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We live in a world that is absolutely incomprehensible. On one hand, we wonder about the beauty of stars as they twinkle and glow throughout the night and on the other hand, we get stunned by the beauty present in the form of mountains, lakes, hills and streams. So, if you are a photographer and love framing this unfathomable universe of sky and stars through the viewfinder of your camera, then this article is all you need to make your weekends fascinating.
Here, we discuss the major places in India where you can savour the best of astronomical beauty and capture the best of star trails. These are the places where you can satisfy the astrophotographer in you. So, if you are ready to explore the beauty the universe has in store, then read on to know more about these wondrous locations.
1) Sonmarg
Literally translated as the meadow of gold, Sonmarg is a beautiful village in the heavenly expanse of Jammu and Kashmir and is a perfect destination to witness the twinkling stars and celestial events at night. A perfect image with snow-capped mountains in the foreground and the astronomical objects in the background can be captured within its boundaries. The presence of vegetation will certainly enhance the overall beauty of your pictures.
2) Pangong Lake
Over a period of time, Pangong Lake in the region of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir has become immensely popular amongst bikers and young travellers. Thousands of tourists come here every year just to witness and savour its pristine surroundings and get lost in its tranquil aura. But how many of us have tried staying overnight and capturing its beauty at midnight?
If you are one amongst those who haven't, then you must consider planning a trip to Ladakh as soon as possible. Believe us, the frame of brilliant stars decorating the stretch of the sky above this dazzling lake will amaze you to the core. Therefore, no photographer can afford to miss such a mesmerising spot.
3) Lonar Crater
One of the least-explored places in Maharashtra, Lonar Crater is a saline lake which was created by an impact of a meteor. It is one of its kind in the world and is located in the Buldhana district at a distance of about 370 km from Pune.
If you have never been to this natural wonder, then you must consider it as a foreground to your astrophotographs. Do you know the region around the lake is also home to several ancient temples and historical monuments? Hence, apart from experimenting with your photography skills, you can also explore age-old monuments.
4) The Thar Desert
Also known as the Great Indian Desert, the Thar Desert is a long stretch of sandy and arid region which is spread over the state of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat. Even though desert photography has become very common in contrast with the past, it is still a popular spot amongst photographers on account of its photogenic beauty.
Spotting the North Star and capturing the trails of its surrounding celestial bodies on your camera is something which every astrophotographer should supposedly do. You can also get yourself to the Great Rann of Kutch and frame its incredible salt marsh.
5) Yercaud
Unknown to many, Yercaud is a beautiful hill station that can give a tough competition to the likes of Ooty, Coorg and Munnar. Even though it is often termed as poor man's Ooty, it houses a lot of things which cannot be experienced in Ooty.
One thing which distinguishes it from other hill stations in South India is its beauty at midnight. This is the time when groups of stars dot the beautiful stretch of sky, thereby, making Yercaud a photogenic place. If you would love to experiment with your photography skills, especially at midnight, then this unknown hill station should be on your bucket list.
6) Neil Island
Another place which can let you frame the best of your shots is Neil Island, which is a part of Andaman Islands. This is one place where you can capture the best of a sea, lush greenery and twinkling stars in a single frame. So, while in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, do not forget to satisfy the astrophotographer in you.
