“My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.” —Steve McCurry
Our good friends, Sarah and Bill Rothenberg asked Cecile and I if we would like to join them for dinner at the recently remodeled Royal Taj.
The first thing I saw after we exited Bill and Sarah's SUV was a full moon. In Hindu literature and folklore, the moon is associatd with romance, friendship, pleasant nights and kinship. For starters we had Papadam, a deep fried Indian cracker, Onion Kulcha (Naan bread stuffed with onion). For our entrees we collectively feasted on Chicken Tikka Masala; Gosht Vindaloo (Lamb with hot spicy sauce with potatoes); Saag Lamb (Lamb cooked with spiced cream spinach); Saag Paneer (Fresh spinach with herbs and homemade cheese); Saffron flavored basmati rice garnished with peas, and Raita (Cool whipped yogurt with cucumbers) a nice accompaniment to neutralize the spicy Indian dishes. In other words it cools the palate, and has a myriad of probiotic health benefits.
Bill and I shared Taj Mahal Premium Lager Beer which has a rich full body, smooth, refreshing flavor, and unique aroma. It too is a nice accompaniment to the spicy and delectable dishes mentioned above. It was my first alcohol drink since Christmas Eve, and I savored every drop. This beer is a connoisseur’s delight. The label on the bottle depicts the heavenly beauty of its namesake, the Taj Mahal, a monument erected in Agra by the Shah Jahan in memory of his beautiful wife between the years 1631 and 1648. This jewel of Muslim art is one of the universally admired masterpieces of Unesco World’s Heritage Sites.
It is funny how the mind works. I made three pilgrimages to India and when I looked at the picture of the Taj Mahal on the colorful label on the beer bottle it brought me back to the Himalayan Institute USA’s Spiritual Excursion I took in February 2003. We stayed at a yoga and meditation center on the Ganges River. One of the first sites our group visited was the magnificent Taj Mahal (see group photo)
