Dahi Handi and Human Pyramids

This year because we are now living in Bandra we didn't have far to walk to see the annual Krishna Janmashtami festival - also known as Dahi Handi (dahi means curd and handi means earthen pot in Hindi).  This festival involves making a human pyramid to break a pot filled with curd (and also sometimes prize money) tied high above the street.  In our street alone there were 2 of these pots, and there was a huge one in a neighbouring street.

This festival celebrates the birth of the Hindu god Krishna and is based on the legend of Krishna as a child stealing butter by forming human pyramids with his friends to get to the pots hung from the ceilings of the neighbourhood houses and so steal the butter.

Teams of people get ready for this festival weeks before by practicing pyramid formation.  There are a large number of people at the bottom who hold up the pyramid.  In the middle are the people who are responsible for keeping the pyramid in balance, and at the top are the lighter people (usually children) who try to break the pot.

A spash of colour

We have been painting our apartment both inside and out and have bought some great new furniture for our balconies.

The living room is now green

Our bedroom is dark blue

Rachel's room is lilac

Our guest bedroom is red

Our balconies have a variety of bamboo furniture on them and one of them is painted aqua.

 And we also have a hammock.  It's lovely to swing in it and watch the sunset.

Street Art

Another couple of walks I have concentrated on taking photos of street art.  Here is the art in two different areas of Bandra.

Pali Village

Chapel Road

Walking in Bandra

On my return to school this year I was admitted to Hinduja Khar hospital for an emergency operation. Following this I was advised by my doctor to walk for 45 minutes each day and to take up yoga.  I have tried to walk a variety of different routes around my house, and to make these walks really interesting I've tried to capture the essence of these various neighbourhoods of Bandra on camera.

Carter Road at Sundown - various photos taken using my iPhone and Pro HDR

Independence Day - 15th August

Bandra from Above - walking on the skywalk near Bandra Station

A Child Gives Birth To A Mother - one of my favourite statues in Bandra

Walking the new boulevard near the Sea Link - with views across to Mahim and South Bombay

Walking north to Pali Hill

Carter Road

Chapel Road and Mount Mary

Bandra Bandstand