Rishikesh

I have been to Haridwar and Rishikesh in 2004, got an opportunity to visit Rishikesh again this year. There are plenty of weekend destinations nearby Delhi. In summer we have hill stations and in winter we have Rajasthan.

This time its just right weather for a place not so cool not so hot. So we have decided to go to Rishikesh, lush green surroundings a shallow hill river and little rain sometimes. This is one of the offbeat destinations from the list I have. The resort name is Elephant Brooks Resort 🙂

The Destination

While crossing the river to resort, one of us slips, it was a fun 😀

Crossing River to resort

Tracking

Farhan old mate

Scenic Landscape

Fun in river

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Holm

I grew up in City of Allahabad, city situated in Ganga basin and surrounded by 2 rivers Ganga and Yamuna.

While playing with my brother and 2 of my friends we discovered a holm in our childhood. I still remember that it was winters of north India and sun was warm, wind was cool, we reached to a place where there were shallow branches of river Ganga, shallow so much that water was not even up to our knees, water was so clear that we were able to see fishes swimming in, both side of these river branches were having white sandy beaches and then mustard and pea fields on little height. It was a breathtaking site, beautiful day and we were far away from city.

It was a short but memorable childhood excursion. In this year trip, we (me and my brother) decided to give a try to reach that place again… we drove the car as much as we could but lost in fields… I am sure that place still exists and still as beautiful as our childhood memories… I will find it out in my next trip… 🙂

As this place gets flooded in rainy season, so there are hardly any trees. In winters land owners grow mustard, peas and other beans, while in summer watermelons and honeydews. So it’s all green till horizon in summer and yellow or green in winters.

Posting few photos of farthest place we were able to reach …

Mustard Field

A branch of Ganga

Pathway

Winter Returns

I always loved winters since my childhood, sitting around bonfire, drinking and eating hot stuffs, fog, clothing and list goes on… posting few photos of winter of my hometown Allahabad. Photos of events, happenings I always noticed, hope you like it…

Girls of my neighborhood around fire

Nieces and my daughters around fire

Mater-Aalu (Peas-Potato) A popular breakfast

Sangam, Magh Mela and Fog

Sweepers around fire at Kumbh Mela

My friend Dr. Sharad in muffler

Watchman at Orchha Fort

Dr. Rajat at mustard field

Bro BK and niece Flying kite on Khichdi (Makar Sankranti, falls on 14 Jan)

Red Guavas

New generation at Dad’s farm

New generation at Dad’s farm

Cauliflower, Cabbage and Carrot

Maha Kumbh Mela 2013

Squeezed my time to spent more at Maha Kumbh Mela …

Maha Kumbh Mela Preparations

A Pilgrim

A Pilgrim

A Pilgrim

A Pilgrim

General View of Mela

A curious boy

Evening at Mela

Shri Pilot Baba and his followers

Posting few photos of one my relatives, she is coming in this mela from past 13 years and doing “Kalpwaas“. Kalwaas is a holy stay in mela for the month of “Maagh“, during this time pilgrims performs holy rituals, eat one meal a day, give donations, take bath in holy river, sleep on floor and spend rest of their time praying to the God. Living in these makeshift houses is quite an experience :)…

Kalpwasi

Inside Tent

Genuine Smile

Was wondering in Kumbh mela today evening, encounter this boy, we talked for some time, then I said “show your teeth” and got this genuine smile from him :)… he made my day for sure…

Its rare to get a genuine smile these days… I hope this will make you smile too … cheers … have a good day

Genuine Smile