Finally........Srinagar

---

Hello readers!!


There have been several alterations in my life and things around me since the last post. Like new job, new house and illness in the family. However, the entire credit of this go-slow goes to my laziness! :P What leads me back to writing (other than this creepy morning solitude) is the photos that Bhagesh Lokhande (the guardian angel to whom you would be introduced later) recently shared. And not to forget the constant reminders by Tejas, Anirudha and Leenali (she will be going to Darjeeling for a Himalayan trek soon!!)



So where were we? Yes, Banti from Srinagar at the Titanic Point and his philosophy that made us ruminate over our own lives….



Now we were treading the bends of Kashmir Valley with the hope of finally reaching Srinagar – ‘the City (Nagar) of Prosperity (Sri)’. We had to pass through Anantnag, and according to Lee’s knowledge (her daddy used to work for Indian Air force @ Lee – correct me if I am wrong), the roads to and from Anantnag are often closed for several hours due to the military convoy transit. But luckily, nothing of that sort happened and we rode on. We came across several towns and markets where authentic (?) Kashmiri dry fruits, souvenirs and the wooden cricket bats, for which this part of Jammu & Kashmir is very famous, were sold. However, as we were already over-loaded and didn’t want to buy anything, we didn’t halt there for more than 5 minutes.



On the way we saw countless dry fruit and saffron selling shops, as well as the Kashmiri houses whose courtyards were cram-packed with thousands of newly made bats! India is truly crazy about cricket! Specific kind of colorful ribbons were hanged on both the sides of the road where these bats were sold. I was wondering where all these bats must be going! We were heading towards Srinagar at about 80 kms/hour speed (the roads were really very good and we were totally oblivious of the contrast that was waiting for us the very next day!). It was fun racing with Tejalee! And it was even more fun to receive the astounded gazes of local people passing by. The beautiful Kashmiri ladies seated in the back seats of the jeeps (a specimen of the patriarchal society) were turning their graceful necks (Anirudha and Tejas will agree!) to have a one-more glimpse of us, the dashing foreign riders!! And the elbow and knee guards were even enhancing the effect!



Contrary to our expectations, most of the Kashmiri women wore salvar-kurta (the most common Indian outfit), and only the old ladies wore the typical Kashmiri ‘paheran’, which was quite less embellished as compared to those we see on TV, or wear for clicking photographs. I am not sure at what altitude we were, but it was considerably high (you can google it) and yet we were surrounded by endless mountain ranges from all the sides…….aim high, aim high…..we were telling ourselves!! The urban Kashmir was slowly revealing itself before us. More shops, more buildings, more vehicles, more inquisitive gazes, and yes, more army vans and armed soldiers! And finally we had reached Srinagar.



More about Srinagar and our memorable stay at Sumbul the house-boat later! Stay tuned!

---

Comments

[Tejas]

Go on!
How did I miss this blog for so long!? Didn't you promote it or what? anyways, you really brought those days alive, thank you. I totally remember the racing thing, my bike running at maximum of 60km/hr which was the cruising speed for your bike! but yeah those Kashmiri Lasse still come in my dreams! I think you should write ahead. I know its been a while since we came back, even I tried to revive the journey through my blog and failed, but still you are the steady rock of our journey, lead me to the rock that is higher than I!