Day 123 | May 03 2007 | Sunset at 10000 feet

To me, that sight looks likes the gates of heaven.. This is the first time I watched a sunset through a plane, from above the clouds, and it was mind blowing! Clicked while flying back from Pune to Bangalore.

Day 122 | May 02 2007 | Jai Jawan !

Thats a soldiers monument outside the Southern Command HQ - Pune. A symbol of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan', meaning 'praise the soldier, praise the farmer'. A popular slogan during the Indian Independence movement.

Day 121 | May 01 2007 | Pune @ Night

Thats the view of Kothrud, Asia's fastest growing suburb in Pune city. Visible far away, is Pune's famous Chandani chowk area.

This was photographed from a 12th floor penthouse terrace. It was a warm night, and the visibility was very good, capturing the far away details.

Day 120 | April 30 2007 | Holy Stuff

Bhimashankar, a popular religious picnic spot, is only 130 Km away from Pune. It is home to an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, housing one of the twelve esteemed Jyotirlinga shrines. The temple area is a very typical one with small shacks selling holy stuff, snacks and mementos. This pic is of one such shop full of holy stuff. In focus are a lot of 'Aum' lockets to be worn around ones neck.

Day 119 | April 29 2007 | Celebrations with Champagne

Traveling from Pune to a weekend getaway, my family and I passed by through Narayangao. This is the astronomically important place hosting India's ambitious GMRT project, the world's largest radio telescope at metre wavelengths.

Narayangao also is a host to Chateau Indage Estate Vineyards, which produces and exports internationally, world class wines and champagnes. Now thats India Shining! For a small fee, visitors are allowed to see the wine making process and a wine tasting session.

Thats the 'Marquise De Pompadour' Champagne, we were having to celebrate. Cheers!

Day 118 | April 28 2007 | Superbikes for sale

Its a dream come true for many Puneites.. Finally a shop selling imported superbikes, and motorcycle gear. The owner say he is just making the stuff 'available', nothing more. Just walk in, select you bike or gear, pay and get the stuff, and score cool points. The shop is situated between Pune's MG Road and East street, behind Marz-O-Rin. The two beauties in shops window are from Honda, Japan. Can any one identify them?

Day 117 | April 27 2007 | Burger King's Jumbo Chicken

Does that sight bring water to your mouth? Do you feel like grabbing it and having a big bite... Well.. I do, always, cos thats the Jumbo Chicken made by Pune's very famous Burger King joint. One Jumbo, and a meal is done, one can hardly eat anything more (but then there are exceptions :).

This one was taken at Burger King at the end of East Street. The other joint is at Koregaon, just a few min from Osho Commune.

Day 116 | April 26 2007 | Chandani Chowk - Pune

Thats the view of speeding vehicles on the highway below, from Pune's Chandani Chowk. Joining Kothrud, NDA road, Pirangut Industrial area and Aundh, Chandani Chowk is Pune's famous hangout night spot. A host to more than 20 joints, hotels and specialty restaurants with great food, service and exotic names like 'Up and Above', 'Khana Peena Jeena', its a place for a lot of late night action.

Day 115 | April 25 2007 | Around Pune - Bandhani Seller

Bandhani work are hand made patterns on cloth, made by tie and dye. 'Bandh' means to tie in Marathi language. The colored patterns on the cloth are made by tying small knots on the cloth, spread out in desired patters. After the tied up cloth is ready, its dipped in color/dye of choice. After drying up, the knots are opened to reveal the unpainted areas. And now what we have is a Bandhani patterned cloth ready. Originating from the historical Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, this is now widely available all across India.

Thats a Gujarathi Bandhani seller displaying these beautiful dress materials in his road side shop near Tulshibaug Pune; the old city shopping hub.

Day 22 | Jan 22 2007 | Sale !

A middle aged woman and her young son, selling their wares on Pune's MG Road (also called as Camp area). Buying from hawkers on the road is a good idea, as it does not pinch your pocket; Your bargaining skills will decide the price you buy the goods for.

Day 20 | Jan 20 2007 | Sunset at Dapoli

Sunsets are beautiful to watch, especially on a beach, with your loved ones. This one was taken on Dapoli's Karde beach, Konkan, west coast of India. Dapoli is a 4hr drive from Pune.

Although this is a typical picture of a sunset on a beach, I love the colors and the mood.

Day 19 | Jan 19 2007 | Sit, Relax and Read

This is a common sight all over Maharashtra state, India, and particularly in Pune city. An oasis in the busy bustling IT city, where any one can sit and read. Choice of reading is mostly limited to the days newspapers. You can find all the city newspapers here to read - free. Its a haven mostly for senior citizens, unemployed youth, and anyone with some time to spare.

These places are mostly sponsored and maintained by local political parties, and in some cases even the local municipality. So sit here, relax, chit-chat and read !

Day 17 | Jan 17 2007 | Bangle Shop

Hard days work - Bangle seller.
Diamonds are a girls best friends they say. But in India, not all can afford such costly jewels. Here come bangles to the rescue of womenfolk, a very Indian traditional jewelery. Worn by a lot of women in India, despite of their age, religion or social standing. The colour of the bangles are symbolic; Green for fertility, Red for Life. Colourful the merrier, more the better.

This particular shop deep inside Pune city sells only glass bangles. They come in all colours and sizes. Price - Rs.1 to Rs.12 a pair. This old lady selling the bangles had the zest of a young girl and was no less than any hi-fi sales person in a big showroom or a mall to show all that the buyer wanted.

Day 16 | Jan 16 2007 | Naughty Boys at Sarasbaug

Here are a pair of naughty boys, who had discovered a Pigeons nest, way up on a pedestrian bridge near Sarasbaug park, Pune. They promptly rounded up a gang of friends, who helped them capture the Pigeon, with its unhatched egg. On asking them what they were going to do with it, they said they will add this Pigeon to their existing Pigeon flock. They were very happy to pose for me in front of my lens.

Not many people pet such flocks of homing Pigeons now a days, mostly because of the cost to maintain them. But I remember watching flocks of Pigeons flying near my home, responding to their masters whistle calls.

Day 15 | Jan 15 2007 | Election Time

Its election time here in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. Today is the last date for candidates to file their entries and secure their tickets to contest the elections.

Local leaders will take out such processions, with large number of followers accompanying the leader. Larger the procession, larger is the display of the leaders might. It is well know that some leaders will 'buy' such large number of followers for a procession. This is India, the 'Worlds Largest Democracy'.