Visions of Elephants and Maharajs: A Trip Thru India

Man carrying a block of ice

Taj Mahal

    Memories of India

  When one thinks about India several images come to mind, like that of the Taj Mahal. And while the Taj Mahal is a good a place to start an Indian adventure it is certainly not the end. In 2007 and 2008 I traveled solo through India from Delhi in the North to Jaisalmer and the Thar desert in the West, to Trivandrum in the South. After meeting good people and bad, and traveling through deserts and rainforests, I came to the conclusion that India is a land of many histories and stark contrasts.

Old Man in a Desert

Fatehpur Sikri, The Ghost City

  I learned that an amazing amount of religions are practiced side by side in India. Four world religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—originated here, whereas Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam arrived in the 1st millennium and also helped shape the region's diverse culture. Some of my favorite architecture had obvious Persian influence, made from the abundant red colored sandstone. The buildings are very picturesque, as are the people. It is a wonderful place for a photographer. However, I did say stark contrast...

Massive doors in the golden city

Introspection

   Around the corner from ancient palaces and maharajah temples, an incredible amount of poverty awaits to give you the shocking reality. India has a lot of people. Over 1.2 billion people live in this country. Health care, unemployment, years of strict class systems including an untouchable class, has left the cities bulging at the seams. It is impossible to miss. And unfortunately, this population was introduced to plastics well before being educated on its everlasting properties. Use to biodegradable trash, people here don't think twice about tossing trash from train windows, on street corners, or in ditches. Now with the influx of plastic and the needs of 1.2 billion, the trash situation is getting much, much worse.

Jah Mahal (Water Palace)--Octopussy's home

Uttarayan, rooftops filled with kites

Then there is the wildlife. For a person like me who is so into nature and wild animals, India can be a heart breaking experience. Here you can see some of the most incredible animals in the world, from tigers to Indian elephants, it is all disappearing at an alarming rate.

Southern India

   Even with all the downsides I am ever the optimist. A new middle class is growing. Conservation groups are converging. And with the lure of exotic cuisine, incredible world heritage sites, and colorful festivals like the kite festival of Ahmedabad, hopefully India has a bright future ahead. One worth checking out.

Fishing style of Kerala

You never know what might be coming down the street