Sandeep Pillai's photostream

A narrow stretch of land spreading out into the ocean. I walked. Curious at first. Then, not so. Walking on the surface of water - with waves lashing relentlessly from all three sides. So much energy. So powerful. I must have been the center of cosmic energy. And this world must have existed solely because of me.

I hated to go home that evening. But I did make it a point to come back later. By then the bridge had mysteriously disappeared. Unfortunate? Lucky. I know one thing for sure. I will wait for that lone raincloud to bring rains next year.

Rains in middle east are extremely scarce. But when they do come, they cause a huge disaster. The mountain ranges across the breadth of Oman channel water into riverbeds (Wadis) which are usually dry. Since the soil absorbs very little water, even a small rain causes flash floods, killing many each year. This piece of land I am standing on is the rubble brought down by one such rain.

Taken at : Wadi Tiwi, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

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I love driving. Even more so when it's raining. Music playing in my car. That couple walking under their big umbrella, holding hands. The birds, resting in their homes. Streets, deserted. A scooter driving past - the driver, drenched. I roll my windows down only to be greeted by a lightning. And moments later, a thunder. Drops of rain, falling on my shoulder. The smell of damp air.  And then I reach back home. I make a warm cup of coffee. Aaah! The little joys of life.

Garudan Thookkam or Eagle Hanging is a ritual art form performed in the temples of Goddess Kali in Kerala.

Legend has it that after slaying Darika, Kali remained insatiable and thirsty. At this time Lord Vishnu sent Garuda to Kali to quench her thirst. A dancing and bleeding Garuda was taken to Kali. Kali was pacified only after drinking some drops of blood from Garuda. The "Thookkam" is a way of thanking Goddess Kali for the problems solved in her abode.To see more pictures from the series, visit sandeep.pixelring.net/photoblog/index.php?x=page&titl...

Deep blue skies above. Streaks of clouds. Sailing. Vast dunes below. Drifting. As the world around changes, I lose my way. A little bit. I keep losing myself. One step each day.

So there were these animals that were domesticated somewhere in 3000 B.C. They slowly started playing important roles in the lives of humans. Somewhere along the way, someone decided to call them "Donkeys" and the name struck. From then on, these creatures started living their despised lives. What if you wake up tomorrow and everyone starts calling you by your new name?