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The Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves , located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, about 11 Km off the coast of the Gateway of India, Mumbai, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to these caves, excavated probably in the 6 th century CE, is awe-inspiring, and also thought-provoking. Over the years, I have visited the caves a number of times, and also attended a number of talks by experts in the fields of art, history and archaeology on the caves. Together, they help me understand these caves, their art, and the people they were created for, just a little bit better. Every new visit, every new talk, every new article I read about the caves, fleshes out the image of what the island and the caves would have been like, at their peak. I last wrote about the caves on this blog, in 2011, almost exactly 11 years ago. Since then, my understanding of the caves has, I would like to think, marginally improved. Hence this attempt to write a new and updated post, trying to bring to life, the caves of Elephan
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Skywatch Friday - Sun and Snow

When we arrived at Narkanda, the sun was high in the sky, and really bright. I cursed it at first, because I could hardly click a decent photo with the sun in my eyes....




As it turned out, we were thankful for its presence that day, even though it stayed for just an hour or so. As we forgot ourselves playing in the snow, we only realized its disappearance once we were done, and futilely wished it back!

P.S. Narkanda is about 60 Km from Shimla and is a popular skiing destination.

The photo isn't as good as I hoped, but it happens to be a memorable one. For better photos of the skies from around the world, go to Skywatch Friday


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Location: Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh, India

Comments

  1. R Niranjan DasJanuary 11, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    The rays look so piercing!

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/01/old-goa-of-cathedrals-churches-chapels.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarJanuary 11, 2013 at 11:09 PM

      Yes, they do, Niranjan! It was so bright, I had a hard time seeing anything at first!

      Delete
  2. Mahi KashyapJanuary 11, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    Its really an outstanding click... Most beautiful day of the week...

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2013 at 12:28 PM

    A starburst of sun - how gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AsadJanuary 11, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    Great picture. I wish to be there. I must say you have disturbed a basic of photography and that is don't shoot facing light because its not that easy. But you have done well here.

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    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarJanuary 11, 2013 at 11:11 PM

      Thanks so much, Asad!!It was simply a fluke! have tried to get such an image earlier, but never managed! even this time, the image could have been much better with a bit better knowledge of photography!

      Delete
  5. NishaJanuary 11, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    It's so pleasing feeling to see the Sun on a snowy day..... that too this bright ! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarJanuary 11, 2013 at 11:11 PM

      Yes, Nisha! that sun was a sight for sore eyes... about the only time we saw it as bright

      Delete
  6. TeamgsquareJanuary 11, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    Cool picture .

    ReplyDelete
  7. IndraniJanuary 11, 2013 at 10:32 PM

    Fantastic shot!

    ReplyDelete

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