Photos, videos and docs of m̌ ḫ, with the keywords: "2017"

Huge silk-cotton tree

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 20:29:49 +0000

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Lalbagh Botanical Garden is a 240‑acre horticultural marvel housing India’s largest collection of tropical and sub‑tropical plants, with 1,854 species from places like Persia, Afghanistan, and France. Its most dramatic natural treasure is the centuries-old Kapok, White Silk-Cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra), a 200‑ to 300‑year‑old giant with a buttressed trunk reaching 25–30 meters tall. In spring, the Kapok blooms with huge orange‑scarlet flowers, and by mid‑June its dark‑green pods burst to spill fluffy white silk‑cotton that looks like cotton and feels like silk. The garden also features about 14 other giant silk‑cotton trees with massive girth and roots that form hollow spaces large enough for an adult to hide, alongside the Crystal Palace‑inspired Glass House, a 3‑billion‑year‑old rock, manicured flowerbeds, and a floral clock that changes design with each season.

Morning Ascent: Three and a Promise at Mount Batur

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sat, 31 May 2025 17:43:30 +0000

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This photo captures a morning hike to the top of Mount Batur. Though not the tallest volcano in Indonesia, for us, it was unforgettable. We took this picture in late 2017, when nearby Mount Agung was stirring and people were being told to leave its slopes. But from our safe spot on Batur, we could see Agung’s smoky shape in the distance.

We began our walk in the dark, following a path lit only by our torches, so we could reach the summit at sunrise. The light that morning was soft and golden, and there were two of us on the trail. Yet, it felt as if someone else was quietly with us—a gentle hope for the future, waiting just out of sight. That made our moment on the mountain even more special.

Through the Gates of Gold

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:11:13 +0000

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The entrance to Jaisalmer Fort is a journey through history and architectural splendour. Approaching the fort, you’ll wind your way up Trikuta Hill and pass through a series of four grand sandstone gates-Akhai Pol, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, and Hawa Pol-each designed in a zig-zag to thwart invaders and adorned with intricate carvings. These gateways open into Dashera Chowk, the fort’s bustling main square, where the atmosphere is alive with the sounds of traders, temple bells, and local life.
Built in 1156 and towering 250 feet above the desert, the fort’s golden walls and 99 bastions are a striking sight, especially at sunset when they seem to glow. Inside, you’ll find a maze of narrow lanes lined with Jain temples, palaces, havelis, shops, and cafés-this is still a living fort, home to thousands of residents. As you explore, be sure to climb up to the ramparts, where old cannons still stand guard, offering panoramic views over the city and the endless Thar Desert beyond.

Defend the Fort

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:11:12 +0000

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Jaisalmer Fort, known as the Golden Fort, is a highlight for any traveller exploring Rajasthan. Perched above the Thar Desert, its golden sandstone walls seem to glow at sunrise and sunset. Inside, you’ll find a maze of lively streets lined with colourful shops, rooftop cafés, and centuries-old Jain temples, all still very much part of daily life. Staying within the fort is a unique experience, with charming guesthouses tucked among the historic havelis. Be sure to wander up to the ramparts, where you’ll discover old cannons and some of the best panoramic views of Jaisalmer and the surrounding desert.

Holi/y cow

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:11:11 +0000

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The morning after the Holi festival, Jaisalmer’s streets are washed in sharp sunlight, the golden sandstone glowing against the clear desert sky. The city is quieter now, the echoes of celebration replaced by the steady rhythms of daily life. On a cracked stone path, a cow stands in the half-shadow, its horns and gentle features illuminated by the harsh light.

Cows like this one are a constant presence in Jaisalmer, moving freely through the narrow lanes, pausing in doorways or resting in the shade. Locals pass by, some offering a gentle pat or a handful of feed, honoring the animal’s place in the city’s traditions. The grainy black-and-white texture of the scene emphasizes the timelessness of this relationship—where animal and city are deeply intertwined, and where the spirit of Jaisalmer endures in the quiet moments after the festivities have faded.

Durga idol admired

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 06:47:05 +0000

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From humble community beginnings in 1970, Durga Puja celebrations have grown into an elaborate affair for Delhi's Bengalis who spare no effort in celebrating their biggest festival with flair in CR Park.

Durga Puja is the biggest annual Hindu festival celebrated by Bengalis, originating from the Indian state of West Bengal. In Delhi, a neighborhood called Chittaranjan Park or CR Park is home to a large Bengali migrant community, who celebrate Durga Puja on a grand scale here every year.

The festival marks the victory of goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura after a 9 day battle, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Huge temporary structures called pandals are set up with large clay idols of goddess Durga. Each day has special rituals and the last day culminates in immersing the idols in water.

The celebrations in CR Park bring the look and feel of Durga Puja in Kolkata to Delhi - from themed decorative pandals, cultural events like music and dance performances, crowds thronging for pandal hopping, to lip-smacking Bengali food stalls.

Green markets of Assam

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 20:01:45 +0000

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If you are looking for healthy, fresh and locally grown the street vegetable markets in Guwahati are the answer. These markets are predominantly run by women, while there is number of all-women markets in Assam and in the North-East India. Street Vegetable markets in Guwahati as you can see are very colourful places, perfect for any traveller looking for traditional culture and charismatic locals sat under bright umbrellas selling anything from papayas, killer chillies to organic ginger. We were looking for pineapples, as promissed by my friend to be the best in India. Finaly we've found them, and I agreed that he was right.

Typical scene from an Assamese town

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 22:16:26 +0000

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Streets in Sualkuchi. Situated on the north bank of Brahmaputra just 35 km from Guwahati, Sualkuchi is a weaver's village famous for its silk weaving. It was called the Manchester of the East by the British. The village was declared a Handloom Heritage Village. It may soon become a rural tourism center under a UNDP project.

I think, that...

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:22:52 +0000

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Shy, but curious

Friendly or not?

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:22:54 +0000

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Let's build the base, cook, and sleep

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:22:58 +0000

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Preparing forour night under the sky in the Rajasthani Thar desert. These men made us a fantastic and spicy dinner, and told us a quite absurd story of a Japanese tourist they've been guiding before. This unexperienced traveller went astray in desert while taking photos of a starry night, and he slept on a tree. On the contrary, our night was fantastic, under an open sky with a full moon shining.

Let's find a place to sleep in a desert

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:22:56 +0000

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Sleeping in the Thar desert is an attraction provided in Jaisalmer.They take you at the dessert to see the sunset and then you can sleep on a large matrace right under the stars. I skipped any camel driving due to previous bad experience. The best is to stay on your own legs

Peacock in action

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 14:31:52 +0000

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Land of the elephants

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 14:31:08 +0000

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Sky, water and buffalo

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 14:30:03 +0000

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Saint and the camera

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 14:29:18 +0000

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Tea shrubs in beautiful nature of Sri Lankan mountains

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 14:26:42 +0000

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Probably the best-known of Sri Lanka’s tea-growing districts, Nuwara Eliya is also the most rugged and mountainous, with the highest average elevation. The air is cool and bracing; the winds are scented with eucalyptus and wild mint. Rainfall is moderate except during the dry season, which falls between February and April. Nights are cold and sometimes frosty. This unique climate, combined with the terrain peculiar to the region, produces a tea that is recognized by connoisseurs as among the finest – if not the finest – in the world.

Historically speaking, Nuwara Eliya is a relatively new place. The town from which the district takes its name sits perched on a plateau 1,868 m above sea level, under the shadow of Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, Pidurutalagala. Almost inaccessible in olden times due to the precipitous, jungle-clad terrain surrounding it, this scenic plateau was effectively uninhabited when it was discovered by an English explorer in 1818. Impressed by its magnificent scenery and climate, Sir Edward Barnes, the British governor of the time, resolved to turn the locale into the similar of Ceylon, a fashionable hill-station to which the government and society of the capital, Colombo, could repair during the hottest and unhealthiest months of the year. He accomplished this by the simple expedient of building a house there himself, and occupying it every year between March and April. ‘Newralia’ thus became, for a few weeks every year, the capital of colonial Ceylon.

www.pureceylontea.com/index.php/nuwara-eliya

Tamil tea pickers

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 14:26:05 +0000

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Tamil tea pickers in Sri Lanka, most of whom are descendants of indentured laborers brought from southern India by British colonizers, play a crucial role in the country's tea industry, which is a significant part of its cultural heritage and economy. The tea industry in Sri Lanka, known for producing Ceylon tea, began in the 19th century when large amounts of labor were needed for the tea plantations. Even today, tea leaves in Sri Lanka are plucked by hand to ensure that only the tender leaves are selected, a labor-intensive task that has been historically undertaken by the Tamil workforce.

The cultural significance of Tamil tea pickers is deeply intertwined with the history of Ceylon tea itself. The tea industry was established during British colonial rule, and the Tamil workers have been a backbone of this industry since its inception. The tea they pick is renowned worldwide for its quality and contributes significantly to Sri Lanka's economy. In 2022, the industry generated £1.079 billion in exports despite facing a 26-year low in production due to an economic crisis.

However, the Tamil tea pickers have faced numerous challenges, including poverty, poor living conditions, and a lack of alternative employment opportunities. Many still live in the tiny homes built by the British, with some lacking basic amenities like running water or toilets[1]. Despite the global reputation of Ceylon tea and the wealth it generates, the Tamil tea pickers remain among the most disadvantaged segments of Sri Lankan society.

The tea industry's reliance on Tamil labor and the unique hand-plucking method contribute to the cultural significance of Ceylon tea. The Tamil tea pickers' contribution is not only economic but also a preservation of a traditional way of life that has been passed down through generations, despite the hardships they endure.

Jackfruit tree

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 14:25:27 +0000

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The jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), also known as jack tree, fenne, jakfruit, or sometimes simply jack or jak, is a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family (Moraceae) native to South India. The jackfruit tree is well suited to tropical lowlands, and its fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit, reaching as much as 35 kg in weight. A mature jackfruit tree can produce about 100 to 200 fruits in a year. The jackfruit is a multiple fruit, composed of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers, and it is the fleshy petals that are eaten. The jackfruit tree is a widely cultivated and popular food item throughout the tropical regions of the world.

A bigger friend

nobody@ipernity.com (m̌ ḫ) — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 14:24:21 +0000

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Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya are about 5.5 km to the west of the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Their origins date as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept court at Peradeniya near the Mahaweli river. This was followed by King Kirti Sri and King Rajadhi Rajasinghe. A temple was built on this location by King Wimala Dharma, but it was destroyed by the British when they were given control over the Kingdom of Kandy. Thereafter, the groundwork for a botanical garden was formed by Alexandar Moon in 1821. He used the garden for coffee and cinnamon plants.

The Botanical Garden at Peradeniya was formally established in 1843 with plants brought from Kew Garden, Slave Island, Colombo, and the Kalutara Garden in Kalutara. Today it is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Botanical_Gardens,_Peradeniya