A temple by the riverside
A temple by the riverside
 A scene straight out of the movies
A scene straight out of the movies
 Taking a moment of rest under the tree
Taking a moment of rest under the tree
 Kids
Kids
 The Shepherd
The Shepherd
 Shades of Green
Shades of Green
 A cottage in the fields
A cottage in the fields
 A close up view of the cottage
A close up view of the cottage
 The Chorla Ghats
The Chorla Ghats
 A sunrise different from others
A sunrise different from others
 Morning mist
Morning mist
 A typical Konkan house
A typical Konkan house
 Streets
Streets
 A colorful wall
A colorful wall
 A morning in the village
A morning in the village
 Getting ready for School
Getting ready for School
 What is your Name?
What is your Name?
 Manali
Manali
 Cascading down
Cascading down
Twin cascades
Twin cascades
 Picture Perfect
Picture Perfect
 Flowing through the forest
Flowing through the forest
 Smooth and silky
Smooth and silky
 The Northeast right here in Maharashtra
The Northeast right here in Maharashtra
 The bridge in the forest
The bridge in the forest
 Nestled in the trees
Nestled in the trees
 Age is just another Number
Age is just another Number
 The Smiling Stranger
The Smiling Stranger
A temple by the riverside
A temple by the riversideWhile I expected a lot of rain on the way to Goa, it turned out to be a bright sunny and hot day. Although disappointing, as we were crossing the Ghataprabha river, my eye caught a bright red tractor in a field of green a temple on the side of the river and some clouds in the sky. The sight looked as if it could be a spot to click a few snaps and hence we pulled over, walked across and tried to get some shots. This Shiva temple on the banks of the river against the backdrop of blue and white looked awesome!
A scene straight out of the movies
A scene straight out of the moviesThe sight that made me stop near the Ghataprabha river was a mix of this photo and the next one. The combination of red, green and brown and of course the blue sky was something that caught my eye. For a moment I felt that this might be a combination straight out of a Yashraj film.. but then I may not have been able to do justice to it! 
Taking a moment of rest under the tree
Taking a moment of rest under the treeTwo bicycles find a shady spot to rest their wheels on a sunny afternoon in a field nearby the Ghataprabha river
Kids
KidsWe never could understand each other. None communicated in the same language. And they were very very Camera conscious.. but one moment off guard and I was able to catch them in their elements
The Shepherd
The ShepherdThis man was observing me with the camera for quite some time. When I proceeded to click a picture of him, he mentioned something in Kannada. I replied back saying - "Kannada Bartilla" - I can't speak / understand Kannada. He paused for a minute, looked at the picture I showed him, and started again in Kannad. I smiled back at him, and so did he. I guess I got the picture and he finally had his say
Shades of Green
Shades of GreenMonsoon and Paddy fields make a beautiful combination. It's as if both were always meant to be together. The shades of green and the beautiful blue skies with clouds create a sight so refreshing to the eyes that you can only stop and admire. One of my attempt to capture such a sight. 
A cottage in the fields
A cottage in the fieldsA small red brick cottage hidden on the edge of the fields, surrounded by a small wooded section. I only wish, I had such a place to live in every day!
A close up view of the cottage
A close up view of the cottage
The Chorla Ghats
The Chorla GhatsThe Chorla ghat is an awesome driving destination, good roads, wonderful greenery but alas - overgrown trees on both sides of the road along with deep gutters prevent you from stopping the car anywhere in between and also from getting the majestic view. This was the only place where I finally was able to get some views of the mountains and the lake near the end of Chorla. A nice evening light kind of accentuated the water and the greenery. 
A sunrise different from others
A sunrise different from othersOn a nondescript road, somewhere in the jungles of Goa, connecting some remote villages, an average sunrise was being reflected beautifully in one of the puddles formed on the roadside due to the overnight rains. 
Morning mist
Morning mistA house in a meadow, surrounded in morning mist forms an idyllic sight for the weary eyes. You take a moment to stop the car, step out and smell the fresh air, before you take a picture. 
A typical Konkan house
A typical Konkan houseRed laterite soil bricks, thatched / tiled sloping roof extended beyond the house to also act as a shed for the cattle in the house, trees of mango, beetle nut, cashew in the garden beside the house and a lazy and cozy look
Streets
StreetsA small street in one of the villages, lined with rickety fences, shrubs and moss covered walls.
A colorful wall
A colorful wallLast time I felt like clicking a wall, it was in Kochi. A yellow ochre wall with a reddish name plate in it. Thought Goa would offer me many such opportunities but alas - rains and a hectic schedule kind of ruined the plan. Then suddenly driving through one of the remote villages near Sawantwadi - happened to chance upon this. This time a bit more of color trying to creep in, given the season but all the same loved it -
A morning in the village
A morning in the villageA bustling morning in a village. A car passes by, some villagers give a curious look as I step out with the camera. Here it isn't a holiday for Pateti. Children are getting ready for school. For girls it means braiding their hair and since they can't do it on their own, mom's step in. So as the father performs the morning pooja by offering prayers to the Tulsi  in the garden, the mother braids her daughter's hair. The house in the background is a perfect setting with clothes drying on strings, some smoke mixing with the morning mist from the firewood burning to heat water, a bucket in the corner and dark doorway inviting in the cozy interiors.
Getting ready for School
Getting ready for SchoolA mother braids her daughter's hair to ensure she is ready for school in time
What is your Name?
What is your Name?What is your Name? - "Manali" she answered in a confident voice yet very shyly. 
Manali
ManaliOn the way back from Goa while passing through a string of villages on a lesser known road towards Amboli, I came across a village where the girls were getting ready for school with their mothers braiding their hair. This was a common scenario in 2 or 3 houses. This particular little girl was observing me from the corner of her eyes while her mother combed her hair. When I approached her for a photo, although curious she avoided looking into the camera. Her mother mentioned that she is in 3rd standard, English Medium school. That's when I asked her in English, and she just smiled and replied back in a second! I loved her confidence!
Cascading down
Cascading down Amboli - one of the many ghats connecting the scenic Konkan belt to the Deccan Plateau. The roads through these Western Ghats are sometimes rugged, sometimes so bad that you will not dare venture on them. But these are the roads that will offer you the most scenic vistas and a glimpse of the beautiful and vibrant biodiversity area that the Sahyadris are. The best season to visit them is the monsoons of course. Unfortunately crowds of intoxicated youngsters scrambling to take a dip in the waterfalls and littering the area around it kind of ruin the experience. I was lucky enough to pass through Amboli on a weekday, but the remains of the weekend were evident enough with the litter strewn around. Clicking the waterfalls in their natural beauty without trying to make the human presence felt was a task.. but I tried my best. Maybe someday we will have to click them with the trash around so as to sensitize people. This time enjoy the beauty of the Amboli waterfalls in the following few photos.
Twin cascades
Twin cascadesAmboli - one of the many ghats connecting the scenic Konkan belt to the Deccan Plateau. The roads through these Western Ghats are sometimes rugged, sometimes so bad that you will not dare venture on them. But these are the roads that will offer you the most scenic vistas and a glimpse of the beautiful and vibrant biodiversity area that the Sahyadris are. The best season to visit them is the monsoons of course. Unfortunately crowds of intoxicated youngsters scrambling to take a dip in the waterfalls and littering the area around it kind of ruin the experience. I was lucky enough to pass through Amboli on a weekday, but the remains of the weekend were evident enough with the litter strewn around. Clicking the waterfalls in their natural beauty without trying to make the human presence felt was a task.. but I tried my best. Maybe someday we will have to click them with the trash around so as to sensitize people. This time enjoy the beauty of the Amboli waterfalls in the following few photos.
Picture Perfect
Picture PerfectAmboli - one of the many ghats connecting the scenic Konkan belt to the Deccan Plateau. The roads through these Western Ghats are sometimes rugged, sometimes so bad that you will not dare venture on them. But these are the roads that will offer you the most scenic vistas and a glimpse of the beautiful and vibrant biodiversity area that the Sahyadris are. The best season to visit them is the monsoons of course. Unfortunately crowds of intoxicated youngsters scrambling to take a dip in the waterfalls and littering the area around it kind of ruin the experience. I was lucky enough to pass through Amboli on a weekday, but the remains of the weekend were evident enough with the litter strewn around. Clicking the waterfalls in their natural beauty without trying to make the human presence felt was a task.. but I tried my best. Maybe someday we will have to click them with the trash around so as to sensitize people. This time enjoy the beauty of the Amboli waterfalls in the following few photos.
Flowing through the forest
Flowing through the forestAmboli - one of the many ghats connecting the scenic Konkan belt to the Deccan Plateau. The roads through these Western Ghats are sometimes rugged, sometimes so bad that you will not dare venture on them. But these are the roads that will offer you the most scenic vistas and a glimpse of the beautiful and vibrant biodiversity area that the Sahyadris are. The best season to visit them is the monsoons of course. Unfortunately crowds of intoxicated youngsters scrambling to take a dip in the waterfalls and littering the area around it kind of ruin the experience. I was lucky enough to pass through Amboli on a weekday, but the remains of the weekend were evident enough with the litter strewn around. Clicking the waterfalls in their natural beauty without trying to make the human presence felt was a task.. but I tried my best. Maybe someday we will have to click them with the trash around so as to sensitize people. This time enjoy the beauty of the Amboli waterfalls in the following few photos.
Smooth and silky
Smooth and silkyAmboli - one of the many ghats connecting the scenic Konkan belt to the Deccan Plateau. The roads through these Western Ghats are sometimes rugged, sometimes so bad that you will not dare venture on them. But these are the roads that will offer you the most scenic vistas and a glimpse of the beautiful and vibrant biodiversity area that the Sahyadris are. The best season to visit them is the monsoons of course. Unfortunately crowds of intoxicated youngsters scrambling to take a dip in the waterfalls and littering the area around it kind of ruin the experience. I was lucky enough to pass through Amboli on a weekday, but the remains of the weekend were evident enough with the litter strewn around. Clicking the waterfalls in their natural beauty without trying to make the human presence felt was a task.. but I tried my best. Maybe someday we will have to click them with the trash around so as to sensitize people. This time enjoy the beauty of the Amboli waterfalls in the following few photos.
The Northeast right here in Maharashtra
The Northeast right here in MaharashtraWhen I reached Amboli (the village) I saw this simple bridge in the middle of some trees which were surrounded with firewood.  For some reason it reminded me of the living root bridges of the north east. I know this is nowhere close to the actual beauty of it. 
The bridge in the forest
The bridge in the forestA simple small bridge connecting 2 small settlements in the forest. 
Nestled in the trees
Nestled in the treesA small village by the roadside nestled in the trees.
Age is just another Number
Age is just another NumberSaw this man walking by the roadside chatting with one of his younger village men.  The younger man was trying to keep pace with him while he was happily chatting along. His colorful attire drew my attention to him and I had to click his picture. However the moment I pointed my camera at him, he became conscious and made a serious face. Something very unlike his personality. So finally had to engage him into a conversation and click a couple of pictures and get him in his element.
The Smiling Stranger
The Smiling StrangerBhagwaan tumhe khush rakhe - he said this with a beautiful smile when I showed him the earlier photograph! :) And that guys and Girls was a collection of small memories from my journey to Goa.
info
prev / next