Arabian tales

Aimless

Isn't that the way most of us are initially...

Solitude

Best time to contemplate and plan...

Retired hurt

So what if we sometimes end up that way...

Journey

Finally we find a way, the plan works and we are in motion...

Well no, I was not reading Peter Drucker today ! Even a casual observer of the Arabian Sea has so much to learn from it!

Aimless

Saw this vacant boat drifting aimlessly on a windy night in the Lake Pichola of Udaipur.

Idyllic Bhandardara

Bhandardara is a lazy vacationer's paradise. Its beauty is accentuated during the monsoons when the surroundings are verdant. Situated on the banks of Pravara River, its principal attraction is the Wilson Dam (one of the oldest and highest earthen dams in the country) and the lake formed as a result, called Arthur Lake.

One can just sit by and enjoy the breathtaking sights (how I wished to own a house here) -

or contemplate the meaning of life (probably indulge in some angling as well) -

or tour the lake and listen to the villagers' tales -

Bhandardara is located about 180 Kms from Mumbai and 40 Kms from Igatpuri. Its other attractions include Umbrella falls & Randha falls (India's 3rd highest fall) where many a Bollywood actresses have been picturised in white drapes, Agastya Rishi ashram and Ratangad (Shivaji's favourite fort).

Bow to you

Bow of a fisherman's boat captured while it was anchored. B&W brings out the striking geometry in the picture.

Get in the dock

A fisherman trying to dock his boat at the Rajpuri port. Just sitting at the dock and watching the locals go about their chores is a great experience...telling us the simplicity of life beyond the financial world. This is also the place from where on can hire a sail boat to the Janjira fort (covered in my earlier posts).

Travelling to Janjira Fort

Rajpuri Port

Outline of the fort as seen from the port

Imposing walls of the fort

Sail boats that take visitors to the fort

Boatman aims his own canon at the impregnable fort

Visit to the mystical Janjira fort was the highlight of my recent trip to Central Konkan. The fort, built almost 4 - 9 centuries ago (accounts vary) amidst the Arabian Sea, was the bastion of local Siddi rulers and has the reputation of being unconquered (ajinkya) even by the likes of Shivaji Maharaj, the British and the Portuguese. One can read a good detailed account here  http://www.murudjanjira.com/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murud_Janjira

Journey to the fort begins from the old Rajpuri port (about 4 Km from Murud) in sail boats. For an extra fee, the boatman also doubles up as a guide. Even as one approaches the fort, its imposing walls tell the story of invincibility & quality of engineering. One can spot several canons thrusting out of the windows giving the appearance of being on their radar. It is said that it is difficult to make out the entrance of the fort from a distance (especially during high tides) and that a secret tunnel exists 60 feet below the fort that links the Rajpuri village. The fort is a must see site in Maharashtra.

We shall take a look at the interiors of the fort in the next post.

Beautiful Kolad - Kundalika River

Shy Guy

He was waiting for me to go, cause he didn't want to be captured naked on camera. Irritation on his face is apparent.

The bridge on the river Kundalika

Winding through the forest

Fishermen proudly showing their catch

Various pictures of the river Kundalika along its course. Kolad is a sleepy town near Roha, off Mumbai-Goa highway. Kundalika is a perennial river and lends itself for many adventurous activities including rafting (level 3 / 4  - don't you be fooled by the tranquil pictures above). There are couple of adventure camps over here and weekends (during and immediately post monsoons) are the best time to indulge in some gut-wrenching revelry.

Back home, but no one seems happy :(

People disembarking from a ferry, a rag picker, and camel along with his master all head back home after a day's work. Their walk appears dejected, providing a melancholic tinge to the photos.

Chinese Fishing Nets

Never knew Chinese could make inroads even in the traditional fishing business. Origins of the term aside, a single net requires about 6-10 people to operate and the number of fishes caught is fewer than those caught by fishermen in dirty waters of Mumbai!!! These can be seen at Cochin.

Symmetry

The clean backwaters of Kerala are indeed a visual treat. These photos were taken while travelling on a house boat from Allapuzah (Allepey). An overnight journey in one of these house boats is a must for the romantically inclined. For those with a penchant for photography, there ain't a better way to capture Kerala in all its glory.

By the river side

Captured while touring Himachal Pradesh. The river Beas is one of the most prominent rivers in HP and provides visual delights all along its course. This one was taken in 2004 using a photo-film camera. Quite neat for a scan, ain't it?

Backwaters galore

These shots were taken at various locations in Kerala.