Trip to Mitaoli, Parawali and Bateshwar in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is the central state of India – situated right in the middle of the country. Its rich historical value makes it stand out of the crowd. In almost every district one would find atleast one or two heritage sites that dates back to even before the British occupation.

Bateshwar Group of Temples

Mitaoli, Paravali and Bateshwar group of temples are quite significant among them and are situated in the district of Morar. All of the three sites are temples of different hindu gods (mostly of Shiva).

Direction: We rented a car from a private car service in Gwalior and covered all the sites in almost 5 hours (including refreshment breaks).

Pocket Pinch: The car service took Rs. 2100/- in total (he was asking for a higher fare but we bargained the price). The refreshment is best to be prepared or bought earlier because near the sites there are hardly any restaurants, cafes or anything of that sort. So it depends on what you are bringing to eat.

Mitaoli: The design of Indian Parliament House was inspired by this ancient structure. The resemblance is uncanny. This huge man made creation is situated at the top of a small hill and every one has to climb a good number of step stones (stairs) that lead to the actual site. So people with weak knees like me have to prepare their soul for it. The temple is also called Ekattarso Mahadev Temple or Chausath Yogini Temple. It is named so because of the presence of multitude of Shivlingas inside each cells. It is dedicated to the sixty four yoginis.

Paravali: The most interesting part is that no one knows for sure which god was actually worshipped here. Though studying embodied sculptures and excavations, it is assumed that it might be true that Lord Shiva was worshipped here. It has two huge statues of one lion and one lioness guarding the entrance to the temple. Inside the establishment, there are numerous beautiful and detailed sculptures of ancient gods carved out of sandstone.

Bateshwar Group Of Temples : It is a cluster of almost 200 mini grandeurs made of sandstone, devoted to lords Shiva and Vishnu. Spread over 25 acres, the temples were constructed in the 8th to 10th century AD probably during the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty. The forest surrounding the site is a home for numerous peacocks, parakeets, kingfishers. We really loved this site because of its tranquility and architectural value.

On our way back home, I felt a soothing breeze flowing through the window, carrying the evidences of uncountable instances it witnessed over the past hundreds of years. I sensed curiosity and peace at the same time.

Let me know your experience if you visit any of these sites in the future. Lots of love.

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My Instagram handle: foodology_ankita

Our Stay at New Mandala Golden Spa and Resort, Darjeeling

We checked in on 26th December, 2021 and checked out on 29th December,2021. This place is very close to Keventar’s.

• Location: Right from the traffic crossing (in front of Keventar’s) walk exactly in opposite direction of Mall alongside Miniso, Ramada etc. The first alley to the left leads to a high steep road. Take that. It would take 3 min from there.

•View: Not all the rooms have great view. Rooms on the higher floors have better view. Talk to them before booking. We booked early and requested for the view room from where we saw Kanchanjangha on a clear day. We were happy about our room.

•View: Not all the rooms have great view. Rooms on the higher floors have better view. Talk them before booking. We booked early and requested for the view room from where we saw Kanchanjangha on a clear day. We were happy about our room.

Kanchanjangha from room


•Price: It cost us Rs. 4000/- per night (including breakfast) for two adults plus room heater charges for 3 days (Rs. 300/- per day) .

•Convenience:
-Geyser supplies warm water to main tap and basin tap.

-We had an attached balcony in our “view room”.

-Though they charge extra for room heater but it works.

-The quality of food they serve in the breakfast menu is really good.

-The staffs are really polite though some of them are still novice and still learning to be professionals.

-Mall is a 5 min walk from here.

-The restaurant area is really beautiful.

•Inconvenience:
-There were multiple powercuts in this area. In that case only geyser and few lights are attached to the in house generator. That seemed a problem.

-There is no card transactions here. Only cash or online payments are available. To avoid confusions regarding network errors, carry cash.

Outdoor part of restaurant

-Not many toiletries are provided on the house, so carry your necessities.

The overall experience was nice. If they troubleshoot the issues I guess there would be more guests.

Link: New Mandala Golden Spa and Resort Darjeeling

My facebook page: Ankita Mitra

Vasu Sugar Scrub Age Revitalizing: Gentle and Effective

Our skin produces new firm cells everyday. This fresh layer of cells stays right under the cover of the dead skin cells at the surface. This is where the benefits of a good face scrub lie.

When the dead skin cells do not break away from the skin regularly enough, they can collect in the hair follicles on our skin. They then combine with the body’s natural oils (sebum) and clog the pore, resulting in acne, blackheads and whiteheads, popping up from under the surface of the skin. These can become inflamed, causing pustules, papules, even cysts. By helping our skin to remove the upper layers of dead skin regularly, we reduce the risk of blocked pores and the resulting breakouts.

A good face scrub always washes away the dead skin cells, black heads, white heads etc without leaving the skin dry. So, is the The Vasu Sugar Scrub Age Revitalizing enriched with Kumkumadi Tailam and Vitamin E.

Packaging: It comes in this transparent tub with beautiful design printed in golden, inside paper box embodied with elegant golden details.

Key ingredients:
• Sucrose (Sugar): It exfoliates the tired, dull looking skin and promotes healthy skin cells.
• Propylene glycol: It acts as a humectant at a low concentration level. It secures the water and takes it to the outer layer of your skin, reduces signs of aging.
• Kumkumadi Tailam: It helps in lightening the complexion, diminishing various signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles, spots, pimples, blemishes, and effectively treating skin infections and conditions.
• Glycerine: It naturally keeps the skin soft and supple and hydrated.
• Black sand: It is an excellent ingredient for skin purifying, detoxifying, anti-stress and protective properties against harmful external agents.
• Caramel: It exfoliates dead skin from body, gives glowing and flawless skin.


Texture: It is grainy and glue like (due to the presence of sugar) in texture, full of small sugar beads. As it is applied on skin it generates a warm sensation and the sugar melts into the skin as one keeps on messaging with gentle strokes.

Scent: The 22 herbs in Kumkumadi Tailam add a rich soothing fragrance to the scrub. The scent is quite similar to that of fresh sandalwood.

Effects: It instantly leaves the skin being soft and supple. The skin glows with even tone. It unclogs pores while infusing anti aging nutrients into the skin.

Skin type: It is suitable for all skin types.

Features:
• It is extremely gentle on skin and does not tear or cause damage to the skin.
• The sugar gradually ments into the skin leaving it moisturized and smooth.
• It is dermatologically tested for safety. It is non-irritant.
• It is free from animal derivatives, parabens, mineral oil, formaldehyde and dyes.

Quantity: 50 ml
Price: Rs. 750/- (including all taxes)
Visit their site for more details: https://www.vasustore.com/

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My First Staycation: Howard Johnson by Wyndham, Kolkata

Travelling is quite liberating. And safe travelling ensures the extention to that liberty.
From Vacation to Staycation, you get a sound sleep at the end of the day if you are at the right hotel and ofcourse within affordable range.

I, along with some of closest friends, decided to take a break and indulge in a luxurious staycation that would be budget friendly as well.
Howard Johnson by Wyndham is the trustworthy place where we ended up logging in. This four star paradise is known for its food quality as well.

Location: It is situated at Chinar Park Crossing which is almost 10-12 mins away from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata.

Description: It is a eight storey building decorated with beautiful and detailed arts and crafts. The rooms range from 3k to 6k per night for Deluxe (Smoking and Non-smoking), Premium and Junior Suites and that gives the opportunity to the guests a choice as per their budget. The view through the window was the perfect camouflage of nature and city lights.


Amenities:
• 24×7 room service
• 24×7 reception desk
• Free wifi
• Dry cleaning
• Fitness centre / Gym
• Car rentals
• Airport transfers
• Multilingual staffs
• Premium toiletries
• Coffee/tea maker in room

Food and catering:
The Nest is the in-house restaurant of Howard Johnson and it offers a wide range of dishes that simply blew my mind.
• Lunch buffet: Rs. 725 + taxes
• Dinner buffet: Rs. 825 + taxes
• Brunch: free for guests only
I loved every single dish I tasted from morning to night and most importantly, we went to bed filled with complete satisfaction.

Brunch: I had a plate full of vibrant colours. There were – Fried eggs, Sausages, Bacons, Salami, Mini Dosa, Idli, Puri Sabzi, Breads, Different Kinds of Cheese, Salads, Fruits, Coffee, Tea, Juices, Cereals Milk, Cakes etc.

lunch/Dinner: I had – Soups, Different Salads, Veg AuGratin, Baked Fish, Fried Fish Pakoras, Bengali Style Egg Curry, Chicken Biryani, Mutton Kosha, Gulab Jamun, Fruits etc.
The menu is lit and endless. Due this pandemic situation, the food is currently served in rooms and lots of hygiene measurements are being taken.

  • Chicken Biryani
  • Mutton Kosha
  • Gulab Jamun
  • Chocolate Mousse

Nearby Amusement:
• City Centre 2, Rajarhat (5 mins walk)
• Eco Tourism Park (10 mins by car)
• Mother Wax Museum (10 mins by car)
• Kolkata Gate: (15 mins by car)
• Axis Mall (20 mins by car)
etc.

Our room: Three 1 Queen bed, Deluxe rooms

My rating: 5/5

Hotel Site: Howard Johnson by Wyndham

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St.Botanica Vitamin C 20%, 24 K Gold Night Face Serum Review

Vitamin C is one of those skin staples that fight for your skin against many problems at the same time. This serum pretty much does the job with ease. Along with 24K Gold bits in it, its benefits increase manifold.

Thanks stbotanica.india for sending this over. .

Usage: I have been using it for almost a month now.

Packaging: It comes in a beautiful and sturdy glass bottle with an elegant golden finish, inside a paper box.

Key Ingredients:

  • Vitamin C 20%
  • Vitamin E
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • 24K Gold

Effects:

•It gives an instant healthy glow with a moisturizing effect.

•People having normal to oily skin might not need any moisturizer after using this.

•It hydrates the skin.

•With time, it helps in reducing hyperpigmentation, dark circles or any dark patches.

• It has anti-aging properties that reduces the the appearance of fine lines with time.

Sensitivity: Though my skin sensitive, it hasn’t reacted with it till now. Still, I recommend a patch test to everyone.

Consistency: It has a light consistency with tiny golden bits in it. It is neither too runny nor too thick.

Scent: The only thing that I didn’t like is its scent. It has a very strong smell that instantly hits me, very similar to that of the St. Botanica Argan oil and Rosehip Serum.

Longevity: It comes in a decent quantity and only few drops are required on a daily basis. So, it should last for 4-5 months.

Mitra Meter: 4.0/5

Quantity :25ml e 0.84 fl. oz.

Price : 2199/-INR (Inclusive of all Taxes)

Available at : amazondotin

Kindly note that what have worked for me may or may not work for you as we all have different skin types and conditions, so definitely do a patch test before using.


© All rights reserved for all the pictures by Ankita Mitra. Usage of any of the pictures for any purpose of any form without my permission is strictly prohibited.Usage of each photograph is chargeable and one must contact me directly via messenger and seek my permission.

However, sharing this post as a whole is appreciated.

St. Botanica Nutritivo Pomegranate Facewash Review

Nutritivo Pomegranate Radiant Glow Skin Balancing Face Wash by St.Botanica

A good skincare routine starts with a good cleanser and a good cleanser is something that nourishes your skin while cleansing. So it won’t leave your skin dry and rough.

Is it a hit or miss? Let’s check out.

Key Ingredients:

  • Pomegranate Seed Cold Pressed Oil,
  • CoconutOil, G
  • VitaminB3,
  • Vitamin E
  • VitaminC,
  • Licorice Extract
  • Turmeric Extract,
  • AloeVera Extract, M
  • Extract,
  • Lemon Essential Oil,
  • Orange Essential Oil and many more.

It also is free from-

  • Paraben
  • Silicon
  • Sulphate
  • Cruelty

Packaging: It comes in a plastic tube inside a paper box. The design of the the whole package looks luxurious.

Scent: One of the pro sides of this facewash is its fragrance. It is quite similar to that of a sweet candy.

Consistency: It is of gel-like consistency. So a pea-sized drop goes a long way.

Effects: Despite of having a sensitive skin, I haven’t experienced any negative reactions for using this on my skin, yet. It thoroughly cleans my skin without leaving it dry after the wash.

Longevity: It has a shelf life of 3years. As only a little amount is needed in every wash it should last about a month or two (though it depends on the user completely).

Quantity : 3.4fl.oz. / 100 ml

Price : 499/-INR (Inclusive of all Taxes)

Available at : www.amazondotin, www.nykaa.com

Kindly note that what have worked for me may or may not work for you as we all have different skin types and conditions, so definitely do a patch test before using.

You can always reach out to me

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Facebook: AnkitaMitra.lifestyle

Blog: AnkitaMitra.Lifestyle.Fashion


© All rights reserved for all the pictures by Ankita Mitra. Usage of any of the pictures for any purpose of any form without my permission is strictly prohibited.Usage of each photograph is chargeable and one must contact me directly via messenger and seek my permission.

However, sharing this post as a whole is appreciated.

Organix Mantra Jojoba Carrier Oil Review

Cold pressed jojoba oil is one of those carrier oils that have been like beauty staple all around the world. It benefits both your hair and skin.

I have upgraded my skincare routine with the Jojoba Carrier Oil by Organix Mantra to give my skin the barrier of moisturization it needs.

This oil is very light in texture and gets absorbed into the skin easily, however, make sure you don’t take more than you need.

It contains the goodness of

•Vitamin E
•Vitamin A
•Vitamin B1
•Vitamin B2
•Vitamin B6

Cold pressed Jojoba oil has many benefits for your skin and hair

•Natural Skin Softener
•Natural Skin Rejuvenator
•Natural Astringent
•Natural Anti-aging agent
•Natural Anti-fungal and Anti-inflammatory agent
•Treats Frizzy Hair
•Treats Alopecia

Highs:

• Good quality product

• Affordable Price

• Sturdy Packaging

Lows:

It has a nutty smell that many people might not like.

Quantity: 30ml – 1fl oz

Price: 499INR( including all taxes)

Tips for skincare:

Before going to bed at night, wash your face with a mild cleanser. Then take 3-4 drops of Jojoba oil into your palm, warm it up by rubbing between two palms then gently press it on your face and it’s done.

Tips for Haircare:

Add a few drops to scalp where you are facing extreme hairloss or simply add 3-4 drops to your shampoo before applying to minimize its harshness.


Kindly note that what have worked for me may or may not work for you as we all have different skin types and conditions, so definitely do a patch test before using.


© All rights reserved for all the pictures by Ankita Mitra. Usage of any of the pictures for any purpose of any form without my permission is strictly prohibited.Usage of each photograph is chargeable and one must contact me directly via messenger and seek my permission.

However, sharing this post as a whole is appreciated.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

  • Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
  • Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

  • Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
  • What topics do you think you’ll write about?
  • Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
  • If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

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