nature – VAGABOND IMAGES

Where rivers flow through the hearts of the people!

Upendra SwamiAugust 14, 20201808 Views2

One of the beauty of Kerala is its nature, in its myriad avatars. It is fascinating is to see how nature here moulds itself so effortlessly into human life. Despite a few challenges, despite sometimes a show of anger by nature and despite some transgressions by humans- they both have become integral to existence of the other. Kerala is one of those places, where the deity, the nature and the human just transform into each other. In the God’s Own Country seamlessly the human becomes the nature and the nature becomes more humane. Bharathappuzha river at Thirunavaya Nature has always posed challenge to the humans, challenged them to excel and overcome. It also has been an inspiration. Take rivers for the example, they quench the thirst of the land and give birth to civilisations. River...

IndiaPhotogallery

Quenching the thirst and keeping nature alive

Upendra SwamiJune 1, 2020750 Views4

So after the double rainbow delight of Sunday in the national capital, tempers were again on rise in the sky on Monday. However, it was never close to the sweltering heat that we had early last week when the temperatures crossed 46 degree celsius. Still, hot and humid days are not over and this weather makes you thirsty all the time… and, these birds as well. Isn’t it! A call for the water or the partner! Actually this is the weather and these are the images that make you wonder how essential are these little things to be done around our city homes to keep the nature around live and chirping! These birds which give us joy in our balcony views daily, need to quench thirst as well in this peak summer. What, when there is no open water puddle or pool for them? These little pots a...

AdventurePhotogallery

Flowers of trekking: Sighting of rare Brahma Kamal

Upendra SwamiOctober 21, 20191920 Views10

Had heard a lot about the Brahma Kamal flower earlier. But got to see it blooming for the first time when I went to Valley of flowers and Hemkund trek almost fifteen years back. (But here I will like to remind you that it is not Valley of Flowers, where you will find it normally, but on the Hemkund trek. Everywhere around the sacred lake on the surrounding mountains, you can see this flower blooming.) Thereafter, have seen it on various occasions during high-altitude trekking in Uttarakhand. Watching this flower in its natural habitat is a luxury that only serious trekkers can afford to. Rest all can enjoy this post and the photographs. Kamal is Hindi term for Lotus, but unlike different species of Lotus family, Brahma Kamal blooms amongst rocks and grasses on hillside. Even Brahma Kamal ...

IndiaPhotogallery

Nature’s poet and poet’s museum

Upendra SwamiJuly 19, 20191279 Views0

Pant museum at Kausani in Uttarakhand isn’t a touristy place as such. In my three visits to this place in the course of last few years, I have rarely seen any other tourist there. Despite, this place being in the heart of the Kausani town with just a few steps to walk upto the museum from the road head. I wonder, if even more than five percent of the tourists coming to Kausani would remember the name of Sumitranandan Pant, although surely most of us in Hindi heartland of India have read his poems in school text books. Ancestral house converted into museum Main entrance to the Sumitranandan Pant museum Actually, we don’t respect our literary persons. They are the ones who guide our intellectual discourse, many of them have been leading lights for various movements but we tend to...

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Paradisiacal Seychelles has too much to offer

Upendra SwamiJanuary 18, 2019472 Views1

Heard a lot about Maldives, Mauritius and Fiji? Let’s go to Seychelles then. Yet another gem of the Indian Ocean. Situated off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 granite and coral islands that can enchant anybody with its beauty. Blessed with pristine beaches and breathtaking natural beauty, Seychelles has a lot more to offer to the young adventure seekers. Topping it up with visa on arrival that is free of cost for tourists and direct flights from India, this paradise destination makes for a great getaway with your loved ones. Also read: Seychelles waits with its creole So, if you are already contemplating on a holiday destination in coming holiday season starting April, then here are some fantastic reasons to visit the paradisiacal...

AdventureIndia

Why travelling to Yamunotri is just not a pilgrimage!

Upendra SwamiJune 12, 2018842 Views6

When the District Tourism Officer of Uttarkashi, Prakash Singh Khatri told me that before taking us to Sayanachatti rest house in the evening, he wants to take us to a majestic waterfalls, enroute Yamunotri, which is hardly visited by anyone, I was thrilled. There were two reasons to get excited, having been to Kempty Falls in the morning, I desperately wanted to see some real waterfalls. Secondly, I wanted to explore the non-mythological aspects of this fantastic valley. That was also the brief for us during Uttarakhand Tourism’s first ever Blogger Bus in the state. Yamunotri has got all sort of mythological importance. It is indeed known as the source of river Yamuna. Although the actual source of river lies somewhere 14 kms up in the mountains, river Yamuna is worship...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Urban wetlands we need : Nela Taalab

Upendra SwamiMarch 14, 2018494 Views0

Ever expanding cities have engulfed much of the natural habitat in their surrounding areas, including the wetlands, despite knowing it well that how disastrous it is. Thus it was a very pleasant surprise for me to find a haven for migratory birds just a couple of furlongs away from my home at the City of Lakes- Udaipur in Rajasthan. Actually, I had already seen this residential area surpassing a few wetlands in the course of its 'development' in last couple of decades. Similar things would have definitely happened in all the surrounding areas. Having shifted base to Delhi almost 28 years back, my visits to my hometown are occasional. Thus it was courtesy a childhood friend that I cam to know about Nela Taalab, even though it was very close to my home. Went with him to this place fo...

IndiaPhotogallery

Morning lights at Menar – the birds village!

Upendra SwamiFebruary 22, 20181578 Views7

City of Lakes Udaipur is famous for many things but rarely for its birds. Ironically village Menar, 15 kms from Udaipur's Dabok airport is known for many things including its birds. Menar is also called as the bird village. More than couple of lakes in close surroundings of the village are known to host a huge number of migratory birds every year. Menar also has a long history which connects it closely to the Kings of Mewar. Rich in culture, this village also has an honour to produce some of India's finest chefs who have worked in kitchens of many celebrities- home and abroad. Residents of this village have been known as Menarias. But my recent trip to this village, roughly around 45 kms from my hometown Udaipur, was purely to catch some morning light. Capturing birds at sunrise (f...

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Five things not to miss in Jordan!

Upendra SwamiOctober 27, 2017527 Views2

There’s so much to do in Jordan that planning is definitely recommended to travelers who want to experience every bit of this fascinating country. These are highly recommended five things that one cannot miss out when in Jordan. • The Dead Sea – Nature’s living miracle Jordan's Dead Sea remains one of the country’s top attractions for its unique water qualities, climate and historical and spiritual significance. Considered the world's largest outdoor natural spa - Dead Sea has been the holiday and leisure spot of choice for tourists from all over the world for decades. Lie back and float into nothingness with all the goodness of the Dead Sea soaking into your skin. Rich in minerals, vitamins with healing properties, the Dead Sea mud will make you feel your skin will fresh and r...

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Birding in a tiger reserve

Upendra SwamiJanuary 22, 2017654 Views12

I am not a birder specifically, but being interested in wildlife I love bird watching as much as I love sighting tigers. Both give you equal chance to play with your camera. All the tiger reserves and national parks per say (other than specific bird sanctuaries) too have rivers, lakes, ponds and other water holes which are shelter for waterfowls and migratory birds. Jungle themselves are best places to see the birds. Having been to few bird sanctuaries, this was first time I specifically kept time to see birds in a tiger reserve and I was certainly not disappointed. Hence, comes this fourth post from Sariska visit. Sariska is a big national park and has many perennial sources of water which in turn become good harbouring ground form birds. Hence, when you are close to a water body, ...