Thesiya Puthaiyal (2017):
This picture showcases some of my most treasured finds from my trip this year. I tried to pick the most important, irreplaceable, and valuable items for this photo. Each item holds a special place in my heart and brings me back to the time of purchase, climate, smell, and people.
Shawl: this is a thick rani pink shawl I purchased on a hot humid evening in Jaipur. I was sick during the days in Jaipur but I ended up having enough energy to stroll through the bazaar. Most of my fav purchases are from Jaipur.
2 rs note: I got this from one of my cousins in Chengalpattu. Basically he was showing me and my cousins and I just kept it bc it’s really rare lol.
Shells: these shells are from the beach in Mahabalipuram. An ancient city that is full of rich and ancient South Indian culture. I was on a really beautiful resort for a few days and my mom sisters and I went to the beach early in the morning and I found these shells on the walk back.
Earrings: these are both from Madurai specifically the stores leading up to the Meenakshi Amman Temple. One of the most well known temples in South India.
Surma box: naturally I’m someone who likes to explore whether it’s a bazar or my grandma’s vanity drawers. And that’s exactly where I found the surma box and I was so excited to find it. It’s something I’ve been wanting for so long.
Diary: we were on a road trip from Delhi to Jaipur and on the way we stopped at a rest area and they had a gift shop and this journal caught my eye. It was expensive but my dads friend aka our tour guide bought it for me haha. I just cracked it open and wrote in it today.
Pens: Madurai. The fountain pen my grandpa bought me at the end of our trip. He gave me and my sisters like 5 pens each. I tried to fill the pen with ink today and it got all over me, but I got it to work without youtubing or googling it. The studded pen is from outside of the Tirumala Nayak Mahal. I always end up buying tons of stuff from the vendors there.
Kurta: Delhi market. My most worn piece in India. Fell in love with the color immediately and was light enough to withstand the heat there. I got so many compliments around the country!
