It was sometime in Dec 1989 when I and my brother were travelling from Guwahati (Assam) to Shillong (Meghalaya). Before undertaking the journey we had to stay at the army’s transit camp (which was just outside the Guwahati railway station) where all defence personals take a break journey before proceeding towards Arunachal Pradesh or Nagaland or any of the north-eastern states by road. We had to stay at the camp till the fog cleared on the route to Shillong.
Once we got the clearance we started immediately by jeep. The distance being just a 100 kms, we were told that it would take about 3 hrs to reach Shillong. We started at 5 pm and in no time it was dark. The jeep started making jerks mid-way as we felt we were running out of gas. As the jeep slowed down we were over taken by a lorry who’s driver shouted saying that our jeeps silencer had caught fire. We jammed brakes, got down and ran away from the jeep. The driver didn’t panic but took out one of the water bottles and threw water on the silencer. The driver said that we couldn’t go further as the jeep had broken down and he needed to call the unit to send us a recovery vehicle. We were in the middle of a forest and didn’t have a clue on how to contact the unit at Shillong.
It was past 7pm, cold, foggy and pitch dark with no lights around. The driver said that he’ll try to stop any army vehicle coming or going for help, meanwhile my brother was searching for place to answer nature’s call when he shouted…“Hey! I can see some light coming from that hut downhill.” I told the driver to continue what he’s good at and we both will go down the hill to get some assistance.
I and my brother slowly walked down the hill and knocked at the door. A 50 year old chinky tribal looking guy opened the door…before he could ask us I asked him…“Chai milegi”? The man couldn’t understand. I asked him again in Hindi- if we could get a mechanic as our vehicle had broken down. The man was clueless, my brother started guessing on how to explain the man…as the man asked- “Why don’t you both come in?” in English…we were completely zapped!!! I asked him how come he knew the language; he said it was their local lingo.
We both sat down inside as the man went in to get us some tea. We looked around his walls which had a few paintings, arrows and a huge poster of the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Amitabh Bachchan. My brother asked the man if he was more of a fan of the PM or AB. The man replied that he didn’t know who the posters were of but all he knew was that the right side poster was of a man who acts in Hindi films and got injured while shooting in 1982. Before we could ask why he didn’t know about our country’s PM, our driver shouted…“Sir, recovery van mil gaya!” We soon thanked the man and asked if we need to pay for the Tea, he said- “No, you are my guests!” We both thanked him again and left his hut to be carried away to Shillong by the recovery vehicle only to realize how much our Bollywood actors over power our politicians.
Tuesday 17 January 2012
Monday 9 January 2012
Wah Spa !!
One day I wanna pack my bags and take off - all by myself to a place totally ‘not-known’ to anyone in my ever-evolving network of friends or family. No advice……no map….no compass….no GPS….no asking for directions…..no newsletters from befriended (or not) planets….no screaming promos from travel companies who seem to know exactly when I oughtta take a break from work (even though I don’t) and ask me to leave NOW….no weddings to attend…..no family friends to visit with a ‘sweet-packet’.
It doesn’t matter that a city won’t charm and shock me at the same time. It doesn’t matter that a historic monument won’t stir my soul from within and make me feel nostalgic of an era that I did not witness. It doesn’t matter that a prehistoric artifact won’t fill me with awe and rake up the archaeologist in me. It doesn’t matter that the million flowers in the valleys won’t welcome me with a smile. It doesn’t matter that the salubrious air won’t embrace me with warmth. It doesn’t matter that the trickling brooks won’t tickle my feet. It doesn’t matter that snowflakes won’t land on my nose. It doesn’t matter that I won’t get the thrills of my life hanging upside down by a rope in a deep gorge. It doesn’t matter that I won’t race down a snowy mountain at a 40-degree angle at a maddening speed like a maverick on wheels who has nothing to lose. It doesn’t matter that a gushing river won’t drench me with its ice cold water as it tosses me around merrily. It doesn’t matter that I won’t laze around in a hammock with a book at hand and a German composition in my ear. It doesn’t matter that I won’t be rolling in laps of luxury with hot and smooth black pebbles dotting my spine. It doesn’t matter that I won’t do a ‘world-tour’ of India on a shoe-string budget. It doesn’t matter that I won’t have stunning backdrop photos of mine to share online. And it sure as hell won’t matter that my bank balance remained untouched.
Buuuuuut….what DOES matter is that I do things on my terms, at my pace in my own race. I decide ‘where’ and I decide ‘when’. And right now I feel like surrendering to the bliss of warm oil dripping on my head while a masseuse kneads my feet endlessly. I want to be enveloped in light Indian folk instrumental music and want lush green trees to surround me. I want to inhale moist cool air and I want beams of the sun to shower on me through the mosaic-like thatched roof. And when I’m done with this piece of paradise, I want to lazily walk over and park myself next to either splashing water or gushing water and just watch all of nature’s bounty on the roll. And I wouldn’t mind an occasional visitor or two – an Elephant or a bird that would sit along with me or flutter around me like as if I mean the world to them. No…it ain’t impossible. I heard that in Kerala - in quiet and quaint towns - there exist – what we now call ‘Spas’ which bring my dream to reality. These Spas are a legacy of certain select families. It’s almost as if it’s a trade secret. It must be. Why else do others not succeed in this endeavour of treating people’s lifestyle oriented ailments using this very technique? You may have other successful techniques but this technique behaves like it won’t survive if it switches hands. And who cares? From what I heard, I will walk my way…..all the way…..to Kerala just to be pampered by these Ayurvedic masseurs and practitioners. I’d indulge in Ayurveda from head to toe and ravel in the ‘magical’ balms, oils and lotions of Kerala.
Or……I could also head north to Himachal Pradesh where resorts are resorting to ‘Kerala-Style’ practice of Ayurveda – only…. at an altitude of about 6000 feet. An additional fringed benefit of Ayurveda treatment in Himachal Pradesh is the breathtaking and wondrous panoramic views of the Himalaya Mountains. Just imagining myself in those mountainous regions…sends a chill down my spine. To be soaking in all of nature’s bounty….the lush green meadows dotted with millions of wild flowers; the pleasantly chill weather with cool breeze; the clean air; the sparse civilization with no traffic (much less traffic jams); the open and vacant streets of these small Himalayan towns – all surrounded by the Great Himalayas is an experience by itself. And then to bask in the Himalayan sun with Ayurvedic oils from a different latitude is pure bliss!!
And while I’m up there kissing mountains in Himachal Pradesh, how would it be if I just drifted to 34.05°N 74.38°E? What say? In case you’re looking up these coordinates – don’t bother. They belong to an all-weather resort which sports millions of wild flowers in summers and radically changes to a ferocious snow-sports capital of India in winters. This is where we’ll find India’s highest skiing location; world’s 2nd highest Cable Car; world’s 4th highest golf course; and one of the very few Helicopter-skiing resorts in the whole of Asia. And what I’m really interested in the ‘apres ski’ in this place. I heard it one of the most happening international party places in the world with people from New Zealand, Australia, Europe, China, Russia and India converging after a whole day of ski-indulgence to let their hair down and chill and socialize. With the holistic and Ayurvedic treatments with which I’d feel totally invigorated, I think I’d be all ready for some action then. Now…all I’d need to do is rope-in a friend or two and I’m set for the best action-packed and picturesque vacations of my life. Oh….and 34.05°N 74.38°E belongs to Gulmarg in Kashmir!
Sunday 8 January 2012
Magh Mela…Holy Dips in Sangam on Makar Sankranti
In India, most of the festivals and holy fairs (melas) are celebrated in accordance with the traditional Hindu calendar. One such religious affair, organized at the time of Makar Sankranti in January, is Magh Mela, also known as Mini Kumbh Mela. This year, as per the traditional Hindu calendar, the Magh Mela 2012 starts from January 9 and ends on February 20, 2012.
Magh Mela, one of the greatest annual religious fairs for Hindus, is organized every year during the month of Magh; hence the name. The Magh month as per the Georgian Calendar, corresponds to the duration of around one month, which is from mid January to mid February. The Hindu Mythology considers the origin of Magh Mela as the beginning of the Universe.
Every year, this Mela is held on the banks of Triveni Sangam (divine confluence of three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati), in Prayag near Allahabad in North India state of Uttar Pradesh. During the Magh Mela, Devotees throng this holy place to perform religious activities as well as to take holy dip in Sangam on auspicious dates. Magh Mela is not confined only to the month of Magh but also the important bathing dates are spread over a period of nearly 45 days. This year, the first bathing date is on the occasion of Paush Purnima, which is January 9, 2012. The other auspicious bathing dates are 14th January (Maker Sankranti), 19th January (Shattil Ekadashi), 23rd January (Mauni Amavasya), 28th January (Basant Panchami), 30th January (Achala Saptami or Rath Saptami), 7th February (Maghi Purnima) and 20th February (Maha Shivratri). The closing day of the Mela as considered by the Mela Administration, in on the last bathing day, i.e., on a holy day of Maha Shivratri.
During Magh Mela, lots of people from far and nearby places come to this place and stay in temporarily made houses or tents at the Sangam and spend the entire month of Magh in prayers, known as "Kalpvas". And these people are called as “Kalpvasi”.
"Kalp", as per the ancient Hindu Vedas, relates to be the time equal to the total number of years in the four Yugas - Satyug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug and Kalyug which adds up to several millions of years. It is believed that by accomplishing a "Kalpvas", a devotee can overcome their past sinful activities and can live a disease free life ahead. In Kalpvas, Kalpvasis has to take a dip at the Ganges and pray to the rising sun. Sometimes Kalpvasis take meals only for single time in a day. It is said that a Kalpvasi has to do "Shayya Daan" which means he/she has to donate his/her bed and all other belongings after observing 12 Kalpvas.
During Magh Mela, the special arrangements to provide better facilities to devotees such as developing township of tents, medical, security arrangements by local police, lost and found camps etc. are made on the banks of Sangam by the Uttar Pradesh State Government. For transport local buses, auto rickshaws and taxies are available to let the pilgrims have their journey smooth and peaceful without any trouble. Also one can see small shops of food items, clothes etc. for the basic needs of the devotees.
After every twelfth year, this Magh Mela is transformed into a grant event, the Kumbha Mela. Next year in 2013, Allahabad Prayag Sangam will host this Maha Kumbh Mela in the months of January and February.
Not only Allahabad of Uttar Pradesh but Uttarkashi of Uttarakhand also organizes Magh Mela on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Here the people and pilgrims from all over the country bring along their village deity to take a dip in the holy river Bhagirathi. This Mela is arranged at the local Ramlila ground and it goes on for a week. People from all around the district as well as from other far and nearby places come to perform religious activities. One can also enjoy Exhibition of different Government departments in this fair at Uttarkashi.
Magh Mela, one of the greatest annual religious fairs for Hindus, is organized every year during the month of Magh; hence the name. The Magh month as per the Georgian Calendar, corresponds to the duration of around one month, which is from mid January to mid February. The Hindu Mythology considers the origin of Magh Mela as the beginning of the Universe.
Every year, this Mela is held on the banks of Triveni Sangam (divine confluence of three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati), in Prayag near Allahabad in North India state of Uttar Pradesh. During the Magh Mela, Devotees throng this holy place to perform religious activities as well as to take holy dip in Sangam on auspicious dates. Magh Mela is not confined only to the month of Magh but also the important bathing dates are spread over a period of nearly 45 days. This year, the first bathing date is on the occasion of Paush Purnima, which is January 9, 2012. The other auspicious bathing dates are 14th January (Maker Sankranti), 19th January (Shattil Ekadashi), 23rd January (Mauni Amavasya), 28th January (Basant Panchami), 30th January (Achala Saptami or Rath Saptami), 7th February (Maghi Purnima) and 20th February (Maha Shivratri). The closing day of the Mela as considered by the Mela Administration, in on the last bathing day, i.e., on a holy day of Maha Shivratri.
During Magh Mela, lots of people from far and nearby places come to this place and stay in temporarily made houses or tents at the Sangam and spend the entire month of Magh in prayers, known as "Kalpvas". And these people are called as “Kalpvasi”.
"Kalp", as per the ancient Hindu Vedas, relates to be the time equal to the total number of years in the four Yugas - Satyug, Tretayug, Dwaparyug and Kalyug which adds up to several millions of years. It is believed that by accomplishing a "Kalpvas", a devotee can overcome their past sinful activities and can live a disease free life ahead. In Kalpvas, Kalpvasis has to take a dip at the Ganges and pray to the rising sun. Sometimes Kalpvasis take meals only for single time in a day. It is said that a Kalpvasi has to do "Shayya Daan" which means he/she has to donate his/her bed and all other belongings after observing 12 Kalpvas.
During Magh Mela, the special arrangements to provide better facilities to devotees such as developing township of tents, medical, security arrangements by local police, lost and found camps etc. are made on the banks of Sangam by the Uttar Pradesh State Government. For transport local buses, auto rickshaws and taxies are available to let the pilgrims have their journey smooth and peaceful without any trouble. Also one can see small shops of food items, clothes etc. for the basic needs of the devotees.
After every twelfth year, this Magh Mela is transformed into a grant event, the Kumbha Mela. Next year in 2013, Allahabad Prayag Sangam will host this Maha Kumbh Mela in the months of January and February.
Not only Allahabad of Uttar Pradesh but Uttarkashi of Uttarakhand also organizes Magh Mela on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Here the people and pilgrims from all over the country bring along their village deity to take a dip in the holy river Bhagirathi. This Mela is arranged at the local Ramlila ground and it goes on for a week. People from all around the district as well as from other far and nearby places come to perform religious activities. One can also enjoy Exhibition of different Government departments in this fair at Uttarkashi.
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