The palace of illusions

 

Completing my first book on Kindle felt special, and choosing The Palace of Illusions made the experience even more memorable. Retelling the Mahabharata through Draupadi’s voice brings a powerful shift in perspective—one that feels intimate, bold, and deeply human.

 

Reading the epic through the eyes of a woman who played such a pivotal role in the Kurukshetra war felt strikingly different. Draupadi’s journey begins with her birth from fire in her father King Drupad’s palace, and unfolds through her memories of childhood, her affection for her caretaker, and her deep bond with her brother Dhrishtadyumna.

One of the most emotionally complex threads in the novel is her relationship with Karna—letting him down at her swayamvar despite loving him, and carrying that unspoken love silently throughout her life. Her strained relationship with Kunti, her role as the dutiful wife to five husbands, and her constant negotiation between desire and duty are portrayed with remarkable sensitivity.

Draupadi’s longing for a palace of her own in Hastinapur, and her deep love for the Palace of Illusions in Indraprastha, become powerful metaphors for her yearning for identity, space, and belonging. Her thirst for justice—and vengeance—against the Kauravas, her strength in facing the knowledge of her own future revealed by Vyasa, and her profound conversations with Krishna add depth and philosophical weight to her narrative.

The story follows her perspective through every defining moment of the epic, right until her final journey in the great Himalayas. What stands out most is Draupadi’s determination to be different from the other women of the palace—her quiet rebellion against the boundaries imposed on women, and her refusal to fade into silence.

At the heart of the novel lies a simple yet powerful desire: her longing to be with someone who allows her to just be herself. That yearning—for freedom, for authenticity, for love without conditions—feels timeless. It is, perhaps, the truest desire of a woman.

Overall, The Palace of Illusions is not just a retelling of an epic, but a reclamation of a woman’s voice that history often softened or sidelined. A deeply moving and unforgettable read.

Day 3: Lady Liberty, City Lights & Sister Stories

Day 3 began on a calm note with a relaxing breakfast before we headed to  Battery Park for our long-awaited trip to the Statue of Liberty. The ferry took us across the bay to Bedloe’s Island where the majestic Lady Liberty stood tall and proud against the skyline. Despite the chilly weather and gusty winds, we couldn’t resist taking a few pictures with the iconic statue — a moment that truly felt surreal.
                                                 
We then explored the Statue of Liberty Museum, which beautifully narrates the story behind the monument — how it was conceptualized, designed, and built. The exhibits transported us back to the streets of France, where the statue was first crafted, and to the excitement that surrounded its grand arrival in New York. Coincidentally, our visit happened to fall on the very date the statue was originally installed — adding a special touch to the experience. It truly felt like stepping back into a remarkable chapter of world history.

Our next stop was the New York Stock Exchange, followed by the famous Charging Bull, a symbol of financial optimism and prosperity. After a quick bite of authentic New York-style pizza, we made our way to the city’s green heart — Central Park. Its vast open spaces, vibrant fall colors, and tranquil atmosphere provided a refreshing break from the city’s constant buzz.

From there, we headed to Times Square, the lively core of Midtown Manhattan. The flashing billboards, bright lights, and energetic crowds created an atmosphere that was pure New York — vibrant, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating.

But what truly made the day special wasn’t just the landmarks — it was the conversations. We found ourselves reminiscing about our childhood, and my sister shared stories from her first stay in New York — how she adjusted to a new country, new work, and new surroundings. Listening to her, I realized there were so many parts of her journey I’d never known before. It was a heartwarming reminder of how travel can bring people closer in unexpected ways.

We wrapped up the day by visiting a cousin’s home, where we enjoyed a delicious homemade dinner — the perfect way to end our final night in the city that never sleeps.

As we packed up that night, I couldn’t help but reflect — this wasn’t just a trip. It was a collection of moments, laughter, memories, and stories that I’ll cherish for a lifetime. After all, life is about creating those unforgettable moments that stay with you forever.

Day 2: Spiritual Serenity and City Lights

Day 2 began with two ideas — should we head to Mount Vernon to catch the fall colors, or visit the Akshardham Temple in New Jersey? Since there was some uncertainty about how vibrant the fall colors would be in the mountains, we decided to go with the second option and drove to NJ instead.

And what a decision that was! The Akshardham Temple is truly magnificent — an architectural masterpiece adorned with intricate sculptures. Every inch of the structure seemed to have a story carved into it. I was amazed to learn that the temple was built entirely by volunteers, many of whom were trained specifically to sculpt the exquisite designs. The walls and ceilings beautifully depict stories from major Hindu epics, making the entire space come alive with spiritual and cultural richness.

The drive to and from Akshardham also treated us to lovely fall colors — golden yellows, bright oranges, and deep reds lining the roads. It felt like a double dhamaka — witnessing both nature’s artistry and a timeless spiritual landmark in one day.
             
Next on our list was the Statue of Liberty, one of New York City’s most iconic symbols. Unfortunately, by the time we reached, the statue was already closed for the day. But we didn’t let that dampen our spirits — we hopped onto a ferry to Staten Island, the southernmost point of New York, and enjoyed beautiful sunset views of Lady Liberty from the water.
                                          
Our next stop was Ground Zero, the site of the former World Trade Center. Standing there brought back memories of the heartbreaking news from 2001 — images of the hijacked planes, the collapsing towers, and the lives lost. Seeing the names of the victims etched into the memorial stone was deeply moving. The silence among the visitors spoke volumes; it was impossible not to feel the weight of that tragedy. We couldn’t bring ourselves to enter the museum — the thought of seeing the debris up close felt too heavy.

       

Just beside the memorial stands The Oculus, a striking white structure designed to resemble a bird in flight — a powerful symbol of hope and rebirth. Its soaring ribs and skylit ceiling make it a modern architectural wonder and a beautiful contrast to the emotional heaviness of Ground Zero.
             
Dinner that evening was at a cozy Thai restaurant, where we recharged before heading to our final stop — the Empire State Building. This 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan is nothing short of majestic. From the 81st-floor observation deck, we were treated to a breathtaking panorama of New York’s glittering night skyline — the city truly never sleeps.
 

One final highlight of the day was our multiple trips through the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, which run beneath the Hudson River connecting Manhattan and New Jersey. Each time we drove through, we couldn’t help but marvel — how incredible it is that such tunnels were engineered underwater!

It was a day of contrasts — from serene spirituality to urban grandeur, from somber remembrance to awe-inspiring architecture. New York continued to surprise us at every turn.

Sister’s Trip to NYC

So far, most of our trips have been with both our families. But this time was special — our first-ever trip with just the two of us. When my sister first suggested the idea, I was a bit hesitant. Still, the thought of spending quality time together was exciting. And finally, we made it happen!

On my way to New York, I immersed myself in its fascinating history — how the city got its name, the challenges it faced, and how it always managed to bounce back stronger. I love learning about the places I visit — their past, their stories, and what makes them unique. New York, without a doubt, stands out with its towering skyscrapers, magnificent architecture, and the unstoppable rhythm of its people.

Our first stop was the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, stretching gracefully over the East River. Despite the Sunday crowds, we managed to walk across the world’s first suspension bridge and capture some beautiful memories.

    

After treating ourselves to a desi-style coffee, we headed to The Edge — one of the city’s most breathtaking observation decks. Before ascending, we experienced an engaging multimedia presentation that built up the excitement. Soon, we were soaring more than 1,100 feet above the city! Standing on the glass floor, looking straight down 100 stories to the streets below, was both thrilling and surreal.

Next, we indulged in a slice of New York’s famous apple pie before heading to the Vessel — a striking, honeycomb-like structure that offers incredible views of the Hudson River and the surrounding skyline. After being closed for a while due to safety reasons, it has recently reopened to the public, and it’s definitely worth the visit.

As night fell, it was time for dinner — delicious Gyros, a Greek-style Mediterranean street food. Afterward, we wandered through the bustling streets, soaking in the dazzling night skyline of New York City — a perfect ending to a day full of adventure, and sisterly bonding.

Before the event..

Wednesday, 3d Jan, 11:00pm
I just came back from 'flash mob' practice, which we intend to perform in the upcoming family day event in our community. Before hitting the bed, I've sent a message in our cultural team that I'm not getting confidence for anchoring. This could be because of multiple reasons. I took off for half day on Wednesday & started writing the script. But, it didn't go anywhere. Also, I did off-stage anchoring for couple of occasions earlier. But, this one is going to be a full-fledged event with lots of programs, wider audience & hence would definitely need some prep. And the little fear after hearing about the extra-ordinary job of the anchors of the earlier events & if I'll be able to match them, at-least to some extent.
Conveyed the same to DH. He asked me to cool down & checked if I would like join him in his binge youtube watching. After sometime, he asked me if I got any ideas for the script from that. So Sweet !

Thursday, 4th Jan
I woke up to messages from my team, trying to boost my confidence. They've more confidence in me, than what I've. We sat down for couple of hours in the evening and could bring shape to script for half the event.

Friday, 5th Jan
I had no choice, but take off from work to finish off the remaining script. All of us made sure we meet sometime during the day to finish off the remaining script. After giving it some shape, it was decided that I'll start the event and Mrs.A would join me after some time. I went home and started refining the draft & gave it some good shape. Then, off to flash mob practice.

Saturday, 6th Jan
As I've a co-host now, we both need to do a trial run.  Also, need to coordinate with Mrs.S as she would be the one who'll make sure that the relevant audio, video, logos & visuals play. So, we all met at her home in the morning and did one trial run. There is another drama here & it deserves a separate post. It was almost evening by the time we did one more flash mob practice session & dry-run with my co-host.. The flash-mob, which we intend to do off-stage finally ended up as a stage performance.

Saturday evening, 5:30pm
Got dressed up & went to the event area. Checked with the stage team about the videos to be played etc. People started gathering. It was a massive stage with Vfx backdrop & pixel dance floor. The sponsors were setting up stalls. Kids were running around & are eagerly waiting for their performances. Elderly people were seated. Men were in groups, talking & laughing. Ladies, as usual, were looking & discussing about each other's dresses & Jewellery.  Festive environment. And we were about to start the event. Phew !! Power went off. Least expected thing !! We didn't bother to arrange for a power backup, as we were confident that there will no power-cut during that time of the day. Panic crept in our all the members in my team. What to do? The guy who arranged stage,DJ also gave up. We were clueless. In my mind, I was preparing how to convey to the audience that the program is going to get postponed.. what would happen to the food that the caterer is bringing in... etc..etc..

Wait for the next post !!

Look how many versions, how many parts we broke this exercise into :)