Dhiraj Sharma

26/04/2024

A night walk into the woods, there I go to see these beautiful lives thrive in the dark, just leaving me with a thought on election day.

"All I'm saying is that the difference between humans & animals is that animals would never allow the dumbest of the herd to lead them."

Vote wise, read the thought again and enjoy your choice because this is where it all starts.

16/03/2024

ಮಂಗ ನಿಂದ ಮಾನವ ಎನಥಿರ?

We have some exciting news for you this summer.
Join us for a 2-Day Summer Camp for Kids coming up soon, called "Physics in Nature," and it's going to be an absolute blast!

Team Parikrama, in association with Mr. Rajesh Bhat, has organized this camp to be held in the heart of the Western Ghats. It's an amazing opportunity for kids to explore the wilderness, learn about wildlife, and participate in engaging activities.

The campsite, Aranya Nilaya, is nestled amidst the picturesque Western Ghats, making it the perfect place for children to immerse themselves in nature's wonders.

The "Physics in Nature" program includes a visit to the Elephant Camp, Tunga Dam, and a guided nature walk. Children will also get an introduction to star gazing, engage in cultural experiences and storytelling sessions, and have the chance to pitch their own tents!

The adventure doesn't end there - there's trekking, team-building activities, fun games, and even a visit to an exotic fruit farm!

We are eagerly awaiting your participation in this enriching adventure.
So what are you waiting for? Come join us for a memorable journey!

With Warm Regards,
Team Parikrama

29/11/2023

Hunting...

ಮಂಗಳವಾರ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ದಿನ ಅಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ಒಂದು ನಾಯಿಗೂ ಕನ್ವಿನ್ಸ್ ಮಾಡಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗಲ್ಲ. ಶ್ರಾವಣ ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಸ್ವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತೇವೆ ಎಂದು ಕೋತಿಗೂ ಒಪ್ಪಿಸಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗಲ್ಲ. ಪ್ರಪಂಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಯಾವ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಯೂ ಇಂಥ ಫಿಕ್ಷನಲ್ ಸ್ಟೋರಿಗಳನ್ನು ನಂಬಲ್ಲ. ಅವು ನಿಜವನ್ನೇ ನಂಬುತ್ತವೆ. ಆದರೆ, ಬೂದಿ ಬಳಿದುಕೊಂಡರೆ ದೆವ್ವ ಬರಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರೆ ಮನುಷ್ಯರಾದ ನಾವು ನಂಬುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಈ ಕಲ್ಲು ಮನೆಯೊಳಗೆ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊ, ಈ ಬಣ್ಣದ ಉಂಗುರ ಬೆರಳಿಗೆ ಹಾಕಿಕೋ, ಆಗ ನೀನು ಪ್ರಪಂಚವನ್ನೇ ಆಳ್ತಿಯಾ ಎಂದರೆ ನಾವು ನಂಬುತ್ತೇವೆ.

ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಮೈಗ್ರೇಟ್ ಆಗುವಷ್ಟು ದಿನ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದ. ಅರ್ಥಾತ್ ಆತ ಬದುಕಿನ ಸ್ಥಾವರ ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತಾ ಹೋದಂತೆ ವಾಸ್ತವದಲ್ಲೇ ಜೀವಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ. 7 ಸಾವಿರ ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆ ವ್ಯವಸಾಯ ಕಂಡು ಹಿಡಿದ. ಒಂದು ಕಡೆ ನಿಂತ. ಆ ನಂತರ ಬೇಟೆಯಾಡುವುದನ್ನು ಕೈ ಬಿಟ್ಟ. ಮನೆ ಸುತ್ತ ಭೂಮಿ, ವ್ಯವಸಾಯ ಮಾಡಲು ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಕೈಗೇ ಅನ್ನದ ತಟ್ಟೆ ಬಂತು. ಕೆಲಸ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಆಯಿತು. ಅಂದರೆ ದುಡಿಮೆಯನ್ನು ಕಡಿಮೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ. ಆಗಲೇ ಫಿಕ್ಷನಲ್ ಸ್ಟೋರಿಗಳು ಹುಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡವು. ವಲಸೆ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ, ಒಂದು ಕಡೆ ಕೂತು ತಿನ್ನಕ್ಕೆ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ ಮೇಲೆ ಈ ಫಿಕ್ಷನಲ್ ಸ್ಟೋರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳುವುದು ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ, ಅದೇ ನಿಜವೆಂದು ನಂಬಲು ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದ. ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಎಲ್ಲ ದರಿದ್ರಗಳು ಮನುಷ್ಯನಿಗೆ ಸುತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡವು.

ಈ ಹಂತದಲ್ಲೇ ದೇವರು, ಧರ್ಮ ಕೂಡ ಹುಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡಿತು. ಬಿಲೀವ್ ಸಿಸ್ಟಮ್ಸ್ (ನಂಬಿಕೆ ಪ್ರಪಂಚ) ತಯಾರಾದವು. ಇವುಗಳ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಬೆಳೆದ್ವಿ. ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಮಾಡೋ ಧೈರ್ಯ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡ್ವಿ. ನಾಲ್ಕು ಜನರ ಜತೆ ಸೇರಿ ನಾರಾಯಣ, ಗುಂಪಲ್ಲಿ ಗೋವಿಂದ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುವ ಹಂತಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ವಿ. ಯಾರೋ ಒಬ್ಬರನ್ನು- ಸಿಸ್ಟಮ್ ಅನ್ನು ಫಾಲೋ ಮಾಡಕ್ಕೆ ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದ್ವಿ. ಆದರೆ, ಮೈಗ್ರೇಟ್ ಆಗುತ್ತಲೇ ಇರುವ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳು ನಿಜಾಂಶ- ವಾಸ್ತವದಲ್ಲೇ ಬದುಕುತ್ತಿವೆ. ವಲಸೆ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿದ ಮಾನವ- ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸುಳ್ಳಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬದುಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಅಂದರೆ ಕೂತು ತಿನ್ನಕ್ಕೆ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದ ಮೇಲೆ, ಕೈಗೆ ಅನ್ನದ ತಟ್ಟೆ ಬಂದ ಮೇಲೆ, ಬೇಟೆ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಮನುಷ್ಯ ಅಲರ್ಟ್ ಆಗಿಲ್ಲ.

ಅಂದರೆ ಬೇಟೆಗಾರ ಮಾತ್ರ ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಅಲರ್ಟ್ ಆಗಿರಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಬೇಟೆ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಬೇಡಿ, ನಿಮ್ಮ ಊರಲ್ಲಿ ಇರಬೇಡಿ. ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ತುಂಬಿದವನ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಂತೂ ಖಂಡಿತ ಕೂರಬೇಡಿ.

- ಪೂರಿ ಜಗನ್ನಾಥ್, ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ
Post Courtesy: Keshava Murthy

🐘

24/11/2023

We are not going to be here forever says the Edible nest switlets from Andaman...

Take time but know that we are not going to be here forever, develop curiosity on everything that you see, leave few to the air and enjoy life as you laugh, love and die one day.

27/08/2023

Graceful!!

An evening safari at the Kabini was an aww moment when we noticed this female rushing out from the scrubs and cooling off in the pond. People called it the Maggie Female, i would call her Sundari like she looked.

Fearlessly walking with grace around, and the drivers did nothing but wait for her to show up with her cubs as we followed her to the MM road and to our luck we saw it with the younger ones.

This was the first time, I saw a tiger with cubs.

An unexpected moment from the wild for all of us .m

27/08/2023

Graceful!!

An evening safari at the Kabini was an aww moment when we noticed this female rushing out from the scrubs and cooling off in the pond. People called it the Maggie Female, i would call her Sundari like she looked.

Fearlessly walking with grace around, and the drivers did nothing but wait for her to show up with her cubs as we followed her to the MM road and to our luck we saw it with the younger ones.

This was the first time, I saw a tiger with cubs.

An unexpected moment from the wild for all of us .m

26/08/2023

An evening at Chidyatapu ✨

Accompanied by the king to the show hosted by the Sun, Sand and Sea...

31/05/2023

Collared Kingfisher!!

We walked on the shore after a joyful cycle ride along the sealink in the Andaman Islands.

The islands have never failed to surprise me since 2019. I had carried my camera on watch for a possible flying species around and my friends wanted me to click their photograph.

After about an hour I gave up on the hope as the sun started to fade and I failed to photograph my friends the way they expected.

And just there as we decided to walk back to the room a resident bird with a distinct loud, repetitive call echoed through its habitat.

The Collared Kingfisher!! patiently waiting to hunt down...

29/05/2023

Let's Celebrate World Bicycle Day with an Adventure!!

As you know, World Bicycle Day is just around the corner, and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than embarking on an exciting adventure with you all.

I'd like to invite you to join us for a memorable day of cycling, exploring a local farm, and even attempting something daring! like jumping into the open well.

It'll be an incredible opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the countryside.

Jump in now...
DM for more details.

23/05/2023

Endemic Charm: The Andaman Racket-tailed Drongo!!

This has been my favourite restless bird in action. Gliding down from high trees to ground in swift action with an impressive racket shaped tail in the end.

I've noticed them in numbers at the heart of Western Ghats and their call is just out of the world. I could not believe they could even mimic about 42+ species as i heard and read leaving me wondering why they mimic others when they have an impressive call by themselves.

On my previous visit i stood on the high grounds that matched the high trees and here I finally got a chance to capture the frame.

18/04/2023

Wildlife is an emotion for me although that's not how it thrives!!

This was a special time for me to have spent hours observing an individual elephant on a Hilltop like this.

A small temple on the Hilltop and we were surrounded by this gentle giant from dusk till dawn.

teamparikrama #2023

23/03/2023

An evening in the wild!!

I'm somehow convinced that this is one of my best wildlife captures from all these years of throwing my lens to light and life but i know this is not an end to it.

A wild elephant that makes a regular trip to the temple top on the mountain for food - left over prasada in spite of people around seemed to me less pleasing...

More stories in the next posts.

16/03/2023

Like they say Wildlife sighting is a matter of luck!!

Here we were lucky enough to sight the leopard in the heart of a tiger reserve at Bandipur.

It's always a joy for me to watch them hang on a tree top, sleep there for hours together and not care about the visitors like me, carry a prey most of the time and keep an eye out in the forest.

A tree is a home to them...

09/03/2023

Free to wander, not lost...

03/03/2023

ಆನೆ ಬಂತೊಂದು ಆನೆ!!

Wishing you all a happy world wildlife day 2023 "Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation".

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal.
- Lord Byron.

28/02/2023

14/02/2023

I love not Man the less, but Nature more...

"There is pleasure in pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal."

Happy Valentine's Day

07/02/2023

I'm here on a life expedition!!
Surfing through the waves of life.

23/01/2023

Fascinated by the colours of nature!!

Years ago as I read somewhere that stated " "

I feel this statement holds the true spirit of mankind to mimic everything around him. A plane in the sky or a submarine in the deep ocean.

It's important that we reflect on these aspects.

19/01/2023

In the quest of being humans!

This image made me think and realise the reality of where we are progressing as many as supposed to be one...

Once a place of wilderness is now a tea plantation but for what they know it's definitely their home and they belong.

A herd of the Indian Gaur with its greatest ability to adopt on the hills of Ooty...

Early mornings from Ooty...

09/12/2022

When was the last time you went on an adventure with your parents?

Travelling with friends is fun but family?

I had a wonderful time as we ventured out to explore some of the most beautiful places I've ever known.

This journey also brought me a different perspective of family and friends around.

What do you feel about traveling with your parents?

Let us know as you read through the blog, Link in Bio!
Help learn your perspective and experiences.

With love,
Team Parikrama

22/11/2022

Praying Mantis!

These insects get their name because they have very long front legs that they hold in a position that reminds people of praying.

Praying mantids are carnivores, eating mainly insects and other small animals. Many gardeners and farmers welcome mantids, because the insects they eat are often pests that hurt crops.

Praying mantids have long necks topped by a triangular head. They can turn their heads 180 degrees—an entire half circle. They're well-camouflaged, adapting colors that help them blend with plants. Some also have amazing body shapes that make them look like leaves or branches.

Source:

03/11/2022

The member of the army the Bi-Colored frog!

Presenting this beautiful little creature all the way from the Western Ghats.

What looked like a Banana p*el on ground to my friend

Always fun to walk around and sight these beautiful little things.

A group of frogs is called an army and now you know why I called it a member of army.

18/10/2022

The Ghost!

A moment of joy and regret of not carrying the right lenses are gonna stay with me forever.

As we set out to leave the park without a sighting luck of seeing the big cats this wonderful moment happened to us like they say "Wildlife appears when you least expect them"

It was not just that but for some it also turned out to be as boaring as possible to just keep looking at it for a while, we were in a Canter with lots of co-passengers and few instructed the drive to head out as they would see Tigers ahead in there belief.

A tree had fallen on the road as we passed the Ghost and few were Generous in helping the dead branches that had fallen on the forest road and for few it was an opportunity to p*e now as they thought it was safe around.

I now understood that I/we can't control people's thought and p*e...

Take a break, stay hydrated and head out to p*e at regular intervals.

Oh I've diverted the destruction from seeing the black panther to p*e in the forest!

05/10/2022

The golden light made the grass light and everything nice around the Blackbuck...

It was surely a moment of joy as we ventured into the wild.

ofinstagram

19/09/2022

It takes about 5 to 6 working days for a weekend worth 1 to 2 days...

Adventure makes me wonder if we have to reimagine the way we live and learn from the wild!

The struggle and the joy isn't about living but the way we choose to live.

This is what happens when you are high on adventure.

Besides the philosophy, this place has my heart, Deveramane among one of most welcomed place in western ghats is surely a surreal experience.

It was around 12 noon when I got this picture clicked and in no time the fog was out for a while and just before we left the place it started raining again, this place is special.

Photo by

17/09/2022

The Eye of the forest!

They lit up to the light we throw at them like a spark in the wild.

The flying squirrel made its way hoping on and off from one tree to another and we were so thrilled to be on a night walk with full of surprise.

A promising night life at the heart of Western Ghats where life thrives.

19/08/2022

Me, myself and iiiiii!

Cycle got me for life...

Photo by