DAILY PHOTO: Mountain Shrines

Taken in July of 2015 in Great Himalayan National Park

Taken in July of 2015 in Great Himalayan National Park

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DAILY PHOTO: Bombay Vada Pav Stands

Taken in November of 2015 in Mumbai

Taken in November of 2015 in Mumbai

 

This row of street food stalls is located across the street from Flora Fountain in Mumbai. They don’t all sell Vada Pav, but the most popular one does. (Alternative spellings: wada pav, vada paav, or vada pao)

FYI: Vada Pav is a delicious deep-fried, spiced potato ball served as a sandwich on a fluffy dinner roll style bun. It’s a Maharashtra specialty. There’s a video below if you’d like to see how they’re made or to make your own.

 

DAILY PHOTO: A Cotton-Pickin’ Truck

Taken in November of 2014 in Fardapur, India

Taken in November of 2014 in Fardapur, India

 

In India:

Q: “How high can you load that truck?”

A: “How high is the sky?”

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DAILY PHOTO: Festive Comings & Goings

Taken in October of 2015 in Khajuraho

Taken in October of 2015 in Khajuraho

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This is a parade procession that we passed as we were walking out to a couple of the Eastern Group of Temples at Khajuraho.

It was pretty typical, a tractor with a squawky loudspeaker playing music at about 100db beyond the speaker’s rating, pulling a trailer with a figure. There was color throwing and garlands. The works.

DAILY PHOTO: The Burning Ghat

Taken in October of 2015 in Varanasi

Taken in October of 2015 in Varanasi

Manikarnika is the main ghat for cremation on the Ganges in the city of Varanasi. It’s noted by its vast stacks of firewood and steady flame. In Hindu mythology, it’s said to be where Mata Sati’s ear ring fell when Shiva was carrying her to the Himalayas and it’s an important Hindu site for reasons beyond the burial rights conducted there.

 

[When the caste system was legal] one of India’s wealthiest untouchables ran operations at the ghat. Untouchables being the only caste considered suitable to do this work, but it being a lucrative operation.

 

Travelers beware, sadly, this area attracts con-artists as well as mourners.

DAILY PHOTO: The Time I Didn’t Say, “Close your mouth; you look stupid.”

Taken in October of 2013 at Bannerghatta

Taken in October of 2013 at Bannerghatta

 

Ordinarily, when you see someone slack-jawed, they look like an idiot, but something about this guy allowed him to pull it off. Therefore, I gave him a break and did not chastise him for letting his mouth hang open like a moron. But next time…

DAILY PHOTO: A House of Peppers

Children's Day at Cubbon Park in Bangalore

Children’s Day at Cubbon Park in Bangalore

Taken on November 15, 2015 in Cubbon Park

Taken on November 15, 2015 in Cubbon Park

DAILY PHOTO: Mysore Palace Lights

Taken in October of 2014 in Mysore

Taken in October of 2014 in Mysore

DAILY PHOTO: Rocky Ridgeline

Taken in July of 2015 in Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Kullu District

Taken in July of 2015 in Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Kullu District

DAILY PHOTO: Ghat Graffiti

Taken on October 24, 2015 in Varanasi

Taken on October 24, 2015 in Varanasi

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