Delhi – VAGABOND IMAGES

Shah Waliullah Library: A little effort with a rare, outstanding reach!

Upendra SwamiSeptember 9, 20193223 Views2

For book lovers around the world, libraries bring together a world of fascination. Libraries not just store the large, larger and largest volume of books, but big or small, they are also the treasure-trove of knowledge, culture and history. This time around, I am taking you all to a very small library situated in dark alleys of walled city in Old Delhi. Very small, but very unique. Libraries can be unique in their own ways- some in volume of books, some in sheer size of complex, some in collection, some in antiquity, some in architecture and many others in many other ways. Therefore, it won’ be fair to compare a library with 162 million items to a library with just over 21 thousand books. Libraries are dependent on resources, support and patronage and, also on their motives. Little spa...

IndiaPhotogallery

Once in a Blue Moon!

Upendra SwamiFebruary 2, 20181164 Views0

Rare phenomenon need to be captured through extraordinary attempts. My extraordinary was to be stationed at same place for more than two hours clicking images at regular intervals. But not a big ask when one has to capture a rare spectacle of Super Blood Blue Moon. To me what was more exciting is the fact that there were many enthusiasts at the India Gate waiting anxiously to watch this rare astronomical event. It was also heartening to see that many had come by shedding their myths about an eclipse. There were many who had a look to the moon through my telephoto lens. 'Space' had also organised this event by putting up a telescope at India Gate lawns along with few scientists to give a pep talk about the event. Although clouds played a spoilsport when they almost hid the ...

India

Onam to Bathukamma via Ladakh Festival!

Upendra SwamiSeptember 2, 20172013 Views2

It is one of those months, which have festivities right from start till end and that too almost in every corner of the country and with many shades. How wonderful to have all these occasions to supplement the usual zest for travel! And, what a diversity we have, it can be envious for any other country on the planet. Just consider this- the nine days before Vijayadashmi are celebrated as Durga Puja in Bengal, Garba in Gujarat, Ramlila in north and as Bathukamma in Telangana. All these festivals celebrated on same days of calendar have different myths, different customs, different performances, different food but same gusto. Even the ramlilas are different in different parts and so is Vijayadashami. Festival of prosperity & joy - Onam Festivities for the month start with Onam in Ke

India

October is all devotion & music!

Upendra SwamiOctober 2, 20162228 Views8

India’s festive season officially underway and will continue for more than a couple of months. This is time for one big festival which is celebrated in various parts of India in various ways- from Bengal to Gujarat and Kullu to Mysore. Time for some devotional travel. Actually this also brings to start season of India’ some well-known music festivals. Let’s have a look at some of the top events for travel in this month. Ramlila of Ramnagar at Varanasi This is one of the holiest of Indian cities as per hindu mythology. Varanasi has always been a magnet for the spiritual, the religious, for holy seers and for the hippies. During the ten days of the Dussehra, the city becomes famous for its Ramlila, often considered to be the one of the oldest and perhaps grandest ramlila in world. Fift

IndiaPhotogallery

A Chand Raat stroll at Jama Masjid on this Eid

Upendra SwamiJuly 7, 20161956 Views2

This is the happier time after month of sorrowful fasting of Ramadan. Chand Raat brings joyful people to the market for shopping. It is also one of our favourite times to visit the Jama Masjid market to soak ourselves in the feeling of joy and compassion. A collection of images from this year's visit to the Jama Masjid market, though it was not so crowded when we reached, but numbers had started ballooning by the time we packed-off. केदार नाथ अग्रवाल आधुनिक हिंदी कविता के सिरमौर कवियों में से एक हैं। ईद पर उनकी एक प्यारी कविता। ईद मुबारक हमको, तुमको, एक-दूसरे की बाहों में बँध जाने की ईद मुबारक। बँधे-बँधे, रह एक वृंत पर, खोल-खोल कर प्रिय पंखुरियाँ कमल-कमल-सा खिल जाने की, रूप-रंग से मुसकाने की हमको, तुमको ईद मुबारक। और जगत के इस जीवन के खारे पानी के सागर म...

InternationalPhotogallery

Why Delhi’s failed BRT is a hit in Jakarta!

Upendra SwamiMay 14, 20162109 Views7

When erstwhile Congress government in Delhi was planning a BRT corridor to decongest traffic in the Indian capital city, it said that its officials had studied many such projects around the world and learned from them, presumably they even visited those countries. I don't know whether Jakarta was one of those cities or not. But after spending just over a day in the Indonesian capital, it was not at all tough for me to notice the glaring dissimilarities between the two. I could easily conclude why BRT was such a glorious failure in Indian capital and why it is gloriously successful in Indonesian capital. Delhi's BRT was very unceremoniously dismantled just recently, its few relics are still standing on the roads. But story for Jakarta was totally different. As I mentioned in my previ...

IndiaNewsPhotogallery

Milking a lake and killing it too!

Upendra SwamiMarch 17, 20162284 Views12

Its the story of the 'goose that laid the golden egg'. Quite similar to my earlier post on Hills: Don't we need them anymore. But irony is, while the earlier story was about a place some distance from Delhi, this one is right from the heart of the capital. This too is about something equally crucial or perhaps more in the immediate future. This also had a bit more of emotional connect as it relates to the place which I visit almost daily. Another fact that it is also the place, where I had some of my very memorable photographs. So this was the scene yesterday (image below), that saddened me and prompted me to write about it. And honestly, I had thought about writing on this a number of times earlier as well, but couldn't muster the will. As could be made out, this image and the imag

IndiaPhotogallery

Eyes firmly upon you!

Upendra SwamiFebruary 21, 20161164 Views6

With you under watch every time, everywhere; your all actions under scrutiny, questionable; its interesting to see that how these little birds react under constant gaze of the camera. Birds at a neighbourhood lake in east Delhi, a few of them migratory, few rare... ...

IndiaPhoto Of The DayPhotogallery

All in the Act – Photo of the Day

Upendra SwamiNovember 9, 2015893 Views0

Although they are not classified as migratory birds, because they are native to south of Himalayan region and spread well into south as well as south east Asia, still in my neighbourhood lake painted storks will be visiting only in winters. Most common, still most beautiful of the storks, painted storks have been recently added to near threatened list because of there decreasing population. Their total number is estimated around 25 thousand. This year to my pleasant surprise, the number of painted stork visiting this lake in eastern Delhi has dramatically increased. Earlier there used to be hardly a couple. But this season, when they arrived in mid of October, I spotted five of them (See: We are Back). And then suddenly... few days later I was thrilled to see a flock of almost thirty. H...

IndiaPhotogallery

My prized catch – A photo gallery

Upendra SwamiOctober 27, 20151189 Views6

Migratory birds are treat to be shot (through camera of course). They are here, in many parts of the peninsular India. This is the most awaited time to visit the bird sanctuaries around. Painted storks are big and beautiful. Its also delightful to see that how amazingly easy they catch there prey- fish indeed. This is a series of images on how a painted stork catches a fish and then turns it horizontal by tossing it up, so that it can easily swallow it down its longed neck. Watch the full slide show till the end- ...