Srinagar: A Royal Capital

First of all, it saddens me that a place as beautiful as Kashmir has to be a witness to cross nation political disturbances for past two decades. Srinagar, being the capital had to bear the maximum brunt. Although the spirits are yet not that lively, thankfully much of its charm still remains for the traveller.

The word Kashmir is an ancient Sanskrit word which literally means Land of Kashyap Rishi. The Buddhist Mauryan emperor Ashoka is often credited with having founded the old capital of Kashmir, Shrinagari, now ruins on the outskirts of modernSrinagar. Kashmir was long to be a stronghold of Buddhism. (wikipedia)

Shikara on Nageen Lake

Flower selling shikara

The Lakes of Srinagar -

Srinagar is the city of lakes, Dal lake being the biggest and the most important. Much of the cities life revolves around the 26 kms of non-circular circumferance of this Lake. However allmost the entire town and the tourist flock head out to this lake (especially in the evenings) making it slightly crowdy at times. Recently, a smaller but more serene Nageen Lake has started to catch up in terms of attraction. Nageen Lake hosts some niche houseboats and a stay is definitely recommended here rather then the Dal Lake.

View from Nageen lake

Dal Lake in evening

Tips to enjoy the lakes -

• You have to, have to and have to ride on the Shikara. But when and how?
• Preferably ride around the sunrise or sunset. These are the times that will give you the most finest experience.
• Instead of roaming around the Dal Lake, take a ride from Nageen Lake to Dal. It would be a 2 hour approx ride and would sail you through the authentic and amazing lake centered life of Srinagar.
• Shop till you drop sink. Salesman on Shikaras will float up to you selling their wares - pashmina, silver jwellery, flowers etc. And theres aa floating market too.
• Enough of the royal ride. Row a Shikara.

And the gardens - 

The Mughal Emperors shared their fondness with the place by building some fabulous terraced gardens including Shalimar Nishat and the Chashmeshahi..However the one that stands out and is a must visit is Pari Mahal. It was built by Dara Shikoh,, the eldest son and favoured successor of Shah Jahan (who built the taj Mahal), as a Sufi School. The garden being on the hilltop, offers a fabulous look the town below.

View from Pari Mahal

bunch of boys at a view point in Pari mahal

View from my room... Srinagar

day 1 at Srinagar started with an awesome FTL houseboat experience.
FTL?
First Time in Lifetime :-)
I am so overwhelmed by the serenity of its surrounding, I seem to be clearly underestimating other exiting things I am going to do in Kashmir.

Where in Delhi?

This morning I trekked my way to Bhardwaj Lake, hidden deep within the premises of Asola Wildlife Sanctuary. Exploring this Sanctuary was on my wish list for a while now and finally I accumulated guts to drive 40 kms to this spot and then trek 5 kms on foot to reach this Lake. My efforts were worthy indeed as the site of this lake and the peace of its surroundings were overwhelmingly soothing.

I attach the google route below for people interested. 

Preferred sesson - winters. 

preferred time - morning :-)

 

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Lansdowne: 5 frames of tranquility

One of the best sunrises that I have ever witnessed was at Lansdowne.

Credited to be the nearest hill station from Delhi, the town wont have the typical touristy attractions. However it has peace in abundance. A cantonment town, Lamsdowne offers a welcome weekend break from Delhi. Much of the towns attractions (St. Mary's Church, few temples) can be wrapped up on a uphill walk to one of the viewing points called 'Tip n Top' view. This view point offers a spectacular view of the valleys beneath.

However the real fun is when you get up 5 in the morning amidst chilling winds and start your trek to this view point to see the sunrise. I did the same. The trek straight from the bed seemed two fold difficult. Slowly, i had to shed extra layers of cloths I had on me. I remember I was almost breathless when I reached on top, but it was the view that took my breath away. 

This experience made me realize how beautiful and special each new day is...

Good eye for the sky....

Monsoons are round the corner. Once more sky will host an exhibition of numerous abstract art and paintings. I am ready to play the reporter :-)

Miksang @Workplace

Even my workplace is on move!

Sounds exciting, isn't it? But its just the campus move really. However it gave me a good reason to look at the place with a good contemplative eye for a while in order to come up with a photoblog dedicated to it. here is the link to the flickr slideshow...

http://www.flickr.com//photos/83547016@N06/sets/72157630759226664/show/

A Search in Secret India – Book Review

At last his lips open and he says gently:

“You say I. ‘I want to know.’ Tell me, who is that I?”

Puzzled, I point a finger towards myself and mention my name.

“And do you know him?”

“All my life!” I smile back to him.

“But that is only your body! Again I ask, ‘Who are you?’”

- Excerpt from Paul Bruntun’s conversation with Maharishi

For westerners, India has always been the most sought after destination for seeking the spiritual. The mystical essence of India and far advanced exploration of consciousness has attracted many well known philosophers and high thinkers from all parts of west. When Paul Bruntun landed at Alexandra dock, Bombay, in early 1930s, he had a similar quest. But his intent differed in the sense that he not only wanted to seek the spiritual, but probe it as well.

This book is a search in secret India, secret in the sense that it examines India that had been hidden from the outer world for thousand of years. What resulted was a tale of remarkable spiritual adventure which Paul so elegantly chronicled in this book. The content of the book details his journeys to various corners of India in search of individuals with genuine spiritual insight. Amongst many people he came across, Paul describes some of the outstanding meetings in details. The book includes his interactions with yogis from north and south India, proclaimed sages and spiritual heads of various religions.

The remarkable thing about this book is the way these interactions have been presented to the reader. Being a thoroughbred journalist, Paul effectively uses his skills to probe the self proclamation of these sages and events with critical impartiality. However, he so efficiently succeeds in never judging an event and leaves it to the readers to take the final call.

Best travel stories are the ones which completes a circle and ends at home. Paul ultimately manages to get an end to his quest and find peace at Arunachala, with Sri Ramana Maharishi. The chapters which document his interactions with Maharishi are cult classics and cannot be justly praised in any reviews. This book holds the credit of enlightening the west about the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharishi. And its been widely known that the ideology highlighted in this book not only transformed Paul’s life forever, but have had similar influence on many others. Nearing the end of the book, Paul summarizes his experience from his journey, giving the book a superb metaphysical climax.

This book is a true travel classic and one of the greatest in the genre of spiritual travel.

Bye it, read it, absorb it and live it. This masterpiece by Paul explores infinite expenses of transcendental India that readers of any generation would find exciting to read.