Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors! #127 - Old Town, Patiala, Punjab, India - May 5, 2014

During one of my visits to India, I had the great pleasure of accompanying
my beloved friend and forensic nurse mentor, Virginia Lynch, to Patiala, Punjab,
India where we were the guests of Dr. Rakesh Gorea and his wonderful family.
It was such a special five day visit and I felt so sad to leave.  The following year,
I took the overnight train to Chandigarh, where they had moved, for another 
visit.  The Goreas are the ultimate in Indian hospitality and made me feel like 
family.  I hope, one day, I will be able to see them again.

Patiala is in the Punjab in northern India.  It was formerly the capital of a princely 
Sikh state until it lapsed in 1948.  Patiala is famous for its turbans, Patiala pants
( salwar pants for women which are quite voluminous ), paranda ( tassels used
for braiding hair ), jutti ( footwear common in northern India, often quite elegantly
beaded, and known as mojiri in Rajasthan ) and the Patiala peg,  quite hefty 
measure of liquor, equivalent to 120 ml.

Old Town of Patiala, has some beautiful architecture, with windows and doorways,
most exotic in nature.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patiala
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jutti
http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/other-historical-places/punjab/patiala
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patiala_Peg

Our World Tuesday: Week 99 - Scenes from Old Town, Patiala, Punjab, India

Patiala is the third largest city in southeastern Punjab in northern India.  "Royalty 
is still considered as cultural and political icons in Patiala". His Highness 
Maharajadhiraj Captain Amarinder Singh, Mahendra Bahudur heads the royal
house at the present time.

 Patiala is also famous for its traditional turban, its "patiala pants" - rather 
voluminous women's pants, the paranda - used for braiding hair, shoes 
known as juttis which are often made of very colorful thread, and the Patiala
peg -  a measure of liquor popular in Indian Punjab. It is a volume roughly 
equivalent to 120ml, though the rough and ready measure is the amount of 
liquor needed to fill a glass equal to the height between the index and little 
fingers when they are held parallel to one another. The name originates from 
the city of Patiala in Indian Punjab, and is about 50% larger than a normal 
shot glass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patiala

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patiala_peg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jutti

My "Our World Tuesday" photos were taken in Patiala's Old Town which was
like stepping back into India's past.

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Mellow Yellow Monday #186 - Yellow Swan - August 13, 2013

Though it is definitely below its usual water level because of the deficiency
in rainfall from this year's monsoons, Chandigarh's Lake Sukhna, at the
foothills of the Himalayas, is a delight for young and old alike.  Yesterday,
paddleboats were out until after sunset.  One of my favorites was this
yellow swan.

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Camera Critters #218 - Peacocks - June 9, 2012

The peacock is the national bird of India.  I saw quite a number of monkeys, large

numbers of cows, and occasional camels and elephants.  I was always on the 

lookout for peacocks.  When my friend, Virginia Lynch, came to India, we went 

to Punjab University in Patiala where she had spent six months on a Fulbright 

Scholarship.  She told me, at about 5PM every evening, there was an area on 

campus where peacocks gathered.  I was anxious to see this.  For whatever 

reason, the day we were there, they decided to disappoint us.  Of course, we

couldn't remain until exactly 5PM and they may be birds who are quite rigid in 

their habits.  Only a few strolled by, rather drab peahens, bound for the same 

tree, in which nested  two males, their bright plumage folded.  So much for

India's national bird!!!

The Peacock

The national bird of India,
You strut with regal airs,
In terms of utter beauty,
No other one compares!

Your crown of brilliant blue,
Befits your splendid train,
Which you open to its fullest,
With a sense of great disdain.

Shimmering eyes peruse,
From the feathers of your tail,
With your train in full display,
You let out a piercing wail.

The courtship has begun,
You begin to sway and prance,
In hopes of enticing,
A peahen with your dance

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2007 by Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved. 

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Scenic Sunday - Sunset in New Delhi, India - April 29, 2012

Our day in New Delhi ended with a auto rickshaw ride around the government

buildings as the sun was setting.  It was lovely as it was Sunday and there was

minimal traffic and we had enjoyed a wonderful brunch at the Imperial Hotel.

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Camera Critters #211 - Cat On a Hot Tin Roof - April 21, 2012

During my recent visit to Patiala, Punjab, India, I looked out the front window
where I was staying and saw a neighbor's cat, enjoying the warm sun on the
roof of the family vehicle.  He didn't seem to enjoy my intrusion.

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Watery Wednesday Meme, #174 - Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, Patiala, Punjab, India - February 22, 2012

This Gudwara, which was once in the town of Lehal, is now part of
Patiala city.  It was visited by Guru Tegh Bahadur on January 24, 1672
who sat under a banyan tree by the side of a pond and prayed for the 
inhabitants of the village who had been suffering from a long and mysterious
illness.  When they, amazingly recovered, people began to believe in the
healing properties of the water and a shrine was erected there.  The 
Gudwara was named  Dukh Nivaran, which means "eradicator of suffering".


Devotees bathe in the pool in hopes of healing from illness.

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