The Shimla Church

Shimla's most visible, perhaps the most photographed landmark is the Church on the Ridge. It is indeed an awesome monument, almost at the top of Shimla hill (further up is the steep Jakhu top but not everyone visits that place) and with a tremendous backdrop. The Church has a long history. It has had a face lift a few times. But it retains its stoic grace and majesty, silently looking over a town, which has been blissfully busy with its own growth. I have a few pics of The Church. Such a pleasure to see how it changed over the last century. But the surroundings, victims of pathetic urbanization.

Amazing work!

Last few months my attention has ben captured by amazing photography and great presentation skills of this young man...............Himanshu Khagta.
He seems to capture the essence of Shimla, is hooked on to his work and is apparently in love with his city. Rare quality these days.
Check it out for yourself at http://www.khagta.com/
There's more about Himachal there and is a nice realxing link to that part of the world. Besides lots of Information on Shimla, as part of 'promote Himachal' initiative at http://www.shimla.wordpress.com/
Thank you, Himanshu Khagta, and this one comes from the heart!

Prologue

A bit of nostalgia, a sepia memory, a lingering smell, myriad shades of green, rain and more rain. The cold seeps into the bones.
Fluffy clouds drift into windows, rubbing on the roads, misery set in grey chilled clouds. Ghost still, layers of the white snow. Snow and melting ice and slush…the long walk home.
And then the break of the sun, thousand shades of red and orange, life is great, we are happy….let us go out, to the lovely crisp evening, to the mall...
Toss a new discussion around coffee cups. Gaze a million stars.
The merry go round of faces, pretty faces…
Years have passed and I remember Shimla, a piece of heaven as it were.