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Aurora by the city

Aurora by the city A little late to process and share & not as grand as the show put up north earlier his week. Still, it was a great experience capturing her dancing and hiding behind the clouds from this past Sun/Mon [4/23 11:30 PM] The weekend was drawing to a close, and I was getting ready for some much-needed rest before tackling Monday head-on. Suddenly, the aurora alarm went off! Sadly, the ever-unpredictable British weather wasn't on our side. Nonstop cloud cover is practically a staple here in the UK, and that night was no different. Determined to make the most of it, I researched both weather and aurora forecasts to narrow down my options: either venture up north to Birdlip, a cloudy location with a higher chance of seeing the aurora, or head south to Stonehenge, boasting clearer skies but lower aurora probability. In the end, I took my chances and went for Birdlip viewpoint. Even amidst significant light pollution, the captivating aurora managed to put on a short but utterly enchanting performance. The cool breeze, the city of Gloucester and Cheltenham all lit up, the aurora gleaming thru the clouds and Lyrids joining the show ... What an incredible night it turned out to be!

Sunrise by the stepped pushkarini

There are several pushkarinis (also called as kalyani) spread across Hampi. Some of these pushkarinis were related to the temples. Few larger ones were built for the general public. Some situated within the Royal Enclosure, like this were specially built for the members of the royal family of the Vijayanagara Empire. It was amazing to see how these stepped tanks were connected to an extensive network of stone aqueduct that provide fresh water from the nearby Tungabhadra River.

Sunset by Hemakuta Hill

Every sunset is different, because every day is different, clouds are different, reflections are different, distant mountains are different, and above all - we are different!

The autumn of our lives

The time for longer and more everlasting contentment is in the autumn of our lives.

Rest, not Quit

If you get tired learn to rest, not to quit. - Banksy

Fishing hamlet by Maravanthe

This fishing hamlet is from one of the lovely roads by costal karnataka. Hedged in by ocean on one side and a river on the other – makes it one of the most beautiful roads in all of India. As the twilight broke, the rising sun kissed the land and made the crashing waves to glisten. The golden sand, swaying coconut trees, solitude of the ocean, laid back life and the endless shore makes Maravanthe a zen of a place.

Simple Life

Life is simple - it will continue to be so if only we stop to make it complicated

The not so silent Sathodi Falls

Amazing, how a thundering waterfall can be so violent, yet so calming – all at once. Sathodi Falls – though just 15 meters high – is quite a picturesque waterfall located deep in the forests of the western ghats. The stream further flows down into the backwaters of the Kodasalli Dam. Waking up at 5 AM and driving thru the unknown roads (and in few spots no roads at all) was quite an ordeal. The rustic, rugged drive and the bit of early morning trek made it only more adventurous. The thunderous waterfall, the jagged & craggy boulders, the solitude with nature, the magical mist – all this kissed by the morning twilight – made it an even more enriching experience :)

Until next time ...

Just because u don't see the moon, doesn't mean it isn't there :)

Venus on the swing

By the remote islands of the Andaman and in the midst of the dark night - we were chasing the grandeur Milky way. Meanwhile the stars from the other side of the galaxy were probably pondering over the beauty of this rugged island. At that moment, oblivious to our presence, the Venus decided to join the party and jumped on the thing (that we call as swing) to get a ride of its life :)

The Scepter @ Arichal Munai

Arichal munai is often called “The Last Road of India” since another 18 km would get you into Sri Lanka. At the tip of the ruins of the ghost town of Dhanuskodi – is this spectacular meeting of the oh-so-calm Bay of Bengal and the roaring Indian Ocean. With a lovely drive accompanied by colorful sea (and ocean) on both sides, it is quite a tranquil spot. Be there early and the gleaming sun would light up the entire horizon. A pair of eyes is not enough to take in the view. Hence took the aid of my flying friend to get this view, for you :)

Star trails & AI

I’ve been wanting to write about star trails for a while now. I love stargazing and I’ve been fascinated by the movement of the stars and planets across the night sky since I was a little kid. I grew up in a rural area where I had to learn the names of the constellations and planets by reading books, and I’ve always wanted to share that love with others. I’m excited to share my knowledge and passion for astronomy with you in this post, and to show you some beautiful star trails I captured with my camera. Star trails and night sky are two of the most beautiful things in the world. They capture the essence of the moon, stars, and night sky in a way that nothing else can. On a clear night, they can offer a glimpse of the universe, and if you’re lucky enough, they can offer you a glimpse of the cosmos. My favourite thing about star trails is how they capture the motion of the stars.Star trails are a mesmerizing phenomenon that occur when a camera is pointed at the night sky for a length of time. The rotation of the earth causes the stars to appear to move across the sky, giving the appearance of a long line of stars moving across the sky. The effect is most visible when shooting long exposures, and can be used to create abstract artwork or as a way to capture the beauty of the night sky. P.S : If you have not realized by now or if you were wondering that this is not my writing style, you are damn right – the below shot is from me but this blog post was written by an AI. All I asked for was a blog post regarding star trails, and the bot (HyperWriteAI) gave me this in a split second :O Am sure very soon these algorithm with evolve to mimic individual writing styles as well. Intrigued and scary at the same time, what a time to live !

Long time no sea

A visit to a pristine beach is the best escape anyone can have :) The northern side of Kapu beach in Udupi is no exception. Many visit here for the lighthouse, but a morning stroll, by the sand, waves crashing in, the cool breeze, by the dispersed fishing boats is something to experience. It has been a while and time to head back !

Twin Towers of Somnathpur Temple

This is from two years back, but still remember the day vividly. After a year of closure due to covid, we thought things were opening up (after the first wave, not realizing how the next 2 yrs were going to be) and decided to head out. The short trip to Chennakesava Temple, Somnathpur – turned out to be great. Luckily there were not many people around. I had plans to shoot the temple tower during sunset. But the security guard had other plans. He started chasing us out by 5PM, though the documented closing time was only by sunset :( On that day, the forecasted sunset was around 6:30 PM. With no clouds in the sky, the light was still pretty harsh. Just when I was moving towards the exit, a shot captured by one of my friends, flashed in my mind. I knew I had to get the same. Dodging the security guy, ran to the extreme corner of the temple, literally dropped myself to the floor and comp-stomped this shot. I feel the black and white processing adds to the texture and composition. How do you like it :) Thanks Ashok bro for this shot ! I want to be known for what I am, black and white, because I’m proud of both. – Logic

Sunset by the roadside

A cup of chai kindled conversations with likeminded friends and a lovely sunset can make even the mundane magnificent As we were headed to deep interior forests of kemmangundi (for waterfall hopping), we came across a small town. Wanting to get a break from the long drive, stopped by a small bakery for some chai. As we started the journey back, there was a small puddle of water by the roadside and the twilight sunset made the mundane scene magnificent.

Milky Way by twilight

This week’s capture is from one of the rugged and remote islands of the Andaman, which probably has one of the best night skies and even more amazing sunrises. Looking back, the 4 shot panorama was not enough to capture the grandeur as it unfolded. Anyway what is more magical than watching a milky way or a dramatic sunrise – it is of course watching a Milky Way rise during a dramatic twilight sunrise. A still more glorious dawn awaits Not a sunrise, but a galaxy rise A morning filled with 400 billion suns The rising of the milky way – Carl Sagan, Cosmos

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.