After all the  TV coverage of the President inaguration of the Global Vipassana Pagoda, Me and Deepthi decided to make a visit there. There are 2 ways to get to the Pagoda (near Esselworld, Gorai) 1. Via Ferry From Gorai Creek 2. Via road  Bhayandar – Uttan – Gorai (details on site ) Good Things About the Pagoda

• The 325 feet majestic monument really stands out and will surely drive more tourists.
• Its the world’s largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars
• Over 8k people can meditate inside the Pagoda.
• Genuine Buddha relics enshrined in the Pagoda.
• There are no entry fees or charges of any kind.
• Free Bus from Car Park to the Pagoda
• Located in a great location with great view and really breezy place.

Things to remember :

• You cant meditate or enter the dome unless you have completed the 10 day vipassana course.
• Visitors can just roam around the Pagoda and see the people meditating inside the dome.
• Lotsa work is still pending and it resembles a big under construction project, It should be at least a year or two till everything looks like the pictures in the Brochures.

I will definitely wanna  do the 10 day course subject to getting leave from work :) Some snapshots of the Global Pagoda

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The only place in India apart from Goa, where the Carnival is held is  in IC Colony , Borivali (w).

Though this year there were more Advertising floats than People’s parade floats maybe due to low prize money or the overall recession. Nevertheless the turnout and people participation in the parade was decent.

After the parade the event moves to the ground where there’s music ,dance, games, fun & Food. There no booze allowed anymore but people do manage to smuggle in.

Carnival Details:
Where: BMC Ground, Opp Rishi Complex, Holy X Rd, Borivali (w).
When: 21st & 22nd Feb 2009-02-21
What time: 6 pm Onwards
Damages: 50 bucks, if you are Eyesee Vision Customer, Pls go n collect your free ticket.

Sharing some snapshots of the Carnival Parade.

Band leading the Parade

King MOMO & Co

VOIC Float

Haathi mere Saathi

Communal Harmony Float

Still haven’t figured out how Kasab got in the float?

Anti-Leprosy Float

Old Monk Pirates

Vintage Football Club

To see all Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bombaylives/sets/72157594283675812/

King Momo : Not the ones you eat at Tibetian joints, read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Momo_(Carnival_character) , here in IC Colony its normally the guy who been around for a while and bit famous. ( Earlier Momo’s include Martin from Martin Driving school and Oscar from IC Medical , Louis from Louis stores (need to confirm on that)
Float : A float is a decorated platform, either built on a tempo, Rickshaw, Bullock- cart, or towed behind a moving vehicle

Earlier Carnival Posts:-
http://www.bombaylives.com/?p=825
http://www.bombaylives.com/?p=551

I go here every year, Infact been going here since I was a kid
This year things have been very quiet and somber due the tragedy in Bombay and overall recession.

But the usual fun and games are still around the same wax candle, chana, sweets, housie games, Ferris wheel, magic shows, Maut ka Kua, Aapti Bombs, Loud whistles…

Trivia :-
The original IC church was built in 1547, destroyed in 1739 by the Marathas and rebuilt in 1888.

Sharing some snapshots

Giant Wheel

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