In a tiny spit of Rajasthan – sandwiched between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, lies the town of Dhoulpur. Once a not very significant princely state, the Dhoulpur Maharajas still managed to build their own railway network. Chiefly to transport the state’s main export – the famous Dhouplur stone. For those who don’t know what that is, think – The Rashtrapati Bhawan, The India Gate…
To Digpa Ratsa Ri
Sometimes, it just comes together. Months of planning, researching and preparing pays off. We were given the opportunity to spend some time at one of the highest astronomical observatories in the world – The IAO in Hanle, Ladakh. The following video is a selection of time-lapse sequences capturing the skies above Hanle, and some other locations elsewhere in Ladakh. Enjoy in full 4K resolution if…
The little trains to nowhere
Over the last decade or so, India has accelerated the pace of replacing its narrow and meter gauge railways with the bigger, faster broad gauge. While the socio-economic benefits of the broad gauge are many, its arrival has ended the era of the slow, leisurely travel – the kind that a few hopeless romantics like me still yearn for. Travelling on these lines meant taking…
Jewels in the Dust
On an unassuming street in dusty Junagadh, lie two of India’s least celebrated architectural marvels. The Mahabat Maqbara (mausoleum) and the adjoining tomb of Bahar-ud-din Bhar are two unusually stunning structures. The former is the tomb of Nawab Mahabat Khan II of Junagadh – a distinctly Islamic building with European flourishes. The Nawabs of Junagadh were staunch supporters of the British and had a taste…
Dharakhoh
There is a place on this planet which you probably would have never heard of, had you not been reading this post. Chances are, that after reading this post you will forget about it and get on with your lives again. But that is not the point, in fact there IS no point. It just so happens that it is there. You probably won’t get…
Symbol of Spiti
The gompa (monastery) at Ki is said to have been founded in the 11th century. The largest among all monasteries in Spiti, it rises above the Spiti river valley and is visible from miles around. Home to more than 250 monks, it is among the most iconic symbols of the region and sight for sore travellers coming up from the lonely road from Losar.
The Ghost of Telan Pacheri
Deep in the heart of Ranthambhore, lies Telan Pacheri. A dark, wooded part of the forest surrounded by towering cliffs, under the shadow of a 1000 year old fort. Three paths, two that come down the cliffs and a third that leads deeper into the forest meet here. Rocks, banyan wines and the occasional cacti make visibility extremely difficult. In the many years that I…
Aero India 2017
Images from Aero India 2017 – India’s premier aerospace exhibition held at the Yelahanka Air Force Base on the outskirts of Bangalore.
The Broad Gauge is Coming
The indigo sky is tainted by the first strokes of orange as the Satpura Express leaves the ugly sprawl of Jabalpur behind. The clatter of the track gives way to a dull roar as it steps on to the mighty bridge that spans the Narmada. A bridge made of steel and stone masonry, blood, guts and ingenuity. The sound it makes is enough to wake…
Tigerscape
Rajbagh – is a tiger lovers’ paradise. A man made lake set amidst a bowl ringed by tall hills. Countless documentaries have immortalized this corner of Ranthambhore National Park. With plentiful water and prey, it is most prized tiger territory of them all. Anyone who rules over this patch automatically earns the sobriquet of the ‘Queen of Ranthambhore’. Krishna aka T-19 is the current Queen…