Monsoons in Kumaon – a pictorial display of the mood

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Monsoons in Kumaon – a pictorial display of the mood

As the monsoon clouds drift across the valleys and the mountains

              I have had the privilege of growing up in the hills, having been born and brought up there and also having had my education up to the middle level, in one of the pristine hill stations of Himachal Pradesh.  The hills are a place where one can experience all the four full seasons, along with the two transitional seasons of Spring & Autumn, of the natural cycle of seasons.  Having now spent a better half of my life in the plains of Delhi, I can clearly distinguish the difference between the nature’s glories that spreads its splendour in the hills, as compared to some drab seasons of Delhi.  In the hills, one can distinguish the seasons distinctly.  Starting with Spring, which heralds in after the harsh winters, there is a nip in the air, but also a distinct feel good factor, as the day temperatures get steady and pleasant, accompanied by the same, with most of the stone fruit bearing trees being in full bloom, with flowers of different shades and hues covering the entire trees and creating an aura of pleasure and happiness all around.  After the gaiety Spring, comes in the summers that ushers in a feeling of gay abandon.  Gone are the heavy woollen clothing and as the days gete hotter and longer, but bearable and nights are short and sweet. After summers move in the monsoon season or the rainy season and as the clouds move in, one can experience the intensity of the rains, which is such that torrents flow through the roads, as if some seasonal rivulet has sprung forth.  This abundance of water paints forth all the hills in all green and it is one of the spectacular visual experiences that one can have amongst the four seasons, other than the winters that is also truly spectacular.  Although not a favourite season for the tourists and thus, only those who stay in the hills enjoy its beauty.  The present narration is a pictorial depiction of the spectacular scenery that unfolds in the hills during monsoons –

As the rain clouds loom over Ranikhet

The clouds stretch from the plains to the hills - view of Kosi River along Corbett

Tufts of clouds lay scattered across the Ranikhet valley

Clouds drifting in the Nainital valley

Cloud cover all across - view from Bhatrochkhan

A panoramic view of the cloud filled valleys on Naintial

View of the river valley near Garampani in Naintial district

Cloud cover has just lifted - Nainital hills from Bhimtal road

A tuft of cloud suspended mid air - Nainital hills from Bhimtal road

Just after a fresh bout of rain, as the clouds part - view of Ranikhet hills from Timila village

As the clouds envelope - view of Nainital hills from road to Khairna

As the veil of clouds part, some village homes become visible again - shot from Timila village

After fresh shower of rain everything around is dripping with pure water

After a fresh bout of rains, even the grass collect some water

As the monsoon clouds loom large - shot on way to Almora

Just after a bout of rain, the cloud cover clears over Almora

How green is my valley - monsoon green - view from Bhowali village

As the rain clouds drift in - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

Panoramic view of the rain clouds drifting - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

As the rain clouds envelopes the valleys - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

As the clouds hug the hill sides - - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

Rain clouds nestled in the hills & valleys - - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

Another view of the rain clouds enveloping the valleys - - view from Timila village of Teh.Ranikhet

Rain drops like diamonds scattered on leaves after rain

As the clouds descend upon the Bhimtal lake

             I will follow up this blog with similar pictorial depictions of the other seasons in the hills, in my ensuing blogs, to bring out the distinctiveness of the six seasons that one experiences in the hills.