"Once a man has found a road in the Himalayas he cant keep away for long "I belong to a dusty town of Rajasthan ,Sri Ganagnagar which comes in the news once every year for one particular reason,it records the highest temeprature in plains in summer,the temperatures rising upto 50 degrees and faces the wrath of Indian summers. Like every summer those who are fortunate tend to go North.I have been lucky enough to have experienced the spirit and the beauty of North india by coming face to face with Himalayas ,The God-Souled Mountains of India.
Its a fact that travelling in mountains teach,it teaches a lot,which is only possible to learn by being in nature. Probably thats the reason why even before there were any temples and pilgrimages in huge numbers that saints and sages travelled from time immemorial and meditated here to gain enlightment
Himalayas have a sense of spirituality connected to it which calls for a compelling return.The game of shadow and light over the vast landscape played by sun and the clouds often resembles the dance of Gods. At the above lanscape called Morey plains, you get the feeling of Central Asian Steppe ,if lucky enough you would come across the Kiangs (wild asses) .
it is indeed the best place for meditaion because you can experience some solace from civilization, the landscape is aloof and lonely ,gives an opportunity to interact with oneself. Loneliness is a force that can kill you if you are unprepared for it,but if you carry it beyond your horizon, you can use it to your advantage.
Nature gets symbolic in a different way if one gets closer to it. These ever lasting mountains surrounding oneself develop a special feeling of closeness to nature that one realizes, the spiritual pursuit of mighty mountains
This part of Himalayas called Leh laddakh is predominantly Buddhist in religious views and very peaceful too. As you near the capital city Leh, human habitations start appearing more eminently. A small buddhist monastery with local people deeply immersed in their prayer, rotating the prayer wheels ,the wheels of time with Om mane padme hum (jewel in the lotus ) . Those who live in tough landscapes like this are strong believers, they have a lot of faith in God.They acquire a beautiful expression of calmness.
These structures called Pagodas are before the beginning of most villages to keep away bad spirits. They often resemble the mountain tops in there shape.
Humanity have a tremendous capacity to make life possible where ever they go. In such a difficult terrain there is a boom of prosperity through agriculture.the quality of being self suffiecient of the locals is admirable. On a bright sunny day ,the band of colours made by the fields,mountains and sky create a magical treat for the eyes. No shutter bug can miss this opportunity.
The mighty altitude of the Himalayas is a constant remembrance to the loftiness of the human soul, its vastness. a prototype for the universality of human consciousness..The soft colours in the Leh sky have been an attraction from the roof top retaurants. Gold in sky turning into soft pink to mauve. Its like Roerich is painting the evening sky live right infront of your eyes.
There remains a peaceful silence in the ears. to walk here is not just summiting the highest mountains ,it is more like summiting the mountains inside oneself. Glimsping the mountains from a distance, the neverending roads,being breathless, often alone but an inner voice calling not to give it up is mystical.One gains a lot from mountains. The experience is emotional, spiritual and not just physical
A mountain high stays for long , said my fellow travellers. The other side was the Majestic Nubra valley with river Shyok and stunning white sandunes. We also came across the bacterian camels.
When your journey comes to an end you want to take it all with you . One realizes how important it was to keep ones feet on the ground and at the same time head in the clouds. This Sojourn prepared me for tough journeys ahead. My camera clicked whenever,whatever I felt for. I clicked the stunning sandunes here and the natural rock formations. Hiamayas are the youngest, highest and still rising mountain ranges. They inspire to rise, to rise above all odds.
The thrill of unknown, the risk of difficulties, a test of ones own courage ,a zest to try know oneself from inside is what one discovers." The Himalayan Germ once caught ,works inside like a relapsing fever,it is ever biding its time before breaking out again with increased virulence" Marcophallis
