NOVICE IN NANITAL.
Strange name to start a blog post. But it is true for me, as I was passing through a crucial juncture in my life. And It did turn out to be a new beginning for me. That refreshing air worked as balm on my pain.
Nainital view
Unfortunately my mother passed away in the last week of February/15. And I was struggling to come out of that shock.
We (trio) decided to go to Nainital, a hill station situated in India. I knew it in my heart that I had to go, as it was now or never situation for me. Now this "trio" consist of two middle aged women accompanied by a young corporate. We must be presenting strange picture to onlookers. We two sisters and our young niece. The news of our going to Nainital spread like fire in her office, her colleague were very apprehensive, and were trying their best to reach out and help her. From our hotel booking to sorting out good eating joints with all the do's and don'ts fell on their already burdened shoulders. Their sympathies were naturally with our niece. They were under this impression that she had taken a insurmountable project in her hand like accompanying two aunts, out of which one was visiting from USA and the other one was wincing in pain. So there was a constant updating from her base camp (office in Delhi).
For me this visit indeed proved NEW BEGINNING.
NanideviTempl -this is very old temple and very famous shakti temple of Goddess Durga.
Nainital is a beautiful hill station in northern India. The whole town is named after "Goddess Naini Devi". There is Naini lake also just in the middle of town adding beauty to it, It is adjustant to a big ground adorned with Temple, Gurudwara and Mosque. The far away mountain view is picturesque.
Night view of Naini lake and mall road.
It gives the impression as if some lady is adorned with gold and diamond jewelry.
Our main focus was on finding good restaurants and Nanital does have quite a few of them on its main mall road., We did go to tiffin top and enjoyed the awesome view of far away Nani Peak. And our outdoor activities included taking selfies, laughing at stupid jokes and taking a stroll down the mall.
Boat house. We had very tasty dinner here.
lake view
So after having absolutely fun and good food for three days, we came back to Delhi.
Gurudwara
Mosque
rope way
I think to see us reaching safely back to our home. Many must have heaved a sigh of relief.
The true essence of our motherland "India" becomes evident when we are visiting some other country. Our cultural values, our rituals, our scriptures, our methods of prayers, and lastly our customs make more sense, when we see somebody not doing it or just hush hush them. Anyways here I am comparing Mississippi' river with its Asian sister river "GANGES".
I have mentioned Ganges in my first post "New Orleans" that how one river lures people to have full carefree life and satiate their senses. And on the other hand, one flowing in north India encourages them to go beyond sensual pleasure and seek higher goal in life. As we know that India, is the land of spirituality, and our culture encourages us to look beyond sensual pleasure, as it is only short lived. And look for higher goal, which gives us bliss.
Passage of Ganges in Himalayas
There are innumerable videos on you tube and endless data on net about this lifeline of India.
Ma Ganges riding on crocodile
There are a few very commendable BBC documentaries on this "Great River Ganges". For Indians Ganges is a sacred river. I will not elaborate on its merits and its place in our religion, but must mention here, as there was a life being celebrated on the banks of Mississippi river. On the other side of globe, here in India, again there is an elaborate celebrations. They are celebrating Ganges, paying homage and respect to this sacred river, and asking it to forgive their misdeeds. As it is widely understood that only this river is capable to save you from the bondage of "karmic cycle" and can liberate your soul. Both are right and well fitted in their perspectives.
Lord Shiva taking river Ganges on his head
for the welfare of humankind
Goddess Ganges accepting offerings from devotes
Rishekesh
There is morning and evening "Arti" ritual on the banks of Ganges. Which is worth taking part in. Only historian can say how and when it started but till this day, innumerable people feel proud to attend this Arti.
floating lamps offered Ganges river
The Great Ganges, which starts from Gomukh (Utterkashi) in upper Himalayas and runs deep into many cities, and in the end gets submerged into Indian Ocean in the bay of Bengal on west coast. The Arti ritual is performed along the river coast of Ganges, but two are very popular. One that is performed in Har KI Phuri, Rishikesh (Haridwar) and then at the holy city of Varanasi. These are an absolutely out of
evening Arti in Haridwar
Har Ki Pauri Haridwar
River bank in Varanasi
world experience for partakers. I could attend only two, one in Haridwar and another one in Rishekesh. I was totally mesmerized by the whole scenario.
If you are visiting these places, I would suggest you to participate in it, You are bound to believe that as if all the Gods, Demigods and Goddess are here, and taking offerings made in their names. The whole scenario, huge Ganges, ringings of temple bells, chanting of Vedic mantras and vast mass of devotees and deep faith overflowing in their eyes always filled me with awe.
As if this river Ganges is their only hope of salvation.
I can not say much on this, as I always get choked with emotions. I truthfully believe that the Ganges has to be saved and cleaned, as this is the only river which cleanses our soul.
This whole scene creates a different world for the believers to have faith that everything is good and sacred and we must pay obeisance to it, and be grateful.
video courtesy youtube.
thanks for uploading such a nice video.
pic. from web.
NASA is the epitome of human conquest over mighty, unknown, and fearsome Space. It must have been sheer courage and intense drive of its scientist to take up such a monumental project. And now they must have been very proud of their achievements. They had made their country even mankind proud. So hats off to them.
flag hoisting on moon
space station
space shuttle ready to launch
space station
All those planets and stars, even galaxies which appeared far, far away and were always part of our imaginative stories are now unfolding their truth.
A visit to 'NASA Houston' filled my heart with admiration for all those known and unknown
people, who partook in these space missions and still investing their whole into it. Even a few failures could not deter them. The whole area is written with their feat and ongoing programs. There was a piece of moon rock kept in glass box, (I mean one can touch it).
NASA has become more or less like a museum now, its main hall is adorned with pics. like astronauts walking on moon and pictures of rocket launching. They have put up a dummy rocket also, where one can just walk in and see the inside of space ship.
Everything from their first 'room size' computer to pictures of the on going Moon, Mars, Pluto and Jupiter missions is on display.
They have kids section also, where all the swings and games are in lei with space ships and rockets. The whole NASA area is so big that there is a small train to take tourist around it. One can see actual rockets, and space ships in its vicinity.
It has to be seen to believe it. It was thronged with tourists mainly from India and Mexico. I can not say about others but I was ashamed of my non achievements.
astronaut in space craft
space shuttle
I think there are two types of people, achievers and spectators. And I belong to later one, well I can't help it. It is all written in my STARS.
GETAWAY GALVESTON
If we are to take some lessons from each city, then Galveston stood at top as it preaches us to rise above from devastated past. It shows that how a new identity can be build by sheer persistence and hard labor. I went twice to Galveston, and both the times spend most of my day sitting on its beach. It was pretty hot and humid there. Though we put loads of sunscreen on our face and hands but that of no avail. Sun did left tell tale marks on my arms. Since I do not know swimming, so I just while away my time watching immense body sea and the secrets it beholds in its bosom.
I kept wondering that how this abyss body of water is all quite at top, does not even show a single sign of its turbulent underneath. After all that's what I believe, as there is full life force thriving
inside it. Only a small waves which rises and falls could be seen at the sea shores much like our thoughts, one after another endlessly. Otherwise this deep blue sea is all quite, unperturbed at the top trying to merge with the sky in the far horizon. I think that is most of us does, trying to keep a cool impassive face with little smile in public and hiding our chaotic self. I just could not take my mind off from the tragedy it suffered not so long ago. Cottages and houses have sprang back again on sea shores area.
There were plenty of tourist either swimming or just leisure at the sea shore. Most of the children were busy making sand castles, dogs running chasing birds away, and of course the almighty sea witnessing them all.
houses at sea shore
tourist attraction
sea beach
After spending quite a time there, we went to main market, not very far away, to grab some food.
market near Galveston port
recreation park
We went to famous ice cream parlor to quench our thirst and were served with sumptuous portion of milk shake and huge ice cream cups, which we could not finish. After taking stroll down the street, we had very tasty lunch in restaurant. There were two huge ships docked at its port, I could see lots of tourist embarking on it.
So dear friends, this is Galveston for me. Strong, ready to move forward, overcoming hurdles.
San Antonio, it was love at first sight for me. My son drove us to this city, about 200 miles from Houston.And we checked into very nice hotel here.
Next day we went for the Alamo Mission, Alamo Memorial and the famous River walk.The River runs between the city and on both sides, there are stylish restaurants and lots of flower beds.
Alamo memorial
ferries carrying tourists
For me it was like walking into some dream land that came alive by people and live bands. The Spanish culture is visible in form of architectures and those unforgettable stylish Spanish villas. All those romantic novels of 'Mill and Boon' series can fit impeccably into this scenario, of what we saw while walking across serene neighborhood. This river walk had left deep imprints onto my mind.Though I could not walk much, but whatever I could do was enough, I was thanking my stars that I could come here to this beautiful city and could savor its awesome view and delicious food. I am not sure whether I would be able to come here again, in spite of my heartfelt secret desire.
Riverside hotel
flowers at the side of river walk
Till then I want to share my experience of this beautiful city with you guys.
How we all wish sometimes that if time could stop still. If that is possible I would love to be at this place.
live band playing
Spanish villas
Beautiful houses
Neighborhood area of "River walk" has some beautiful villas.
Dear readers, to start with, lets venture into Museum of Natural science, which has Cockrell Butterfly center. The center is in three- story glass building made like rain forest filled with tropical plants and butterflies of bright colors. I could see the joy on little chubby faces of kids, when butterflies fluttered near them and some could even venture out to sit on their outstretch palms. The joy and thrilling voices of kids just made my day. Morian Hall of PaleontologyTyrannosaurus takes one into fearsome world of tyrannosaurs .Houston Zoo is again one of its kind. It appeared not so big from outside but quite huge from inside. But not so big that you can not stroll through it. Apart from all animals, Giraffes, Lions, Zebras, baboons and monkeys (I do not even remember them all now), a couple of Gorillas stood out. They attracted everyone's attention by having ferocious fight with each other. Maybe they were seeking for attentions from visitors or may be some other reason of their own. But given a quite good opportunity for people to take selfies against them (just imagine taking a pic at the background of fighting gorillas).
Natural Science Museum
Ice skating in Galleria
The Galleria is famous shopping center in Houston. Almost all the big and famous brands have store here. It was just a treat for the eyes. Though I did not purchased anything from Galleria as I prefer outlet malls to do shopping maybe because of their layout.
So I did bought couple of things from Tanger outlet mall, which again has all the brands and my all time favorite, Nine West presence.
How much I will write about Houston main city and its street tour, it would always be less , so I have decided to take you guys on virtual tour. (courtesy youtube). My visit to this city would be incomplete without mentioning its neighboring places. To start with NASA, a famous getaway town Galveston and serene San Antonio and last but not the least my all time favorite place Amazing New Orleans.
