Exploring the vibrant culture of Raipur through winter photo walks

Armed with their cameras, notepads and cellphones, city youngsters are embarking on special winter photo walks in the city, that takes them through Raipur's natural landscapes, temples, wildlife and water bodies. Here's a look at some of the scenic destinations they get to sample and snap a picture of with their camera…
Capturing the migratory birds in Budha Talab
Notwithstanding the cool temperatures in the morning, city shutterbugs are heading towards Budha Talab at the chilly hour to capture its scenic beauty and intriguing wildlife.
“For me, Budha Talab is one of the best destinations for photography during winter. Though the temperatures are low in the morning, that doesn’t keep me from visiting the place to capture its beauty. Here, one can spot migratory birds, besides capturing the serenity of the lake and the beauty of its surroundings,” says nature photography enthusiast Vivek Shukla. He adds, “I have captured more than 100 birds of myriad shapes, sizes and colours here, like the Red Headed Duck, Northern Pintail Duck, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, and Little Ringed Plover, who make the lake their home during winters. They attract a lot of birdwatchers and nature photographers like me.”
A tryst with Chhattisgarh’s tribal culture
Being the capital city of Chhattisgarh, Raipur has a rich tribal culture. And what better place to learn about our culture than to visit Purkhouti Muktangan, the tribal museum in Naya Raipur.
“I moved to Raipur from Odisha recently, and am in awe of its tribal culture. As part of a photo walk, my friends and I visited the Purkhouti Muktangan, which is a treasure trove for history and cultural enthusiasts like me. We captured the tribal art, village life and tribal paintings there,” says student of sociology Seema Mohapatra.
The picturesque Telibandha Lake
Raipur’s Telibandha Lake cannot be given a miss during the photo and heritage walk sessions. The Marine Drive of the capital city beckons several photography enthusiasts.
Lavina Motwani, a student of fashion designing, says, “Telibandha Lake has the best of modernity and rural life. There are a lot of things to capture here for photographers - the anglers, boats locked near ashore, quirky graffiti near the lake and still life. The place has lots to offer. It's also a popular place to click pictures during the winters because the lake has a layer of fog over it during this time.”
Winter photo walk addas
Kille Wale Baba
Buddheshwar Mandir
Shitla Mandir
Mahamaya Mandir
Nagridas Math
Jaitusav Math