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THROUGH THE LENS: Sunrise Over Angkor Wat

1/16/2018

16 Comments

 
Our first glimpse of Angkor Wat was at an unearthly hour of 4.30AM. Having slept fitfully to get up early, we made our way in the darkness to the temple and walked across the temporary causeway with just a torchlight to guide us on our way. The idea was to grab a place before the hordes of tourists landed to have a glimpse of the much vaunted sight. To our dismay we noticed that there were already scores of people who perhaps were camping in the place overnight! Sensing our disappointment, our guide gently shepherded us away from the crowd to a corner of the vast lotus pond. I gingerly made my way over the squishy ground and positioned myself on the edge of the pond. If someone had to obstruct my view he’d risk the chance of getting himself trapped in the pond!

We waited patiently for the next several minutes. The sky was still silky black and the stars were shimmering above. A deep silence of anticipation enveloped us. All eyes were on the horizon to catch the first glimpse of the rising sun.

Slowly a streak of blue light began to emerge on the horizon. The dim sky brightened moment by moment to outline the majestic structure. In a perfect second the sun peaked above temple caressing it with glorious veins of light. The temple towers and the swaying palm trees glowed in the early morning light and the sky bust into a melange of beautiful hues. The jewel of the Khmer empire was splendid in all its glory.  

It was possibly one of the most surreal spiritual experiences I have ever had in my life.
It is a moment that lingers within, even after the clicks of a hundred cameras faded away. It took a few minutes for the beauty of it all to sink in. There are scores photos floating around of "sunrise over Angkor Wat". I am almost wary of adding more to the pot .... but I guess each one is so different and each one of us sees the sunrise differently. I tried to take a few from different angles around the Temple area .... and that was not easy either as there were hundreds of people (if not thousands) also trying to do the same! Have a look at some of my ‘captures’ at: photos.app.goo.gl/kbuBZ6rIw3YlHywR2

Standing by the lotus pond

Gazing at the horizon
As I watch the play of light
The colors
Seep through the sky
Onto me
Waking up
Timeless songs
Of an undying past

Or in the words of the famous Hindi poet Bhawani Prasad Mishra..

सूरज का गोला

इसके पहले ही कि निकलता
चुपके से बोला, हमसे – तुमसे, इससे – उससे
कितनी चीजों से
“मेरे साथ – साथ सब निकलो
घने अंधेरे से
कब जागोगे, अगर न जागे, मेरे टेरे से?”

The ball of Sun,

before it steps out
Whispers to me, to you, to this and him,
to many other things,
Step out with me,
from the total darkness,
when you will be awake, if not, from my request?

Kindly post your comments here rather than in the Google Photos!
16 Comments
N.parameswaran
1/16/2018 09:04:53 pm

Tamaso maa jyotirgamaya gamaya.

Reply
Ragu
1/16/2018 09:49:45 pm

That says it all Parameswaran!

Reply
Prathap Tharyan
1/16/2018 09:37:55 pm

Ephemeral yet Timeless

Reply
Ragu
1/16/2018 09:50:08 pm

True Prathap!

Reply
Arun Kishore
1/16/2018 10:49:04 pm

Surreal, the word you used describes it all. One timeless entity illuminates another! I particularly liked the photo where you framed the temple in three palm trees. Excellent angle and lighting.

Reply
Ragu
1/16/2018 10:56:44 pm

Thanks Arun! The inspiration as always is beyond the lens (of the camera as well as the eye)!

Reply
M. Chandrasekaran Thiruvarur link
1/17/2018 04:33:44 am

Every one cooks food. But only a few become . master Chef .Similarly only j You can express and capture the mood deliciously.

Reply
Ragu
1/17/2018 09:04:24 am

Thanks Chandru! I am still a learner and hope to be a master sometime!

Reply
Paavannan
1/17/2018 08:53:44 am

As usual, the description is attractive. Gives a feel as if I am also standing by your side. The mass standing and waiting by the side of pond to watch the sunrise is really amazing. Whispering Sun and temple have made a great impression.

Reply
Ragu
1/17/2018 09:04:55 am

Thank You!

Reply
Ajay
1/17/2018 04:28:11 pm

The lighting of the photos is perfect! Fantastic photos.

Reply
Ragu
1/17/2018 06:50:14 pm

Thanks Ajay!

Reply
Nalini
1/18/2018 06:30:07 am

The sun rise appears to be slowly and steadily aiming at shredding to pieces the 'darkness of pessimism'. The one you have captured with the tree looks like crowning glory of the temples and rising sun. Thank you Sir for giving the opportunity to savor the same.

Reply
Soudhamini
1/18/2018 01:27:48 pm

Enchanting photographs, RR sir! Angkor Wat just moved up on my bucket list.

Reply
Dr Manjunath B R
1/29/2018 09:00:08 pm

The greatness human ability to dream and build is always amazing. The hour of sunrise has added dimensions to it.
Camera work is superb! The shot with the tree branches giving a three d effect, that between the palm trees and pond reflection shots are outstanding.
Your narrative is picturesque! Time to bring out a travelogue with photos.

Reply
Ragu
1/30/2018 07:26:05 am

Thank you! It’s truly an inspiring moment!

Reply



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    Dr Raguram

    Someone who keeps exploring beyond the boundaries of everyday life to savor and share those unforgettable moments....

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