SH 10 (MH): Shirdi

Sai Yatri

Most pilgrims do not believe in comfort during a pilgrimage. Some walk for miles, others travel in lorries, singing bhajans. Bhajans that become the lullaby on the long hard journey in the company of the fevicol social network called the Thursday Bhajan Group (for Sai Baba devotees like these groups from near Jalgaon, Maharashtra) who make life that much easier.

Ghoti - Sinnar Road

4 wheels: This Jeep variant is the workhorse of Maharashtra and Northern Karnataka.







10 Wheels: This fellow has National Permit



2 Legs: The real load-bearers of this nation.

Ghoti-Sinnar Road

Monsoon winds fight windmills at Sinnar

Just a few kilometers east of Igatpuri and Thull Ghat in the green Shayadri hills and the landscape undergoes a drastic change. The monsoon clouds empty most of its moisture when it encounters the hills, creating a bald, brown rain-shadow region. However, the winds continue to blow and with more than enough strength to power a string of windmills that produce electricity.

Off SH 10 (Mh), Shirdi

A miracle in the background.

The factory that produces the prasad at the Shirdi Sai Baba Shrine is powered by a large array of concave mirrors that collect sunlight to create hot water and steam for the cooking process. It even works in overcast monsoon conditions.

Ghatan Devi

Monsoon 2009, in full swing, on the alternate road between Kasara and Igatpuri reduces visibility to the minimum. On a clear day, this spot offers a wonderful view of the valleys.

Monsoon 2009 Series.

NH 3, Nashik

The dirtiest driving job in India just got a little better in the last few years. Now, the drivers have windshields and plastic covering on the top. This is next to useless against the moisture laden Monsoon wind blowing in from the Arabian Sea, as these truck speed towards Mumbai, just outside Nashik City. And yes, it was this gloomy, like in a Tim Burton movie.

Monsoon 2009 Series.

NH3 Kasara

The Sahyadri Green.

That's the only way to explain the colour that sprouts when the South-West Monsoon meets the Sahyadri range that runs parallel to the Konkan Coast.

Monsoon 2009 Series.

Ghoti-Sinnar Road

Sai Baba pilgrims walking from Mumbai to Shirdi (app. 230 kms) near Sinnar Town, Nashik District, Maharashtra.

Mancode, Pathanamthitta Dist., Kerala

The traditional stone lamp and the new metal replacement (above), at the Ayyappa Temple. Mancode. Mancode is a small, predominantly Muslim, rubber and spices growing community on the Pathanamthitta/Kollam border. Location: 9°7'24"N 76°53'51"E

Santa Cruz East, Mumbai

The Welcome to Mumbai look after the 26/11/08 terror attack.

Milan Subway, Santa Cruz (W), Mumbai

Happy boy and his not so happy feet.

Even if you have to live like this boy's feet in these shoes for a long time, if you have a dream, however wild it may seem, it's said that city of Mumbai has the power to bring it alive. And Amit, who say, "My home address is Red House, near Green Park, where cricket is played in Kanpur, and now in Bambai", sees no hope in Mulayam's Cycle or Mayawati's Elephant. He's in Mumbai to become a pilot even if he has to slum it out doing odd jobs. Over the next two years, he plans to make 2 Lakh Rupees to fund his flying lessons. Go Captain go!