The skies of Mussoorie, always astound one with the clouds changing forms and shapes along different seasons, as if almighty has set spectacular screensaver in the high skies. Be it cumulus, cirrus, cirrocumulus or cirrostratus, these beautiful clouds over Mussoorie skies can arouse artistic aspirations in a creative corners of mind. These clouds sometimes play hide and seek between manifold layers of mountains, they rise up go down swirling along the curves, edges in the valley as if they are dancing alongwith the wind. These clouds often march into the valley like a troop and suddenly recede away, slowly fading into the clear evening breeze. Be it dawn or the dusk, these clouds in Mussoorie create picturesque panorama along every nook and corner of this famous hillstation.The famous winterline in Mussorie is striking clear in the evening these days, inspiring nature lovers and photographers all over. The northern breeze sometimes carries these clouds through the pine and oak forests creating a mystic bluish haze which can sweep someone away off their feet. Sunlight entering through the mist in the Pine forest can make one spellbound as if almighty is pouring in rays of hope from the heavens. These clouds sometimes create illusion while driving over high mountain roads and at times can disappoint nature lovers who love watching snow cladded high mountain peaks. The clouds can suddenly lift their veils and can make one wonderstruck with the majestic view of the snow-covered Himalayas. Altogether the mountainous topography, natural landscape, altitude, meteorological phenomena contribute towards the incredible canvas of the beautiful Mussoorie skies. I will conclude with the lines of the poem ‘The Cloud’ by Percy B. Shelly I bear light shade for the leaves when laid In their noonday dreams. From my wings are shaken the dews that waken The sweet buds every one, When rocked to rest on their mother’s breast, As she dances about the sun. I wield the flail of the lashing hail, And whiten the green plains under, And then again I dissolve it in rain, And laugh as I pass in thunder……. Take care!!! Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/
Passive death of the hill streams in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Enroute Dehradun to Mussoorie via Rajpur there are few streams/ streamlets/ creeks/brooks and falls both natural as well as artificial. Just after crossing the famous Shiv Mandir there was one small fall.This beautiful streamlet was fully charged with water last year but is almost dry this year. Till last year water from the stream used to rush over the road occasionally creating traffic congestion. One can now observe water trickling down through the weathered rocks covered with algae. Apart from the above-mentioned fall there are many streams, creeks, Brooks along the course of Himalayas which are slowly dying away. Besides being source of freshwater these streamlets, creeks and brooks add to the natural beauty of this hilly metalled road.These streams are also microhabitats of many organisms.The passersby also quench their thirst, clean their vehicles etc. The local roadside Maggi-points and other foodstalls are also dependant on these streams for their day to day requirements. Few of these streams have spiritual values attached along with them too. For the tourists, these streams are usual halts for taking selfies and photography. The Mussoorie hills were once covered with enormous forests. The flora as well as fauna was fully thriving. But with rapid urbanisation there was massive deterioration in the forest cover and landuse changes under forest cover. The numerous streams, creeks etc slowly started receding and eventually lost.These streams are charged when the water table and aquifers are saturated. Monsoon is very important for the charging of the water table. It has been scientifically proven that forests help in upholding moisture levels and inter alia help in restoring ground water level. The plant roots prevent surface run-off. Irregular monsoon pattern, rapid urbanisation, pollution, overpopulation, insensitive approach of humans towards nature are few of the negative factors which paved way for environment degradation and biodiversity loss. With the aid of certain government initiatives, ban on ‘single use plastics’ has worked wonders with the removal of plastic waste (the traffic is very busy usually on weekends with tourists pouring in Mussoorie for vacations and polluting. Incedents of rash driving and overtaking is also high during these days). Similar is the situation of hundreds of forest streams which are dying due to, climate change, global warming, environmental degradation and insanity of human beings. Save the forests for safe future!!! Take care..
Necklace of the Queen of the hills, Mussoorie
Today while coming up from Dehradun to Mussoorie, I saw the picturesque view of the hills of Mussoorie. The lights on the hills were shimmering from distance and I was bedazzled. The lights were arranged in a specific pattern which appeared to me as if the Queen of hills is wearing a ‘diamond necklace‘ studded alongwith precious gemstones around her neck. I was wonderstruck and captured the moment. They say it correct that ‘Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder’. Take care!!
Timeless architecture of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand – 1
Palace of Maharaja of Kapurthala in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand A palace which once stood in glory is now turning into ruins. They say it right that time and tide wait for none. History is the witness of the glorious period of Maharajas and Emperors. The monuments which once resembled the luxury and pride of kings and queens are turning into ruins. We are primarily aware of the famous historical sites where governmental as well as non governmental agencies has taken steps for restoration of these architectural masterpieces, but there are many monuments and buildings in nooks and corner across different states in India which are in their vanquished stage. Each and every structure/building has a different story to tell, many memories attached and values contained. These old monuments despite being in worst situations are still standing upright as compared to the recent structures which wane off even if a slight earthquake or tremor hits. In the present scenario, new buildings with modern architecture are coming up on old sites. I sometimes wonder whether these past monuments will be able to gauge this architectural gap and standout. Shall these be conserved or we should let them go in the hands of time is a matter of discussion. I believe what we are today is due to past experiences and we must work upon our present to make our future better. I hope in near future contemporary architecture finds new venues which is the fusion of past knowledge and modern technology. Thank you Take care!!!