+++ Simple Philosophy we must learn from Nomads of high altitude +++ I dont think so any modern schools can teach us such simple way liveing life. My yaks, sheep and goats are better than boxes of money, with my cattle I feel my life is going just fine. I'm not educated so I'll never get a high powered job. Herding yaks is all I know and is what I will do for the rest of my life. I'm proud to be a herdsman . I'm so lucky to have a job I love the most. My life is just fine, I live in mountain, just fresh pure air, water and food, that's all we need to be alive. Try to be with them few days if possible and learn way to live life in right way.

Pashmeena Goats are grazing in Changthang Plateau Pashmeena goats are belong to Changpas. The Changpas, a semi-nomadic tribe that lives in the world’s highest & coldest desert—a vast, arid Tibetan plateau in Himalaya called Changthang that extends from Tibet to Ladakh. Now young Changpas you can find them in modern outfits, but lives with their Pashmeena Goats and Ships.

Getting Food in Highland of Changthang is not easy in winter days. Temperature range is -10 to -40 degree celsius in winter and hardly anything to find. Pashmeena goats are belong to Changpas. The Changpas, a semi-nomadic tribe that lives in the world’s highest & coldest desert—a vast, arid Tibetan plateau in Himalaya called Changthang that extends from Tibet to Ladakh. Nowadays young Changpas you can find them in modern outfits, but lives with their Pashmeena Goats and Ships.

Peace of Colors. Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colors. Rangapanchami is also known as HOLI - A festival of color. The legend of Radha and Krishna is closely linked with this tradition of colors on Holi. Young Krishna, who had a dark complexion was jealous of his beloved Radha's extremely fair skin. In a mischievous mood, he applied color on Radha's face. Following this ancient legend, lovers till date long to color their beloved as an expression of love. Finally ..who cares about History .. Lets play " HOLI "

One of my favorite model for Holi pictures Let's learn more about history and significance of HOLI... and this adorable kid told me .. who cares about History .. Lets play " HOLI " The festival of Holi can be regarded as a celebration of the Colors of Unity & Brotherhood - an opportunity to forget all differences and indulge in unadulterated fun. It has traditionally been celebrated in high spirit without any distinction of cast, creed, color, race, status or sex. It is one occasion when sprinkling colored powder ('gulal') or colored water on each other breaks all barriers of discrimination so that everyone looks the same and universal brotherhood is reaffirmed. This is one simple reason to participate in this colorful festival.

After 18 years of living in Baroda, I came across to travel in Heritage Narrow train which runs between Pratapnagar to Jambusar for the first time. A lovely ride of 3-4 hours to cross almost 50+ km. The first narrow gauge railway line to be laid was to 2'6" gauge by the Gaekwar of Baroda to connect the town of Dabhoi to the broad gauge BBCIR railway. Initially bullocks were used to provide motive power to the railway until three 0-4-0 tank locomotives were introduced in 1863. The tank engines proved too heavy for the lightly laid rails and 0-4-0 tender engines were found to be more suitable with heavier rails. In the 1890s a 0-4-2 tender locomotive was introduced and instantly became popular. The first train came to Vadodara in 1861, and the Railways celebrated its 150th anniversary in the city recently. The narrow trains are here since almost the same time. The tram line as it was called back then was the first tracks and rail to be owned and laid down by an Indian, the then king of Baroda(as it was known back then), Sir Khanderao Gaekwad in 1862. The coaches were then pulled by a pair of oxen. They were replaced soon by a locomotive built specially. More than a hundred and fifty years later, the narrow gauge train is still active on two routes around the city. Miyagaam to Dabhoi and Pratapnagar to Jambusar. I chose to try out the Pratapnagar to Jambusar route that spanned 50 kms. I reached 30 minutes before the scheduled departure hoping for a Sunday rush and an empty ticket reservation window. Yet, it held a different picture. The station parking was full autos. The station itself was no more than two platforms a big and had a narrow gauge and a broad gauge. A canteen, a reservation counter and a temple along with the offices of the railways staff formed a part of the platform that was now crowded with men, women and children, most waiting for the broad gauge. The toy train like narrow gauge waited right in front for its scheduled departure and surprise, it was on dot time at 10:00 am. There were many surprises on this toy train, one it run on enough speed a one can easily get down and get into other coach, a Guard was giving tickets where no stations in between. I can see that all passengers were buying tickets, even though you did not find any ticket checking in train. Train guard shuts "FATAK" (rail track crossing with road) before and after train crosses. WOW a total fun trip .. Thanks Saurabh and Rena to make me part of their journey. A empty Narrow gauge coach welcomes just opposite to Pratapnagar railway station.

Picture is taken in early June 2012, where ICE and Snow still welcome you and cold place indeed. Just below Bara-lacha la near Zing Zing Bar (A Place without bar ) Bara-lacha Pass, or B?r? L?cha La, Altitude 4,890 m is a high mountain pass in Zanskar range, connecting Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, situated along the Leh-Manali highway.

+++ Simple Philosophy we must learn from Nomads of high altitude +++ I dont think so any modern schools can teach us such simple way liveing life. My yaks, sheep and goats are better than boxes of money, with my cattle I feel my life is going just fine. I'm not educated so I'll never get a high powered job. Herding yaks is all I know and is what I will do for the rest of my life. I'm proud to be a herdsman . I'm so lucky to have a job I love the most. My life is just fine, I live in mountain, just fresh pure air, water and food, that's all we need to be alive. Try to be with them few days if possible and learn way to live life in right way.

Take 6:30 am flight to Leh, which in winter is rarely delayed or cancel for sure, flight begins by watching a spectacular sunrise over snowy peaks as we cruise at a height of 30,000 feet, far above the mountains. After an hour long memorable flight over the Himalayas, we land in Tashi Namgyal’s 15th century capital, Leh. The cold air will catch your throat and you will definitely feel the altitude. I'm sure if you don't feel altitude, cold is for definitely.

On the way to Korzok, we found this beautiful landscape.

Pashmeena Goats are grazing in Changthang Plateau Pashmeena goats are belong to Changpas. The Changpas, a semi-nomadic tribe that lives in the world’s highest & coldest desert—a vast, arid Tibetan plateau in Himalaya called Changthang that extends from Tibet to Ladakh. Now young Changpas you can find them in modern outfits, but lives with their Pashmeena Goats and Ships.

+++ Simple Philosophy we must learn from Nomads of high altitude +++ I dont think so any modern schools can teach us such simple way liveing life. My yaks, sheep and goats are better than boxes of money, with my cattle I feel my life is going just fine. I'm not educated so I'll never get a high powered job. Herding yaks is all I know and is what I will do for the rest of my life. I'm proud to be a herdsman . I'm so lucky to have a job I love the most. My life is just fine, I live in mountain, just fresh pure air, water and food, that's all we need to be alive. Try to be with them few days if possible and learn way to live life in right way.

One of my porter on Chadar.. Yes smile does not cost you anything and gives you a lot.. i think thats why it is known as universal language.

You are on ICE highway you have fuel to burn and you need water to cook. This is very unique challenge on Chadar to get water and save fuel for onward journey .. what you need to do ? "You need to break ice and get water from river". The Chadar a 'veil' for the snow and ice that covers the river in winter is one of the great adventures of the world. To penetrate the Zanskar gorges in winter is a serious undertaking and Zanskaris you meet en route inevitably look at you Greet with Juley and askance, and reply 'Chadar?' with an unbelieving nod of the head; and then salute you as they go in Zanskari fashion.

Dark walk after Hit by An Avalanche.. From Chadar Expedition Archives !! I remember day too it was 26 Jan and we were hit by An avalanche .. Thanks to snow GOD we could escape finally without any injury. I can say it was rebirth ..

Getting Food in Highland of Changthang is not easy in winter days. Temperature range is -10 to -40 degree celsius in winter and hardly anything to find. Pashmeena goats are belong to Changpas. The Changpas, a semi-nomadic tribe that lives in the world’s highest & coldest desert—a vast, arid Tibetan plateau in Himalaya called Changthang that extends from Tibet to Ladakh. Nowadays young Changpas you can find them in modern outfits, but lives with their Pashmeena Goats and Ships.

One of my Chadar Expedition I saw a porter walking on ice with bare feet to save his shoes getting wet from melted ice and water .. great tribute to the river .. “Class six rapids in summer, classic winter highway for centuries — the River Zanskar in Ladakh, boasts many distinctions. The most recent thrust upon it has been that of offering the “wildest trek” in the world, where temperatures often goes to -30° at night and day -10° to -15° is normal, the ice puzzle constantly shifting to take your breath away, it’s a claim few dispute. There are few if any adventure treks on our planet to match the Chadar winter expedition for sheer, awe inspiring winter beauty and none to match it in terms of day to day challenge and excitement. Even today, when trekkers with crampons walked to their boots troop on behind local porters and guide, the locals pray for the river to forgive them.

Couple of months back I was in the village of Dang Forest with local tribe kid near Ahwa. Gujarat.

Korzok Winter Game In Winter kinds have nothing to do anytime is a game time for them, they really don't need expensive toys to keep them happy. A round box plastic cover and a piece of metal cable is enough to make a toy and they enjoy enough with lots of cheers !! The word ‘Korzok’ is a combination of two words, namely ‘Kor’ meaning a place in the Ladakhi language and ‘Zok’ which is said to be a came from the word ‘dzot-pa’ meaning “manager”. Zok and together with Kor came to be known as “Korzok”. One more explanation attributed is that shepherds working for the monasteries in the nearby hamlets kept the king’s cattle at this place, not only to tend them but to also extract milk, cheese and butter. Hence, the place came to be known as “Korzok”. It is said that the nomads were exploited by the Monastery as they were paid very meagre amounts for the services rendered. Hence the place was given the name 'Korzok' (meaning: acquired by unfair means) Please near by is known for a large lake near by - Tso Moriri