Like 1.21 billions other people living in this part of world I too feel proud the moment a name “I_N_D_I_A” comes out of my mouth. It does not mean a country to us; We consider it as our mother. I know I am unnecessarily showing my patriotism here; but I need to feel my love for my country before I will expect you to show the same love for my motherland, my India.
Since We were in school, no one has ever asked us a question, “What is the name of your country?” Every time we have to answer “India” the question remains, “What is the name of our motherland?”
A land that feeds billions of people, creates opportunities for millions outsider and outsources thousands of people is the real India which I know.
I am sure most of you have seen India painted with colors like poverty, corruption etc. Today I will try to show the other side of India that gives us many reasons to look for our Pride, our happiness and our peace.
This post is dedicated to “Amarnath Trip”; which ended recently.
Amarnath cave is among the holiest shrines in Hinduism, located in South Kashmir Himalaya region of India. It is dedicated to Shiva. It is located at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft), about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and reached through Pahalgam town.
Snowy mountains cover the Amarnath cave, except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. Thousands of people walk through these challenging mountainous terrain to see an ice stalagmite formed inside the cave and to worship that ice stalagmite.
Freezing of water drops those fall from the roof of the cave on to the floor forms and grows up vertically from the cave floor to give it as a shape of “Shiva Linga”
In 2011 it received the highest recorded visitors as 634,000 persons. The number was 622,000 in 2012. In 2013, 37,000 devotees have visited Amarnath in first four days only. People allowed to visit this place in the months of May-August. The ice Shiva Linga forms between the months of May to August and then gradually melts away. The dates for the Amarnath Yatra this year were from 28 June 2013 to 21 August 2013. But the Ice Shiv Linga Melted two days earlier completely.
It is described in the holy books that in this cave Lord Shiva explained about the divine life and eternity to his eternal consort Parvati. Before starting his eternity secret of divine life, Lord Shiva described Parvati that who ever will listen this story will live eternally and never die. But Parvati fall asleep in between, and a husband wife pair of pigeons witnessed the whole secret of eternal life. It is considered that the pair of pigeons is still alive and if someone gets the chance of seeing them while his/her pilgrimage, it is a good sign.
The estimated route of the Yatra takes about 5 days to reach the Amarnath cave. However, this is not the actual case, as the route is quite risky and depends a lot on the weather conditions which can be changed at any moment Rain is unpredictable and at such a high altitude, breathing problem is a matter of concern.
As the yatra starts, the nature starts shaping itself into most beautiful form. The greenery surrounding the paths, ice covering the rocks of Himalaya; what else a nature lover can ask for.
the One way Helicopter Fare for Amarnath Yatra 2013
1) From Baltal to Panjtarni : Rs 1500/-
2) From Pahalgam to Panjtarni: Rs 2400/-
And the pilgrims who wants to use this service have to register early.
The paths are mostly slippery and muddy due to the melting of ice and unpredictability of seasonal rain.
Important Tips for you if you are planning for Amarnath Yatra:
- Achieve physical fitness a month before the Yatra.
- Begin deep breathing exercise as there is lack of oxygen at high altitudes. (Most people face this problem, so be careful)
- Carry warm and comfortable clothes during the Yatra as temperatures can drop radically
- Carry a raincoat and torch as it might rain or snow during the Yatra.
- Keep some identification of yourself with you all the time.
- Carry a water bottle and some dry fruits to snack on the journey.
- Keep a moisturizer or a cold cream to protect your skin from dry conditions.
- Always follow instructions given by the Yatra Administration.
- Carry basic medication along with you.
- Take regular breaks and try not to exert yourself too much during the climb.
Stay Safe and enjoy what nature offers you in whatever part you find your mother in your land.
mariner2mother
July 18, 2013
Thank you for bringing us along on your journey. Lovely photos!
Arindam
July 19, 2013
It’s my pleasure to share this trip with you. I am glad you like these photos.
Amy
July 18, 2013
Beautiful pics! What an adventure!
Arindam
July 19, 2013
Thanks a lot.
Arindam Saha
July 18, 2013
Wonderful Photos!
Arindam
July 19, 2013
Thank you!!
rangewriter
July 18, 2013
What a fabulous journey and a photo essay to be very proud of! The images are stunning. Thanks for sharing this beautiful heart of your beloved India.
Arindam
July 19, 2013
I am glad you enjoyed this trip. It’s one of the most beautiful places of India. 🙂
pattisj
July 18, 2013
The terrain is so rugged, yet so beautiful. So many campsites! Thank you for sharing this part of your Motherland with us.
Arindam
July 19, 2013
Yes the view from the top is stunning, Patti. I am happy hearing that you liked the glimpse of my motherland.
Jules
July 19, 2013
What a lovely post, and tribute to your Motherland; I enjoyed your pictures and writing very much! Great post, Arindam!
Arindam
July 19, 2013
Thanks a lot Jules. 🙂
reneejohnsonwrites
July 19, 2013
What a lovely holiday. I’m so glad you got to have this adventure and share it with us. Your pictures are wonderful.
Arindam
July 19, 2013
Thanks a lot Renee!!
mariayarri
July 19, 2013
Great photos and interesting text! // Maria 🙂
Arindam
July 19, 2013
Thanks Maria. 🙂
earthriderjudyberman
July 19, 2013
Thank you, Arindam, for showing us “the other side of India that gives us many reasons to look for our Pride, our happiness and our peace.” Your photos and journey reveal a beautiful countryside.
Arindam
July 19, 2013
I feel proud while sharing the other side of India with you, Judy!! I am glad you enjoyed the trip. 🙂
earthriderjudyberman
July 19, 2013
When I saw your photos, I thought of the place my brother took us when we visited him in Vegas last June. He took us to Mt. Charleston – about 50 miles outside of Vegas – and it is dramatically different than the desert. It was lovely, green and cool … compared to Vegas’ 100-plus temperatures.
Sony Fugaban
July 22, 2013
Thanks for bringing me with you on this journey. I felt like I was with you and like I reading a Freshly Pressed entry.
This holy site makes me want to see India all the more when I have the means.
The pictures looks so majestic just like the very mountains.
It’s been a while. Appreciate you dropping by my site today.
Sony Fugaban
July 22, 2013
I mean, I was reading a Freshly Pressed entry.
Arindam
August 2, 2013
Sony, I hope you will find a reason to visit our country someday soon. I am glad although we live in two different parts of world, still I could share small part of our world with you.
It’s always my pleasure to visit your blog.
Thanks a lot for taking your time to stop in my blog and to leave such kind words.
Sony Fugaban
August 2, 2013
The pleasure is mine, Arindam.
amira
July 22, 2013
What an experience. Looks like my kind of place. Thank you for sharing your journey in photos.
Arindam
July 25, 2013
It’s my pleasure to share this trip with you, Amira. 🙂
entdeckeengland
July 22, 2013
Looks like a great experience. I have never been to India, not from lack of want, but I simply haven’t got around to do it yet. But it is certainly on my list. Thanks for the great pictures, Peggy
Arindam
July 25, 2013
Thanks a lot, Peggy. I wish and hope you are soon going to get a chance to visit our country. 🙂
georgettesullins
July 25, 2013
Why wasn’t this wasn’t freshly pressed?
Thank you for the guided tour about an experience you obviously know first hand. I love that you write from the heart about your INDIA. Truly, I am honored to read about this from you who know it, love it and breathe it.
Arindam
July 26, 2013
Yes I too wonder why was not this freshly pressed. 🙂 Might be it was not in my destiny.
But I am happy that I could share this trip with all of you who mean so much to me.
And Yes I can easily extract lots of pride from my country which provides not only food, shelter to 1.22 billion people; but also creates enough opportunity for their personal growth.
It’s comment like this one of yours which inspires me to share posts like this one. Thanks a lot for today’s inspiration.
Piya Singh
July 30, 2013
When you meet a fellow countryman esp. so far away from home, a bond is bound to happen. What a great post Arindam, Thank you for sharing. I miss home more than ever…
Sending European Sun your way!
http://reeflections.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/sunshine-blog-award/
Regards,
PS
Arindam
July 30, 2013
I understand how you must have felt seeing this beautiful side of our country from thousands miles distance. But I hope sometime soon you will make it a point to visit India. 🙂
And thanks a lot for speaking such kind words and sharing my blog with your readers. 🙂 Lots and lots of good wishes for you too.
happykidshappymom
July 31, 2013
What beautiful pictures, what a beautiful essay on your motherland, what beautiful pride you feel! So nice to read this post, Arindam. I am proud of you for taking this journey, and thankful that you shared so much of it with us. I also enjoyed learning the story of the pair of pigeons who know the secret to eternal life. Did you see any pigeons on your journey?
Arindam
August 2, 2013
Thanks a lot Melissa. 🙂 Great to see you back. I was missing you in this section of my blog. 🙂
Yes, the pair of pigeons are visible. It’s place that shows the real side of our motherland. I am glad you enjoyed the trip.
And I hope your book is doing really well. I do not need to say, that my good wishes are always with you. 🙂
SmallHouseBigGarden
August 1, 2013
Such a spiritual journey in addition to the physical!
You said it typically takes 5 days..Is that how long it took for your group or did the hike take longer?
Thank you for sharing this great look at your motherland.
Arindam
August 1, 2013
Thanks Karen. yes it takes almost three to four days cover the route by walking.
Have a great day!!
Amelia Grace @chai a cup of life
August 1, 2013
Hey you have captured the so much beauty in your pics..it’s nice to see yet another side of India !
Arindam
August 1, 2013
Thanks a lot Amelia. It’s nice to see you in my blog. I am glad you liked these pics.
Praveena
August 2, 2013
Enjoyed reading this post.What a beautiful place.Thanks for sharing Arindham!!!
Arindam
August 2, 2013
Praveena, It’s all my pleasure to share this beautiful side of our country with you and people living across the world. 🙂
Praveena
August 2, 2013
🙂
ladyfi
August 2, 2013
Wonderfully majestic views and shots.
Arindam
August 2, 2013
Thanks a lot. I am glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
greenlightlady
August 2, 2013
What a beautiful country you have shown India to be. Wonderful pictures, Arindam!
Arindam
August 3, 2013
Thanks a lot Wendy!! It always feels great to see you here. 🙂
dearrosie
August 3, 2013
Happy greetings Arindam,
Wow this is my lucky day! I popped into your blog after a long absence and you generously took me with you to this holiest of pilgrimages in the high Himalayas. Thank you – I feel blessed 😀 I hadn’t heard of Amarnath cave but can see from the staggering numbers of people climbing it every year that the pilgrimage is well known…
Congratulations on completing it, on your well written essay, and also on your wonderful photos. 😀 What stunning views and amazing colors! Did you hike or go by horse back?
One day when I come to mother India I look forward to sitting with you on your balcony drinking a cup of chai and hearing more about the trip… I’m sure it was a life-changing experience.
Arindam
August 4, 2013
Welcome back, Rosie Auntie. 🙂 I am really happy to see you again.
I am glad that I could share the beauty of Himalayas with you. I know you enjoy your visits to heels and mountains; so the moment I posted it here I thought of you. And see, this post could find you during your break.
I would love to welcome you here. I also know you have so many memories attached to this part of world. Let’s meet on a cup of chai some day!! 🙂
dearrosie
August 5, 2013
Its beautiful how the post found me…
Tina Schell
August 3, 2013
Wow, now THAT’s an adventure!! Thanks for taking us along!
Arindam
August 3, 2013
Thanks a lot Tina. It’s my pleasure to hear you liked this trip. 🙂
Sunshine
August 5, 2013
WOW, what an adventurous trip! Looks like you really got into this journey and so glad you shared some of your country’s background. This theme you selected really shows your photographs in an eye appealing manner. Well done, Arindam! Thanks!
Arindam
August 5, 2013
Thank you!! 🙂 I always enjoy sharing all the good things my country offers. And this post is one step forward in that journey of sharing my country in the best way with the world. I am glad you enjoy stuffs like this one. Have a great Monday!!
rommel
August 7, 2013
Look at you getting into some adventures. This is absolutely stunning! Something I’d never pass if I ever go to India. What took you so long!? 😀 The experience and the images are to die for!
Arindam
August 7, 2013
Thanks a lot. It feels great to see you back in my blog after a long time. This place surely awaits your visit. But remember you can only visit this place during late June to August. 🙂 Have a good day, Rommel.
rommel
August 7, 2013
That breathing problem scares me. But I’d be a very awesome challenge. Given the result after hardship, I’d take it in a ‘heart beat’. 😀
Arindam
August 7, 2013
Yes that’s quite a scary thing for sure. 🙂
elisaruland
August 9, 2013
Arindam, this is a great post. The photos are beautiful, and I like how you included travel tips for those who adventurous enough take this exciting journey to the Himalayas.
Elisa
Arindam
August 9, 2013
Elisa, I am glad you liked these pictures. It’s one of the beautiful places of our country. I feel proud to share this place with you.
Have a great day!!
munchow
September 1, 2013
You have all reasons to be proud of your motherland. It’s one of the countries that has always been on my list of places to visit, but unfortunately so far I haven’t been able to make it happen. But I will one day. Thanks for taking us along to Amarnath. What a fascinating place and story. Great photos, too, Arindam!
Arindam
September 2, 2013
I was looking forward to your comment on this post. I am glad to see you reaching this post. I am sure you will find many places in India to capture just like you do in other countries. Otto, I hope you will make it a point to visit our country.
munchow
September 2, 2013
There is no way I won’t. Thank you Arindam.
Arindam
September 2, 2013
Will wait to meet you in person. 🙂
munchow
September 2, 2013
I look forward to the same!