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.
She is a common sight across the country, cutting and carrying firewood home...
Dressed in a sari, the pallu tucked into the waistband, she carries the load with ease. It is mostly women who are seen carrying loads - water, wood, sometimes all the household goods, on their heads. Ever wondered why the man, who is supposed to be stronger, never does so? I wonder, if it even occurs to them to tell the menfolk to do the fetching and the carrying.!
No matter what their reasons, I can not but help admire them - they carry such loads, and walk such long distances, in the harshest of weather, while I, travelling in the comfort of a car or bus, succumb to swelling ankles and aches, with the least bit of walking. I wish I had their resilience!
What to say Anu? Some practices are so ingrained and without education no change seems possible. I wonder if even education would bring about some change?
ReplyDeleteEducation seems to be our only hope,but as of now, even that doesnt seem to reach them. i wonder if it ever will
DeleteLoad on head affects the body adversely and they are unaware of it, unfortunately!
ReplyDeleteso true, Indrani. they arent even aware of that!
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