Miles to go before I...

It's been quite a while since I've traveled...I mean really 'been someplace,' and I've been raring to go, for sometime now...time's running fast...and I don't have forever!

I've journeyed between Hyderabad and Delhi three times in the last 4-5 months, but I wouldn't call it 'travel,' for those are known places, explored and re-explored. Going home is the only charm that there is in it! I love going home, I do, and these trips have been very satiating in this regard.

It's the other part of me, 'the wanderer' that's not all too good, without the love of her life! Come December, and it'll be one full year since, and that is a very long time! Hence the pining! Especially now, while I still have time, while I still can...oh! how I wanna go!

Bill Clinton, during his presidential visit to India, said, “the world is divided into those who have seen the Taj and those who have not.”

"All I will say about Taj Mahal is that, those who have seen Taj Mahal, nothing else will amaze their eyes." A review by a visitor.

I visited Taj Mahal the first time, as a kid. And I can boast of being among the lucky few who've had a chance to visit it again! Yes! I've been there four times, and contemplation for the fifth has been on for quite some time. No! you'd never get bored of visiting it! It's not called the 'wonder' that it is, for nothing! Deliberately worked to look different in different lights, you'll want to see it at all times of the day, and night! I have yet to see it by moonlight, hence the contemplation for the fifth visit...not my last I'm sure!

There's more to the elegance and the awe of it, than the pristine marble facade...you've got to see it, to know it all, what with ubiquitous pictures and descriptions...all these put together, wouldn't suffice.

I look forward to adding more here after the fifth visit...hope it happens soon!

Manali

Though the thrilling journey on the narrow, winding road--with the mountains on the left and river Beas on the right--took my breath away, it hadn't prepared me for what meets the eye when one enters Manali, and throughout the stay! All that I saw of Manali in the next few days is etched on my memory for good. So much so, that I would say yes to visiting Manali at the drop of a hat!

I know, that with my type of love for travel, I wouldn't say 'no' ever when it comes to travelling. What I mean to say here, is that Manali is one among the few places, for which I wouldn't think even a moment before assenting to visit.

I was disappointed when we entered the town, to see that the boulder strewn 'Beas' with it's white waters that had heralded our entry into Manali, was no more a part of the scenery. However, the scenic beauty all around held great promise for the days to come, and truly so!

After a good dinner and restful sleep I was awake early morning to explore the town. A short trek uphill, on a pine wooded slope, with the fresh, pine scented morning air rejuvinating our souls, we arrived at the 'Hadimba Temple.' This striking, four story wooden temple with its 'pagoda' style architecture, nestled in the middle of a pine forest called 'Dhungiri Van Vihar,' is dedicated to Goddess Hadimba. After spending some time at the temple, and in the garden near it, we climbed down the hill on the other side, to arrive in the heart of the original village of Manali. A walk through the interiors of the village brought us to our next destination, the 'Manu Mandir.' A temple devoted to the sage 'Manu,' who is said to have dwelt here once upon a time.

We then trekked through the village to go to the local club, and lo! there it was, my 'white, boulder strewn river!' It seemed to have appeared out of no where, all of a sudden, at the club! It was Manalsu River, that culminates in the main Beas river, I learnt later on.

The next day we visited Rohtang Pass, 51 Km from Manali, located at an altitude of 4,111 meters, looking down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul Valley. I would like to mention here, that Rohtang Pass is also called 'Gateway to Lahaul,' as this is the only route to Lahaul. The view of the lovely glaciers and snow capped peaks beconed me 'come again,' as I stood there mesmerized, enveloped in an embrace by the clouds! A visit to the beautiful Doshohar Lake left to the pass, Rishi Vyas Mandir, where 'Beas' is said to originate from a very small tank, 'Beas Kund,' and the snow view point culminated the day's visual treat, and we started on our journey down by 4:30 pm (Staying back at Rohtang Pass beyond this hour is strictly prohibited for, the weather takes a sharp turn with the advent of nightfall.).

Forced by unexpected, heavy rains we had to put off our visit to Solang Valley and the natural sulphur water hot springs at Manikaran, and we put ourselves to exploring the town further. Shopping for the intricately hand woven Kullu shawls and caps and other local hand crafted ware was an experience in itself. As was tasting fresh juicy 'Himachal Apples' we plucked from trees! And did I mention the HPMC fare (Himachali fruit preserves, pickles, chutneys and wine, and of course, the quite rare apple pickle that one finds only in Manali) at the HPMC outlet on Mall Road?

The next day it was time to bid goodbye to the lovely town, and we set off for Kullu, with a promise to return! In Kullu, we crossed Manalsu River once again, on our way to and from a shawl factory in Bhunter. It is amazing, how the artisans deftly weave colorful geometric patters with woolen yarn, and transform it into lovely shawls, scarfs and mufflers!

Soon after, we set off on our way to Delhi, via the well-ordered streets of Chandigarh, where we stopped by, to see the famous 'Rock Garden,' a brain child of Nek Chand.

A taste of the paradise

July 17, 2007

I'd put 2007 at the top, alongside 2001, in the list of 'eventful years' of my life, if I were to make one, for, it saw me travel to Kashmir--my dream destination since...always! What gave her this coveted position , would require a lot of pondering to go into it, and I'd rather not, at the moment.

I spent the entire May shuttling between anticipation and restlessness. It took forever for June to arrive, and then another long wait, while June 20 crawled in! Every passing day saw me clinging a little more to optimism--phasing all negative energies that could possibly conspire with time, and keep me from making it to Kashmir!

I have no words to describe what it felt like, to step onto the soil of Kashmir. It was a home coming of a kind--I'd come home to the place where my heart had always longed to be! Yes! That I was with cherished friends--an extension of my family--made it even more special. The next eight days were heavenly!

There can never be words equipped well enough to describe what meets the eye, wherever you look! Neither can even the best photographers and cameras capture the true essence of her beauty! It's not for nothing that it is called 'paradise on earth.' The warmth and hospitality of her people adds a great deal too, to Kashmir's being a paradise.

Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam I loved them all! Have lots of cherished memories...

Srinagar's another home for me--Budshahnagar, to be precise! It was great to be there, watching TV, cooking, gardening, chatting together, as a family! The beautiful mughal Gardens--Shalimar and Nishat, a shikara ride on Dal Lake by sunset, fishing in the Dal at Hazratbal, the charm of the old city...I can go on and on...I will, later on!

Gulmarg, with its riot of colors--bluebells, forget me nots, diasies, buttercups, and many other flowers, the sight of gujar houses from the gondola, the walk alongside the meadows--imagining how they'd look covered in snow...

Sonmarg--I'd call it my favorite! a picnic lunch and a trek by the stream, and the thrill of trudging over two 'not so parallel' logs to cross it, a little later, marveling at the breath-taking view of the glacier--my namesake--beckoning us closer, the hike up the steep mountain side, half way up to the waterfall...oh! you've got to be here to believe it, even see it--with eyes closed, or open!

Pahalgam is beautiful too, seeing it on a rainy day, accompanied by a drizzle, added a charm of it's own to it, The gurgling Lidder, the ride up to the meadow, coffee at the restaurant in the amusement park...and a lot more that we saved for the next time!

Eight precious days, over in the blink of an eye! We came back, with a promise to ourselves that we'll return soon...but the journey that began on June 20, 2007, hasn't come to an end yet. It will end only when I have had my fill of it--I'd been too hungry for it all, this half of my life, to be able to satiate me in the rest half of my life! And, I never ever want to have my fill of it either!

All this lay dormant within me, for long--was too overwhelmed, by the experience, to give it a tangible form...now that it has begun to pour out, we'll see more of it soon!

A rendezvous -- Rajahmundry

Just the other day, a very dear friend complimented me that I am a 'very good traveling companion,' The compliment goes as much to her, because I have found a very good travel companion in her too! And, we've promised that together, we'll do justice to all those lovely places that beckon us, we visit them. The list of course is unending!

We traveled together to Kashmir, and loved every moment of it--the travel I mean, and Kashmir of course!

Around Christmas, this past year, (2007) I visited her, and her family at Rajahmundry. A beautiful place indeed! Godavari is amazing at all times of the day. I saw it the first time, by sunrise, and coincidentally, my last glimpses of it were by moonlight--a full moon for that matter! If you were to see...and the story doesn't end here! We went for a day long cruise on Godavari--from Pattisema to Papikonda--what views! And, a treasure of memories!

Rajahmundry, also called the 'Western Gateway to East Godavari District,' is a quiet city, tucked, on to the shore of river Godavari--away from fast paced metro lifestyle and din, yet, very well connected. I'd rather call it 'The city of bridges,' for, you find those majestic bridges wherever you go!

Godavari District of today, is, to a great extent, a gift from Sir Arthur Cotton. How come? Read on...
"Going through the famine and cyclone-ravaged districts of Godavari, Cotton was distressed by the sight of famished people of the Godavari districts. It was then that he put in process his ambitious plans to harness the waters of the mighty Godavari for the betterment of the humanity." A quote about General Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton, from 'General Sir Arthur Cotton, His Life and Work, Chapter VI, ''The District of Godavari: Before and After Arthur Cotton worked his Magical Change.' Sir Arthur Cotton aka 'Cotton dora,' built the Dowleswaram barrage in Rajahmundry, and made Godavari it's lifeline. Our visit to Sir Cotton Museum added a new perspective to my perception of it.

We saw the popular Telugu movie 'Happy Days' in a Theatre in Rajahmundry--the only other Telugu film I've seen, is 'Style,' which I saw in the night bus, on my way to Rajahmundry!

A visit to the ISKON temple, a stroll, on a balmy afternoon, around the Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills Ltd. Employees' colony, where my friend grew up, a visit to her school, in the colony, an evening by the side of, a Godavari set aflame by the sun, and shopping in the crowded market after refreshing coffee in a cafe...quality time with my Rajahmundry family--watching on the TV, all the pictures we clicked every day, playing with her kids, watching the stars from the terrace--I have even more memories to cherish now! Great eh!

Agra - memories galore

My chat with a friend about visiting Agra, took me down memory lane once more. We went there for a 10 day tour, my parents, and us, kids, during our winter vacation. We explored the city right down to every nook and cranny. It's all still so clear in my minds eye...I can, and have relived the experience many a time. Our visit to the Fatehpur Sikri, in particular, occupies a coveted corner of my memory lane. It was at the fort here, that some foreign tourist clicked a picture of two little girls dancing in the middle of Akbar's Divan-e-khas--they shied away, when they saw the flash go. Yes, that was my elder sister and I! How kids take delight in such simple pleasures! One of the finest chambers in the Fort, the magnificent Divan-e-Khas, is dominated by a massive carved pillar that supports a capital, which in turn is support to a balcony. Panch Mahal, the five-storied palace, is another favorite at the Fatehpur Sikri fort.

Some years ago I came to know that the Agra fort is now under the army siege - most parts of it. Oh! what a pitty! I remember how much I'd loved being there...it transported me into the world of Mughal regalia, what with those elaborate structures, built with great attention to detail - Sheesh Mahal et al.

This can go on, there's no end to the tales of the city's splendor and my rendezvous with it. You'd wonder why I didn't mention the Taj Mahal at all. Well, I liked the Taj a lot too, in spite of that overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia, that first time, when I went down into the tomb chamber there. I have seen the Taj three more times since then - my fifth one's on on the cards, in the near future, for I have yet to see it at its glorious best - on a full moon night.

But, I'd rather talk here, of these other places - abounding in magnificence, and endless tales - yet so less talked about, and my memories of them. The umpteen climbs up the minarets of Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, to see the Taj and the rest of Agra from the top, marveling at the pietra dura inlaid, and exquisitely carved marble work of the Dayal Bagh Temple, (where, it is believed construction work should never end, to make it a living monument), being amazed by the architectural illusion of the darwaza (doorway) to Akbar's Mausoleum at Sikandra...