Tag: Silhouette

Safdarjung's Tomb in silhouette, Delhi, India

TTL: Delhi: Tomb of Safdarjung

After being done with the Red Fort and the Lotus Temple on the previous day, the second day began with a visit to a old friend of mine. We had brunch and soon it was time to meet up with Tuhina, who would be my tour guide and model for the rest of my stay.

After meeting up with her, we made our way to the Safdarjung’s Tomb. Located on the Safdarjung Road, this is a sandstone domed structure erected in 1750s in honor of Safdarjung. The architecture is quite mesmerizing and within the walls, it is quite peaceful. The mausoleum has four water chambers on each side, which were sadly dry. There are arabic inscriptions on the doorway. There are lawns ideal for people to laze. There are at least a couple of peacocks in the premises too.

Nearest metro station would be Jor Bagh on the Yellow Line. The Safdarjung Tomb is right opposite to the Lodi Gardens, which I visited on a later date. The monument remains open from 0700-1900h all round the week. There is, most probably, a ticket of ₹30 per head, kindly confirm on site. Expect a crowd and you may often find people strategically lazying to ruin your perfect shot.

Here goes…Safdarjung’s Tomb!

Tomb of Safdarjung, Delhi, India

Girl sitting on the steps of the mausoleum, Delhi, India

Parrot on one of the minarets, Delhi, India

Girl with a pretty smile at the monument, Delhi, India

Safdarjung's Tomb, Delhi, India

Girl posing while sitting at the monument, Delhi, India

Safdarjung's Tomb view from the entrance arch, Delhi, India

 

We visited the Delhi Haat next to buy a couple of stuffs mum asked me to get for her, with expert help from Tuhina, that assignment was completed. We followed it with dinner and retired, for the next day, we were going Alwar, Rajasthan.

Cheers!!

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The ones that didn’t win – III

Here is one from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

During my trip to the desert the last year, I was there in June, peak summer, hence off season.

So, for a camel ride that costs about ₹1200 normally, I got it in ₹400. They posed too 🙂

Camel and Man in Thar Desert India shot in silhouette

The series continues, rest can be found here.

Cheers!!

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Glimpses of Mumbai: Bandra – Worli Sealink

So, my quest of shooting the icons of Mumbai continues in this post too. In the earlier posts, the Tulsi Pipe road, Haji Ali Dargah, Chor Bazaar and the Queen’s Necklace have been covered. This time, it is the ₹1600 crore worth engineering marvel, the Bandra- Worli Sealink. The shots have been shot from the Bandra Fort, in company of Dipanwita, and the other shots are from the Dadar beach, in company of Tanisha, both amazing photographers in their own rights.
I was asked recently by a friend, what I do in my spare time?Well, I post process my photos! 🙂

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Next up, I go to Grant Road, and shoot a very specific chowk. Keep an eye out for the results.
Cheers!!

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Glimpses of Mumbai – 2

It has been almost a month at this business hub of India. In my earlier post on Mumbai, I said, people appear to be distant, and that they bother about their own business mostly. Well, that feeling hasn’t changed. A certain respect has come up for the people who manage to squeeze into the suburban trains in the peak hours. The Hanging Gardens, Mahalaxmi Temple, Haji Ali Dargah are the places that have got ticked off the list. The Chowpatty is a must go place for the kulfi and falooda loving public. As for the beach, okay, its fine, too crowded for my liking. The area near the Banganga Tank, was different. It looks as if the place is still stuck in time, do visit it if you happen to be in the Malabar Hill area. Now, the photos.

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Next post is about my experience in the famous Chor Bazaar. Stay tuned 🙂

Cheers!!

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A New Day

When it comes to being optimistic, there is no better symbol to the feeling than an impending sunrise. The glow is there, yet the sun is not yet visible. We know that with the advent of the new day, our demons shall be slain and we shall have a fresh start.

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Good morning dear readers!!

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TTL: Pawna Dam, Lohagarh and Bhaja Caves

After a trisem of studies followed by a week of intense exam schedule, a need for a break was dearly felt. So, off we went. 4 of us, boys, in a Ford Eco Sport hired from Zoomcar.

The trip was taken via the scenic route, through the villages and wilderness. We went to Pawna Dam, climbed a hill to the Lohagarh fort, wen down the hill to the 1st century A. D Buddhist Bhaja caves, touched Lonavala and returned via the expressway. All in one day. It was hectic but strangely refreshing. It felt good, to us, it was a breath of fresh air 🙂

Here are some of the glimpses.

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Our Ride!
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Kaas Flowers Enroute

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At Pawna Dam
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Just before the Lonavala-Pawna Dam-Lohagarh junction
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Local Fauna at Lohagarh
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Socializing
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Lohagarh

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Bhaja Caves
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Mumbai – Pune Expressway

Till the next trip…
Cheers!!

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Empty and Eerie

Have you been to an empty house? The furniture covered, dust settled on them. Only the ticking of the wall clock. The floor creaks as you walk about and you get the feeling that though the place is empty, but you are not alone.
Now, imagine that being an entire village. Had it been thriving, it would have been the biggest village in the vicinity. Almost a hundred houses. All alike, and empty. No roofs remain, doors gone, and the people who called this place their home, have vanished.

This could be the perfect setting for some horror flick too. And this place exists very much on the map. I give you , Kuldhara. Dont be creeped out just yet.
A hamlet on the outskirts of the golden city of Jaisalmer, is this empty, and often referred as haunted village. There are more than a hundred houses and none of them are surviving in proper conditions. Folklore is that one night following decisions by the village elders, the entire village shipped out, with their belongings and also the temple idol, never to be found or traced again. All they left behind were the lores, the empty houses and a curse that no one will be able to stay in the village. True to the word, the village is devoid of any settlement, human or otherwise.
The feeling that you are being watched, is highly felt and a certain sadness fills you up as you see the ruins.

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All that remains are just ruins!

This is also an example of double exposure shots. More to follow soon.

Cheers!!

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Multi face smoke demon

My Muse

It has happened to me before, and I know it shall happen again. The feeling that I have had enough of taking photos and now its time to throw in the towel and give up, but then, my muse keeps me ticking.

Muse, when used as a noun is defined as a person, especially a lady, who inspires creative talent. If I go by that, then this is that lady right here.

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But then, extrapolating the definition a bit more, the extraordinary sights during my travel, maybe they make me creative, so, these too are my muse.

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Creativity may not always be original, it may be a tiny trick for the eyes. My muse is inspiring awe.

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My muses belong from far and wide. I met her again recently at Delhi, and the views followed too at Delhi, Jaisalmer and Shankarpur. And the rest, I found near to home. A proof of concept and a bit of patience, they helped me muse my muse. Have a look at what others muse right here.

Cheers!!

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TTL: Jaisamer – Sam Sand Dunes

Now, for the final point of attraction of my Jaisalmer trip, the Sam Sand Dunes. These sand dunes are a part of the Thar desert, that exists on the western side of India. Dust storms, fine ever-shifting sand, camels and along with them, tourists, all are found in plenty here. Almost all the places to stay in Jaisalmer offer day and/or night trip. The day trip is generally made up of a trip to Bada Baagh, Kuldhara Village and wrapping up with sunset in the dunes. Camel ride charges extra. The camel safari kind, is the overnight type. Here you shall be picked up in the evening and watch the sunset and have a camel ride. Then you shall be escorted to camps set up within the dunes, have local food, enjoy folk dances, and then retire under the stars, within the tents. Next morning, they ll drop you back to your hotel.  The prices are negotiable, and it helps a lot if you have good rapport with your hotel owner.

Now, I give you, Sam Sand Dunes! Enjoy!

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Sunset silhouette

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The shape-shifting sand!

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An advantage of going to this place, this hot, dry desert in the off season is, the lodging and entertainment, namely camel rides are immensely cheap. As per my driver, yes, I had a personal driver and an AC vehicle to myself for two days, the camels now would cost around  ₹200, I paid ₹300 though, while during the season, about August to March, they charge about ₹1500-2000 and still there are shortages for camels. Also, dune bashing on the Mahindra Thar is available. I was tempted, but they wouldn’t let me drive it, so…not interested.

 

My train at the dead of the night would take me to Jodhpur next. See you there, on the next post.

 

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TTL: Delhi II

Day 1 ended on a sad note, that I cracked my phone. But, Day 2 was happier, because, my replacement phone would reach me in some time. With a happy thought in heart, we left in the morning for Red Fort and Jama Masjid and other places like Lotus Temple and all. Except, it was Monday and all the monuments were closed. A little disheartened, we went directly to the Jama Masjid, which was open, thankfully.

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Jama Masjid from the courtyard

Post Jama Masjid tour, we returned to the hostel, to find my phone waiting there already. Happy, the next outing was to the corridors of powers of the Indian govt. namely the Parliament complex and India Gate.

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Parliament
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Ministry of Defence
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India Gate
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Amar Jawan Jyoti

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The India Gate has special place in the Indian hearts, as it houses the tomb of the unknown soldier and pays respect to all those who have been lost in battle. The eternal flame, Amar Jawan Jyoti can be seen blazing.

With this, my Delhi trip came to an end. Next stop being Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Cheers!!

 

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