On the 1oth of October went to attend a Bhandara (distribution of food to the poor) organised by a cousin of mine in our ancestral temple 'Gangaji Mandir' built in the year 1754 by our fore-fore-father. This temple was actually built on the banks of River Ganges, but perhaps in the 19th century (need to check when exactly it changed its course) shifted its course to about 3 to 4 kilometers away.
I have been a regular visitor to the temple visiting atleast 3 times in a year. It takes about 3 hours drive, which should get less when the roads and the overhead bridges are completed. The work has been slow as the status of the construction seems to be the same for some past years.
I did take some time off and walked down the 80 
odd visible steps of the 101 steps to the base where once river Ganges flowed. Walking on the steps emits a sound of water. It is very unique in a way. People came specially to hear the sound so they threw stones down the steps. The stone steps have got damaged. Hardwar went to Uttrakhund after the Uttar Pradesh was reorganised into two states for better managment for development. The hilly region is now known as Uttrakhund, while the plains area is still known as Uttar Pradesh. After having lost Hardwar, the UP government under Mulayam Singh started developing this town of Garhmukteshwar. Politics is a bad name in India. With the new government the plans have come to a stand still with the main concentration being on building and erecting statues.
odd visible steps of the 101 steps to the base where once river Ganges flowed. Walking on the steps emits a sound of water. It is very unique in a way. People came specially to hear the sound so they threw stones down the steps. The stone steps have got damaged. Hardwar went to Uttrakhund after the Uttar Pradesh was reorganised into two states for better managment for development. The hilly region is now known as Uttrakhund, while the plains area is still known as Uttar Pradesh. After having lost Hardwar, the UP government under Mulayam Singh started developing this town of Garhmukteshwar. Politics is a bad name in India. With the new government the plans have come to a stand still with the main concentration being on building and erecting statues.There is a
settlement of mostly weavers who weave panels with some kind of weeds. In such settlements kids are in abundance and one can get good captures of the moods of the children. I do carry my camera on such trips. Many a times I do not shoot any frames, know not why. For a change I did shoot some pictures of the weavers working and the children. I feel they came out reasonably well to share in my blog.
settlement of mostly weavers who weave panels with some kind of weeds. In such settlements kids are in abundance and one can get good captures of the moods of the children. I do carry my camera on such trips. Many a times I do not shoot any frames, know not why. For a change I did shoot some pictures of the weavers working and the children. I feel they came out reasonably well to share in my blog.There is always 
something beautiful about photographing children. I have always found their eyes sparkle even in the stark reality of under nourishment conditions they tend to survive with a smile on their lips.
something beautiful about photographing children. I have always found their eyes sparkle even in the stark reality of under nourishment conditions they tend to survive with a smile on their lips.There are more photos, maybe I will add them later.
4 comments:
post more info and photos of garhmukteswar. . Dude i like
Hi Vipul,
Thanks for the interest shown. I have another blog 'Mats from water weeds'
I have not gone deep into the city or adjoining areas of Garh Ganga. My visits so far are curtailed to the Gangaji Mandir during good days, while when we go for immersion of ashes for final rights the frame of mind is not for shooting.
I visited last Sunday but no photography was attempted though I carried my camera. This 15th August will again go as I have organised a Bhandara on my late father's birthday. You are most welcome to reach there. The venue is Gangajee Mandir. The entry is take the signage route displaying Garhmukteshwar City, any one can guide you the temple.
Besides mat weavers there are weavers for cane chairs (mundha) in large numbers. There are some good temples (I have still to visit them). Perhaps any time I plan visiting these, I would like Pundit ji to accompany me as he being local things get much simpler.
If you have time do visit and join the Bandhara, though I will not be free to go out for a shoot. It will start at 10 AM and roughly as per past records goes till good 3 PM. Since folks are seated on the floor and served so it lasts longer than in Delhi when served on the road side.
Kind regards
Those who are in the Garhmukteshwar check out the Garhmukteshwar places to visit like Gangaji Mandir includes 101 steps emit water sound from River Ganges. You can get unique travel experience and enjoy the memorable statues and other interesting things.
Thanks Deepika to visit my blog and adding a comment. Have you been to Ganga Ji Mandir?
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