Perambulating the Himalayas

I'll never forget the day when I decided to travel by roadways to my hometown, which lies among the mighty ranges of Himalayas .My journey comprised of three halts Jammu, Srinagar and Kargil until my ultimate destination Leh, Ladakh. We were to cover 1400 Kms in three days which was like losing in the labyrinth of nature. While moving in the car, the wind passing beyond narrated the history of the rustic origin. The canopy of willow forest at one hand to the narrow passage among Snow Hill at the pass on the other hand was mesmerising. The rough terrain,non - metalled road, freezing cold, intestine-shaped pass near Fotu La, slow transformation from lush green mountains to barren, velvety mountains were some facets of nature which were aesthetically pleasing yet full of challenges. The happy faces there with waving hands to the "busy passerby"expressed the tranquility within their minds. The simple rusticity, far stretching yellow fields, cattle grazing on the green meadows, farmers returning home , children drenching themselves in the natural pool reminded me the poems of William Wordsworth, Thomas Gray and songs of Robert Burns. The narrow road amidst the wild forests were somewhat similar to the ways in the Forest of Arden described by Shakespeare in his few plays. Adding to it, the delicious food at every other stop was something I never tasted, using pure ingredients. As we elevated higher, a hot bowl of Maggi noodles seemed to be the best food on earth, providing warmth and energy in that -10°C temperature. At times, we just stopped to walk in the snow to hear the crispy sound it produces while tramping on it or to build shapeless snowman with naked hands so that we can see our hands getting numb by cold. The yore mountains with majestic monasteries standing at the top of a hillock was simply enthralling. The silence at those sacred places with beautifully adorned Buddha Statues were powerful enough to draw you into trance. Monks were happily receiving the visitors and provided the best hospitality one could ever do with a genuine smile . They served the local dish prepared for all other residing monks which was nutritious and full of affection to us as their own fellow monks . Humanity can be seen in full practice by these people for whom others were just human beings, irrespective of body shape, colour or language. This was one of my Bon Voyage of my life where I lost myself in the lap of nature, the best retreat to view life closely.