Blogger friends – Suzanne of The Travebunny, Kathryn of Travel With Kat and Wilbur of Wilbur’s Travels – have nominated me for yet another challenge. The Thomas Cook Explore The Elements Travel Photoblogging Challenge requires me to publish photos that best represent my interpretation of the four classic elements of Earth, Water, Fire and Air.
Here are my choices:
EARTH
Represents the hard, solid objects of the earth. Associated with stubbornness, collectiveness , physicality and gravity:
The buffalo is said to symbolise strength and abundance. This magnificent specimen and the vastness of the Ngorongoro crater beyond, seemed to me to embody every feature associated with the element Earth.
WATER
Represents the fluid, flowing, formless things in the world. Associated with emotion, defensiveness, adaptability, flexibility, suppleness, and magnetism:
The life giving and cleansing properties of water make it an esential element in many religions. Buddhist and Shinto shrines have Temizuyas at their entrances. Most mosques and churches their ablution/ baptism fountains. Hindus use temple ponds or their holy rivers. This candid shot captures a priest performing his ritual ablutions in the river Hooghly – a tributary of the Ganges in Kolkata.
FIRE
Represents the energetic, forceful, moving things in the world. Associated with security, motivation, desire, intention, and an outgoing spirit:
As the flame of knowledge that dispels the darkness of ignorance, fire is central to Hindu rituals. Its power of devouring destruction associated with the cleansing of egos. Regardless of ones beliefs, it is hard not to be swept up in the energy and fervour of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi.
AIR
Represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement. Associated with will, elusiveness, evasiveness, benevolence, compassion, and wisdom:
Air was the hardest to go symbolic with. So I stuck with a more straightforward interpretation of a balloon. Floating over the surreal landscape of Cappadocia remains one of our most memorable experiences.
Thank you Suzanne and Kathryn for the nomination. With the 16/03 deadline just a day away, I throw this challenge open to those of my readers that want to attempt it.
There are great prizes to be won: Four individual category winners will receive a MacBook Air, a Fujifilm X-T1 camera, or an iPhone 6 with Bose noise cancelling headphones, depending on their personal choice. The overall winner will be awarded an amazing £5,000 travel fund.
These are wonderful, Madhu! I especially love the shot of the priest in the river. You can almost feel the water on your hands and face.
this was one of my favourites! loved the rumination on “air”. one of those things that escapes the mind while traveling, sometimes even taken for granted. i shall take a good, long whiff next time. thanks for the reminder, buddy 🙂
😀 Whenever I think of Cappadocia which I haven’t visited yet I remember your hot air balloon photos. I knew I was going to like your earth best and that your best element photo would be of fire 🙂
Really? I felt fire was my weakest.
You are wrong, and pardon me for saying so – there are no weak images here, and the fire photo the way you captured it can only be taken in India. I am still favouring the earth and you know why, though as an air sign I should vote for your balloons 🙂
Thanks Paula. If you say it is good, it IS.
P.S. that bloke in the water has uncanny resemblance to Mahatma or possibly Ben Kingsley.
Now that you say it, he does! 😀
These pictures are gorgeous! I don’t know which I like best. Maybe water. Or Earth. You’re sure to win! 🙂
Ha, I will be the most surprised if I do Juliann! But I appreciate your vote of confidence 🙂
Love the pictures!
Thank you Marcia 🙂
A beautiful series for the competition. They’re all gorgeous, but the buffalo shot is really special.
Good idea represented via various images. I like it. Thanks for sharing.