Heavy Heavy Snow !!!

It has been snowing elephants and hippo's here. In a moment of calm the tree's covered with the lovely soft wool stuff, except it is so much cold.......and inviting. The shutterbug in me is happily clicking away in the chill.....

The Road to LEH !

The road to Leh from Srinagar across Zojila Pass closed yesterday. As I reflect upon my memories of my visit to the Magical Kingdom a month back, I post some pictures of my dream journey and destination.....

The Road across the Mighty Zojila Pass. (Now sadly closed on account of heavy snowfall)

The Road as seen climbing from Sonamarg Valley.(Seen on the left of the photo)

The first glimpse of the Magical Kingdom

Dreams Unlimited....Me and my Himalayan STEED...
More on that later !!!

Winter....First Snow's here !!!

The first snow's came without a warning....like shadows in the night, freezing the night and making a beautiful landscape of my garden. Blessed are the bounties of nature for the earth. Armed with my camera I took some pictures of the soft..fragile..and fresh snow. Welcome General Winter...Our thoughts and prayers go out to the guardians of INDIA...Please Mother Nature...May you shower kind and gentle petals on our brave soldiers on the frontier.

 

the un touched.... Nagin.

Gulmarg literally means meadow of flowers. And around 10k.m. from Gulmurg there is a untuched off road track called Nagin,

Mother Nature has blessed the regions of Gulmarg with all its showers of beauty and the tranquil atmosphere available presently in this region makes it a best tourist destination.   .Nagin was made out of bounds for trekkers, tourists and civilians in 1990 when militancy had erupted in the state.And after 22yrs, it is again open .... For US...

Once upon a time....

Kashmir lies in the heart of Asian continent

7th & 8th century marked the culmination of art during the reign of Karakota rulers. Also known as the golden age of temple building was brought into being by the patronage of king Avantivarman the founder of Utpala dynasty. The king built two temples, one dedicated to Lord Shiva and other dedicated to Lord Vishnu. During subsequent years due to constant wars between the weak kings and kingdoms, the  temple activity gradually started receding. An eighth-century temple that was discovered recently with only its pyramid shaped rooftop seen above water. Situated in the Manasbal Lake, the temple is located about 32 kilometers away from Srinagar. The temple is believed to have been built in honour of Lord Shiva, as some shivlings or phallic symbols have been found in the temple.

The Holy Cave... Amarnath.

A holy shrine, high up in the Himalayas ... the most difficult terrain I have come across, In a year the route is open for few days, before the monsoon's arrive.

 According a Hindu legend, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvati. Two other ice formations represent Parvati and Shiva's son, Ganesha. The cave is situated near Sonamarg in J&K.

The shorter northern route is just about 16 km long, but has a very steep gradient and is quite difficult to climb. It starts from Baltal , the longer route is from Pehalgam side, it is 46k.m

Inside the 130 feet high Amarnath cave that faces south, is the Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival.

Baani Travelogues: Then a Royal Palace, now Museum....

Baani Travelogues: Then a Royal Palace, now Museum....: The name, Narayanhiti,,The Narayanhiti Palace Museum , or Narayanhiti Durbar (formerly Narayanhiti Royal Palace ), is a palace in Kathm...

Then a Royal Palace, now Museum....

The name, Narayanhiti,,The Narayanhiti Palace Museum, or Narayanhiti Durbar (formerly Narayanhiti Royal Palace), is a palace in Kathmandu, Nepal,made up of two words ‘narayan’ and ‘hiti’. Naryan is the name of an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. The royal palace was turned into a public museum immediately after the country was declared a republic.The current Narayanhiti Palace was built in 1970, replacing the original 1915 building, which had been destroyed in an earthquake. It was first used on the occasion of the marriage of King Birenda Bir Bikram Shah, the then heir apparent to the throne.

God's creation, so beautiful... Pangong Tso.

                                                                     ME & PANGONG TSO

 Pangong Tso lake, I had heard so much about this mythical lake, that from last 4 yrs, have been trying to reach there, and finaly I did it last month. I left Leh early in the morning cause it was good 5 hrs drive, and I wanted to reach before the weather gets packed. When I first sighted the huge lake, I just said Oh my God, and just froze. I just could not belive my eyes,that is this place on earth and I am right standing front of it...The lake is kilometeres and miles in length, Turqoise Blue, Brilliant Blue, You name a Blue, it is there, seen in the lake. 60% of the length of the lake lies in China. During winter the lake freezes completely. Pangong Tso is in disputed territory. The Line of Actual Control passes through the lake.Guides report that there are no fish or other aquatic life in the lake.During summer, the Bar-headed goose and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen here.

BIRDS OF THE FEATHER

TOUCH THE SKY WITH COLORS

Baani Travelogues: only one in Asia... Tulip Garden.

Baani Travelogues: only one in Asia... Tulip Garden.: The biggest Tulip garden of Asia, in Srinagar, overlooked by Dal Lake, also known as Indira Gandhi Tulip garden. The life starts in garden...

only one in Asia... Tulip Garden.

The biggest Tulip garden of Asia, in Srinagar, overlooked by Dal Lake, also known as Indira Gandhi Tulip garden. The life starts in garden in end march/ April. The life of tulip is only for 3 to 4 weeks, This Garden is closed during winter.The central corridor of garden flats is lined with fountains , when I entered the garden,  what they say about Kashmir .... Agar duniya main kahi jannat hai to bas yahi hai,, yahi hai....

The Dal Lake.....At Midnight

Had an opportunity to visit Srinagar at night. Went for a late night party to the Taj Vedanta. The property on top of a hill overlooks the Dal Lake. The lake is nicknamed the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir". The lake is located within a catchment area covering 316 square kilometres in the Zabarwan mountain valley, in the foothills of the Himalayan range, which surrounds it on three sides. The actual beauty of the lake view comes out at night when the area is alight with bright lights......

Jannat, Heaven.. Bungus valley...

 I don't remember for how many  hours I walked, to see this virgin valley called Bungus. Situated on the other side of Lolab valley.One of the relatively unknown areas of Kashmir...Bungus is a bowl shaped valley, no road connectivity. Pastures of the Bungus valley have finest grass which is considered ideal for cattle grazing,One has to walk through a dense forest... as soon as I entered the De vine valley, I don't know where my tiredness vanished, and there was just fresh, fragrance in air all around me, wild horses running, birds, flowers, noise of flowing water........  JANNAT

Baani Travelogues: the Stupa,, BOUDHANATH..

Baani Travelogues: the Stupa,, BOUDHANATH..: PEACE PEACE and just PEACE,,,, when ever I see a monastery or a stupa.... Boudhanath Stupa (or Bodnath Stupa ) is the largest stupa in N...

the Stupa,, BOUDHANATH..

 PEACE PEACE and just PEACE,,,, when ever I see a monastery or a stupa....

Boudhanath Stupa (or Bodnath Stupa) is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside TibetThe stupa is located in the town of Boudha, on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu. Bodnath was probably built in the 14th century after the Mughal invasions; various interesting legends are told regarding the reasons for its construction.Today it remains an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists and local Nepalis, as well as a popular tourist site.

Baani Travelogues: Land of Gompa.....

Baani Travelogues: Land of Gompa.....: Leh, Ladakh has the greatest concentration of major Buddhist monasteries or gompas. Of the twelve situated on or near the Indus, the oldest...

Land of Gompa.....

Leh,Ladakh has the greatest concentration of major Buddhist monasteries or gompas. Of the twelve situated on or near the Indus, the oldest monastery is that of Lamayuru, which is believed to have been a sacred site for the pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon.....

Leh is a trekker's paradise. and the favorite road track for biker,s from the world.....