Picto Diary - 11 December 2019 - Taj Nadesar Palace - Varanasi
Above: Blessed Bishop and flutist. Taj Nadesar Palace Hotel. Varanasi, India. 10 December 2019.
Late breakfast image. Bishop blessed at Ganges bank by Siva priest yesterday, early AM. Breakfast background: Hauntingly ethereal flute melody deepens mood of morning Ganges spiritual experience.
Above: Silk weavers. Mehta's Silk Weaving Center. Varanasi, India. 11 December 2019.
Four days weaving to produce one yard of sari.
Above: Bharat Mata Mandir (file image), Varanasi, India. 11 December 2019.
Bharat Mata Mandir (meaning "Mother India Temple") is located on the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapithcampus in Varanasi, India. Instead of traditional statues of gods and goddesses, this temple has a huge map of undivided India carved in marble. This temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata and claims to be the only one of its kind in the world.
Builder of Bharat Mata Mandir was Shiv Prasad Gupta (28 June 1883 – 24 April 1944), a visionary, philanthropist, a leader of the Indian Freedom Movement and the founder of the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth.
Though belonging to a very wealthy industrialist and "Jamindar" family, he devoted his entire life to actively participate, assist and give financial aid to the various movements of the freedom struggle.
He was a close associate and friend of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya and all the other nationalist leaders, who often stayed with him on their visit to Varanasi and relied upon his advice and support.
Guide Shaly, using a red light laser pointer, adeptly pointed out important India cities and geographical features as we circumnavigated the huge relief map.
Like this surprising temple, around every corner in India is a double take. It never stops. It's why we travel to India so often. Besides living in India for three years in the early '70's, this is TIMDT's twelfth trip back in the last 15 years...my eighth, Drums' second. This is Koessler's second trip back to India since he was born in Kolkata in 1973.
Above: Horse cart tour. Taj Nadesar Palace Hotel. Varanasi, India. 11 December 2019.
Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi was awarded ‘The World's Top Micro Boutique Hotels’ title by Forbes Life 2009.
OK. We admit it. One reason to return to India so often is the hotels. Three of the 2019 Top Eleven Conde Nast Traveler hotels in the world are in India.
The Nadesar Palace lies nestled in the heart of vibrant Varanasi among mango orchards, marigold and jasmine fields. Built by the East India Company and acquired by Maharaja Prabhu Narain Singh in the 19th century, the property is named after the goddess Nadesari, whose shrine is located in front of the palace.
The driver of our carriage, who took the image, is fourth generation working at this property.
Above: Varanasi Train Station. Varanasi, India. 11 December 2019.
Why pull the bags on their wheels when you can put them on your head?
Here is TIMDT, Lucknow bound by Indian Railways, the world's eighth largest employer, with 1.3 million employees.
Lucknow, famous for kebabs. Five hours north on the Gangetic Plain.
Above: Lucknow Train Station (file image). 11 December 2019.
Constructed 1914. Considered by many to be India's most beautiful train station.
Addendum:
Great job thanks.
Brand Man,
Ventura, CA