Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 6: Trekking in Munsyari and thrilling jeep journey

✪  Beautiful trek on a village trail
✪  Mountain- lifestyle making people strong
✪  Simple people supporting each other
✪  Amazing views of Himalaya!
✪  Golden evening at Satgarh

Dawn of 9th December! Last sky watching session at Munsyari! Enjoyed the sky till last moment. Enjoyed the shining Pancha Chuli peaks in the Moonlight. Also enjoyed the cold weather! Packed the telescope after it was daylight. Left for the village trail after first round of tea. Feeling very blissful in the soft sunlight of the morning. Yesterday I had walked to one nice place in the town and now will explore it further 

(Here you can listen my article in audio format.)

Himalayan views with a beautiful song can be seen here.

Munsyari town! It is a block headquarter and almost the largest town in north side of Pithauragarh district. Many women are walking on the road along with a cylinder on their shoulders. So many, that I felt that this may be the only day of the month for getting the cylinders. And here there are no auto rikshaws, so they may be carrying it themselves. Later on I came to know that cylinder is available every day and the women carry it this way only. I also saw women carrying other bulky objects. 

 

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 5: Sky watching from Munsyari

✪  Interactions with a visually impaired singer
✪  Ursa Major, Arcturus and Pancha- Chuli peaks!
✪  Glorious night sky and star trails!
✪  Finally could capture the Moon- rise
✪  Joy of starry sky with the Milky way
✪  Warmth of tea in a dangerous cold climate!

Got up at 4 am on the dawn of 7th December. Extremely cold weather in Munsyari! But was too eager to watch the sky! Gathered some courage and came out of the room. Oh! What a sight this is! Ursa Major is up and so above the horizon! Of course, its reason being North position of Munsyari. Even yesterday night Cassiopeia constellation was also quite up. In the dawn, bright Jupiter, Regulus, Castor and Pollux, Sirius, Arcturus and Spica are shining! Many artificial satellites are also visible. Slowly the day is breaking. Observing through the telescope is very difficult. Removing the lid on the telescope was difficult! Fingers are getting numb. Observed through the telescope for some time. In the East, there is one bright star. It cannot be Venus. There is no such a bright star near Libra. Surely, it is Mercury. Observed it for half an hour!

 

Moonrise video- Moon rising from behind Pancha Chuli peaks
 

8 hour time-lapse video from Cassiopeia to Ursa Major

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 4: Towards thrilling Munsyari!

✪  Jeep ride on a treacherous route in Uttarakhand
✪  On the bank of Gori Ganga river
✪  Memories of relief work in Jauljibi villages
✪  Munsyari- A mesmerizing village
✪  Trek to Nanda Devi Mandir
✪  Moonrise on the backdrop of Pancha Chuli peaks!

I left Satgarh on the dawn of 6th December. It is just daylight and the jeep arrived. Aditya dropped me on the road. I took the back seat. I have my telescope and binocular with me. From Satgarh Munsiyari is not much- 108 kms. But entire the route is mountainous with difficult terrain! Therefore around 4-5 hours are needed. The continuously turning road. In order to avoid vomiting, I decided that I would not eat anything till I reach Munsiyari. I had followed this during Tanakpur- Pithauragarh journey also. My experience tells me that it is useful.

(Here you can listen my article in audio format.)

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 3: Satgarh- A dream village in Himalaya!

✪  Sky watching in severe cold weather
✪  Farms on slope, small houses and distant villages obscured by fog!
✪  Trekking in serene nature
✪  Saffron snow- peaks in the evening
✪  "Watch, the tiger is standing there!"

Satgarh! Woke up at 4:30 am on 5th December. So severe cold outside! Sky watching from the terrace is next to impossible! It is almost trying to settle on a Perth pitch. But the sky is so mesmerizing! So the sky defied the cold weather. Although the Moon is shining brilliantly, it is now low in the West. There is bright Jupiter near the Moon. Sirius is low towards South. In the East, there are many stars. The Ursa Major are rising high in the sky! The Leo constellation is clear. I set the mobile for astrophotography. Hands are shaking. But oh beauty! What a blissful dawn! Slowly the birds started chirping!

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 2: Trekking in Pithauragarh

The morning of 3rd December! Yesterday I had to spend the night in the open at the bus stop. The bus had left at around 3 am. The ghat- journey at the dawn! The night was so long, I was wondering when will it last! But surprisingly the night was quickly over like a timelapse! When the bus stopped at Champawat for tea, it was twilight. Mountain ranges everywhere! Spiral roads! Sparse houses in the mountains and farming on the slopes! This road comes under Hirak project of "BRO". Then Lohaghat, Gurna and Pithauragarh! The road was not closed anywhere and there was not much traffic also. Reached Pithauragarh at 8:30 am.  

(Here you can listen this article.)

Relatives coming for the marriage are supposed to stay at one hotel. But this Pithauragarh! A city at around 1600 meter elevation. Snow- capped mountains are visible in the distance! I started my walk with the gentle sunshine. Asked directions to some boys and they showed me the short cut path- the walkway! Pahari people are very genuine. Had a wonderful small walk with them. Then met relatives from the side of my wife. It was a good meeting and dialogue. Later on I took ample rest. 

As it is December, the Sun sets here quite early! It is dark after 5:30 pm. The afternoon is not that cold, but the evening is very cold. I observed the night sky from the hotel terrace. There are plenty of city lights and also the Moon is almost full. So for clear sky, I need to wait a bit.

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 1: Preface

Hello! recently I had gone to the Himalaya for sky watching and for trekking. It was such a great experience, so overwhelming experience that I am compelled to write about it. I had gone to Uttarakhand for around 8 days. There was one marriage in Pithoragarh. So I had gone there. After that I went to Munsyari village which is around 100 KM from Tibet border. It is right in the middle of the Himalayas and it is surrounded by mountain peaks! 

Such a great experience it is always to go to the Himalaya! I left Mumbai on 1st December and my train took me to Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. From Bareilly, I went to Tanakpur by bus. Incidentally just before arriving to Bareilly station, I observed a leopard in a Farm near Bareilly! So these days wild animals and leopards are everywhere. I could witness this. For sometime I had to stay at Tanakpur as the buses in the mountains in Himalaya do not travel at night. It was very cold but I had to wait at the bus stop. It was very much cold and it was just a glimpse of how the coming days would be like. 

(Here you can listen this article: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GFJsmxWFKovgAMhKEh5t0?si=zu9mFrTzSKek7OzDy3z4Sg )

Total darkness, comet and assembly of stars

✪ Wonderful view of comet Lemmon
✪ White band of the Milky way and shining Andromeda galaxy
✪ Transit of a plane while watching sun spots!
✪ Stars emerging from behind mountains
✪ Almost a plane tried to catch an artificial satellite
✪ Shinin ISS- almost its can cast shadows
✪ Special comet and Leonid meteor shower sky watching session on 14- 15 November

You are at such a place where there are no lights. Slowly the darkness is falling. The sun is set. Sun- glow is fading. Tikona and other mountains at a distance are fading. This place is on a hill. Darkness is increasing and stars are arriving one by one and they are led by Vega and Altar. Shortly, it is all dark and the sky is glowing! Firstly bright stars, then medium stars and then faint stars! And oh, even the white band of our Milkyway! Such a glorious sky! And of course, now the comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon has to show up! My telescope revealed its bright nucleus and long beautiful tail! I could observe it for half an hour and also capture it. After the comet, the Milky- way band in Sagittarius region, Great Hercules cluster (M13), Perseus double cluster and Andromeda Galaxy (M 31)! Binacular is showing plenty of stars everywhere! 61 Cygni, Alya, Delta Lyrae, Gama Velorium and other binary stars were observed! 

 

(My photos of stars can be seen here.)

A girl from Nanded who clean bowled Mithali Raj!

Hello. Congrats to the Indian eves team and also congrats to those congratulating them! A very different revolution is happening. Not only for the girls' sports, but also for the sports in general. Yesterday when Mithali Raj was felicitating the players, I was reminded about a girl from Nanded in Maharashtra who had clean bowled Mithali Raj! Mithali played for India for 23 years, from 1999 to 2022. She holds the record for fastest Indian to complete 1000 ODI runs. When she was the captain in 2008, she would travel a lot to find new players. At that time, she had come to Nanded and a 16- year old junior girl had clean bowled her! Mithali appreciated her and gave guidance. 

मुलांच्या निसर्ग शिबिराचा आनंद सोहळा!

मुलांच्या निसर्ग शिबिराचा आनंद सोहळा!

ओढा, स्विमिंग पूल, बेडकं, खेकडोंगर ट्रेक‌ आणि मस्ती की पाठशाला 

✪ पानी‌ में शिरा और मस्त पोहा!
✪ अंजवेलमधलं भूताचं झाड आणि साप
✪ जोडसाखळी, विष- अमृत, नौकायुद्ध आणि रस्सीखेच
✪ "विराट कोळी" आणि झाडावरच्या लढाऊ मुंग्या! 
✪ तोडलेल्या फेविकॉलच्या जोड्या आणि पाठलाग
✪ खजिन्याचा शोध आणि तुंग- तिकोना
✪ हेलिकॉप्टर उडवणारे काका आणि वेगळ्याच गप्पा
✪ अंजनवेलची आपुलकी आणि घरपण
✪ सारखी तीच ती‌ संख्या कशी येतेय?
✪ चंद्र- सूर्य आणि ग्रह- तारे
✪ मुलांचा स्वत: खेळण्याचा उत्साह आणि आनंद
✪ शिबिरातले खास टॉम अँड जेरी!
✪ मस्ती, खेळ, लढाई, टीम वर्क आणि टीम स्पिरिट

नमस्कार. नुकतंच मुलांसाठीचं तीन दिवसीय शिबिर शिळिंबमधल्या अंजनवेलला झालं. अजूनही शिबिराचा हँगओव्हर जात नाहीय. ह्या शिबिरात खूप सुंदर गोष्टी अनुभवता आल्या. मुलांकडून व सगळ्यांकडून खूप काही‌ शिकता आलं. त्या आठवणी शब्दबद्ध करण्याचा हा प्रयत्न. बसमधून मुलांना घेऊन निघताना मनात थोडी धाकधुक आहे. मुलांसाठी सत्र व छोटे उपक्रम अनेकदा घेतले आहेत, पण पूर्ण तीन दिवसीय शिबिर घेण्याची ही पहिलीच वेळ! धायरी- कात्रजवरून मुलांना घेत घेत निघालो. चांदणी चौकात शिबिरातली सर्वांत लहान ८ वर्षांची वेदिका आणि इतर चौघे आले आणि बस निघाली! चांदणी चौकात रस्ता चुकण्याचा कार्यक्रम झालाच! पण मृणाल ताई आणि ऋतुराज दादांनी मुलांना अजिबात कंटाळा येऊ दिला नाही. भेंड्या, गाणी आणि गमती सुरू झाल्या. पिरंगुट- पौड- कोळवण मार्गे अंजनवेलचा प्रवास होत गेला आणि उलटीचाही कार्यक्रम सुरू झाला. मृणाल ताई मुलांची काळजी घेत आहेत आणि मुलंही तयारीची आहेत. त्यामुळे उलटी होऊनही कोणाचं हसू थांबत नाहीय!

जवन गावात आणखी छोटे चँपियन्स सोबत आले! सकाळी ९.३० ला अंजनवेलला पोहचलो आणि तिथे अगदी जंगी स्वागत आणि "शिवाजी महाराज की जय" व इतर घोषणांनी अंजनवेल निनादून गेलं! पहिल्यांदाच इथे येणारी व शिबिरालाही पहिल्यांदाच येणारी मुलंही हळु हळु खुलली. सामान डॉर्मिटरीमध्ये ठेवल्यावर व नाश्ता झाल्यावर मुलांनी परिसरात हुंदडायला सुरूवात केली! अंजनवेलचा जगप्रसिद्ध ओढा! मृणाल ताई व ऋतुराज दादा सोबतीला आहेत. काही वेळ मुलांनी ओढ्याचा आनंद घेतल्यावर त्यांना थांबवलं. मुलांसाठी बोर्नव्हिटा दुध तयार आहे! 

थोडा वेळ इन्डोअर खेळ खेळल्यावर परत एकदा सगळ्यांनी ओळख करून दिली.  मुलांचे दोन गट केले. एका गटाने तुंग नाव घेतलं तर दुस-याने तिकोना! नवीन मित्र- मैत्रिणी व्हावीत म्हणून फेविकॉलच्या जोड्यांना तोडून वेगळं केलं! मुलं विक्रांत सरांसोबत फार्म टूअरला निघाली. सरांनी फार्म टूअरमध्ये अंजनवेलची खूप चांगली ओळख करून दिली. रमेशकाका जगताप ह्यांनी उतारावरच्या पडीक जमिनीतून हिरवीगार परिसर कसा उभा केला, कशी झाडं लावली, कसं‌ पाणी अडवलं, कसं ते वाढत गेलं हे सरांनी सांगितलं. अंजनवेलमधली माड, सोनचाफा, वेगळ्या बटाट्याचं झाड अशी झाडं, उंच झाडावर लढाऊ मुंग्यांनी केलेलं घरटं अशा खूप गमती‌ सरांनी दाखवल्या. रोपवाटिका आणि परिसरातून जाताना सरांनी खेकड्याचं बिळही दाखवलं! लाखो वर्षं पाणी झिरपून तयार झालेली रांजण खळगी त्यांनी दाखवली! आणि हो, अंजनवेलमधल्या भुताच्या झाडाची माहितीही दिली! गायरान सुरक्षित राहावं म्हणून एका झाडाला भुताचं झाड म्हंटलं जायचं!  सरांनी सांगितलं की, अंजनवेलमध्ये निसर्ग खूप समृद्ध आहे. इथे सापही आहेत. पण ते विषारी नाहीत आणि कोणाला त्रासही‌ देत नाहीत.

Interactive session by Dr. Sachin Nagarkar- Sexuality of special persons

Thought provoking guidance on an important subject

✪ Sexuality is there- right from time in the womb to death
✪ We do so much for dogs, why not for our children?
✪ A father crying in the workshop
✪ Need for acceptance and appropriation
✪ 65% internet is used for porn
✪ MC is not a problem
✪ Need for sensitivity, companionship and support system
✪ Remedies and solutions are available!

Hello. Today, 10th October is Mental Health Awareness day. Recently I attended one thought provoking lecture by Dr. Sachin Nagarkar. He has over 30 years of experience of guiding regarding physical needs and sexual awareness of the specially- abled persons. This programme was organized Saptrishi Foundation in collaboration with Sobati Divyang Group, Nirvan Divyang organization and Abhisar Foundation and it took place in Divyang Bhavan, Pimpari. Dr. Nagarkar delivered a dialogue which sometimes made one cry, sometimes laugh and also introspect. His guidance is significant not only for special persons, but all. Sharing major points of his narration.

Dr. Nagarkar sir elaborated the background in detail. He told that sexuality is natural and innate. Intellectually disabled or differently- abled persons also have sexual emotions and sexuality. Appropriate expressions and release of this sexuality is necessary. When this does not happen, such children and adults become angry or more upset. It is the stress caused by blocking of natural needs and emotions. It is a natural reaction of stress caused due to blocking of natural needs. Sir told that we need to understand their sexuality and help them release it appropriately. 

 

Thrill of observing Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)

Great exhibition of Nature in Anjanvel!
✪ Currently two comets can be observed through a small telescope
✪ Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)- A guest arrived after 1396 years!
✪ Finally the sky is clear and how!
✪ Cloud, rain and then rain of dew in Ajnanvel
✪ Roar of water stream in silent night, clear sky and stars a plenty
✪ Mountains relaxing under the blanket of fog
✪ Blooming of glorious flowers and Sahyadri's magic
✪ Comet observation session and winter camps for children in Anjanvel, Maval

Hello. Currently, two comets can be observed through a small telescope: C/2025 R2 (SWAN) and C/2025 A6 (Lemmon). C/2025 R2 (SWAN) was found accidentally when it had come near the Sun. Now the sky is mostly clear as the monsoon is almost over.  These two comets can also be observed from city if the sky conditions are good. But my best and affectionate location for sky watching is Anjanvel near Lonavala! Yesterday I went there with my friend Gireesh Mandhale. We had taken two telescopes and one binacular with us. On the route, we witnessed some colossal mountain ranges of Sahyadri! Wonderful landscape near Hadashi lake. But there are clouds. And later on its is actually raining! Tikona fort is hidden behind the clouds! How about the sky watching, the question arises. 
 

Water is receding, but...

Hello. In many parts of our country there are floods these days. People have been greatly suffered from this. It is going to take much time to recover rom this. After the climate change with changes in the landscape due to our new lifestyle, such floods are almost inevitable. How much difference the Government, NDRF and relief- organizations will be able to make is a huge question. Now water is receding, but we need to extend our help. I have made a contribution and you can also contribute. You can contribute to any deserving organization or any organization you know about. You can use the attached QR code to contribute to Seva Bharati, Deogiri which is working in central Maharashtra region for relief as well as reconstruction work.

The help may be small, but it shows our connectedness. Along with helping, this is also the time of reflecting and asking questions to ourself. For fitness and finance, it is said that little bit of discomfort is very good. Everything should not be very smooth. Some toiling is necessary. Little bit of discomfort is very comfortable in the long run. The same is true about our lifestyle. We destroyed trees for facilities, constructed and removed open land. We buried small water streams. We also encroached sea. It was the encroachment on the nature. But nature is repeatedly telling us that it can also not contain itself. What belongs to Nature will be reclaimed by Nature. Therefore it is the time to wake up and be aware. We need to anticipate it and plan accordingly and also correct our lifestyle. 

Thank you. Can share with near ones. -Niranjan Welankar 09422108376. 30 September 2025.

 

पूर ओसरतोय, पण...

नमस्कार. महाराष्ट्रातल्या कित्येक जिल्ह्यांमध्ये आत्ता पूरस्थिती आहे. अहिल्यानगर, बीड, धाराशिव, सोलापूर, संभाजीनगर आणि इतरही ठिकाणी. शेतक-यांसह सर्व जनतेचे हाल झाले आहेत. अद्यापही पुराचं सावट आहे. लोकांचं मोठं नुकसान झालं आहे. त्यामधून सावरायला व पुन: उभं राहायला वेळ लागणार आहे. बदलत्या हवामानामध्ये व जीवनशैलीने भूप्रदेशामध्ये झालेल्या बदलांमुळे असे पूर व अशा आपत्ती वारंवार येणार आहेत. त्यासाठी सरकार, मदतकार्य करणार्‍या संस्था किंवा अगदी एनडीआरएफसुद्धा किती पुरेसे पडेल हा प्रश्न आहे. म्हणून एक संवेदनशील नागरिक म्हणून आपणही आपला सहभाग त्यात घेतला पाहिजे. पाण्याचा ओघ हळु हळु जातोय तसा सोबत देण्याचा व मदतीचा ओघ आपण वाढवला पाहिजे. त्यासाठी मी माझ्या बाजूने योगदान दिलं आहे. आपणही देऊ‌ शकता. आपल्याला योग्य वाटेल त्या किंवा आपल्या परिचयातल्या संस्थेसाठी आपण हे योगदान देऊ शकता. सोबतचा क्युआर कोड वापरून सेवा भारती, देवगिरी संस्थेला मदत करता येईल. तातडीची मदत आणि पुन: उभे राहण्यासाठीची मदत अशा दोन्ही प्रकारे संस्थेचं काम सुरू आहे.

अशी मदत छोटी असली तरी आपण सगळे जोडलेलो आहोत, एकमेकांचे आप्त आहोत हा भाव त्यात असतो. मदत करण्याबरोबरच ही वेळ स्वत:ला प्रश्न करण्याची आहे. फिटनेस व वित्ताच्या बाबतीत म्हणतात की, थोडा त्रास हा चांगला असतो. सगळंच अगदी आरामशीर नको. थोडे कष्ट हवेतच. Little bit of discomfort is very comfortable in the long run. तेच राहणीमानाच्या बाबतीतही आहे. आपण सोयीसाठी झाडं तोडले. मोकळी जमीन बांधकामाने भरून टाकली. छोटे नाले- नद्या बुजवल्या. कुठे तर समुद्रही मागे ढकलला. हे निसर्गावर आपण अतिक्रमण केलं. पण निसर्ग हे इशारे देऊन सांगतोय की, तोसुद्धा स्वत:ला रोखू शकत नाही. जे त्याचं आहे आणि आपण घेतलेलं आहे, ते तो परत "रिक्लेम" करणार. त्यामुळे ही वेळ जागरूक होण्याची व सावध होण्याची आहे.  भविष्यात हे होणार हे गृहित धरून नियोजन करण्याची आणि जीवनशैलीत तसे बदल करण्याचीही आहे. 

धन्यवाद. जवळच्यांसोबत शेअर करू शकता. -निरंजन वेलणकर 09422108376. 30 सप्टेंबर 2025. 

 

अकराव्या वाढदिवसाचं पत्र: गोष्ट "बीलीव्हरची"!

दि. १७ सप्टेंबर २०२५
 

✪ सिंहगड, विजयदुर्ग, देवगिरी आणि भटकंतीची लेक- माला!
✪ पेरू, पारा, पारडं, मुग डाळ, अदरक अशा शब्दांचे नवीन अर्थ!
✪ अर्जुन पर्वाची सुरूवात! तुझं अर्जुनला कडेवर घेणं!
✪ ॲलेक्सची तुझ्यावरची माया, त्याचे shows आणि woes
✪ वाळूत, डोंगरात, समुद्रात आणि धबधब्यात केलेली मस्ती
✪ "हा जिल्हाच खारूताईंचा आहे!"
✪ माशाचं पिलू मोठी सायकल चालवायला शिकलं!
✪ वाचन अजूनही कंटाळे पण मस्ती खूप करे
✪ तुझं सलग १५ वाक्य संपूर्ण मराठी बोलणं!
✪ डोंगरांची मजा, कराटे आणि (मला मिळणारे) धपाटे! 
✪ मुंज्या, स्त्री आणि भेडिया!  
✪ क्रिकेट, बुद्धीबळ आणि तुझं पहिलं मेडल!

प्रिय अदू... 

तर अदू! पाबई! आज तुझा अकरावा वाढदिवस!!! ह्या वर्षी गंमतच झाली! पत्र लिहीण्याच्या आधीच तू पत्र मागितलं! जसं ते छोटं बाळ होतं ना जे मागे लागायचं की, गोष्ट सांग गोष्ट सांग. आणि मग ते स्वत:च म्हणायचं, "एकदा काय झालं!" तशी गंमत. गेल्या वर्षभरात अशा खूप गमती झाल्या! आणि अगदी कालची गंमत म्हणजे तू चक्क २४ तास माझ्याशी "मौन" केलंस! मला ते आवडलं! रूसून बसलीस. मी कितीही प्रयत्न केले तरी तू बोलत नव्हतीस. एक बार तय किया तो तय किया! आपण जे ठरवलं ते करायचं ही जिद्द आहे तुझी. वर्षभरात खूप वेळेस तुझी ही जिद्द दिसली! तुझ्या आवडी, तुझ्या गोष्टीमध्ये तू "बीलीव्हर" आहेस. आपण नवीन ठिकाणी राहायला आलो त्या सोसायटीत स्विमिंग पूल तुला मिळाला. किंचितही न घाबरता अगदी "बीलीव्हर" होऊन सहजपणे तू पोहायला लागलीस! चार दिवसांमध्ये मस्त जमायला लागलं! आणि नवीन सोसायटीत तर खूप मित्र- मैत्रिणी मिळाले!

चंद्रग्रहण अनुभूती: हा खेळ सावल्यांचा!

नमस्कार! काल रात्रीच्या चंद्रग्रहणाचा अनुभव अविस्मरणीय होता. सुरूवातीला ढग आणि पाऊस! त्यामुळे "संपेल ना कधी हा खेळ (ढगांच्या) सावल्यांचा" असं वाटत होतं. चंद्राला आधी ढगांचं ग्रहण लागलं होतं. दोन टेलिस्कोप व बायनॅक्युलरसह आम्ही मित्र तयार होतो. पण ढग होते. ढगात असतानाच चंद्र पृथ्वीच्या उपछायेत जाऊन ग्रहणाची सुरूवात झाली. पण सूर्य इतका तेजस्वी आहे की, तो अंशत: झाकला गेला तरी चंद्राच्या तेजात लक्षात येईल असा फरक पडत नाही. नंतर जेव्हा चंद्राने पृथ्वीच्या मुख्य सावलीत प्रवेश केला (सूर्य पूर्णपणे पृथ्वीच्या आड गेला) तेव्हा मात्र चंद्राची कडा काळी झालेली दिसली. पण सतत ढग होते. अगदी थोडा वेळ ढग बाजूला जायचे व चंद्र दिसू शकायचा. तेव्हा ग्रहण स्थिती स्पष्ट दिसत होती! पोर्णिमेच्या चंद्राची हळु हळु कोर होत गेली! आणि जसा जास्त भाग झाकला गेला तसा चंद्र लाल होत गेला! विरळ ढगांमधूनही नुसत्या डोळ्यांनी ही स्थिती बघता आली!

फोटो घेताना मात्र ढगांचा लपंडाव असल्यामुळे इतके व्यवस्थित फोटो घेता आले नाहीत. माझ्या मित्राने- गिरीश मांधळेने त्याच्या ८ इंची दुर्बिणीसोबत काढलेले फोटो उत्तम आले. ते इथे बघता येतील. 



 

Lunar eclipse experience: Interplay of shadows!

Hello! Yesterday’s lunar eclipse was memorable! The night began with clouds and rains. Initially it was the shadows of clouds! We were ready with two telescopes and a binocular. When the Moon entered the penumbra, the eclipse began. But the Sun is so bright that even after being partially covered, lowering of brightness of the Moon is negligible. But later when the Moon entered the umbra (when the Sun was completely obstructed by the Earth), then the edge of the Moon got darkened. Still clouds continued. Just for a few seconds they would give an opening and the Moon would become visible. Its eclipse was clearly visible. From the Full Moon, it gradually became a crescent! And as more and more area of the Moon came inside the umbra, it became reddish! It was a treat to watch it! 

As far as photos are concerned, due to clouds, I could not take great photos. My friend- Gireesh Mandhale took great photos through his 8 inch telescope. They can be seen here.

 

Lunar eclipse visible in India- 7 September 2025!

Hello! Today on 7th September, a total lunar eclipse will be visible in India. Timing for this eclipse for India is this: At around 8:58 pm, the Moon will enter the Earth's penumbra (partial shadow), at around 9:57, it will enter the umbra (complete shadow) and then its surface will look reddish. Between around 11 to 12:22 pm, the Moon will be in the umbra and will look red. Exact timing will slightly very for different locations. Even in the total eclipse condition, some Sunlight scatters from the Earth's atmosphere and reaches the Moon and therefore it will continue to be red and visible. When the Sun, the Moon and all planets- stars rise and set, they look reddish (as wavelength of red colour is maximum and this colour scatters the least in atmosphere and therefore it is also used in signals). 

४३ दिवस हिमालयात अडकलेला माणूस!

🏔️ वैद्यकीय शिक्षण घेत असलेला ऑस्ट्रेलियन जेम्स स्कॉट
🏔️ "तिथे" ३ दिवसांहून जास्त काळ कोणीही तग धरू शकणार नाही
🏔️ बहीण जोआनचं प्रेम व तिने केलेली प्रयत्नांची पराकाष्ठा
🏔️ कराटेतून मिळालेलं शरीर, प्रसंगावधान, शिस्त आणि धैर्याची कसोटी
🏔️ सोबतीला जीवाभावाच्या माणसांच्या आठवणी, प्रेम आणि फक्त बर्फ!
🏔️ छोट्या गोष्टींमधून साध्य केलेलं आत्मबळ 
🏔️ ध्यानाद्वारे अचूक जागा सांगणारे रिनपोचे थरंगू लामा
🏔️ ऑस्ट्रेलियन लोकांची हिंमत, आत्मविश्वास आणि हट्ट
🏔️ "तू देव आहेस, कारण कोणीच माणूस इथे असा राहू शकत नाही!"
🏔️ सुटकेनंतरचा अनपेक्षित घटनाक्रम

नमस्कार! नुकतंच "Lost in the Himalayas- James Scott's 43- day ordeal" हे पुस्तक वाचलं! त्याबद्दलचा एक पोडकास्ट आधी ऐकला होता. आजच्या "विद्यार्थी दिनी" ह्या पुस्तकातून शिकण्यासारखं खूप आहे! अतिशय थरारक हे पुस्तक आहे! आणि आकाराने थोडं मोठं असलं तरी सर्व गोष्टी वर्तमानात दिल्या आहेत, त्यामुळे हे पुस्तक एकदा धरलं की सोडता येत नाही. नेपाळमध्ये एका अभ्यास भेटीसाठी आलेला जेम्स स्कॉट, २२ वर्षांचा ऑस्ट्रेलियातला वैद्यकीय विद्यार्थी! काही दिवसांच्या सुट्टीमध्ये तो नेपाळला येतो. सुट्टीत एक छोटा ट्रेक करतो. काही दिवसांनी दुसरा ट्रेक करायला जातो आणि हरवतो! अनेक दिवस होऊनही काही संपर्क नाही म्हणून अखेर त्याची बहीण जोआन त्याच्या शोधासाठी नेपाळला येते! हे पुस्तक दोघांनीही लिहीलं आहे. मुख्य मुख्य दिवसांचे घटनाक्रम दोघांच्या वर्णनातून कळतात.

(हा इथे स्पॉटीफायवर ऐकता येईल.) 

 
 

Trapped in Himalaya for 43 days- James Scott!

 🏔️ Medical student from Australia- James Scott
🏔️ "There" no one can survive more than 3 days
🏔️ Love of sister Joanne and her massive efforts
🏔️ Karate training, presence of mind, discipline and determination
🏔️ Surviving with memories of dear ones, love and just snow!
🏔️ Extracting strength from little things
🏔️ Rinpoche Tharangu Lama- "He is there"
🏔️ Courage, confidence and stubborn attitude of Australians
🏔️ "You are god, because no human can survive here!"
🏔️ Unexpected circumstances after the rescue

Hello! Recently I read this book- "Lost in the Himalayas- James Scott's 43- day ordeal" ! I had heard one podcast earlier. On today’s "Student day" this book presents great many things to learn! As things are vividly written in present, this book is unputable. James Scott, a 22 year old medical student from Australia comes to Nepal for a study tour! In some off days, he does a small trek. After some days, he goes for another trek and gets lost! Even after many days, his whereabouts are not known! Finally his sister Joanne rushes to Nepal to search him! This book is written by both of them. They both narrate developments of this saga.

 

South India Cycling expedition by Niramay Yoga Prasar Sanshodhan Kendra

Yoga for fitness!
 

ಫಿಟ್‌ನೆಸ್‌ಗಾಗಿ ಯೋಗ

യോഗാഭ്യാസം ശാരീരികക്ഷമതക്കായി
உடற்தகுதியை உறுதி செய்யும் யோகா
 

South India Cycling expedition by Niramay Yoga Prasar Sanshodhan Kendra 

Namaste. Since around 50 years “Niramay” is working in central Maharashtra region towards Yoga awareness and Yoga sadhana. Started as a group of passionate individuals practising Yoga in the 70’s, Niramay gradually expanded its work. The individuals not only learned Yoga but also started to teach others. In those days, it was a tough task. Later on new individuals joined. Along with Yoga sadhana and yoga teaching, research, participation in conferences, activities for Yoga awareness were taken up. Later on it expanded from Parbhani district to other places in Maharashtra. Now in fact its Yoga sadhak are working not only in India, but abroad also. Since around two decades, Niramay is in the field of teaching Yoga and also publishing books related to Yoga. Today Niramay stands out as a unique Yoga teaching and practicing institution. It is operating through ten specialized dimensions such as social service, research, education, literature, technology, and outreach, to make yoga accessible and beneficial to all sections of society from local to international levels. For further details about the organization: 

Sridhar Karegaonkar: 07038223514 https://www.facebook.com/niramayyogkendraparbhani 

Niramay Yoga Prasar and Sanshodhan Kendra, Parbhani, Maharashtra is conducting a cycling expedition in South India. A cyclist from Niramaya Kendra, Niranjan Welankar will cycle and interact with various organizations and individuals working in Yoga and health sectors. He will cycle from *Swami Vivekanand Yoga Anusandhan Sanstha (SVYASA), Bangalore and visit other Yoga institutions such as Isha centre (Sadhguru), Amrita University, Satsang Foundation, Chinmaya Mission, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari Auroville (Pudducheri) and Theosophical Society, Chennai* and others. He will cycle around 1850 kms from Bangalore- Ooty- Koimbatore- Kochi- Kanyakumari- Rameswaram- Thajnavur- Chennai. He will interact with various people, children and students. 

*Objectives of the expedition*

1. To have a dialogue with people about how fitness and Yoga is adopted in daily life.
2. To meet organizations and people working in Yoga and health sector.
3. Yoga also means to connect. To connect with people- schools, colleges, organizations and interact with them.
4. To give an example- everyone has such capacity and everyone should tap it.
5. To try to understand rich heritage and cultural aspects of South India

For this, the cyclist will interact with schools, colleges, ashram schools, institutions and people on the route. After the cycling, he will share his experiences with the society. He will cycle around 90- 95 kms every day and afterwards will interact with the people.

If you know any organization working in this route-  Bangalore- Ooty- Coimbatore- Kochi- Kanyakumari- Rameswaram- Thanjavur- Chennai, you can share this message with them. The schedule of this expedition is from 18th August to 8th September. 

Day wise route:
18 Aug. Day 1 Monday SVYASA to Malavalli 93 kms
19 Aug. Day 2 Tuesday Malavalli to Begur (via Mysore) 93 kms
20 Aug. Day 3 Wednesday Begur to Gudaur 64 kms
21 Aug. Day 4 Thursday Gudaur to Wellington 66 kms 
22 Aug. Day 5 Friday Wellington to Isha Adiyogi 94 kms
23 Aug. Day 6 Saturday Isha Adiyogi to Alathur (via Palakkad) 85 kms
24 Aug. Day 7 Sunday Alathur to Kochi (Chinmaya Mission) 118 kms
25 Aug. Day 8 Monday Kochi to Amritapuri (Amrita University and Ashram) 105 kms
26 Aug. Day 9 Tuesday Amritapuri to Thiruvananthapuram Shri. M Stasang Foundation 108 kms
27 Aug. Day 10 Wednesday Thiruvananthapuram to Kanyakumari (Vivekanand Kendra) 103 kms
28 Aug. Day 11 Thursday Kanyakumari to Thiruchendur 95 kms
29 Aug. Day 12 Friday Thiruchendur to Kannirajpuram 92 kms
30 Aug. Day 13 Saturday Kannirajpuram to Mandapam 96 kms
31 Aug. Day 14 Sunday Mandapam- Rameswaram- Dhanushkodi- Mandapam 90 kms
1 Sep. Day 15 Monday Mandapam to Thondi 80 kms
2 Sep. Day 16 Tuesday Thondi to Sethubavachatram 68 kms
3 Sep. Day 17 Wednesday Sethubavachatram to Thanjavur 69 kms
4 Sep. Day 18 Thursday Thanjavur to Solatharam 88 kms
5 Sep. Day 19 Friday Solatharam to Pudducheri (Aurobindo Ashram) 90 kms
6 Sep. Day 20 Saturday Pudducheri to Theosophical Society, Chennai 141 kms (Last day)

Total 1837 kms in 20 days
 

About the cyclist

Niranjan Welankar, 40 has completed several solo cycling expeditions including those in Ladakh and Spiti. Also he has cycled in Maharashtra for HIV and health awareness and also for promotion of Yoga and meditation. In 2022, he had done a solo cycling expedition for mental health awareness in four states. He had used a single- gear cycle for this 1500 km tour. 09422108376 niranjanwelankar@gmail.com

रहें ना रहें हम महका करेंगे... एका गीताचे अनेक प्रतिध्वनी!

नमस्कार. आपल्यापैकी अनेकांना "ठण्डी हवाएँ लहरा के आए.. " (गायिका लता, चित्रपट नौजवान वर्ष १९५१) गाणं माहिती असेल आणि आवडत असेल. "रहें ना रहें हम, महका करेंगे..." (गायिका लता, चित्रपट ममता, वर्ष १९६६)  हेसुद्धा अनेकांचं आवडतं गाणं असेल. त्याशिवाय "सागर किनारे दिल ये पुकारे" (गायिका लता- किशोर, चित्रपट सागर, वर्ष १९८५) हे गाणं तर माहिती असेलच. तसंच "हमें और जीने की चाहत ना होती" (गायिका लता- किशोर, चित्रपट अगर तुम ना होते, वर्ष १९८३) हे माहिती असेलच. 

पण तुम्हांला हे माहिती नसेल की, ह्या चारही गीतांची चाल एकमेकांशी विलक्षण जुळते! १९५१ चं "ठण्डी हवाएँ लहरा के आए" ह्या अल्लड प्रेमगीताला संगीत सचिन देव बर्मनांचं होतं. त्यांची चाल संगीतकार रोशन ह्यांना इतकी आवडली की त्यांनी १९६६ च्या "रहें ना रहें हम महका करेंगे" ह्या अर्थपूर्ण गाण्यामध्ये वापरली! पण गंमत म्हणजे १९६६ च्याही आधी त्यांनी १९५४ मध्येच ती चाल एस. डींची अनुमती घेऊन चांदनी चौक चित्रपटात "तेरा दिल कहाँ है" (आशा भोसले) वापरली होती. "तेरा दिल कहाँ है" हे गीत ऐकताना अगदी "रहें ना रहें हम महका करेंगे" ऐकल्याचा भास होतो! पुढे मग आर. डी. बर्मननीही ही चाल- त्या गाण्यातला मीटर किंवा छंद वापरून "हमें और जीने की चाहत ना होती" आणि "सागर किनारे" ही गाणी दिली! त्याही शिवाय त्याच छंदातील गाणी तमिळ व मल्याळमध्येही रचली गेली! इतरही काही विशेष प्रसिद्ध नसलेली ७०- ८० च्या दशकातली हिंदी गाणी त्याच सुरावटीवर आधारित आहेत. अशी एकूण किमान १० गाणी त्याच छंदातली किंवा सुरावटीतली आहेत. लक्ष देऊन ती ऐकली तर त्यातलं साम्य लगेच कळतं! अगदी १९९३ मध्ये लतानेच गायलेलं व राम- लक्ष्मण ह्यांचं संगीत असलेलं "कहा था जो तुमने" हेही गाणं तशाच चालीचं आहे! 

Tour de Parbhani!

395 km cycle riding in 3 days

Hello. As a preparation for "Yoga for fitness" initiative of Niramaya Yoga Prasar and Sanshodhan Kendra, Parbhani, Maharashtra, recently I cycled 395 kms in 3 days from Pune to Parbhani. I had done three stages. First from Pune to Ahilyanagar (123 kms), then from Ahilyanagar to Beed (130 kms) and the last stage from Beed to Parbhani (142 kms). Despite of rains and muddy track, I enjoyed it. On the way I also met school students and had interactions with others. The time duration for this cycle ride was just double of a bus travel on the same route. With regular practice, a cycle almost works like a scooty!

“Silent dialogue between my cycle and me!”

... It is more than 6 years now! Cycle tour to Spiti in Himchal Pradesh! World's most treacherous road! At places, just rocky patch! Shimala has lush green nature and it slowly turns gray and dry! Trees and farms slowly lag behind and everywhere it is grayscale and sheer vastness! At some places, there is permanent overhang on the road! Such a difficult terrain! My cycle had to bear everything! Roar of the Sulej! Snow peaks! The road rising from the nadir to whopping heights! Spiti river flowing down the valley! Marvelous Himalayas everywhere! Thrill of cycling there! A silent dialogue between my cycle and me, we both survived and crossed it! My blog about Spiti cycle expedition.

सुलगी सुलगी साँसे 
बहकी बहकी धडकन
महके महके शाम के साए 
पीघले पीघले तन मन 

और इस पल में कोई नही है, 
बस एक मै हूँ,
बस एक तुम हो!
कुछ ना कहो कुछ भी ना कहो!

Fauja Singh- Turbaned Tornado!

Hello. Fauja Singh! When I came to know about him, I had thought it must be some social media hype. But no! It was so unbelievable, but it was true! A man starts to learn running when he is 89 not out! And soon at the age of 90, he starts running marathons- 42 km marathons! He finishes his first marathon in just over 6 hours. And later on he achieves best timing in marathons and running events in 90+ age group and later on 100+ age group! Yes, Fauja Singh born in India in 1911 and shifted to the U.K. in 1992. After deaths of his family members, he took to running, at so late stage. But for him, the AGE was just a STAGE! Remarkable is that as a child, he was bullied for being too weak! 

Fauja Singh just tells us again and again that strength is there. It is already given. We just need to tap it. Even House of Lords has appreciated him. On his last birthday, he had received wishes from the British Queen. He was felicitated in many iconic running events in the world. You can just google Fauja Singh. He also had written his biography- Turbaned Tornado.

Easy multiplication tables up to 99!

Hello. There is so much fun in mathematics. Numbers are organic in nature. They are bound by certain patterns and bonds! If we can help ourselves a little, we can easily understand this and then start enjoying mathematics. Even if we write a simple chart of tables up to 10, we see many amazing patterns in it. We also get square of all numbers from 1 to 10 in this table. And we also have horizontal tables.
 

Many children do not remember tables beyond 10. No worries! For getting multiplication tables, here is the trick. By this trick, anyone can easily make multiplication tables up to 99. Yes. It is very easy. Let’s start with a simple number 12. Separate 1 and 2 from 12. Write their tables separately. As shown in the figure, we just need to add their tables. It is actually easier done than said! 

12 → 

1  2 
2  4
3  6 
4  8
5  0    1
6  2    1
7  4    1 
8  6    1
9  8    1
10 0   2

Now, add those carries in numbers in the first row. We will get this- 

1  2 
2  4
3  6 
4  8
6  0    
7  2    
8  4    
9  6   
10  8 
12  0 
 

Rishabh Pant's demonstration on International Yoga Day

✪ Rishabh Pant's cartwheel!
✪ Whatever happened on the last ball, this ball is new
✪ Uncluttered mind, smiling face and determination
✪ Being in the present- demonstration of meditation
✪ Capacity of jumping hundreds of times
✪ Sports teaching patience, consistency and determination
✪ रंग हो अकेले तो इन्द्रधनुष बनता ही नही!
✪ Skill to play for hours as per desire
✪ Art of leaving ground baggage on the ground itself!

Recently completed India- England test match! Till the last hour, it was fascinating and fought brilliantly! Plenty of catches dropped by India, wayward (गुमराह) bowlers except for Bumrah, sudden collapses of Indian batters! Many will remember the match for this. Also many will remember England’s determination, their “Bazball” approach and charm to complete the chase of 371 in the fourth inning! Although Ben Duckett is the official player of the match, for many, this match will not be remembered for centurion KL Rahul, captaincy debut of Shubman Gil or Bumrah, but for Rishabh Pant heroics! His two centuries in two innings, amazing display of batting and the demonstration of cartwheel on the International day of Yoga! Also, hundreds of his jumps behind the wicket and his lively narration on the stump mike!

When Rishabh Pant had played poorly in one match, Sunil Gavaskar had said "stupid, stupid, stupid!" But after his hundred in the first innings, he too said, "Super, super, super!" And his century in the second innings just made everyone speechless! His cartwheel after his first hundred on 21st June made him the "real ambassador of Yoga"! And the second century was also extraordinary! At one time, he was playing on 31 from 59 balls and was playing against his nature. He showed what patience, courage and persistence is! And his wicket keeping too!

Star exploded in sky- Supernova in Lupus constellation

5 million times brightened Star visible to the unaided eye

Supernova occurs when a star is exploded. This is one possibility in the last stage of the life of stars. If there is a star pair and one star is dwarf or if one has high mass, then such explosion occurs. The star exploded is a 22.3 magnitude star in Lupus constellation in Southern sky. On 12th June its explosion was noticed. Electronic survey systems revealed that the originally 22.3 magnitude star exploded and gained brightness of 8.7. On 19th June, its brightness increased to 5.7, that means it became so bright that even unaided eye can see it from dark skies. 

V462 Lupi is the name given to this Nova. It might have exploded hundreds of years ago, but we came to know only when its light reached us. This can be found out with the help of bright Centaurus constellation in the Southern sky. As its magnitude is 5.8, it can be observed through the naked eyes from a very dark sky. Through a binocular, it is easily observable. This star is near the Kappa Centauri of Centaurus constellation. Its position can be seen below: 

 

As this Supernova has around 40 degree declination, it cannot be observed beyond 35 degree North. In India, it can be observed at night between 9.30 to 11.30 by taking direction from bright Kappa Centauri star. For some days, it will remain bright. Although there are clouds these days, even if the sky region gets clear for just 15 minutes, it can be viewed through a binocular.