Ants in my garden

ant

Dozens of anthills in my garden are witness to the thriving ant population in all its variation under the blazing summer sun. Hats off to the inhabitants who go about their daily lives oblivious to the soaring mercury, power-cuts, absence of ACs

25 January, 2009 | Views: 5197

Tropical almond - Badam tree in the Indian plains

tropical indian almond badam tree

“A Badam (Almond) tree in the plains is quite a novelty”, my father told me; and for a ten year old it became a matter of pride and adoration. The young tree spread its roots and announced its approval of living conditions in our Lucknow garden with

12 January, 2009 | Views: 26886

Monkey mela in Lucknow

Red bottomed rhesus monkey

Living right next to the Lucknow Zoo, I’m beginning to doubt my residential address; thanks to the monkey brigade in my courtyard! The morning wake-up roar of the lions and call of the Hooku bander used to a distant reminder of the

26 September, 2008 | Views: 9269

Summer blooms - Amaltas

Amaltas blooms yellow

In his books, Ruskin Bond talks about his longing for the jolly sight of Amlatas, Gulmohar and Jacaranda during his jaunt abroad. Sure enough, he returned to India as soon as he had made enough money for the journey home. The Amaltas  adds many

29 July, 2008 | Views: 12546

Butterflies in our midst

Butterflies in city life

Dyed yellow by the June sun, Himalayan butterflies accompanied me inquisitively all the way up the hill to Neelkath. To them, my open jeep was just another drab-coloured flying insect may be, but faster.

17 July, 2008 | Views: 10310

Arjunpur, a small village...

Mustard fields

I had developed a bond with my village, with the farmers that drudged in the fields, with the women who drew water from the well, with the cows in my barn, with trees in my garden, with the old men who played cards under the neem tree, with the

02 July, 2008 | Views: 6788

Nostalgic epiphany - Janmashtmi

Baby Krishna

We waited for Janmashtami and participated enthusiastically in the celebrations. The special mithais made of coconut, lotus seeds and peanuts would tempt us no end. But all goodies meant for the prasad were forbidden fruit till the puja was through.

23 July, 2008 | Views: 10488



Chaturbhuj Mandir, Laxmi Narayan temple at Orchha, Madhya Pradesh Photo Journal