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A look at the shop sign of Papar Wariyan, one of the more reputed stores in Amritsar in northern India for spices, dry fruit and condiments. Some of the gazillion kinds of spices are mentioned in the red sign just above the store entrance but I really could not make out what these were. My sis in law spent quite some time there as she knew what exactly she wanted to pick up. I picked up a packet of mixed dry fruit and nuts and dried plum or aloobukaar, which act like dried prunes in cleaning out your stomach. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
The pricing for the dazzlingly colourful (if a tad garish) and extensive selection of blankets in the OCM Mill showroom in Amritsar was surprisingly very modest, probably because this was a factory outlet, without involvement of a middleman. Here I was trying to focus on the label on one of the blankets. It appeared sharp enough in the viewfinder, but is in reality not so sharp when enlarged. I took all these pictures to while away the time while my bro and sis in law were shopping elsewhere in the showroom. Maybe I should have used the macro mode for a sharper picture. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
One of the many stores in Amritsar selling glass bangles. Glass bangles, especially glass bangles, are a big part of Hindu wedding culture, especially in northern India. In the South, glass bangles for festive occasions may be in other colours like burgundy, green etc. but in the north, wedding bangles are almost invariably red. It is generally not safe to wear glass bangles for day to day use as the delicate glass can shatter on impact and pierce skin, but on festive occasions they are indispensable. This store is fairly well stocked with red glass bangles. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Out of the shop roof tops which appear no more than two feet distant across the street, and the shiny decoration ribbons this structure suddenly appeared. This is the Darshani Deori (literally translates as Sighting Gate). This marks the spot from where Sri Guru Arjun and Sri Guru Hargobind would stand to view the Golden Temple. These are two of the earlier Sikh leaders, and this was the spot from where they could first sight the Harmandir Sahib/ Golden Temple. That gorgeous temple is behind us now, but in these modern times, no way anyone can see it from here- the streets are so congested! (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
This next store outside the Harmandir Shaib/ Golden Temple carries among important item of the mandatory Sikh religious doo dads the 'kirpan' or dagger. This is one of the five Ks every Sikhs must have with him at all times. The five Ks are Kesh (long hair), Kanga (a small wooden comb (which some tuck under the ball of hair on their head)), kachha (boxer shorts), kirpan (dagger, like the ones in the picture) and kada (steel bracelet). This is a store which supposedly carries all of those. The 'kesh' or long hair is generally tied into a ball and placed atop the head, and this is covered by the characteristic turban. And oh, the characteristic beard of Sikhs is probably part of the 'kesh' or hair. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
The Hall Bazaar street ends at the Town Hall, which now houses the Partition Museum. More on that museum later, but notes about the Town Hall appear in the next captions. We have just passed under another gate at this end of the Hall Bazaar- the entrance had been through the Hall/ Gandhi Gate. (see previous pictures)- pictures of this exit gate appear later in this album. I had successfully picked up a pair of original Samsung headphones in a store in Hall Bazaar, as the one I had picked while coming from Dubai had been absolute crap. Well, I was one happy puppy thanks to that, and was looking forward to enjoying the rest of our walk towards the Harmandir Sahib,or Golden Temple as it is more commonly referred to. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Time to head back to Osaka now- I have a 40 min train ride from Kansai Nara station to Shin Osaka. Get to the hotel, check out and then go to catch my flight later in the night. The last stage of my rushed day trip to Nara involved this longish walk to the train station through the Higashimuki Shotengai covered shopping street. Higashimuki is one of the most convenient and busy shopping areas in Nara. This 250-mtr-long covered shopping street extends east from Kintetsu Nara Station and Sanjo Dori Street. I am of course walking in the opposite direction. It’s a pleasant place to stroll, browsing shops and stores selling souvenirs, arts and crafts, clothes, kimonos, as well as traditional Japanese sweets and ornaments. Highlights of the Higashimuki Shopping Arcade include the Mafu-okai Shop, which specialises in Nara’s traditional linen products, a 100-yen shop, and countless restaurants to choose from. (Nara, Japan, Apr/ May 2019)
Photographer: Unknown
Date: 1948
Notes: Built at the corner of Phillips Street and Cumberland Road in 1916.
It served the growing residential population in the surrounding streets for about 40 years, supplying essential grocery needs - plus a few treats as the advertising signs on the shop for Streets Ice Cream and Coca Cola indicate!
The shop’s first owners were William and Elizabeth Slater who were also members of the Auburn Baptist Church. They sold the shop in 1919 to another member of their congregation, Charles Morling who ran the shop until he retired in early 1927.
The next owners leased out the shop until it was sold again in 1946 to William Walker who was the proprietor at the time this photo was taken. There were 29 Grocers in Auburn that year.
Like many of Sydney’s corner shops its business died out in the 1950s-60s with the arrival of suburban supermarkets. It has long since been converted into a private residence but still stands today more than a century later.
AHP00822
The staff were fairly friendly at Papar Wariyan but the shop manager was keeping a hawk like eye on them, so these poor chaps were a tad apprehensive and not overly chatty. The store is very famous in Amritsar for dried fruits, nuts and gazillion kinds of condiments, and despite a rather train car like store layout- long and narrow- was doing roaring business. Here one of the hard working staff takes a moment to discuss something with the store manager about something my sis in law as asking him. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
It's the Westfield! As well as my local shopping centre, I'm very much in a walking distance to this grand old place and it suits me well, plus it has everything I need. Today reached 34.1 °C around this area, hot!
Amritsar is famous for its traditional Punjabi leather sandals, called jutti. That’s a jutti shop in Amritsar in Northern India as my sis in law makes her selection inside. These juttis are to Punjab what Kolhapuri slippers are etc are to Maharashtra, only, while the Kolhapuri slippers are of the 'chappal' or sandals variety, the Punjabi juttis are more like slip on shoes. What makes them unsuitable for wear outside Punjab is that they are terribly shallow (in terms of depth), even shallower than moccasins. Most have a pointed front, with some even having an upturn at the front tip. And most of them are colourful, full of embroidery and decorations. And being 100% leather, they are pretty hard and uncomfortable to wear for too long. Of course, in keeping with modern tastes, many jutti stores are turning out traditional shoes in slip on form with a rubber sole, but then that kills the idea of a traditional footwear,, doesn't it? (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
I thought it rude to simply point my dSLR into the tailoring shop and decided to say hi to the owner and ask him if it was Ok for me to photograph his establishment. He agreed immediately. And although the tailor was friendly enough, his hands were working non stop. Now that is dedication for you! I noticed that the tiny alley was called 'Jail Road', so I asked the tailor where the jail was- it appeared to be too congested a place to house a jail. Ah, that, he said, there was a jail further down at the end of the road during the time of Ranjit Singh. It's all gone now, but the street is still called Jail Street, he said. Now wanting to disturb him further, we moved on. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Taken during a holiday period. in Tiberias when most shops are closed.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission.
© rogerperriss@aol.com All rights reserved.
A slight lull in the crowds as we walk past the Big Mac on our way to Amritsar's icon the Harmandir Saheb or Golden Temple. Probably due to the large 'langar' (free community kitchen) at the Golden Templw which guarantees everyone a free meal, or due to it's first floor location, hardly anyone was going to McD. On a different note, note that as part of the renovation, all the shops in this district have been given a standard colour scheme and signage style. This reminded me of the historic district of Hoi An in Vietnam,which I had visited last year, where all shop houses had identical colours and signage. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
I spent a morning taking photographs at my local butchers. I like the traditional look of the subjects and surroundings and it makes a unique and interesting place to take portraits. I chose here to take portraits for my college portraiture project as i like an interesting background and things to be happening in my portraits, also to portray sides of a person not often shown in a portrait.
I spent a morning taking photographs at my local butchers. I like the traditional look of the subjects and surroundings and it makes a unique and interesting place to take portraits. I chose here to take portraits for my college portraiture project as i like an interesting background and things to be happening in my portraits, also to portray sides of a person not often shown in a portrait.
After over 70 years of neglect by the previous Congress Govt. in India, the current administration is trying to open up the hitherto relatively less know North Eastern regions of India. While Indians in other parts of India may still view our own citizens from the North East as Chinese or foreigners, thanks the the efforts of the current administration, we see more and more tourists from NE India nowadays. This due was part of a large family from NE India, taking turns in taking selfies along the same street we were walking on. And while I missed photographing them at the 'bhangra' diorama (see previous pictures) earlier, I did manage to catch two members of the group at the Ranjit Singh statue. It was quite there, save for weak lighting from nearby shops and some residual light from the floodlighting of the statue itself. That, coupled with my reluctance to use flash (I generally prefer natural light photography) resulted in a rather soft image. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
As we were on our long-ish walk from our hotel to the Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple, several folks we approached for directions were urging us to take a tuktuk so that the tuktuk drivers will get some business for the day. We did that eventually, but on the first day we simply wanted to explore. On the way, we came across this newly set up shop selling traditional Punjabi leather sandals. These sandals are called 'jutti' in the local lingo. We were quite far outside, but two guys came right out of the store to invite us inside, saying they have put on display several aspects of Punjabi culture inside and there was no charge to simply take a look. We were not in a shopping mood just yet, so we had to politely decline and move on. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Our Amritsar heritage walk has now started off in right earnest.
Out guide points out the entrance to the Hall Bazaar. If you recall (see previous pictures earlier in this album), we had started our walk into the Hall Bazaar from the Hall Gate (now Gandhi Gate) at the other end of the street and after picking up a pair of Samsung headphones to replace my busted ones, we had walked down the entire bazaar (market) street and had ended up here at the Town Hall, which is behind us now and which houses the Partition Museum. (pictures of that later on in this album). (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
The transformation of a narrow, congested, dusty and chaotic street to the Harmandir Sahib/ Golden Temple is indeed really something to be proud of! A couple of locals we'd asked directions from were also justifiably proud of the development. 'Just turn the corner, you will see London there', one street vendor said proudly. Now London or now I do not know, I haven't been there, but it certainly was a grand and impressive sight. Here a group of weary pedestrians rests in front of a newly restored fort like structure on that street. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Sign on the pedestrianized street for the 200 year old Dharam Singh market, Amrtisar. This was once an old crowded market but now looks like an European High Street market after the recent face lift. Now although the overall historical architectural theme of the holy city has been maintained, everything was looking too spruced and far too clean and spanking new to give that historic feel. But still, I think they have done a pretty good job of the restoration. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Having toured around the Amritsar icon the Harmandir Sahib/ Golden Temple, taking nearly four hours from evening till late night, we were thoroughly pooped. The long walk past the pedestrianized areas around the temple seemed to stretch forever, but we eventually made it to where we can get some public transport. We road this electric tuk tuk back- my brother is seen here negotiating with the driver. There are scores of similar electric tuk tuks in Amritsar, but the driver of this vehicle claimed he had built it himself by hand, in his backyard workshop, and it is much stronger and much more reliable than the scores of factory made ones running about. He was quite vocal and verbose about his achievement, but tactfully avoided my repeated questions about vehicle testing and registration. The vehicle did feel a lot more sturdy but it was a pretty bumpy ride in comparison to a factory made one we took the following day. My brother chose to avoid electric tuk tuks are they are not certified by the transport authority. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
I spent a morning taking photographs at my local butchers. I like the traditional look of the subjects and surroundings and it makes a unique and interesting place to take portraits. I chose here to take portraits for my college portraiture project as i like an interesting background and things to be happening in my portraits, also to portray sides of a person not often shown in a portrait.
You can find a large number of full-resolution photos under a Creative Commons license on my official website: nenadstojkovicart.com/albums
Another colourful store selling Japanese gift items and curios on the pedestrianized shopping street leading to and from the bus stop to the Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto, Japan. Detailed notes about the Kiyomizu-dera temple and some of it's subsidiary shrines appeared earlier in this album. (see previous pictures). (Kyoto, Japan, Apr/ May 2019) Kyoto, Japan, Apr/ May 2019)
After photographing the Khair ud din mosque and the tuk tuk repair shop (see previous pictures), I was surprised at this guy selling fresh coconut water. Yes, here in Amritsar. This north Indian city is totally land locked and is miles away from the sea. Coconuts are primarily a coastal product, so it must have cost quite a packet to get these all the way here. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Back with our able guide to continue our heritage walk (well, we have not even started yet!) I turn back to frame the arch at the other end of Hall Bazaar through the entrance arch at the Amritsar Town Hall. Now I have spoken enough about Hall Bazaar earlier in this album so I will save you the commentary. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Another picture which is not too sharp as I had to take a quick 'grab shot' while walking as our guide and my travel companions were walking forward fairly rapidly. Here is a tiny store with trays full of 'kada' or steel bracelet. It is mandatory for every person who follows the Sikh faith to wear one of these. In fact, the 'kada' or steel bracelet is one of the five mandatory 'K's for followers of the Sikh faith, the other four being the kesh (long hair), kanga (wooden comb), kachha (boxer shorts) and the kirpan. (curved dagger). (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Long live the charm of a local shop. Whites of Kent is a small chain of traditional drapers. This one is in Sandwich, Kent.
We ended our heritage walk a tea stall next to this food cart. I had actually invited our good guide Gurinder for a cup of tea- after all he has been at it for several hours now, and though inviting him for lunch was a far shot, he at least accepted the tea invite. He picked one particular tea stall, which is right next to this bhajia & pakora stall (bhaji and pakora are two types of Indian fried fritters. Bhajia is vegetable slices dipped in peanut flour and fried, pakora is likewise but only onions in peanut flour. In northern India, both words are used alternatively to denote fried fritters- vegetables dipped in peanut flour and then fried.) I took a picture of the stall while our tea was being prepared. We did not indulge in these snacks though, as the quality of oil they use can be suspect. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
I spent a morning taking photographs at my local butchers. I like the traditional look of the subjects and surroundings and it makes a unique and interesting place to take portraits. I chose here to take portraits for my college portraiture project as i like an interesting background and things to be happening in my portraits, also to portray sides of a person not often shown in a portrait.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission.
© rogerperriss@aol.com All rights reserved.
One of the largest video walls I have ever seen- this one is fitted on the side of the Town Hall/ Partition Museum in Amritsar, and is very close to the Harmandir Sahib/ Golden Temple, which is incidentally the subject of the movie playing on that screen. I have seen the 'world's largest video wall' outside the Times Square shopping mall in Hong Kong, and another 'world's largest' outside the Royal Selangor Club in KL, but this one is the largest of the lot. There is a sign close by this one claiming this to be the 'world's largest' as well, but I did not photograph that notice specifically- it only appeared in another picture I took of the Town Hall by day the following day. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)(Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Yes, and it finally happened! There was barely enough space for us to talk on that uber narrow street, and we were constantly jumping out of the way of lunatic motor scooter riders going around at high speed with their finger pressed firmly on their horn. And then this fully loaded trishaw pick up truck comes by. To his credit, the poor guy could not ride his trishaw- he had to get off and push his heavy load along. And we are behind another stationary trishaw pick up taking on a full load of colourful shawls (an Amritsar specialty). We took cover behind this partly visible trishaw with it's colourful load- had it been moving, we would have had to clamber onto the building front to let the two loaded trishaws pass! (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
While most of the locals in Amritsar talk about Kesar da Dhaba or Brothers' Dhaba as the best places in town for authentic local Amritsar cuisine, this 'kulcha' (stuffed unleavened bread) place is famous as well. My brother was reading the signage which I was racking my brains as to where I had seen this before. The answer was revealed a couple of weeks after I returned to Dubai. This place had featured in the Nat Geo's documentaries- David Rocco's Dolce India as well- the same Amritsar episode which I had referred to earlier. We never got a chance to eat here though. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)
Exiting the Quila/ Katra Ahluwalia and onto the street behind, we spot this trishaw (cycle rickshaw) driver waiting for passengers. We didn't see the prosperity in Amritsar which we can find in Bombay (Mumbai) and even in Poona (Pune)- here in Amritsar, apart from severely potholed streets and open drainage, we also found trishaws aplenty. Many of the pick up trucks were horse drawn- so plenty of horse carts around too. Most trishaw drivers we spotted in Amritsar were of a fairly small build, like this gentleman here. (Amritsar, Punjab, northern India, Nov. 2017)