Days of innocence!

One of the most rewarding genres in photography is child photography! One should consider himself fortunate if he is able to capture a child's expression the very first time...

The following are the results of my tryst with one of them!

The vivacious and effervescent nature of a child at times make it extremely difficult for one when it comes to clicking them.

 

The only way is to become one with them and show oodles of patience for their highly unstable state of mind makes it difficult to expect the results you aspire.

  Few more aspects one should keep in mind are the risk involved while expecting the child to pose / sit in a certain manner, the unfriendly behavior in case you are meeting the child for the first time and the behavior - what the child likes / dislikes, eating / sleeping patterns etc

 

 

 

 
However, once captured, the results invariably will give you an over-whelming, most rewarding sense of happiness and achievement for the innocence in the pictures shall speak for itself!

Magh Mela - Allahabad

Magh Mela

The Magh Mela is one of the greatest annual religious affairs for Hindus. Hindu mythology considers the origin of the Magh Mela to be the beginning of the Universe. An important occasion, the Magh Mela is held every year on the banks of Triveni Sangam(the confluence of the three great rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati) in Prayag near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.

In accordance with the traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India, this holy fair is organized every year during the Hindu month of Magh (corresponding to mid January - mid February of the Gregorian calendar); hence the name. The Magh Mela is, however, not confined only to the month of Magh and the important bathing dates are spread over a period of 45 days. The Magh Mela is actually a smaller version of Kumbh Mela. Hence it is also known as mini Kumbh Mela.

Kalpavas

Every year, the Magh Mela commences on the day of Makkar Sankranti in January, which is the first important bathing day according to the religious Hindu calendar. It begins with multitudes of pilgrims taking a holy dip at the Sangam on auspicious dates. A large number of people arrive here annually and stay in makeshift houses or tents at the Sangam, spending the entire month of Magh in prayers. This period is known as "Kalpvas". Those who religiously observe the "Kalpvas" are known as "Kalpvasis".

The ancient Hindu Vedas mention a "Kalp" to be the period equal to the total number of years in the four yugas - Satyug, Treta, Dwapar and Kalyug. This adds up to several millions of years. It is said that by piously observing a "Kalpavas", a devotee overcomes the sins in his/her previous birth and escapes the cycle of Janma(birth) and Karma (actions). During each day of the Magh Mela, a Kalpvasi has to take a dip at the Ganges on sunrise praying to the rising sun. Majority of the Kalpvasis partake only a meal a day. After observing 12 Kalpavas, a Kalpavasi has to donate his/her bed and all his belongings (a ritual known as "Shayya Daan").

A person who undergoes the Kalpavasa Vrata is honoured with the title of Kalpavãsi

A unique feature of the Indian Bathing Festivals - Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela, Magha Mela, Etc. is that of the Kalpavãsis, who present a scene of Vanaprashthashrama Dharma (retired forest life prescribed in the Vedas for couples). The Kalpavãsis spend the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela living an austere and minimalistic life

Most of them stay in thatched huts, sleep on sandy river beds, listen to discourses, assimilate the essence of Dharma and give alms. Some of them bathe in the holy river thrice daily and eat only once

These are general guidelines; however we understand the modern urban life is very demanding and has become highly mechanical, many of us may neither have the time nor the inclination to fulfil the extreme form of austerities performed by the Traditional Kalpavãsis (some of them take a vow at every single Kumbh (Kumbh) Mela, which roughly falls once every three years)

The idea is to get away from the everyday mundane existence and observe and absorb the true meaning of life by the learning from the religious gurus, interacting with other Kalpavãsis, experiencing the cultures, traditions and heritage from every part of India at one single place and maintaining a single minded devotion to the understanding of the Absolute-Truth

The importance of Kalpavasa and its benefits are believed to be same as experiencing one day at the Brahmaloka or 4.32 billion years are highlighted. According to the Hindu Dharma, this is the closest one may come to immortality.

The Uttar Pradesh government annually makes special arrangements for the devotees during this time. A greater number of buses ply to let the pilgrims have their journey in peace and without any inconvenience. A township of tents specially come up on the banks of the Sangam to provide shelter to the visiting millions who turn up from all over the country. Adequate medical and security arrangements are made to avoid any untoward incidents. "Lost and Found" camps are also set up and manned by the local police to prevent anyone getting missing during the days of the fair.

Every twelfth year, the Magh Mela is transformed into the Kumbha Mela. Uttar Pradesh is flooded with millions of pilgrims who arrive here during this time to attend this grand event.

SANTOSH JAISWAL

santosh.greatshotphotography@gmail.com

+91 9833454825

Innocence at its best!

Hi!
One fine afternoon, when it was raining outside.. i decided to remain indoors and focus my attention on some very innocent and cute members in my family!



Initially it was very difficult to make the kittens pose coz they would just not stay at one place! I decided to place a large glass dish and planned to station all of them over it hoping that the natural light available would help me present a perfect picture....

Assume, they were scared and so meekly followed my directions to the 'T'...

Acting like a silent spectator throughout the drama was the mother cat who took note of every activity though got a little restless at times... she did make sure the kittens were comfortable posing towards the camera! :-)

A traditional feline pose!

One of growing kittens got really mischievous... would always keep jumping from one roof to the other... would often let loose and bring the entire house down... harmless though!!

Mother cat too didn't mind posing for me....

SANTOSH JAISWAL

santosh.greatshotphotography@gmail.com

+91 9833454825

Guava market at Allahabad!

Hi!
This time, here's another presentation of a typical countryside market at Allahabad...

Last January, when i was in the ancient city of Allahabad, i decided to visit the Guava market which is very popular for its guava varieties; especially the red ones!

A typical day starts at 0500 hrs when the local vendors pluck the fruits from their orchards and get the same to the market to sell...

a local vendor....

Also; adding color to the entire market are the vibrant bags in which the fruits are packed and arranged in the market...

A routine busy day....

The extreme chill in the atmosphere doesn't effect the determination of the villagers at all... Some ways to combat the same...

The morning market starts very early and all the transactions get over in almost an hour's time! amazing speed...

Another group of enthusiastic young vendors...

After a hard day's work, one of the very few luxuries or respite is a puff!

SANTOSH JAISWAL
santosh.greatshotphotography@gmail.com

+91 9833454825

Another weekend spot - Nirmal village

Hello!

In my constant tryst with nature, i came across another scenic village, very close to Mumbai which also served as a perfect post-trekking spot to our group of trekkers.

Nirmal village is located at a stone through distance from Virar, a Mumbai suburb.

The following are some of the snap-shots of my rural experience with a difference!

We were greeted by a magnificient and vivacious temple which looked was illuminated under bright sun-light...

The village also encompasses a quite lake cordoned by bright flora and fauna!






Another snap of the serene water body!





In the midst of the palms stands a church complementing the picture beautifully....

We also came across some villagers and the only thing on their mind seemed to be work; Hard work... :-)

Some more 'indulged' with heaps of bale all around...

Here's a picture of a ready-to-be-harvested grains!

A wild flower in the pink of its health!

SANTOSH JAISWAL

santosh.greatshotphotography@gmail.com