School trip to Mumbai/ Aurangabad- introduction to the new theme, ' The Western Coast of India'.

A group of 20 students of class IX, along with 2 teachers went on a 4-day trip to Mumbai and Aurangabad. The final exams were just behind us and we were delighted to set out on a School trip to fortify us against our fates in regard to them! Besides our School theme, is The Western Coast of India for 2014-15, and our teachers felt a visit to Mumbai/Aurangabad would be a good first introduction to the same. In great excitement we boarded the Rajdhani Express for Mumbai on Tuesday, 25 March, 2014. We chattered continuously between breaks of food and sleep all through the overnight journey. In the morning, upon arrival, we were received and we proceeded to check into our hotel in Juhu, very close to the beach. Quickly we freshened up to head out again for sight-seeing in an air-conditioned coach. [gallery columns="2"] During the day we saw the several great landmarks of the city, dotting it's length and breath. The Mount Mary Church in Bandra, the Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Kala Ghoda, Victoria Terminus, Haji Ali, the Gateway of India, the Stock Exchange, etc. We also crossed the spanking Bandra-Worli sea link on our way back to the hotel. The history, geography, politics, the multi-cultural character, all of which we had been familiarised with, in the classroom, suddenly seemed so clear. The gently breaking waves along Mumbai's long sea front continuously charmed us as did the glitzy string of sky-scrapers that hunted height, as it were, in this coastal megapolis and financial capital of our country. After dinner, we took an overnight coach to Aurangabad and checked into the VITS International Hotel very early in the morning. After breakfast, some leisure and an early lunch, we visited Bibi Ka Makbara and the Ellora caves. Our guide patiently told us the history behind these caves which carry Hindu, Buddhist and Jain influences. Each cave told a separate story. In the evening, we drove to Shirdi and watched the spectacular Karkar aarti at the shrine of Satya Sai Baba. On our return to Aurangabad the next morning, we travelled to the Ajanta caves. We were fascinated to view the exquisite art of folklore and mythology. Infact each one of us stood silently in awe, as our guide related their story. We had leisure time in the hotel and we busied ourselves working out at the gym, playing snooker, pool, billiards, cards, surfing the net etc. The next morning, on 29 March, with heavy hearts we gathered ourselves and our belongings to board our flight to Delhi. Besides small mementoes, we carried back magical memories wrapped in class-camaraderie. Filed by Ms. Mithu Ghosh.