Sometimes life reveals its essence and depth not through color but through simplicity. These photos, taken on the Manali-Leh Highway, showcase both its difficult and beautiful aspects. All the photos are in black and white, and I believe the story of the mountains lies not in color but in the shadows and light.
When I set out on this journey, the blanket of clouds shrouded the mountains as if they were a mystery only a mystic like me could understand. I mention them because I could sit and gaze at these landscapes for hours. I felt the strong wind, the icy cold, the quiet valleys, the sound of the rivers, and my own breath, all witnessing the rest of this scene.
Although I prefer color photos, black and white is something else entirely, and I say this because black and white photos appear similar; no one thing is in focus, but everything is the same. And this feeling touches me deeply. I think of him as a monk who doesn't speak but simply sits and listens to nature's songs for hours.
This Trans-Himalayan Highway reminds me at every step how small I am and how big the mountains are. The road curves here, making it seem as if the road is asking, "When will you come to visit me again?" And I tell him, "Just like every time, every year."
I remember an incident in Bharatpur where I stayed overnight. The dhaba owner said, "I should leave as early as possible tomorrow morning because stones were falling ahead." When I asked him with a smile, "Aren't you afraid?" he replied, "If we live in fear, the mountains will never accept us. Every morning, we remove stones, light the stove, and make tea for the tourists."
There was a strange peace in his eyes, and I understood that mountains are conquered not by strength, but by courage."
This is my entry for #monomad challenge.
Disclaimer: This post is originally written in Hindi and I have used Google Translator to translate the Hindi text in English. All the photos have been clicked by me from canon 77d (55-250mm) and edited on laptop lightroom app, post thumbnail created in adobe photoshop.
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