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Untouched beauty - Punnayar Falls

There’s no better place than to be around a thundering waterfall and listening to its music. – Roland R Kemler A trip to Idukki is not complete with out a visit to this beautiful waterfall – situated in a forest by Kanjikuzhy – vannapuram route. The drive itself is quiet scenic. The roads get steep and narrow as you get near the falls. When we went, there was some construction going near the Punnayar Bridge, hence we parked there and hiked the reminder of the way. Be aware that there are two waterfalls – Punnayar A and Punnayar B (wish they had better naming :)). Punnayar B is very close to the road and easy to reach. A short walk, a bit of wading thru the water or rock hoping will get you here. It is more safe and one can take a bath if they like. Punnayar A on the other hand is away form road and involves a bit of hiking. Be cautious, the path is little deep, steep and slippery – especially in rainy season. If you have an off-roading vehicle especially bike, you can almost reach the waterfall (and reduce the hike distance). It is indeed a strenuous hike, but the view and the experience are far more grandeur and well worth it. With the strenuous but tranquil trek in the forest, amidst the fragrance of the cashew trees, lovely & secluded waterfalls, paired with a breathtaking viewpoint of the valley down below – it is a spot not to be missed !

Priceless conversations

Conversations with friends by the beach under the stars - are indeed priceless

Twilight by the small fishing hamlet

This moment is from the wee hours of one morning by the southern most point of India - Kanyakumari (also known as Cape Comorin). As the sun was still leisurely strolling far below the horizon & the dazzling lights on Vivekananda rock / Thiruvalluvar statue were still on - the locals by this small fishing hamlet were still sleeping. It was a moment of calm, before all the tourists thronged by the bay and as the sun eventually burst into million shades !

I'm wonderfully insignificant

Find stillness & energize

In this noisy world, it is tough to find stillness. With so much of information (overload and noise), it is essential to find some peace and quiet  - not just external silence, but also the inner quiet. It helps to be out by nature, in the wilderness, to connect with deep stillness. But many a times it might not be possible and what we don't realize is that the stress have nothing to do with external influences, but rather how we filter the information and what we allow to come through. Find stillness in this noisy world. Find stillness and energize.

Ethereal

music, like light permeates the space music, like breeze soothes the soul music, like fantasy captivates the mind music, like waves caress the body music, like thunder shatters the ego music, like magic opens portals to other dimensions

Just another Andaman Sunset

Life may not come with instructions, But they do come with trees, sunsets, beach and laughter - So live life, enjoy your day :)

Pei aruvi @ Kolli Malai

Agaya Gangai is an enchanting waterfall located in Kolli Malai (Kolli Hills). River Aiyaru, a jungle stream, cascades down as the Agaya Gangai, near Arapaleeswarar temple. Agaya Gangai - as the name implies it indeed is the Ganges of the sky. When we went in December the water flow was quite heavy, but the breeze and saaral (drizzle) was amazing. It is best to visit at beginning of the monsoon just after a few showers of rain (Jun/Jul) or right after the monsoon (Sept-Dec). Please be advised if the flow is too high, the entry might be restricted. So it all depends on the rain and the water flow. To reach the Agaya Gangai, one has to get down 1000+ steps (to be precise 1296 steps and a few rocks). Climbing down is much easier and probably takes 20-30 mins. Climbing up is quite strenuous owning to the steep incline and could take anywhere from 45–60 mins depending on one's agility. There are a few shelters on the way to get a break. The waterfall is enclosed within the dense forest which increases its charm and grandeur. The water in the falls is considered to contain medicinal properties due to all the herbs spread across the forest, thru which it traverses. Locals believe taking a bath here, cures many ailments. Agaya Ganga is probably one of the most beautiful and photogenic waterfalls in Tamilnadu. At a height of 300 feet, the waterfall is a feast for the eyes. It is also known as Peraruvi (Grand falls) or Pei aruvi (Devil falls) – by the people of Kolli hills because of its scary resemblance and heavy water flow.

Venus ascending

Morice Dera beach is a lovely rustic beach located adjacent to the Andaman Trunk Road - just after Rangat. The twin rock at Morice Dera is unique. The walkway in between these rocks leads toward an eye-catching horizon viewpoint. Both the beach and the viewpoint were ideal to sit, fall back and contemplate. It was a great place to just be and do nothing. Being bortle 1 skies, zillions of stars, viewpoints like this, and the stupendous views - Morice Dera topped our list from the Andaman trip, especially for chasing the stars. Venturing in the dark, stumbling by rocks, splashing in the water, beyond the viewpoint, definitely turned out to be worthwhile. The clouds were quickly closing in, but for a brief moment this scene of Venus Rising was indeed stunning!

An alternate dimension @ Andaman

A flight out, a bumpy drive, a quick ferry, a speed boat via hidden mangroves, then a hike thru a magical little village takes you to this mystic caves of Andaman. If you plan meticulously and and await for all the stars to align - you could witness the mystical caves opening up the portal to an alternate dimension. Or may be it was just a couple of crazy folks playing with the darks and lights, deep in the caves of Andaman :)

A fantas(y)tic twilight from Wandoor beach

After landing in Andaman by late afternoon, realized the weather was not much different from Chennai. Very tropical, humid, and hot. Trying to get a feeling of the place, we decided to catch up the sunset. Andaman, by way of its location, and single time zone - both the sunrise and sunset happen quite early here. Luckily, our partners in crime had already sorted out a location for potential sunset - Wandoor beach. With a bit of working out on the ride, we left around 4:30 PM. Given the time, we were sure to miss the sunset. But still decided to head out. After an uneventful drive through the town, the urban view gave way to some forests, the forests then opened up to some backwaters. After some lovely views by the side of the road, we headed to the beach. Some interesting conversations, some new connections, and a leisurely stroll by the beach - things were just beginning to unfold. The sun had just sunk by the horizon. The quarter moon, though small, was lighting up the entire landscape. Slowly, the twilight was starting to weave its golden magic. Just when 'I' was thinking that the scene could not be any more beautiful, the stars decided to adorn and twinkled - one by one by one. Awestruck, the 'I' just disappeared into the abyss … Here is a slice of magic from that evening !!!

Stars by a tranquil night

tranquil night under a blanket of stars - sleep gone, again :) This shot is from a lovely spot is nestled less than 100 kms away from the bustling Bangalore, by the forests of Kanakapura (or whatever is left of it). Stay late, it is great to spend time with the stars :)

Take that scenic route

Sometimes the most scenic routes in life are the detours you didn't mean to take. Door County, Wisconsin - is one of the premier spots for enjoying fall colors. Am glad we decided to take a detour and explore the back country, for it gifted us with this lovely palette of colors :)

Hike more, worry less

while one with nature i find a tranquil ledge - above the waterfall of my thoughts During a hike, deep in the forests of Kemmangundi - amidst the verdant greenery and tall indigenous trees harboring some amazing birds, stumbled across this gurgling stream. As if these weren't enough, my flying friend helped get a view that is probably not seen by (m)any. Grateful to have witnessed the stream flow onto a graceful waterfalls. p.s : yeah that is me by the ledge, trying to enjoy the view that was normally not visible otherwise :)

Believe in your wings

The bird is never afraid of the twig breaking, because its trust is not on the twig but on its own wings.

Pattadakal by Moonrise

Pattadakal - literally know as 'coronation stone' - is a small rustic town in the Bagalkot district of north Karnataka. This UNESCO world heritage site hosts 7th and 8th century collection of nine Hindu and one Jain temple built by the Chalukya dynasty. As we were exploring, witnessed the Galaganath Temple, adorned by the Malaprabha River, lit by moonlight & blanketed by the twinkle of stars.

Sun kissed misty morning

alming waterfalls, fall colors, misty morning - all kissed by the rising sun !

Kolli Malai Sunset

Kolli Malai or Kolli Hills is one of the beautiful places, situated in Namakkal District of the state of Tamil Nadu. The hills are covered with evergreen forests and are actually the part of discontinuous Eastern Ghats. Furthermore it is comprised of three reserve forests namely Ariyur Solai, Kundur Nadu, Pulianjolai. In recent times, increasing areas of forests are being cleared for farming black pepper, jackfruit, banana, pineapple, Oranges, Tapioca, and other spices. Still, the area is home to a wide variety of medicinal plants and herbs used in Ayurveda and Siddha and Unani. Here is a wonderful sunset from the treasured Kolli Malai.

A pristine beauty - Hebbe Waterfalls

nterior Karnataka, by the district of Chikkamagaluru lies this pristine beauty. 13 kms of thrilling & bone rattling 4x4 ride, thru the secluded tiger reserve gets you here. They say - it's not about the designation but about the journey. But in case of Hebbe - it is as much about the journey, as about the falls. The effort is totally worth it as you witness the waterfalls rumble thru the forest.

Hiatus, Looking back & Looking forward

What a year it had been – Covid, revival, promise of hope, again lock downs … Beginning of 2021 felt like a deja vu. Now it seems like the deja vu is repeating itself again. But still, a lots happened this past year as well. Let us drop the prejudice of 2021 (as we did for 2020 as well). Given the situation it indeed was a great year. Experienced some amazing night skies, made some wonderful connections, got to capture views that only a few witness and some lovely experiences along the way. Took an intentional hiatus from social media for the past 8 months, as I felt it was influencing a lot on the kind of shots I make and the experiences that I attracted. But I do see that it is for me to be aware of the influences. Sharing opens up conversations and connections that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. I knew it was not you (social media), but me. Nevertheless, it was a lesson that I have to pick up as my own. On a different note, I had never been a birder, I did occasionally capture a few flying beauties from my travel. But as the year wrapped up, tried to play around in this new genre as well. Trying to capture the birdies, especially the tiny ones, calls for a different level of patience and perseverance. Keen to see how this unfolds and eager for the new learning opportunities that it brings. Here is to 2022 – to more learning, more travel, more connections & enriched experiences. Focus, enjoy and equip for the journey forward :)

Throne of Thirumalai Nayakar

Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal built (in 1636) by Thirumalai Nayakar at Madurai, intended this palace to be one of the grandest in South India. The design and architecture is a blend of Dravidian and Rajasthani styles. The interior is richly decorated whilst the exterior is treated in a more austere style. This palace is situated 2 km south east of the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The original Palace Complex was four times bigger than the present structure. The steps leading up to the central hall were formerly flanked by two equestrian statues of excellent workmanship. As you can witness, part of this is still standing the test of time and various historical events & wars. The throne in the center was incidentally lit by the ambient light from the stained glass windows by the dome. The palace constructed using foliated brickwork was finished in exquisite stucco called chunnam (shell lime) mixed with egg white to obtain a smooth and glossy texture. This probably inspired the Natukottai Chettiars, 200 years later in their own construction.

Kere Basadi (Lake Temple)

Kere Basadi in a literal sense means the Lake Temple. Located somewhere in the Udupi district is a small native village of Varanga. Located here and surrounded by lush nature, this is a place where the architecture imbibes the way of lifestyle and sustenance. Access to the temple takes one thru meandering roads thru serene nature. Once there (white vehicle parked :)), one needs to take a boat to the temple. Loved how the temple was architectured around the lake which in turn was supporting the local sustenance. The journey helps soothe the mind and creates an intent of travel, rather than being just a passing insta photo op :)

John Deere & Milky Way

Tractors (in this case a John Deere or JD) initially were a little more than replacement for farm animals. All they could do was probably pull things. The modern tractors (with the power take off motors and the front / back hitches) evolved to do much more – They became a staple of any typical farm and became adept in supporting plowing, planting, cultivating, fertilizing, and harvesting crops. In addition they also came handy for hauling materials and personal transportation. The rustic & rugged tractor always invokes a feeling of all the hard work that goes behind the scenes. Hence when I came across this, could not help but frame it under the night sky. As for the lighting, thanks to the handkerchief that helped diffuse the strong beam from my trusted HP7 coastline flashlight. To get the Milky Way core aligned, was literally clambering on the ground to get the composition tick. At the end it all came together. Hope it is a apt ode to JD under Milky Way !

Twilight at Hemakuta Hill

Hemakuta Hill located adjacent to Virupaksha temple is sprinkled generously with a large number of shrines, archways, and pavilions. These temples form one of the earliest groups of structures at Hampi and are dated to be from about the 9th to 14th century. It is also one among the best places in Hampi to witness the sunrise/sunset and quiet an easy climb (about 10-15 mins and not as tedious as say, the Matanga Hill). Though an easy walk, the afternoon sun can make the boulders scorching hot. But take a stroll by twilight and you sure can experience all the hues from blues to reds being splashed across the whole wide canvas of the sky.

Magical Meghalaya

While nature leaves us spellbound each time, some places are so magical that even after a single visit it never leaves you. Meghalaya is one such place. It is one of the 7 sister states of North East India and is a mountainous region with many rivers, which keep flowing due to the constant rainfall. It is indeed the wettest place on earth. But if planned accordingly, one could witness terrain that is generally submerged by raging rivers. This particular spot is from a hike to the mouth of Nohkalikai falls, from up the hill. This rugged terrain is carved day in and out by the forces of nature. Over the years the constant flow of water through the gaps on the river bed has created a number of pools and waterfalls which eventually plunge down the gorge to make the Nohkalikai falls. Walking by the same felt so alien and pristine at the same time.

Mysterious with Milky Way

Just 50 km from the busy bustle of Bangalore, nestled within the forests of Kanakapura is this classified spot. When the time is right and the stars align, I mean literally – one could witness the magic. Out here, in the darkness of the night – the lava flows and portals to the parallel universe open up. Just witnessing the same under the glow the of Milky Way elicits mysticism beyond belief … Or maybe it was just a few friends, toying with the laser light by a meek rock, in the mango groves that lies by the edge of the Kanakapura forest :)

Hunt for the Milky Way

In the southern part of India, the monsoon season & the Milky Way season greatly overlap. Hence the window to witness & capture the Milky Way is quite small. Add to it the alignment of the same over weekends and access to decent night skies. The probability goes down even further. After keeping a close eye on the conditions, decided to head towards Coorg with friends for some Milky Way hunting. Though the spot was a Bortle 2, the elevation of the location brought in rolling clouds, fog, and morning mist. After 1 1/2 days of waiting, the weather Gods decided to give a glimpse of the Milky Way, just for us :)

Intricate architecture @ Mysore palace

The Mysore palace constructed around 1897, was conceived as a residence befitting the monarch of the majestic state. Mysore, which was laid out as the capital of the princely state, now part of Karnataka, retains a very strong connection with its royal past. The palace was constructed using fine grey granite and features beautiful domes that are made of deep pink-colored marbles. Every wall, pillar, ceiling, and doom is filled with such intricate work of art that one is struck by awe, just being there.

Be Open to alternate Perspectives

Sometimes even the simplest of things, right in front of you might not be obvious. You need to put in the effort before it becomes evident. Even a slight change in your point of view brings in things that were not obvious before. Like this bird’s eye view of the Kapu lighthouse. The 100 feet lighthouse though in plain sight might not be obvious immediately. But change your perspective, even a bit and it becomes quite evident, right :) Be open to alternate perspectives.

Sunrise by Shivalaya Temple

The city of Badami in Northern Karnataka, also called Vatapi, was the capital of one of the most enduring dynasties in Southern India – the Chalukyas. Nestled by a ravine that cuts through the sandstone landscape the site is graced by some beautiful temples – rock-cut and otherwise. One of the prominent temple that I loved from my visit is the upper Shivalaya Temple. It had quiet ornamantal windows. It might have held equally ornate sculptures too within and probably was deprived of the same as time passed. The majestic mandapa stands as remnants of a bygone era, but still loaded with such grace and grandeur. It takes some effort to get up the hill. But the view is worth all the effort, especially around sunrise.

Startling night on Valentines day

Had planned to visit this particular area last year with a friend. That never materialized because of you know who :) Accounting to the same, 2020 had not been great, even more so for travel. Then what can be said for night travel ?! Hence, when the Astro season started this year, was trying to hold my expectations low. This time of the year the Milky Way graces the night sky after 3 or 4 AM. It was only a small window, but the twilight even from the horizon behind graciously blanketed the lake with its warm light. The stars finally aligned, and I couldn’t be happier. Feeling thankful that we still have pockets of the night sky in a short distance from busy cities where the stars can be appreciated. Here is to the love of stars. Happy Valentines Day !

Cosmic showers

When it rains, look for rainbows When it is dark, look for stars When it rains stars, sit back and enjoy the show :) Even when we don’t see – the night falls, stars raise and the show continues. Here is a fleeting moment spread across 25 mins, from a random night captured from few years back.

Life of Lambda

No Hurry

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. – Lao Tzu Start with your thought … Nature may reach the same result in many ways. It takes its time. The intricate & complex dependencies are all accounted for in the grandeur of nature in prefect balance. In a way, the energy of single thought could determine the motion of a universe. Hence start with your thought, stay with it, don’t hurry …

Postcard from the past

As I was enjoying the Virupaksha temple at sunrise, came across this scene. For some reason, the family standing there, resembled the typical tourist – one who does not gel with the surrounding & stands out. May be it was their attire or the posture, but whatever – they felt juxtaposed. Tried processing to elevate and showcase how Hampi still stands the test of time. The final result felt like a postcard from the past :)

Badami Shivalaya

Badami Shivalaya was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. Most of the visitors miss this as the focus is always on the Badami caves. The fort is quite opposite to the caves on the other side of the lake. Also one needs to trek to the top . The path is quiet defined with steps but is a bit strenuous, especially in hot weather. The massive hillock hosts couple of different levels with - the pillared structures, the lower Shivalayas and the upper Shivalayas. One is treated with Chalukya architecture and the views are directly propositional to the effort one puts in to climb up :)

Geminids

The Geminids are a prolific meteor shower caused by the object 3200 Phaethon, which is thought to be a Palladian asteroid with a “rock comet” orbit. This makes the Geminids, together with the Quadrantids, the only major meteor showers not originating from a comet. – Wikipedia The weather Gods were not very kind when planning for the grand conjunction ( Jupiter and Saturn) this week, but they were very supportive just the past week. 2020 had not been great for travel & photography. But as the year is coming to a closure, am glad our drive to Udupi, gave us the required rejuvenation by way of access to crystal clear nights & witness some of the showers :)

Days of the Glorious Past

Hampi is one among the most historically and culturally significant sites in India. Stroll through its remote landscape and one if bound to be drowned in its beauty. What once was an incredible empire is now in the state of ruin, but that only adds to its beauty and grandeur. The remnants is quiet stark and makes one wonder how celebrated it would have been in days of the glorious past.

Life is Inevitable

If dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi. Every walk and every turn at Hampi has awe and surprises carved in stone. This particular morning we were strolling on the hills of Hemakunta. Surrounded by the grand architecture of Hampi, the cool morning breeze, the rising sun, golden light glistening the rocks – the moment was perfect. And then stumbled upon this little guy, growing right thru the stone. He was there for a purpose, yet juxtaposed at the same time. It was as if everything came together to make this moment happen, to make this connect happen. He was silently showing what life is all about. What you think as dead, is just dormant. Be aware, take care of such little things that is & constitutes life. Life is just inevitable.

Sunset by Fort De Soto

Magic is natural and simple, only the mind says it’s complicated Moments like these prove the same, by staying with you even after years A magical sunset moment from years back at Fort De Soto – one of the lovely parks by St. Petersburg, Florida :)

By the Silent night

The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows. – Brene Brown This shot is from few years back, when we used to do occasional visits between Greenville, SC and Alpharatta,GA. Enroute is the fabulous forests of Tugaloo, right adjacent to lake Hartwell. From one such drive, sunday late into the night, ignoring the imminent monday morning blues – pulled over an arbitrary & craggy road. Decided to take a stroll and it didn’t disappoint. Set on a timer, this was captured as contiguous 177 shots spread over 45+ minutes. As for the processing ran the 177 shots through the (free) Creative Effects UI Photoshop script with Saucer effect. This could have been shot as a single exposure, but I always prefer smaller multiple exposures. It gives a lot more freedom around the creative processing :) How do u like it !

When birds swim ...

When birds swim, they are even more magical :)

Gratitude enriches existence

Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. – John Milton Have you ever thought – in life we receive a lot more than we ever give. Yet, it is easy for us to remember about things we wanted but haven’t got yet, plans that were planned but haven’t worked out yet etc. But you just reading this, shows you are among the gifted – who got to learn to read, have the will to read, probably have the basic needs met and among the the ones who have WiFi or mobile with a data plan. If nothing else, just the probability of you even existing now at all comes out to 1 in 10 power 2,685,000. Basically, the odds you even exist is zero. Yet you exist. Realize the miracle you are and yet how wonderfully insignificant you are. Be thankful… live… live a life filled with Gratitude :)

Absolutely Still

Sometimes – to take in all that life has to give – you just got to be still. Absolutely still. Stagnation is dying, in many ways. But Stillness is beautiful. Especially when you are so with awareness of each breath & each fleeting moment. Here is one such fleeting moment of stillness from the the land where even the stones sing – Hampi :)

Rest, Relax, Rejuvenate ...

Just like a spring, our body & mind accommodates and carries a lot of load. Few at a time seems manageable, but carry for long & it breaks. Unlike a spring, know when to knock off the load and rebound. Identify rituals that help you revitalize. Rest, Relax, Rejuvenate & Spring back :) To rest is not being idle. To lie on the beach or the grass – listening to the murmur of the water or rustling of the trees and to watch life happen – is by no means a waste of time.

Aihole wrapped in a blanket of stars

Just an hour’s drive from Badami is Aihole – a historic site of ancient & medieval era with Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments. There are a variety of temples sprinkled all over this place. With so much variety, Aihole is indeed the cradle of temple architecture. The incredible work here dates from the sixth century through the twelfth century. This week’s shot is from one such complex which hosts a collection of about 30 temples by the banks of river Malaprabha. The quarter moon was just enough to light the temple complex, while still allowing to enjoy the grandeur of the stars. The trip from earlier this Feb was not conducive to enjoy the Milky Way, but it helped to get an enticing composition around the north star with equally captivating temples in the foreground. How do you like it ?! PS : This shot was made possible with ~200 shots over 45 mins and composited with the “Creative Effects” Photoshop script. You can download the same for free here :)