Ajmer: Unique in Every Sense

Visiting Ajmer has been one of the most cherished wishes of my heart. The historic and revered shrine of the blessed Sufi saint Hazrath Moinuddin Chishti has proved to be my touchstone through various ups and downs of my life. So, when I finally got to see the city, it was amazing in every way.

Drive: My family travelled to the blessed city by train. It was an overnight journey but hassle free on the whole. But the other means of travel too are very well maintained and comfortable. I personally recommend a trip through the road meandering the hillock connecting Ajmer to Pushkar. It is an experience in its own. With the airport also getting ready to commence come 2016, it promises easy access to foreigners and the busybodies. But if you would ask me what drives this enigmatic city, I would say its the very air it holds, the people it shelters, and the aura of piety it exudes. Words can't define the hospitality and love the city offers. Suffice it to say, the city is rightly nicknamed as The City enveloping

Design: Its very appearance inspires regality and peace. Every fort, archway, monument and ensemble speak of the various kings and thrones the city honoured through centuries, and the place of pride it enjoyed during their reigns. Even nature has cradled it with love by enveloping it in the bosom of the Aravalli hills and the bank of the artificial lake Anasagar. The massive rocks of Nagpathar range that protect it from the Thar desert are a marvel on their own. But it's the meandering roads of the city, the impressive development of civilization, and the lore of the local folks that actually captured my heart. It makes you forget every bane of your life. And the energy and calm that embraces you at the Blessed Sufi's shrine, and the Taragarh hills' fort actually transport you to a different plane. It feels like a threshold of miracles and answers.

Connect: Art, Architecture, Adaption, Culture, Education, Geography, History, Science, Religion, Tradition, you ask for it, and it has it. Like the beautiful intricate patterns in its heritage sites, the manner the city is connected to every aspect of humanity, civilization and timelessness... It leaves you spellbound. Situated very conveniently midway between Mumbai and Delhi on the Golden Quadrilateral National Highway, Closely and comfortably connected to other cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Pushkar, and an important base point for pilgrimages, tourism and archaeological research; trust me,

I've never seen another city so blessed in every way, every aspect and every sense of the word. I thank #madeofgreat campaign initiated by Tata motors, for this prompt which allowed me to share my experience with others.

To find out more about the campaign visit http://www.madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

Bats in my home town

With the rain finally holding up, and the rain clouds abating, sun finally shone through the winter mist driving away gloom, chill and distress.

It was the perfect day to venture outdoor for some sunshine, cheer and shopping. But on my way back I witnessed something that rendered the air a rather spooky feeling and had me transported to the world of Twilight Saga.

It was about an half hour before dusk. Just a block away from my home, I looked up to see some birds return to their home in flocks as usual. And lo! What should I behold? A Bat was looming a dozen or so feet right above my head.

I'm dead sure it was the nocturnal creature. For who can mistake a Bat's wings. It seemed to travel east with two ravens, but never have I seen a Bat so close before. Plus,there are notorious for their hideous nature, their dark and damp living conditions, and being out only after dark.

So seeing them in falling daylight and for the first time in my town left me unsettled. Was my town now attracting blood thirsty vermins? Has the incessant rain of a fortnight dampened our conditions so? God! Help us!

And just as I was ready to shake my head of these disturbing thoughts, for what else can I do?, I saw another smaller Bat circling the sky lazily. How was I to ignore it again?

I had to only turn around the corner and face the horizon. There right before my eyes, even as sun set calmly behind me, the full moon loomed eerily in the sky- a deep bloodshot red, and looking sinister and brooding.

Isn't it how vampire colonies, haunted houses and evil grounds depicted in movies and novels?