Uploads from -ManisH-

Any morning is special and unique over highland of Himalaya_DSC_2382

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:28:33 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Take 6:30 am flight to Leh, which in winter is rarely delayed or cancel for sure, flight begins by watching a spectacular sunrise over snowy peaks as we cruise at a height of 30,000 feet, far above the mountains. After an hour long memorable flight over the Himalayas, we land in Tashi Namgyal’s 15th century capital, Leh. The cold air will catch your throat and you will definitely feel the altitude. I'm sure if you don't feel altitude, cold is for definitely.

Million Dollar Smile_DSC_3728

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:47:42 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

I met this cute girl with million dollar smile on way back from Changthang.

Picture was taken near Thiksey monastery in Ladakh. It was completely sunny day and people around monastery were having sun bath in cold winter.
Kids are my main subject for outdoor shooting.

Thiksey Monastery has a history.. It was built in 15th Century and belongs to Gelugpa (Yellow hat) lamas. The monastery is located at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) in the Indus valley. It is a 12-storey complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. One of the main points of interest is the Maitreya (future Buddha) Temple which is installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970. A 15 metres (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya, the largest such statue in Ladakh, covering two storeys of the building is deified in the monastery. A nunnery is also part of the complex.

A window to the soul

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:48:24 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

I'm always touched by her eyes.. I lost myself whenever I see through.

I met this little girl in one of my winter visit in Ladakh, I met her in old market near to mosque in Leh town. It was free day for me and was exploring market to see how local people live and what they do during winter, of course they were much more busy with many things than what people do in villages.

It was a true sunny day and she was brisking in sun light and playing with local toy.
if you really what to see what this title say about, please see high resolution image on this page and watch out in her eyes and let me know what you can see.

I never came across with such clean and beautiful eyes, since than this visit, i'm looking for her every time when i go there, unfortunate part I could not find her.

Hope to see her once again .

Color Perfect_DSC_3864

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:45:54 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

One of my favorite model for Holi pictures

Let's learn more about history and significance of HOLI... and this adorable kid told me .. who cares about History .. Lets play " HOLI "

The festival of Holi can be regarded as a celebration of the Colors of Unity & Brotherhood - an opportunity to forget all differences and indulge in unadulterated fun. It has traditionally been celebrated in high spirit without any distinction of cast, creed, color, race, status or sex. It is one occasion when sprinkling colored powder ('gulal') or colored water on each other breaks all barriers of discrimination so that everyone looks the same and universal brotherhood is reaffirmed. This is one simple reason to participate in this colorful festival.

Peace of Colors_DSC_4005

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:03:00 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Peace of Colors.
Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colors.
Rangapanchami is also known as HOLI - A festival of color.

The legend of Radha and Krishna is closely linked with this tradition of colors on Holi. Young Krishna, who had a dark complexion was jealous of his beloved Radha's extremely fair skin. In a mischievous mood, he applied color on Radha's face. Following this ancient legend, lovers till date long to color their beloved as an expression of love.

Finally ..who cares about History .. Lets play " HOLI "

Curiosity_DSC_4025

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 02:14:14 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Train Guard - in Narrow Gauge Train.

I came to know later on that this man was playing multiple roles, such as Train Guard, Tickets Sell, Train Gates man. Ticket Checker.

The first train came to Vadodara in 1861, and the Railways celebrated its 150th anniversary in the city recently. The narrow trains are here since almost the same time. The tram line as it was called back then was the first tracks and rail to be owned and laid down by an Indian, the then king of Baroda(as it was known back then), Sir Khanderao Gaekwad in 1862. The coaches were then pulled by a pair of oxen. They were replaced soon by a locomotive built specially. More than a hundred and fifty years later, the narrow gauge train is still active on two routes around the city. Miyagaam to Dabhoi and Pratapnagar to Jambusar. I chose to try out the Pratapnagar to Jambusar route that spanned 50 kms.

Place speaks a lot_DSC0431

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:13:34 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

I will remember this evening, which is one of the most rocking evening i can say.

This picture is part of my time lapse movie trial, which obvious failed as I did lots of mistakes and could not produce movie.
Idea was to capture evening mood of Tsokar in time lapse as it was really sunny and clear evening.

Over tents were pitched at place were Changpa nomads keep their flocks during winter, place was not so nice but just warm enough to spend clod nights ..

From The Window - b. DSC_4017

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 01:04:43 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Happy Faces ..
I am speechless and run out of words for descriptions when I see such innocent and happy faces.
It was amazing ride of 3 hours in India's first narrow gauge train from Baroda to Jambusar.. History of almost 150 years.. This picture was taken at Pratapnagar railway station ..

From The Window DSC_4031

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:45:05 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

After 18 years of living in Baroda, I came across to travel in Heritage Narrow train which runs between Pratapnagar to Jambusar for the first time. A lovely ride of 3-4 hours to cross almost 50+ km.

The first narrow gauge railway line to be laid was to 2'6" gauge by the Gaekwar of Baroda to connect the town of Dabhoi to the broad gauge BBCIR railway. Initially bullocks were used to provide motive power to the railway until three 0-4-0 tank locomotives were introduced in 1863. The tank engines proved too heavy for the lightly laid rails and 0-4-0 tender engines were found to be more suitable with heavier rails. In the 1890s a 0-4-2 tender locomotive was introduced and instantly became popular.

The first train came to Vadodara in 1861, and the Railways celebrated its 150th anniversary in the city recently. The narrow trains are here since almost the same time. The tram line as it was called back then was the first tracks and rail to be owned and laid down by an Indian, the then king of Baroda(as it was known back then), Sir Khanderao Gaekwad in 1862. The coaches were then pulled by a pair of oxen. They were replaced soon by a locomotive built specially. More than a hundred and fifty years later, the narrow gauge train is still active on two routes around the city. Miyagaam to Dabhoi and Pratapnagar to Jambusar. I chose to try out the Pratapnagar to Jambusar route that spanned 50 kms.

I reached 30 minutes before the scheduled departure hoping for a Sunday rush and an empty ticket reservation window. Yet, it held a different picture. The station parking was full autos. The station itself was no more than two platforms a big and had a narrow gauge and a broad gauge. A canteen, a reservation counter and a temple along with the offices of the railways staff formed a part of the platform that was now crowded with men, women and children, most waiting for the broad gauge. The toy train like narrow gauge waited right in front for its scheduled departure and surprise, it was on dot time at 10:00 am.

There were many surprises on this toy train, one it run on enough speed a one can easily get down and get into other coach, a Guard was giving tickets where no stations in between. I can see that all passengers were buying tickets, even though you did not find any ticket checking in train. Train guard shuts "FATAK" (rail track crossing with road) before and after train crosses.

WOW a total fun trip .. Thanks Saurabh and Rena to make me part of their journey.

A empty Narrow gauge coach welcomes just opposite to Pratapnagar railway station.

Lets Play Color_DSC_3868

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:23:28 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Let's learn more about history and significance of HOLI... and this adorable kid told me .. who cares about History .. Lets play " HOLI "

The festival of Holi can be regarded as a celebration of the Colors of Unity & Brotherhood - an opportunity to forget all differences and indulge in unadulterated fun. It has traditionally been celebrated in high spirit without any distinction of cast, creed, color, race, status or sex. It is one occasion when sprinkling colored powder ('gulal') or colored water on each other breaks all barriers of discrimination so that everyone looks the same and universal brotherhood is reaffirmed. This is one simple reason to participate in this colorful festival.

Color Shower_DSC_3902

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:54:33 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. In 2009, Holi (Dhulandi) was on March 11 and Holika Dahan was on March 10. In 2010, Holi was on March 1 and Holika Dahan was on February 28. In 2011, Holi was on March 20 and Holika Dahan was on March 19 and in 2013 it was on 27th March.

Colors_DSC_3904

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:14:32 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colors.

Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. Originally, it was a festival that commemorated good harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating events present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly.

Curious DSC_1541

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 01:09:10 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Couple of months back I was in the village of Dang Forest with local tribe kid near Ahwa. Gujarat.

Pashmeena DSC_3450

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:33:24 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Getting Food in Highland of Changthang is not easy in winter days. Temperature range is -10 to -40 degree celsius in winter and hardly anything to find. Pashmeena goats are belong to Changpas. The Changpas, a semi-nomadic tribe that lives in the world’s highest & coldest desert—a vast, arid Tibetan plateau in Himalaya called Changthang that extends from Tibet to Ladakh.

A Typical Winter Day In Changthang_DSC_3448

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:00:19 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

+++ Golden Sunset in Mountain +++ _DSC1377

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:40:31 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

From last year memory lane, great golden evening in Manali before we left for mountain bike trip - Manali - Tsokar.

+++ Ladakh Winter Landscape +++ DSC_3676

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:58:47 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Landscape near Upshi - on the way to Tso Moriri (Karzok).
Mountains in backdrop with semi frozen Indus.

Changthang Plateau & Pashmeena Goats...DSC_2692

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:23:02 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Index of happiness_DSC_2797

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:27:38 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

"My yaks, sheep and goats are better than boxes of money, with my cattle I feel my life is going just fine.
I'm not educated so I'll never get a high powered job. Herding yaks is all I know and is what I will do for the rest of my life. I'm proud to be a herdsman . I'm so lucky to have a job I love the most. My life is just fine, I live in mountain, just fresh pure air, water and food, that's all we need to be alive."

Index of happiness is not getting more money.. It's internal satisfaction for your self.
When we come to know about reality, already thrown in this race without letting us know.
Yea this race is one way and if you come out from race you will be called fool..
That's how modern world acts ..

Try to be with them few days if possible and learn way to live life in right way."

Road to the Mountain_DSC0750

nobody@flickr.com (-ManisH-) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 09:18:42 -0700

-ManisH- posted a photo:

Picture is taken in early June 2012, where ICE and Snow still welcome you and cold place indeed.

Just below Bara-lacha la near Zing Zing Bar (A Place without bar :) )
Bara-lacha Pass, or Bārā Lācha La, Altitude 4,890 m is a high mountain pass in Zanskar range, connecting Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, situated along the Leh-Manali highway. — at Baralacha Pass.