A Journey Within

Vineeta Muni

Ang Tung valley—Ladakh

The Himalaya is the youngest mountain range in the world. Its vastness covers the entire northern frontier of India. The mountains buckle up between the high, arid Tibetan plateau to the north and the low-lying plains of Ganges in the south.

The fauna and flora found within the Himalayan landscape are as unique as the civilizations that have endured the harsh surroundings and yet created richly diverse mountain cultures.

For centuries people from all walks of life have been visiting these mountains. Some come for pilgrimage, others to test themselves against the peaks, at least as many simply for the wonder and delight in being surrounded by their immense beauty.

Being a pilgrim of the Himalaya for more than three decades as a trekker and mountaineer, during lockdown it was hard to be unable to make my annual visit. Here I find solace from more mundane parts of my life! On one such day during the pandemic, my thoughts turned to my photographic memoir that was available within the safety of my home.

Ang Tung valley—Ladakh

Binsar—Kumaon

Inspiration - Karakoram Pinnacles

Wetlands of Ladakh—Ang Tung valley

View from Khingur La—Unta Dhura is seen on the horizon

It was a turning point. Of the few thousand images from my photo library, a selection spoke to me. This was not because they are the best landscape photographs, but because these images took me to places with deep meaning, reminded me of the feelings that fill me when I am physically among the mountains. It was as if the Himalaya was communicating through these images.

I have often heard about the major five elements of nature that govern our planet. I was surprised to realize how Earth, Water, Fire, Sky and Ether were all evoked by these images. This is where a journey within the realm of virtual experience took me during the lockdown, something that helped me endure the pandemic, showing me the value of memories and imagination.

Summary

Vineeta Muni describes revisiting the Himalaya through memories and her imagination. This piece includes a selection of her paintings and photographs that helped her remember the mountains when she was unable to visit them.

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