Dreams of Auroras: A Night of Myth and Magic in Canada

I always wished for a day when everyone could see the stunning northern lights in places like Yellowknife, Yukon, and beyond. Many folks dream of this but can't afford the trip. I hoped that one day, the northern lights would shine brightly across all of Canada, so everyone could enjoy them. And on the night of May 10th and into May 11th, that wish came true. The KP index was at a whopping 9, and the sky was clear, making the northern lights visible to almost everyone due to a strong solar storm.

One of the photos(DSC04403) I took during my aurora hunt at Collingwood, Ontario resembles a scene straight out of Hindu mythology: a Shiva Linga in the foreground, a crescent moon in the backdrop, and dancing auroras that evoke the image of the goddess Ganga. For those familiar with Hindu myths, the symbolism is clear. But for those who aren't, here's a breakdown:

In Hindu tradition, the Shiva Linga represents the formless aspect of Lord Shiva, depicted as a cylindrical pillar. The moon holds significance in Shiva's story, as Chandra, the moon god, was cursed and found solace by placing the moon on Shiva's head.

Ganga, personified as a celestial river, descended from the heavens to cleanse humanity's sins. In the mythology, Shiva caught her in his hair to prevent her descent from devastating the earth. So, Ganga is often portrayed flowing from Shiva's locks, symbolizing purification, salvation, and the continuous flow of life.

ISO: 1200
Shutter Speed: Adjusted between 1/30
Aperture: f/2.8
Lens: Utilized Tamron 24mm f/2.8
Camera: Sony A7III
Used Manfrotto Tripod for stabilization

Adjusted the exposure, shadows and corrected the saturation using Photoshop