It's true when they say, time flies. It does. Another year has rolled by. The journey of 2013 has come to an end. A brand new year awaits, packed with promises in hopes, dreams, opportunities, magic and madness. But before we see it checking in, let's pause for a while and step back, reflect, turn some pages and ruffle a few pieces. It's time to sit back, relax and rewind!

Below is a picture-walk through 12 posts from January to December with a link in the title and a little teaser snippet to go along. 'Tis a quick calendar recap, of all that My Yatra Diary... was in 2013! Hope you enjoy it.

JANUARY

Migawari Saru or 'substitute monkeys' in Naramachi, Japan

A lot of these red stuffed monkeys, known as Migawari Saru or 'substitute monkeys' can be seen hanging at the entrances - of shops, cafes, houses and temples. A symbolic deity of a local temple (the Koshin-do Temple), they are good luck charms believed to ward off evil and bring good fortune.
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FEBRUARY

Shyojin Ryori, Nara in Japan

So, here is a sneak peek into my, a veggie's, food travails in Japan – a humble attempt to help all those vegetarian's out there planning a trip to this part of the world.
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MARCH

Mount Fuji in Japan

I loved Japan. But did Japan love me too?
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APRIL

Photo Albums from cupboard

Remember those times when we enjoyed our holidays with a simple film or non-digital camera and stacked all our memories in neatly covered family albums... Special, aren't they?
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MAY

Sunset at Kannur Beach, Kerala

Across the lengths of the sandy silvery beach, silence fills the environs. There is hardly a soul in view. Breaking this calm constantly, are the lashing of the waves and the rustling of the leaves. The music is repetitive yet somber; and it seems to travel through the wilderness of the galaxies above.
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JUNE

My Hero: The Indian Jawan

O Brave Jawan, I salute you!
Your works of bravery kindle my hopes anew.
No fear, no wrath, no terrain seems to be stopping you.
You are rocketing ahead like a bullet clear of all blues.
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JULY

Village of Kannur in Kerala

But for these sounds, the village is quiet... so quiet that the quiet is almost disquieting especially for an urban dweller like me. And yet, you never feel lonely here.
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AUGUST
Sooun Mandana: A tradition of Rajasthan

Dried cow dung (considered a symbol of purity) or geru (red colored powder) are directly spread on the house and haveli walls such that they remain stamped for the rest of the annual year.
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Ganesh Pandal Hopping in Mumbai

Being a Mumbai-ite, I love pandal hopping and more so when WE, you and me, do this together every year! So how about joining hands again this year and hopping over to meet our friend Ganesha in some of the Ganpati Pandals of Mumbai?
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OCTOBER


Devotees at Tirupati Balaji temple, Tamil Nadu

An envelope exists here; and it packs in all. Somehow you know, that now, you are in the wrapping of something mysteriously divine, something that has been defined for centuries... Such that you feel a connect, and you feel happy to be a part of something beautiful.
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NOVEMBER

My family doodle

I still remember how excited I was when I had called my dad to read the first article, proofread that is before I published it, with me and my brother standing by his side. And guess what?
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DECEMBER

Milaap IndiMeet #HopeProject

I lend. It's simple. Joyous. And effective.
What are you gifting this Christmas?
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No matter which year,
May we all stay blessed,
Believe in the riches of good,
And, the abundant beauty that lay, in gratitude, smiles and cheer!

Happy New Year!