Warm up! Sikkim ahead

Early winter, touring Sikkim was on the cards with the adventure side shining. Sikkim as of now does not have an airport or a railway station. The only way to get there is by road or heli (this is just what I heard. Not sure on the helicopter services). We choose to reach by road from the near by railway station New Jalpaiguri. This is the place where the Himalayan railways run their narrow gauge too.   

A pleasant morning at New Jalpaiguri railway station, we were rushing with excitement to reach Gangtok. Lets go go go ….. was the motto when the friendly taxis at the station greeted us with a No .. No .. No J Well it was the start day of the friction between West Bengal and Sikkim for the vehicle permits. A little knowledge, West Bengal allows Sikkim taxis to run around but Sikkim does not allow the ply of West Bengal vehicles and hence West Bengal was on a strike for getting permits to Sikkim. With no clue on the friction as we arrived it was not pleasing to hear a "No way to go to Sikkim". Some of the tour operators suggested we alter our trip to visit Darjeling instead. We headed to Siliguri, a small place away from New Jalpaiguri to try our luck. Fainted luck with cab, we were in a snail paced long long queue at the at the bus station. Quite a few tourists like us were there who just wanted to get a way to go to Sikkim. The long wait paid off as we managed to get the tickets in the last row of the bus. The route was mostly uphill in the dense forests. Finally we reached Gangtok! A sense of achievement for the start of the trip. A warmup to make a good memory!

Gangtok to me seems to be thriving on a mountain. Roads with heavy inclinations and basic living is the Gangtok signature. There are several narrow, sometimes shabby public staircases between 2 roads at different altitudes. This is the pattern all over this place. There is a lot of exercise for people there. We were in a hotel close to the main market but at a different altitude. Not easy on the calf muscles. We went to MG Marg the reputed market place to be astonished at the organized world class look. A broad tiled road with plantation divider and seating benches. Shops lined up on both sides. It is a very cool hangout place as there are no vehicles here.  

 Sikkim is not low on charm. A state of art to line the sides of the roads with trees, trees from the below deco up the roads above. Kudos Sikkim!

Adi Shankaracharya Temple Srinagar

This is something we have been sighting since day 1 up the hill but managed to be there just before leaving Srinagar. Few blossoms just blooming and flowing freshness was that hill. Could feel loads of positive energy as we went up and then the cab stopped. We had to take 250 steps to get to the temple. We wished we had enough time to actually climb up the hill on foot too. They do not allow phone or cameras beyond this point. Hence you can keep leave your minds free to just soak in the present. The stairs were not very tiring but yes, people do take small breaks and smile at each other. To add to the beauty, there were 3 schools having their day excursion there. They come up the hill by foot and then are at the stairs. Those innocent beautiful Kasmiri girls and boys added more vibrant energy as they quickly run up and then gasp yet again race with each other. They bump into strangers as they run and throw an innocent child smile to them before they continue to rush. No doubt innocent children always have the power to make you smile.

As we get higher and higher, the altitude was uncovering a glorious view of the city. WOW! Was just not enough….  A few deep breathes before our minds could sink in the beauty seen and give us words!  Populous city around a cheerful lake with colorful boats and house boats. River Jhelum made an excellent twist and turn in the city to add to the picturesque view.   This habitat is encompassed with green hills and those green ones in turn encompassed by seemingly dark hills with white icing. We stood there under a maple tree with hue green leaves. For sure the maple trees envy the beauty and change color to attract attention towards them at least for few months an year. None the less, the huge maple (Chinar as called by Kashmiris) trees are definitely a pride to this place. It looked like a challenge nature was giving itself. With hills all around, there are different views one can get. All the elements, Lake, hills, greenery, blossoms, snow covered hills, river Jhelum and beautiful people with colorful boats (shikaras)  were racing against each other to stand out and high in the enthralling view of the city.

The temple is a simple small and robust stone structure. This is reputed to be the place where Shankaracharya meditated. As the clock rushed, it pushed us back to the cab to head to the airport. 

Nature Retreat

I have always heard of the Nature and beauty of Kashmir since I was a child and it was a dream for me to be there. As I set out to realize the dream all excited, I was specific to get a window seat in the flight to get a glimpse of the snow clad hills and mountains. It is not the first time I was to see and feel snow. But it is going to be the first time in India. I am sure this is going to be splendid than what I can imagine as that is what I heard.  A birds view of from the flight was the start of my delight. The airport view of grey tidy runway, greenery and iced hill far off was a teaser from Kashmir to me as we proceeded towards local sightseeing. We were in the city at the time of morning bells. Our hotel check-in was by noon. Hmmm… so go around places and then go for the check-in was the way for us.

A little too early to start the day as we reached Shalimar Garden. We reached an hour before the garden opens and hence were just walking down the street. We played the morning birds to the stalls nearby as they still are getting ready for the day. With an eye on the ticket counter and finally, a gardener came out. He was not to open the counter but was kind enough to allow us inside after we assured him we would pay for the entry ticket before we leave the premise. 

Once inside, it was a visual retreat. Lush green and blooms around. Well maintained with the snow covered mountains in the far side. With no visitors in, it seemed like my own kingdom. We walked at leisure and enjoyed very much in the moment. Breathed freshness, ran around the hue green trees that were springing life after winter.  Very much swept in the moment as our souls got feather lite we moved around the garden gazing at each flower and tree. There was a small structure that a hall with idling fountains around. As we were done with the place and decided to move on, our heads turned again as the fountains were coming alive.  A little more time and then we moved on to visit other gardens in Srinagar. We visited Nishat garden and chasmeshahi  gardens that that had different views but yes! Along with a little more audience who were as mused with the beauty of the gardens as we were.