Saturday 31 January 2015

A Trip to Kashmir

On August 1984  the author with his partner and little daughter Sonali quit Suri,Birbhum  by a private luxury  reserved Bus  owned by a resident of Faijabad,near Saraju River. U.P. After  a few hours journey, a female member became ill. The Bus stopped at Durgapur .Some of us advice to drop her at her  residence there , as she was sister-in-law of D.S.P.Burdwan .But she did not agree to go back. Then it was decided to give her medical treatment by  co-passenger friend Dr.Tapan. Accordingly Dr. Tapan pushed her an injection and advice to wait  at least  for one hour.Passengers agreed gracefully. After half an hour  she became fully cured and urged to start the bus in the night after crossing Barakar  river bridge at Bihar check post point  an A.S.I. of Bihar police stopped the bus for checking. Though  papers generally needed was kept o.k. but police has multifarious law to hackle public, if they desire so the concerned officer did not allowed to check out and demanded a sum of 3000 rs.However, negotiation came down to 300 rs and we checked out. Prior ten Kilometers to Hazaribagh Jungle we took dinner in a road side Dhaba. About two k.ms away from entering the jungle  the Bus stopped for a  short break. In the meantime a few truck driver coming from jungle side cautioned us  not to proceed further as dekoiety is going on  in the jungle. Waited  some times ,tried and succeeded  to make a convoy of 5/6 trucks taking the bus in the middle. Truck drivers were so good they helped to cross the jungle. While crossing the jungle, horrified to see in the  light of running trucks that robbery done upon a mini bus and an ambassador. Saw 3/4  male and female foreign tourist, perhaps American ,the time was hippie age, standing outside the car. Their dresses were torned , It seemed that they were bitten by the Robbers. Advanced and reached at Benaras. Visited Banaras Hindu University , Biswanath Temple ,other temples, ghats etc.an incident deserved to be mention that the author, his partner and little daughter took a journey from daswasamedh ghat  to monikornika  ghat by a little boat against the tIde of   River Ganges. This adventure was risky and dangerous. Though nothing happened adverse. Kashi Biswanat Mondir is  a pious religious place to the Hindus. Further proceeded  towards Agra via Allahabad, Fathepur and Kanpur. In the noon Agra welcomed with its  high temperature, the heat was about to intolerable. After a bath at a temple premises, took lunch in  a Hotel and rested till heat of the sun became tolarable.VisitedFatepurSikri,Bulandwaraja,SalimChitisti’sdoom,HowaMahal,Aam darwar,Jodha bi mahal etc.etc. Returned to Agra in the Hotel. It was a  fool moon  night.The beauty of Taj Mahal in the fool moon could not be expressed in language. It is only to feel. Next, visited the series of Temples at Brindaban Mathura ( Prison of King Konghsa) and Gokul. It is told that the Lord Krishna passed his childhood there at the house of Nanda Raja.Radha Krishna Temples are specially pious for Hindus. It is told  Barsana, father house of SriRadha  is about 30 k.m. away from Brindaban . The Brindababians at first meeting utters ”Joy Radhe”,”RadeRadhe” at Mathura. Question is why not Lord  Krishna first? They say they got first Radha then Krishna. The team hosted at the house of Netai Ghosh. M.L.A. of Illambazar.Birbhum,W.B. free of cost. There is a Room namely  waiting room for Birbhum people.The glamour of non Bengali Temples was higher than many Bengaly Temples. On search it is known that Most Bengaly Temples was sponsored by East Bengalies.After partition of India it decreased a lot.Further advanced to Delhi. At delhi hosted at Birla Dharmasala..Visited Lalkella,Kutubminar,and other important places.One incident  may be mentioned. One day while our Bus was moving near Parliament House,the traffic signal was red.Out of curiacity looked  at out side the window and found that Smt.Indira Gandhi honoueable Prim Minister of India  passing by a hoodless car .She was reading something sitting on the car.After her departure proceeded to next destination Jambu.At Jambu stayed at Gita Bhavan.Nest evening arrived at  Srinagar.On the way crossed the Johar tunnel.
       At Srinagar the hotel Lion Star near Dal Lake, was our shelter for next five days.In the morning Mr. Noor a Sal Businessman,a resident of Chalkbazar and his brother a reporter of local news paper joind us and accompanid us till we left Sr nagar.

The 1st programme   at Gulmarg
The highest Golf Ground in the World
View ofsnow-capped monutains, Gulmarg
Gulmarg in 2005
Gulmarg in August 1969
Pahal gaon
        

Gulmartg ("Meadow of Flowers") is a town, a hill station, a popular skiing destination and a notified area committee in Baramula district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The town is within the Himalayas and is within miles of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.
GAURIMARG, named after Devi Parvati,wife of Lord Mahadev/Shiv, finds mention in Shivpuraan. Gauri= Parvati: Marg= Meadow.So literally it means the meadow of Devi Parvati. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiv is still in place at centre of this beautiful meadow. GAURIMARG was a favourite resort of the Hindu Kings of Kashmir. The original name Gaurimarg was changed to Gulmarg by the Muslim King Yousuf Shah Chak. GAURIMARG, has been a resort for the kings like Yousuf Shah Chak and Jahangir who used to visit frequently. GULMARG, means, the place of roses. During the early part of the 20th century the famous Central Asian explorer Sir Marc Aurel Stein (1862–1943), made his home here in a tent between his expeditions. It was a favorite summer holiday destination for the British stationed in India.
The surrounding areas were politically restive during a period of relative peace and quiet. The town is nestled within the imposing Himalayan peaks, and lies within miles of the Line of Control. It receives heavy snowfall during the winter season and is a popular ski resort.
With the abatement of militancy in the area, Gulmarg has quickly become one of the state's most visited destinations. The slopes of Afarwat Hills of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalaya Chain boast one of the longest and highest ski slopes in Asia. The total distance covered by ski lifts is five kilometres and the resort peaks at an altitude of 3,950 m (12,959 ft), accessed by an aerial gondola (telecabine). The skiing project was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on 25 December 2004. The entire hill is guarded by the army at all times. The army, which is seen everywhere in the cities of Kashmir, is not in the town or the actual hilltop. Frisking is only done midway on the access road at 3 places: Tangmarg, near an army camp on the road from Tangmarg, and 5 km before entering Gulmarg. Gulmarg does not have any permanent residents. All living in Gulmarg are hotel employees and guests.
 Next morning on the way to Pahel Gaon the Bus became punchured and  had to wait for sometimes.Found by the road side, an Akhrot Garden through which  a spring running ,and a group of Kashmiri men and women working in the garden.Discussed with them about the gardening and Paddy cultivation. Drink spring water.Proceeded to Pahel Gaon.
Pahalgaon is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district of the Indian state ofJammu & Kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination, and every year, many tourists visit Pahalgam.[1]This world famous hill station is 45 km. from the District Headquarters at Anantnag and located on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 7200 .ft. from sea level.
Attended Son Marg  by horse back.I Taking in left  hand  little daughter Sonali  and in right hand the control of the horse .
          
on another horse back side by side partner Aparna  riding .The horse owners were noty enough. They giving city and the horses running fast to frighten .The  ride came to  an end through stoney way at the foot of the Hill.After crossing a wooden foot bridge treaking to the hill and reached at the state of Ice ice and ice.
 After returning from site seen and  taking lunch ,resting in the hotel Lion Star till evening ,was inevitable .It made body and mind fresh for further programme..In the  evening when others went out for shoping in Srinagar Market., three friends pick up hot  Fish Fry from foot path and come  to Dal Lake,,hired a Sikara and floated in the lake water.  Rounding throughout the lake one side to another and chewing hot fish fry , enjoying surrounding cinario brought awesome heavenly pleasure .As if heaven came down to  Earth . Hours after hours passed,none noticed. At about eleven  p.m. back to Hotel. This contuned for five nights.



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