Barasingha The Mascot Of Kanha

'Can you identify the animal in the picture below?

'Yes, it is a deer.'

'Which deer?'

'Don't know.'

'It is a Barasingha. Have you seen it?'

'Oh yes, I have seen it in a zoo', is the common response. Was it your response too?

Well, Ghumakkad takes you to the swamps of Kanha, where Barasinghas thrive. Barasingha is the official mascot of Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh India.

Why this name?

Barasingha means 'having twelve antlers'. This deer species found in the Indian sub-continent, has twelve or more antlers. An antler is a bony mass with sharp ends which grow from the front of the head of a male deer. See the picture below of a Barasingha taken in Kanha.

The Coat

Barasingha males have a woolly coat yellowish brown in colour. In summer, the coat becomes bright rufous-brown. Females are paler than males. The males blend with the grassland around the swamps and can only be spotted with their antlers jutting out of the grass. See the picture below.

The Food

Barasinghas live in herds and feed on aquatic plants and algae. We saw them grazing in the morning around the swamps at a distance. See the pictures taken against the morning Sun. But the scene had its own charm. You don't always visit a forest for a good shot, but just to soak in its freshness, silence, whisper of the cool breeze, the scent of the jungle and an occasional call of a deer or a langur indicating the presence of a tiger somewhere around.

Population

According to Wikipedia, the total population of Barasingha in India is estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,100. It is found in three regions of India: Central, Northeast, and Northern India. 

More from Kanha

Sharing below few more animals spotted in Kanha. They are all part of the food chain.

Mutualism

We also observed a common mynah taking a joyride on a Barasingha. See the picture below.

This behaviour is common among many animal and bird species. According to the Encyclopedia of Ecology, Mutualism is defined as an interaction between individuals of different species that results in positive (beneficial) effects on per capita reproduction and/or survival of the interacting populations. You may browse our earlier story titled 'Mutualism by Nature' for details. Sharing below few pictures from that story.

Cattle Egrets and Mynahs with Buffaloes. PC Yella Prakash Rao

Black Drongo with a Sheep. PC Umesh Mani Chennai

A cormorant riding a tortoise

Nature continues to amaze if you have the patience to observe. Do take a walk in a garden, park, jungle or if you have the time, go on a hike in a forest. It is sure to rejuvenate you and recharge your life's batteries.

We are sharing below the links to our other three stories on Kanha and the life around the forest.

Python Preservation by a Village near Kanha

Lakshmi The Tigress Teacher - How she teaches her cubs to cross a muddy path

Tigress Shirmilee - Who defies her name

We were four of us who visited Kanha and Pench in January 2025. CP and Manik Srivastavas from Hyderabad, Debashish Mukherjee (Debu) from Kolkata and Ghumakkad also from Hyderabad, can be seen on the Safari vehicle at the breakfast spot in Kanha. Thanks are due to Debu and CP for sharing their pictures.

Hope you got a glimpse of the beauty of a forest, its flora and fauna. As Rudyard Kipling said, 'In the jungle, life and food depend upon keeping your temper'. We should respect the residents of the jungle. They have the right of way!

Thanks for browsing

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad(Kanha  Jan 2025)/ Posted 28th March 2025

#kanhanationalpark #kanhathemascot #barasingha #swampdeer #bhoorsingh #antlers #MPTourism #wildlife #wildlifephotography #madhyapradesh #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #wwfindia 

This Time of the Year

How does Nature keep its clock? And synchronises it, year after year?

It is again this time of the year.

When Madhu Malti weaves its magic

When Golden Trumpet shines

When Tesu the flame of the forest is on fire

When the Bougainvillea paints itself pink

When the Guava trees start flowering again

When the Neem shows its tiny flowers silently

And much more! Provided you have the patience to observe!

Another season around Holi and spring in Secunderabad has just gone past. Sharing few pictures to tell that it is again this time of the year.

Here are the links to some of our earlier stories related to Nature.

Tree Bark As Rat Poison - read about a tree whose bark acts as a poison for the rats who eat away the roots of plants in a garden or field!

Nature's Clock - How the custard apple fruit synchronises its arrival with Diwali every year in one part of India? Like a geo-synchronous satellite, Diwali dates change every year. But the custard apple starts to ripen in the tree on dot! Read on.

Brahma Kamal A Smart Plant - Smart watch, smart cities and now a smart plant! How does it synchronise its blooming around a full moon night? Read on.

For more pictures around Holi and spring, you may browse our picture story linked below:

Why I Love Golfing? Not because of exercise but because of being with Nature for four hours! Golfing buddies would love it too!

Hope our stories have triggered some inquisitiveness about Nature in you. Do share your observations of the world around you!

Nature and its seasons return every year. On dot. Without fail. 

Only we humans may not be the same. We may lose some hair, put on some weight. Shed a tooth or two or develop creaking knees. We may add a member or two to our family, or lose another. That is the cycle of life.

Do find time to enjoy the Nature. As Wordsworth said in his poem The Tables Turned, 'Let Nature be your Teacher'!

Sharing another story on learning from Nature is linked below:

Life Lessons from Madhu Malti - This creeper has many life lessons for us. Read on.

Signing off with another picture from our yard of a favourite fruit of many in India and overseas!

You are welcome to our home, pluck a mango or two (or more!) and eat it. You will feel the difference in the taste and falvour of fruits grown and ripened organically!

Thanks for browsing

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad/ 25th March 2025

#Nature #Seasons #Spring #Flowers #Trees #Shrubs #PowerOfObservation #StandAndStare #Secunderabad #MadhuMalti #Bougenvillea #Ghumakkadharsh #ghumakkadhb #homegardening #organicfarming #naturallyripened

Coastal Photography Excitement

Who doesn't like to fly like  bird? And , get a bird's eye view of the earth below.

During our recent trip to New Zealand for the Ironman at Taupo, we could shoot some aerial shots. Sharing a few. Credits Ankush and Ghumakkad. 

Crocodile up in the air! Clouds creating surreal shapes against a setting sun.

Volcanic terrain in New Zealand

Landing at Sea Level at Auckland.

Approaching Taupo's undulating hills in a turbo prop

Sail boat in Lake Taupo. Don't miss the clear waters and blue skies of Taupo.

Taupo Marina with the yachts

Turbo prop frozen in time. See the video.

Auckland shore line.

Lastly, Singapore Harbour.

Golf course 

Ships in harbour

So next time on a flight,  grab a window seat and shoot. 

Results will surprise you.

To give our readers a taste of New Zealand, its unpolluted environment, picturesque country side and well kept parks, given below are the links to our other stories on NZ:

Huka Falls - Crystal Blue Waters

Public Park in Taupo - Caring for the Children

Aerial Photography - New Zealand coastline

Ironman New Zealand 2025 - A Curtain Raiser

Ankush Is An Ironman - Story of Grit and Daring despite a bike crash

Lake Taupo - Why is it so Iconic

Rock Paintings - Recreating Maori Art

Harnessing Geo-thermal Energy - Geo-Thermal Park at Taupo

Thanks for browsing

   -  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Ankush Bhargava/Singapore/4th March 2025