Sonmarg – Zozila
Today we left early in the morning. The original plan was to spend the day in Sonmarg. It is around 85 kms from Srinagar. The entire route is through beautiful valleys and villages. Paddy fields both sides and CRPF guarding the entire Highway. The forest of Pine and Chinar on hills are so dense, that it look like a wall of trees. The Sindh river is flowing all along with the road. The beauty is so magnetic that I found it difficult to concentrate on the driving. We took many breaks for photography and also went upto the banks of the Sindh River for a closer view. Wife and my son were enjoying so much, and for me its also a different experience doing this highway with family. Frankly, I enjoyed much more then when I did this route on bike. Feeling of seeing your loved ones happy is the best thing in the world.
We reached Sonmarg with much of expectations, but there was so much of tourist rush. We looked each other. With in seconds all heads nodded and we just bypassed the Sonmarg. But where ? Lets do Zozila, my Son announced. With some doubts in mind, I agreed. But as we were crossing the Sonmarg, J&K police stopped us and denied permission to go beyond the Sonmarg. They thought we are going towards Baltal. I explained them that we are just going to do Zozila, but they look at us with disbelief. Why one will do stony / barren Zozila ? With lot of argue they half heartily allowed us . We reached Baltal, took a small break and then started for Zozila. Landscpae and road conditions changed immediately. It was with full of pot holes filled with water and Machoi glacier almost coming upto the road. Road conditions was bad, and we were driving in 1st or 2nd gear only. Took almost 1 hour to cover the 15 kms. Sheer sight of Zozila can be a deterrent. Crossed Zozila pass and went upto “India Gate”. Yes the place there is called India Gate. It was 2.30 pm. We decided to turn back. But my son was insisting me hard to go upto Leh. It was very difficult for me to make him believe that its not as easy as he thinks. But for me its also an achievement that my Son has done Zozila at the age of 15 , where in I had done at the age of 33, eight years back.
While coming back, Nitin told me about another very famous and ancient temple “Kheer Bhawani”.
The temple of Kheer Bhawani is situated at a distance of 14 miles east of Srinagar against the background of natural sight near the village of Tula Mula. This temple, is located in the middle of a spring, around which there is a vast area whose floor has been covered with smooth and beautiful stones. In it exist large and old chinar trees beneath which the pilgrims sit or sleep on mats of grass. The colour of the spring goes on changing. While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, the colour black is taken as an indication for inauspicious times for Kashmir. Some people are of the opinion that there was a mulberry tree near holy spot of Kheer Bhawani which, in Kashmiri, is called Tul Mul. But Tul Mul is also derived from the Sanskrit phrase-Tul Muli-that is of great value. This means that all other pilgrim centres are of lesser value than this one. It is said that after Ravana finished the worship of the goddess he offered the kheer (rice pudding) to the goddess which she accepted and since then it is called Kheer Bhawani.
After doing Kheer Bhawani, we decided to take a round of Dal Lake. Weather was cloudy and pleasant winds by that time. ( around 7 pm ) . Suddenly winds becomes more wild and furious. And the calm Dal lake turns into deadly sea with furious waves. Throwing “Shikaras” into air. It was really hair raising experience. Saw many shikaras struggling for shore. The locals and CRPF with motor boats rescued tourists who were in the middle of Dal. Since then the weather is very chilly and wet. There was no power in the valley after that heavy storm for almost 12 hours.
I really want to upload the images and videos right now, but I am accessing the net thru my mobile phone।
Today we left early in the morning. The original plan was to spend the day in Sonmarg. It is around 85 kms from Srinagar. The entire route is through beautiful valleys and villages. Paddy fields both sides and CRPF guarding the entire Highway. The forest of Pine and Chinar on hills are so dense, that it look like a wall of trees. The Sindh river is flowing all along with the road. The beauty is so magnetic that I found it difficult to concentrate on the driving. We took many breaks for photography and also went upto the banks of the Sindh River for a closer view. Wife and my son were enjoying so much, and for me its also a different experience doing this highway with family. Frankly, I enjoyed much more then when I did this route on bike. Feeling of seeing your loved ones happy is the best thing in the world.
We reached Sonmarg with much of expectations, but there was so much of tourist rush. We looked each other. With in seconds all heads nodded and we just bypassed the Sonmarg. But where ? Lets do Zozila, my Son announced. With some doubts in mind, I agreed. But as we were crossing the Sonmarg, J&K police stopped us and denied permission to go beyond the Sonmarg. They thought we are going towards Baltal. I explained them that we are just going to do Zozila, but they look at us with disbelief. Why one will do stony / barren Zozila ? With lot of argue they half heartily allowed us . We reached Baltal, took a small break and then started for Zozila. Landscpae and road conditions changed immediately. It was with full of pot holes filled with water and Machoi glacier almost coming upto the road. Road conditions was bad, and we were driving in 1st or 2nd gear only. Took almost 1 hour to cover the 15 kms. Sheer sight of Zozila can be a deterrent. Crossed Zozila pass and went upto “India Gate”. Yes the place there is called India Gate. It was 2.30 pm. We decided to turn back. But my son was insisting me hard to go upto Leh. It was very difficult for me to make him believe that its not as easy as he thinks. But for me its also an achievement that my Son has done Zozila at the age of 15 , where in I had done at the age of 33, eight years back.
While coming back, Nitin told me about another very famous and ancient temple “Kheer Bhawani”.
The temple of Kheer Bhawani is situated at a distance of 14 miles east of Srinagar against the background of natural sight near the village of Tula Mula. This temple, is located in the middle of a spring, around which there is a vast area whose floor has been covered with smooth and beautiful stones. In it exist large and old chinar trees beneath which the pilgrims sit or sleep on mats of grass. The colour of the spring goes on changing. While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, the colour black is taken as an indication for inauspicious times for Kashmir. Some people are of the opinion that there was a mulberry tree near holy spot of Kheer Bhawani which, in Kashmiri, is called Tul Mul. But Tul Mul is also derived from the Sanskrit phrase-Tul Muli-that is of great value. This means that all other pilgrim centres are of lesser value than this one. It is said that after Ravana finished the worship of the goddess he offered the kheer (rice pudding) to the goddess which she accepted and since then it is called Kheer Bhawani.
After doing Kheer Bhawani, we decided to take a round of Dal Lake. Weather was cloudy and pleasant winds by that time. ( around 7 pm ) . Suddenly winds becomes more wild and furious. And the calm Dal lake turns into deadly sea with furious waves. Throwing “Shikaras” into air. It was really hair raising experience. Saw many shikaras struggling for shore. The locals and CRPF with motor boats rescued tourists who were in the middle of Dal. Since then the weather is very chilly and wet. There was no power in the valley after that heavy storm for almost 12 hours.
I really want to upload the images and videos right now, but I am accessing the net thru my mobile phone।
Distance Covered : 237 kms
Toll paid : Rs 60/-
Toll paid : Rs 60/-
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