Memory is unpredictable . One never really knows what we will remember and what we will forget. Which is why nostalgia arrives in unpredictable waves, highlighting something and skimming over others. Recently, I have found myself thinking of how memory works, as I was assailed by nostalgia over a trip to Varanasi, a city I prefer to think of, as Kashi. The nostalgia hit right as we landed at Varanasi airport. The last time I was here, it was 1988, I was 13 years old, the airport was brand new… regular flights hadn’t started yet (I think) … flights landed about once a week, and for the rest of the time, everything was open to those of us who lived in the airport quarters nearby. There were fields everywhere, vast expanses of green… I have vague memories of corn and sugarcane… and being overwhelmed by the vastness of the fields (this was the first time I was in such close proximity to them), and the warm hospitality of complete strangers who lived and worked amidst these fields. I h...
November brought us the Diwali vacation, and the most memorable trip so far this year. We set out for Nanded, starting with a visit to Aundha Nagnath and Parali Vaidyanath, two Jyotirling Shrines in the vicinity....
We spent Diwali at the Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan at Shegaon, where it was a calm and quiet Diwali, celebrated with beautiful Rangolis...
and people lighting lamps all over the complex... even the rooftops...
We wrapped up our tour with a visit to the Lonar Crater Lake..... I have still not been able to pen down my experiences, but this is one post you can look forward to reading soon in the new year!
And, as you read this post, I am on my final trip of the year.... a winter vacation at Shimla! I will be in the train when the new year dawns, and am hoping that the new year is full of travels too! Usually, I do not make new year resolutions, but this year I do have one - to catch up with my writing. To try and write as many posts as I can and share all my experiences with you!
Great info to have. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leonid!
DeleteHappy New Year too!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://dith-plukeenogenblikvandedag.blogspot.nl/2012/12/jouw-beschermengel-your-guardian-angel.html
Thanks Dietmut! and wish you a great year ahead too!!
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