M for Monsoon-Mountain-Memories

The scorching season of the summer has almost ended and we all are desperately waiting for the monsoon-everyone's favorite. This kicked me up to write something on rains and the memories associated with it.
In this blog I will be sharing my 'Monsoon Work' and also my love towards the gray clouds i.e. monsoon.

When it comes to speaking on Monsoon, I really get stuck up from where do I start? There are tons and tons of memories right from childhood where rain has played very crucial part in every stage of my life. I still remember school days when I used to come home all wet in the rain. Books getting wet and long scoldings from mom. But I cared a shit when it was between me and the rain. It was an affair which nobody can understand, and till date we are in relationship. I guess everyone has memories attached with this amazing season. As age accelerated, things also changed rapidly. Childhood rain was innocent but the grown up monsoon gets little selfish and many of us end up in the loneliness. The definition of the monsoon changes at every stage of life for each of us. Some find it sad, some find it romantic, some are in love with the green zones, some finds adventure in it, for some it is having a cup of coffee in the balcony, for some its time to get cozy with their love and so on. The list never ends and so are the showers.

Myself being a poet by heart, an artist by nature and a travel photographer by profession finds monsoon as a mix bag of all emotions residing in ourselves. I have seen all these stages during my three years of expeditions in the Sahyadris. For me monsoon is the only season which has capacity to pull out all your emotions,values and experiences just by standing under a huge gray clouds.

It was monsoon  which geared me up to hold camera in the midst of the sahyadris. I still remember my initial monsoon treks where I used to just stare at the rapid showers doing nothing but pouring every drop of it in my soul. This is where I started communicating with nature's one of the powerful element-WATER. As treks increased, my love for rains grew tremendously on each occasion. It became one of the most important part of my life and I started sharing everything with the rains. This may be because during my early days I was not a social person having selected group of friends and a kind of introvert personality. However things changed very rapidly during the course of time. Nature therapy is the best healing, as we know.

As far as photography is concerned I had no 'Teacher'. I am a self made photographer. But I must say that nature is undoubtedly my only teacher who taught me all aspects of life which resulted in my photography. It's teachings helped me flourish various dimensions of myself and also with my camera. Every time I take a picture of the monsoon, it pours out some hidden emotion which reflects in my work giving stunning result.

Here are some of my selected pictures which replicates my emotions through lens. Each photograph has some memory attached to it.

 I was standing on the edge of the waterfall and this view was at my backside. I turned casually and was stunned to see such a vast, thick, lush green forest of the Alibaag zone.

This was the shot I was clicking as mentioned under the first photo.

This a very famous location among trekkers - Fort Tailbaila. This is a magnificent wall with an interesting gap dividing it in two parts. I have written a separate blog on this describing its beauty. It has always been my favorite spot and I am so fortunate to capture this dramatize situation.

In the earlier picture we saw fort Tailbaila. And the above one show what we can see from the Tailbaila. It is such a gorgeous location and this rock attracted me to use it as a great subject for a 'Monsoon Landscape'.

Wandering randomly take us to a surprising location filled with tremendous beauty. Photographing here was bit tricky as climate was not favorable for Long Exposure Photography. However I had a strong determination to have this kind of picture at any cost. The rocky formation and water flow was just fantastic. Finally I got one picture worth a wait.

This shot was not on the plan, but seeing the elements I decided to give it a shot. Results were pretty much satisfying though.

This is one of the memorable waterfalls discovered with the help of my friend (in the photo). A day to remember. Thanks buddy.

The very famous- Takmak Tok on the fort Raigad. It was rainy evening of July and got some good stuff.

Muddy road cutting the green zone. Such trails make you feel lost in your own world. Birds chirping in their sweet voices, cool breeze touching your face smoothly as if nature is giving you a soft kiss.

The splendid view of the green velvet and those huge gray clouds planning to shower rapidly somewhere.

When the monsoon god decides to bombard a particular area. Look at those extra huge gray clouds filled with tons of water. And immediately after this click, it started raining like hell.

Walking down the waterfall route is always an mesmerizing experience. This was the starting point of the huge waterfall which was above that rock patch.

This is where my trail ended as described in the earlier picture.

The panoramic gathering of the rain clouds covering fort Tung as seen from fort Tikona. This entire area is simply awesome. Perfect for Landscape Photography.

I don't have a drone camera. So I end up climbing high summits and standing on the cliff in an attempt to capture 'Bird's eye view'. Totally a risky job but worth an effort.

Again an aerial view of the stunning sahyadris and lush green forest with beautiful river cutting the mighty rocks.

Once again it was time for some risky adventure to capture helicop view from the fort Sudhagad.

Trekking through waterfalls always fascinates me. It not only gives you stunning pictures but also immense joy of walking through water.

Sahyadri is a home to many species of flora and fauna. This one was very unique and it's color attracted me.

Sunsets in the monsoon are not the typical one. It has slight yellow cast and little warm hues spreading across the green velvet. This looks soothing and has an aura of it own.

Wandering never stops...

Forests under fort Mahuli is still one of the most thick forests of the western ghats. During monsoon its rich density of flora,fauna,mammals and waterfalls is on a different high level. You are constantly on a radar of many predators hiding behind lush vegetation. Mahuli's forest is my all time favorite. It has given me so much, yet I never dare to go here alone. This thrill excites me for more and more exploration and photography.

Mahuli Forest is something one must visit during monsoons. You will be awe struck by its beauty.

The breathtaking view of the 'Vanar Lingi' pinnacle taken from fort Sagargad, Alibag. This is a typical monsoon location with serene landscape and fresh forest.

A side angle view of the same pinnacle. Far away is the sea shore of revdanda.

The simply jaw dropping view of the famous 'Thosegar Waterfall' in Satara. If you are planning to visit one of the most stunning and huge waterfall this monsoon, then do visit here.

I just love standing on the edge of the waterfalls. This makes you more crazy towards nature.

This is my relaxing bed during monsoon. Taking a rest in the water is the best massage empowering all your nerves and soul too.

Your monsoon expeditions are incomplete without visiting Naneghat. This is perhaps the most favorite spot for many trekkers and photographers. Here winds are so strong that the waterfalls are pushed upwards. They can only reach ground after the wind stops. Crazy, isn't it?

Walking on the edges of fort Korigad during monsoon is superb feeling.

The mother nature is the best artist. How delicate and beautiful tiny flowers blooming over the cliffs of the sahyadris.

The green grass in the background appeared as an abstract form and a pair of bright yellow flowers added more aesthetics.

Water constantly motivates me. It has taught me to move forward regardless of any obstacles you face. The water flow in the above picture is just about to fall from the edge with no fear.

Walking beside small water bodies is a fun in itself. You got to a variety of things dependent on these sources. If you are a macro lover then such spots are heaven for sure.

Generally my landscape do not include human objects unless it is required strongly. However this rail lines attracted me enough to keep it as main element of the picture. Matheran is just amazing in monsoon.

Sahyadri is incomplete without its people. The tiny village settlements are a great subject to shoot. Villagers have always been kind enough with me and have helped me a lot. They take care of my Bike and Car which I park in their fences, they offer me food,water and any kind of help required. They usually ask me 'why do you roam in the forests and hills?'
I have no answer. Hahahahaha.

Rural Water Kingdom.
This is perhaps the most amazing water sport. Immediately after this shot, I joined these guys.


So its time to take your leave. I hope you guys enjoyed my monsoon safaris. I will be uploading more pictures and rain stories from the upcoming season. Till then have fun, roam a lot, love mother nature and the Sahyadris. Plz do comment and let me know your views.
Regards
-Aniket Kasture


Note- All pictures are my copyrights. Any type of usage will require permission of the Author Photographer