Magically Mental

When The Mother Calls

It was a random Friday morning, and I had a long list of patients on a busy OPD day at my hospital. My brother had planned a visit to my hospital on that day for an opinion about a minor issue. My sister-in-law had also accompanied him. I took the opportunity to show them around my hospital briefly, as time was a constraint on an OPD day. Just before they were leaving, my sister-in-law casually mentioned that she was going to Vaishno Devi on the coming Monday, which was precisely 2 days later. “Wait, can I join you”? I spontaneously asked her, not even realizing what I was saying. I had not checked whether I could even take leave at such a short notice, neither had my flight tickets been booked, nor was I aware whether there were any vacant slots available for Darshan on the said date. She replied “Of course, you can”, but clearly it seemed like asking for the moon when nothing was planned. I decided to shrug the thought aside and focus on my patients, finish my task at hand, and then think about the whole matter with a clear head during my lunch break.

Within the next few hours, I found myself booking the onward flight to Jammu for Monday. With a deep breath, I applied for my leave and before I knew it, I was all set to go in 2 days time. But, I needed to check the Vaishno Devi website to see whether slots for Darshan were available on the particular day that I intended to be there. Apparently, one can proceed from Katra only if slots are available as shown in the website. It was a relief to see a green colour against that particular day, while most other dates were marked red, meaning passes would not be issued for days marked red! So things were gradually falling in place.

The next challenge was booking the stay. Seeing the rapid turn of events, my sister-in -law reassured me that we would stay together in whatever arrangements she could manage. Meanwhile my daughter immediately messaged her friends in the Indian Army, that Mom is visiting Vaishno Devi. Before I could even bat my eyelids, I found arrangements for stays being organized. My last Vaishno Devi trip was exactly nine years ago with my daughter. It was like everything was coming a full circle. I decided to focus only on my packing now, as I was sure that if the Goddess calls then, she gets everything sorted out too. My sister-in-law had a friend of hers who was from Jammu and she would also be joining us for the trip from Jammu. It was difficult to process the sequence of events which were happening so rapidly, but I simply surrendered to the circumstances with full faith.

The actual adventure started even before the trip began. We had not expected any incessant rains in Guwahati in the month of April . That would usually happen anytime between June to September or even October. But on the night prior to our departure, the heavens broke open and there was a non stop continuous, heavy downpour through the night. The breaking news was all over, that Guwahati was seiged by massive flash floods and the entire city was reeling under water. Though my sleep through the night was disturbed, I just knew one thing. Come what may, I have to go to Vaishno Devi tomorrow. My sister-in-law pinged me around 4 am stating that there was waist deep water in her compound. The rains kept lashing at a steady pace. I knew that the situation in my campus would be worse. I gingerly stepped out to have a look at around 5 am and I had never ever seen this much water in our compound. Our flight was at 11 am and we would have to leave home latest by 8 am. Under the circumstances it seemed like an impossible feat. I spoke to the Goddess. “ I will accept your wish. If this journey is meant to happen, you will find a way for me to go. If it is not meant to happen, you will stop me from going, because it is not meant to be”. Under such circumstances, the only way forward is surrendering to the situation. I continued with my morning chores and some last minute packing, while my mind was trying to figure out how the situation would eventually unfold. There was absolutely no sign of the water receding.I waited till 6 am and then started making some random calls in a vain attempt to find a driver with a big vehicle which could come through the water. All Ubers were off the radar on that fateful morning. Almost every call went unanswered which was obvious, considering the early morning timing, and a couple of them simply refused to even try to make an attempt. Finally , a good Samaritan said he had a Toyota Innova Crysta, and he would try his best to come through the water. A ray of hope in dark times, I called my sister-in-law telling that I would pick her up through the water at 8 am . Like a missile on a mission, my saviour car came right into my compound and I managed to wear a pair of plastic shoe covers, jump into the muddy water with my luggage over my head, and finally take my seat in the car. Without halting, the vehicle just blared through the water once again, while we picked my sister in law and finally we found ourselves at the airport well before time. The rest of the journey was a breeze.

Through the Flash floods to catch a flight

Looking back on that morning, I still find it difficult to believe that I was in Jammu that very evening. Probably, I would not have been able to make it to my hospital, just 2 kilometers away. But as they say, when the Mother calls, no obstacle can stop you. She is just testing you with a challenge. And when the faith is strong, then even the impossible becomes possible. That evening in Jammu, I had a most comfortable stay at the Army Cantonment and as usual , their hospitality was beyond expectations.

The next morning we were moving towards Katra. I met an acquaintance Sri Vikrantji, who was just like a younger brother to me, who first took me to the Tirupati Balaji Temple of Jammu across the Sidra Bridge along the Tawi River. For people of this region it is like visiting Tirupati at Tirumallai Hills. An astounding piece of architecture, it left me spellbound.

Then on , I met my sister in law and her friend as they picked me up from near the bridge. Our first stop was Koul Kandoli Mata temple. Apparently, this is where Mata Vaishno Devi spent her childhood days. They say it is extremely auspicious to visit this temple before making the ascent. We reached Katra around 10 AM, and had to get our passes from the Army counter. We also had to confirm our booking for overnight stay at the Bhawan . It took a while but my sister-in-law and her friend eventually were able to secure a very decent room at Kalika Bhawan just near the Main Shrine.

It was now almost noon and we started our climb. We had 16 kilomeers to go . While my sister-in-law took the traditional Banganga route with a Palki, the two of us started our walk via the Tarakota route which is supposed to be far more quieter, very scenic and a little longer too. Little did we know that there would be no porters in this route to carry our luggage. As time was passing by, we had to start climbing, this was no easy task with our luggage. But where there is a will, there is a way. Initially, we had the energy, but after about a kilometre uphill, in the heat, we were getting too exhausted. While I prayed silently to the Goddess to help us, my friend befriended a person who was willing to carry our luggage. We had reached the Gurudwara and had their Langar, which was heavenly. Thereafter , the remaining part of the climb was a breeze.

A deer, a symbol of good luck, on the upward climb

We reached the Bhawan by almost 7 pm and the chants all along the way, and in the vicinity of the hills were mesmerizing. My sister-in-law had reached a little before us. We quickly freshened up and then went for the first Darshan which was organized by our Army friends. To be there in that space and vibration is simply a different experience which cannot be defined in words.

In no time, I found myself in front of the the three Pindis of the Goddess. I wonder why we get goosebumps and why tears flow for no reason. This rather overwhelming experience is simply a reminder, that when we surrender to the Supreme, the Divine takes charge of the situation. When you deeply desire something , then the universe is bound to make it happen. Just a day ago , I was stranded at my home in a rage of artificial flash floods in my city, and 24 hours later, here I am bowing down in front of Mata Vaishno Devi in the Trikuta hills. If this is not a miracle, then what is? In fact, the miracle just did not end there. Throughout our stay at the Bhawan, we had the opportunity of getting a Darshan of the Deity, four times. Late that night, when the crowd was thinning, we went in again.

A night view of The Yatra route from Bhawan

Then again very early in the morning, we went for another Darshan. Finally, we were also booked for the morning Aarti at 6 am and we found ourselves dissolved in pure bliss in front of the cave of Mata Vaishno Devi. The 2 hour morning Aarti is an opportunity to dissolve all our labels and egos at Her Divine Feet and feel the unison with every other existence of the Universe. Everyone was immersed in the morning chants in an atmosphere beyond description. At the end of the Aarti , we were again taken in for our fourth Darshan in a span of just 12 hours. By this time I just wanted a permanent photographic imprint of the Pindis in my brain. Her all powerful nature and Grace was something I could only feel.

After all of this we had a wholesome breakfast and checked out of our room. We stil had to visit Bhairo Baba temple. There is a ropeway which takes us to the Bhairo Temple making it much shorter. But, the line at the Ropeway station was neverending and endless. With a little patience, we made it on time. They say that the yatra is never complete until we pay our reverence to Lord Bhairav Baba at His shrine which is higher up than Ma Vaishno Devi’s Shrine.

Bird’s Eyeview of Vaishno Devi Shrine from Bhairo Baba Temple

After a very fulfilling Darshan we now set foot to go on our return journey to Katra. This time we chose the shorter Ban Ganga route and by late afternoon , we found ourselves at Katra. After a warm meal at the Army restaurant and café, we hired a cab to return to Jammu, but after spending some time at the Katra market. Our hearts were full and our aching legs and bodies felt sore. Tiredness struck us, but it just makes one feel that this journey was worth every inch of pain.

After a sound sleep , I was as fresh as a lark the next morning. Vikrantji made sure that I would have another fulfilling morning. He took me to the Aap Shambhu Temple, known for it’s self manifested Shiva Linga. The main Lingam is present in an uncovered open space. Legends say that grazing cows and buffaloes would naturally shed their milk upon this Lingam.

We then visited the Bawe wali MahaKali Temple in Jammu. This is one of the most revered and oldest temples of the region built around the Bahu Fort near the Tawi River. Locals revere the Goddess as the protector of the Jammu region. I am truly grateful for the blessings of meeting some amazing people who have been a part of my journey and given me the opportunity to experience these sacred spaces. Soon I was at Jammu airport to catch an afternoon flight to Delhi and a late evening flight back to Guwahati. My heart was full of gratitude.

The Bahu Fort and the premises of the Bewa Kali Temple

I may have visited Vaishno Devi for the second time, but I prayed to the Goddess to call me again soon. With her Divine Blessings I feel energized , as I step into the next phase of life with confidence, faith and trust, because she always calls to bless and protect her devotees.

The backdrop story of Mata Vaishno Devi goes on that she was born as a devout devotee of Lord Vishnu in South India. When she met Lord Rama in exile she wanted to merge with him. But Lord Rama was already wedded to Sita. So he said would meet her as kalki Avatar in Kali Yug. Meanwhile he directed her to Trikuta Hills to meditate. There, a tantric called bhairo Nath saw her and was obsessed with her. She managed to escape from him at banganga and Ardh Kuwari, and then beheaded him. At that moment he realized that she was no ordinary girl but the Goddess Herself and fell on her feet. She blessed him by making space for his temple above hers in the Trikuta Hills. Later she discarded her human form and transformed into the three stone pindis representing Kali ma, mata Lakshmi and mata Saraswati. Centuries later, a poor priest from a nearby village saw her in his dreams and thereafter established the rituals of praying to Mata Vaishno Devi at the Trikuta Hills. Till today, several generations of the Sridhar family remain as the standalone priests for this sacred temple in the Himalayan mountains echoing the enchanting hymns to the Divine Mother.

They say Vaishno Devi Darshan happens only when the “Bulawa” or Calling happens. Nothing could prove it more than the experience that I had. The short notice, the synchronisation with my travelling sisters, the challenges and finally the Darshan, I got all my answers.

A wish accomplished, a dream fulfilled…until next time, whenever the Mother calls

Grateful to the blessed sisters, Ananya and Surekha, with whom I made this incredible journey, and who made this dream a possibility

Ladakh – The Land of High Passes

Ladakh was on our bucket list for quite some time, and finally July 2025 took us to one of the most enchanting destinations that I could have ever dreamt of. With a lot of curated planning and guidance from our daughter, and her network of friends in the Indian Army, we chalked out a perfect itinerary to cover the length and breadth of this exotic Union Territory, which was formed as recently as 2019. Packing for this trip was quite challenging, as we had to be prepared for all seasons. More importantly, we had to be mindful of our medicines, prepare for high altitude terrain with medicines like Diamox to avoid acute mountain sickness and carry potions of sunscreen due to likelihood of high UV ray exposure.

Finally, on a fine summer morning, we found ourselves aboard our flight to Leh, from New Delhi. The jaw dropping changing landscape from above, as we were approaching the capital of Leh, literally left me spell bound. Just before our landing, the pilot announced that the windows would have to be pulled down and no pictures were allowed while landing, being a highly sensitive and strategically located part of India, sharing international borders with Pakistan and China. As we stepped out from our aircraft, I took a deep, long breath, pausing for a moment, to soak it all in. The air was clearly different here. It felt crisp and light. We had landed on this amazing runway surrounded by huge barren mountains that looked quite different from any other hills or mountains I have seen earlier. For a moment it felt like another planet.

The tiny airport was warm, welcoming, colourful and vibrant. We were warmly greeted by our Driver who would be with us for the next nine days. Soon we drove to the Army Guest House at Leh, where we would be staying for the next 2 days. Day 1 is always a mandatory rest day for any traveller to Leh, as it allows the body to adjust to the rarefied atmosphere and thereby gives time and rest for acclimatization. We were more than happy to have this rest day in such a pristine and quiet place surrounded by the majestic mountains on all sides. Hydration is a key part in the process of acclimatization and we made sure to drink adequate quantities of warm water through the day. Warm, home style food was served to us through the day, and we were pampered to no end.

By evening we felt much rested and relaxed. We decided to go to Shanti Stupa and spend some time there. The view from the place was stunning and we had a bird’s eyeview of the city of Leh from there. We took a leisurely walk all around and mostly sat and watched a breathtaking sunset as the dipping sun created a surreal display of shadows upon the barren mountains. Day 1 was clearly well done. On our way back we decided to make a quick stop at Saigon Café owned by Nurboo, and was highly recommended by our daughter. It was a delight to get introduced to Nurboo, and we chatted over coffee, promising to return for his signature dishes. As we returned to the Army Cantt, we couldn’t help but notice the night sky, as though we had stepped into a magnificent planetorium. For a star gazer this is the best treat that one could have ask for, as I racked my brains trying to identify constellations. Gently we fell asleep as we felt closer to the blanket of stars above our roof.

The next day was bright and beautiful, devoted to the city of Leh and some neighbouring areas which were in our itinerary. We started our morning exploring the Leh Palace with it’sunique architecture and of course, the magnificent view from the top. We then went out of the main city to explore some highlights of this region. The first one was a stop at the Gurudwara, Shri Pathar Sahib on the Leh Kargil Road. Apparently, around 1517, a notorious demon wanted to kill the meditating Guru Nanak. However, the rock became soft instead, leaving an impression of the demon’s foot on Guru Nanak’s body. The entire shrine is built around this boulder.

We then went on to experience the famous Magnetic Hill known for it’s anti gravity effects. Whether it was an illusion or a phenomenon baffling science , we enjoyed the moments of seeing our vehicle going uphill in neutral gear! Thereafter we proceeded to the Zanskar view point, and witnessed some of the most fascinating landscapes to be seen.

On our way back we made a stopover at the Spituk monastery. The serene atmosphere, the stillness and the silence was so profound that every breath felt truly gratifying. As we returned towards the cantonment, our last stop for the day was at the Hall of Fame . Built in the memory of the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives in the Indo-Pak wars, it was a poignant reminder of how the armed forces were fiercely guarding our territories just so that we could be safe. An entire section is devoted to the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, and the harsh conditions of temperatures often below -50 degree centigrade during peak winters. In silence we moved around , trying to grasp the hard realities of the battlefields in high altitudes. From arms and ammunitions, to letters and poems, this place truly gave us the goosebumps. Another day in paradise came to an end. But not yet, as we were invited for a sumptuous dinner at Nurboo’s Saigon Café. With his signature dishes of delectable Mutton Ribs and Vietnamese Pho on the Menu , this evening couldn’t have gotten better with some amazing friends in faraway lands, to add to the aura of our special evening.

An unforgettable meal at Saigon Café in Leh

The next morning we were moving to the village of Hunder in Nubra Valley. A distance of about 4-5 hours from Leh, this picturesque road took us through the second highest motorable Pass in the world , Khardung La. What a breathtaking drive it was. By this time our bodies had got acclimatized to the rarified atmosphere. Pollution was a far cry and AQI could possibly be below 10. Though we were passing through peaks which had snow, the sun was bright and burning. Again this was due to the unfiltered UV rays. We stopped at Khardung La for a quick photograph, while we also saw the country’s highest ATM by SBI. These are little reminders of how we take life for granted in the cities, whereas in these places mostly without network, this ATM remains a lifeline for the people living around.

As we entered Nubra valley we passed through Diksit Monastery and very soon we saw the famous sand dunes of Nubra valley. We were awestruck by the mesmerizing , breathtaking beauty of the barren landscape that unfolded before us. We happened to arrive at Hunder on their annual village festival day which was apparently a big event for the entire village. Our host at Nubra, a retired Major in the Indian Army, asked us to stop over at the festival venue. Very soon we found ourselves with the village elders and administration and were entertained to a host of musical and dance programmes while being served with local delicacies on a platter. We walked around the place, watched the camels resting in arid desert and then checked into our resort the Himalaya Eco Resort. The location and the whole resort complex was a surreal, dreamy destination. As the evening turned into dusk, once again the blanket of a starry night spread across the dark sky. With zero pollution levels, the air felt thin, but crisp, and we felt we were living in another world away from all the chaos and the noise.

That very evening the commanding unit of army officers came to meet us and hosted a dinner for us. Truly, we were greatly honoured as they showed us so much love and respect, making us feel extra special. With great food, deep conversations, loads of laughter and soft music under the starry night with a bonfire to keep us warm, this was truly memorable evening. We wished the unit all the best as they were moving to Siachen glacier in 2 days time. Apparently , the toughest army posting is supposed to at the Siachen glacier.

Starry night & a memorable evening at Himalaya Eco Resort

The next morning we were set to travel to India’s last village, Turtuk & Thang. Through barren mountains and endless straight roads of the Shyok Valley , we were heading towards the Pakistan border or the LoC, where we start seeing a mixed population including the Balti communities, an ethnic group of Tibetan descent. These populations are quite distinguishable from the largely Tibetan Buddhist people by way of their sharp features, distinct cuisine and language which largely has Arabic and Persian influence. Prior to 1971, this region was under Pakistan, but thereafter , on the fateful night of 17th December, 1971, the Indo- Pak war created the Line of Control which integrated these parts with India. Families were torn apart, though they could see each other from a distance, the manmade imaginary lines often decide the fate of people who seem to be no way interested in the political battles fought over invisible boundaries. While nature bountifully grows on both sides and agricultural fields appear to extend infinitely, animals graze freely, birds, butterflies and the breeze all appear to sync in unision defining our beautiful planet. We had lunch at a small, delightful café in Turtuk by the stream , while in Than, I struck a conversation with an old man whose family had remained on the other side on that fateful night. Now, he has to take a two day journey via Delhi and apply for his visa before he can reach his family who is hardly a kilometer or two away. Such is fate, when you surrender to situations beyond your control. As we returned back to Hunder with mixed feelings, we took a moment to pause by the Shyok River, in the backdrop of the vast desert like landscape and the bare looming mountains beyond.

Thang, the Northernmost village of India

The following day we were headed for Pso Pangong. We had only heard about its timeless beauty and had a glimpe of it in the iconic Amir Khan & Kareena Kapoor movie, The 3 Idiots. With open hearts we were ready to embrace it all. Our first hindrance however was that we were supposed to cross the Shyok river at a particular point which was supposed to take us through the shorter route to Pangong. We had got a green signal from our Army Major friend at Hunder that the road was fine, and vehicles were able to cross the river. Apparently, the water levels of the river can rise at any time, and drivers often use their “gut feeling” to decide whether to venture into the surging waters and safely go to the other side! This road is usually a one way route.However, as we were almost approaching the crossing point, we saw a tourist vehicle returning from the opposite side, and the driver was waving his arms wildly, indicating to our driver that the river was already in spate and vehicles can’t cross it. So we would have to turn around and take the alternate much longer route through Wari la and Shiva village to reach Pangong. So we turned back, and now it was our driver’s turn to wave his arms at all onward vehicles to give up the idea of crossing the river! That’s how things work in far flung lands where mobile phone signals are rare and communication still is through traditional methods!

But none the less, it was certainly God’s plan to make us go through the high pass of Wari La and into the magical mountainous region of a land which seemed to be out of a fairy tale. Yaks and mountain sheep were grazing on these high lands. The noisy world that we had left behind a few days back seemed so very far away. We could might as well be on another planet! The winding roads through these picturesque landscapes were truly enthralling. The music in our vehicle was playing ‘Ei Deewane Dil, chal Kahin door nikal jaye’, from the old movie Doosra Aadmi, starring Rishi Kapoor and Rakhee, as I drifted into another world altogether.

And then, our driver told us, that we are approaching the priceless gem of the world, and we should be seeing the first azure blue glimpse in between two mountains at the next bend. Just like a piece of blue zircon stone, we saw the first view of Pso Pangong. I caught my breath momentaririly, as I had never seen nature in such an unusually beautiful creation.The deep blue colour of the lake was a mixture of azure, turquoise, teal and royal blue. The shadows of the sun and the stark mountains behind the lake created a multitude of magical colours and shades, while the waters were calm and relatively still.

India holds around 30% of the Lake whereas most of it falls within Chinese territory. In such a terrain it is often difficult to understand the arbitrary demarcations of international borders, but none the less, the challenges faced by our brave soldiers in such difficult, dangerous and precarious regions deserves to be saluted. Meanwhile , as we crossed various villages to finally reach our resort, we did have to cross a few rivulets which were gathering spate as evening was approaching. Rangjon Resort in Merak village is a quiet eco-friendly retreat with a panoramic view of the lake. The glass roof wooden cottages were just perfect for our kind of stay, as we got the feel of sleeping under a blanket of stars.

As we spent precious moments by the lake we were accompanied by our furry friend who spent an entire evening with us exploring the interesting spots in the area. The serene experience, the calm views and the stillness and beauty of the surrounding kept us captivated. The food at the resort was homely, warm and welcoming. Pso Pangong will be a memory forever etched in my mind.

Next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we headed towards Hanle. On the way, we did stop at some photoshoot points with props from the movie 3 Idiots, and I had my ‘Kareena Kapoor’ moment, sitting on the yellow scooty by the lake. Our next stop was the Rezang La War Memorial. This memorial at 16,000 feet is dedicated to the 13th Kumaon Regiment and its sacrifices under Major Shaitan Singh in the 1962 Sino Indian War. It stands as a silent and defiant testimony amidst these high altitude rugged location , a poignant reminder of the indomitable spirit of the Indian Army.

The road to Hanle is like travelling to the moon. The desert like terrain across vast, majestic landscapes, surrounded by mountains of all colours , left us in awe. The hues of the backdrop ranged from pink, to maroon, to brown, grey, blue and green. There were some colours which we couldn’t even name.

We finally reached our place of stay which was again in the army cantonment of Hanle. On a little hillock, overlooking the Hanle Monastry and the Hanle Observatory, we settled ourselves for viewing the Night Sky from one of the World’s darkest Sky Reserves. The oxygen in the atmosphere was thin,and we were having a saturation of about 84% on the pulse oximeter. I was comfortable and did not feel the need of taking oxygen, though we had a cylinder in hand. As night approached our eyes started getting accustomed to the darkness and the glittering stars. We saw some of familiar constellations like Orion, the Great Bear and planets like Jupiter. We were asked to fix gaze towards the South Eastern horizon to see the Milky way. As dramatic as it could get, the sky showed a hue initially like a cloudy patch and gradually as midnight approached , the cosmic saga appeared before us like never before. Millions of stars burst out across the heavenly Milky Way, and I felt like a speck in the Universe. Yet I knew that I was a still a significant part of the whole. Moments like these can be life changing and truly humbling. And for me, this one precious moment was a milestone. Ladakh trip felt absolutely fulfilling and my heart was full.

The Milky Way at Hanle, one of the world’s best Dark Sky Observation spots

The next morning we would be heading back to Leh, through some magnificent terrains once again.

One of the highlights of this return route was Pso Moriri. Unlike Pso Pangong, this is a less touristy spot and the the deep blue colour of the lake stood out against the backdrop of the white mountains. What is heaven, what is earth, here we are, heaven on earth.

Back in Leh , we needed one more day to rest, rejuvenate and make a last visit to two of the most famous monesteries of this region. The first visit was to Hemis monastery which is situated along the west bank of the Indus River. This serene space for the spiritual seeker is the ultimate epitome of peace. The Annual Hemis Monastery festival had just got over a day back , and the remains of the festivities were quite visible. One of the young monks took us all around explaining the significance of the different areas of the Monastery. We then went to Thiksey Monastery. This is one of the largest Monasteries of Central Ladakh. After this ,we had a quick stop at Shey monastery and then headed back towards Leh. The last day in Leh was truly a day of reflection and being more than grateful for being able to witness the magnificent and majestic beauty of this place first hand. I had a few moments to explore the Leh market and pick up a few trinkets and souvenirs and that completed our journey.

Our hearts are full as we embark on our return journey. Another chapter of my life scripted well. I am ever grateful to Lord Almighty for this incredible opportunity which made me see a part of the world so carefully preserved and hidden. The land of High Passes has truly lived up to its reputation. Thank you Universe.

Will I visit Ladakh again? Absolutely, I would love to, if an opportunity comes by. Nurboo has promised to show me the snow leopards on my next visit. I would love to experience once again, the blissfulness of Hanle’s surreal night sky under the celestial , shimmering Milky Way. Ladakh is one of the few destinations that makes you feel so closely aligned to the cosmos, and yet leaves you with a sense of awe and wonder of God’s own creation and a deep sense of belonging to the Universe.

Finally, my heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Army for their unparalleled, unmatched hospitality and care at every step, making us feel safe and secure, while ensuring we could extract the best from this visit. A salute to them for their unwavering fortitude and for all that they do to keep our borders safe under the harshest of conditions.

How can a man die better, than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, and the Temples of his Gods

The words scripted here sums it all and were in memory of the bravehearts of Rezang La for the 114 martyrs of the 13 Kumaon Regimen who fought to the last man against hordes of Chinese invaders on 18th November 1962. Their indomitable spirit and invincible courage will forever echo in the Himalayas of Ladakh.

SUSTAINABILITY: A WAR CRY

I switched on the television set to peek into the headlines while sipping my cup of tea, and I see such devastating scenes of deluge and destruction. The river Kshirganga in a savage mode digging her pathway through the heart of Dharali washing the place clean of anything that belonged to that place just moments before.

Kshirganga gushing down in fury

A couple of days back we saw similar havoc in Himachal Pradesh too, and cloud burst is the reason in both occasions. It has started to become almost a common natural phenomenon; with the rainy seasons being on. It is heart wrenching to see the damage and the loss of lives in the process. And these are only few amongst many such natural disasters where lot has been damaged and lost in the ecosystem. Ecologists have been warning us about rapid losses in the ecological balance and the priority needed to act on conserving and protecting nature by human actions. Are we all doing our bit? It is high time we introspect and understand our dreams and responsibilities towards all very clearly. Lot of constructions and transformational work is seen around all over, which is quite natural for a developing country. Yet it doesn’t give the amount of satisfaction it ought to. A lacuna lies beneath somewhere, which needs to be breached. Perhaps the imbalance in the ecology is the reason.

*Importance of Balance in the Ecosystem*

Often the transformations are needed within us. It is only beneficial if the complete ecosystem grows together with support and help of one another. The remotest of places in the country are connected to the rest of the world without much difficulty. Accessibility has become a boon yet a jinx at the same time. Technologies have brought so much of comfort and ease to the regular rigmaroles in our functionalities. Yet we find ourselves struggling for the basic issues in our lives. We have become so much aware yet we are unaware ironically.

Starbuck café’s charges are so high but their free internet and no time bar pulls lot of the young office crowd, especially for work from home mode. Many a times such branded outlets fail to follow the laid down protocols. The disposable wastes are seen littered on sidewalks, eventually sliding into the pavements and get soaked into the drain water obstructing the smooth waterflow. Most urban civilization goes under water after a heavy downpour, and the areas affected are expanding. Have the big commercial houses really been sustainable in their dispositions, despite being such big trademarks. Its time to delve deep into.

When we were younger, I remember our house at the foothill was heavenly with greens and breezy around. The lushness and exuberance we were surrounded by, is another level of delight that I behold with gratification and nostalgia. The afternoon breeze into our rooms from the rustling green around can’t be compared to any air conditioner. The view around has turned very distressing now, we have become our own enemy by destroying nature for our needs and comfort. The cruel patches of earth left of the lustrous greenery, sends us distressed warning to be alert and prompt in the conservation processes. The trees felled and human settlements cover the hills. They have not only eaten up the greenery but also consumed spaces on the roadsides leaving only a single lane road. Each house with a car but no parking space in it.

During rainy season the soil gets eroded gently and it is natural that we expect some major calamity over a period of time. Increase in population leads to overuse of natural resources like water and poor soil management which can get drought situations. Sustainable land use must be practiced compulsorily by all. Sustainable land management means responsible and efficient use of land resources to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It involves practices that maintain or improve soil fertility, prevent land degradation, and optimize land use efficiency and ensuring long-term productivity of the land Sustainable farming should be promoted in a big way to prevent drought or soil erosion.

Unregulated constructions and unplanned urbanization can bring unexpected disasters. The recent Earthquake that struck Russia was within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly active tectonic zone. Because of its high magnitude Tsunami alerts were issued across the Pacific. Such can be the impact of natural disasters that it doesn’t remain contained locally and can affect larger areas. It should be mandatory to plan towns and cities with proper drainage systems, open spaces, and safe zones. Protecting the ecosystem will naturally shield against floods, heatwaves or other natural calamities. Eco friendly constructions that strictly uses disaster resistant and energy efficient materials should be allowed.

Roads and tunnels are constructed in the valleys and mountains for tourism, trade, and quick mode of transportations. Hydro power projects are built to fuel growth and employments in the hilly regions. In the process it becomes necessary to break the rocks on the hills to clear the way for the construction. Blasting is the way it is done which is extremely damaging and harmful for the balance in nature. Landslides are one of the common outcomes from these blasts, and it has become so frequent now. These blasts can re-route underground water bodies leading to drying up lifesaving springs. Development should protect the mountains not detonate them. It becomes a costlier affair too. Instead, when necessary, we can bore the tunnel by the Tunnel Boring Machines that are ideal for urban and environmentally sensitive areas. It minimizes the surface disturbances which is very important on hilly terrains.

Practicing sustainability is a long-term approach towards living and operating, that can create harmony between human well-being and conservation of nature for the present and the future generations. The concept can be broken into three main factors that are very crucial and interconnected in our lives, namely environmental, social and economic conditions. The environment provides resources and services essential for economic and social well-being. I fondly remember my younger days when my father used to go shopping daily, also as part of his regular evening walk. He would never forget to pick up the shopping bag hung in its fixed place before leaving the house. When he comes back, the bag is emptied and goes back to its place to be picked up the next day. No plastic bags back then. Can we bring back such sustainable practices in our routine life. As they say – A journey of a million miles starts with a step.

A JOURNEY TO ETERNITY-Hemkund Sahib

25^TH July 2024

We are at Ghangria, cozily cuddled in the comfort and warmth of the tents of Blue Poppy Swiss Cottage. I could hear the rain pouring in sheets over our tents through night. Occasionally , there was the whine of the horses who were stationed near our tent which was the last tent of the entire lot and overlooked the helipad of Ghangria. I heard the tingling of bells in the dark , through the sounds of pouring rain. “They are the horses, moving and shifting places amidst the rain”, I thought , as I fell into a trance and drifted into a dream of enormous mountains, covered with mist and clouds, only to reappear as the clouds move on. Somewhere, in the back of my mind I knew I would wake up to a day of great significance. I did not know anything beyond it though.

At 4:30 AM, I woke up. There was pin drop silence. No rains, except the occasional bells of the horses. I jumped out of bed and peeped out of the tent. Dawn was just breaking in. I love these moments of transition as night breaks into day. The sky looked like it was clearing. “Yes, I can trek up to Hemkund Sahib”, I silently told myself.

“ Good morning, Ami, time to get ready”, as Ami woke up with a big smile and got up to prepare herself for the day. We were told by our guide Dinesh the previous night that breakfast would be ready at 6:00 am and trekkers would need to start their journey by 6:30 AM. Soon we were up and about, dressed in layers to face any weather challenges and all set for the day. With dry fruits, energy bars and water bottles we were geared up for this journey today. Various sources including the internet did mention that this is a challenging and steep trek not for the faint hearted. I looked up to the skies and silently said, “I am doing this today, God, Give me strength”. Soon, after a lovely warm breakfast, I was ready for the trek with a few of the young bunch of trekkers. I was confident that I’ll make it to Hemkund Sahib on foot. There would be an option for ponies at the half way point, and I decided to embrace whatever was in store. As we crossed the gurgling Pushpawati River, I looked up at the daunting peak in front of me. Yes, I would be climbing 15,000 feet to Hemkund Sahib, from Ghangria which was at 8000 plus feet.

The journey from now on was beyond description. The ascent was steep almost throughout. The more one looked up at the peak , the more it felt like an impossible feat. Hence, I decided to focus only on the next step. With each passing moment, I realized that I was breathing rarefied air, which felt lighter and pure. The clouds and the fog played hide and seek and the breath taking view as we ascended up was just too surreal. Ghangria village seemed to become a tiny dot and we were moving away from civilization.

Less footprints of humans and a more intense feeling of being nearer to Divinity, gradually enveloped me. It was almost like a trance. I was out of the world, yet I was in it. To feel this dual nature of our states of being made me realize that we are as tiny as dust powder in this cosmic dance. This was an experience of dissolving the ego, of melting into nothingness. I felt every cell of my body to be in a harmonious dance in sync with my surroundings. Strangely, I didn’t feel that I was testing my physical endurance during this climb. As steep as it was, with my focus being only in the moment and into my next step, I was physically quite at ease. Maybe I hadn’t even put a thought into it. There was neither any exertion nor any exhaustion, but a feeling of blissfulness. Looking down at the Ghangria Valley disappearing from sight, gave me a sense of accomplishment that I came this far. Yes, the trick was not to ask how much more we have to climb to reach Hemkund Sahib, but rather to see how far we have already climbed.

Very soon, to the thrill of all of us we reached the half way point and stopped for some hot chai and biscuits. Parle G biscuits at that point never tasted better! Interestingly, the thought of taking a pony at the half way point did not even come to my mind, until I was reminded that beyond this we would not get any horses, even if we wanted. But that was fine with me. I was full of enthusiasm and energy to continue the climb ahead. The ParleG biscuits and the energy bites had given me the boost.

Without a doubt, the second half of the climb was much more challenging. Suddenly, the climb up seemed almost vertical. One step at a time, we followed some simple rules as laid out by my young co trekkers. Placing the feet at an angle, rather than straight ahead, was supposed to be better. Also , zig zag walks were supposed to conserve more energy. Taking sips of water and keeping oneself well hydrated was the ultimate Mantra. If you are tired, prefer to just pause for a while, but avoid sitting down. Avoid taking any short cuts. It doesn’t help in the long run. I just remembered the wise quote….Short term gain leads to long term pain! And so surely, short term pain would lead to long term gain! So even if I chose the longer route in the mountains, eventually it would be more beneficial. These little bits of wisdom gathered on the way certainly eased our climb.

The upward climb is actually a test on the pulmonary and cardiac systems. I tried to recollect my medical knowledge and realized that people with cardio respiratory compromise, muscle and joint issues would find the ascent challenging. The views as we started climbing higher turned out to be more and more magnificent. What is heaven, what is earth? Here we are, heaven on earth. We crossed tired travellers who chose to rest for a while. Bole Sau Nihaal , Sat Sri Akaal,,,,,, was the mantra and greetings to all whom we crossed. It was the spirit of humanity that was at its best. Very soon, I came upon a man with crutches. He had an amputed leg. And yes, he was walking with one feet and one crutch up this steep mountain somewhere above 12,000 feet only determined to reach the Gurudwara where he would find his ultimate solace. There were Pitthu walas, ( people who were carrying others in baskets), who were telling this man that they were willing to take him up for free. But he was determined. There was only one way which would take him up. And he had already chosen it. I was quite aware that for many Sikhs, an annual trip to Hemkund Sahib was a must. Such was the level of devotion and determination.

As we were above 13,000 feet, the landscape started changing. We crossed glaciers, rivulets, rocks and streams. The atmosphere was getting rarefied and then through the rocky crevaces we started noticing the presence of two of the most amazing and rarest of the rare flowers in full bloom. The first one was of course, the very distinct and mystical blue poppy flower. And what a beauty it was. Wherever our eyes turned, we saw only blue poppies popping out! To pause and soak into this breathtaking beauty was like wishing to hold on to this moment forever.

The Elusive Blue Poppy

The other most magnificent and ethereal bloom that we saw was the enchanting BrahmaKamal , also known to be Vishnu’s favourite flower. This strange looking flower had light green elongated petals within which was a hidden microcosmos. What a fascinating creation of Almighty. He chooses these special flowers to bloom only in certain parts of our planet. The hidden secrets of God can never be fully uncovered, but to stumble upon these rare, exotic flora was a true blessing for us.

Brahmakamal Flower

As we trudged up the final lag, it now seemed a daunting task. The initial enthusiasm and energy was diminishing and I felt that the physical strength of my quadriceps and hamstrings were being put to test. One of my young co trekkers just broke down. She almost could not take a further step. The mist was dense, but through it came the soothings melodies of the Gurbanis. “We are almost there. God is inviting you. You can do this “, I spoke to her as I held her and allowed her to weep. She finally gathered her strength and courage and we finally reached the Gurudwara of Hemkund Sahib atop the mountain and built on the banks of the green alpine Hemkund Lake. How such a magnificent Gurudwara was built at this height in a place which was so inaccessible was beyond my limited imagination. We dipped our feet in the sublime waters of the lake, as we saw many people actually taking a full plunge into the ice cold water. The atmosphere was surreal. I felt various kinds of indescribable emotions which overwhelmed me for a while. We were soon ushered into the main Sanctum Sanctorum of the Gurudwara as the last session of the Gurbani started. With several other pilgrims we sat huddled in the warmth of the Gurudwara while wrapping blankets around us. The soulful Gurbanis struck a chord in each of our hearts. I felt tears flow spontaneously from my eyes. These were not tears of either sadness or of joy. It was just that moment of dissolution of the ego. We are all one and part of the same Universal Consciousness, temporarily trapped in our earthly bodies and in the layers of our temporary identities while we are on planet earth. From the moment we are born, we spend an entire lifetime trying to save this identity, be it our tribe, community, name, identity, religion , nation and so on and so forth. But eventually the only Universal Truth is that we shall all die one day only to go back home, where all these very layers will be stripped off and we shall dissolve into our Source, the original Universal Consciousness. All the labels that we put upon ourselves , simply seemed to melt away. And while we enjoy the gift of this life in our temporary bodies, there is only one language that the Universe understands, and that is the love for all other beings that are also here on a temporary contract. We come here to learn this biggest lesson through a journey of so many lifetimes. I looked around briefly to notice silent tears upon the faces of almost all the pilgrims who were there within the Gurudwara. Yes, this is an experiential journey for every individual seeker.

Adjacent to the Gurudwara we found the Laxman Temple. This is supposed to be the only exclusive Laxman Temple in the world. Apparently Guru Govind Singh in one of his previous lifetimes, meditated here and was a disciple of Lord Laxman. The proximity of these two holy shrines, next to each other at a height of 15000 feet in the Himalayas made me wonder about all that may have occurred in this divinely blessed place.

We also had the Prasad or Halwa, the Langar and the hot glasses of tea which was served to each and every pilgrim who would arrive here. No food on earth seemed to taste better than this, in that moment. It was soon time to make our return journey, as no pilgrims are allowed to stay on . The downhill journey back to Ghangria would take us at least 3 hours or more and once again ,we now started our descent. Though we expected it to be easier than the uphill climb, it was actually more difficult, specially for our toes. After frequent rests, to catch our breaths, or to admire the magnificent beauty around us, and give our feet some respite, we finally reached our campsite at around 6 pm. The level of satisfaction which this journey gave us, transcends all pain and discomfort and actually today, when I turn back , I have little memories of the effort that I put in , but only the strange sensation of being engulfed by the very feeling of pure love for all beings existing on this planet. Yes, God speaks. If we keep our perceptions high, we will hear the Voice. Hemkund Sahib has been one fulfilling journey of my life where the Divine speaks and the devotee hears.

God’s own Garden

MANIFEST

Sitting in my OPD, after seeing my last patient, on a winter afternoon, I was contemplating on scheduling two days leave for Christmas and to celebrate my son’s birthday on Boxing Day. Like every year, we usually plan to celebrate his birthday out of town amidst nature in pristine, off beat locations. This time he was coming home, just a month after we had lost our 14 and half year old dog, Rusty who transited and crossed the Rainbow Bridge to doggy heaven on 16^th of November’22.

Our plan was to take a trip to the sleepy town of Tura in Meghalaya, where Rusty’s foster parents lived, and they actually had a new pup, named Leo, who was our Rusty’s nephew. Maybe this trip would bring a closure to our collective loss. But the issue was that there was no accommodation available in Tura around this time, as most homestays and guest houses were closed for Christmas. My son had just landed in town and at that very moment was on his way home, as I took a deep breath in silence and was trying to figure out how this plan would materialize .

Just then, a medical representative walked into my chamber. I excused myself by stating that I had a meeting to attend. He said “ Maam , I haven’t come today to talk of any product. Actually, I came to tell you that I saw you in my dream yesterday. You were coming to Tura, but did not get an accommodation. You then asked me to try an arrange for an accommodation. There were some other people with you, but that was blurred and hazy. I took you to Tree House Resort and managed a booking for you. You were very grateful and thanked me profusely. I actually saw you so clearly, that I thought I must meet you in person and tell you about it.”

Talk about manifesting your dream, and here, someone walks into my OPD, and tells me that he actually saw the whole scene just 4 days before I was actually planning to go to Tura! There was simply no way he could have known as I had not spoken of this to anyone at all.

I no longer see these events as mere coincidences any more, but powerful energies which synchronize with the right frequencies at the right timings and manifest. Apparently, this person hails from Tura too, but he had not visited his hometown for a long time. I asked him to take a chair, told him that I actually had a plan of going in Christmas, and accommodation was the issue at hand, and was currently on my mind. I even asked him if he was a mind reader. He was totally baffled. He had seen the distinct dream on the previous night.

He gaped at me, bewildered, his mouth wide open, unable to come to terms with what he just heard. I was calm, maybe a little amused. Once again, I perceive the miracles happening around me, with grace. “ It looks like you are here to fulfil this wish of mine. Since you belong to Tura, could you suggest in reality, where we could possibly stay, as most places are closed for Christmas?” I asked. Recovering from this bizarre revelation, he took out his phone, made some quick calls and then gave me a few contacts. And eventually, through him, we finally connected to Shalom Home Stay, a pretty little guest House, painted in white, with huge bougainvillea trees and a ‘Church of Prayer for all Nations’ just in front of it. We couldn’t have had a better choice to stay.

Eventually, Tura happened, and we had a peaceful, tranquil and quiet Christmas in a most homely atmosphere.

A quiet birthday celebration at midnight and a fulfilling day at the Saxena House, spending quality time with their pup Leo, finally helped us to come to terms with Rusty’s passing over and releasing him finally, for his heavenly journey into infinity. As our Guardian Angel, he is constantly watching and protecting us, his beloved family, and is paving our paths for the future, with its amazing possible manifestations.

Rusty was an embodiment of love, only unconditional love, and that is exactly the lesson he came to teach us. Truly, only love is real, and the power of manifestation of true love can happen in various ways. We only need to enhance our receptivity to perceive it in its invisible form.

As has been quoted by Rumi, “Love is the whole thing. We are only the pieces.” Rusty came as a piece of love, in his limited life form, and now he is an expansive embodiment of the whole.

The Lone Pohutokuwa Tree

Through rain and storm
It’s roots stood strong,
As the wind howled
And the skies poured down,
The stems wriggled and tried to hold on
For thousands of years
It saw many a weather
A plenty of animals who came down for shelter
The tides in the sea rose high and low
To the Holy God it had to bow.
Each bark of the tree had a story to be told
As the branches twisted and turned and tried to just hold,
And so the Pohutokuwa still stands tall
To tell us the story of it all.

The twisted trunks tell a thousand tales

The Lone tree at the end of the Cliff at Cape Reinga…. where the Spirits head home

At Cheltenham Beach, this Tree is a silent embodiment of Nature’s fury over the years

At Emily’s Nature Reserve, the barks touch the ground in an amazing way.

NB: The Pohutokuwa tree, has been taken as a symbolic representation of the many iconic trees that I came across in New Zealand.

School Friends

The first of our friends are family as we all know
But friends turn out to be family as the bonding grow
It is seen that school friends fit in the role often
With passage of time the thread turns golden
Perhaps it is not the same with each of them
Yet the best of friends usually turns one from them
Many friends brush our path in this drive
While school friends disappear in their personal strive
Only to comeback recharged with added exuberance
To continue from where we all left to fend for sustenance
Friends come close during the course and become family
However, school friends grow thicker than family, frequently.
With a desire to keep the sparkle on, amid friends
The journey starts again with fresh effervescence
Life comes to a full circle with school mates return
With an anticipation for a relaxed retreat crammed with fun.

YOGA AND CONCIOUS LIVING

Yoga is a practice that includes breathing exercises, mediation and asanas for overall health. It can bring a complete balance and union of the Individual and the Universal consciousness, at the same time it is also a spiritual discipline based on extremely subtle science. It brings a perfect harmony between the mind and body, Man and Nature. One who can experience such oneness is said to be in the path of self-realization or Moksha. This sounds a little high-level, though Yoga can be beneficial in our daily life as well if kept in practice regularly. It can help in both spiritual and material upliftment of humanity.

Yoga has been practiced since the pre-Vedic ages. The first time the yogic philosophy was explained, was by Lord Shiva to his wife Goddess Parvati. He taught her the very essence of Creation and Liberation and his next disciples were the Saptarishis who spread the Yoga philosophy to mankind. Thus, Shiva is also called ‘Adi Yogi’.

Sage Patanjali’s “Yoga sutras”, a synthesized compilation on the theories of yoga, are the source of inspiration and guidance for contemporary Yoga. Yoga has different branches, like the Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Gyan Yoga and Tantra Yoga. Eventually in the West world the term YOGA denotes a modern form of Hatha Yoga that is posture based physical fitness and a technique of relaxation and stress relief, mostly involving asanas. Which is quite a deviation from traditional Yoga which focuses on the balance between the mind and body and the universe and the ultimate liberation of the spirit.

Yoga is not just about contorting into a perfect pose or just a physical exercise. Though the asanas have gained widespread popularity in recent times they are just the superficial aspects of a profound science that can unfold the infinite potential of human mind and soul. Yoga can help in adopting a more conscious lifestyle, where in a person enjoy the moments as they come and feel more empowered about their daily lives. Yoga can help a lot in bringing the required balance between the body and mind which in turn can help in boosting both social and mental being of a person. In appreciation and recognition to the benefits of Yoga and its growing popularity, 21st of June, every Year has been announced by the UN as the International Day of Yoga.

“You have to be the change you want to see in the world” is an often-cited quote by Gandhiji, which can be interpreted in a personal sense, that reflects on Conscious living. Contemporary lifestyles have influenced the societal trends in a big way; however, it is possible to keep a balance between Conscious living and a thoroughly Modern lifestyle. We are our own best judge, and we can decide how much of modernization we allow in our lives over Conscious living. These days it is indeed very inspiring and appreciable to see positive and self-realizing practices being followed like meditation or conscious actions and reactions. People try to observe their emotions and thoughts in a detached way, which can help them to live and move forward in a conscious way, trying to be in union with the surroundings.

Corporate wellness programs are promoted by companies for a balanced and healthy lifestyle of the employees, and it is an essential program to drive corporate goals. Yoga enhances the work/life balance, and the ability to handle stress and challenges very effectively. It builds a conscious relationship with the inner self which helps in keeping the mind focused.

Yoga practices are incorporated in medical conditions sometimes for treatment and prevention of diseases. Apart from the physical elements of Yoga, which helps in strengthening and keeping the body flexible, medical yoga also incorporates breathing techniques, mindfulness and meditation to achieve maximum benefits. Regular Yoga practice can help to regulate the blood glucose level or the cardiovascular system and improve musculoskeletal disorders. It can boost the mental energy and positive feelings in the mind and help in overcoming depression, aggression, and anxiety. Our mind is like a garden where we can nurture rich, joyful and positive thoughts through a conscious and meditative way of life.

Conscious living begins with intention. It means becoming more aware of what are we thinking and doing, our habits and reactions, instead of acting impulsively and without thinking. Conscious living expands and sharpens our awareness of our inner self, and our real essence. Yoga helps in making us more conscious and attentive towards everything. And the early we start bringing a change in our lifestyle the longer and better we can live our lives.

Research indicates that performing yoga in the kindergarten classroom can be very beneficial for young students too. Yoga improves attention deficiencies and visual-motor skills and reduce hyperactivity amongst young children which becomes an obstacle in their learning processes sometimes. Children are the citizens of tomorrow; they need to be nurtured in all best possible ways to bring out their best versions hidden inside.

We can try to make Yoga a way of life in children to make their lives more successful and we move towards living more consciously and in harmony with our surroundings and make this Earth a fully energized and a congenial place for its inhabitants. We can sum it up by this quote by Swami Paramhansa Yogananda –

“THERE IS ESSENTIALLY NOTHING IN THE UNIVERSE BUT MIND OR CONCIOUSNESS” – PARAMHANSA YOGANANDA

The Lost Earring- Manikaran

Somewhere on the banks of the River Parvati, in Himachal Pradesh, is the small town of Manikaran. It is said that Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati spent their time meditating here more than 11,000 years ago. Once when Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati were spending time here, Parvati apparently lost one of her earrings. She was extremely upset and asked Lord Shiva to find it for her. Lord Shiva in a fit of rage, performed the Cosmic Tandav Nritya or Dance. The Serpent God, Shesh Naag finally appeared before the Lord and humbly returned the earring and henceforth, the hot springs of Manikaran emerged. It is said that before the 1904 earthquake in this region, there were various jewels strewn up along with the hot springs.

Hot Springs on the banks of River Parvati

Rich in Uranium and Sulphur, these hotsprings apparently bring relief to many ailments and has been a major hub for natural healing of various chronic diseases. This little township in Parvati Valley derived its name from the story of the lost earring of Devi Parvati. ( Mani means jewel and Karan means ear).

The place is also dotted with temples of Lord Shiva, Lord Rama, Shri Vishnu, Naina Devi and of course the Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara. A confluence of Faiths, this little town, nestled amidst the Himalayas, is a reminder of the peaceful coexistence of different religions and is a highly revered consecrated space.

Many centuries ago, Guru Nanak and his disciple Mardana came to Manikaran. Hungry and tired with nothing to eat, they collected flour from the villagers to make chapatis or flat bread. Mardana began making the chapatis, but there was no place to cook. Guru Nanak , then lifted one of the stone slabs and a hot spring emerged. The Guru asked his disciple to cook chapatis in the hot spring. But unfortunately, they started sinking in the water. Guru Nanak then asked Mardana to make the first offering to God, and thereafter, all the chapatis were cooked!

It is said that there is never a shortage of food for all the pilgrms who arrive at this sacred spot. The Gurudwara serves its hot meals round the clock to all devotees who reach it’s doors.

The Sacred Meal or Langar, served to all devotees alike at the Gurudwara

A visit to Manikaran truly fills the heart and it’s fascinating legends leaves one yearning for more. A melting pot of various Faiths , this little known township in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh keeps the ember of belief alive.

GRATITUDE 2022

Everything that happens is for a reason. Often we may not understand it at that point of time. But eventually, when we look back, we do get the answers.

As the curtains draw on yet another year, I can only feel grateful, thankful and blessed. Though I encountered one of my greatest losses in my life this year, yet I have come to terms with reality and acceptance of the inevitable. As I look back, the greatest void of my life occurred towards the end of this year. A part of me, my soul mate, my Cocker Spaniel , Rusty, all of 14 and a half years, crossed the Rainbow Bridge and graciously left his limited physical form, forever to become boundless, limitless and omnipresent everywhere. Rusty and I had a silent love affair over the years. I lived for him and he lived for me. There was no drama in this relationship, but just a quiet , subtle understanding of unconditional love between the two of us, without any expectations. Though he was generally in good health, I was aware that at this age , even the most trivial of triggers could become a major health event. My only wish was that when his time comes, I should be with him and he should be on my laps. And that is exactly how God decided to give him his final send off. Every end is but a new beginning. I no longer mourn his loss, but rather celebrate the life that he was. His omnipresence as my Guardian Angel now, is no longer a cause of separation, but a feeling of oneness with the whole.

The journey this year has been an unraveling of magic around me. Nothing surprises me anymore though. The reason is that I know that it’s a part of the grand scheme of things, and the scenes are playing one after the other just as I had desired to create it. The more I begin to appreciate, the better is my understanding.

1^st January 2022 started with seeking blessings from the Lord Ganesha at Agyathuri Temple with my two close friends , Kaberee and Babita. A beautiful drive therafter towards Hajo and a roadside picnic amidst nature was the perfect setting for new beginnings. January also saw our AMC Batch get together at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary where we soaked our spirits in the wilderness for three days. Dance, music, great food, picnic on the banks of Brahmaputra and a jungle safari once again cemented our life long friendship forever.

When batchmates from Medical School meet….at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Towards the later part of the month, we visited Manali where our son was staying. Kullu and Manali was something that I had always wanted to do, but had never happened. This winter was just the perfect fairy tale trip as we experienced a white winter wonderland in Manali with bouts of fresh snowfall during our stay. A visit to Hidimba Temple, Manu Temple, Old Manali, Vaishno Devi temple at Kullu, Gayatri Temple at Naggar, Roedrich’s home and museum, Naggar Castle, Manikaran, Solang Valley were few of the highlights of this fascinating trip. A snow trek on the road to Lamadugh was an experience of a lifetime.

The year 2022, also took me once again to Siliguri as an External Examiner, an experience that I often look forward to, as it gives me opportunity to stay in serene surroundings and also visit some beautiful places around, like Kurseong, Tindhariya and Rongtong. I also got a chance to make a quick trip to Shillong for a Conference where I was invited as a speaker. The next morning we took a trip to Laitlum Grand Canyon. Though I have been here many times, each visit displays a different kaleidoscope, as I remember how the clouds gently moved in, casting a magical veil over the majestic view leaving me spell bound.

Thereafter , in the month of May 2022, came the Calling. Yes, it was time for me to revisit Kedarnath Dham after 38 years. One of the most profound experiences was this journey with my 4 school friends to the abode of Lord Shiva to experience the ultimate union with the highest cosmic energies that I could have ever felt. The journey also took us through the holy banks of Ganga in Rishikesh, whose vibrations and subtle energies left us soaked in divine blissfulness.

Kedarnath…a journey of a lifetime, twice taken

June, my birthday month, was a treat in Cherrapunjee with my husband and brother-in-law, who had come visiting us all the way from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Two days of sheer bliss amidst the abundance of Nature, playing magic all around me, and some wonderful company with a story teller , was all that I needed as birthday gift.

Soon after, I got a calling this time from the Lord Jagannath in Puri. It was a conference in Bhubaneshwar which took me to Odisha, where I was invited as a guest speaker. The timing of my visit coincided with the famous Rath Yatra, where the Lord with His brother and sister, visit their Aunt at the Gundicha temple in Puri. So it was only natural for me to visit Puri after the conference and soak myself once again in sublime blissfulness. The power of these consecrated spaces is beyond description. This particular trip also gave me the opportunity to visit the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneshwar, Udaygiri, Kandhagiri and of course the Sun Temple at Konark . I couldn’t have asked for more. The Odisha trip would not be complete without a trip to the famous Chilka Lake, and to watch the River Dolphins in the middle of the Sea. These amazing creations of Nature truly leave me in wonder.

Thereafter, in July itself was a quick trip to Chennai. One full week of total unwinding and relaxation by the sea, was enough to rejuvenate and recharge me. Being an ocean person , the majestic sea is my elixir of life. The therapeutic effect it can have on my physical, mental , emotional and energy levels is significantly profound and deep.

The later part of the year took me to Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh , another hidden paradise of our country. A haven of Peace and tranquility, with Zen gardens and water bodies, Namsai also hosts the largest Buddha Statue made of bamboo located at its meditation centre. The architecture here is in quintessential Burmese style and the Golden pagoda has a distinctive touch of South East Asian buddhist architecture. Built by over 300 architects and skilled masons from Myanmar, it is endowed with Buddhist relics from India, Thailand and Myanmar. Here it is the language of Silence that is spoken. The Water element is a powerful energy force that is worshipped here.

In November, it was my proud privilege to attend the historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations of my Alma mater, Assam Medical College. It was indeed a surreal experience to be a part of this iconic moment. It has indeed been an incredible journey for each one of us, and we owe it to our alma mater for nurturing us with scientific wisdom and a compassionate heart. We are what we are, because of the foundations that took its roots in this very Institution. The grand Platinum Jubilee celebrations which saw the presence of thousands of alumni from all across the globe, was the most befitting way to salute our glorious Institution.

The Batch of 1984, Assam Medical College

Come December, and its time to draw the curtains on the year 2022. The Year End Review on Lung Cancer was held in Mumbai and I was humbled to be invited as a Guest Speaker/Panelist and share knowledge amidst a host of illustrious luminaries and experts. It was also an opportunity to capture a slice of Mumbai once again , as this was a place where I had lived almost five decades ago and went to primary school too. An early morning walk on Juhu beach, a visit to ISKCON temple and the Mukteshwar temple, and an evening visit to Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Swami Narayan Temple and the Mahalaxmi temple all felt too good to be true. On the last evening, I chose to watch the sunset on Marine Drive, have a taste of Iranian Tea at Sassanian and a sandwich ice cream at the famous Rustam’s. A ride on the local train from Churchgate to Andheri was a perfect ending to a fulfilling trip.

We chose to spend a quiet Christmas and also my son’s birthday in faraway Tura, where the only sounds that one could hear are the chimes of the church bells, the chirping of the birds, the occasional bark of a dog, and somewhere, the melodious Christmas carols playing softly . Maybe we also needed some sort of a closure on Rusty, as we visited our family friend’s lovely home, from whom we had actually got Rusty 14 and half years ago. We met Rusty’s nephew, Leo, a frisky 5 month old pup, who shared very similar characteristics and traits just like Rusty. Spending a day with Leo, reminded us that it’s time to move on in life.

It was a time to reflect, introspect and at the same time celebrate the beautiful memories that Rusty gave us, & the universal feelings of love, joy, compassion, peace, friendship, grace and forgiveness. I carry no baggage as I move on. And on this very note, as we are on the cusp of the unfolding of another new chapter, we choose to welcome the New Year 2023, embracing her with warmth and love. That is what humanity needs at this point. We must rise above our limited identitites, and understand the unifying laws of life, which do not have demarcations and boundaries.

On a personal note, I am grateful to have my family around me. Both my children who otherwise live faraway, have been able to come home on and off , and spend some quality time at home through the year. My own brother and sister could also visit us after many years, from Delhi, and we have been able to spend some good times together too.

On a professional note, I am glad to see my Department of Medical Oncology grow gradually from infancy, and render a much needed service to the cancer patients of the North East. From patient care, research, academics and teaching, we have evolved in all the dimensions in the past few years. It is extremely gratifying to know that patients are satisfied with the care that we provide. Despite the challenges, I am grateful that we are able to provide the standard of care as per international guidelines and protocols for all our cancer patients. It is truly uplifting to see that my junior was able to present his research paper done under my guidance at an international platform in Singapore at the ESMO Asia Congress 2022 . When work from North East India is recognized and projected internationally, it is a proud moment for us. We also were able to have an original research paper published in a reputed Oncology journal . Our Fellowship examination was also conducted successfully and satisfactorily. We believe in building our own human resources for the long term benefit of the state of Assam.

Department of Medical Oncology… “Caring for Cancer” with Visiting Professor Dr. Tapan Saikia

I couldn’t have asked for more from 2022, and am so thankful and grateful. My cup is full to the brim and overflowing. I look forward to embracing the New Year 2023 with open arms as I know that the only way ahead is forward. I believe in the power of my ability to carve and create my own destiny exactly the way I want, through my efforts. At the same time, I believe in the power of Divine Grace which can only enhance my abilities and align my desires with the forces that need to unite and intersect, so as to design and craft the life that I choose to create, in this cosmic drama. Each of us has this power bestowed upon us. Whether we choose to live in an auto-pilot mode, or decide to live consciously, is the question.

As Carl Jung had beautifully put it across- “What you are consciously creating is Destiny. What you are unconsciously creating is Fate. Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it Fate.”

Life is but a chapter in a book. Chapter 2022 has come to a closure, but it is me, who still holds the pen to write Chapter 2023.

As Rusty watches over his dear family from his Doggy Heaven, I know that he is our Guardian Angel, protecting us from above, and shall always be a guiding light showing us the way forward. As we welcome and embrace the new beginnings in the new year 2023, may Peace be upon all.