Jim Ankan Deka | Music, Photography and More

It took me almost four years to come out of my mundane, humdrum existence and start my five months journey in the North-east of India on June 12, 2015. I always believed in a quote by English writer and philosopher Gilbert K. Chesterton - "The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see." After visiting many places as a tourist, I wanted to see the world through a traveller's eyes. Yes, today I travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape me. My journey began in Meghalaya, a state in the North eastern region of India. Living Root Bridges in Mawlynnong, Asia's cleanest village (photo: Jim Ankan Deka) Khasi Heritage Village in Mawphlang (photo: Jim Ankan Deka) The Sacred Forest in Mawphlang (photo: Jim Ankan Deka) View of  the city of Shillong from the Shillong Peak (photo: Jim Ankan Deka | camera: Samsung Galaxy S4) A view from the Nongsder village (photo: Jim Ankan Deka | camera: Samsung Galaxy S4) Morning view in...

Road to Mudumalai National Park (photo - Jim Ankan Deka) "If you want to see tiger, go to a zoo; not a tiger reserve!" Says Nitesh, one of the officials of Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu. It was a bright sunny day when we reached the entrance of Mudumalai National Park. We already had rooms booked at The Nest Inn, a small but clean resort in Masinagudi (one of the five ranges of the wildlife sanctuary). The 180° panoramic view from the resort was actually astounding. The cool green background reminded me of my hometown in Assam of North East India. After checking in, we thought of going through the travel guidebook. First destination on the menu was the Moyar River, a tributary of Bhavani river which originates from a small town called Moyar along the Masinagudi. The moment we reached the river, which was actually very close to our resort, we got the stench of human excreta. What we thought to be a clean forest and animal destination, ended up becoming the lav...

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is a 1000 year old temple. The original temple, identified as one of the oldest temples of Karnataka, dates back to the 9th century A.D. The temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. There are three temples within the temple complex - Arunachaleswara, Uma Maheshwara and Bhoga Nandeeshwara. The other portion of the temple houses a large indoor water pond, called Sringeri Teertha and has rock cut steps on which 100,000 lamps are lit thrice a year on main festival days like Deepavali. Below are few pics of the temple. Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple (© Jim Ankan Deka) Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple (© Jim Ankan Deka) Temple Entrace (© Jim Ankan Deka) Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple (© Jim Ankan Deka) Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple (© Jim Ankan Deka) Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple (© Jim Ankan Deka) Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple (© Jim Ankan Deka) Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple (© Jim Ankan Deka) Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple (© Jim Ankan Deka) Sringeri Teertha (© Jim Ankan De...

Dasara festival is the main attraction of Mysore and Mysore Palace or the Amba Vilas Palace. 2013 Dasara is the 403rd edition of the annual royal festive gala event. Dasara is a 10-day festival. The last day, known as Vijayadashami is considered the most auspicious day of the event. After Taj Mahal, Mysore Palace is the most visited tourist spots in India. Below are few photos of the palace, the Shweta Varahaswamy temple and surroundings and the city at night. Corner and day view of the Mysore Palace at the time of Dasara Festival (Photo - Jim Ankan Deka) | 2013 A bronze lion statue in front of Shweta Varahaswamy temple at Mysore Palace (Photo - Jim Ankan Deka) | 2013 The entrance door of Shweta Varahaswamy temple at Mysore Palace (Photo - Jim Ankan Deka) | 2013 Side view of Mysore Palace, India (Photo - Jim Ankan Deka) | 2013 Main entrance of Mysore Palace, Karnataka, India (Photo - Jim Ankan Deka) | 2013 Mysore city at night on the occasion of Dasara fest...

Central Braille Press, Dehradun (© Jim Ankan Deka) Situated in one of the pristine parts of Dehradun known as the Rajpur Road, the Central Braille Press is the first press of its kind in India and one of the oldest braille presses in Asia. It was set up in Dehradun, Uttarakhand in 1951 after independence by the Government of India, Ministry of Welfare to make braille literature available to the blind. This was followed by the setting up of NIVH (National institute for the Visually Handicapped) in 1967 in an area of about 43 acres on Mussoorie-Dehradun Highway. It is a training centre for the blind. Central Braille Press, Dehradun (© Jim Ankan Deka) If you are in Dehradun for a day or two, you should not miss this place. The old British styled house gives a serene feeling and once you are inside the building there are many things to see, just like a museum. The old manual printing, cutting and perforating machines to the new age digital printing devices - all under the same roof...