Of all the pools in Tirtha Empul there was one guarded by shoulder high walls and no obvious way to reach the water.

The colour of the water was a gorgeous turquoise fringed with green. Longs thin strands of dark green algae as fine as angle’s hair held tenuously to the bottom as the bubbling water gushed from a rent in the centre of the pool.

Dark sand bubbled and broiled as the bottom shifted and moved with the flowing spring. No wonder this place was made sacred centuries ago, now off limits to mere mortals

At least the birds still have the freedom to swoop in on sacred wings and drink as they please.

Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Day 887, Sacred Wings’ 1/1600s f/2.8 ISO3200 200mm