Learning young... Nanpura

Couldnt resist clicking a lovely sight of toddlers from school in Nanpura Opp T&TV School. The teachers had brought the class to pray to Ganpati Bappa, and were teaching them how to hold their hands together... most were yelling "Ganpati Bappa Morya"!!

Janmasthami @ My Home..

A view of Janmasthami decorations at my home... I love decorating the temple every year on Janmasthami,

Surti Janmasthami'09

Come Janmasthami, and most Surat bazaar's spring up with vendors selling a kaleidoscopic of clothes for Lord Krishna's Birthday.. Fondly called "Laalo" and his clothes "Vaaga". Most homes have a small diety of "Laalo" whom they worship and pamper like a child.

Janmasthami... and "Matki's" are synonymous, and so are the Govinda's with their Lezim's. Teams of boys go all around Surat, create a human pyramid and break the "matki" to be rewarded with money inside it.

Bhagal Area on Janmasthami evening... Surti's buying decorations for their temples at home.

62nd Independence Day...

Bhagal Char Rasta.. just opposite the only underground public urinal in Surat... Morning on 15 Aug'09

The tricolor evokes amazing patriotism in us Surti's and flag sellers do a brisk business all over Surat.

Azad Hind Fauj...

Gopipura - Subhash Chowk has the distinction of having a unique traffic island, a tribute to Netaji Subhashchandra Bose.

The Seal of the Azad Hind Fauj (I.N.A) finds pride of place in the centre, proudly proclaiming "Ittefaq Itemad Kurbani"

Timeless Sign....

All Surtis would recognise this signboard instantly.... its the one you would find as you peep from the train window, and joyously know, you have finally arrived... HOME !!!