Autorickshaws rule

Waiting at the crossroads in suburban Mumbai where the autorickshaws rule the roads.

Paan

Paan is a preparation consisting of areca nut, slaked lime, and a betel leaf, often with other ingredients, consumed for its stimulant and narcotic effects across South and Southeast Asia. The word "paan" itself comes from Indo-Aryan languages and refers to this mixture wrapped in a betel leaf. Its consumption is a cultural practice in many parts of Asia, though its farming and trade face challenges due to shifting consumer preferences and agricultural volatility. 

Generally had after a heavy meal as a dessert too, to aid digestion and as a mouth freshener.

The photos below are from a Paan vendor outside a restaurant in Bandra. More often 

not you will find them outside eating places.

Ingredients that go into the Paan

 Making of the paan

View of the contents in the Paan.

The Paan ready to eat!

The last 2 photos are Gemini AI generated. 

Chatting

A driver to driver chat on the street in Bandra.

 Linking to Black and White Weekend 

Sunbathing

Catching the sunlight after days of gloomy rainy weather, on a carpet outside a restaurant in Bandra whose owner is probably a cat lover.

Linking to Saturday's critters 

Peeper

The moon peeping from behind the clouds watching the fearful things that humans are doing to each other and nature.

Linking to  Skywatch Friday   

Spa

A Thai spa enticing people going home after a tiring day at work in Bandra.

Linking to Tom's Signs2

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi

Today marks the beginning of the Ganesh Festival and the sound of drums interspersed with shouts of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' will fill the air.

This is the eco friendly idol made of clay before the 'Shringar'

This is how it looks after the 'Shringar'
 

Brightness

A spot of brightness after a relentless rainfall in Bandra.

Working

Workers in a street food café in Bandra.

 Linking to Black and White Weekend 

Mother with brood

A mother cat with her kittens outside a restaurant which takes care of them in Bandra.

Linking to Saturday's critters 

Clouds

The sky in Bandra after a couple of days of heavy rainfall.

Linking to  Skywatch Friday   

Café

Mani's Café, a popular café in Mumbai has recently opened one in Bandra and has a continuous stream of customers. It serves excellent South Indian breakfast and snacks.

Linking to Tom's Signs2

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Terminal 2 after whom the Mumbai International Airport is named.

Linking to  My corner of the world 

The wait

The Greet and Meet area at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal T2 of International Airport, Mumbai.

Handcart

The handcart puller on his rounds to collect junk for recycling.

Stop

 

The autorickshaw taxis have a nasty habit of stopping for fares irrespective what part of the road they are on! 

Linking to Black and White Weekend 

Patience or Laziness

Patiently waiting for his treat.

Linking to Saturday's critters

Happy Independence Day!

The moon peeking from behind the clouds at the outline of India formed by the trees at bottom left where a couple of birds are flying. Just my imagination on our Independence Day!

Linking to  Skywatch Friday   

Tyre tubes

Tyre tubes hanging is a sign that it is the place for repairing tyre punctures. This is in Bandra.

Linking to Tom's Signs2

Wet street

Movement on wet streets in Bandra is magical.

Linking to  My corner of the world