The other day I discovered a pile of photographs – remember
the days when after carefully exposing a reel over days, sometimes months, one
would rush to the developer to be able to see the end results. The instant
gratification of digital photography cannot match that pleasure. But some of
the places in the pictures are so beautiful that I rued the fact that I did not
have a digital camera then – to have taken hundreds of more pictures.
The year was 1999 and Rajeev and I had the rare opportunity
of travelling, on duty, for about 2 months in the Uttranchal Hills – from Pithoragarh,
called the gateway to the Himalayas, down to Nainital. But after seeing my loot
of pictures I have decided to take you for a trip to a few places.
RANIKHET, the ‘Queen’s
Meadow’. Legend has it that Raja Sudhardev’s wife, Rani Padmini chose Ranikhet
as her place of residence and gave it its name. I salute the lady’s taste.
The deodar and pine forests not only make the place divinely
scenic but give it a lovely smell and coupled with the crisp mountain air – it leaves
an indelible impression, not dulled by the passage of time.
The sunlight filtered through the pine leaves above and reflected by the
dry pine needles on the ground gave a golden glow to the place.
I can still feel the softness of the pine needles ! and smell their mild fragrance.
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| "ye kaun chitrakaar hai" |
En-route, on a trek to Chaubatia gardens, is this quaint
temple, where, when the Goddess has granted your wish you have to re-visit to
tie a bell. You can see that she has granted quite a few wishes.
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| trek to Chaubatia Garden |
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| weary trekkers |
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| This plant's leaves have the taste of five spices, a research project of Chaubatia. |
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| Chaubatia Garden |
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| Rajeev and my sister with her treasure trove of pine cones. |
JAGESHWAR TEMPLES,
dating back to the 9th to 13th century A.D. are a cluster of some 124
temples dedicated to the various forms of Lord Shiva. Ancient and
amazing!
Then of course there is NAINITAL, the queen of the hills!
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| The Lake |
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| Rajeev in the clouds! |
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| one for the camera |
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| The bhel stalls at Snow View |
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| Beauty in Disaster (I'm not talking about Rajeev -ofcourse) |
That was a nice trip down memory lane. Until next time.
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