Traditional Rajasthani decor with a contemporary twist.....Suryagarh, Jaisalmer

I was watching Master Chef - India - Season 2 and saw the contestants cooking in the kitchens of this gorgeous hotel, SURYAGARH in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. This reminded me of my recent trip to Rajasthan and our stay at this hotel. I decided to do a quick post  with some of my personal picture collection.

Jaisalmer, also known as "The Golden City" is very popular and  a dream destination to many tourists.

This hotel is also built using yellow sandstone to preserve the tradition of Jaisalmer.

This super-luxury hotel has an entrance with a typical medieval fort look.

The Neo-classical Reception and the Lounge areas.

The illumination as you enter the courtyard and the puppets getting ready for a traditional show.

Dinner at the illuminated court-yard with folk musicians and dancers - Truly Rajasthani!!!

Seems like Heaven on Earth

Restored artifacts and furniture can be seen in the corridors throughout the hotel.

A beautiful blend of the classical elements like the columns with luxurious contemporary furniture sets this hotel apart from the others.

Intricate Lattice or Jaali is creatively used wherever necessary.

The Bathroom motivates one to totally relax....feels like the Kings and the Queens

I specially loved the block work of golden paisleys on the walls in the room and the door displays in different colours with traditional illustrations.

The Peacock inspired Swimming Pool - Neel, is a place when one can spend hours....truly!!!

Dramatic brass ornamentation on the walls with peacock inspired motifs, the accent lighting and the blue pool is a divine experience.

 

Verdict - A great place to stay with entertainment for the complete family.

More posts on Jaisalmer to follow soon. Have  a great weekend!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

What I love about Christmas is that it is celebrated all over the world with a touch of its cultural own in every country. I am so fascinated with the way it is celebrated in Germany. Christmas wreaths, cakes, cookies, ginger bread, hot & spicy wine, traditional pine wreaths decorated with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, miniature gift wraps, glass balls and candles.The feel of Christmas starts right from the first week of December. Here are a few pictures of some wreaths getting ready. Thanks to my friends Renate and Marie for making them and teaching me how to make such beautiful wreaths.

Every town in Germany boasts of its Christmas markets traditionally known as the Weihnachtsmarkt. I simply love these markets because of the rarities that you find here. More on these Christmas markets in my next post. Meanwhile, do check out the old post on a traditional market here. A few pictures from the Christmas market near my house.

More posts on Christmas Market to follow soon. Enjoy your Christmas season!!!!

Tagging this to In the spotlight - Santa Stories at Colours Dekor

Bringing your inspirations home....an addition to the previous post

Here are a couple of boards that I created just as an addition to my previous post. Inspired by grey architectural wonder of Somanathapura, I decided to use the picture that I photographed in different ways.

Option 1

Print a huge poster of the photograph. Treat it as a wall paper and stick it directly to the wall as if to form a focal point. Frame it all around using a wooden or a metal frame. Identify the feel of the photograph and then choose the right textures, patterns and colours to create the desired ambience. 

Option-2

Get the complete picture screen printed and treat it as a wall paper. Alternatively, get the picture printed on ceramic tiles and fix them to the wall.

Option - 3

Crop the picture in different patterns. Make 3 pieces or 6 pieces of equal or  different sizes. Print the picture and box frame it. Arrange them on the wall with little gaps in between them. This engages the

viewer's eyes and creates an interesting focal point.

Have a great weekend!!!!

Hoysala Architecture at Somanathapura.....

After a brief rest from a nagging shoulder pain (thanks to wrong posture and continuous use of computer), here I am back again to my blog. My post today is an interesting one and that which is pre-dominantly seen in parts of Karnataka, India. This is called the Hoysala Architecture.

For anybody travelling to Mysore from Bangalore or vice versa and have a flair for design, this place is highly recommended. This is a small, quiet town located approximately about 35 kilometres from Mysore and is called  Somanathapura. This town boasts of an architectural marvel. It is the famous Chennakeshava temple in Hoysalan Architecture.

The view of the temple as you enter through the smoothly textured columns which form the highlight of this architecture.

According to me, this town which is located on the banks of river cauvery goes unnoticed as it is hidden from the commercial areas.  It is now a protected monument. This temple was built by Soma (also known as Somanatha) who was a commander under the king Narasimha III.

The temple is built using a soft grey stone with tints and shades of yellow on ít. It is also called as Soapstone and is a sculptor' delight

The original deity of Chennakeshava is missing but one can  see a similiar deity as you enter. The ceiling carved out in several layers highlights the work of the skilled sculptors 

Thís symmetric structure  has a rectangular mantapa at the center and is surrounded by 3 star-shaped towers called vimana



The finely finished stone pillars adds character and form to the temple. Also notice the stone lattice (Jaali) behind the pillars which is the only source of light into the temple.

Most Hoysala temples are built on a platform called Jagati

The outer wall consists of various sculptures of gods, goddesses and members of the royal family 

The Venugopala deity

This temple houses 3 deities namely Janardhana, Venugopala and Chennakeshava

The other carvings include processions of elephants, horsemen, warriors. The paisleys and the florals follow a rhythm.

Hope you all enjoyed this and will surely plan for a week-end getaway to Somanathapura....

A look at the Deepavali and Halloween decor at my home...

Hello Readers,

Here are a few shots of the Halloween and Deepavali (Diwali) decorations at my home.

Happy Diwali to all you lovely readers!!!!

Linking this to ....of Spooks & Sparkles at Patricia's Colours Dekor blog