My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
On our recent journey to Chandigarh, we were the only passengers in our
coach after most disembarked at Delhi.
After
24 hours of listening to the chatter of our fellow travellers, the
sudden peace and quiet was strange, to say the least! With just us to serve,
even the vendors gave our coach a miss, leaving us practically alone for the
remainder of our journey. Never have I enjoyed a journey more, the window wide
open, feeling the wind in my hair. We passed by yellow and green fields... the
shades too numerous to count.... and trees of all shapes and sizes, and colours
too...
And back came the memory of a poem I learnt at school, so long back....
Trees
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
- Joyce Kilmer (1913)
No, I didn't remember the whole
poem. That was thanks to Google and Wikipedia! And it was only then that I learnt that the
poem was written in 1913 ... exactly a 100 years ago!
Thanks Anuradha! What a lovely post. I love Chandigarh too, it is truly, planned and beautiful, laid back and organised, although our best friends Sardarjis seem to be the largest population.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Julia! Chandigarh is a beautiful town any day! sad there arent more cities like that!
DeleteNice tree pictures, Anu! Didn't know they can make a lovely post with their colors like this. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nisha!! Sitting in the train looking at all those trees with colours was so wonderful! and we think we dont have fall in India! clicked so many pics couldnt resist posting!
DeleteGlad that you did. :)
DeleteGreat Clicks...and lovely poem...its one of my favorite cities in India.
ReplyDeletehttp://journeyintrance.blogspot.in/2012/12/tryst-with-destiny.html
Thanks so much, Radhika!
DeleteGreat blog Anuradha.. I had stumbled across your blog while searching for some spiritual place and since than I am hooked.... Had a quick question - what kind of camera and lens are you using for taking these beautiful panoramic photos which you have posted above?. Would appreciate if you can provide some details/tips etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot... and i use a high zoom nikon camera, not a dslr... and it is not really panorama but a usual photo just cropped.
DeleteAll were Great Pictures Anu jee and beautiful log with a new variety . I am learning from you how to blog.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous green! Awesome captures.
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/01/old-goa-of-cathedrals-churches-chapels.html