#shadowsgalore

If you are driving from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri by the Tsaka La Road, you will come across this plain memorial by the side of the road. The quaint surrounding do not give an idea of the pitched battles that were fought in this area to protect the land through which your car is driving. In the October and November of 1962, a severely outnumbered 114 Brigade and detachments of the Gurkhas, Jats, and J&K Militia dug in their heels and provided a steadfast defence of Chushul against waves of the Chinese attack, often resulting in brave last stands. The number of gallantry awards awarded in those battles are a testimony to the bravery of these men. It is debatable how much India remembers these heroes of Chushul. However, it was heartening to see that the army does not forget those who were once a part of its family and laid down their lives in honour. These tourist circuits in the Himalayas are dotted with solitary war memorials. Happy Independence Day. #happyindependenceday #15august #travel #ladakh #shadowsgalore (at Chushul Valley) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1MKopRF75q/?igshid=8qre24uz2esc

Ornate exterior of the Shrine proper at the Sun Temple at Modhera. This beautiful specimen of the Solanki architecture from the 12th CE is a reminder of the architectural brilliance of Indian temples and the barbaric onslaught most of those had to face. The inner sanctum was designed in a way that on solar equinox, the first rays of the sun used to illuminate it. The shikhara of the temple is missing, blown up using gunpowder on the orders of Alauddin Khilji. . —— We have #blogupdated on the glorious Sun Temple at Modhera on #ShadowsGalore Link: https://goo.gl/fb/ZumfC4 #travel #gujarat #travelphotography #heritage #travelblogger (at Sun Temple, Modhera) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz7jK-NlPBC/?igshid=bqndkbgshdin

Our last morning in Sikkim was at the Temi Tea Garden, the only tea estate in Sikkim. The sky was overcast and we were disappointed to see the area covered in dense fog when we reached. Then the weather cleared suddenly and we got 20 minutes to cover the area and take photographs before the clouds and the mist were back again. The Temi tea is organic and considered to be of a very high quality. We treated ourselves with a few packets from a store nearby. The cheerful people working in the tea garden looked so much at peace with themselves, wish we could find such peace. #travel #sikkim #tea #shadowsgalore (at Temi Tea Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzszlgJlB_L/?igshid=2clrphzret6l

Many tourists visiting Ladakh tend to ignore the picturesque village of Matho and its monastery. The monastery (literally meaning happiness) lies on the other side of the Indus river on the mouth of a deep gorge of the Zanskar. Nearly 500 years old, it looks majestic perched on a steep hill. The view of the Indus valley and Thiksey and Stakna monasteries from the top is magnificent! . . A post on the monasteries around Leh is coming soon! #ladakh #travel #buddhism #scenic #shadowsgalore (at Matho Monastery, Ladakh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzprDFFFym6/?igshid=11mh4ajvrmzbq

Zuluk (Dzuluk) takes its U-turns very seriously. Located at an altitude of about 10,000 ft, this pretty village in Eastern Sikkim is reached after negotiating through 32 hairpin bends on an ancient Silk Route that connected India and Tibet. The view from the top is priceless! . . Not sure why it reminded me of Machu Pichu though... . . #travel #travelblogger #shadowsgalore #himalayas #sikkim #zuluk (at ZULUK) https://www.instagram.com/p/By4J6TAlQt4/?igshid=16k1rfmelgdlw

Our visit to Borobudur was an item from childhood bucket list ticked off. The largest Buddhist temple in the world, this gem of Java was built in the 9th century AD and us considered among the most complete ensemble of the Buddha. The temple, while having a distinct influence of Gupta style, retain a lot if its indigenous Indonesian lineage, thus creating a unique piece of art. . Central Java, Indonesia. 2013. #travel #shadowsgalore (at Borobudur, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BspGWNMHQf9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cm3hhm47a5eg

"How can it be!" . The first thought that came to my mind when we stumbled upon this lake on our way to Tso Moriri. Our driver, Dorje saheb joked that it indeed was Tso Moriri and we could get down. Had no reasons to not to believe him. It was just so beautiful! . We did not know the name of this little gem of a wonderland then. Kyagar Tso, or the Kyagar Lake as it is called, is a small brackish water lake at an elevation of 15,436 ft above sea level. The lake is literally in the middle of nowhere, flanked by glacier-clad peaks on one side and sweeping plains on the other. There is no human presence around it and its beauty in such a remote place seems like a miracle that has just happened, a teardrop of heaven on the harsh landscape of Ladakh... We will always remember Kyagar Tso, it was the most beautiful sight we had laid our eyes on that day. Ladakh. September 2018. #travel #shadowsgalore (at Kyagar Glacier) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bro4rbsns7m/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sbdaw88w7cju

In this post, we take you to the idyllic Galle Fort, a leaf from the pages of the colonial history of Sri Lanka, an architectural beauty and a favourite of artists, poets and travellers alike.