INDIA : HIMALAYAN LUST

एक जगह,
जहां सारी उलजने धुएं सी उड़ गई, सफेदी सी छाई थी आसमान में
ज़मीन भूल गई थी शायद,
पहचान अपनी और घुल गई थी
आफताब में

उस वक़्त एहसास हुआ, की वजूद क्या होता है
गुम सा गया था मैं, उन नज़ारों में
बर्फ की चादर ओढ़े बैठा था वो समा,
पैरों पे ज़मीन और बालों में आसमां,
खो गया था मैं इन हसीन नज़ारों में,
एहसास मेरे होने का था इन फसानों में

हकीकत से कोसो दूर , ख़्वाबों को बाहों में समेटे,
क्षितिज से नज़रे लड़ाए, हवाओं की पनाहों में।

- सारंग जोशी

A small poem on Kashmir by me.....

Like my previous blog this one also contains a short story of my gypsies nature ( travelling madness).  

Nature has been attracting everyone by her beauty since earlier time. This time I fell in love with nature and planned a trip.

The thrill with the bus of real steel hasn’t started yet. The moment we entered Kashmir, high hills were waving at us and clouds were like white clothe of any beautiful bride. Cold air kissed my lips and she repeated it often.

We were then off to Jammu and Kashmir, heaven on earth, most beautiful and one of the closest to sky. 

Jammu and Kashmir consist of three regions: Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. Srinagar is the summer capital, and Jammu is the winter capital. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India with a Muslim-majority population. The Kashmir valley is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, and Jammu's numerous shrines attract tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year, while Ladakh is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture.

Kehwa, traditional green tea with spices and almond, is consumed all through the day in the chilly winter climate of Kashmir. Most of the buildings in the Valley and Ladakh are made from softwood and are influenced by Indian, Tibetan, and Islamic architecture.

Jammu's Dogra culture and tradition is very similar to that of neighboring Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Traditional Punjabi festivals such as Lohri and Vaisakhi are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout the region, along with Accession Day, an annual holiday which commemorates the accession of Jammu & Kashmir to the Dominion of India. After Dogras, Gujjars form the second-largest ethnic group in Jammu. Known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle, Gujjars are also found in large numbers in the Kashmir Valley. Similar to Gujjars, Gaddis are primarily herdsmen who hail from the Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh. Gaddis is generally associated with emotive music played on the flute. The Bakkarwalas found both in Jammu and the Kashmir valley is wholly nomadic pastoral people who move along the Himalayan slopes in search of pastures for their huge flocks of goats and sheep.

We had to spend almost a week here. Our first stop was Katra, Vaishnodevi temple. A temple of goddess Lakshmi, Mahakaali and Saraswati. In short an Indian goddess trilogy of wealth, strength and knowledge.

Peace and divinity was within that hill. It attracted us even from the base. We went up about 5200 feet, on horse and then after a long queue we worshiped and there after back to hotel. Now next destination was Srinagar,  a beautiful city and amazing. I was amazed that how can a city with such nature can become a part of never ending war and violence?

But finally we were at Meluha empire ( in novel of Amish). 

Dal lake and Shikara ride was my most favourite part, throwing snowballs at Gulmarg, Ice skiing and then dancing in snowfall at Sonmarg intoxicated me more than a beer I had before…..

Then Chandanwadi, Pahelgaun, and glorious dargah of Hazrat Bal.

 We were more than excited.

Jhelum river was laughing and shouting on our way all the time. At an elevation of more than 2000 feet and under the arms of mountains we saw a small brook emerging into a giant Lidder river from a glacier.

But my foodie nature didn't left me alone, we ate many strawberries, apples, almonds, etc.