20. Reminiscing : making it productive

The other day I discovered a pile of photographs – remember the days when after carefully exposing a reel over days, sometimes months, one would rush to the developer to be able to see the end results. The instant gratification of digital photography cannot match that pleasure. But some of the places in the pictures are so beautiful that I rued the fact that I did not have a digital camera then – to have taken hundreds of more pictures.

The year was 1999 and Rajeev and I had the rare opportunity of travelling, on duty, for about 2 months in the Uttranchal Hills – from Pithoragarh, called the gateway to the Himalayas, down to Nainital. But after seeing my loot of pictures I have decided to take you for a trip  to a few places.

RANIKHET, the ‘Queen’s Meadow’. Legend has it that Raja Sudhardev’s wife, Rani Padmini chose Ranikhet as her place of residence and gave it its name. I salute the lady’s taste.

The deodar and pine forests not only make the place divinely scenic but give it a lovely smell and coupled with the crisp mountain air – it leaves an indelible impression, not dulled by the passage of time.

The sunlight filtered through the pine leaves above and reflected by the dry pine needles on the ground gave a golden glow to the place.

I can still feel the softness of the pine needles ! and smell their mild fragrance.

"ye kaun chitrakaar hai"

 

En-route, on a trek to Chaubatia gardens, is this quaint temple, where, when the Goddess has granted your wish you have to re-visit to tie a bell. You can see that she has granted quite a few wishes.

trek to Chaubatia Garden

weary trekkers

This plant's leaves have the taste of five spices, a research project of Chaubatia.

Chaubatia Garden

 

Rajeev and my sister with her treasure trove of pine cones.

 JAGESHWAR TEMPLES, dating back to the 9th to 13th century A.D. are a cluster of some 124 temples dedicated to the various forms of Lord Shiva. Ancient and amazing!

 Then of course there is NAINITAL, the queen of the hills!

The Lake

Rajeev in the clouds!

one for the camera

The bhel stalls at Snow View

Beauty in Disaster (I'm not talking about Rajeev -ofcourse)

 That was a nice trip down memory lane. Until next time.

 Sumita

19. Travelling : A trip to Panshet

The monsoons are here! Finally that is! It is the time when Pune goes a little crazy - in a good way - because the weather and the surrounding hills are soo beautiful. So off we went to Panshet for a day trip. It was the weekend, so it appeared all of the city was headed that way, mostly on their motor-bikes. We parted company with most of them at Khadakvasala lake, where it was a real festive scene with people spread out everywhere and the 'bhhutta walas' doing brisk business. The Khadakvasala lake was full of water, so we wondered at the civic authorities claim of water shortage, but as we went higher up we saw the other dams , which at this time of the year is full of water almost dry.

Panshet, thankfully, had water, and I had a thrilling speed boat experience, the light drizzle adding to the fun. 

The Varasgaon Dam was dry and rice nurseries were growing there - beautiful sight rice fields make.

I was expecting wildlife!

Rajeev posing on the Varasgaon Dam railing.

Sinhgad Fort covered with clouds

18. Bud Watching!

Here’s a cryptic clue for you – waiting in anticipation of what sounds avian but is floral (3  8).

Well you cannot guess this one because I just concocted this term – “Bud Watching”. 

My cousins have grown this plant called ‘Brahma Kamal’ (botanical name epiphyllum oxypetallum). The hype is because it blooms only in the dead of night when the entire world sleeps – well not us! We have been monitoring the buds at every stage. Initially the huge buds, of this night blooming orchid cactus, hang straight down from the plant. After about a week or so, Dada (elder brother in Bengali) calls up to say they are ‘raising their trunks’ (‘soond tulchhe’), with an obvious reference to Ganesha, the elephant headed God.

buds of the epiphyllum oxypetallum

The Brahma Kamal has religious and mythological significance to the Hindus, because the name Brahma, The Creator (part of the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh) is added to this flower’s name. Brahma incidentally is shown sitting on a pink lotus, ‘Kamal’ in Sanskrit (botanical name Nelumbo nucifera). Another plant growing on the Himalayas which is said to bloom once a year, (botanical name Saussurea obvallata) is also called ‘Brahma Kamal’. When we had gone to Badrinath a man was carrying a basket of them to sell to the devotees at the Temple.

Saussurea obvallata (Badrinath)

So coming back to Bud Watching as a hobby, I have been going back and forth from my cousin’s house keeping tabs on the progress made by the buds.

Well they bloomed tonight while it was raining and I could not go to take the pics! The last four pics I am posting below are by my cousin.

Don't you think it was worth all the excitement!

Its been over 3 months since I put up this post and in the interim the plant has had many blooms. Yesterday I saw the plant fruiting. Here is a picture of its fruit which is as striking as the flowers.

Some Facts :

  

• Brahma Kamal  (botanical name Saussurea obvallata) is the State Flower of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

• It blooms once a year.

• It is found at an altitude of around 4500m.

• The flowers contain both the male and the female parts (hermaphrodite) and are pollinated by insects. 
• Some people mistakenly call the epiphyllum oxypetallum the Star of Bethlehem perhaps because of the star shaped female organ of the flower in the centre and the shape of the flower giving the impression of a crib.

(if you are looking for bird-watchingCLICK HERE)