This incredible time-lapse video captured by Delhi-based photographer Vikas Chander showcases the beauty of the relatively unknown Hanle region of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.
Captured over the course of 20 days in 2017, the video – part of Chander's series 'Heavens on Earth' – combines around 50,000 raw images and more than 100 time-lapse sequences. The photographs were captured in an extremely inhospitable environment –15,000 feat above mean sea level, with sub-zero temperatures and 11 percent effective oxygen levels.
Among the sites captured by Chander in the Hanle region are a 17th century Buddhist monastery of the "Red Hat" Tibetan Drukpa Kagyu branch of Tibetan Buddhism, the wetlands of Hanle and a facility of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.
Calling Hanle "the ultimate astrophotography destination in the world with its class 1 Bortle Scale night skies", Chander recounts his experience of shooting in the region on Facebook:
Hanle, lies 200 km to the South-East of Leh, in Ladakh. Some might consider the area inhospitable and rightly so, because the high altitude of 15,000 ft can induce oxygen deprivation and mountain sickness. However, to the intrepid traveler and photographer this is truly a heaven on earth. The jaw dropping scenery coupled with the finest dark skies in the world should make this a high priority destination on any bucket list. Between April and September of 2017, I spent a lot of time capturing the beauty of Hanle, both in the day and at night.Vikas Chander on Facebook
The video, which Chander has shared on Facebook, has got much appreciation.
(The Quint has taken his permission to use his video on the site.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)