Store Finds

I'm taking you to Bangalore today.... to visit IndyaKaleidoscope

and this is what Preethi has to say.... 

A few years ago, travelling to different parts of the country on official assignments gave me tremendous insight into the rich culture of India. The love of traditional Indian handicrafts led me to the door steps of many artisans, who with little or no formal education,seemed to understand and create crafts that were in perfect harmony with nature.

A strong urge to leave behind the rat race and find a more meaningful life, gave birth to an idea - IndyaKaleidoscope. It took a while for the entire idea to shape up, research to back it up, a lot of soul searching and finally Indyakaleidoscope(IK) was registered in July 2011. Today, exactly three years from being just an idea, IK is working with seven different craft groups and two individual artisans and is providing them with a marketing face.

Our commitment is not only to our artisans, but also to our customers. Our motto is to make Indian handicrafts popular in every Indian home and make it available at an affordable price. The journey of Indyakaleidoscope has been made possible by the unshakable support of customers, friends and family. We hope to reach out to more craft communities and in the process fill a lot of homes with the joy of Indian crafts.

I welcome you to be a part of the IndyaKaleidoscope journey and experience.

... and here are a few things from the store.... that I want to bring home.... *smiles*...

And since... reds, oranges, Buddhas, peacocks... are my favourite... Can you see why I love this store so much... *smiles*...

Visit Indya Kaleidoscope and tell me what you think... *smiles*

10 Most beautiful Indian Roads

These are the most beautiful roads I've ever seen... and all of them in India.

Received this mail today, and had to share it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

Ahtong , Sikkim

Corbert Park Pathway

Numaligarh , Assam

Dalhousie

Nainital, Uttaranchal

Almora, Uttaranchal

Ooty

Patratu valley, Jharkhand

Gulmarg

Manali Pass

Rajasthan… the land of my dreams!

Rajasthan… the land of my dreams!



My unending love for Rajasthan, encourage me to put one more post!! Look at this amazing fort – Garh Jaisal. The fort can be your home for a few days.



Look into the amazing rooms and live like a Maharani.

If you want to go and stay there... http://www.garhjaisal.com/

Above is the most beautiful room in the fort. Its called Opium Room. Can you see the intricate mirror work on the walls. Its shining with feelings of festivities.

I love purpulish pink !! I can already see myself sitting at this window and sipping my tea!!

Can you see my love for colours. It indeed brightens our lives.

Udai Villas, Rajasthan

I have been forever planning a holiday to Rajasthan. Somehow, it just doesn’t seem to happen. I’m in the mood for going on holiday!!! Yes! I’m only going on a couch tour and am living in the land of sand, music, colours and havelis….. I am fascinated by the architecture of these ancient but alive palaces.



Havelis have always called me. Even the images seem to talk to me! My Indian roots are somehow connected to them ! However, the route to get here seems a bit blurred.

In the next few posts, I will be sharing with you a few havelis that I have come across. There are fanciful renditions of elephants, flowers and other paintings on abandoned walls – a work of art by artists never heard of.



Can you image how these havelis looked during their heydays?? Some of these are more than 300 year old. Most of these historic houses are locked up and abandoned or sold to some international hotel chain.



Sadly modern lifestyle doesn’t allow us to pause and listen to the tunes that these havelis used to play.



The remarkable architecture and artistic legacy obviously lies in grave danger. The paintings on the walls have surrendered to time… but the majestic doors, windows and pillars still live in their glories.



These home are obviously treasures worth saving!! I honestly don’t think the owners realize how blessed they are for living in a party of history and for owning an extremely unique resource.



Someday… I’ll have a haveli as well!



The first one I'm going to show case is the Udai Villas, by far the best property in Rajesthan. It truely captures the romance and splendor of the royal era. http://www.udaivilas.com/

The rooms are out of this world !! I love the window seat or baitak in this picture. I'm already sitting there and sipping my cup of tea!

The fabulous and majestic bath ! I'm now going back to the desert... I'm sure there is more to see there as well!