Sunrise at Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer.
There are some days when everything falls in place. The waters are calm, floating ducks add a sense of comfort, floating galleries appear to be inviting and colourful boats are ready to take you. The morning sun puts them all together and calls it a beautiful day!
Photographed during my last December’s photography tour to Rajasthan.
There was not a single blade of grass could be seen in the endless, perfectly plain landscape that expanded towards the horizon in front of Shakambari Temple. The earth was flat as though a road roller ran amok for ages until the smallest aberrations were pressed in and done away with. The monotony of a dry, drought-struck earth was broken by a few deeply entrenched tyre-marks forming a line that extended to infinity. Our driver descended gently into the flat, testing the firmness of the ground with a bit of uncertainty, wondering if the car would sink into the ground.
The dry lake-bed of Sambhar Lake. Seen far behind at the base of the hill is Shakambari Devi Temple.
It took less than a minute for him to realize that we were on a ground as firm and clear as a runway. He gently pressed on the pedal, not slowing down until the speedo hit three figures. In the back seat, it was such a smooth ride that we did not realize the speed until we were mentioned about it. We slowed down, stopped in the middle of the flats where we could start seeing a few trees and buildings on the other end. We were now in the center of Sambhar Lake, a large salt water lake that was mostly dry in the winter season.
I travel to Rajasthan every winter, when the weather is tolerable and sunsets are colourful. We travel far, across the state, camera in toe gawking at the giant facades of the palaces and wondering at the simple lives in the hinterland. In the far-eastern edge, where the tourist flock for their camel rides in the sun and long for playful evenings on the dunes, we go in search of something a bit secluded and treasured. These musicians helps us enliven the experience.
This photograph was made on a cold morning in the desert. While we waited for the sun to warm us, the enterprising men gathered a few twigs to beat the chill accumulated through the night. Jokes were cracked, songs were sung and the cold was complained about. The camel, it appears, is nodding in approval.
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