Pranaamam Sridevi, my son in law's mom, who left this world for heavenly abode on 11th August 2017.
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| Sridevi (right) |
‘Nature’,
is very fascinating and rapturous delight to all especially who are nature
lovers. Enjoying nature soothes our body, relieves stress and brings happiness.
The word itself is very simple but by itself it is shrouded in mystery. Those
who contemplate deeply the apprehension of the word nature is incomprehensible.
It is tangible and at the same time intangible. There is a saying that if you
don’t understand the nature of the world you don’t understand yourself. Here it
is connecting the metaphysical aspects of nature. Nature is the quality that
makes something what it is and is also the sum total of both animate and
inanimate in the universe. It represents the flow of life.
Nature has different connotations on different contexts in the domains
of knowledge. A naturalist is an ardent lover of physical nature who enthuses
at the charm of nature and anguishes at the destruction of nature. A
metaphysician’s nature is philosophical and seeks to explain the nature of
being and the origin and structure of the world. Whatever be the
interpretations of the erudite geniuses it can be assumed that nature is the
phenomena of the universe relating to life.
In philosophy the SANKHYA metaphysics recognises only two kinds of
ultimate realities namely ‘purusha’
and ‘prakriti’. Prakriti is the clandestine representation of nature. Prakriti is constituted by three gunas, satva, rajas and tamas. They are inferred from the
objects of the world which are their effects. The effects they produce by their
nature are pleasure, pain or indifference. These thoughts echoed in my mind
when the memory of my son in law’s mom, Sridevi, who is my best friend was
whirling in me due to her loss. The trips and journeys we made to enjoy the
destinations of natural attractions lighted in me ecstasy and the cruel
exploitations of the super speciality cancer hospital in the veneer of cure
shuddered.
The happiest memory is the travel we had together to Srinagar, the
paradise on earth with its stunning natural beauty. Major P. Rane, friend and neighbour of our son
in law made all the arrangements to make the trip comfortable for four of us. We
(me and husband) joined Sridevi and Vijayakrishnan at Pune for the dream trip.
Morning at 6 we started from home and reached Srinagar via New Delhi at 12.40
noon. At the arrival gate we saw a person holding welcome board for Sreedevi.
We rushed to him, he saluted us and loaded our baggage in his cab and started.
He was nodding yes to our questions. After about four kms, he got a phone call
that his guests led by another Sridevi are waiting in the airport. At the same
time we too got the phone call from our driver. We all hurried back to the
airport. Our host’s orderly took charge of us giving an end to the accidental
incident. We used to quote and share the funny memory happened to us with our
friends due to the impertinent action of us.
Our joy knew no bounds when we landed in Srinagar. We are in nature, the
land beyond expectations, the heavenly abode, the impeccably groomed dazzling
damsel with her beauty lustre and lambency invoking in our veins and mesmerising
us to satiate with her abound beauty. Srinagar, the Venice of the east is a
charming city of lakes and gardens. The undulating happiness from the
variegated sights is so delightful. In the evening the sight becomes immensely
beautiful. We reached our guest house suites named kokernag and Verinag in
Victor Force Signal Regiment at Awantipura 28 kms away from airport through NH
44. After refreshing we sat outside in the lawn under the umbrella shade with a
hot cup of tea and hot samosa which soothes us in the cold weather. Suddenly it
drizzled with hail stone shower. With high curiosity we girls went picking it
up. The drizzling and smell of the virgin soil, the wonderful arts of the
clouds in the sky, the murmuring of the birds, the cool breeze, the dancing of
the tree branches and everything in the nature is creating a transcendent
excellence of happiness in us. We all were in the same opinion that this dream
invoking wonder land is beautiful than heaven. In the evening we just walked
around in the campus through the stadium, common prayer hall, library,
gymnasium and helipad, but since it was getting colder we thought of being back
in our room to meet our host. The itinerary of the tour programme with the
detailed chart during our stay in Srinagar surprised us for the well versed
arrangements provided with guide, vehicle, refreshments, relaxation and stay.
After
breakfast we proceeded to Pahalgam which is 58 kms away through NH 1A. Closely
grown pine trees salute us and shelter on both sides of the road. The
rhythmatically flowing Jhelum River on the sides, the circumambient hills and
valleys and the enchanting nature are infatuating us. On the way we visited the
ruins of a Vaishnava temple by earthquake, centuries before. The rattling and
clattering of Chinab River flowing parallel to the highway is really
astonishing. The sizzling sound of the leaves of Chinar trees grown on both the
sides when the breeze kisses was melodious. Pahalgam, the dream land is
situated on the origin point of Lider and Sheshnag lakes. The uneven beautiful
greenish meadows surrounded and intersected by Pine trees, the snow clad hills
and the valleys are really grandeur and a real feast to eyes. Horse riding is
the attractive sport at Pahalgam which enables us to reach to the top of a hill
plane of 2130 mts high. The 11/2 hours of horse ride is an awesome experience
through hairpin curves and clutters through the forest of Devatharu trees, the
effortful moving of the horses, the pedestrians moving up and down, the local
people carrying charcoal and fire wood on their head are all like a movie which
is really an exciting aesthetic pleasure. The spot is famous for film shooting.
Had lunch at the hotel named Pine and Peak which is encircled by luxurious
beautiful natural gardens combined with meadows, Pine and Devatharu trees
provide great ambience and relaxation. Experience of percolating cold in the
dwindling day light snacking hot peanuts, green peas and bhelpuri at Aru valley
and Betheb valley enthuse us to spend more time on the fumy snow clad mountain.
Late evening we reached our camp at Ashwa mugh guest house of 3RR Assam
Riffles. Even though the temperature outside was 5degree Celsius the big
lantern inside the tin sheet guest room with thatched roofs gave us comfortable
warmth throughout.
Early morning next day we visited Mattan temple, a divine complex of
Lord Sun, Sri Rama and Goddess Durga which is a pageantry of temple arts. An
invisible water stream starting from the hill valley passes down through the
platform of the shrine reaches a pond in front of the temple called Vimal kund
and overflows as a lake to the villages. The Gurudwara near the temple is a
meditation place even though it is surrounded by the army. Kokernag botanical garden, 70kms away from
Srinagar situated at a height of 2020 mts, is a place of felicity, beauty and
magnificent. Thick forested mountain ranges and their valleys, trees with
brownish red leaves signalling winter arrival, foot path and pavements carpeted
with the fallen leaves, flowers of different colours, dancing flowering plants and
beautiful meadows with shyly flowing Kokernag spring with the rhythm of shaking
chilankas (ankle chains) are enthusing
and exhilarating.
Verinag, the spot where Jhelum River
originates is 10 km away from Kokernag. The unique octagonal gate at the birth
place of the lake is an attraction for the tourists. The place was beautified
by Jahangir and Shajahan the Mughal kings. Charming garden, elegant waterfalls
and canals, fruit trees, ornamental plants, comely meadows, magnificent hill
valleys make the place a dream world. On the way back to Awanthipur guest house
we had a quick visit to the vegetable and fruit market of Anandnag. There we
bought some apples, oranges, banana, pear, peach and cherries which were
extremely sweet and tasty.
Next day we started off to Gulmarg in Baramulla Township. The golf play
ground here is world’s no: 1 due to its height lustre. The beauty of Gulmarg
will make us hysteric. The trees have a special charm. They change the colour
of leaves in time with seasons like the umbrella changing pageant of Trissur
Pooram, greenish in spring, emerald in summer and gold in autumn which reveals
the nature’s carnival show. The journey over the snow clad mountains in the
‘gondola’, straddling on the ice covered valleys enchants the tourists. Gulmarg
resembles Alps Mountains which has the most fascinating beauty in the world.
The gondola drive over the top of the ice kissing hills, the picnic spot where
the horizon meets, the snow clad mountains and the glaciated landscape gives us
an impression of a mysterious fairy land of illusionary experience. After lunch
at the guest house of Goorka Riffles Regiment we went to the nearby famous Siva
temple on the hill top where the shoot of the Hindi film ‘Apke Kasam’ was done.
Had ‘darsan’ and visited the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering. The
evening was wonderful with its beauty and chill.
The view of sunrise from our campsite was a blissful experience. The sun
was slowly rising up against a background of multicoloured canvas of the
horizon. The walk to observe the scenic spots Alpthar lake, Babaknag and Killen
nag astonished us. After breakfast we visited the famous shrine of Baba Rishi
which is being visited by devotees irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
On the way back to Awanthipur, the Green village the factory show room helped
us to buy some ethnic items as souvenirs.
Sonamarg, the ‘Meadow of Gold ‘is in Gandharbad district, situated at a
height of 2730 mts. from the sea level and is famous for its scenic beauty. On
the way we passed through Badamibag, Magini, Kankan and Guru to reach Sonamarg
which is the gateway to Ladakh and also to the holy pilgrimage Amarnath Temple.
Nichu Nipas which is the confluence of the lakes Kishansar, Vishansar and Gangabal.
Zojila pass is at a distance of 25km which is 3540 mts high and the route
leading to Ladakh plateau. Sonamarg is an important base for many trekking routes.
The charismatic Sonamarg is the real beauty of the blooming valley of alpine
flowers and towering conifers. Sindh River is flowing through the valley.
The boat trip through Dal Lake was awesome. The largest lake of the city
is an icon and focal point of Srinagar. Shikara rides, stay in house boats and
water skiing are the major tourist’s attractions in the lake. The sight of the
floating market will trill us. Nehru Park is situated somewhat in the middle of
the lake which is gorgeously illuminated in the evenings. The children’s park
is a favourite spot for kids and parents with a variety of games and light and
sound show in the evenings. The enchanting Char Chinar Island in the lake with
four Stately Chinar (Maple trees) trees together as if in a comradeship is very
famous.
With the lovely thoughts of Shikara
ride we went to the gardens architectured by the Mughal rulers. The gardens
were specially noted for their stepped terraces and flowing water bodies. The
famous gardens including Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Cheshma Shahi and Siraj
Bagh are located on the Far East side and banks of Dal Lake amidst spectacular
scenic beauty overlooking the city. Shalimar Bagh is known as the garden of
love laid by emperor Jehangir for his beloved wife Nurjahan. Nishat Bagh known
as the garden of bliss was built by Asaf Khan, brother of empress Nurjahan in
1633. Cheshma Shahi, lay out by emperor Shajahan in 1632 is the smallest of the
gardens. It is known for the natural spring of water with curative properties
for stomach ailments. Siraj Bagh is named as Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is a
romanticist’s delight with over 3.5lakh colourful tulip flowers carpeting the
garden during the blooming season. Pari Mahal is a grand palace perched atop a
hill near Cheshma Shahi garden was originally a Buddhist monastery and later
converted to a palace by Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of emperor Shajahan. The
garden ornamented streets are well preserved and illuminated at night which add
extra beauty to these tourist spots.
Last day of our trip we planned
to buy something of the origin of Srinagar to memorise the beautiful journey in
the dream land. We proceeded to Badamibag cantonment base where our family
friend Mr Balasubramanian, Asst Manager, Stores received us. The Siva Temple in
the vicinity of the base camp located in the middle of an artificial pond is
known as Pani Mandir. Here the devotees themselves can do ‘aarathi’. The base
campsite is a township with banks, shops, malls, cinema theatre, restaurants
and clinics. We bought dry fruits, kaser, handicrafts, Kashmir silks and
handloom saris and dresses with much delight. Our lunch was arranged by our
host Major Rana in advance at the ‘Holiday Home’ of the base. In the evening we
went to our last destination Sri Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar as per the
itinerary of the tour. This ancient temple nestles on the Takht-i-Sulaiman hill
at a height of 1000 ft above Srinagar city.
The shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva dates back to emperor Jahangir’s
time. It is said to be built on the site where the great Advaita philosopher saint Adi Shankaracharya stayed during his
visit to Kashmir centuries back. We will reach the temple climbing 242 steps.
The interiors of the temple are quite artistic. The awe-inspiring sight from
the temple offers the view of the Dal Lake, the snowy peaks of Pir Panjal range
and the illuminations in the evening. With gratitude fulfilling our dream visit
to the wonder land Kashmir, along with our dear relatives, we reached back in
our guest house.
Next day
morning, the day of our departure from Kashmir, Major Rana joined us to bid
farewell. With the reminiscence of a
lifetime experience of joy and festal fervour we four, being a beautiful team
as the same feature birds, enjoyed the trip in full swing and reached back home
at 11pm.
I was
describing the Sathwa guna element of
nature, the eternal bond of life. It recently happened to experience the
terribleness of nature as I was with Sridevi when she was hospitalised for
cancer treatment. She was responding to the chemotherapy positively and back
home after her third chemo, she sent messages to all her dear and near ones thanking
for the prayers and blessings showered during the course of treatment. It last
hardly for ten days only. One by one all the symptoms reappeared and the cancer
was back as it became malignant. Instead of letting her to have a hospice by
trauma care the expert team treating her belligerently influenced to go for
stem cell transplant as the next phase of treatment. It was a moment of
helplessness where the logic of sensibility will be overshadowed by the
emotional state, a moment of conflict. If the apostles of cure are expected to
be like Srikrishna to Arjun in such a situation, that is what the real eternal
nature. But the nature of cure turns to affliction due to the wickedness. Stem
cell transplant and blood transfusions were of no use to Sridevi and she left
the world on 11th August 2017 for heavenly abode. It remembered me
Mother Teresa’s words, “Nothing makes you happier than when you really reach
out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt”. Here I conclude this memoir.
“Mind is the
fore runner of conditions.
Mind is
their leader and they are mind made.
If with a pure mind you
speak or act, then happiness comes,
after you like your never- departing
shadow.”
Dhammapada, 1-2
