A Travel to a Sikh Historic Place:Gurudwara Shri Paththar Sahib Leh
 
If you go to Leh (a place in West Jammu and Kashmir) by air you would reach there in one hour from Delhi but if you go by road it would take 4 days as the route is treacherous and full of twists and turns. When the door of the aircraft opens after the aircraft comes to a halt and you step out of it you do not feel the warmth of atmosphere outside but a thorny chill. The cold wave crosses your bones through and through unlike other cold places. You will find everyone covering themselves in jackets before they board the buses to take you to the airport terminal. Immediately on reaching there you cannot just go out for a stroll and start sightseeing but have to seriously acclimatise yourself for 6 days (when you plan a stay of more than a week) or else you will fall sick. The tourists adopt a minimum rest of 3 days to be on the safer side for short visits. If you come by road this problem does not occur as the time spent on the route takes care of it.

 Leh is a high altitude area having 11000 feet plus elevation  which is cold from Oct to April and excessively cold (below minus 15 degree Celsius) from Nov to Feb. Weather from May to Oct is excellent so it  is heaven then.
There are lot of hotels , army and civil guest rooms as dignitaries keep coming quiet often during the summer season to enjoy the paid holiday in the form of official duties. The most famous Hotel is the the ‘Yaktail’. They provide you everything but there is scarcity of water which has to be used judiciously. There is no problem of transportation as lot of Tata Sumos, Safari, Alto, Tavera and mostly Scorpio vehicles ply on the roads having package deals  to show you all important places in and around Leh.
The sikh Temple Gurudwara Shri Paththar Sahib is among the nearby places which just requires about half a day of visit . It would be better if you plan to spend Sunday afternoon here as you get a delicious Langar (Free Kitchen) on this day when  all the service category lot visit here being a holiday.
This Historic Temple falls on the way while going from Leh to Kargil at about 25 Kms from Leh which is manned by the units of Indian Army  and hence is nicely maintained both from caretaking and food point of view. In addition the transporters passing through that route halt here and donate rations contributing to the free kitchen(Langar).
It is said from the available records held at the place that the first Guru of Sikhs, ’Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji’ had visited this place in 16th century and the history goes on as follows :-
Guru Nanak Dev ji during his second journey (1515-1518 AD) in 1517 AD had reached here after  giving his preachings in ‘Sumer’ mountains while passing from Nepal, Sikkim and Tibet via the ‘Yarkand’ route. There lived an evil demon on the hill just opposite to the place where the Gurudwara is now located. The demon used to harass the locals a lot and would eat them away after killing them. Guru Nanak on hearing this from the people reached here and established himself near the river by taking an Asan (Sitting position with crossed legs while praying as followed in Indian culture) at the foothill. Seeing this  the locals took a sigh of relief but the demon did not like this and planned to kill the Guru. One day while the Guru was busy praying almighty while in meditation, the demon taking advantage of the situation pushed a heavy stone towards him from up the hill so that the Guru would be crushed to death but as it is said ‘One who is protected by the lord cannot be harmed by anyone’(Jaako rakhey saayiyaa maar sakey na koye) a miracle happened in which as the big stone touched the Guru it became like a wax in which the rear part of the Guru’s body got embedded into it and his meditation remained undisturbed. Assuming that the Guru died, the demon happily came down from the hill near the stone and was astonished to see the Guru hail hearty and live. Seeing this he got annoyed and kicked the stone with his right foot which also got embedded into the stone. Then did the demon realise that due to his stupidity he tried to kill a devotee of God and fell at the Guru’s feet to pardon him. The Guru opened his eyes and adviced him to devote his remaining life in service of mankind for only then he will be well wished. The demon took his advice and followed it after which he started living a happy life. After sometime the Guru went to Kashmir from this place via Kargil.
The history of the origin of this place in hindi script is also displayed for everyone to know the history of this place.

The area around the Gurudwara gives a feeling that we are standing in a desert  with  barren mountains in the background where the horizon meets the ground . One can feel gushes of strong winds if you stand in open. The chill is strong enough to pass through your bones making you feel that it is not Delhi ki sardi (Extreme cold of Delhi) but something much more than that. The area has enough place to park the vehicles and most of which is occupied by the military vehicles on Sundays as most of the army personnel come here from nearby units regularly which also serves a place for a good get together.
The demon hill is high enough to warm your knees (about 100 m high)since you have to climb  number of steps to reach there huffing and puffing . The oxygen content is low in the air making the breathing difficult but you finally feel great after reaching the top. It was from here that the demon pushed a large boulder towards the Guru meditating below.

 People come here and take some rest, snap some photos and then start back. It is extremely chilly cold here due to the strong winds blowing. You can have a look at the top view of the area down below.

 In one of the barrack the huge stone which melted like a wax with Guru’s body impression is still there exhibiting his natural stance of sitting.

 A small impression of the demon’s foot can also be seen in it. The other barrack is for the kitchen and a dining hall where hundreds can dine in at one time sitting on the coir mats during the special occasions or on Sundays. There is also a STD booth in the Gurudwara campus with a guest room to rest should you require to stay there for a night.
 The main entrance leads to the place where the Holy Granth is placed; the place where everyone kneels down and bows as followed in Sikh culture.

A small Gurudwara extension where one more Holy Granth has been kept is located on a small hillock about 20 m high adjacent to the main Gurudwara.
The landscape provides excellent vision of the mountains located far off all around as if some painting is hung in the sky. All along the road from Leh to this place, river Indus  runs parallel to the road. The greenery can be noticed only along the riverbanks in summers and the rest of the area  always remains barren where long stretches of the empty ground can be seen for stretches together. The inhabitation is also very less as hardly one odd hut can be noticed on the way. Small villages in the form of Hamlets are located at far off remote areas from the road into the valleys where water is available for survival. Every village has a Buddhist Temple called ‘Gompa’. There is no tea stall, motel or a Dhaba (roadside small hotels) on the way so administratively you have to be self sufficient. Since the distance from Leh is not much one can easily reach there in a TATA Sumo with in half an hour, spend sometime and easily come back by afternoon after having  Langar ( Free lunch) which is served daily.
There is another interesting place, ‘The Magnetic Hill’ quiet close by to the Gurudwara slightly ahead of it which is famous for the fact that the law of Gravitation fails here since your vehicle climbs up a particular stretch of uphill slope in neutral with the engines switched off as there is a magnetic hill which pulls up your vehicle.


Besides this a beautiful place ‘Nimu’ is visible from here which is lush green as  is situated on the river bank visible from between the two hills but about 20 kms ahead.  
If Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited it by foot you can definitely visit this  place using the modern transport system of today as is a place worth visiting which will imprint good lifetime memories in your mind.

The Rowing Channel

The Incredible Rowing Channel

Moving by foot around the only rowing channel (2.2 km long, 150m wide) of the nation in Pune  is an exhilarating experience which one must have.
As you reach the small hillock on which the words ‘ARN CERA Welcome’ are written  with stones polished with lime you are reminded of  the ‘Garnet Hill’ at ‘Pangongso Lake’ in Ladakh.  It does not refer to Cera glasses but ‘Army Rowing Node and Corps of Engineers Rowing Association’. The spectacular view of the rowing channel makes you say--- Wow! while refreshing your eyes at its first sight.
Descending towards the direction of lower lake an observation tower at the mid  width of the channel is encountered before reaching its south east corner.  A beautiful single lane bituminous rd constructed recently with 61 street lights bowing their heads awaits to be explored for a straight stretch of  2.2 km akin to a taxi track alongside a runway.

 Bold markings in denominations of 250 m and its multiples in ascending order can be noticed on the right bank indicating the distance you have to cover as you start from zero. After you reach the first 250m mark the next one at 500m beckons you. Cool wind gives a chill to your body while you watch the dawn at the far end of the east west aligned channel. Walking  facing the sun against the wind appears  to be a never ending distance. Looking back from the  500m mark  gives a little relief that some distance has been covered.
Being late evening the scull boat can hardly be seen as are already packed up. Ducks, cormorants, storks, cranes and some herons divert the attention by their low flying on the water surface to pick up their last minute hunt from close quarters. The shiny black Cormorant can  be observed with its head protruded out of water for taking  a  breathe before  taking a  long underwater dip for its  catch  who  pops  out  again  after a few seconds from nowhere.
The lonely road has very few walkers after the 1000m mark. The tall multi-storeyed bldgs  indicate the CME boundary.  An aircraft proceeding west (Mumbai)  passes over you during your long stroll. The rectangular channel which is nearly of the same size of an airfield forces the pilot to think it as a landing ground for which he has to be careful. However he knows for sure that it would definitely prove helpful in case of an emergency landing.
  On reaching the 2000m mark the streaks of sunshine reflecting on the water surface starts getting dimmer but a huge stadium, like a half cut Large Hadron Collider at Geneva impresses your eyes. An eagle’s eye view can be had from the top of the tower adjacent to it.  Turning right towards the north after a few metres covers the width of the channel at the other end again. Two huge sheds storing the scull boats and its accessories can be noticed on to the left. While crossing the width and looking at the long channel towards your start point in the east force out the following words from your mouth,
“Oh my God we have come this far!”

After crossing the colourful bldg (gym and office) ends the pacca rd  for a well rammed  kutcha road to begin. Crossing the markings, now in descending order gives a sense of satisfaction.  Its more fun walking on this track than the bituminous one as tiredness is not felt due to the double cushion effect ; of the addidas shoes plus the soft soil of mother earth. In addition the wind gives a push to wee off your tiredness.
The huge flocks of ducks and cormorants returning home towards the west in arrowhead formation decorates the sky. The crows in position on the trees do their caw! caw ! wishing you best of return journey.

 The village dogs relaxing  in the meadows stare at you with concern being the area commanders of their region but do not bark to maintain the quiet atmosphere.

 The ankles give a sweet pain of tiredness after getting twisted at depressed patches; courtesy the depression marks made by the  tyre treads of tractors. Cool air sweeps the back of the neck. Thousands of ripples in water do not let you feel lonely as they accompany you silently till the end.
 The flocks of birds moving west start to disappear as the darkness creeps in .The silhouette of trees start appearing on the skyline. The beautiful meadows on the left lure to spend the night with them. The cattle peacefully chewing their cuds gaze at you undisturbed. There is quietness in the air except chirping sound of birds and the water waves splashing on the rocky shores.
 Reaching the 1000m mark increases the walking speed to cross the foul smelling zone of sewage plant converting the sewage into water before pouring it into the channel.  From 500m onwards the left view gets blocked due to the bund thus focussing the attention on the water surface where the water waves have enlarged as their crest size adds up mathematically  until  it finally splashes on the small rocks at the end giving a perfect feeling of waves terminating on the sea beach with sound effects.


 A last glimpse can be had after climbing the ‘Welcome hillock’, the top of which is like a small helipad. The red steps leading to it after a short climb make you feel on the top of the world.  The fast wind blowing cools you by evaporating your sweat and at the same time does not allow any mosquito to camp in there. All the lakes ---upper, middle and the lower incl the complete rowing channel are visible from here--- a perfect place for photography.
It gets dark and is time to move back after taking a descending spiral turn towards the right to reach the old Nasik rd once again.

Secrets of human body

Apply all your might but your fingers would not listen to you
(Secrets of human body)
Try this---
Embrace the fingers of both your hands in cross hands position as if you are doing a prayer. Now take out only the forefingers of both the hands stretching them backwards and hold them with their tips facing each other slightly bent with the remaining three fingers of both the hands clasped with each other as it is.
You should not allow these forefingers to touch each other and maintain a gap of approximately 1cm between them.
They will get attracted towards each other and start moving immediately which you have to stop. The rule of the game is that you can hold them at a position but cannot withdraw them back. Try to hold as long as possible.
You will not be able to hold them for more than a minute. Soon you will see that they join each other in spite of all your efforts to stop it. Even the world’s strongest men cannot do it.
It looks easy isn’t it ? But it’s not.
There are some muscles in our body which are involuntary on which we do not have any control. like the ones which control the movements of heart, the ones with which you sneeze and so on, while there are some in our hands which although are in our control but only for a limited time as they get tired very soon after which we start losing our control on them.

Tea Break

Tea Break

It was during one of the tea break while on a short course that a gossiping session was on during which after sharing some jokes the topic converged to sher shaiyeri (Lyrics and poetry). There were some officers who were fond of urdu and had a bit of knowledge on the subject so resorted to this subject with interest. With this some got bored as were finding it difficult to assimilate the words. To poke in the discussion one of our coursemate, DK started off with the following,

“Kuttey ki poonch pe kutta,
uski poonch pe kutta,
uski poonch pe kutta,
uski poonch pe kutta---------“
(A dog on a dog’s tail, another dog on his tail, another dog on his tail, yet another dog on his tail----------)
Hearing this Khurana lost patience as was getting impatient to hear the outcome hence interrupted,
“Hey what are you babbling? Do such talks at our level look nice to be discussed in the company of matured people?”
He was immediately replied by DK,

“Woh chod balance dekh” (Leave that see the balance)

Everyone burst out laughing.

DK continued further caring for Khurana’s sentiments,
“OK for your sake I will narrate another one as per your maturity level”
He continued,

“Woh gayee kabhi Delhi, kabhi Bombay,
Kabhi Calcutta, kabhi London,
Phir Canada , phir Moscow.
Palak jhapktey aa gaya Bangalore
Mera dil bhi gaya saath mein uske,
kabhi idhar, kabhi udhar
Pata nahin kidhar kidhar“
(She at times went to Delhi, at times to Bombay,
At times to Calcutta, at times to London,
Then to Canada, then to Moscow,
With a wink came Bangalore,
My heart also went along with her,
Sometimes here, sometimes there
I don’t know where)

Initially Khurana thought that he is describing some of his airhostess girlfriend with whom he is in love but when he realised that the words are going haywire he asked him,

"Then what happened to your Dil (Heart)?”

DK answered immediately,

“Woh chod speed dekh”
(Leave that notice the speed)

The high cost saved me

THE HIGH COST SAVED ME

Once I had an opportunity to visit the famous ‘Taj Mahal Palace Hotel’ in Mumbai just opposite to the Gateway of India. Impressed by the shopping arcade inside the hotel I decided to have a look at the beautiful showrooms around its periphery on the ground floor. Various famous trade marks had their individual showrooms in which they had displayed best of their items making it appear more like a museum. Since I was fond of pens I entered one of the showroom of ‘Mont Blanc’. Each pen was displayed like a jewellery with focussed lighting on it to attract the customer. The price tags were displayed in sparkling steel numerals. I decided to purchase one of the selected pens whose cost was displayed as Rs 1574.00 which appeared quite reasonable commensurate to its quality. I ordered the person standing there to pack it handing over my credit card for the payment while I continued watching the other pens.

After sometime he came back to me saying that the credit card is not able to pay the amount as has limits of payment upto Rs 1.5 Lacs only.

“So what’s the matter there is enough money in it?” I asked him curiously.

“No sir the cost of the pen is exceeding the amount?”he replied.

“How?”I tried to clarify from him.

“Sir because the cost is Rs one lac fifty seven thousand and four hundred only which is seven thousand four hundred more than what your credit card allows.”

It was then I realised that the cost of the pen is Rs 157400 and there is no decimal before the two zeros indicating the paisas.

Oh God! the high cost saved me today otherwise I would have lost about Rs 1.5 lac had the cost been Rs 1.5 lac or below.

Later I realised that there were pens displayed for Rs 15 Lacs also which I had assumed for Rs 15000/- The high cost of the pen had saved me.

After coming out from the hotel the world appeared so cheap.