Trip to Mata Vaishno Devi - Part II (Starting the trek from Base Camp Katra to Adhkuwari)

• Read First Part of the Post Here – Reaching Katra & Legend of Mata Vaishno Devi

• Read Second Part of the Post Here - Starting the trek from Base Camp Katra to Adhkuwari

• Read Third Part of the Post Here - Finishing the trek with Mata Rani & Bhairon Baba Darshan

• Read Final Part of the Post Here - Kol Kandoli Temple & Deva Mai

Katra serves as the base camp for the devotees desirous to undertake the trek to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. We have already discussed about the details of reaching Katra and accommodation facilities therein in our first post. The first post of the series also talks about the divine legend of Mata Vaishno Devi and her assuming of the form of Pindis (rock) amidst Trikuta Mountains.

Before starting trek from Katra to Mata Vaishno Devi. . .

Obtaining Yatra Parchi

Post arrival in Katra, devotees can either immediately start the trek or can freshen up a bit at the accommodation facilities before proceeding further. We booked ourselves in one of the hotels near main market of the Katra so as to freshen up a bit before proceeding further and also for dropping our luggage in the hotel room. It’s important to note here that devotees have to register themselves at Yatra Parchi Counters, which is just adjacent to Katra bus stand and obtain a yatra slip (which entitles them to start the trek to Mata Vaishno Devi). This is a mandatory requirement and each devotee must have individual Yatra Parchi (slip) before commencing the trek, the same can also be booked for a group as a whole.

Trip to Mata Vaishno Devi - Part I (Reaching Katra & Legend of Mata Vaishno Devi)

* Vaishno Mata in the form of Pindi's at the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi

• Read First Part of the Post Here – Reaching Katra & Legend of Mata Vaishno Devi

• Read Second Part of the Post Here - Starting the trek from Base Camp Katra to Adhkuwari

• Read Third Part of the Post Here - Finishing the trek with Mata Rani & Bhairon Baba Darshan

• Read Final Part of the Post Here - Kol Kandoli Temple & Deva Mai

Somewhere in the northern part of the country people of all caste, race and creed are seen walking with the flame of faith burning strong within, goading them relentlessly on a mountain trek towards Vaishno Mata (Mother) Temple. The walking steps are not limited to those of men or women but people of all age groups continuously walk on the hill. There are elderly people on palanquins or ponies weaken by age but not by spirits constantly chanting Mata’s name silently in their heart and there are small kids hopped over Porters (Pithus person carrying small kids on their back) enjoying the whole experience. And there are others who are walking on their feet (bare and with shoes); the arduous trek does have an impact on their physical stamina but their devotion remain steadfast. Drenched in sweat, gasping & breathing through their mouth they are catching their breath when suddenly a voice echoes the surrounding with someone calling “JAI MATA DI”. Such is the magic and aura of this phrase that all of them reciprocate it by saying Mata’s name (JAI MATA DI) with equal zest and fervour and re-start their trek. Such is the magic and aura of Maa Vaishno Devi and her name!!!

Pensive Reflections. . . Nov 21 2014

The hardest thing about doing something you want to do is to actually do it, to make that beginning, to take that first step. It all starts with a step (smaller or bigger) and little steps everyday lead to great changes.

~ Shubh Life. . .Om Sai Ram

~ Thine Presence. . .~

Source: Google Images

***Each one of us has that one soul around us that gives us support and strength to go ahead in life. That invisible and silent support is always there irrespective whether life is going through its spring or autumn. These verses try to acknowledge the presence of that spirit which exists in all spheres of the life***

Nor are you restricted to my feeling

Neither are you restrained to my dreaming

But in every sphere of my life

I find you existing.. I find you existing..

When I am lost not knowing where to go

When I am sad & there’s nothing more to show

When my own so close seems to drift apart

When everything that’s mine gradually depart

Presence of thine spirit gives me enthusiasm

Presence of thine spirit gives me enthusiasm

Pensive Reflections. . . Nov 13 2014

Appreciate every moment . . . and snatch from those moments, everything that you possibly can as you may never be able to experience it again. Things, People and circumstances will always be at the helm of their affairs to boggle you down. . . But keep your spirits high and don’t lose hope . . . the dawn is just so near :)

~Shubh Life. . .OM Sai Ram

Pensive Reflections . . . Nov 10 2014

The world needs more of laughter and less of worries. . . its so easy for each of us to lend some reason of joy to people around. If you can't do much, just smile and I am sure its reciprocation rate would be close to 100%. . .simple isn't it!! Still (it's hard to understand) why don't we do it?

~ Shubh Life. . . Om Sai Ram

Book Review: GHALIB: The Man, The Times by Pavan K Varma

Book Details. . .

·         Title: Ghalib - The Man The Times

·         Author: Pavan K Varma

·         Genre: Non Fiction

·         Publisher: Penguin

·         Pages: 344 Pages

·         Price: INR 254

·         Rating: 3.5/5

Behind The Book. . .

A brilliant biography of one of India’s greatest poets.

Mirza Mohammad Asadullah Khan Ghalib began writing poetry in Persian at the age of nine and the pre-eminent poet of the time, Mir, predicted a great future for the precocious genius when he was shown his verse. But success and material rewards did not come to Ghalib easily, for the times were against him, and he did not suffer fools gladly even if they occupied positions of importance.

~ Life is like that. . ~

Source: Google Images

***Life is all about the admixture of hope and despair…it is a rose which has that fragrance so divine and also has those thorns which prick so hard. It’s all about holding that string of hope even during the hours of despair. Those who get drowned in the clouds of despair find it hard to rise while those who stay ignited prevail all through...Cause in the end Life is like that only…***

World is a stage

Life is a drama

Full of Puppets, Heroes and Buffoons

Artists, Directors and Clowns

Who act their part

Who play their roles

Some think out of the box

While some roam like robots

Pensive Reflections. . . Nov 04 2014

Someone has rightly remarked that life can only be understood backward but to lead it must be lived forward. No matter how much you revisit the past, there's nothing new to see therein except the element of "If"..

~Shubh Life. . . Om Sai Ram

~ सरहदें (Sarhadein) / Borders ~

Source: Google Images

***God created this beautiful world & human drew lines across it and created territorial Borders. Whenever there is a firing or war at the border the people on the either side of the fence suffer & are killed and along-with them their loved ones, their dreams and their aspirations are also destroyed. In the end whosoever wins but the people on either side of the border lose. These verses represent the pain and anguish of a soul (who is wounded in the firing and is on a deathbed) on seeing the mass destruction caused by the firing at the border***

***ईश्वर ने यह ख़ूबसूरत जहां बनाया और इंसान ने लकीरें खींच कर सरहदे बना दी। जब भी इन सरहदों पे लड़ाई होती है, दोनों तरफ के लोग प्रभावित होते है और मारे जाते है और उनके साथ मारे जाते है उनके संबंधी, उनके सपने और उनकी ख्वाइशें। अंत में चाहे किसी की भी जीत हो, सरहद पे बसने वालो की हमेशा हार होती है। इन पंक्तियों में एक ऐसे ही मनुष्य की आंतरिक स्थिति का वर्णन किया गया है जो गोली-बारी में बुरी तरह से घायल होने के कारण मृत्यु के निकट है और अपने लोगो की मौत और तबाही से आहत है।***

~~~ Poem in Hindi ~~~

निस्तब्ध पड़ा है जिस्म मेरा 

शिथिल सा है साँसों का सिरा

बसता था आँखों में जो कल

निराश्रय स्वप्न वो आज पड़ा

है गुमसुम शांत वीरान खड़ा 

गली का नुक्कड़ और खेड़ा

कल रात से ही चुपचाप सा है

कूचों का झमघट और मेला