A Slice of Heaven

 

A Slice of Heaven

Jammu-Kashmir -Ladakh-Uttarakhand;four hyphenated words which cast a magic spell that never fades.

If Jammu occupies fertile rain-fed plains and scenic Himalayan foothills, the  Valley of Kashmir has cascading mountain streams, rivers, picturesque valleys and expansive alpine meadows, and Ladakh is the high altitude desert plateau.     The colossal Pir Panjal Range separates Jammu from Kashmir. Ladakh and Kashmir are divided by the Great Himalayan Range.The two are connected by road passing through some of the highest  Himalayan passes,

 

Ladakh, the land of jagged peaks , arid landscape & untamed nature is a fascinating destination. A land of overwhelming natural beauty that beckons only the most adventurous of travellers  it is flanked by two of the world's most majestic mountain ranges Karakoram and  Himalaya .Ladakh  is  richly endowed with   enchanting   snow-capped mountains, verdant valleys, amazingly beautiful lakes, monasteries  and breathtaking vistas.It is among the most attractive tourist places in India.

 

Uttarakhand is one state which is a part of north-central, northern, and central India. It borders China in the north, Nepal in the east, Himachal Pradesh in the north-west and west, Uttar Pradesh in the south, and Haryana in the south-western corner.

The land of myths, magic and mesmerizing beauty will leave you awe-struck. Untouched nature in all its splendour is what Uttarakhand is ! A piece of heaven on earth blessed with abundant natural beauty.

Here are some Scattershot memories from Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Uttarakhand through the lens of my camera which I cherish ,picked impulsively and not in any order.

“Pahad”,the Mountains: Sacred, mystical, awesome & trecherous

                _                     Blissful Aura -   Kashmir

Fresh & delicate

                                  On the banks of Jhelum

                                            Road to Badrinath

                               Prayers begin even before reaching Badri Vishal

             Holy Himkund Glacial lake surrounded by the Saptasringha Mountains

                              The arid mountains and silver sands of Nubra Valley,Ladakh

                       The Iconic Pangong Tso lake, Ladakh

 

                           Neelkanth peak towering behind Badrinarayan Temple Badrinath

Temples & shrines:  Divinity, right & left

Badri Vishal

                                          Vashishta Temple Manali

                               Hanuman Chatti: place where Hanuman confronted Bheemasena

 

                 Mulberry tree under which Sri  Adi Shankaracharya Sat in penance, Jyothirmath

                     Pandukeshwar temple,the winter abode of lord Badrinarayana

                                     Tarpanam @ holy Tapt Kund, Badrikashram

                                           Nageshwar temple on Deoriatal trek rout

                                 Usha Math(Ukhimath) winter abode of Kedarnath Baba

                                  sunset on holy Ganga, Triveni Ghat Rishikesh

                                           Source of River Lakshman Ganga,Saptashringa Mountains
                                    

                           Ganga mata shrine at Chandrashila peak facing mount Nanda devi   

Ganga Devi Temple Gangotri

                                                                        Yamunotri

People: the devout, the faithful, Natives, Sadhus, Mendicants, Protectors

                                         guardians of  our frontiers , Zanskar Range

                                            Man & Animal, Ensuring  our easy trek

This Piligrim  Walked all the way from Rudra prayag to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara to fufil religious Kar Seva Vow

s

     All of 87, he nonchalantly stepped into the icy cold waters of Hima Ganga ( Hemkund lake)

Sevadars of   Langar 

Seeking Ganga Maa's Blessing.They are  are everywhere. Many of them walk all the way up the mountains & complete the  pilgrimage on foot.       

He trekked the whole 21 Kms with us to Chandrashila peak

                  

  Vendor  of flowers on the banks of Holy Ganga ,at Har Ki Pauri Haridwar

                                    Attempting to Tame the treacherous Mountain Roads, Karakoram

                                              Bactrian Camel, endemic Species Nubra Valley

                                 The youngest ever Waiter who served us.Kalsar,Ladakh

                                          Palki wallas  ,the load bearers

 

                                    siesta  ,  Chandi Devi temple route,Haridwar

 Trek routes & campsites: seventh heaven

                            On this stretch of the trek, we encountered several Huge Rudraksha Trees

                                                         Chandrashila Summit 12150 Ft

                             Dhabas:  food for thought

        possibly the tastiest Paranthas & Dhal Sabji  were served here- somewhere near Vishnu Prayag

                                 Cafe atop Khardung La managed by Soldiers of Assam Rifles                                                                                   - Maggi noodles & Assam Chai, What else?

Barley Roti, Yak Butter & Raw Arricot pickle , leh

                                             Parantha, Chai & warm Beds, Keylong Himachal Pradesh

                              Momos  @ Bakery Managed by Soldiers , Kargil_war memorial

 Driving through the mountainous terrain in the Himalayas,one comes across small shacks dotting the routes,providing simple yet tasty fare to satisfy the weary traveler

Devoid fancy frills & extravagance,the rickety roadside dhabas serve fresh,tasty food at surprisingly inexpensive prices.Interestingly you can freely enter their kitchens/Cooking area, start a conversation with the cook while your order being cooked.You can even have your special request customized, to pamper your taste buds;and believe me this is a special  experience!

You never want to miss a hot cup of tea whenever/wherever you spot a dhaba. ‘Chai” Will surely leave you warm to bear the freezing weather! You get to Sip a lot of them throughout the journey

     Trinkets & souvneirs

 Surprisingly the novelties & ornaments can be purchased at very nominal prices, after haggling over the ‘fixed Rate’.

 The most heart warming aspect is that long after we leave, the souvenirs help keep our memory of these beautiful places green and pining for more – There is no other place like Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Uttarakhand

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