Skip to main content

Experiencing Kashmir Valley

As I trek along the rocky mountainous path, I take a pause and look around. On my right is a valley covered with lush green forests. In the horizon I can see another valley soaked with ice. Below, I can see water gushing out from glaciers which are situated distantly in this landscape. I turn to left and see a hill, covered with green grass and flowers of colors yellow and lavender. I look above, as if searching for something divine, but all I can see is a beautiful blue sky, patched up with clouds that never ever looked so enchanting in 24 years of my life. And it is then it dawns upon me once again; I am in Kashmir. Kashmir, of whose beauty, lengths have been written, movies have been filmed. Kashmir, that is supposed to be so beautiful that so many countries have territory disputes over it.

I have been to a lot many hill stations and have had my own experiences of them. Most of the times, they look all the same to me now. Markets selling over priced souvenirs, guides and touts all out to fleece you, dirt, untidiness, hills covered with concrete; that is my take on almost all hill stations I have visited. In that sense, even the Kashmir valley is not very different.

Yet it has a very distinct character of its own. The scenery, the sense of landscape, is clearly not visible in any other hill station. You feel like sitting down and allow yourself to soak in the raw, natural beauty all around you. This is not a Shimla or Mussorie, with a mall road full of shops that you have to walk around. True, the area of Kashmir valley is not exactly remote or underdeveloped. In fact they come across as quite urban.


If you ask me to give an adjective to Kashmir; it would be enchanting. It has a spell bounding effect on you. To the writer in me, this is a place of several untold stories. Every nook and corner of Kashmir beckons me towards a story, never heard of, a story that should be told. To the traveler in me, Kashmir valley comes across as a picture, so raw and innocent, ravished my millions of travelers before me, yet retaining its purity, serenity and soberness. 

And it is finally, when I am traveling back, that I wonder about the fact that China holds interest in one part of Kashmir, Pakistan another and India the rest of it. Yet, there is a voice for an independent country of Kashmir. Remembering the landscapes en route, I think I found the answer, as to why Kashmir is such a disputed place. You can never seem to get enough of it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Also read

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...
1 comment
Read more

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...
40 comments
Read more

Vastu & karma: Can spaces carry energetic debt?

Ever walked into a room and felt an inexplicable heaviness? According to vastu shastra, our living spaces can absorb and reflect our karmic energies. This article explores the connection between vastu and karma, signs of negative energy in your home, and practical steps to cleanse and harmonize your space. What is vastu shastra and how does it relate to karma? Vastu Shastra, often referred to as the "science of architecture," is an ancient Indian system that outlines principles for designing and organizing spaces to promote harmony and prosperity. Rooted in the belief that the physical environment significantly influences our lives, Vastu emphasizes the balance of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—to create a conducive living atmosphere. Karma, on the other hand, is a fundamental concept in Indian philosophy that denotes the law of cause and effect. It suggests that our actions, intentions, and thoughts have consequences that shape our present and f...
Post a Comment
Read more