WHAT MODERNITY LEFT ALONE....

Be a Bird and run a sweeping gaze across the
valley below. Own that view.  Travel finds us
places and sights of a world that existed before
modern lifestyle pigeonholed us, climate controlled
it, cab-scurried us through masses, clock-timed our
days and nights, and enslaved us to a ringing gadget..

                                                                                  

COORG - LAND OF KUDUGAS

The thing with Tourism loving states is that they don't give you a heads up that a certain place is undergoing renovations and so only partly accessible. A meandering journey on up and down roads gets one there and then the surprise ! Local economy thrives on you making the trip, and their hush and smile are consensual. But that joy of journey, being in the presence of majestic monuments, peace and serenity of spiritual earth, oh... simply bliss.  

AMBLING THROUGH POCKETS OF NATURE

A walk through woods in early winter has you breathing in the purest air known to mankind. City is now distant blur. Noises of traffic, phone, doorbell, or marketplace, all cancelled out from one's consciousness. So you notice... floating clouds, hues of green, Quietness.  Western Ghats. Mangalore. Coorg. Pristine.

KAVERI - MOTHER RIVER TO MILLIONS

Amidst the hills that create the River.
Trekked uphill labouriously, over large stony steps, one has a faint hope of encountering a bit of divine up there. Disappointment. But the view from up there, that is magical.






                                                                                          

Kaveri / Cauvery is a big river. Big enough to create trouble over sharing of her waters between two large states. But at its point of origin its a modest, peaceful continuous stream. 

Quite in keeping with India's ancient traditions, the River is feminine and deified as a goddess. She, who ensures bounties of sustenance for humans. Sit on the stairs, pray, meditate, or just watch her flow gently before you.  

Mumbai - The City

         

 










Mumbai moves orderly, 
it waits at traffic signals, 
it slows down to let walkers cross the road. 
Its transport staff in their distinguishable 
uniforms works unhurriedly efficiently. 
That 'at home' feeling for visitor comes early.                                                        

SUPERWINGS ON A BIG MISSION

Ecologists like to remind us that Butterflies are a good measure of how long an existence Humans can expect on the planet. A few sightings this summer, as one here, was reassuring that 'the endangered species' still has time for some contingency measures.

Mumbai - the city

TAJ the luxury hotel at Mumbai is a city
 landmark. Since the time it was at the heart of
 a terrible terrorist seige, security all around it
 has been visibly fortified. (why terrorism's
 volunteers would take the same sea route to strike
 at the same target puzzles common sense, though).

Mumbai - the city

Bombay or Mumbai on western coast, has curious sounding names to denote public spaces. As you absent mindedly saunter into the zone called Kala Ghoda, a large standing sculpture of a dark horse (kala ghoda) suddenly confronts you. (presently, modern transportation gives it company).

The Month of Magic

                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 A torrid summer grudgingly makes way for the stream of gray clouds that assemble and deeply grumble and then let go. Slime of summer now washed away, the Botanical riches of earth transform into artist's palette and every hue of green teases human sight.

And thus it occurs every year, when one doubles up in prayer to Lord of Sun to be a bit benevolent and show some mercy, those dark Omens from legends show up in sky and so truly drench the Earth that a fresh cycle of life is set rolling. Be a Believer.