2006 to 2008   India in pictures from the Himalayas

to the Arabian Sea.

India is a large and diverse country in South Asia with rich history, vibrant culture, and rapid development. It is the world’s largest democracy and the second most populous nation. India is famous for its ancient civilizations, colorful festivals, varied landscapes from the Himalayas to tropical beaches.

Places and moments represented in the following pics:

Himachal Pradesh is a scenic mountain state in the Himalayas with cool climate, snow-covered peaks, lush valleys, rivers, and forests. The state is rich in natural beauty, culture, temples, and traditional Himachal lifestyle. It is the home of The Lawrence School, Sanawar private boarding school located near Kasauli in Shimla Hills established in 1847. Its history, influence, and wealth have made it one of the most prestigious and oldest schools in the world. It is the oldest co-educational boarding school in Asia. Lord Mountbatten did preside over the school's centenary celebrations in 1947. During the event, he read a message from King George VI, and control of the school passed from the British Crown to the Government of India following India's independence.

Assam tea gardens in northeast India are large, green plantations where tea plants are grown on hills and slopes with misty weather, scenic landscapes; the largest high-quality tea producing region in the world. It spread across the Brahmaputra Valley, known for humid climate, rich soil, and heavy rainfall—perfect for growing strong, malty tea of deep color, bold flavor, and strong aroma. We stayed at Jorhat estate where Elephants are still used to pull out old, deep-rooted tea bushes. They can lift and drag heavy logs or roots without damaging the land; useful in hilly areas where tractors cannot work.

Kaziranga National Park with wide grasslands, swamps, forests, and rich wildlife. It has the largest population of the One-Horned Rhinoceros.

 Kolkata the stop over to Assam and perfect place to stay at he Royal Calcutta Golf Club established in 1829 which makes it the oldest golf club in India and the first outside Great Britain. Morning play with wild dogs watching.

Chandigarh is a modern and well-planned city in northern India. It is the capital of Punjab and Haryana and is known for its clean roads, organized layout, beautiful gardens, and modern architecture. The city was designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier.

 The Rock Garden close to Chandigarh is an amazing sculpture garden created by Nek Chand built using waste materials, broken ceramics, stones, tiles, glass pieces, and recycled objects. It features hundreds of creative sculptures, pathways, caves, and unique art spaces, waterfalls, bridges, and scenic views.

Haryana & Punjab are part of the major cotton belt. These areas produce a lot of cotton, and camel carts help transport it from villages to nearby towns in large sacks.

The Red Fort is a historic fort in Old Delhi, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1648. It is made of beautiful red sandstone. The fort was the main residence of Mughal emperors and is now a symbol of India’s heritage.

The Taj Mahal is a world-famous monument in Agra, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal made of pure white marble in perfect symmetry and beauty.

Kochi (Cochin) is a major coastal city in Kerala, South India famous for its beautiful backwaters, historic forts, beaches, spices, and cultural mix. Kochi has been influenced by Arab, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders for centuries, which makes it rich in history and architecture. A highlight are the Chinese Fishing Nets called Cheena Vala, large, wooden shore-operated nets seen along the the Periyar River.