Multi-Religious walk around Mcleodganj Streets

Somehow I like this photograph and was not sure what title should be used for this one. I liked the way this Hindu sadhu is interacting these Monks who are going towards Budha Temple at Mcledoganj. This photograph was shot on the road which connects Mcleoganj Town with Bhagsu Waterfalls. Interactive combination of Red and Orange religions made me click this photographs, without spending any time in changing Camera Settings...

Motorboats waiting for Passengers at Govind Sagar Lake in Una Region of Himachal Pradesh, India

Here is a Photograph from my recent visit to Himachal during Holi vacations. While going to Hamirpur from Delhi, this lake comes on the way near Una and known as Govind Sagar Lake which is a part of Satluj River. This lake was created during initiation of Bhakhra Hydro Project. Although this lake has snatched land of many folks around the place, but at the same time they have got new opportunities to earn their livings. More photographs of Govind Sagar Lake can be checked - HERE

Above photograph shows a very small portion of this lake. Govind Sagar is a huge lake spread in two districts of Himachal Pradesh covering hundreds of kilometers.

Another Photograph published in Times of India (Himachal Edition - 10th March, 2012)

More details can be checked at - http://phototravelings.blogspot.com/2012/03/winged-wonders-of-pong-wetlands-by.html

Post Sunset hues from Trilokinath (Lahual and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, INDIA)

This is a three years old Photograph, which was clicked at Trilokinath Temple in Lahaul & Spiti. Most of the co-travellers can't forget this adventurous trip to Lahual & Spiti. It was the time, when we stuck at a place due to land-slide and our hotel was just 14 kilometers away, but had no option but to go back. After a day long journey from Chandigarh, we were about to reach Udaipur and stuck at a place near Trilokinath.

Finally we came back and stayed in an open ground outside Trilokinath Temple. We got some forest-wood to have bonfire and spent whole night in chilling ground surrounded by snow covered peaks.

Happy New Year - 2012 !!!

May the New Year bring to you and your loved ones all the happiness you could wish for and all the strength you need to pursue your dreams.

Happy New Year 2012 !!!

Vijay Parmar : One of the main Motorsport Enthusiast in India || Raid de Himalaya by Himalayan Motorsports, Shimla

Monsoon Freshness dipping down !!!

Monsoon season brings back all the freshness in whole environment, with green plants all around and wonderful fragrance of colorful flowers. With this it also bring good opportunities for photographers to play with rain-drop, clouds and colorful plants all around. Although Monsoons are not good for many regions in our country, but at the same place important for most of the states in India, who are dependent on Agriculture. 

This Photograph was clicked three years back during Monsoons at Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, INDIA !!!

Mobilegiri - Lady from hills, busy in usual morning things with her kids !!!

While travelling from Kullu Srahan to Shimla, this photographs was clicked from moving car. It's a click by HTC Desire HD and somehow it came out quite clear. Folks in the car were wondering, how she can do this to his kid :) ... Weather out there was chilling. Although she is wearing a half sweater, but temperature was below 10 degrees. This place was surrounded by snow capped hills and this kid is taking bath in open. Probably this is not a big deal for them, but this photograph still make me shiver in summers as well. See kid expressions and his hands.

Mobilegiri with a Kitten during MTB Trip in Himachal Pradesh, INDIA

In Oct'2011, I was in Himachal Pradesh and traversed various regions of Shimla, Kullu and Mandi Districts. During one of the camping stations, we found this cute kitten. She played with us for hours and also had some breakfast at our camp. It was sad but finally we had to move on  by leaving her with her Mom in nearby cottage. It was Shavadh, I remember the name correctly. This photograph is clicked with HTC Desire HD Mobile.

A wonderful view from IIAS window @ Shimla, Himchal Pradesh, INDIA

Viceregal Lodge or also known as Indian Institute of Advanced Studies is one of the best places to visit in Shimla Town. This Photograph is taken at same place. This a huge building having multiple corridors around it. This is one of the corridor in the backyard. The Cedar tree looks awesome through this huge window on other side of the corridor. Most of the part of this building in closed but some of the areas are accessible from outside. This whole campus has some beautiful gardens with lots of flowers and colorful plants.

New Bus Stand of Capital City of Himachal Pradesh - Shimla

During one of the recent trips to Shimla, I visited Indian Institute of Advanced Studies and Shimla Bus stand was visible from the way which connect IIAS with Boileuganj. Shimla has got this beautiful bus-stand with lot of space. It is located near Tootikandi which is not very crowded region in Shimla. Supposedly this one of best Bus-Stand in North-India till 2011.

Lakshmi Pooja on Diwali Day

Lakshmi puja is performed during Diwali which is a very popular festival of India and also known as Festival of lights. According to tradition people would put small oil lamps outside their homes on Diwali and hope Lakshmi will come to bless them.

Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by those who wish to acquire or to preserve wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi (wealth) goes only to those houses which are clean and where the people are hardworking. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy.
 

 Above photograph shows one of the steps of Lakshmi Poojan, when clay lamps are ready to start pooja during Diwali evening.

Reached Hatu Peak again - A wonderful place at 3400 mtrs. (11152 ft.)

Hatu Peak is near Narkanda. There is beautiful climb of 6 kilometers form main highway. Hatu peak has a temple and tourism come here for experiencing less-explored nature. It's an amazing place with wonderful weather on the top. It's situated at 3400 mtrs. Place has got one HPPWD guest house as well. Many bollywood moviews have been shot at this place.

In above photograph, Aneesh is jumping with excitement of reaching the place again. I am not sure if you noticed link on 'Place again' :)

Festive season in India is still ON !!!

Although Diwali is over now but still November and December remain more colorful in India. Welcome of winters with lots of other small special days. And these days all US festivals/special-days are more important in India as well. Christmas is next big day in next few months...

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies : a wonderful place in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh !!!

Whenever I visit Shimla, it's hard to miss Indian Institute of Advanced Studies or Viceregal Lodge. This wonderful building is accessible through a lovely walk from Mall Road or bus can be taken to Boileuganj and then it's a small climb of 10 minutes. During British raj in India, Viceroy of India used to stay in this building during summers. There were only two residences of viceroy. One was in Delhi, which is President's house now and other is this one in Shimla. Shimla was also known as summer capital of British empire in India.

Dulha Dulhan sitting on one side of VEDI !!!

In Indian marriages, most of the ceremonies happen inside a small house shaped structure, made up of four pillars (usually bamboo sticks) and leaves of some specific trees. There is a proper method of creating this Vedi and Indians used to follow that process properly. With more involvement of  new generation, idea has changed. Now it should look better and it will work if something is missing. As per my knowledge, different names are used instead of Vedi in different parts of country. In Himachal, it's called as Vedi or Ved. And all four pillars are considered as four Vedas...

Anyway, Marriages are being converted to parties rather a traditional ceremony which used to happen initially. But still many things are followed in rural India and comparatively small towns.

Marriage band-master @ Pathiar, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Recently I attended my friend's marriage in Himachal. I was the first one to reach early and other friends were on the way... So had a good opportunities to see various things happening around and of course, there was hardly any other choice :) ... So I was listening to this band group. In Himachal band-group arrives one day before the barat day and they play during most of the ceremonies happen during the marriage. So every 30-45 minutes, they were playing various things like Aartis, Bollywood numbers, local folk etc. 

Usually in these band there is  leader who starts the song with a different music and other carry on further. The person in photograph is band-master who starts and guide through a song. You can notice the other person on left who is not playing anything right now. So he is just listening to the music his master is playing and then all of them will continue. While is proper mood, they do various experiments with songs we listen to. And many times these folk tunes are used by big composers in Bollywood !!!

Beautiful lady in Reshta @ Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh

During my recent trip to Himachal Pradesh, we were roaming around some villages in Narkanda region and having lunch at roadside. This lady was walking through the side-by road and I really liked her dress. I requested one of my friend to ask her in local language, that if we could click one photograph. She happily agreed and I was delighted to have a shot of this lovely dress called 'Reshta' !!!

Tani Jubber Lake near Thanedar in Shimla region of Himachal Pradesh, INDIA

Here is a photograph of Tani Jubber Lake which is near Thanedar and Narkanda.... It's not a very popular tourist destination but a wonderful place to spend some time while roaming around Shimla or going towards Kinnaur... Since it's not popular, it's very well maintained and clean :) ... Will be posting a complete PHOTO JOURNEY on this lake soon...

Shilaroo Hockey Stadium in Himachal Pradesh, INDIA

Shilaroo has got a Hockey stadium as Sports Authority of India's high-altitude training centre. This stadium was inaugurated by Sports Minister MS Gill last year in month of May. This stadium is located  about 55 km from state capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla.

The Sports Authority of India Centre, located at an altitude of 8100 feet and surrounded by wonderful places like Narkanda and Hatu peaks with excellent indoor facilities for  badminton, basketball,handball, volleyball, table tennisand wrestling apart from gymnasium and hostel facilities...

This stadium is very close to Vidya Stoke's place...