My Exploritales: Bandrak Votta!!!

So another photo walk was scheduled by Moments Shoot group and I was really waiting eagerly as we had decided to visit the Bandra fair at Mount Mary's church.It was long since I had visited that fair.So a small group met up at Bandra station(I was irritated as I had been waiting for them for an hour)and walked towards Mount Mary's church.What a crowd at the station!!!There was a huge queue at the bus stop and at the auto stand.There was a sea of people in their best clothes, all going to visit the fair.The noise and chaos at the station and the road that led to the church was unbelievable.

As we were already late we took autos to the church and another huge crowd greeted us at the church.There were numerous stalls at the fair ,most of them selling candles and chains,rosaries and the holy crosses.A goup of people were distributing booklets about Christianity all along the route,some of them held placards about the wonders of Jesus Christ and Christianity.Our group leader Nikhil made a decision that we would not go inside the church but walk towards the sea side instead to capture the sunset.Wise decision, I must add.

Another huge crowd at the sea side!From where did all these people come???There was a huge crowd at the Bandra fort and the nearby area.We sat and enjoyed the cool sea breeze and watched the throng of people awaiting the sunset.As soon as the sun was setting we captured it from various angles.My photographer friends were excited to get amazing pictures.I sat and listened to old Hindi film songs,clicked a few pictures of the Bandra-Worli sealink and the setting sun and watched the setting sun.After that we walked back towards the church and clicked a few pictures.Sadly,most of the outside of the church was covered and there was a temporary shade put up for the devotees so a good picture of the church was a lost case.We all greed that it was not a good idea to visit the fair especially on a weekend when it was the most crowded.A few of the group bid goodbye while the rest of us took a cab to Sion where we had snacks.After that we all called it a day.It had been a day with a few pluses and a few minuses.....just like life.Some things are always beyond our control so no regrets.At least we captured a few good pictures of the setting sun and learnt a lesson never to visit the Bandra fair on a weekend.

Here are a few photographs of the photowalk.......

The huge crowd of devotees throng the Mount Mary's church

Candles on display at the many stalls......

The Lord is with you.....

The elegant high rise on our way towards the Bandra fort.....I also saw Mannt but I am a great fan of galaxy Apartments,not Mannat(if you know what I mean)

This gives an idea about the sea of people at the sea front.....

The majestic Bandra-Worli sealink

Always a treat to watch this structure and take pics.

Calm waters and calm atmosphere.

The view of the setting sun has always been so mystical and magical....always a treat to the eyes and the soul.

Sun set at the Bandra sea front

Wall hangings,holy crosses and rosaries on sale at the stalls

Simply beautiful!No words!

People too take time to witness the magical sunset.....and capture it in their cell-phones.

My photographer friends had a great time capturing the sunset at different angles...

My pals ordered south Indian fare at the restaurant

The only South-Indian in the group had North Indian food...chole bature for me ,please!

Another day at Bandra and I was there to be a part of the Li'l Flea,a fair organised by the Hindustan Times and widely advertised .This was their third year and a few of my friends had been there earlier so I was curious to learn for myself about it.It was a hot day and I was there in the morning.It was at the Bandra Reclamation ground and it was in an open air setting.My trusted hat and sun glasses were no match for the afternoon heat and I must have reminded myself about twenty times that never again I will be coming here unless I do come late in the evening when I am sure the actual fun lay.

There were numerous stalls having many novel and unusual artefacts on display.It was very creative and interesting to see all the stuff at the fair but buying anything there was out of limits,at least for me as everything there was over-priced according to me.There were no live shows or music going on as they were only scheduled for late evenings.I visited at the wrong time I guess but yet I browsed and looked around to my hearts content and then left for catching a movie at the G7 complex.I watched Hrithik's Bang-Bang,ate a Cadbury chocolate(yummy!) and then called it a day.

All in all an interesting day.

Here are some snapshots of that day.

The Lil Flea Fair at Bandra Reclamation ground......was curious so wanted to know what it was all about

It was a two-day fair and I visited it the first day......wrong to go there in the hot afternoon.....

But saw many stalls there which sold great,novel items....

very creative and interesting stuff on sale there....but all over-priced!

I specially likes all the traditional Indian prints and work......on bags,dresses,jackets and jooties.

Lovely handy purses for ladies.....all in pretty colours but too expensive

Madpoi stall....they were to have an exhibition of their art in the evening........there was fire show...hoola-hoop etc to be displayed.This art is called POI.....