“Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.”
Confucius
Our world is full of beauty. Nature is the manifestation of the creation’s desire to experience life. The cities, towns, settlements houses are a manifestation of man’s dream to create shelter and a sense of permanence. Man’s possessions act as his crutch and anchor as he negotiates life and its curves.
Often we go through life, sleepwalking, thinking only of our immediate concerns. At other times, we march on, eyes firmly on horizon, looking only at our dreams, desires and goals.
In between all this, we forget to live the most precious gift of all, our present and our now. Do we stop to smell the flowers, to notice the vibrant colours around us, to appreciate the beauty in the mundane?
Inspired by these thoughts, I took a day out to appreciate and capture these fleeting moments, the present that is on the cusp of becoming the past.
I went looking for the now dilapidated, abandoned Bantony Castle on the Kali Bari Road near The Mall in Shimla. Constructed in 1880, it was the summer palace of Maharaja of Sirmour and had seen better times. I was won over by the blue railing although I could not get a closer look because of frolicking monkeys.
Scandal point marks the convergence of two of Shimla’s most important roads, The Ridge and the Mall Road. It is a great point for ‘people watching’. Taking shelter beneath the canopy, I looked up and saw this pattern.
The Ridge road is a large open space, located in the heart of Shimla. It is the hub of all cultural activities here and is always teeming with people, except on a rainy day like this one. A rarity indeed and worth capturing.
This moss covered wall caught my eye and I followed along the path.
I passed by the red door at Tara Hall, a school founded by Mary Ward in 1894. I wanted to peep in, feeling sure of seeing little children laughing and playing in their school room.
These radiating lines gave a mysterious look to whatever was beyond.
The lovely colours and objects were everywhere and I wanted a part of them.
The fog rolled down from the hills and obscured everything in the distance. The building looked stark against it.
And finally, the clouds parted and there was sun in all its glory. I stayed outdoors to watch a beautiful sunset.
Nice job. You smelled a lot of roses this day(s). π
If you like, you’re welcome to come visit my challenge at:
https://fstopfantasy.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/weekly-photo-challenge-today-was-a-good-day/
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Hey Sona…This was a nice tour to my most loved place ,Shimla.
Every picture has a story to tell.I liked the picture of Bantony Castle especially,which made me think of the good times the place was witness to…
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Thanks for looking in, Pawan!
It seems you loved that blue railing more than I did. Couldn’t get a close up because of a group of monkeys. There is another abandoned building just a few paces down this one. I wonder if you have seen it.
Your photographs are real good. Scandal point and beyond that you can see the Heritage building now used as GPO. It has been painted red and white and not as pretty as it was when in green and white.
Your photograph of the ridge now is splendid. But the one that I cherish is your parents’ photo. Precious!
I have an eye on the Shimla Heritage Walks. Come over some weekend and let’s do that together!
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It is really encouraging to see that someone actually went to through the guidelines, line by line to take a bunch of pictures. I am glad you did this post π
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I was trying to make up in enthusiasm what I lacked in equipment and skills π
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All you really need is enthusiasm though.
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I am all set, then π
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Sure you are π
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Great pics that tell a story. Was wondering where the place was till I saw Pawanpreets comment that it was Simla
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Yes, I realise my mistake. I should have clearly said where this place was; instead I talked about the famous landmarks.
Thank you for wondering and telling me you wondered π
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Can you update ?
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Ha, ha! That’s nice. Forces me to face my mistake π yes, I would update right away π
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π Pics are too good not to know where they are π
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OK. Updated the post. You can now read a little bit more about these places in Shimla.
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Love this post! Simla is my hometown and this post is nostalgia β€
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Oh, glad to meet someone from Simla!! Where are you now?
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Thank you! Delhi π
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Oh, you couldn’t really have liked Delhi after Simla! Did you complete your studies from Simla itself?
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Yes Tara Hall π
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Ah! Tara Hall is where my daughter studies now. An institution par excellence!
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How cool is that! absolutely!
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A beautifully written piece, with some lovely photos. Shimla looks an interesting city, and you have captured some colourful and unique shapes, designs and views. I love posts about places I’ve never visited… so educational. Thank you for sharing this one. π
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Thank you so much! I am in love with this place!
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