My Yatra Diary...'s New Blog Look In 2014!

I have been thinking of changing the blog look for the past couple of months and it’s only now, in the beginning of a new year, that I have finally managed to set aside my lethargy, take the challenge up and ring the changes in. And now that it's done, I am so excited to show it to all of you!

So what’s new?

  • The overall width of the blog has now increased as a result of which we will be able to see bigger images in the posts hence forth.
  • White comes in as one of the overriding colors which is hopefully more soothing to the eye.
  • The header: Though I personally LOVED my previous header still I couldn't resist replacing it with a new one. I love the entire process that goes in the making: the selection of pictures, then playing with them by putting them in Picasa and eventually the joy of your creation, the final output. It’s fun.


Pictures in the new header:

The 1st picture is from one of my trips to ISKCON Temple, Delhi in 2011. I had the fortune of attending the afternoon arti (prayer) after which I had clicked this picture.


Attending the arti is always one of my highlights while visiting any of the ISKCON temples, in fact I always look forward to them; the yellow aura surrounding the divine flame, perhaps more powerful, more radiant from the combined energy of a multitude of people, all singing glories to the Lord; I find the entire experience emotionally very connecting. Almost every time I am there.

2nd picture is from a recent trip to Hyderabad I embarked on, in August 2013 during the weekend Independence Day holidays. Situated in the one of the historic zones of the city, the place is Mecca Masjid compound renowned for being one among the oldest and largest mosques in Hyderabad and India respectively.


Feeding  the pigeons in the masjid grounds is a popular activity with a large number of visiting people inside. While feeding the birds, I spotted this young goat nearby and extended my hand of grains towards her. I was delighted when she accepted my offer and started licking my hand softly. It was another experience, one of a kind for me and very beautiful to be sensed.

And the 3rd and the final picture is perhaps my favorite of the lot. It is from a small town in the Char Dham Garhwal Himalayas named Harsil and leaves me in awe each and every time I see it. 


I find a strange sense of magic in this picture, like it's alive, breathing life… in its very own self and also in me. Those quiet moments in the company of the eternally benevolent mother Gangamy chance encounter with the village woman and the magical mystical power of faith…Those were moments of bliss, and perhaps it was the same divinity that also led me into capturing this one - this way. I think this photograph has to be my favorite from the entire lot that I have. 


Help me improve!


Please do let me know your thoughts on the new changes, since you are its reader, I trust you to know it best. Do you like them? Or do you see something that can be done in a better way? If you have any suggestions to make regarding anything, please feel absolutely free to let me know your feedback in the comments sections. It’s you who can really help me make this better. Though I don't swear on acting on them right away or even incorporating them, but be rest assured that I will be surely considering them and if possible try inculcating them as well. I sincerely look forward to hearing from you.

A BIG thank you for all my joys of 2013!


Before My Yatra Diary... starts filling up pages (Melbourne coming up) for the dates, 2014, I just want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for all your visits, comments and thoughts throughout the past year. Though I may not reply to all the comments but I am always deeply pleased to read them and learn from them. It has been a joy connecting with all of you and to have your company all along... I couldn't be more blessed to share my travel tales with friends like you. You have been family; and My Yatra Diary… loves you. It would have been so incomplete without you... Thank you.

“May God give you...
For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile,
for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share,
for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.”
 ~ Irish Blessings quotes

Here’s to a very happy and blessed new year 2014.  Happy blogging and Keep smiling. :-)

Post a Comment

60 Comments

  1. Arti - I have always loved that your name means "prayer." I certainly like your new look - I love the soothing white! You make me wish to revamp my own blog!

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  2. A change is always good! I don't remember how it was before, but your blog is well organized. Cool clicks as well!

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  3. Hello and Happy New Year!
    Nice change, Arti! Beautiful.
    Hope 2014 brings a lot of happiness to you!

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  4. I like the second pic :) you should make your header little bit big in size arti, nice view for all, keep it simple

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  5. You have done good amendment to your blog.
    It,s finer and good looking.

    Wish you a very happy new year Arti.........ji.

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  6. @Arti Wishing you & your family and your readers a Happy New Year 2014 ,
    New look of your blog truly wonderful.Keep posting.... ~da

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  7. Loved the new look of the blog.. i think its perfect n cool..
    Couldnt take my eyes off frm the last pic ...ie of the himalayas..
    Happy new year to u too.. Arti.. looking fwd to enjoyy many more Yatra stories frm ur place :)

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  8. I loved the third picture in the Header. It's so serene, calm and yet so alive with the bright rays of sun. Loved the new look of your blog Aarti :) Happy New Year :)

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  9. Lovely start to 2014! Have agreat travel year ahead.

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  10. Arti ko Arti kaise na pasand aaye? :) I am not too much of a visual person Arti - in terms of being able to distinguish between good and very good in visual art but, yes, I like the white and the width :)

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  11. Love the new look of your Blog. There's room for bigger images now.
    Even I have been planning to revamp my Blog. Am yet to do so though! You inspire me! :)
    Love all the images and your description! Shows the nice & simple person you are.
    Thanks for the Awesome wishes through the Irish Blessing quotes, Arti! May 2014 be great for all of us!

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  12. Your new look blog design looks great. All the best for the New Year.

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  13. Εξαιρετική η εμφάνιση του καινούργιου σου blog αγαπημένη φίλη Arti!!!!
    Και σε μένα αρέσει η τελευταία φωτογραφία, αισθάνομαι την δύναμη και την ευλογία της φύσης!!!!
    Πάντα οι αναρτήσεις σου είναι πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες!!!
    Σου εύχομαι μια ευλογημένη χρονιά, με υγεία, αγάπη και πολλά ταξίδια!
    Σου στέλνω μια ζεστή αγκαλιά και πολλά φιλιά

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  14. Very nice blog! U have written abt your own name (Arti) in this post! Gud! :D Keep posting gr8 wrk throughout 2014! :)

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  15. Cool... good to see Hyderabad pic on My Yatra diary's cover.....:)

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  16. Your new theme is so refreshing Arti! It is definitely more soothing and so much more accomplished!
    Hope you have a great year ahead and I haven't forgotten about our pending collaboration either! :)

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  17. I definitely like the new look its clean and simple. It's just a coincidence that I also changed look of my Blog yesterday and have kept it simple too with white as base color. I am looking after reading new posts on your beautiful blog.
    Happy Blogging.

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  18. Loving the new look. Ever so professional, the white and muted grey works so well.

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  19. It looks great, Arti. Congrats.
    Happy New year to you. :)

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  20. Oh you had to put aside your lethergy. LOL Love your headers and the wider look. I know a lot of people are going for the white, but for me I like darker colored backgrounds, my eyes don't take brightest very well. Ok you asked. My favorite of your photos is always the one of the river. That is the photo that really drew me to you and your blog and the story behind it. Something magical about it. I have had basically the same look for my blogs for 5 years. Finally even dropped the headers as kept wanting to change them and it got to be too much work. Yes letting go of many things that is what I am going to do this year. I know I have to let a blog go if I am going to really persue my greeting cards. Ok I really need to let go of the social end of it as well. But I love everyone and would feel empty without them. So my dear wishing you a treasured New Year filled with many new adventures and a new look here and there. Hugs...

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  21. I love the new look. Happy New Year! Wish you more safe and happy trips around the world this year and the years to come!

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  22. New look is looking good... Happy New Year Arti...

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  23. I'm liking the new look!

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  24. Happy New Year Arti.Anew look for the new year-----i like the Himalayan picture best of all.

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  25. the new look is definitely refreshing and love the three photos you have selected for the header ... each unique ... and as I am back to the blog world it was refreshing to see the new look of my favorite blog friend : )

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  26. Arti -- I did not realize that your name means 'prayer'. How lovely that is. I really like the new look. Clean, wide columns on white and a larger font size = perfection. Thank you for explaining the header photos -- each one a lovely story.

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  27. Loved the new look..Happy new year Arti :-)

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  28. Hi Arti, Wishing you too a very very Happy and Prosperous New Year. Your blog looks really awesome and your post and pictures are as usual so 'straight from the heart' and so pure . Wishing you many more wonderful Yatras in life, really looking forward to many more updates from you. Take care and God Bless!

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  29. Love the new looks.
    Jhara who pardha hatha to woh sundar mukh dekh sakthi thi...:) anyway shall wait.

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  30. Nice choice of pictures...indeed pictures are worth a thousand words!!!

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  31. Happy New Year, dear Arti! I like your heading- looks clean and clear with the white background and great pics:-) All the best for 2014 and your lovely blog:-)

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  32. A very happy new year to you Arti! You've been one of the finest travel bloggers i have read, and it continues this year too! :)

    The new look is just amazing! they say a picture says a thousand words! they really do..

    Cheers!
    Indigenou

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  33. Hello, Arti, this is a nice change to start blogging afresh at the beginning of 2014. I wondered which three images I would choose for the new header. I’d like to change my blog design, but the current one just fits to “stardust” so I can’t easily change. Wish you a year full of pleasant surprises, exciting adventures, and smiles.

    Yoko

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  34. Hi there Arti! Your beautiful heart is seen in every word you write and photos you take. I love the changes here especially the increase in width so we could enjoy your photos more! Happy New Year! ♡

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  35. Loving the new look of your blog Arti. It's simple and easy to navigate! Wishing you a very happy 2014!

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  36. The new-look is great Aarti..Looking forward to more of your beautiful posts in 2014..

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  37. Great blog Arti, happy new year!!
    Put more photos to your blog, I love your taste!

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  38. You know what Arti? Even I was thinking of changing my blog look and feel. Kind of bored with it. This post is another way of kicking the lethargy out of me (for few mins) and change the look! :)

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  39. Happy New Year, Arti! Your new design is so simple and clean and easy to see like most of readers here say. I like it too :)

    Thank you for the kind and encouraging comment on my blog. I was very happy to hear from you, Arti.
    Actually some trouble with the computer has discouraged me from blogging actively recently, but they say there is nothing happens that has no meaning . Now I'm thinking how to use computer effectively under some inconvenient condition.
    I'm looking forward to visiting here this year! Happy and fruitful year to you and yours!

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  40. Hi, I find your posts quite appealing and delightfully simple. Congrats on your laurels too. All the best for 2014.

    http://travel-for-soul.blogspot.in/

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  41. Hi Arti,

    thanks a lot for your visit on my blog and your kind comment under my latest post. I browsed through your blog and I must say it's really marvellously!

    Let's keep in contact in 2014 - all the best,
    Uwe.

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  42. Hi Arti!!!

    Happy and Prosperous New Year 2014.

    I feel your earlier blog had the divine look (of course majority of posts were of divine places) with orange template at the background... Anyways change is inevitable!!!

    cheers,
    technophilo

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  43. Yes, I'm glad you changed the look! Really liking this one a lot,my dear :)

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  44. congratulations on the new look, Arti, I had been meaning to change the look of my blog too, but never got the chance yet

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  45. Hey Arti!
    Happy new year by the way ( I know I am a lil. late :p)
    And this new look ...I like...I like...Very much apt for your travel blog! :) :)

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  46. Happy New Year Arti and love the new look to your blog - it is clean and I the pictures wonderful.
    Sorry I am so late getting over to say hello.
    All the best for the new year and thanks for all you share.
    Carolyn

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  47. I like your new blog look, the white back and large letters . It's easy to read. I remember the header.Especially around Himalaya.The one that has the peak like diamond,too.
    Wish you a happy year 2014.

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  48. Your blog look lovely and practical, wish I know how to change my blog making it look better like your. Any offer of help welcome. http://deityblog.wordpress.com/ see and you will know what I mean.

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  49. Love the new look of the blog, Arti! Great job and wonderful selections of your header pictures! wishing you the best in 2014!

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  50. I loved the new look. It's beautiful. The top 3 pics are lovely...especially the 2nd pic from Hyderabad...it has character and a humane feel to it. Thanks.

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