Photography theme – Monasteries

“Not everybody trusts paintings but people believe photographs” – Ansel Adams

This image was captured in Ki village, Spiti Valley near Key Gompa / Monastery in India.

Suggested Reading – Reaching Spiti, Road trip to Spiti

A friend in disguise!!!

There is something about the ‘Moon’ and it’s crowning splendor!!

Whenever I peek out from the window it’s there!! When I go out for a walk, it’s there. It’s always there with me!!

Waiting for me to step out and let my chi calm. It seems it keeps inviting me to spend some time with it.

There is something about the ‘Moon’.

Simply, holding hands of my beloved and taking a walk while watching the Moon feels so divine.

As a kid, I loved how ‘Moon’ would follow me and play hide and seek with the clouds. I spent hours lying on the terrace just absorbed by the beauty of ‘Moon’, talking, singing and then gradually falling asleep.

Literally, the Moon is Earth’s only permanent natural satellite. It is one of the largest natural satellites in the Solar System, and the largest among planetary satellites relative to the size of the planet that it orbits.

However, in retrospect, the Moon is the good old ‘Friend’

This post is dedicated to you dear ‘Moon’, for always being there and being so patient!!

Color me ‘GREEN’!!!

Rain soaked hills at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh!!! Bringing you beautiful greens from the most loved and popular Hill Station – ‘Shimla’

Hello beautiful!!

A beautiful morning at tiny hamlet ‘Sarahan’; Nestled in Kinnaur adorned by historic Bhimkali Temple and gorgeous Shrikhand Peak. Photo story is right here – https://untraveledroutes.wordpress.com/traveling/himachal/sarahan/

A cuppa of story from McLeodGanj

In conversation with the smiling eyes from Tibet over a cup of tea!! 

We were hurrying to finish the packing & leave hotel. We were quite exhausted from the bike ride (Mcleodganj – Dainkund – Mcleodganj) but the excitement kept us going. We had to catch 6.00 pm bus to New Delhi and had approximately 2 hours at our disposal which we wanted to spend wandering around the streets of Mcleodganj and do a little shopping too !!

The hunger pangs made us stop at the food stall, this one was right in front of the Dalai Lama Temple. We quickly ordered bread – omelette and tea, it was drizzling so we were waiting under this little hutment. Ashish was busy exploring his camera and stepped outside.

As I sat there, two smiling eyes greeted me. I couldn’t refrain but smiled back. It’s tough not to smile back, smile is so contagious!! Isn’t it?

She was clad in beautiful chuba and a cute cap 🙂

Her face narrated stories and instantly intrigued me. She came closer and started talking, I could hardly decipher a word but when I focused I realized she was speaking Hindi words in between in order to communicate with me.

Jampa (JAHM – pah) came to India more than two decades back with a group of 7 others from Tibet. They were 16 when embarked on the arduous journey of survival from Tibet to India, only 7 survived.

Just a little background about ‘Free Tibet’ movement – In 1950, China invaded Tibet resulting in countless Tibetans deaths, followed by imprisonment and torture of several Tibetans.

On March 31, 1959, Tibet’s political and spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, reached India after a 15-day journey on foot from the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, over the Himalayas.

HH Dalai Lama was followed by about one hundred thousand Tibetans seeking refuge in India. Tibetans moved in groups from Tibet to reach a safer second home – India.

The Indian government extended full support & immediately set up refugee camps for Tibetans at Misamari in Assam and Buxa Duar in Bengal.

Later, these Tibetan settlements were extended to parts of Himachal Pradesh including Dharamshala, McLeodganj, Dalhousie and Manali. Refuge in India gave Tibetans an opportunity to preserve their religion, culture and identity.

HH Dalai Lama has expressed his profound experience of over 50 years of exile in India in his autobiography – Freedom in Exile. He considers India his spiritual home.

Jampa also arrived in India as a refugee but now she considers ‘India’ her second home. She told me the Indian Government has been so considerate and benevolent to Tibetan community. The community has been able to conserve everything while continuing the struggle for Tibet’s Independence. The struggle of Tibetans is not concealed from the world.

3 photos that will tempt you to visit ‘The Fairies Abode’!!!

Tickling the travel bug with Pari Mahal, Srinagar

Pari Mahal (The Fairies Abode) is a seven terraced garden accompanied by a wondrous monument located at the top of Zabarwan mountain range in Jammu and Kashmir.

Landscape view of the Golf Course in Srinagar from the Pari Mahal (The Fairies Abode)

Zabarwan range is a sub mountain range in the Kashmir Valley. The range overlooks the Dal Lake and is bejeweled with beautiful Mughal Gardens and Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar.

At Peace, Nako Village

This absorbing shot was captured near a monastery in Nako Village, Kinnaur while returning from a 10 days road trip to Spiti Valley.

Monsoon Memories – ‘Rain drops dash’

One of the most beautiful things about traveling in the monsoons, particularly going for a long drive, is witnessing the dancing rain drops against the windshield and windows.The rain drops always seem to be in a ready-for-race position. Some of them roll down faster, some of them merge with the other and few just blow away with the wind!! Have you never observed the drops on your window? I’m sure you have 🙂

When you slide down the window just a little to feel the fresh wind and soak in the wet fragrance the rains drops quietly make a way to touch your face 🙂

Sharing one of my favorites ‘Monsoon Memories’ here –

A view of my rain soaked window!!! Captured en-route to Manali, Himachal

A view right outside my window!! Luxurious green hills at Manali 🙂