Around the World

I travelled miles, for many a year  I spent a lot in lands afar I’ve gone to see the mountains, The oceans, I’ve been to view But I haven’t seen with these eyes Just two steps from my home lies  On a sheaf of paddy grain A glistening drop of dew

Ahmedabad was a key city which was involved in Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent protests for independence against British rule. It was here that Gandhiji set up his first ashram in 1915 after returning from South Africa. It was named Kochrab Ashram. Two years later the ashram was shifted to what is now known as Old Vadaj.

One of the recommended tourist places to visit on the travel itinerary to Ahmedabad is the Rani Sipri Masjid. The Rani Sipri Masjid (mosque) was built in 1514 A.D. by Rani Sabrai, widow of Sultan Mahmud Shah I Begada, during the reign of Sultan Muzzafar Shah II. The designs with a lot of floral motifs reflect feminine grace and the beautiful, intricate sculptural work has given the mosque the title of 'Masjid-e-Nagina'.&nbsp

Better known as the "Jaali" mosque due to its famous stone latticed carvings in the semi-circular window arches, the Sidi Saeed mosque is located in the heart of the city of Ahmedabad. It is well worth a visit, ideally in the late evening, to see the beautiful play of light as the setting sun's rays hit the windows' latticed carvings. 

Sarkhej Roza, built at the advent of the Sultanate era, is a place of peace and serenity, with people of all faiths visiting it either to simply spend quiet time with their families (when we visited, there were a lot of families with their kids) or to offer prayers for the well-being of their loved ones. Sarkhej Roza is a unique   complex encompassing 34 acres, combining the Persian, Hindu and Jain architectural features to form what is known as "Indo-Saracenic" architectural style.

What's mentioned in the title of this post are three of the items on the menu which you should not miss out on, when dining at Café Trofima restaurant in Mumbai city. When it opened a year ago, the restaurant had a menu which was limited for vegetarians and was predominantly non-vegetarian food. On our second visit today, we were happy to see a much improved menu, both in terms of the menu layout itself (previously it was just a large sheet of thick paper, much like a large pamphlet, frayed at the edges. Now it is a cheery orange and blue one on the inside, albeit a dull brown outside though. There are more options for vegetarians as well. It goes without saying that, a year on, the prices have shot up too!!

Khandela Haveli is a beautiful place to stay in when visiting Jaipur, its beauty inherent in its architectural style which accurately replicates that of the traditional style of Rajasthan's havelis (mansions.) There are more than 20 rooms, including a few suites, each with its own distinctive décor and furnishings.