Soulie Saturday #24: An Eye-Full Encounter (Markets of Khatu Shyamji Temple, Rajasthan)

Listen with your eyes for feelings.

~ Stephen Covey

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I looked into her eyes and it might have been just for a second, but she looked into mine. Her eyes, so beautiful and almond-round, gleamed, reflecting the warmth of the sun. And soon, I felt my heart illuminated, with a thousand beams of sunlight...

I had just returned after bowing my head in the temple of Khatu Shyamji in Rajasthan and was lazily ambling through the markets of the town towards our car in the parking area. The sun, fast climbing overhead, had directly cut down on the number of people roaming on the streets – the number had thinned considerably owing to the growing hot humidity in the air. Lined with a jamboree of shops that sold everything from religious paraphernalia to churans and pickles, the markets wore a rather colourful outlook to the otherwise dull happenings around.

I caught her standing outside one of these nondescript churan shops; one of her friends had gone inside. It might have been just a few tiny seconds, when her eyes locked with mine, but I could clearly see how hers sparkled in the sunlight, so much emotion hemmed in them.

Dressed in a grey-red sweater worn over a green colored salwar kameez, the little girl was carrying a big pile of twigs on her petite head. I pulled out my camera and pressed the shutter in haste, fearing she would shy away or run. How mistaken was I! She kept staring with such curiosity and wonder, her eyes twinkling with mystery as well as jewelled beauty that I couldn’t help but think – I’d never seen such beautiful graceful eyes with so much life in them for some time.

Not one, not two but the light of a thousand souls jumped out from her gaze, adding another layer of beauty to her slightly demure character. We spoke nothing and yet, I felt everything...

What kind of world lay beneath her veil of precious lovely eyes?

What dreams did they harbour?

Had they been dyed in the sweet play of innocence

or had they been shrouded in the silent shoulder of responsibility?

Were those depths inked in wells of laughter

or were they resonant in pain and sorrow?

So many questions swirled in my heart as I saw her walking, back on her trail, together with her friend. Along with the pile of twigs, she also carried answers to all my questions away with her.

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This post is part of an ongoing series called Soulie Saturday on My Yatra Diary..., a spiritual exploration of that which is Unseen and a celebration of that Ultimate sacred space we yearn for - within and without - and the riches we carry in our own hearts. Click on the preceding "Soulie Saturday" link to view all posts in the series, or visit the initial overview post that inspired me to start this series here.

Soulie Saturday #23: Latticed windows at Gateway of India, Mumbai.

Gateway of India, Mumbai.

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My heart is so small

it's almost invisible.

How can You place 

such big sorrows in it?

"Look," He answered,

"your eyes are even smaller,

yet they behold the world.”

― Jalaluddin Rumi

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This soulie inspired by the arched latticed small windows as I saw them in the Gateway of India in Mumbai - small but not insignificant, enough of passing some big light through it! The Gateway of India as we know is the famous prominent landmark of Mumbai that was built during the 20th century in Bombay, India, erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911.

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This post is part of an ongoing series called Soulie Saturday on My Yatra Diary..., a spiritual exploration of that which is Unseen and a celebration of that Ultimate sacred space we yearn for - within and without - and the riches we carry in our own hearts. Click on the preceding "Soulie Saturday" link to view all posts in the series, or visit the initial overview post that inspired me to start this series here.

Soulie Saturday #22: ... By the Yamuna River in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

Let's all be

who we really

are.

Says who...?

who's got it all figured out.

~ Mother Nature ~

Soulie Saturday #21: From Instagram... Sharing our #Soulie Moments!

A post shared by Arti (@artisdiary) on Jul 13, 2017 at 7:16am PDT

Don't believe what your eyes are telling you.

All they show is limitation.

Look with your understanding.

Find out what you already know,

And you will see the way to fly.

~ Richard Bach

This quote is from one of my favourite books, Jonathan Livingston Seagull and of course the moment framed is from the monument Gateway of India! 🏠✨ 

*One of my #soulie from Instagram.

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I am still reveling in the inspiration that I have just gathered by going through the hashtag soulie on Instagram! And so, it only feels right to sit down, compile, and share all these fabulous creations submitted under the idea since the last soulie sharing chapter in the series. Thank you Everyone! I cannot be more grateful for all these wonderfully creative people who have come out asking for all that my little project #soulie is about, showing an interest and curiosity in the idea, believing in it and sharing their #soulie moments on Instagram.

From a lonesome flower in beautiful bloom to a canopy of hope bobbing on the sea, from reflections of peace in the ocean of Gangasagar to sufi renditions from the heart of Delhi, Qutub Minar - this edition of Soulie Sharing has it all to touch your soul and kiss your spirit. And I couldn't be more excited and thrilled to share all this with you!

I hope you'll hop over to each of these Instagram profiles and cheer their talent along as they go about weaving their magical pictures with a thread of their soul. Here they go, all the posts are in the order in which they were shared, read on!

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Paras Tewari @avipicaso

A post shared by paras tewari (@avipicaso) on Jul 27, 2017 at 8:35am PDT

I wonder what it takes to grow alone...

To bloom on its own...

To stand out of the crowd...

To seek the unknown...

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Purba Chakraborty @purba_chakraborty

A post shared by Purba Chakraborty (@purba_chakraborty) on Jul 30, 2017 at 11:17pm PDT

The chaos and the cauldron

The angst and the fears

The pangs of loss;

Let them not cloud your vision,

Let them not take away

The love, compassion and hope;

The sweet music divine

From your heart.

Embrace solitude at a remote beach

Reflect, admire, smile

Let the waves lull you to sleep;

Allow Nature to soothe you

And cleanse the burden of your heart.

Let love be your lyrics

Let kindness be your music

Allow your heart to sing forever! 💜🎵🎶

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Saumy Nagayach @saumynagayach21

A post shared by Saumy Nagayach (@saumynagayach21) on Aug 4, 2017 at 10:05pm PDT

There are days when we search for peace in our lives.

And when we visit religious places like Gangasagar-

the confluence of river Ganga and Bay of Bengal,

the world altogether looks so very different and pleasant.

Even the lifeless objects around such places becomes full of life.

Everything appears at rest and justifies the fact that "Peace still Exists" in real world,

it's only the perspective that how we see it.

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خاک @rooh_ani

A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Aug 10, 2017 at 7:38am PDT

Loneliness and solitude are two different things. When you are lonely, it is easy to delude yourself into believing that you are on the right path. Solitude is better for us, as it means being alone without feeling lonely. But eventually it is the best to find a person who will be your mirror. Remember only in another person’s heart can you truly see yourself and the presence of God within you.

~ Shams Tabrizi

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Suzie Arcona - Boaz @suzieq7_

A post shared by Suzie Arcona-Boaz (@suzieq7_) on Aug 10, 2017 at 12:10pm PDT

You are my Sunflower!
You keep me facing the lighted path, warm my Heart,
and have planted the nourishing seeds of Love in my Soul! 💜🌻

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خاک @rooh_ani

A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Aug 17, 2017 at 3:53am PDT

Andheron mein aati roshni ka qayal hoon main

Issi umeed se, har mushkil se ladta hoon main

~ KhaaK

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A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Aug 17, 2017 at 6:28am PDT

Aye Khuda e paak Aye Rabul Kareem 
Hai Tu hi Malik, Tu hi banda nawaaz
Jaanta hai Tu humare dil ke raaz 
Kya zameen kya aasman, kya subho shaam 
Hain sab hi Tere isharo ke ghulam 
Tu jo chahe zarra bhi ho aaftab
Jisko chahe usko de Tu behisaab ...

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A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Aug 17, 2017 at 10:20am PDT

Masroofiyat ki inteha to dekhiye 
Kitne tanha hain bheed mein bhi .. ~ KhaaK

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A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Aug 22, 2017 at 8:31am PDT

Your heart and my heart are very, very old friends. ~ Hafez

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A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Aug 25, 2017 at 2:55am PDT

In dinon garche dakkan mein hai badi qadr-e-sukhan
Kaun Jaye “Zauq” par Dilli ki galiyan chhod kar

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A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Aug 25, 2017 at 2:00pm PDT

Udne de inn parindo ko aazad fiza mein ‪Ghalib
Jo tere apne honge wo laut ayenge kisi roz

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A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Sep 7, 2017 at 6:32am PDT

Purify your eyes, and see the pure world.

Your life will fill with radiant forms. ~ Rumi

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A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Sep 8, 2017 at 3:01am PDT

Be grateful for your life, every detail of it,
and your face will come to shine like a sun,
and everyone who sees it will be made glad and peaceful. ~ Rumi

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A post shared by خاک (@rooh_ani) on Sep 8, 2017 at 9:55am PDT

But that knowing depends on the time spent looking. ~ Rumi

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Many of you have also mentioned in the comments that they have been following Soulie Saturday for a while, and are interested to join - so if you are thinking about taking part, I just wanted to say that I would be thrilled to have you join our little #soulie community! Read this post to get a bit more insight on the idea of the project and come, come - say hi on Instagram @artisdiary.

Shendoor Laal / Jaidev Jaidev / Sukhkarta Dukhharta: Ganesh Mantra with Ganesh Arti.

You may be gone from my sight,

but you are never gone from my heart ❤

~ Winnie the Pooh.

It's the last day of the annual festival of Ganesh Chaturthi... and after 11 days of merry making, praying, Ganpati pandal hopping and modak-laddoo feasting, it's time to bid farewell to our beloved friend. He is off to his hometown leaving all his fans, followers and admirers melancholic, sad and teary eyed. Goodbyes are in the air with euphoric chants like 'Ganpati Gele Gavala, Chain Padena Aamhala' 'Undir Mama Ki Jay' and 'Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Lavkarya' creating a carnival like atmosphere. He is being taken on carts, trucks and heads to nearby lakes from where he shall begin His heavenly journey. Soon, he will be out of our ordinary sights... but not without leaving an impression on the canvas of our hearts, not without teaching us all about loving, leaving... about life.

Today, although the heart feels heavy and the house... empty, and although his absence will leave a void in our hearts till He comes back next year; the aura of His child-like smile, cheer and benevolence shall continue to light hundreds of happiness lamps driving all thoughts of melancholy away.

So, on this occasion of Ananth Chaturdashi 2017, in her humble attempt to bid farewell to our friend, Ganpati Bappa, My Yatra Diary... has gathered the various pictures from the pandals visited in the year to sing Him a farewell arti and invites you all to join in as well! I hope by watching the video that sings praises in honour of our beloved, light a lamp of wisdom, learning, peace and courage in all of our hearts so that they remain ever so radiant and incandescent till the time He be back with us once again next year.

|| Ganpati Bappa Morya ||

>> All pictures and video by yours truly, beautiful arti rendered by Shri Amitabh Bachchan.

If you'd like to watch the video on You Tube, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUmNFzxIAlo

Soulie Saturday #20: Ganesha's Blessing! (Ganpati Pandal Hopping, Mumbai)

If we could hear Him speak...

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival: Ganpati Pandal Hopping, Mumbai

May you trust your highest power

that you are exactly where you are meant to be

at any given moment.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities

that are born of faith.

May you use your special gifts and talents,

and pass on the wisdom and knowledge

that has come through your experiences of life.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones,

and allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, praise

and love without hesitation.

It is there for each and every one of us

to share and partake of without fear.

~ Irish Blessings.

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This post is part of an ongoing series called Soulie Saturday on My Yatra Diary..., a spiritual exploration of that which is Unseen and a celebration of that Ultimate sacred space we yearn for - within and without - and the riches we carry in our own hearts. Click on the preceding "Soulie Saturday" link to view all posts in the series, or visit the initial overview post that inspired me to start this series here.