My pictures with their little stories

Chinese Shoe Shop at Shimla Every hill station in north India seems to have The Mall Road and in every likelihood there will be a Chinese shoe shop. When I noticed this shop on The Mall at Shimla , could not resist peeping in. It did not look to be a very active shop, neither the owner seemed very friendly. (Shimla, 2011)

At Tabo monastery, Spiti Being an ancient and important Buddhist monastery, I expected Tabo to have grandeur befitting its status. It turned out that the monastery was unpretentious. There was a serene and mystical beauty in the simplicity at Tabo. (Tabo monastery, Spiti, 2011)

Coonoor Railway Station Like all pretty railway stations of Nilgiri Mountain Railway , Coonoor railway station is no exception. The heritage structure seems to be in good shape and the presence of steam locomotive workshop ensures activity throughout the day with lots of steam, smoke and sound in the air. (Coonoor, 2007) Here is my blog post on Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Wooden house at Raksham As we were walking around in Raksham village, noticed this fairly large traditional wooden house although the slate roof was gone and a tin one had taken its place. The incoming fall season meant that colours of the vegetation all around - on the mountain slopes as well as grass and plants around had started to change. (Raksham, Sangla Valley , 2014)

Romance of Steam Steam, smoke and sound - together they make a heady cocktail. From my childhood, I have looked with great admiration every loco driver that came by. Steam locos have had a special place. These drivers have been my heroes. Would never miss an opportunity to chat up with this special tribe.  (Coonoor, 2007)  ‪

Tabo monastery entrance The feeling is of sheer awe when you are entering a structure which was established more than a thousand years ago and is in continuous operation. Visiting ruins dating back to few thousand years is one thing but entering Tabo monastery established in 996 was a different feeling altogether. Tabo is the oldest continuously operating Buddhist monastery in both India and the Himalayas . ( Spiti , 2013)

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)