Collusion for an illusion

The Sarang (Peacock) as the name suggests is pure beauty in motion. This is the helicopter formation display team of the Indian Air Force. This picture was taken during the passing our parade of the IAF in June 2009. Every time the helicopters criss crossed all hearts skipped a beat or two, knowing fully well that the proximity is nothing but pure illusion and every move/risk is calculated. Still poetry is what this is...

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The Final Steps

The final steps of training in the life of an Air Force Pilot and first salute from their immediate junior Cadets at the end of the parade while marching to the lilting notes of 'Auld Lang Syne'. As the newly commissioned officers of the IAF walks past... it is difficult to ignore the stinging feeling of tears building up in ones eyes. The pride in the eyes of the parents the sense of accomplishment in each and every step taken by these young officers has to be seen to be believed.

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Kuldhara Trilogy

Remember The Village That Was Cursed or the watchman and The Ghosts of Kuldhara? I had said then that I will be back with the whole story. Kuldhara, as I had mentioned before is a not often spoken about yet extremely intriguing example of human migration.

The story has various versions but the crux of all those versions are that the local king who was infamous womanizer took a liking for a girl in this village. He insisted on marrying the girl the next day. To avoid any further humiliation the villagers just upped and left the village with whatever belongings they could carry with themselves.

It is also believed that before leaving the villagers (Paliwal Brahmins) put a curse on this village -- anyone who would try and settle down in this village will die and so will his family. Which is what was supposed to have happened to the watchman and his family.

So rumor goes that if you spend a night in this village you will die within a month. I cant confirm... coz believe me when I say... this place is super spooky after sundown... so curse or no curse... I am never camping here.

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Hanumaan -- Southern Plains Gray Langoor

This is the famous Southern Plains Gray Langoor. Of all the apes in Indian this one is the most respected. They have been made famous thanks to Hindu Muthology and Epic Ramayana. Hanuman, according to legend, fought to rescue Sita, wife of Lord Raman and to escape was forced to burn down the village. The black hands and faces of these langoors are thought to be the result of the fire he started to burn down Lanka (modern dat Sri Lanka), as he tried to blow off the fire his tail caught with his tongue.

Because of this legend, Hanuman is the sacred monkey of India and therefore not preyed upon by humans. They have even been spotted raiding markets and farms and leaving unharmed with their bounty.

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The Dharma Bell

The Dharma Bell: Place Kushinagar Main Stupa
The stupa and shrine of Kushinagar are found in a pleasant park. There is this large bell donated by the Tibetans for visitors to ring out the Dharma. Bell stands for insight, emptiness, and the female aspect. It symbolizes the reverberation of the Dharma and is used in the rituals to offer sound.

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Spiderman!

Spiderman, Spiderman,
Does whatever a spider can
Spins a web, any size,
Catches thieves just like flies
Look Out!
Here comes the Spiderman.

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