The enchanting winters in the hills

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The enchanting winters in the hills

After fresh snowfall the mountainsides are covered with snow

As I had described in my previous blog regarding the monsoon season in the hills and that I have had the opportunity to experience all the seasons in the hills of the sub-Himalayan regions.  As monsoon has an overall soothing affect overall, albeit the incidents of cloud burst here and there, which is rather an exception than being a rule.  The winters, with its snowfall, brings in a sense of serenity into the hills.  The winters are harsh and most difficult period of the year for those residing in the hills.  Whereas, the autumn season that is the transitional phase, between monsoons and winters, heralds in a pleasant season in the plains, as the heat subsides gradually, on the other hand the same transitional phase ushers in the winters in the hills.  Starting with end September, as the monsoon retreats, it brings in snowfall in the higher reaches and the gradual drop in temperatures.  During earlier times, by the end of October, heavy woollens were out and if the weather remained inclement, even fireplaces or angithis (a Hindi word meaning - a traditional brazier) were lit in the houses.  Winters being harsh for persons living in the hills & mountains, as it is a period when there is no local commodities are available and at times not even accessible.  Everything has to be stored up for the harsh winter months and disruption of water (due to freezing of sources/pipes) supply and electricity (after snowstorms) are a common norm.  As the winters approach, the trees start shedding their leaves (in autumn) and the entire landscape appears as scorched brown.  However, after the snowfall, everything is covered under a blanket of white snow, providing for a surreal atmosphere that is a treat for the eyes of the occasional visitors from the plains below.  This snowfall is essential for the stone fruits like peaches and plums etc. and almost like a manure for their plentiful yield in the summers.  Here are some poignant and embellishing photographs displaying the many moods of winters in the hills -

After the fall season, the hills attain a burnt brownish hue

After fresh snow in Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1950's (photograph shot by my father Late J.N. Roy Biswas)

Photograph of 1980's of the same spot (scanned image*)

Photograph of 1980's of Kasauli bus stand (scanned image*)

Photograph of 1980's of Kasauli Church (scanned image*)

Getting some warmth from the blaze

The road less traveled in the winters

It is snowing up there

The tree tops covered after fresh bout of snow

Even birds face difficulty in foraging for food during winters

It gets treacherous even to climb moderate slopes after the snowfall

The first to receive the snowfall are the higher reaches

Even vehicles slip in the snow, making movement difficult

Even foot roads get covered with slippery snow in winters, blocking one within his home

{(*Scanned image) - these photographs were purchased from the Shimla Studios in Kasauli by the author & copyrighted to avoid illegal further use.}

HERE IS REPRESENTATIVE VIDEO OF SNOWFALL IN THE HILLS -

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.

The splendor of nature – sunrise views from Timila

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The splendor of nature – sunrise views from Timila

As the sun is just about to peep out from behind the Himalayan ranges

            Due to personal pre-occupation this year, we could not visit any destination during the year end or the beginning of the New Year.  However, not putting up a blog onto my site on the first month of the New Year, would be a bad omen and accordingly, I am putting forth a photo-blog of my visit during November, 2018 to my summer pad in village Timila in Tehsil Ranikhet of Uttarakhand.  The Himalayan ranges are not usually visible all-round the year, due to various atmospheric conditions prevailing from time to time, coupled with the distance, they are usually visible on clearer days, but this time around, for the two days that I visited the place, the clarity was exceptional and I could shoot some pre-dawn photographs also.  Here is a photographic presentation of the sunrise -

As the dawn is breaking - the Himalayan ranges are in a slumber

As the dawn lit mountains light up

The orange glow of the rising Sun lights up the horizon

The first rays of morning Sun kisses the snow capped peaks

As the top of Chowkhamba peaks light up

The orange glow of the rising Sun lights up the morning sky

The dawn is about to break the silence of the mountain peaks

The dawn the finally broken through lighting up the mighty mountains

The birds have started chirping - heralding the breaking of a new day

The spectacle of the glorious sunlit Himalayan peaks unfolds in all its glory

The Sun finally breaks through the horizon lighting up the sky in its'orange glow

Now the early morning sun lights up the Himalayan ranges 

Is it the reflection of a Trishul?  No just a plant - but symbolic of the Himalayas and sunrise

© S Roy Biswas