Friday, March 20, 2009

India

Over the past couple of months, I've realized that I've learned so many positive things about India in last three years than I can ever imagine...

  • India is constantly improving and so are her people. That only makes me feel more proud.

    Clean Green
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • The malls are so much fun and some of them even better than the ones I've seen before in the US/Canada. The best part is, you can get all decked up in jewelry and a glittery saari and go to the mall without being stared at! ;)

    Shopping mall
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • When it comes to jewelry and clothes, no other country/place can beat India.

    Bangles
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • When it comes to food, no other country/place can beat India.

    fafda & chatney
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • If you feel like eating things like "paapDi no loT" you don't have to wait till mom or the aunty next door makes it, you can just stroll down to "Saasumaa Nu Khichu" and grab a bowl-to-go with a spoon and toppings that make it only more delicious.

    "Saasuma nu khichu" stall
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • The recycling process has started! There are garbage cans almost everywhere. (Oh how happy I was to see this) Way to go, India!!!

    Recycle bin
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • That people here are ever adjusting, to everything in life.

    Sharing the ride
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • That people here don't get annoyed with traffic jams.

    Traffic
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • That people here still work very hard to earn a living.

    At Chauki Dhaani
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • That people here do things together regardless of what age they are.

    Masala soda time at Boss Coldrinks
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • That temples make the best places to visit.

    Ma Bahuchara ji temple
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • That chai/cha/tea makes the best drink ever.

    Chai
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • That our traditions and cultural roots are very deep!

    Restaurant at Chauki Dhaani
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • That's there's still space and time for a lot of improvement. ;-)

    Cheej burger
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • That rules/laws are created to be broken. :D

    Jade Blue - photography prohibited!
    Originally uploaded by kananj



  • Last but not least, I have realized what India truly is only after being away from Her. Jai Hind!
    janani janmabhoomishcha swargaadapi gariyasi...

    Tiranga
    Originally uploaded by kananj



    More India 2009 Photos
  • Wednesday, March 11, 2009

    Happy Holi!

    Having many colors in life just makes it so much more fun...

    Wishing a Happy Holi to my fellow bloggers/readers!

    Best wishes to you and may your life be filled with sweetness and colors like of these M&Ms! :D













    Monday, March 09, 2009

    Raamaayan Chaupaayan

    I had been wanting to type up the lyrics of this Ramayan Choupaayan ever since I listened to the track jai gauri maa of Vivah. Finally, was able to do it! (with a lot of typos and mistakes in the words, I am sure). In any case, simply fabulous! that's how I'd like to describe it.

    Every time, I listen to this 1-hour long track that has the entire story of Raamaayan, it makes me feel happy and emotional; it also stumps me to realize what an ideal human-being should be like and inspires me to be more like Him.

    Jai Shri Raam!


    It is to be sung to the tunes of this film song "mangal bhawan" from Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye (1977).


    ~~~~~ * ~~~~~

    ho mangal bhavan amangal haari
    drabahu sudasarath achar bihaari
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam (2)

    ho hari anant hari kathaa anantaa
    kahahi sunahi bahuvidhi sab santaa
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam (2)

    ho bheed padi jab bhakta pukaare
    door karo prabhu dukh hamaare
    dasharath ke ghar janme raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho vishwaamitra munishwar aaye
    dasharath bhoop se bachan sunaaye
    sang mein bheje laxman raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho ban mein jaaye taadakaa maari
    charan chhu aaye ahilya taari
    rishiyon ke dukh harate raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho janakpuri raghunandan aaye
    nagar nivaasi darshan paaye
    sitaa ke man bhaaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho raghunandan ne dhanush chadhaaya
    sab raajo ka maan ghataaya
    sitaa ne var paaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho parashuraam krodhit ho aaye
    dushta bhoop man me harshaaye
    janakrai ne kiyaa pranaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bole lakhan suno muni gyaani
    sant nahin hote abhimaani
    meethi baani bole raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho laxman bachan dhyaan mat deejo
    jo kuchh dand daas ko deejo
    dhanush todaiyaa main hoon raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho le kar ke yeh dhanush chadhaao
    apni shakti mujhe dikhaao
    chhuwat chaap chadhaaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho hui urmilaa lakhan ki naari
    shruti kirti ripusudhan pyaari
    hui maandavi bharat ki bhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho avadhpuri raghunandan aaye
    ghar ghar naari mangal gaaye
    baaraah barash bitaaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho guru vashisth se aagyaa leeni
    raaj tilak taiyaari keenhi
    kal ko honge raaja raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ~~~~~ * ~~~~~

    ho kutil manthara ne behkaayi
    keikai ne yah baat sunaayi
    de do mere do varadaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho meri binati tum sun leejo
    bharat putra ko gaddi deejo
    haut praatah ban bhejo raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho dharani gire bhoop tatkalaa
    laaga dil mein shool bishaala
    tab sumant bulvaaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho raam pitaa ko shisha nawaaye
    mukh se bachan kahaa nahin jaaye
    keikai bachan suniyo raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho raaja ke tum pran-piyaare
    inke dukh haroge saare
    ab tum ban mein jaao raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho ban mein chaudaaha barash bitaao
    raghukool reeti neeti apanaao
    aage ichhaa teri raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sunat bachan raaghav harshaaye
    maataji ke mandir aaye
    charan kamal mein kiyaa pranaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho maataji main to ban jaau
    chaudaah barash baad phir aaun
    charan kamal dekhu sukh dhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho suni shool sam jab yah baani
    bhu par giri kaushalya raani
    dhiraj bandhaa rahe shri raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sitaji jab yah sun paayi
    rang mahal se neeche aayi
    kaushalyaa ko kiyaa pranaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho meri chook khshamaa kar deejo
    ban jaane ki aagyaa deejo
    sitaa ko samjhaate raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho meri sheekh siyaa sun leejo
    saas swasur ki sevaa keejo
    mujh ko bhi hogaa bishraam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho meraa dosh bataa prabhu deejo
    sang mujhe sevaa mein leejo
    aardhaangini tumhaari raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho samaachaar suni laxman aaye
    dhanush baan sang param suhaaye
    bole sang chaloongaa raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam (7)

    ~~~~~ * ~~~~~

    ho raam lakhan mithilesh kumaari
    ban jaane ki kari taiyaari
    rath mein baith gaye sukh dhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho avadhpuri ke sab nar-naari
    samaachaar sun byaakul bhaari
    machaa avadh mein ati kohraam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sringaverpur raghuvar aaye
    rath ko avadhpuri lautaaye
    gangaa tat par aaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho kevat kahe charan dhulvaao
    peechhe naukaa mein chadh jaao
    patthar kar di naari raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho laaya ek kathautaa paani
    charan kamal dhoye sukh maani
    naav chadhaaye laxman raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho utaraayi mein mudri deeni
    kevat ne yah binati keeni
    utaraayi nahin loongaa raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho tum aaye hum ghaat utaare
    hum aayenge ghaat tumhaare
    tab tum paar lagaayo raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bhaaradwaaj aashram par aaye
    raam lakhan ne sheesh nawaaye
    ek raat kinhaa bishraam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bhaai bharat ayodhyaa aaye
    keikai ko katu bachan sunaaye
    kyon tumne ban bheje raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho chitrakoot raghunandan aaye
    ban ko dekh siyaa sukh paaye
    mile bharat se bhaai raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho avadhpuri ko chaliye bhaai
    yeh sab keikai ki kutilaayi
    tanik dosh nahin meraa raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho charan padukaa tum le jaao
    poojaa kar darshan phal paao
    bharat ko kanth lagaaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho aage chale raam raghuraaya
    nishaacharon kaa vansh mitaaya
    rishiyon ke hue puran kaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho ansuiyaa ki kutiyaa aaye
    divya-vastra siya maa ne paaye
    thaa muni atri kaa veh dhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho munisthaan aaye raghuraayi
    shurpankhaa ki naak kataayi
    khar-dooshan ko maare raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho panchabati raghunandan aaye
    kanak-mrig maarich sang dhaaye
    laxman tumhe bulaate raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho raavan saadhu besh mein aaya
    bhookh ne mujh ko bahut sataaya
    bhikshaa do yah dharma kaa kaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bhikhshaa le kar sitaa aayi
    haath pakad rath mein baithaayi
    sooni kutiyaa dekhi raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho dharani gire raam raghuraayi
    sitaa ke bin byaakultaayi
    hey priya sitey chikhe raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho laxman sitaa chhod nahin aate
    janak-dulaari nahin ganvaante
    bane banaaye bigade kaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho komal badan suhaasini sitey
    tum bin byarth rahenge jeete
    lage chandni jaise ghaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sun ri mainaa sun re totaa
    main bhi pankho waala hotaa
    ban ban letaa dhoondhe tamaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho shyaamaa hirani tu hi bataa de
    janak-nandini mujhe milaa de
    tere jaisi aankhen shyaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho van van dhoondh rahe raghuraayi
    janak-dulaari kahin naa paayi
    gidh-raaj ne kiyaa pranaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho chakh chakh kar phal shabari laayi
    prem sahit paaye raghuraayi
    aise meethe nahin hai aam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho vipra-roop dhari hanumat aaye
    charan kamal mein sheesh nawaaye
    kandhe par baithaaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sugreev se kari milaayi
    apni saari kathaa sunaayi
    baali pahoonchaaya nij dhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho singhaasan sugreev bithaaya
    man mein beh ati harshaaya
    barshaa ritu aayi hey raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam (7)

    ~~~~~ * ~~~~~

    ho hey bhaai laxman tum jaao
    baanarpati ko yoon samajhaao
    sitaa bin byaakul hai raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho desh desh baanar bhijwaaye
    saagar ke sab tat par sab aaye
    sehte bhookh pyaas aur ghaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sampaati ne pataa bataaya
    sitaa ko raavan le aaya
    saagar kood gaye hanumaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho kone kone pataa lagaaya
    bhagat vibhishan kaa ghar paaya
    hanumaan ne kiyaa pranaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho ashok vaatikaa hanumant aaye
    briksha tale sitaa ko paaye
    aansoo barase aantho yaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho raavan sang nishichar laa ke
    sitaa ko bolaa samjhaa ke
    meri aor tum dekho bhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho mandodari banaa doon daasi
    sab sevaa mein lankaa waasi
    karo bhavan chal kar bishraam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho chaahe mastak kate hamaara
    main nahin dekhoon badan tumhaara
    mere tan man dhan hai raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho upar se mudrikaa giraayi
    sitaaji ne kanth lagaayi
    hanumaan ne kiyaa pranaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho mujh ko bhejaa hai raghuraaya
    saagar kood yahaan main aaya
    main hoon raam daas hanumaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bhookh lagi phal khaana chaahoon
    jo maataa ki aagyaa paau
    sab ke swaami hai shri raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho saavdhaan ho kar phal khaana
    rakhwaalon ko bhool na jaana
    nishaacharon ka hai yah dhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho shri hanumant ne vriksha ukhaade
    dekh dekh maali lalkaare
    maar maar pahoonchaaye dhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho akshay kumaar ko swarg pahoochaaya
    indrajit phaasi le aayaa
    brahm-paash se bandhe hanumaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sitaa ko tum lautaa deejo
    unse kshamaa yaachanaa keejo
    teen lok ke swaami raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bhagat vibhishan ne samjhaaya
    raavan ne usko dhamkaaya
    sanmukh dekh rahe hanumaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho rui tel dhrit vasan mangaayi
    poonchh baandh kar aag lagaayi
    poonchh ghumaayi hai hanumaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sab lankaa mein aag lagaayi
    saagar mein jaa poonchh bujhaayi
    hriday kamal mein raakhe raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho saagar kood laut kar aaye
    samaachaar raghuvar ne paaye
    do maata ko diyaa inaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho vaanar reenchh sang mein laaye
    laxman sahit sindhu tat aaye
    lage sukhaane saagar raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho setu kapi nal-neel banaave
    raam raam likh sheelaa tiraaven
    lankaa pahoonche raaja raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho angad chal lankaa mein aaye
    sabhaa beech mein paanv jamaaya
    baali putra mahaa bal-dhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho raavan paanv hataane aaya
    angad ne phir paanv uthaaya
    kshamaa kare tujhko shri raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho nishaacharon ki senaa aayi
    garaj garaj kar hui ladaayi
    vaanar bole jai siyaa raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho indrajeet ne shakti chalaayi
    dharni gire lakhan moorchhaayi
    chintaa karke roye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho jab main avadhpuri se aaya
    haaye pitaa ne praan ganvaaya
    ban mein gayi churaayi bhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bhaai tum ne bhi chhintkaaya
    jeevan mein kuchh sukh nahin paaya
    senaa mein bhaari kohraam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho jo sanjeevani booti laaye
    to bhaai jeevit ho jaaye
    booti laayegaa hanumaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam (7)

    ~~~~~ * ~~~~~

    ho jab booti kaa pataa na paaya
    parvat hi le kar ke aaya
    kaalnem pahoonchaaya dhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bhakt bharat ne baan chalaaya
    chot laagi hanumant langadaaya
    mukh se bole jai siyaa raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bole bharat bahut pachhataa kar
    parvat sahit baan baithaa kar
    tumhe milaa doon raaja raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho booti le kar hanumant aaya
    lakhanlaal uth sheesh nawaaya
    hanumant kanth lagaaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho kumbhkaran uth kar tab aaya
    ek baan se use giraaya
    indrajeet pahoonchaaya dhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho durgaa poojan raavan keenho
    nau din tak aahaar na leenho
    aasan baith kiyaa hai dhyaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho raavan ka vrat khandeet keenha
    param dhaam pahoochaa hi dinha
    vaanar bole jai siyaa raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sitaa ne Hari darshan keenha
    chintaa shok sabhi taj deenha
    hans kar bole raaja raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho pehle agni-parikshaa paao
    peechhe nikat hamaare aao
    tum ho pati-vrataa hey bhaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho kari parikshaa kanth lagaayi
    sab vaanar senaa harshaayi
    raajya vibhishan deenha raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho phir pushpak vimaan mangaaya
    sitaa sahit baithe raghuraaya
    dandak van mein utare raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho rishivar darshan ko aaye
    stuti kar woh man mein harshaaye
    tab gangaa tat aaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho nandigraam pavansoot aaye
    bhagat bharat ko bachan sunaaye
    lankaa se aaye hai raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho kaho vipra tum kahaan se aaye
    aise meethe vachan sunaaye
    mujhe milaa do bhaiyaa raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho avadhpuri raghunandan aaye
    mandir mandir mangal chhaaye
    maataao ko kiyaa pranaam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho bhaai bharat ko gale lagaaya
    singhaasan baithe raghuraaya
    jag ne kahaa hai raaja raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sab bhoomi vipro ko deenhi
    vipro ne vaapas de deenhi
    hum to bhajan karenge raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho dhobi ne dhoban dhamkaayi
    raamchandra ne yah sun paayi
    ban mein sitaa bheji raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho vaalmiki aashram mein aayi
    luv aur kush huve do bhaai
    dheer veer gyaani balwaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho ashwamedh yagna keenha raam
    sitaa bin sab soone kaam
    luv-kush wahaan diyo pehchaan
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sitaa raam binaa akulaayi
    bhoomi se yah binay sunaayi
    mujh ko ab deejo vishraam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sitaa bhoomi maahi samaayi
    dekh ke chintaa kee raghuraayi
    baar baar pachhataaye raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho raam rajya mein sab sukh paave
    prem magan ho Hari gun gaave
    dukh kalesh ka rahaa na naam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho gyaraah hazaar varsh paryantaa
    raaj keenh shri lakshmi kantaa
    phir vaikunth padhaare raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho avadhpuri vaikunth sidhaayi
    nar-naari sab ne gati paayi
    sharnaagat pratipaalak raam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam

    ho sab bhakto ne leelaa gaayi
    meri bhi been suno raghuraayi
    bhooloon nahin tumhaara naam
    raam siyaa raam siyaa raam jai jai raam (7)

    ~~~~~ * ~~~~~