Like last year (click here), here is another round-up of some of the most memorable images taken over the past year. Click the photos to navigate to the associated full blog post. Happy viewing!

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How apt that the final post from India ends at the southernmost tip of the country at Kanyakumari, where three great seas meet - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. From certain locations, you can see sunrise and sunset over the water from the same place! First three photos are of sunset taken at the southernmost tip (although I didn't venture out onto the rocky boulders with the vicious monsoon waves!) and also from the sunset tower. The last three photos taken from the balcony of the Sea View hotel. This was my third visit (while on the theme of 3s!) to the holy pilgrimage site, and Kanyakumari has not yet failed to produce a magnificent sunrise and sunset!

"According to Hindu legend, Kanya Devi, an avatar of Parvati, was to marry Siva, but as he failed to show up on his wedding day, the rice and other grains meant for the wedding feast remained uncooked and remain unused thereafter. As the legend goes, the uncooked grains turned into stones as time went by. Some believe that the small stones on the shore today, which look like rice, are indeed grains from the wedding that was never solemnised. Kanya Devi is now considered a virgin goddess who blesses pilgrims and tourists who flock the town" (Wikipedia).

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tokina 19-35mm and Tamron 28-75mm lenses.

First photo taken along the lively Kovalam beach. Trivandram (officially and locally known as
Thiruvananthapuram) is the capital of Kerala and the zoological gardens are located in the grounds of the picturesque Napier Museum. Species from the zoo below are the lion-tailed macaque (local to South India), a gharial (crocodile family, another native Indian species), hippos and a majestic peacock!

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tokina 19-35mm and Minolta 70-210mm lenses.

Photos taken during trips on the Keralan backwaters, off the Vembanadu lake near Alleppey (Alappuzha) and Kumarakom. Staying in a relatively luxurious houseboat was a unique experience - being spoilt by having our own and very hospitable staff on board, and able to observe the changing waterscapes from our comfortable lounge deck. However you can't beat the stealthiness and magical serenity of a punting / row boat gliding through the smaller channels without the noise of the engine! The first photo was taken in the early hours of the morning from the banks of Muhamma.

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tokina 19-35mm and Minolta 70-210mm lenses.

The first photo is taken during an elephant ride through the spice plantations for which the fertile land of Thekkady is famous for. A nature walk and bamboo rafting the following day gave us opportunity to see fresh footprints of a huge Bengal tiger (unfortunately we didn't see one in the flesh!) Visiting during the off-peak monsoon, our small group of 7 were the only people, along with our guides, on the river and it really felt as if we had the National Park to ourselves.

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tamron 28-75mm lens.

During our day stopover in Bangalore, we were fortunate to catch the floral extravaganza taking place in the beautiful botanical gardens of Bangalore. The nine-day annual horticultural show celebrates Independence Day and Republic Day every August.

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tamron 28-75mm lens.

"With God’s blessings, our mission is to rehabilitate people with disabilities; to reach and to serve them through love and dedication with the ultimate goal of enabling independence." (ATD's Mission Statement).

Over the past 17 years, Ashirwad, under the love and dedication of Mr Rambhai Jadav, has grown to provide a number of services and helped thousands of differently-abled persons. The first 7 photos are taken at one of the three day-care centres being run in the district (see the post on the re-opening of the third Upasana centre here). Services are provided free-of-charge for almost 300 children with various disabilities from visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech impairment, deaf and dumb, mental impairments, cerebral palsy and many other multi-disabilities. The third photo has been taken in the multi-sensory and mobility park, created with equipment, colours, materials and textures specifically designed for fun, safety, education and development. An experience to stimulate their minds and senses and to enhance functionality of their limbs. Photo 8-9 are taken during the newly established self-help groups in which differently-abled and other women join together in saving and livelihood collectives. They are spread awareness of important causes. The last five photos show a few of the community-based rehabilitation projects in which hundreds of people are educated and given household and vocational training on their doorstep.

Other activities include physiotherapy, training disability field workers, assistive device camps and social awareness programmes. Further information can be seen at the Ashirwad website as well as pages 20-29 of the Raj Saubhag Janhit magazine.

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tamron 28-75mm lens.

Samprat is an orphanage for physically and mentally challenged children - many of whom have multiple disabilities - and our day-visit was truly a humbling experience. The organisation (with technical assistance from the Blind People's Association) started only about five years ago, operating on a piece of land given by the Government and out of a basic, one room shed with a tin roof. It has expanded to now have an assistive-device play room, separate kitchen and dining room and toilets. The core team of staff are extremely dedicated, some of who spend 24 hours a day lovingly caring for about 20 children. It was very rewarding to see staff overcome the immense challenges they face on a daily basis - several of the children are not lavatory trainable and the majority cannot feed themselves. Seeing the smile on their faces and a spark in their eyes reminded us how much we take for granted and how each and every young person deserves an opportunity to live their life to the fullest.

Although Samprat do not have a website, their contact details are below:
Address: Bilakha Road, Dungarpur, Junagadh, Gujarat 362263
(Opposite Nandkishor Nursery, Near Vijapurna Patiya)
Phone: (+91) 0285 290 4446 | Mobile: 09913236691 | Email: [email protected]

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tamron 28-75mm lens.

Photos taken during the spiritual festivities and celebrations of Guru Purnima (AKA Guru Poonam) in the presence of Param Pujya Bhaishree.  "That holy day has finally dawned for which seekers around the world have waited with bated breath. Few are those fortunate souls who's hearts have experienced the magical love for an enlightened master, and only they can speak of its mesmerising, soul churning effect upon them. And what better day to express their gratitude for their Guru, that this full moon day of the month of Ashad, better known as 'Guru Purnima'. " (Extract from Live with Bhaishree).

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 and Minolta 70-210mm f4 lenses.

Photos taken during three trip with Param Pujya Bhaishree to celebrate the 25th anniversary year of the Shrimad Rajchandra Gnaan Mandir in Rajkot.

Technical details: Sony a850 with Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 and Minolta 70-210mm f4 lenses.