Kashmir Memoir-I: Kashmir went beyond my imaginations; it’s a God-designed valley

"Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast"
This is a famous verse by a sufi mystic, poet and musician Amir Khusro, in Persian language, which means......

"If there is paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here (Kashmir)"

#Kashmir is the most beautiful place on earth... this is an unquestionable fact!

Till last year August (2014), I had only heard about it, watched the beautiful valley in television, movies and saw those enchanting flower beds in images, while surfing on Google. The God has carved out this valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range.

My good luck that my sister invited my family and our parents for a three-four day visit to Kashmir as her brother in law was posted there that time and accommodation was no problem. Though more than accommodation, I would say, we had the best of person to guide us about the place, for he is another wanderlust types.

My sister booked our tickets. She flew a day earlier, along with our parents, my kids and her own family and I followed, the next day. It was August 14 and the security was criminally tight at the airport, both in Delhi and Kashmir. Why? We all know the reasons.

Finally, I arrived in Kashmir; all the kids and my brother in law, were there to welcome me and pick me from airport. The distance to the Airport Authority Colony was hardly five minutes as we all had to camp at bhaiyya’s place J.

Majestic Dal Lake at sun set

It was August 14^th evening and we started with #Dal Jheel, the sprawling and enchanting lake. The captivating houseboats, anchored at the banks of the lake, were worth experiencing.  

             

We hired three ‘#Shikaras’. Appeared as if that song from “Kashmir ki Kali” came alive... tareef karun kya uski, kisne tumhe banaya. The “Shikaras” are no less that a “doli” (for a newly-wed bride).

  

My sister and her husband... singing .. tareef karun kya uski... in Shikara

             

Lake hawkers started travelling with us too to sell their trinkets and some were there to showcase their photographic skills, though we all know that it isn’t about the photography, but it’s ‘the’ picturesque place on earth.        

Shopping.. no no it's window shopping actually.. while travelling in a Shikara...

Next day, started with drizzles. Taxi was waiting for us and we too were on toes for the sightseeing and capturing ourselves with images from a DSLR and Smart phone cameras, in various valleys that were awaiting us too.

We both sisters posing to eat the sumptuous green apples in an apple orchid

My father in the lap of Aru Valley

Kids and I.. my ady is missing in this pic, though ... in Aru Valley

We passed via saffron fields, apple orchids...halted at Aru Valley, Pahalgam, for Lunch and then headed towards Betab Valley, same valley where the movie “Betab was shot”.

The shade which came to our rescue in Betab Valley.. saved us from heavy rain, which continued for almost an hour

It started pouring; temperature dipped to about 10-12 degree and we started freezing, in a while....but the spirits weren’t dampened.

Thankfully, we carried warm jackets for kids as we had perceived the change in weather, when we started in the morning.  So kids were safe... and we were having our own joy drenching in the rain, shivering.. having pop corns and pakodas in that serene and unruffled valley.... the only moving part was the majestically flowing water in river #Lidder. The green painted bridge over the river gives the site a heavenly touch; as if someone would have painted it on canvas.

My sister and I...  in Betab Valley.. rain couldn't dampen our spirits!!!

The green bridge over river Lidder in Betab Valley.. Honey giving a pose..!

Over the next two days, we were blessed to realise the beauty of #Sonamarg and visited #Shankaracharya temple and fragrant gardens, in Kashmir too. And of course, did some shopping too.

I am putting an end to this piece now, but I need to delve more into my Kashmir journey... shall be back soon with another one, Kashmir Memoir-II !

traveltoembracelife: Old Delhi, the more you explore it, the more you a...

traveltoembracelife: Old Delhi, the more you explore it, the more you a...: First of all, my big thanks to #thedelhipedia, for giving me this opportunity to unmask few more lanes and food stalls/carts of Delhi 6. ...

Old Delhi, the more you explore it, the more you are jammed in it, yet you love it

First of all, my big thanks to #thedelhipedia, for giving me this opportunity to unmask few more lanes and food stalls/carts of Delhi 6. And, then the big bunch of thanks goes to the two bloggers #Ambica Gulati and #Mridula Dwivedi for becoming my inspiration to write this first blog in traveltoembracelife, my new writing space.

Old Delhi, the more you explore it, the more you are jammed in it. Yes every time, you go there, there is new lane to explore, which at times jams you up amidst crowd resulting in a new lane to exit. But the best part is that you never feel lonesome, somehow. 

Well, it was an Old Delh Exploration Trail (Chapter 1: Unearthing treasures in Old Delhi), organised by Delhipedia, on September 9, 2015, a Wednesday. The walk was documented using #delhipediadiscovers, by bloggers and the Delhipedia team.

We all met at Gate No 1 Chandni Chowk Metro Station and begin the walk with the video production team of Delhipedia. It was as if some movie's shooting was going on... People around were curious to know what's happening.

The places we visited and explored started from Natraj Dahi Bhalla Wala, Amritsari Lassi Wala at Fatehpuri, Khaari Baoli and  Mirchi Market, Gole di hatti for Kulhad palak chhole, Maliwara/Kinari Bazaar to Jung Bahadur Kachoriwala for Kachori-Aloo Sabzi and ended with a walk through Dariba Kalan, to reach Old & Famous Jalebi Wala, to savour the delectable Rabri Jalebi.

For me, except #Natraj, #KinariBazaar and #DaribaKalan, the spots visited were the unexplored food corners/lanes/mosque/shops/markets. 
......It was as if some movie on Old Delhi was being flashed. No less than an east-man colour movie... Just imagine this..
The Fatehpuri T point Chowk. Old lanes/shops. Dry Fruits. Same people. Same clad. People on carts. Black big umbrella. Ladies selling Amrak, Imli roadside. The only difference was, now, there were more cars and other vehicles on the road, honking incessantly, disrespecting people walking by.

I had never seen #Fatehpuri Masjid. I was lucky enough to see it from the roof top of the Gadodia #SpiceMarket in Khari Baoli. The mosque spelled history..... and heritage. I wondered, why no one ever thought of restoring the entire space; I am sure many would have had, like me. The view from the top showcased the aura and vibrancy of #ChandniChowk uptill #SheeshGanjGurudwara and #RedFort.
I believe I have too much to write on this exploration trail... let's take a break. More stories to follow....