Glorious Kanchanjungha

It was a frantic effort to take a shot of the elusive Kanchanjungha; one of the few highest peaks of the world which looks at mortals roaming on earth from its high and lofty seat above all, by the mobile phone or camera exquisite to keep her close to our heart thereafter but rainy season was the stumbling block; it was the end of a typical summer thirst for rains to quench it the rain arrived in the hills first. Darjeeling could not be approached; closed by Bandh, as if a seize by foreign elements. Pelling wasn’t that suitable place due to clouds and rains creating haze though we took few illusive snaps of the majestic peaks arranged in series. We drove to Kaluk then and stayed put for a few days with determination to shoot making best use of the season cloudy and rainy before it engulfed us entirely. Nights would end before clocks could strike four we’re ready to make a score; light of dawn greeted us with blessing but Nature played hide and seek with clouds and rains, haze and lightning. Every moment seemed better than before; when we’re ready to score clouds blocked the sunrays on the majestic peaks leaving us eagerly to seek the moment again. Sometimes big white cloud-boats sailed sometimes darkening hounds bayed over the mountains. Clouds became pregnant with rains; particles of water blurred our views soon they fell all around over the hills and dales, woods and rivers. At intervals morning Sun greeted the snow covered peeks with its golden rays and the silvery heads of the mountain held their sway; we snapped them before they were fade but next moment they became more accurate, swaying from side to side, the glorious peaks challenged the beauty of each other, each next moment differed from the earlier keeping us away from the best forever. It went on for some days; tied to the views of the peaks seeking the best opportunities we remained for hours thus before we’re prepared for the morning routines and breakfast. At the end of our stay we viewed our closing stock to find that the glorious peaks neither deceived us nor eluded; each of us has preserved the exquisite images of the Golden Sun glowing in love and the peaks dazzling in answer. Like us many of the visitors have snapped you before each one of them has kept his treasure which may be forgotten or lost in the course of time; we promise to keep you close to our heart with care though time knows that nothing remains even when rare. O Kanchanjungha, glory to thee! you are worshipped by locals and millions of devotees we too while parting worship you, the deity of the hills. @ Aju Mukhopadhyay, 2017