Showing posts with label Apeksha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apeksha. Show all posts
Thursday, 7 June 2007
Wular Lake
Wular Lake is approximately 60 km from the city of Srinagar, between the towns of Bandipore and Sopore. Spreading over an area of 125 km, Wular Lake is said to be one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. The Wular Lake of Kashmir changes character after every few miles of its course. The lake serves as a natural flood reservoir for Jhelum River, draining off the excess water. The beauty of Wular Lake is beyond description of words. Devoid of any artificial feature, the Wular Lake in Kashmir reflects the beauty of nature at its best. Set amongst scenic locales, the Wular Lake is also home to an exotic and wide variety of avian life. It plays a significant role in the hydrographic system of the Kashmir valley by acting as a huge absorption basin for the annual floodwaters. The lake, along with the extensive marshes surrounding it, is an important natural habitat for wildlife. It is also an important habitat for fish, accounting for 60 per cent of the total fish production within the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The lake is a source of livelihood for a large human population living along its fringes. The catchment area of the lake supports magnificent coniferous forests, alpine pastures and orchards, adding to the natural beauty and biodiversity of the wetland area. Other attractions of the Wular Lake are some ruins, standing in the middle of the lake. These remains are that of an island of Zaina Lanka, built by King Zain-ul-abidin. It is believed that the lake is a remnant of the Satisar Lake, which used to be here in the per-historic times.
Dry Toilets
Most of us have been brought up to believe that human waste is disgusting and offensive and best flushed out of sight. But not if you are a Ladakhi, born and brought up in the cold desert regions of the Himalayan mountains. Here, human excreta is an important source of manure for the fields. The land here is not fertile, but the Ladakhis have made it so, over many generations, with their many ingenious methods. For one, water is brought to the fields (sometimes over several kilometres) by a very elaborate network of yura or canals that traverse the barren landscape. Water from melting snow from the upper parts of the mountains reaches many villages only by the evening. This is stored in a `zing', a man-made storage pond. But water alone cannot do the trick. The soil has to yield and for that it has to be made fertile. This problem has largely been addressed by the traditional system of dry toilets. Almost all over Ladakh, the toilet is a hole in the floor of a room that is well above the ground. The human waste falls into a sealed room below, where it is allowed to decompose over time. The manure that forms is usually cleared out once a year and spread out on the fields. The Ladakhi system of toilets is dry as no water is used. Instead, a shovel full of earth is thrown in after use. Occasionally ash is also used. This keeps the toilet odour-free. This system, which has been in use for many years, has provided the Ladakhi farmer manure for free. And has saved a resource that is very precious in that desert region: water. The Ladakhi system of dry toilets does make for good earth!!
THE HINDU- SUJATHA PADMANABHAN in collaboration with Kalpavriksh/National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
THE HINDU- SUJATHA PADMANABHAN in collaboration with Kalpavriksh/National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Archery
Archery is an ancestral sport of Ladakh, which is part of the culture. In Leh and its surrounding villages, archery festivals are held during the summer months, with a lot of fun and fanfare. They are competitive events, to which all the surrounding villages send their teams. The sport itself is conducted with strict etiquette, to the accompaniment of the music of surna and daman (oboe and drum). As important as the sport itself are the interludes of dancing and other entertainment. Chang, the local barley beer, flows freely, but there is rarely any rowdiness. The crowds attend in their Sunday best, the men invariably in traditional dress and the women wearing their brightest brocade mantles and their heaviest jewellery. Archery may be the pretext for the gathering, but partying is the thing. In Kargil area, on the other hand, the archery competitions are more serious and bereft of the dancing and music, and these are held in early spring, at the time of the thawing of the winter snow and frost.
Each competing teams must be captained by someone from an aristocratic family, preferably the senior member present. Only particular families make the Scythian bow. The central shaft is made of mulberry wood. Slivers from the horns of the ibex goat are pasted on this shaft, giving them great tensile strength. The craftsmen of Trespon village in Kargil sell these bows to almost all of Ladakh. There is a mock battle of the sexes in the finale of the tournament. It consists of hitting a melong, which is made of brass. Before the glass reached Ladakh the melong was used as a mirror. Therefore, it is supposed to represent the fairer sex. The melong is placed on the target and if the archers manage to hit the melong, it is considered a victory for the men. In most parts of Ladakh, there is feasting after the tournament is over. Everyone participates in these feasts, regardless of class or religion. Apart from dancing, short plays are staged on such occasions.
Each competing teams must be captained by someone from an aristocratic family, preferably the senior member present. Only particular families make the Scythian bow. The central shaft is made of mulberry wood. Slivers from the horns of the ibex goat are pasted on this shaft, giving them great tensile strength. The craftsmen of Trespon village in Kargil sell these bows to almost all of Ladakh. There is a mock battle of the sexes in the finale of the tournament. It consists of hitting a melong, which is made of brass. Before the glass reached Ladakh the melong was used as a mirror. Therefore, it is supposed to represent the fairer sex. The melong is placed on the target and if the archers manage to hit the melong, it is considered a victory for the men. In most parts of Ladakh, there is feasting after the tournament is over. Everyone participates in these feasts, regardless of class or religion. Apart from dancing, short plays are staged on such occasions.
Indus River
A great Trans-Himalayan river, it is one of the longest rivers in the world with an astonishing length of 2900 km. Rising in south-western Tibet, at an altitude of 16,000 feet, Sindhu enters the Indian territory near Leh in Ladakh. Its annual flow of 272 billion cu yd (207 billion cu m) is twice that of the Nile. The river has total drainage area of about 4,50,000 square miles, of which 1,75,000 square miles, lie in the Himalayan mountains and foothills. After crossing into the Kashmir region, it continues northwestward through the Indian- and Pakistani-administered areas and then turns south into Pakistan. Swelled by tributaries from the Punjab region, including the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers, it widens and flows more slowly. The river's name comes from Sanskrit word 'Sindhu'. It is mentioned in the Rig Veda, the earliest (c. 1500 BC) chronicles and hymns of the Aryan people of ancient India, and is the source of the country's name. Words like Hindu, Hindustan and India have been derived from Sindhus and 'Indus', the name given to Sindhu by foreigners. The Veda is ecstatic about the Indus, the cradle of Indian civilization. "Sindhu in might surpasses all the streams that flow…His roar is lifted up to heaven above the earth; it puts forth endless vigour with a flash of light… Even as cows with milk rush to their calves, so other rivers roar into the Sindhu. As a warrior king leads other warriors, so does Sindhu lead other rivers… Rich in good steeds is Sindhu, rich in gold, nobly fashioned, rich in ample wealth." A number of Buddhist stupas are found on the banks of the River Indus. According to legend Lord Buddha traversed the banks of this river accompanied by bhikshus.
In Tibet, its name is Sengge, the Lion River. According to Tibetan mythology, the river issues from the mouth of a snow-lion, milk-white with a turquoise mane. Other legends claim it arises in the holy lake of Mansarovar. Sven Hedin, the Swedish explorer who discovered the true source of the Indus in 1907, found it was neither snow nor lake. He "saw the Indus emerge from the lap of the earth", a perennial spring behind the sacred mountain Kailash.
From Ladakh, it crosses the Line of Control (LoC) into Pakistan, cliffs and pine forests, rice terraces and orchards streaming past this single-minded ribbon of blue-grey, which cuts through rock at places almost 400 metres deep. Haramosh, Gilgit, Astor, Kabul: no mountain river in northern Pakistan, in northwest India and eastern Afghanistan can resist its magnetism, their diamond waters fluting down into the Indus, a vast liquid family tree. The Pathans call it Abbaseen, Father of Rivers.
With Partition in 1947, water was partitioned too. The Inter-Dominion Accord of 1948, and later, the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, awarded control of the three eastern rivers — the Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej — to India, and that of the three western ones — the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab — to Pakistan.
Once the Indus has run down the plains of Punjab and digested the Panjnaad — the union of the five Punjabi rivers — it pours itself down the length of Sindh, bisecting it. Sindh lies outside the domain of the South-West monsoon — its annual rainfall is a laughable seven inches — and the Mitho Dariyo, the sweet river, is the only source of water. The people had long learnt to tap its waters through an intricate network of canals dripping down the map of Sindh, an irrigation system found nowhere else in India.
But this is more than mere water. Now it floods ripe harvests, now it abandons towns perched on its banks only to create prosperity elsewhere, willfully changing the course of history. Mohenjodaro, Alor, Thatta were all cities created and then killed by Dariya Shah. It conjures up crops and livestock, its fish are its generous fruit; it is a road to travel on, a deity to be worshipped. Everything comes from the Sindhu: the land, the people, the god Jhulelal, and an entire way of life.
It was the British who first looked at the river as inanimate water, merely to be exploited; in 1932 they built the Sukkur Barrage, one of the biggest in the world. More dams and barrages were built after Independence, diverting much water to Baluchistan, the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), and mainly Punjab, draining the Indus.
The Indus carries a vast amount of silt, more than any other river in South Asia, a double gift to the farmers on its banks. Since 1995, there has been less run-off in the mountains and the Indus has shrunk. There is less water to be shared, and appalling water-cuts leading to a battle between the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. Sindh is incensed that Punjab will comfortably store water in its dams, while downstream, the canals are bone-dry and villagers must walk miles just for drinking water. Diseases flourish; the river dolphin has become an endangered species; fishermen migrate to the coast in search of livelihoods. Punjab claims that its crops also suffer, but there the ground water is sweet and plentiful, while in Sindh it is saline and useless.
The Sindhu Dariya — simultaneously Sanskrit and Persian for "ocean" — ends its 2,900 km life in the dishevelled strands of its delta east of Karachi. The levels of water and silt flowing into the Arabian Sea have plummeted over the years; salinity has spiralled. Almost half the mangroves in the delta have vanished, and with them, their fish and marine life. Finally, the sea is taking over, making inroads into the land, swallowing up farms, rendering people homeless. Punjab wants yet another dam on the Indus, at Kalabagh.
In Tibet, its name is Sengge, the Lion River. According to Tibetan mythology, the river issues from the mouth of a snow-lion, milk-white with a turquoise mane. Other legends claim it arises in the holy lake of Mansarovar. Sven Hedin, the Swedish explorer who discovered the true source of the Indus in 1907, found it was neither snow nor lake. He "saw the Indus emerge from the lap of the earth", a perennial spring behind the sacred mountain Kailash.
From Ladakh, it crosses the Line of Control (LoC) into Pakistan, cliffs and pine forests, rice terraces and orchards streaming past this single-minded ribbon of blue-grey, which cuts through rock at places almost 400 metres deep. Haramosh, Gilgit, Astor, Kabul: no mountain river in northern Pakistan, in northwest India and eastern Afghanistan can resist its magnetism, their diamond waters fluting down into the Indus, a vast liquid family tree. The Pathans call it Abbaseen, Father of Rivers.
With Partition in 1947, water was partitioned too. The Inter-Dominion Accord of 1948, and later, the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, awarded control of the three eastern rivers — the Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej — to India, and that of the three western ones — the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab — to Pakistan.
Once the Indus has run down the plains of Punjab and digested the Panjnaad — the union of the five Punjabi rivers — it pours itself down the length of Sindh, bisecting it. Sindh lies outside the domain of the South-West monsoon — its annual rainfall is a laughable seven inches — and the Mitho Dariyo, the sweet river, is the only source of water. The people had long learnt to tap its waters through an intricate network of canals dripping down the map of Sindh, an irrigation system found nowhere else in India.
But this is more than mere water. Now it floods ripe harvests, now it abandons towns perched on its banks only to create prosperity elsewhere, willfully changing the course of history. Mohenjodaro, Alor, Thatta were all cities created and then killed by Dariya Shah. It conjures up crops and livestock, its fish are its generous fruit; it is a road to travel on, a deity to be worshipped. Everything comes from the Sindhu: the land, the people, the god Jhulelal, and an entire way of life.
It was the British who first looked at the river as inanimate water, merely to be exploited; in 1932 they built the Sukkur Barrage, one of the biggest in the world. More dams and barrages were built after Independence, diverting much water to Baluchistan, the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), and mainly Punjab, draining the Indus.
The Indus carries a vast amount of silt, more than any other river in South Asia, a double gift to the farmers on its banks. Since 1995, there has been less run-off in the mountains and the Indus has shrunk. There is less water to be shared, and appalling water-cuts leading to a battle between the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. Sindh is incensed that Punjab will comfortably store water in its dams, while downstream, the canals are bone-dry and villagers must walk miles just for drinking water. Diseases flourish; the river dolphin has become an endangered species; fishermen migrate to the coast in search of livelihoods. Punjab claims that its crops also suffer, but there the ground water is sweet and plentiful, while in Sindh it is saline and useless.
The Sindhu Dariya — simultaneously Sanskrit and Persian for "ocean" — ends its 2,900 km life in the dishevelled strands of its delta east of Karachi. The levels of water and silt flowing into the Arabian Sea have plummeted over the years; salinity has spiralled. Almost half the mangroves in the delta have vanished, and with them, their fish and marine life. Finally, the sea is taking over, making inroads into the land, swallowing up farms, rendering people homeless. Punjab wants yet another dam on the Indus, at Kalabagh.
The Sindhu Darshan Festival
Sindhu Darshan Festival, as the name suggests, is a celebration of River Sindhu, also known as the Indus, the river that gave India its name. This annual festival is held every June at Leh and Ladakh. Sindhu Darshan is a movement, which rediscovered the flowing legend of Ladakh with its imprints of fables, and a 5000 year old history embedded in its fertila e silt, which has enriched human kind for ages. Each fold of the river unfolds a unique culture of the land it passes through - speaking volumes in the same language, to anyone who cares to listen. The mighty Sindhu (Indus) river symbolizes the power and permanence of the ancient Indian civilization which evolved over a period of thousands of years. The archaeological discovery of the Indus Valley civilization which flourished along its banks, has reinforced the antiquity of the Indian civilization. The Sindhu Darshan Festival aims at projecting the Sindhu as a symbol of multi-dimensional cultural identity, communal harmony and peaceful co-existence in India. Whilst promoting tourism to this area, this festival is also a symbolic salute to the brave soldiers of India who have bravely fought the odds at Siachin, Kargil & other places. The festival promises a kaleidoscope of Indian culture and an exciting array of performing arts being brought together at an exciting place. The first time when this Festival was organised in October 1997, over seventy people from all over India had travelled to Leh for a Darshan and Puja of the River Sindhu (Indus) which originates from the Mansarovar in Tibet.
skin protection for winter
How women in faraway villages in the mountains protect their face in winter… the apply a paste made of roots of plants on their faces. Then stick woolen pieces of cloth on it. This they keep for 3-4months. It helps them protect their faces from heavy winds and blizzards, in case they need to venture out in the open during winter. After 3-4months they wash their faces and re-apply the paste n woolen cloth for the rest of the season. Interesting how people in remote areas find solutions to hardships of life and nature. Good and cheap home-made remedies instead of creams with chemicals!!
-Told to us by the PRO of govt. during our visit to polling booths in Leh.
-Told to us by the PRO of govt. during our visit to polling booths in Leh.
ladakh- wetlands
Nestled in the Trans Himalayan ranges of Eastern and North Eastern Ladakh between 4000 and 5000 m are found one of the most unique ecosystems of the world - the high altitude wetlands. These wetlands lie in the Western most extension of the Northern Tibetan Plateau the Chang Tang region which is a repository of ancient culture and religious practices, holding strong, the bond between nature and culture. Three of these wetlands, namely, Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong Tso have been identified for priority action in the first phase. These wetlands are believed to be the most important breeding site for waterfowl in Ladakh and represent the only breeding ground of bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) in India and the globally threatened Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) outside China. In addition, this region also supports some of the most endangered species of mammals such as Kiang, Snow Leopard, Lynx, Himalayan Blue Sheep etc.
Life in the mountains
Living by the sea…
Life in the mountains I see
As an enchanting glee
And there I wish to flee
So I can be free
Living by the sea…
Life in the mountains I see
With lots of ups and downs
Panting… huff n puff
Air so thin and air so cold
My head aches and my body pains
But the sight of majestic rocks
Whistle my breath away
Living by the sea…
Life in the mountains
To a small little me
It is beyond mortal meaning
As fiery light and heat merge
To swaying rivers
Unfolding passions faraway
Living by the sea…
Life in the mountains I see
Filled with faith mightier
Than the gigantic rocks
Life in the mountains I see
As an enchanting glee
And there I wish to flee
So I can be free
Living by the sea…
Life in the mountains I see
With lots of ups and downs
Panting… huff n puff
Air so thin and air so cold
My head aches and my body pains
But the sight of majestic rocks
Whistle my breath away
Living by the sea…
Life in the mountains
To a small little me
It is beyond mortal meaning
As fiery light and heat merge
To swaying rivers
Unfolding passions faraway
Living by the sea…
Life in the mountains I see
Filled with faith mightier
Than the gigantic rocks
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
basic itinerary of d trip- Aps
Left Mumbai by Jammu Tawi (Swaraj Express) on 14th May 2007 at 7.55am from Bandra terminus… reached Jammu at around 4pm the next day. Went to a dharamshala… had bath… a small session and them off to the market… good walk of about 45minutes (one way)… then dinner and off 2 bed.
16th May, early morning 5.30, left for Srinagar. It started raining in Jammu, with strong winds… finally cold weather!!
Reached Srinagar at 8.30 in the night. On the way went 2 Marthand (tomb of some Badshah). Jawahar Tunnel… connects Kashmir valley to India. Green Tunnel… a beautiful road with trees o both sides leaning on d road forming a tunnel. The landscape from Jammu to Srinagar was varying… mountains, greenery… tall pine tress also some amount of deforestation was apparent. We could also sense certain kind of gloom in the air… quite misfortune!!
17th May, our day starts at 7am… we leave for Parimahal. A seven leveled structure built by Shahjahan’s son, Parimahal was an important centre for Sufis. There is an old myth of this place being an abode for fairies, hence the name. Sufis wrote and studied here.
A picturesque view of Dal Lake, Shankracharya temple and the city. The colour green is heavenly… Garden of Eden.
A visit to Shankracharya temple built by King Gopaditya in tht 6-7th century AD.
Mughal Gardens (Nishat), a part of 3 gardens tended by Mughals. Jahangir fell in love with Kashmir and to enhance the beauty of this place tended beautiful gardens.
Tomb of Sheikh Abdullah, a beautiful mausoleum of white marble by the Dal Lake. Sheikh Abdullah, father of Farooq Abdullah was a headstrong leader and the man behind the union of Kashmir with India.
Hazratbal, is the most important mosque in Kashmir. A relic (hair) of the Prophet is preserved here. In 1963, when this relic was stolen the whole of Kashmir valley was in a mayhem with lot of violence. Later the relic was found and restored. Now, it is shown to the public only during festivals. Head scarf essential for entry, women not allowed in side the main hall.
University of Kashmir…
Shikara ride… in Dal Lake… peaceful, joyous and loads of fun!
18th May, Wular lake, village of Watlab. The largest fresh water lake, original area 53sq.km. Now, some 35.7sq.km. Shrinking due to disposal of waste, growth of weeds etc. and is surrounded by Pakistan and China. Got a glimpse of rural Kashmir… calm and serene environment friendly locals with heavy military presence. Kashmir is the largest producer of Basmati rice.
Shrine of Hazrat Baba Shakur-ud-din Wali also known as Topandaz-e-Kashmir. Spiritual history in Kashmir goes back to Nand Rishi. Women spend a lot of time in shrines in Kashmir.
Talk with Dr. Omkarnath Wakhlu and Mrs. Wakhlu ( MLA)… Kashmiri Pandit couple… were kidnapped in 1991. okwakhlu@hotmail.com
Shopping… thn Wazwan… a 28 course Kashmiri meal… we veggies had a 4 course meal… yummmyyyy….!!
19th May, Charar-E-Sharief, Shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani.
Nand Rishi… “Nand” means someone who doesn’t harm any living being. Nand Rishi ate only dried grass and fruits that have fallen down. The Shrine consists of his grave along with some of his close friends’ and disciples’.
It has been burnt down 6 times due to various attacks. The latest structure was built in 2001. Walnut tree wood is used for inner structure and architecture.
Kashmir has 4 meadows: Pehlgam, Sonmarg, Gulmarg & Yousmarg.
Pehlgam is a flatter meadow surrounded by rivers. Sonmarg come on the way to Leh. 90% tourists visit Gulmarg and Yousmarg is the least known meadow. It is known as ‘Meadow of Jesus’. In winter, all these meadows are covered in snow and are important skiing destinations. Yousmarg - Tributary of Jhelum runs around it. Locals call it “Doodh Ganga”. 4 different types of pine trees grow here. It was a first good walk since reaching Srinagar. A harmonious blend of mountain, pine trees, lush green meadow, gushing river, bright blessed day… awakens a sense of delight!!
Gujjar community at Yousmarg… migrant community, lack of educational and medical facilities. UNICEF’s Mobile School Program.
20th May, Sonmarg, on way to Kargil. Breakfast stop at Sonmarg… a beautiful village surrounded by meadow and mountains with river Indus flowing alongside. We had ‘tsut’ (Kashmiri naan with sabzi). And ‘kawa’ (Kashmiri black tea). Both were delicious!! During winters Sonmarg is covered with 4-5feet of snow, locals move to the lower plains. Basic income in this region comes from tourism and handicrafts (shawls, carpets, curtains etc). we left Sonmarg at about 12.30pm due to convoy and then there was traffic!
Luch at 3pm at Drass. The way towards Kargil was very scenic and visually enchanting. Tempreture was around 15*C in d afternoon! The highest peak near Drass is Tiger Hill, which was captured by Pakistani Army in 1999 and later reclaimed by Indian Army. Kargil war extended from Drass to Balatic, a stretch of 140km. All along the way river Drass was running parallel giving us company.
Sonmarg- 9,000 feet
Zojila Pass- 13,200 feet
Drass- 9,800 feet
Leh- 11,000 feet
Siachen Glacier- 17,000 feet to 22,000 feet. It takes about 11,000 crore of Defence Budget to maintain this territory. Harish Kapadia, famous mountaineer from Maharashtra proposed the idea of Peace Park at Siachen.
21st May, Kargil to Leh. Chamba Statue at Mulbek. 2000 years old statue. Lamayuru Gonpa monastery at 12,000 feet. Drass river meets Shingo river along the way. Lunch at Khalchi village. We ate ‘thukpa’ (a Ladakhi dish of noodle soup with vegetables).
Dharma Wheel Monastery of Alchi- 3 Oldest monastery in Ladakh, it developed in the village unlike other monasteries. Islamic influence on Ladakhi art. 3 different temples. River Indus flowing besides it. Evening visit to Pathar Saheb Gurudwara. Guru Nanak’s foot print and body is embossed in a rock. This place is maintained by Army.
22nd May, Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Shey Palace & Shanti Stupa.
will put more by tmrw...
regards
Aps
16th May, early morning 5.30, left for Srinagar. It started raining in Jammu, with strong winds… finally cold weather!!
Reached Srinagar at 8.30 in the night. On the way went 2 Marthand (tomb of some Badshah). Jawahar Tunnel… connects Kashmir valley to India. Green Tunnel… a beautiful road with trees o both sides leaning on d road forming a tunnel. The landscape from Jammu to Srinagar was varying… mountains, greenery… tall pine tress also some amount of deforestation was apparent. We could also sense certain kind of gloom in the air… quite misfortune!!
17th May, our day starts at 7am… we leave for Parimahal. A seven leveled structure built by Shahjahan’s son, Parimahal was an important centre for Sufis. There is an old myth of this place being an abode for fairies, hence the name. Sufis wrote and studied here.
A picturesque view of Dal Lake, Shankracharya temple and the city. The colour green is heavenly… Garden of Eden.
A visit to Shankracharya temple built by King Gopaditya in tht 6-7th century AD.
Mughal Gardens (Nishat), a part of 3 gardens tended by Mughals. Jahangir fell in love with Kashmir and to enhance the beauty of this place tended beautiful gardens.
Tomb of Sheikh Abdullah, a beautiful mausoleum of white marble by the Dal Lake. Sheikh Abdullah, father of Farooq Abdullah was a headstrong leader and the man behind the union of Kashmir with India.
Hazratbal, is the most important mosque in Kashmir. A relic (hair) of the Prophet is preserved here. In 1963, when this relic was stolen the whole of Kashmir valley was in a mayhem with lot of violence. Later the relic was found and restored. Now, it is shown to the public only during festivals. Head scarf essential for entry, women not allowed in side the main hall.
University of Kashmir…
Shikara ride… in Dal Lake… peaceful, joyous and loads of fun!
18th May, Wular lake, village of Watlab. The largest fresh water lake, original area 53sq.km. Now, some 35.7sq.km. Shrinking due to disposal of waste, growth of weeds etc. and is surrounded by Pakistan and China. Got a glimpse of rural Kashmir… calm and serene environment friendly locals with heavy military presence. Kashmir is the largest producer of Basmati rice.
Shrine of Hazrat Baba Shakur-ud-din Wali also known as Topandaz-e-Kashmir. Spiritual history in Kashmir goes back to Nand Rishi. Women spend a lot of time in shrines in Kashmir.
Talk with Dr. Omkarnath Wakhlu and Mrs. Wakhlu ( MLA)… Kashmiri Pandit couple… were kidnapped in 1991. okwakhlu@hotmail.com
Shopping… thn Wazwan… a 28 course Kashmiri meal… we veggies had a 4 course meal… yummmyyyy….!!
19th May, Charar-E-Sharief, Shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani.
Nand Rishi… “Nand” means someone who doesn’t harm any living being. Nand Rishi ate only dried grass and fruits that have fallen down. The Shrine consists of his grave along with some of his close friends’ and disciples’.
It has been burnt down 6 times due to various attacks. The latest structure was built in 2001. Walnut tree wood is used for inner structure and architecture.
Kashmir has 4 meadows: Pehlgam, Sonmarg, Gulmarg & Yousmarg.
Pehlgam is a flatter meadow surrounded by rivers. Sonmarg come on the way to Leh. 90% tourists visit Gulmarg and Yousmarg is the least known meadow. It is known as ‘Meadow of Jesus’. In winter, all these meadows are covered in snow and are important skiing destinations. Yousmarg - Tributary of Jhelum runs around it. Locals call it “Doodh Ganga”. 4 different types of pine trees grow here. It was a first good walk since reaching Srinagar. A harmonious blend of mountain, pine trees, lush green meadow, gushing river, bright blessed day… awakens a sense of delight!!
Gujjar community at Yousmarg… migrant community, lack of educational and medical facilities. UNICEF’s Mobile School Program.
20th May, Sonmarg, on way to Kargil. Breakfast stop at Sonmarg… a beautiful village surrounded by meadow and mountains with river Indus flowing alongside. We had ‘tsut’ (Kashmiri naan with sabzi). And ‘kawa’ (Kashmiri black tea). Both were delicious!! During winters Sonmarg is covered with 4-5feet of snow, locals move to the lower plains. Basic income in this region comes from tourism and handicrafts (shawls, carpets, curtains etc). we left Sonmarg at about 12.30pm due to convoy and then there was traffic!
Luch at 3pm at Drass. The way towards Kargil was very scenic and visually enchanting. Tempreture was around 15*C in d afternoon! The highest peak near Drass is Tiger Hill, which was captured by Pakistani Army in 1999 and later reclaimed by Indian Army. Kargil war extended from Drass to Balatic, a stretch of 140km. All along the way river Drass was running parallel giving us company.
Sonmarg- 9,000 feet
Zojila Pass- 13,200 feet
Drass- 9,800 feet
Leh- 11,000 feet
Siachen Glacier- 17,000 feet to 22,000 feet. It takes about 11,000 crore of Defence Budget to maintain this territory. Harish Kapadia, famous mountaineer from Maharashtra proposed the idea of Peace Park at Siachen.
21st May, Kargil to Leh. Chamba Statue at Mulbek. 2000 years old statue. Lamayuru Gonpa monastery at 12,000 feet. Drass river meets Shingo river along the way. Lunch at Khalchi village. We ate ‘thukpa’ (a Ladakhi dish of noodle soup with vegetables).
Dharma Wheel Monastery of Alchi- 3 Oldest monastery in Ladakh, it developed in the village unlike other monasteries. Islamic influence on Ladakhi art. 3 different temples. River Indus flowing besides it. Evening visit to Pathar Saheb Gurudwara. Guru Nanak’s foot print and body is embossed in a rock. This place is maintained by Army.
22nd May, Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Shey Palace & Shanti Stupa.
will put more by tmrw...
regards
Aps
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