to some fascinating palate-ticklers at a cooperative outlet on the main street at Manali.Sun-dried apple - can be used along with other vegetable preparations, we were told.
Apple pickle - once I got over the taste of mustard oil that is a favourite in North India, I didn't mind the mildly sweet flavour.
Lingri pickle - Lingri is a fern variety and is a popular local vegetable. We initially saw only 1/2 kg bottles; at our third visit, the lad finally consented to part with smaller packs.
Handmade jute-and-wool footwear (Rs 60 a pair) Take a leisurely world tour here

Luxurious tresses!

The yak's hair is of much use in Central Asian regions. See the source -




The duster-like Chauri used in Sikh temples (Gurdwaras) is a fan made of yak hair.



View other critters here

Under a white blanket in February - Snow Point, Manali

You still enjoying white winters? or warmer climes?
Here are pictures of my first-ever view of snow brand new!
Finally! Got to see snow in winter. Manali had had the season's heaviest snowfall (about 3 feet) early February, and the road to Solang Valley (14 km from Manali, on the route to spectacular Rohtang Pass), was blocked, nay, jammed. The highest we could reach was Snow Point (that was high enough, thanks!).
Looks as though cotton grows in apple trees in winter?
The snowfall was rather unexpected, and all kinds of vehicles were taken by surprise.


This is where work on a ropeway is underway.My son was keen on making a snowman - he did, too - can you make out the sprawled figure?
Take a world tour by visiting other My World Tuesday Number XVIII posts

Sunbathing in winter

Manali, nestled in the Western Himalayas, 'enjoyed' season's heaviest snowfall early February, a day or two before we reached the town. That's when - just below the lowered snow line - we got to see a lot of winter sunbathers.




Enjoy more creature shots

The Chinar's shade and shades

Weekend Snapshot -
Here are winter and summer shots of a Chinar tree located at a defense base in Srinagar, India

Mandu - Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace)

One of the most prominent medieval sites in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh is the Royal Encalve that dates to the 15th century. Jahaz Mahal (Number 11 in the map of Mandu fort) is a sprawling structure built on a narrow strip of land between two water bodies. Extensive reconstruction is under way, and the place now includes even a children's play area.
The palace is built between the Munj and Kapur water bodies, and its dimensions help in giving the viewer the impression of that of a ship in anchor, hence the name.







There is a modest archeaological museum (Taveli Mahal) which had me wondering why I had school lessons on Spanish Civil War and the American War of Independence instead of soaking up all this medieval glory.

Hindola Mahal (Swinging Palace) - noted for the sloping walls. (Number 9 in the map of Mandu fort)

My World Tuesday Issue XV - For glimpses of more worlds from around the globe, visit That's My World for a rich experience - a real virtual world tour!

Rupmati's abode in Mandu - lessons in history and romance

Mandu is a hill-fort near Dhar in Madhya Pradesh, central India. The hill is a part of the main Deccan plateau, but is separated from the rest of Malwa region by a very deep ravine. This area boasts of not only architectural delights, but also for preserving pre-historic 'records' -dinosaur eggs that were found a few years ago
You'll need lots of time to cover the 48 monuments that are 'on display', dating from medieval times.
One set of structures are the Rewa Kund, Baz Bahadur's palace, and Rani Rupmati's pavilions. (numbers 34, 35, and 36 in the list below).Rewa Kund
Baz Bahadur reigned at Malwa during Akbar's times. Our guide recounted not only the history behind each structure, but also tales of the romance between a poet-prince and his beautiful poet-musician queen Rupmati. We happily only half-listened to the guide's monotone - one is easily mesmerised by the views from Rupmati's pavilions. It was from here that the queen sought daily darshan of the river Narmada in the distance (on clear days the river can be seen winding its way in the plains below).




Views from inside Rupmati's pavilions
DKV has described the spot so well. Read Rupmati Pavilion in Mandu: The most Romantic Spot in India?
My World Tuesday Issue XIV - For glimpses of more worlds from around the globe, visit That's My World for a rich experience - a real virtual world tour!