Uttarakhand
Published on 03/04/2022
Comments 76

A Park in the Forest: A short Walk in the Jungles of Almora

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The last descent of the sun, unlike the day, feels leaving us the fastest. And how each day then once consumed, becomes thought of the night. Turning into complexly connected dreams in sleep. Each moment. Every missed yes, becomes only a memory once its gone and done with.

Deep in the valley of Almora, there is a temple hidden in the oasis of many layers of devdars called Chitai Mata Temple or the Golu Devta Temple. On a cold morning when i decided to walk through the jungle of celestial trees, i didn’t know that i will never reach there. Not because villagers told me it was far. Or because i got frightened as villagers tried to stop me for the tiger might find me alone. To tell you, this the story of every mountain. For each valley you will visit, you will find one fearless man telling you to fear. For a tiger or two, or certainly a bear might arrive. And as always. I left.

But as I left to not reach, i wandered as the jungle became dense, and even slept. Waking up to the flute i played for myself, taken up by many birds instead, pushing me to move, to walk but when i this time i started parading, appeared from no where, not even from behind my eyes, a world of wonder where there were only swings and swings every where. All around me. No one else. But a woman. An old woman with a bucket, slowly pouring water to the plants i did not see.

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Sharing some images from that unfinished walk which i called ‘Simtola’.

The first ascent towards the Jungle
An old abandoned mud bungalow from the colonial times
High Chimneys of the olden times which are absent from newer structures
I was told about the couple who died during the Pandemic, lived here and leaving this estate all empty and on its own.
I asked the way, while they were themselves finding theirs
A small temple structure on the trail
Can clouds be the way to joy. I had a beautiful time exploring the sky this time. Observing closely and documenting their changing pattern most times looking upwards.
Found some women on the way, going to their village nearby
Beautiful city of Almora, Uttarakhand
Swings arrived like futuristic structures in the middle of a Jungle walk
They were spread throughout the mountain, as i am only sharing a few to not repeat looking us at similar looking swings
Felt hungry, and found a short cut to come down to the road to have some chai and halwa


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Thank you.

If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road to Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste


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I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly;

Lessons as a Traveller from several years on the road, before you coarse on your own Road to Nara.


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If you wish to contribute to my travels, or towards My School you can please do so here

If you have anything to share, or feel like saying a hello, please write to me at nara@road-to-nara.com

To visit other long-term photographic works, you can visit here.


To follow my walks through the rural Indian Subcontinent, find me at 
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Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

76 Comments

  3. Hauntingcomforts says

    Love your descriptions, definitely draws me into the forest!

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      Caro, thank you for your kind comment. Yes, it is going to be such a tale that where ever I or us, go someone or the other must have been affected by this pandemic.

      I stayed very well, and you will see in the coming post the jungle, the cottage and the divinity which even called westerners like Carl Jung, Bob Dylan, Cat stevens amongst few. You would love it i know.

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  7. gabychops says

    This short tale of your walk through the woods is enchanting, Narayan because apart from the atmosphere of this beautiful place, you have described it so eloquently, that I could smell the earth, the freshness of the air, added by the excellent photos of the fascinating sky.
    Although, how you have achieved such a result is a mystery since you walked looking up at the unusual shapes of the clouds. Playing flute could have some creatures following you, and that would be a story to tell. I hope that you will take us again into this forest as I think there might be more things to be found in the village, apart from this magnificent-looking halva and refreshing chai. Good to hear that people are no longer suffering from the virus.
    Thank you, Narayan, for taking us away from the realities of the depressing news,
    and into Nature, the healer.

    Joanna x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      You are so accurate my dear Joanna, as indeed playing flute has given me some experience which only an instrument player can understand. I am not at all good in first place but know a couple of times when cows and sheeps starting following me.

      Thank you so much for your beautiful words Joanna, as this was only an introduction to the forests of Almora, a place known for swamiji’s abode here.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      The shape of the clouds only guided me to follow a pattern and light towards a ridge, where many decades ago, Bob Dylan himself must have played under these trees, and probably similar forming clouds. Thank you Joanna, for your uplifting words.

      Narayan x

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      • gabychops says

        My pleasure, Narayan, but write some more. And you are right about cows being interested in music, as it was noticed that cows in the field close to a music festival moved to the side of the field where they could listen to performances.
        Just one suggestion here: I am sure that we would, your readers (as cows are not reading your post) love to have a video of you playing your flute. Could you oblige?

        Joanna x

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        • Narayan Kaudinya says

          my dearest nature, i am no good a musician. But i will take that suggestion and whenever it shall happen, i will share.

          I cannot miss the pun and the humour you do and say words with. Have a great day dearest.

          Narayan x

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  8. anne leueen says

    These photos of the forest are beautiful. What interests me is that the people in the photos are so clearly from the other side of the world but the playground swings , slides and ladders could be anywhere in Ontario or in Florida where I am now. They seem to be universal.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      You are so right dear Anne. Somewhere our world is coming towards a certain level of similarity. With airports, shopping complexes, malls, most state buildings and architecture and now even parks. Really cannot decipher if it is exciting or is it the death of curiosity.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      Padamja, thank you for your curious comment. It was an important visit and i did enjoy it of course. This post also comes as an into to the article that is coming next week where we will travel to somewhere very important, not only for our eyes and body but for the spirit.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Cindy Georgakas says

    This is beautiful Nara and I so love your reaching beyond always to follow your bliss and share it with us.
    💖💖💖
    “For a tiger or two, or certainly a bear might arrive. And as always. I left.”

    And stunning pictures! 💖

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  13. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet says

    My heart beat very fast this morning as I looked at your gorgeous photos, Narayan. The clouds, the tall pine trees, the playground in the middle of the forest, and the photo overlooking the gorgeous town all are enchanting! How poignant the photo of the empty house where the people died of covid is! The abandoned house is such a concrete and visual symbol of worldwide suffering and death. Thank you so much for this inspiring post! ❤

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      Why was your heart beat so fast dear Cheryl? I hope looking at the forest corrected it soon and well.

      Its going to be long summers if everything goes fine dear Cheryl, and i hope to bring many a forests for you from the Himalayas.

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  14. Alison and Don says

    What a sweet walk. Your descriptions are wonderful and drew me right in. I’ve spent some time in Rishikesh and love that part of India.
    Alison

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  15. Michael Graeme says

    Beautifully written, Narayan. As always you capture not just the sense of place, but the mood, and the culture. It was a pleasure to walk with you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      And it is a pleasure to have you walking along, always. I really wish that someday you sit and really plan to come over for sometime.

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  17. Amrita says

    Your words paint such a beautiful picture and then those pictures are divine images, in their own right.

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  18. thelongview says

    Lovely pics, Narayan – brought back some great memories. The swings are intriguing, as is your narrative, always – mysterious and intriguing!

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  20. KK says

    Around 20 years back I had visited Almora, but I had not realised then the place was so beautiful. Your eyes and camera capture the things so beautifully. The pictures are mesmerising. Thank you, Narayan ji, for bringing Almora live.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      Twenty years is a long time Kaushal Ji, given how fast the world has changed around us.

      I will be happy to take you along on another post soon, on Almora and around.

      It was indeed a beautiful day Kaushal. Much thanks for your appreciation.

      Narayan x

      Liked by 1 person

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      • KK says

        You’re right, Narayan ji, change is inevitable. Every time I visit Varanasi, I find some new things. Thank you. Looking forward to your next post.

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        Reply
  21. Yeah, Another Blogger says

    “I asked the way, while they were themselves finding theirs.” — I like this phrase of yours a lot. There are quite a few life situations to which it applies. Neil S.

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  22. K.Hartless says

    Clouds sure bring me joy. The perfect quilt to sleep under or summer’s day nap of a fantasy world yet to be explored. 💜

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      Perfect Quilt to sleep under. Such a beautiful comment K. Lovely to have read on your blog that you have taught on so many continents. So many memories, thank you so much for this gift.

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  23. Arun Singha says

    Excellent description over Almorah.
    I wish to visit the place.
    All pictures are fantastic 👍☺️
    Let’s see when I can see through my eyes.
    Take care
    Regards 😊🙏❤️

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