My pictures with their little stories

Looks easy, but it is not This woman from Kumaon hills makes it sound so easy, but it is not... more in my blog post   See my blog  - My pictures with their little stories 

Kumaoni lady stocking up grass What a load of grass this was....These ladies seemed to easily carry it on their backs. While on a walk in the mountains, some of us tried putting this load of grass on our backs and we instantly realised that this was not our cup of tea. This lady is stocking up a good quantity of grass for the winter that is coming in soon. ( Kumaon , 2012)

Temple Ruins in Kumaon These ruins which included a Shiv Mandir were like any other neglected historical and heritage sites in India. I guess, only the major sites are looked after properly . Many of the not so significant sites actually have the potential to attract visitors but then we need to change the way we have been preserving our heritage. ( Kumaon , 2012)

Kumaon Mountain Ranges The sheer number of mountain ranges you see one after another in Kumaon makes you fall in love with these mountains.  Somehow these mountain ranges appear gentle and rarely menacing. It is not uncommon to spot few structures dating back to the British Raj era. (Kumaon, 2012)

Sunrise in Kumaon mountains overlooking Ramganga valley Each morning during our stay at Camp Shama in Kumaon was an experience which was full of delight, curiosity and a sense of fulfilment. No other meditation was required. Looking at the horizon from early morning around 5 am for the next two hours was sheer bliss. The early morning soft rays of the sun would light up the mountain tops one by one and then enter the valley to show the river hidden in the night blanket. When you start seeing the river, it is morning and time for chai. (2012)

Diwali preparations at a home in Kumaon During one of our walks in the Kumaon hills, noticed this girl totally engrossed in decorating her home for Diwali . She was probably using rice paste.  Like anywhere else in India, festivals are celebrated with full enthusiasm and involvement with all the cultural traditions and practices being observed. (2012)

Home in Kumaon Hills While walking in the Kumaon hills, we visited several homes. Stocking up for the winter was an essential task for everyone. Their cattle is precious and they need to be fed during the winters when there is snow all around. This is primarily an agrarian economy in a region where many villages in the hills are not accessible by road.

Tea is ready Each morning at the Ranikhet camp in Kumaon was a treat. They have this rustic place with wooden benches and tea is ready with crisp toasts (which only go well with chai) first thing in the morning. Can there be anything more pleasurable than soaking in the early morning sun, sipping chai while you look at the valley below from the mountains ? The chai, the morning sun and the tranquil surroundings make you thank the almighty for blessing you with this wonderful morning.