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The Perfect Traveller

Enroute to Smokies we heard about this waterfalls that was tucked away in the mountains. We decided to make the trip to Minnehaha and it was well worth it. Located the trail head with head with help of GPS [34.749633, -83.479083]. There were very few parking spots by the road, but the drive up the winding road and the lake was quick a sight. Once you locate the trail head (with small set up stairs from the road) and get a parking spot, the fun continues. The trail is somewhat uphill, but the few stairs sprinkled along the way helped. In addition to the trail, The falls itself is incredible. They spills over a cliff in a gorgeous, multi-tiered cascade before continuing downstream to the Lake Rabun shore. The morning sun, the floating fog, the spray from the falls, the chillness of the water – it all makes it a worthwhile experience. Water is the most perfect traveller, because when it travels it becomes the path itself ! ― Mehmet Murat ildan

The Prakaram of Nemam Temple

Nemam Temple near Karikudi is one among the 9 temples connected with the Nagarathar community. The nine temples connected with the Nagarathar or Natukottai chettiyar include: Ilayathakudi, Iluppaikkudi, Iraniyur, Mathur, Nemam, Pillayarpatti, Soorakudi, Vairavan, and Velangudi. Some of these like Pillayarpatti are more prominent than others. But the intricate work at Nemam temple makes it stand out. Sculptures in the temple are so artistic, minute and sharp. The prakaram around the inner sanctum was definitely an architectural splendor. Once could sense how accurate these were laid out. The windows on the top brings in the right amount of sun to light up the prakaram and the beauty of the sculptures.

Soul of Ooty

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. As the summer temperatures were soaring up pretty much everywhere, we decided to head to Ooty – Queen of the Hills – for a short break. Being a impromptu travel, there was not much time for planning or scouting locations. Being our first trip to Ooty, we made the mistake of booking the last of the rooms by Ooty downtown. Thought it would be good to enjoy a walk by the lake or get to the shops. But, oh boy the traffic was similar to that of Bangalore SilkBoard, if not worse :) The serene drive to Emerald & Avalanche Lake, next day, balanced it all out. Some spots were indeed blocked or restricted, since it is owned by Electric Board and used for electricity generation. These spots need prior planning and securing permits beforehand. Still the drive is very picturesque and worth even if you were not able to secure the permits. This weeks shot is a view is from a quick curve by the road side, as we were driving back from Emerald lake to Ooty. I love this shot – it distills the essence of all that Ooty has to offer – Queen of hills, land of lakes, rolling coffee plantations, distant fog and a bit of human settlement. The sunset colors were a pleasant addition and the afternoon thunderstorms accentuated it. Ooty being cloudy / foggy most of the time, we did not expect this scene. But we gladly enjoyed as it unfolded in all its glory ! Surprises like these and more are what make the impromptu travel so additive :)

Perspective

Perspective – it changes everything. One of the amazing things in life – just when we think we have everything figured out & then you stumble upon something new or suddenly see the same things in a different perspective & everything shifts again :) Today’s shot is that of a top perspective of Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam temple – something that most would never have witnessed, lest be captured in the golden twilight. Perspective – it changes everything :)

Courage

Courage in the path is what makes the path manifest itself - Paulo Coelho

Cosmic Unison

Some dreaming, some planning and a lot of waiting was involved for this shot. When I first got to visit this spot, I went crazy with ideas like a kid with cotton candy. Of those, capturing this beauty under the cosmic stars was on top. This past weekend everything came together to make this possible ... The temple was just couple feet away while the milky way was 25,000 light years away. The temple was constructed around 1000 years back while the milky way is from a couple million years back. Separated vastly by space and time, yet in in cosmic unison – it was one beautiful sight to behold ! Being no moon, it was quiet dark. Hence decided to play with light painting to make the temple pop. To make it even sweeter, I had a lovely assistant who diligently worked with me thru the process. Having to accompany my son on his first night out and shooting stars was even a greater experience :)

Little things

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

In spite of everything …

You can feel the stars and the infinity of the sky since life, in spite of everything, is like a dream. – Vincent van Gogh In spite of all the noise, there is a connect when you are with the nature In spite of all the chaos, there is a tranquil when you are with the cosmos In spite of all the chase, there is a silence when you are with the stars Cherish it, live it, love it and don’t ever lose it !

Merku Gopuram of Meenakshi Temple

This shot is just part of the base 2 tiers of the 9 tier Merku Gopuram (west tower) of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai. The temple complex spanning 14 acers - has 4 nine-storey gopurams (outer, raja), 1 seven-storey gopuram (Chittirai), 5 five-storey gopurams, 2 three-storey, and 2 one-storey gold-gilded sanctum towers. Each one compete and excel at being more intricate and detailed as the other. Though there are references to Meenakshi Amman temple in literature going back to 6th century, these were restored back to its pristine glory in the 16th century, when King Thirumalai Naicker came back to power in Madurai. What awe-inspiring structures, with-standing the test of time. With such intricate work, would you believe this was conceived and constructed centuries ago ?!!!

Love

Love is the absence of judgment !

View with a Vertigo

Dubai is known for high rise skyscrapers and its views. But this one is special. This is probably what Tom Cruise would have seen, when maneuvering over Burj Khalifa, if he had done the same stunt by night :)

Kotravaleeswarar Temple of Koviloor

The Koviloor temple of "Sri Kotravaleeswarar" was initially built by the Pandiya King "Veerasekara Pandiyan" - approximately thousand years ago. Legend says that once when King Veerasekaran was on his hunting at this place, he lost his sword and later recovered it. The temple was raised for the lord who helped recover the same. And hence the name Kotrai val eeswaran Temple ! The temple tank right in front of the temple called Madhu Puskarani, is one magnificent structure. The pretty mandapam backed by the row of coconut trees, reflected in the sparkling waters is a sight to behold, especially during sunset.

Divine Island

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam (வண்டியூர் மாரியம்மன் தெப்பக்குளம்) is a temple tank located near to Vandiyur Mariamman Temple and situated at a distance of about 4 km from the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. Teppakulam, literally translates to temple pond and is mainly used for devotional festivals. The tank is connected to Vaigai River through an ingenious system of underground channels. This was constructed by the King Thirumalai Nayak. One of the largest Ganesha, the Mukkuruni Vinayagar in Meenakshi Amman Temple is said to be found when this tank is dug in 1645. As a kid, I had seen this pond often used as cricket playing field. But when filled with water, the artificial tank makes the temple within - an island and is a sight to behold. An walk around this would take 30 minutes and would be awesome during early morning or evening times. The place is filled up with lot of road side shops to eat and walk with. If the tank is filled with water and the climate is breezy, you definitely would enjoy this spot !

Find your light

The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It's our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows. Find your light and make it shine :)

Alone by the Gulf

This is from few years back. Photographically not a great shot. But this brings back candid memories from the sole road trip, chasing some light and lightning ! The twilight Sun, wears the veil of the rainfall Thunder, though distant, rumbles across the Clouds The rolling waves, gently crash across the feet The gentle breeze with its tropical warmth, caresses the face And I realize – I am no longer alone :)

Ocean Entry @ Hawaii

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain The lava flow and the associated ocean entry, when it happens, is a sight to behold. It is, as if the lava flows all the way to jump into the ocean, while the water keeps lashing it back. Together they keep creating earth, one layer at a time !

Center of my Universe

You are not at the center of The Universe, but you definitely are center of your universe :)

Iraniyur

Just a short drive from karaikudi is lraniyur, which hosts this lovely Aatkondanathar Swami temple. As the first rays of the sun hit, birds chirped all around, accompanied by the cool and pristine breeze - one is just teleported to a different world and time ! The history goes that Lord Narasimha incurred a dosha for killing demon Hiranya. He worshipped Lord Shiva for relief. Lord Shiv granted darshan to Lord Narashima and cleansed him of His dosha.

Vivekananda Rock by twilight

In a conflict between the heart and the head, follow your heart. – Swami Vivekananda Eight years back, when I visited Kanyakumari, I did not get to actually visit the Vivekanda Rock. Back then, I had to settle for the view from ashore. It brought back memories from my childhood visit - the grandeur mandap, the towering pillars, the roaring waves, the serene & the cool rock - were all etched in my memory. So this time around, when the chance presented itself, I was more than eager to get out there. But, I was a bit taken aback, on how things had taken a turn. From the confusing ticketing queues (one for the ferry and one for the entry at the rock, makes one wonder why someone would take a ferry and avoid entering the rock) to the huge crowds this place draws, the experience is no longer pristine. It was really sad that sitting in silence or meditation was no longer allowed on the grand hall and the so called meditation hall, set up down below makes one claustrophobic. Don’t get me wrong, the rock and the mandap is still an awe inspiring structure. Actually the design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India. You definitely should visit if you are around in Kanyakumari. But at the same time, the experience is no longer as serene as it used to be. For now. given a choice, I’ll settle for the view from ashore and hold on to my memories :)

Empire State by Twilight

There is no other place like NYC :) Each visit brings an experience unto itself. Sometimes the best view is not from the tallest tower , but from the one just behind it !

Time

The problem is we think we have time. If Big Bang happened at the first day of the year, the first second of January 1, then : humans didn't arise until the last day of the year, and modern civilization makes up about the last 14 seconds of the year. – Neil Tyson, Cosmic Calendar. In large scheme of things, our life is minuscule and insignificant. Yeah your read that right - insignificant, but it is wonderfully insignificant. we many a time forget the time that we have out here and the difference we make. If the Cosmic Calendar makes you feel insignificant, the Life in Weeks Calendar, can help put things in perspective of how much we really have to make a difference. And it is up to us to make it wonderful. Its funny how we think we have all the time in the world, yet it is the other way around. But it is never too late to become aware of how time and life drifts away, each moment. So, what are you waiting for - build that business, open that school, start that hobby, make that phone call, learn that skill, take that vacation …

Pristine beaches of SC

Bulls Island, is an undeveloped barrier island within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Its one of the most pristine spans of coastline on the eastern seaboard. Its seven miles of beaches include the famed Boneyard Beach, where the remains of surf-battered trees are littered across the sand. To add to that, after each high tide, every corner of the beach is restored to its immaculate state :) To preserve the wildlife and its habitat, Cape Romain is closed from dawn to dusk, and no camping is allowed on the refuge islands. Hence not many get to witness sunrise on the pristine Boneyard Beach.

You are exactly where you need to be …

You are exactly where you need to be ... And you have the choice to stay or move forward, one step at a time :) Either way, enjoy the journey.

Yin Yang of Fall

Be Thankful for the shadows, for they are there only because of the light :)

Fall Colors by Tranquil lake

A tranquil lake, twilight shades, fall colors, some calming reflections – prefect recipe for a lovely shot :)

The Capitol by full Moon

Initiated around 1793, the core building of The Capitol (Washington D.C) construction took 33 years. It was interesting to learn that the current dome of the capitol building was actually the second one. The original wooden dome was subsequently replaced as a precaution for fire. Today it stands as the meeting place of the nation's legislature. The Capitol also houses an important collection of American art, and it is an architectural achievement in its own right. The several blocks from Washington memorial to the capitol building houses the various Smithsonian museums and is a great place to take a walk !

Twin Falls on a Rainy Day

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover And never judge a day by it’s weather This particular Saturday started with showers all around. It was a tough choice to decide between lazing the afternoon with family in the couch vs driving couple of hours and taking a hike. It was tempting to decide, it was not worth it due to rain, especially since it involved a hike. ClearOutside showed a small break in weather. Am glad I gambled to take the risk, at the end it really paid off :) Though I did get wet, the rain added to the volume of the cascade and the rolling fog made the day ! Generally, worse the weather & lower the probability of getting a shot, the better it turns out to be :)

Sunrise @ South Tip

Kanyakumari , the southern most tip of Incredible India, is well known for a handful of things - The Vivekananda Rock, Thiruvaluvar statue, the small fishing colony, Devi Kanyakumari amman temple on one end and Our lady Church on the other. But it all comes together during sunrise, when everyone gathers by the coast to witness the dynamic colors :)

Find the Zen within

It's possible to travel thousands of miles to the other side of the world, to take a plane, three trains, two ferries and a bicycle, in order to stand completely still.

Be Curious

Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the Universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up. – Stephen Hawking

Life Happens …

Life is what happens, when you are busy making other plans. Sometimes those wonderfully insignificant moments are all that you need :)

Just in time by Jones Gap

Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter - Ansel Adams Jones Gap is one of a kind, so wild, yet not very far from Greenville. The main highlight of Jones Gap is the Middle Saluda River - the states first designated scenic river. The hike & terrain is somewhat challenging in a couple of places, but the views are amazing. The late afternoon sun and the clouds were just right, the the diffused light caused the entire place to be flooded with the golden glow. I was just in time to enjoy this scene :)

Soco Falls - Hidden by the road

Soco falls is a beautiful, double waterfall on the edge of the Cherokee Indian Reservation, located near Maggie Valley. Its one among the most lovely waterfalls, by the Blue Ridge parkway - just 1.5 miles south of Soco Gap @ Milepost 455.7. Look for the small roadside parking area on the left of the road. It is easy to miss, since there is just one tiny sign. This view requires a short hike. It is not a cake walk, but not super hard either. You need to be careful as it is steep and a bit slippery, especially when wet. But the adventure is well worth the view, wouldn't you agree :)

Hiking by Paris Mountain

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. – John Muir One of the easiest ways to unload, unwind and de-stress is to get out and connect with nature. Natural environments are rich in the characteristics necessary for the brain to replenish itself.

Snowflake Snowflake

Snowflake, snowflake, little snowflake. Little snowflake falling from the sky. Snowflake, snowflake, little snowflake. Falling, falling, falling, falling, falling, falling, falling, falling, falling...falling on my glove :) After couple of years, got to shoot the little little snowflakes again. It was fun :)

Exploring Florida Keys

No man is an island – John Donne Flying around Keys was quiet and experience, especially with an entertaining guide. Out here, there are more than 5000 islands. Each island is its own community of ecological biodiversity. Yet, these islands have stood by time and inexorably linked by nature.

Cosmos

At times you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, At times in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.

Sunset by Clock Tower

The beauty you see in me, is a reflection of you. – Rumi

Bahai Honda Sunset

Bahai Honda State park is one of the best spots to enjoy an Florida Keys Sunset (not that there is even any bad spots :)) On the left is the ‘Bahia Honda Rail Bridge’ - a derelict railroad bridge connecting Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor Key. After a replacement Bahia Honda Bridge opened in 1972, two spans of this defunct bridge were removed to accommodate boat traffic. On the right is Hwy 1 – driving it feels like floating by the ocean. The cold water felt good for the hot summer. Standing in knee deep water, the view was great. Though the crabs were kind of bothering me, they were not as bothered by me :)

Twilight by Grandfather Mountain

I went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sun down, for going out, I found, was really going in – John Muir

Magic of Fall

You are exactly where you need to be ... And you have the choice to stay or move forward, one step at a time :) Either way, enjoy the journey.

The Lone Kayaker

It is a general perception that the quality of light moves toward harsh, as the sun moves up the sky, and not ideal for photography. But all rules are eventually meant to be broken :) This particular afternoon I was driving around scouting for a sunset location. Glad the car in front of me slowed down, I applied the breaks and was treated to this view thru the window. It was only for a brief moment - the moving clouds diffused the harsh sunlight. And just a little bit gleamed thru, to light up the kayaker and part of the hill. Always be prepared … it helps, with photography too :)

A beauty called Linville Gorge

The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area lies entirely within the Pisgah National Forest. Sometimes referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the East", it is one of the wildest, most rugged gorges in the eastern United States. Given the terrain, it is also an outdoor paradise. This is from the Chimney view overlook that provides a glimpse of Linville falls. The falls view is good, but one can’t miss this lovely view behind, especially with the lovely fall colors. Standing at the edge, the sheer depth of the Gorge was scary and at the same time exhilarating :)

Fall Colors by Linn Cove Viaduct

The Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other. It provides a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region one of a kind. Among the uncountable vistas and views, this iconic view of the bridge also stands out, more so after learning about the engineering behind it (the below is from the Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor Center). A viaduct is a long bridge with a series of spans supported on piers. The Linn Cove Viaduct is 1243 feet long and 35 feet wide. This signature view of “S” curve rests upon seven vertical piers spaced at 180 feet. Linn Cove Viaduct is the first in the US to incorporate progressive placement of sections (each of the 153 precast sessions weighing 10,000 lbs). What this means is that the bridge is built upon itself. Workmen, materials and machines move back and fourth on the completed bridge to places each successive section. Little or no damage is caused to the landscape over which the viaduct is being constructed. Grandfather Mountain is rugged and unyielding with active plant and animal communities throughout. Traditional road and bridge construction involving heavy equipment, earth moving, access roads and large construction crews would have adversely affected this fragile eco system for years to come. Interestingly the lead designer of the roadway, Stanley Abbott, was a landscape architect, not an engineer and it shows. This signature view of the Linn Cove Viaduct was shot from a not so prominent spot. The early morning sun lit up the fall foliage ablaze. The biker racing up the parkway added to the shot :)

Orionids on a Chilly Night

A sip of a hot chai Gentle breeze of the cold night Shimmering of the twinkling stars A blazing streak of a meteor - few experiences are worth skipping the cozy sleep :)

The Sun, Moon & Regulus

Watching the Solar Eclipse was quiet an experience. Witnessing the totality was even more personal. In the peak of the afternoon - the scorching summer sun became so pleasant ; the temperature dropped ; the crickets became exuberant ; there was sunset all around and quiet an excitement permeated in the air. It was a surreal experience to witness a 360° sunset and right in the middle of the afternoon. High above, as the moon obscured the Sun, it was a sight to behold ! Totality is the only time during solar eclipse that can be enjoyed with out any additional protection to the eyes. The Sun's corona extends millions of miles into space and is most prominently visible during a total solar eclipse. Regulus, a bright star in the constellation Leo and among the brightest in Earth's night sky. Due to its extreme brightness, Regulus can be spotted next to the sun’s corona, though its 79 Light years away. The photos / videos do no justice to the experience, but here is an attempt to freeze that moment - for my friends who were not able to experience this in person. Do check out full screen at higher resolution - definitely worth it :)

Misty Morning by Mississippi River

This is from one of my Aurora chasing trips. After the long drive, the forecasted Northern lights never showed up. Decided to sleep in the car and was treated to this magical sunrise the next morning – I would still call it a win :)