There are eight important and famous abodes of Lord Ganesha. These are collectively known as Ashtavinayaka. The eight naturally-formed sculpted stone statues are housed in the old temples.

The Ashtavinayaka temples are just within the range of 100 km of each other. A lot of spiritual importance is given to these eight destinations in Hindu religion.

Each idol is Lord Ganesha’s incarnation as told in different mythological tales. The places, the idols and their incarnation stories are ancient. These narrate us about why and how these Ganesha idols got their particular names and came into existence.

Elaborating on the Ashtavinayaka, the official tourism website of Maharashtra state notes: “Vinayak is another popular name for the god loved and worshiped by Hindus all over, Ganesh. Lord Ganesh is known to be the protector of his ardent devotees. Eight (Astha) naturally-formed sculpted stone statues are housed in old temples at the places where they were first found. The temples of Ashta Vinayaka are within the range of just 20 to 110 km of each other.”

The sequence of Ashtavinayaka pilgrimage according to the convention as mentioned in puran as is as follows:
1. Sri Mayureshwar Of Morgaon
2. Sri Siddhivinayak Of Siddhatek
3. Sri Ballaleshwar Of Pali
4. Sri Varad Vinayaka Of Mahad
5. Sri Chintamani Of Theur
6. Sri Girijatmaj Of Lenyadri
7. Sri Vigneshwar Of Ozar
8. Sri Mahaganapati Of Ranjangaon

These eight places are all in western Maharashtra. To plan your trip, contact:
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation;
Reg. Office: Express Towers, 9th Floor, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.
Information & Booking Office
Central Reservation Division, C.D.O. Hutments,
Opp. Yogakshema (LIC Building), Madame Cama Road, Mumbai 400 020
Check the MTDC Ganesha gallery here…

Mention must also be made of Ganapatipule in Konkan, a spectacular beach right along the Konkan Coast. It’s an idyllic getaway, which attracts beach lovers and pilgrims alike. The temple of Swayambhu (self-originated) Lord Ganesh here is visited by thousands of devotees every year. 

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Ganesh festival is a perfect confluence of philosophy, mysticism, and mythology. The stories of God’s divine pastimes have great symbolic connotations, and require full understanding and concentration to be blessed with pure happiness and peace. Whoever understands their inner and outer meanings will grasp the essence of life.

Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of Lord Ganesh, falls on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada which falls in August-September. The symbolic connection behind the snake, mouse and the Lord’s pot belly and its relationship to the moon on his birthday is highly mythical and philosophic.

The entire cosmos is like the God’s belly. Shakti Parvati, the primordial energy, cooks 21 types of dishes, meaning 21 expansions of the cosmos: seven above, seven below and seven oceans - all of which are inside the Ganesha’s cosmic belly - held together by the cosmic energy symbolized as a huge snake that Ganesha ties around him.

The mouse is nothing but our inflated ego. Ganesha, using it as vehicle, represents the fact that our great Self or consciousness controls the ego, using it as a vehicle or instrument in daily life. In other words, one who controls the ego attains Ganesha-consciousness or God-consciousness.

Apart from a significant spiritual side, the festival has a social aspect. Lokmanya Tilak, the great freedom fighter, made it a public event to reshape the Indian psyche based on our own heritage and history.

The concept of public festivities is the gift given by him to the nation in the 19th century. Tilak had inspired people to organize the festival to rekindle nationalistic spirit. Since then, the purpose and form of the festival has greatly changed.

LALBAUGCHA RAJA (The Emperor of Lalbaug) in Mumbai is among the most revered and popular Ganesh idols in Mumbai visited by a host of celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar.

The Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati, located in Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, is another revered idol. The Ganpati was established in 1893.

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Raksha Bandhan is the occasion when even celebrities take time off from their hectic schedules and soak in the spirit of the festival.

It’s that auspicious time of the year when brothers and sisters strengthen their tender bond signified by tying of the sacred thread.

And gifts are an essential element of the festival to reflect the spirit of sharing and caring. Riddhima Kapoor this Rakhi wanted quite an interesting gift from her famous actor brother Ranbir. What was that?

As a media report stated she wanted her actor brother to come up with as many super hits this season as he can as her best Rakhi gift. The news report mentioned: “Riddhima, a busy fashion designer, wasn’t able to go to Mumbai for celebrating Raksha Bandhan. However, she sent her rakhi by courier.”

She was quoted as saying: “I would be in New Delhi and hence won’t be able to travel to Mumbai owing to my work commitments. I’ve couriered it (Rakhi) to him. Along with it, I’ve also sent to brother my good wishes and blessings. And all I want as my Rakhi gift from him is that he should give as many hit films as he can.”

On the other hand, Bebo’s (Shivshakti Sachdev) popular on-screen brothers Siddharth Bajaj (Omi) and Vineet Kumar (Daljeet) surprised the former. They visited the sets and celebrated Raksha Bandhan.

The overwhelmed actress prepared a pooja thali and tied Rakhi to them and prayed to God for their well-being and happiness. The ‘brothers’ acknowledged her emotions with a pledge to stand by her through all the good and even bad times.

A touched Bebo said, “I’m delighted that my brothers have come here to celebrate Rakhi with me. They’ve been a strong support; they’ve always offered a strong helping hand. I’m lucky to have brothers who protect and love me.”

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There are many cricket or football fans around who are crazy about sports memorabilia. You may be aware of friends or colleagues who are keen to grab their favorite soccer, basketball or cricket team’s jersey.

They are not averse to spending to buy them up. Needless to say, that the caps, jerseys or trousers that symbolize their connection with say Manchester United or Mumbai Indians is a prized possession for them.

Sales of the host of merchandise related to the various Indian Premier League teams picked up. As IPL fever gripped the country, the merchandise of the IPL teams’ specially targeted at their loyal fans was vigorously marketed. In the UK or the US, the average share of items like monogrammed T-shirts can be very high.

The point to be made: Merchandise is an integral part of soccer or basketball team’s fan base and economic structure. Fans are always keen to buy say a monogrammed David Beckham T-shirt, which is a hot property. IPL merchandise sales were lower though. “It’s a new concept in India and will take time to catch on,” Rajiv Mehta, managing director of Puma was quoted as saying in a Business Standard article.

In fact, according to him, the response this year has been better than expected. Linked to the novelty of this concept is the fact that popular team jerseys – like the highest selling item for any team globally - are priced high for the average cricket fan in India. For example, a KKR jersey cost close to Rs 800 at a Reebok outlet. Similarly, an Adidas’ Delhi Daredevils polo t-shirt costs Rs 1499. A Rajasthan Royals jersey is available for Rs 699 at Puma.

You sure can consider sports memorabilia for gifting. Spot the person’s team or player before you gift one.

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This one’s indeed a cool exhibition. At the Institute of Contemporary Indian art (ICIA) shop, you can well find ceramic egg sculptures in attractive shapes and sizes. The exhibit started just in time for fabulous festive Easter weekend.

Nine ceramic artists from Mumbai and New Delhi are displaying nearly 70 different art works related to Easter, priced in the range of Rs500 to Rs3,000.
 
‘The beautiful oval’ is a ceramic creation at the ICIA exhibit. One of the participating artists, Anjali Khanna, has been quoted as saying: “The idea here is that the egg is perceived as a symbol of renewal.  I’ve focused on the same. I’ve made sweet looking bunny rabbits as well as chickens with egg. I have focused on the ‘cosmic egg’ aspect as well as the symbol of birth & death through an egg.”

Delhi based Apeksha Mathur echoed the same thought, “The egg here is a symbol of a new life. I was experiencing positive vibrations and energy while working on these art works and enjoyed it all thoroughly.” 

Set up by Mr Vickram Sethi, The Arts Trust and ICIA have been engaged in promoting Contemporary Indian Art. They focus on the promotion of art by established and young artists. The viewers at the exhibit have increased tremendously in the last few years, as awareness and interest in contemporary art has developed.

The Arts Trust was started in 1990. Events presented range from shows that cater to large audiences and single-evening events for select people. ICIA besides organizing exhibitions, provide art lovers and patrons with an opportunity to view works in different genres.  The latest exhibition is a case in point! It is on till the end of April.

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In our last blog we checked in a store, New Delhi’s Play Clan store that offers Artifacts which are politically correct and simultaneously, entertaining and humorous!

For instance, you can get a charming coaster with illustrations of the Goddess Saraswati with a little tale penned at the back. This is a unique branding style that they follow for all their accessories. “We try to weave a story, and then find different platforms for expressing each of them. We carry a small little write-up on each theme at the back of every product,” Himanshu Dogra, the brain behind it, explains.

A bunch of their exclusive products are available at select outlets like Kimaya and Malini Ramani’s Goa store. But this small Delhi space symbolizes the Clan at its best. The way the store has been designed gels with the whole idea behind it. They wanted it to be project as a graphic showcase. The yellow wall and the clones’ illustrations represent common people like us. They have displayed the frames and pillows to create a unique ambience.

It serves as a compact space. The open glass cabinets host smaller things like colorful illustrated journals, badges, coffee mugs and DVD holders. Prices have been kept moderate, which is important from a buyer’s perspective. They start from Rs 260 onwards. The items are indeed affordable for everyone, making them a true value pick for corporate or personal gifting.

Located at the Select City Mall in Saket and spread over mere 250 sq ft, Play Clan is a brainchild of Illum Designs that is branding for the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week 2009.

This is Play Clan’s flagship store. Apart from the one at Select CityWalk, two more are on their way. One has already opened at The Garden of Five Senses. Another one is coming up in Mumbai. According to Himanshu Dogra, the brain behind it, their production is still small-scale. This is because they are keen on maintaining a sense of exclusivity. The idea is to keep each artifact personal.

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Play Clan is place tucked away in a glassy mall in the capital city that offers experimental and alternative gift ideas. It is not a commercial enterprise; it’s a rather small-scale retail venture.

Eccentricities that expressed in ink & paper in the form of illustrations in popular graphic novels spill onto accessories showcased here. They represent age-old icons, urban pop culture, and other symbols of everyday life. These are Wonderful artifacts with a contemporary touch!

You get to see a sage from Kashi on a colorful, classy mug — with the Ganges ghats illustrated over his body, or a DTC bus as an illustration in a small frame, or a rickshaw colored in with letterings ‘Taxi no. 9211’, ‘CNG’ and ‘Roses are red, violets are blue’. The ravishing rustic metal kettle and captivating chai glass cups are iconized here.

T-shirts and formal shirts sport a larger picture, with the Indian “Hum do hamare do’ family sharing a Bajaj scooter, an Old Delhi nook flush with kites flying high on Independence Day,  or superstar Rajinikanth posing with his bike. Mumbai’s towering skyscrapers and VT (or CST) are etched in cushion covers and frames. Snatches of Kolkata are also there. The Presidential House is splashed on other curios

Himanshu Dogra started Illum Designs almost eight years ago. He unveiled the first Play Clan retail store in 2007. He has mentioned in an interview: “Our themes change every couple of months.” Their current theme is India images, across cities. They will soon introduce a Goddess Saraswati theme.

The wonderful artifacts in this store are politically correct and at the same time entertaining and humorous. They will help you to strike a chord with the person whom you opt to gift them.

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Travel Port is a reputed firm offering the whole gamut of travel services. Apart from offering a pack of conventional and catchy user-friendly services like air tickets, hotel reservations and holiday packages, TravelPort’s portfolio also comprises various other innovative concepts to attract tourists.

These include incentive travel & corporate loyalty management programs. You may approach the renowned travel firm for a relaxed sojourn this holiday season. You can be guaranteed of a fantastic experience, which would serve as a much-coveted and memorable gift for your family and key corporate contacts on your part.

Travel Port is a perfect avenue for planning personal as well as professional journeys. They are associated with the best travel firms all across the globe. Their efficient team is backed by a solid network. They strive to bring the best ever holiday experience for you and those special to you.

This exactly is the reason why the firm has established itself as a premier Travel and Tour organizer. Travel Port boasts of a nation-wide presence owing to numerous franchise outlets that span across all major cities of India and outside.

Here, we are recommending their serene Uttaranchal and Himachal package with its details:

1. Best of Himachal - 10 Days | 9 Nights
Shimla (2 Nights) | Manali (3  Nights) | Dharmshala (1 Night) | Dalhousie (2  Nights) | Parwanoo (1 Night)

2. Beautiful Himachal - 9 Days | 8 Nights
Shimla (2  Nights) | Manali (3 Nights) | Dharmshala (1Nt) | Dalhousie (2 Nights)

3. Beautiful Uttaranchal - 8 Days | 7 Nights
Mussoorie (2 Nights) | Nainital (3 Nights) | Corbett Park (2 Nights)

4. Discover Himachal - 11 Days | 10 Nights
Chandigarh (1 Nt) | Shimla (2  Nights) | Manali (3  Nights) Dharmshala (1 Night) | Dalhousie (2  Nights) | Amritsar (1 Nt)

5. Enchanting Uttaranchal - 9 Days | 8 Nights
Nainital (3  Nights) | Almora (1 Nt) | Kausani (1 Nt) | Ranikhet (1 Night) | Corbett Park (2  Nights)

6. Blissful Himachal - 7 Days | 6 Nights
Shimla (2 Nights) | Manali (3 Nights) | Chandigarh (1 Night)

Contact:
TravelPort Holidays India Pvt. Ltd.
311, Shalimar Morya Park
Off New Link Rd, Andheri (W)-400053, Mumbai
Tel: 91-22-26742222, 26735511/22/33/44/77/88
Fax: 91-22-26734499
Toll free: 1600 22 24 26
Email: travelport@traveldeelz.com

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Corporate gifting, Worst gifts, Popular corporate gifts

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We acquaint you with a whole new dynamic world of corporate gifting. As you would agree, the act of gifting goes a long way in stimulating and enhancing business and personal relations and also making the receiver feel that he or she is really important to you.

Manoharlal Omprakash & Company (moco) is a reliable avenue for attractive corporate gifts. They assure you both excellent quality and service. This is possible because they have cultivated themselves into a partnership concern that has highly qualified and professional partners/executives who provide their clients precise and professional gifting ideas.

They are among the leading manufacturers and corporate suppliers of many novel gifts and promotional items for close to three decades. They have served many distinguished and established business houses who remain their loyal corporate customers.

Spelling out their repute and reliability, their website notes: “We have many unique items of interest aimed at corporate GIFTING. The idea is to serve our valuable and precious customers.”

They provide you with a varied range of cost effective products for gifting as well as for Promotional purpose. Among the wide range of gifts on offer are: pharmaceutical Giveaways; ball Pens; key chains; torches; table lamps, desktop items; wall and table clocks; calendars, other utility items such as telephone and date diaries, office-cum-traveling bags, wallets and pouches. There are many more exciting gift items on offer that you can check by visiting their website or by getting in touch with them at the following address:

427, Chira Bazar, Odhavji Bhuvan, 1st Floor, 
R No. 12, J.S.S Road, Girgaum Road,
Mumbai 400 002
Telephone No.: 2208 6115
Tele fax No.: 22056115 

Mobile: 9820434108 / 9820651150
E-mail: moco@rediffmail.com

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The gesture of gifting has now taken a whole new context and meaning. Ethical gifting seems to be the buzzword, not restricted to the corporate sector alone. The trend now encompasses a range of actions like raising funds for a noble cause or pledging your wonderful wedding gift, supporting and helping an NGO, etc.

A DNA India news report by Sanghamitra Bhowmik points out that gifting has taken on an entirely new dimension with the internet. GiveIndia’s is one among the noteworthy innovations. The site has a webpage titled ‘iGive’, which can be used by visitors to raise funds for a specific cause or mission that they support or espouse.

Amita Chauhan of GiveIndia has been quoted as saying: “We once had a couple that donated the money they had received in gift during their wedding to an NGO of their choice.” 

Gifting eco-friendly products also has caught the fancy of the socially conscious class.
The proprietor of eco-friendly gift shop Eco Corner, Urvashi Mody has been in the business for over two and a half years. They already have several repeat customers for such gifts. Mody sources these eco-friendly products from across the country, as she claims. Her shop displays a variety of them including jute items, stationary, craft products designed by the tribal people and the underprivileged.

Nyassa in the western suburbs of Mumbai is another body that has on offer its line of nourishing natural body & beauty products that it produces and distributes. It was launched in 2007 by Ishwin Anand. The products are manufactured with essential oils and entirely natural materials.

Eco-friendly packaging is also becoming popular.

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