Tag Archives: Shimla

3623kms in Ladakh on a Farm Tractor

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So last year we went on a rather unusual journey. We took a farm tractor 3623 kms across Ladakh through the most dangerous roads, highest passes and random rivers. In the end it also got two of my team members a Limca World Record (not me as I didn’t have a tractors license) after we completed the journey in just fourteen days. Unfortunately, the journey could not be documented properly as I had an accident at Drass were my right shoulder got dislocated while climbing the tractor. I used my phone to take most of the pictures.

The Vehical

65hp 3065DI tractor by Indo Farm

65hp 3065DI tractor by Indo Farm

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Snowfall in the Himalayan town of Shimla – Part I

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17th January, 2013
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

After a month of clear sunny days, it was raining when I got up. I trusted the weather gods and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute for a day long snowfall. They were right and it was beautiful. So, here are some pictures for those who missed it.

I would also like to thank my friend, Aasheesh Mehta who saved me and my camera with his umbrella while I was shooting in the blizzard, during the first day of snowfall.

I am posting the first batch of images as I am leaving for the Allahabad in the morning for the Maha Kumbh Mela. More pictures will follow.

Hope you like them.

Cheers!

Kids stop to pose while playing at the ridge, Shimla as it starts to snow.

Kids stop to pose while playing at the ridge, Shimla as it starts to snow.


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5 Winter Memories of 2010

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Winter, the best of all the seasons. It’s when you pack yourself in layers of clothing. The time when you enjoy different flavors of tea. When you sit near the chimney in a dark wooden room, while flakes of snow, cover your garden and the pine trees around your house with a white sheet. It’s the best of all the seasons. Even for those who have no access to the outside world. Places like Kinnaur and Lahul Spiti. People in these remote villages sit together and enjoy life. All of these distant villages have a number of festivals in winters as they cannot do much in their fields.

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A cold winter morning in Shimla

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An early morning scene of the Indian Coffee House of Shimla. (Himanshu Khagta)

An early morning scene of the Indian Coffee House of Shimla.

I am sitting here in the Indian Coffee House.

The one situated on the mall road of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Its a cold winter morning.

Its around 8:30 am

I could not sleep the entire night. So here I am on an early morning walk to the Mall Road.

Here are some pictures i took on my way.

People busy with their daily chores in a cold winter morning at Lower Bazaar of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India (Himanshu Khagta)

People busy with their daily chores in a cold winter morning at Lower Bazaar of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India


People of Shimla covered with warm clothes in a cold winter morning at the mall road (Himanshu Khagta)

People of Shimla covered with warm clothes in a cold winter morning at the mall road


A worker trying to pick a pile of cardboard on the stairs of Shimla in a cold winter morning. (Himanshu Khagta)

A worker trying to pick a pile of cardboard on the stairs of Shimla in a cold winter morning.

It was only when I was strolling, I realized that I might freeze in a few seconds.

I got inside the only eating joint that was opened.

I am waiting for my third cup of filter coffee.

Its a South Indian version of coffee that has a burning taste to it. Its made when the milky water is made to pass through the ground coffee powder without any pressure, but I think they have just boiled the water and added coffee with milk to a pan and served it in a small white cup with a saucer. Its the Indian way of making coffee.

Too much information.

…

I am staring at the menu board on my left wall.

I think it has one ironical mistake.

‘Veg Hum Burger’.

Hum Burger at the Indian Coffee House

Hum Burger at the Indian Coffee House

I just overheard a funny conversation of the couple sitting at the table to my left.

Then I overheard another conversation of a policeman talking about some criminal.

I don’t think overheard is the right word. I am trying hard to listen and keep myself busy.

Never thought this place could be so interesting. That too at around 8am in a cold winter morning.

I hear a cat mewing.

I think its under my chair.

I see the waiters trying to shoo it off in a very secretive way.

Its so amusing.

I hear pink floyd.

‘Waiting for the worms’

Pink Floyd in The Indian Coffee House of Shimla ?

How is it possible ?

Oh! I found the source. Its that foreigner sitting right in front of me.

A waiter takes the order of the customers in a cold winter morning of Shimla. (Himanshu Khagta)

Foreigner playing Pink Floyd on some music player

What an amazing morning.

Pink Floyd, interesting conversations, a cat mewing.

Kalta just arrived.

‘Its real cold outside’, he said.

I placed my order for two more cups of coffee.

Its my fourth cup.

I think I should shut up now.

My breakfast just arrived.

A cup of filter coffee and a plate of Vada- Sambhar at the Indian Coffee House of Shimla (Himanshu Khagta)

A cup of filter coffee and a plate of Vada- Sambhar at the Indian Coffee House of Shimla

Bye! Have a great day.