Pilgrims taking holy dip, Prayag, Allahabad.
Before departing for Allahabad, was very much in two minds. Large gatherings are intimidating by all means and traveling by train all by myself was an alarming prospect too. However, as the reason was compelling enough (photography), there wasn't much choice.
It turned out to be an experience unlike any. The collective energy, the visual treat in Maha Kumbh Mela held in Prayag, Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh was astounding. Thousands took a holy dip at the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna at the early morning, which was considered to be the auspicious hour.
At the end of 4 days and 3 nights stay the biggest regret was for not having booked myself for an even longer period. For more photographs about the Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 click on The Event.
It turned out to be an experience unlike any. The collective energy, the visual treat in Maha Kumbh Mela held in Prayag, Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh was astounding. Thousands took a holy dip at the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna at the early morning, which was considered to be the auspicious hour.
At the end of 4 days and 3 nights stay the biggest regret was for not having booked myself for an even longer period. For more photographs about the Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 click on The Event.
February 9th, 2013
Kumbh Mela at Night, Prayag in Allahabad.
There were hundreds (or maybe thousands) of street lights that turned the entire Maha Kumbh Mela 20 sq km / 4,932 acres arena (held at Prayag, Allahabad from 14th January - 10th March 2013) at night into a surreal looking place. Even the full moon up in the sky was a deep hue of orange to match perfectly with the lights.
A friend who was walking the walk and shooting asked, "Is it possible to capture this sight exactly as we are seeing?"
Maybe I haven't entirely done justice to what we saw that evening but this was my little attempt to capture that surrealistic moment. So wish that the hours didn't fly so quickly and didn't have to struggle with tremendous physical exhaustion after a severely demanding journey to Allahabad and almost no sleep. Also wish that had more days and time for photography there.
After a drought of no winning phase last month it was a such a relief when this shot was selected as 'Photo of the Day' in Photoburst.net.
A friend who was walking the walk and shooting asked, "Is it possible to capture this sight exactly as we are seeing?"
Maybe I haven't entirely done justice to what we saw that evening but this was my little attempt to capture that surrealistic moment. So wish that the hours didn't fly so quickly and didn't have to struggle with tremendous physical exhaustion after a severely demanding journey to Allahabad and almost no sleep. Also wish that had more days and time for photography there.
After a drought of no winning phase last month it was a such a relief when this shot was selected as 'Photo of the Day' in Photoburst.net.
February 19th, 2013
Coastline of Bay of Bengal, India
Sea Joy
When I go down by the sandy shore
I can think of nothing I want more
Than to live by the booming blue sea
As the seagulls flutter ‘round about me.
I can run about – when the tide is out
With the wind and the sand and the sea all about
And the seagulls are swirling and diving for fish
Oh – to live by the sea is my only wish.
- by Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Always have been a solo traveler; searching, pondering, thinking and having a conversation with self is as much a part of travel as photography has been for me. There was an exception this time, family (immediate and extended) expected me to accompany them on a trip to a fishing harbor some 130 kilometers away. The place itself didn't hold much interest but it's easier to give in sometimes without much resistance, this was one such.
We arrived in the afternoon, after parking the luggage in the hotel room headed towards the beach with zero photographic ambition.
Essentially being a mountain person it is the fragrance of the birch, fir and pine that intoxicates, has me drooling in fact. In contrast the fishy and salty smell of the sea is not quite appealing. Open waters threatens my core, the thought of creatures moving, swilling, twirling beneath the turbulent surface is not comfortable to the senses. My vote goes for the Abominable Snowman or Yeti on the snowy slopes any given day!
Well...getting back to the bay, this beach at first glance seemed no good, pathetic almost. Just where the white fine sand ended started a long stretch of muddy coastline. The bay water had retreated by several kilometers but a few locals present assured that the evenings are different. Had to hold my tongue to refrain from saying "I bet it is" with a dollop of cynicism. Neptune - the Roman god of the sea must have read my thoughts and decided to show a thing or two (thank the lucky star that he didn't decide to rise from his water kingdom and chase me with his trident).
The strong mid day sun bearing down upon us resulted in very high rate of evaporation and thus the rising hot vapor shrouded all things around. The visibility rapidly decreased and the beach which was previously almost empty soon turned completely empty. In the far distance five fishermen looked miniscule and insignificant against the largeness of the sky and the bay, walked towards the deeper water to check their fishing net which had been caste earlier. A perfect photo opportunity that needed to be captured.
Incidentally the water did reclaim it's shoreline towards the evening, forcing us to resettle on new spots on the beach every minute now and then.
When I go down by the sandy shore
I can think of nothing I want more
Than to live by the booming blue sea
As the seagulls flutter ‘round about me.
I can run about – when the tide is out
With the wind and the sand and the sea all about
And the seagulls are swirling and diving for fish
Oh – to live by the sea is my only wish.
- by Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Always have been a solo traveler; searching, pondering, thinking and having a conversation with self is as much a part of travel as photography has been for me. There was an exception this time, family (immediate and extended) expected me to accompany them on a trip to a fishing harbor some 130 kilometers away. The place itself didn't hold much interest but it's easier to give in sometimes without much resistance, this was one such.
We arrived in the afternoon, after parking the luggage in the hotel room headed towards the beach with zero photographic ambition.
Essentially being a mountain person it is the fragrance of the birch, fir and pine that intoxicates, has me drooling in fact. In contrast the fishy and salty smell of the sea is not quite appealing. Open waters threatens my core, the thought of creatures moving, swilling, twirling beneath the turbulent surface is not comfortable to the senses. My vote goes for the Abominable Snowman or Yeti on the snowy slopes any given day!
Well...getting back to the bay, this beach at first glance seemed no good, pathetic almost. Just where the white fine sand ended started a long stretch of muddy coastline. The bay water had retreated by several kilometers but a few locals present assured that the evenings are different. Had to hold my tongue to refrain from saying "I bet it is" with a dollop of cynicism. Neptune - the Roman god of the sea must have read my thoughts and decided to show a thing or two (thank the lucky star that he didn't decide to rise from his water kingdom and chase me with his trident).
The strong mid day sun bearing down upon us resulted in very high rate of evaporation and thus the rising hot vapor shrouded all things around. The visibility rapidly decreased and the beach which was previously almost empty soon turned completely empty. In the far distance five fishermen looked miniscule and insignificant against the largeness of the sky and the bay, walked towards the deeper water to check their fishing net which had been caste earlier. A perfect photo opportunity that needed to be captured.
Incidentally the water did reclaim it's shoreline towards the evening, forcing us to resettle on new spots on the beach every minute now and then.
February 21st, 2013
Lamjung Himal Peak at Sunrise, Nepal
Getting up at 04:00 hrs and the long wait was suitably compensated. Unlike the day before the weather held and the sky was mostly clear. In fact, the wisps of clouds that were there over the peaks added so much more on to the drama when the first light hit them.
An expedition team organized by the British Mountaineering Association led by Capt. Michael Burgess made the first ascent of the 6986 meters / 22, 921 ft. peak Lamjung Himal in Nepal in the year 1974.
Taking the southeast ridge, the summit was reached on 25th April by Flight Officer Philip Neame and Sapper Derek Chamberlain. On 27th April by Dick Isherwood and Second Lieutenant John Scott and on 3rd May by Capt. Burgess.
An expedition team organized by the British Mountaineering Association led by Capt. Michael Burgess made the first ascent of the 6986 meters / 22, 921 ft. peak Lamjung Himal in Nepal in the year 1974.
Taking the southeast ridge, the summit was reached on 25th April by Flight Officer Philip Neame and Sapper Derek Chamberlain. On 27th April by Dick Isherwood and Second Lieutenant John Scott and on 3rd May by Capt. Burgess.
February 23rd, 2013
Local Resident, Tibet
To encounter a Tibetan in their full traditional dress and jewellery is a portrait photographer's delight. However, it was quite a challenge to see anyone in their full gear during my journey. This part of Tibet still remains the outdated little town where some of the olden ways thrives just a bit.
The Chinese warlord's concept of progress and cultural revolution tide has not yet swept off everything here. The chance meeting with a Tibetan man who despite being dressed in the western clothes (trousers, t-shirt, jacket and boots) continued to sport the old style hairdo and jeweleries that unfortunately were fake. Much later, at the condition of anonymity someone cared to confide that though many Tibetans still were in possession of their precious and sacred gold, turquoise and coral jeweleries (family heirloom) mostly hid it. They were too scared that like their beloved country, freedom and culture, it would be snatched away.
Does any Tibetan in their own country had reasons to look forward to the day next? Would they ever know anything other than oppression, fear and force? Will another baby ever take birth in the free roof of the world (as Tibet is sometimes referred)? It was difficult not to wonder about how things must have been pre 1951 in Tibet, before Chairman Mao - the founding father of People's Republic of China did not have his vision set on liberating Tibet from HH Dalai Lama's rule.
The Chinese warlord's concept of progress and cultural revolution tide has not yet swept off everything here. The chance meeting with a Tibetan man who despite being dressed in the western clothes (trousers, t-shirt, jacket and boots) continued to sport the old style hairdo and jeweleries that unfortunately were fake. Much later, at the condition of anonymity someone cared to confide that though many Tibetans still were in possession of their precious and sacred gold, turquoise and coral jeweleries (family heirloom) mostly hid it. They were too scared that like their beloved country, freedom and culture, it would be snatched away.
Does any Tibetan in their own country had reasons to look forward to the day next? Would they ever know anything other than oppression, fear and force? Will another baby ever take birth in the free roof of the world (as Tibet is sometimes referred)? It was difficult not to wonder about how things must have been pre 1951 in Tibet, before Chairman Mao - the founding father of People's Republic of China did not have his vision set on liberating Tibet from HH Dalai Lama's rule.