Monday, January 02, 2006

I'm back!! :)

I'm home! My back is aching like hell, my legs feel as if a truck ran over them, and I think i've sprained my foot, so i'm limping around the house like a handicap...but I'm sooo happy! Vaishnodevi was great! It was simply great! Right from the time I sat on the train till the time I got back, I've loved every bit of this trip! Though every year our college organises this trip, this was my first time with friends.

We were staying at a hotel in Katra- 5 girls in a tiny room. We started at around 4 in the afternoon. Took an auto till Banganga, and from there, with a loud 'Jai Mata Di!', we commenced our journey. There were some other friends, not from our college, who had decided to join us too. So we were about 15 people. But along the way some of us got separated- the speedy ones took the lead and we slow coaches dragged on after them. Three of my friends had gone barefoot- hats off to them! Taking small steps and stopping at almost every 'vishram sthal' we somehow reached Ardhkwari at around 9- that's about halfway. Then after a quick bite, we gained a li'l energy and sped on, chanting 'jai mata di' the whole time. When we finally reached the Bhawan around 11.30, we felt drained. But seeing the cheerul atmosphere around us we could feel our exhaustion being replaced by excitement and anticipation. It was really chilly up there...didnt feel it while walking but realised it later. After sumbitting our bags and shoes in a locker we joined the long queue to the temple. By the time we made it, our feet were absolutely numb coz of the cold. We went through the tunnel and then the cave...and at that point i felt it was all worth it...the long hard climb felt like child's play for 30 seconds of Mata's darshan. I could feel my tensions dissipating, and the long list of wishes I'd imagined I'd ask for, seemed so frivolous. All I could mumble was a thankyou.

After the darshan, at around 1, we ate from a dhaba nearby. And then again started the long walk back to the hotel. On our way back the lights went out and we walked in pitch dark. The sky above was studded with millions of stars, and for a moment we stood, awestruck, and admired God's handiwork. It was so...beautiful seems like such a small word! It was the most amazing sight I've ever seen. We felt so special...as if walking under a bejeweled cloak. We continued reluctantly and by the time we reached we were literally dragging ourselves to take a step. Our legs hurt so much, and resting made it almost impossible to move. We reached our hotel at 5 in the morning and I dont remember what followed after that. I only remember waking up at 12 in the afternoon the next day. And of course the pain hadnt ceased at all. We just rushed through the day, and at 5 we were on our way back. And now I'm home, feeling warm and cosy again...the pain will go, but the wonderful times we shared would always remain in my heart. And I dont think I'll ever forget that star studded night...sigh! Thanks God! :)

5 comments:

cherubic_chipmunk said...

whoa wat a description-wish i was wid u...n God's place is always wonderful-makes u forget all baser emotions n takes u to utopia...newayz cheers n wish u loads of gud luck for ur xams...

johney said...

But the long and exhausting walk was worth the trip, I bet. For it happenned the same to me, but not for a day but 7 days straight, my feet does not stopped walking. Just then I remembered that I posted something like this

"The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say."

And, boy, the road swept my feet for so many places.

Enjoy life to the fullest.

Mirage said...

@arvind: thnx man! my exams are gonna strt soon. oh n yea i wish u were with us too...wudve added to the cheer! :)

@johney: that was beautiful! n 7 days walking...just thinkin of it, makes my head spin! whew!

take care man!

Nikhil said...

Awesome! Wish I can make it someday too..
Jai Mata Di.
And a Happy New Year (you can wish here :D)

zxcv said...

wow that was some xp
looks like u njoyed a lot
i'm wondering wen will i get the chance to take a brk from work and do something like this...
keep njoying, have fun