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Ladakh

A droplet of tranquility,
Encased in an oyster of peace;
Hidden under rocks of serenity,
Buried under oceans of calmness.
A snow-white pearl awaits discovery,
Ladakh is the gem, time forgot;
And where one forgets time.
Clear starlit skies are an astronomer's delight,
Where Venus shines like a silver top;
And where Mars winks at the break of dawn.
It is the paradise where God's holiday;
For heaven is better than anywhere else.
Discover Ladakh to discover heaven.
-------------------------------------------------Leh
Where fire meets earth,
And earth meets snow;
Where dew, clouds and mist abound.
Where mist is engaged to pine,
Where clouds wed, snowy mountain peaks;
Where dew courts grassy knolls,
And where rain flirts with conifers.
Where blankets of snow kiss the verdant earth,
Where clear blue skies rarely turn grey!
Leh is the place to meditate and pray!
-------------------------------------------------Tsomoriri
Teardrop of some ancient Goddess,
Rests in the midst of Leh's hills;
Spread over all of corners nine;
Placid waters of this mini-ocean.
Lap along its Byzantine edges;
Mildly rocking the parked boats,
Tsomoriri is the Queen of Ladakh's lakes,
Boating here is meditation for one's soul.
Where else do peace and serenity meet?
Nature is both, merciful and kind;
Snow and rain keep away from Leh;
And pleasant weather greets you in every town.

Amarnath
Tucked away in a secluded corner of Kashmir,
Guarded zealously by tiny hillocks;
Sheilded by countless deodars,
Amarnath is hidden in a canopy of green.
Flanked by twin thousand year old trees,
The three-eyed one rests in secluded glory;
Ancient stones placed one above the other,
Cemented by cosmic energy;
Have stood undisturbed over centuries
Mute witnesses to history.
Across cascading streams, thick woods and grassy knolls;
Beckon nature walks.
Friendly treks over gentle slopes,
Lead you to oasis of tranquility;
Breathe the pine scented mountain air,
Lose yourself in meditation and peace.
Destress, detoxify, rejuvenate your aching bones,
Visit the hills of Leh to discover.
Hidden gems in this valley of the Gods.
-----------------------------------------------

Hunder
Billions of dried rhodenderon leaves,
Describes the forest at Hunder;
Lost in meditation are the bees,
Migratory birds sing in alien melodies in nature's tongue;
Barking deer slip invisibly between the trees.
Hunder is cosmic Mother's sanctuary,
Leopards and wildlife are her tributaries;
Clear mornings offer Himalayan views,
Nature is bountiful to a select few.
Wild flowers are your tourist guides;
As divinity exists in every stride,
Welcome to the land of misty peaks;
Meet migratory birds with colourful beaks
Hunder is the tranquilizer,
Every city dweller needs!
--------------------------------------------------

Hanu
Golden rays steal their way,
Blessing snowy peaks;
Like flames in a cave,
Spreading rust to crimson to golden hues.
Birds begin their flowery tunes;
As darkness surrenders, sunlight rules.
At dusk Kausani has a new tale to tell.
Sun hides like a shy bride;
Shadows lengthen,
Crickets sing with pride.
Twilight gives way to night,
The crescent moon takes over the darkened skies;
As electric stars play hide and seek.
To absorb the three junctions of the day,
Hanu shows you the game nature plays.
-------------------------------------------------Gompa
An ancient gompa
Steeped in mythology and lore,
Hidden in Leh's secret groves;
On the banks of sacred waters,
Lies Bageshwar-the temple town.
Every stone an antique,
Every stone a treasure;
Sacred chants and rituals,
Rosary, sacred ash, camphor and vermillion;
Heads bowed in reverence for the holy one!
Giant fishes swim in endless turns,
Illuminated in the clear water;
Of the mountain stream;
Lessons many one can learn,
As nine thumbs lift a heavy stone;
Chanting Om in one united tone.
-------------------------------------------------Khalatse
A river of tiny rocks,
With silvery pebbles;
And shiny stones.
Gurgling sounds of cascading waters,
Is soothing music to one's ears;
Indus flows gently through Khalatse,
Its turquoise waters;
A sharp contrast
To the grayish stones;
Arranged in concentric rows.
--------------------------------------------------

Baldes
An obscure village,
Nestled below Himalayan ranges;
Surrounded by a foliage of green,
Firs, spruces and ferns,
Vie with each other for views,
Isolated cottages scattered..
Randomly across the hillside;
Is one's summer retreat.
To escape the biting cold in May,
One seeks the warmth of the embers;
Nay, it is winter here in May.
Trekkers seeking glaciers,
Trudge up the hills like snails;
To experience eco-tourism at its best;
A visit to Baldes is a must.
A musk deer park full of deer is also very near;
A labyrinth of underground caves;
And the ancient temple,
Dotted with many power symbols;
Should interest devotees of the Mother Goddess;
One seeks her blessing by planting a tree;
At this powerful shrine.
----------------------------------------------Sunrise over Leh
Silhouettes of rocky peaks,
Like giant sculptures abandoned;
Appear like ghosts;
On a moonless night.
Skies transform from dark to crimson,
Reflecting molten gold;
Anticipating Sun-God's chariot
Streaks of fire light the dawn,
Spreading warmth and heat.
Savour every moment
Of Nature's incessant meditation.
Sunrise over the Leh Himalayas,
Touches spiritual chords of one's soul;
Align your energy with the cosmos,
Balance the subtle with the gross.
Recharged body, rejuvenated soul, distressed mind.
Leh is the place to rewind and unwind.
--------------------------------------------------

Achinathang
Thick forests of oak, pine and deodar,
Line either sides of my mountain path;
Resembling hundreds of students,
Lining up for prayers at school.
Its darkness at noon here,
As crickets continue their song,
Tricked by the dark shady groves.
Leopards rule the roost here,
Making stealthy appearances after dusk.
Bears are a common sight,
Though rarely seen in summers,
As they move up to cooler climes.
Wild chital and spotted deer,
Are seldom seen from near.
Forest log cabins, centuries old,
Oasis of peace, hidden under nature's folds;
Where evenings are pleasant,
Nights are biting cold.
Where every rock, is poetry on stone;
Achinathang is Leh's protected zone.
---------------------------------------------Nimu
Perched on a quiet hill,
Under a giant peepal tree;
I rest silently,
Listening to nature's songs;
Emanating from our feathered friends.
Chirping away like musical bells;
The guest-house at Nimu,
Is the nest of Leh's colourful birds;
Early at dawn, they begin their melodious tunes,
Soft whistles, sharp hoots, ceetees and coos;
Magpies, cuckoos, parrots and peckers,
It's like fusion music;
Played by musicians of every tribe.
This nature's philharmonic orchestra
Guided by the omnipotent conductor.
Minutes turn into hours,
But the soothing strains
Of this therapeutic sounds
Continues to hold one spellbound.
As one experiences;
The power to relax.
--------------------------------------------------

Kargil
Perched on a secluded cliff,
Between giant Himalayan peaks;
Overlooking the snowy Indus,
Cascading down like in violent rage;
Over a bed of rocks and boulders.
I snuggle into my cozy bed,
At picturesque Malpa;
Tons of melted ice flow below me,
A cascading silver stream of snowy water;
Winding its way between the peaks,
Like a snake slithering across grass.
Across the river, in verdant Tibet,
Evergreen trees, sway in gentle gusts of wind;
The manicured Indian hills
Are a sharp contrast to Tibet's greenery,
At ten thousand feet above sea level;
Shops resemble tiny stones.
Giant rocks resemble tiny pebbles;
The mighty Indus resembles a narrow stream,
The roar of the waterfall becomes a soft hum,
As the sun plays hide and seek with the clouds.
---------------------------------------------Lamari
Two monolith hills,
Divided by the milky Indus;
Demarcating India and Tibet,
Lush green forests,
Cascading mountain streams;
Two fiberglass huts,
And few scattered rock shelters;
Is known as Lamari.
The indecripit camp,
Of soldiers of India's border police.
The constant hum of flowing water,
Preponders the air, day and night;
There is a nip in the air,
As the starlit skies,
Shift the balance of the cosmos;
To water and earth.

---------------------------------------------Garkun
Following the banks of Indus,
One reaches..
Snowy peaks as far as eye can see,
Sulphur springs are one's giant bathtub;
As steaming water overlooks cascading icy streams,
The cold winds numb your face,
As sulphurated water massages one neck down.
The tepid hot water is soothing relief;
From the freezing breeze.
Strong fumes of sulphur,
Hit your nostrils;
As the steam meets the mist,
Gently purifying your skin.
The temple bells ring at dawn,
And rocky steps lead you down;
Over small wooden bridges.
Garkun village is at the other end.
Shielded by obscurity.
A collection of rock palaces,
Hidden away from prying eyes.
---------------------------------------------Darchik
High velocity winds are your only companion,
As you climb to over fourteen thousand feet,
Trekking to the source of the Indus;
The temple crowning this sacred place,
Is an island of peace and serenity.
Water drops from the feet of the goddess.
Cascading into a fiery river rapid,
Flowing down the plains,
Like a surfer riding a wave.
And landing on wet beach soil,
Giant boulders encircle this holy temple,
Like carved mosaics since creation began;
Protecting cosmic mother's sacred abode.
----------------------------------------------

Maiden Snowfall
The constant drizzle of rain,
Wets the mountain-tops;
The sun hides behind the clouds,
Like a newly-wed bride;
As chilly winds rule;
Snuggling into my cotton quilt,
I sleep sonourously.
Oblivious of the biting cold.
My eyes open at dawn,
And see nature's miracle unfold.
The granite black mountains,
Are covered in a blanket f snow;
And the craggy peaks look more majestic,
In their snow-white robes.
The golden rays of the Sun-God,
Are reflected on the peaks;
In resplondent splendour.
The clouds make a quick exit,
And its snow, rock and sun.
---------------------------------------------Ladakh
A few million years ago,
When tectonic plates collided;
A paradise was created.
Hidden behind snowy peaks.
Where verdant valleys meet azure lakes,
And sanddunes meet icy rivers;
Where double humped Bactrian camels,
Live in harmony with ibexes;
And snow leopards coexist with grizzly bears.
A landscape like no other.
Where rain is rare
Where summers are harsh
And winters are frosty.
Welcome to Ladakh,
The rugged land of tough men.
----------------------------------------------

Lobang Tso
A long trk,
Over rocky hillocks,
Resembling elephants;
Leads to a tiny lake,
Which time forgot.
Peaceful and isolated,
Lobang-Tso is a spiritual place;
Meditating on the banks,
Of this ocean of tranquility;
I view reflections of the clouds.
Dotting clear blue skies.
Thats when a miracle is seen
The surface of the blue waters;
Resemble mirrors made of polished glass;
And the reflections on the waters come to life.
Revealing secrets of events yet to come.
Scenes from India and China,
Tibet and Nepal flash,
On the surface of this quiet lake.
Visible only to spiritual souls;
Secrets of the universe
Are revealed to Cosmic minds.
Buddhist lamas flock to meditate here;
Aided by divine visions,
Reflected on the waters.
The Chinese occupation of Tibet,
Was foreseen by these monks;
Forewarned of this calamity,
These monks escaped from Lhasa;
Armed with all their spiritual treasures.
These valued scriptures are safe;
In the gompas at
Sikkim and Dharamsala and Ladakh.
The communities of these migrant monks,
Took asylum in India;
Continuing their spiritual pursuits,
And Buddhist traditions;
In their adopted lands.

Siachen
A helipad crowns lush green meadows;
With Nanga Parbat and several other peaks
Overlooking the craggy, snowy valley.
Devoid of trees and vegetation,
They resemble fortresses of stone;
Crowned in snow and ice;
Like two bodyguards with sharpened spears.
Giant rocks, round stones and tiny pebbles,
Are scattered all across Siachen;
Like footprints of Celestial God,
Formed during the birth of time.
The snow white, fluffy clouds a stark contrast to the azures blue sky,
Resembling black Pagodas covered with snow;
Providing a picture postcard view
-----------------------------------------------

Leh
Where mighty peaks,
Mock human achievements;
Challenging valour of men.
Snowy heights stretch horizon to horizon;
Sanctuary of cosmic deities!
Deodar, pines, oaks and elms,
Leh is but several shades of green.
Thick woods, virginal waterfalls,
Unspoilt beauty, verdant hills
Azure lakes, Temples steeped in history;
Glaciers many, a few caves too!
Leh is serene and tranquil,
Where time stands still.
-------------------------------------------------Panamik
Gigantic mounds of stone, sand and rock,
Separated by the icy Shyok river;
Amidst miles of silvery sanddunes,
Lies Nubra valley - untouched by time.
Patches of green dot this arid landscape,
Like oasis across the Sahara;
Each patch of green nurtures a village,
Panamik is one amongst the many;
Hot water springs abound in this speck of green,
Many a miracle, this town has seen;
Acidity and ulceritis disappear,
As you sip this medicinal water;
A refreshing dip in this sulphur spring,
Cures arthritis, psoriasis and skin disorders;
Panamik is a peaceful paradise,
Where Yerkendis from Turkistan, stopped;
To rest and bathe on the Silk Route.
--------------------------------------------------

Nimu
A six hour trek,
Through the rugged Karakorams;
Leads to the confluence,
Of the Indus and Zanskar rivers.
Nimu is this sacred site,
The cradle of India.
The icy cold water,
Is freshly melted snow.
The chilly September winds,
Cut through like knives;
Bathing in the icy waters at dusk,
Is only for the courageous;
With blessings of cosmic deities.
I continue my icy dip;
On this auspicious wintry day.
Your fingers turn numb;
And body turns bluish after the dip.
It is a torturous trek,
Over soft round pebbles;
That decorate the banks,
Of this poetry in molten snow.
It feels like coming out of cold storage,
On the trek back to Leh.
----------------------------------Beema
A silvery moon,
Shines behind clear starlit skies;
The gurle of the Indus,
Is music to my ears;
As she flows gently,
Across the rocky valley;
Besides the hamlet of Beema.
Beema-the home of the Brok-Pa Aryans;
The lost tribe of a pure race,
Untouched for centuries;
Living in self-imposed seclusion,
In the Himalayas
---------------------------------

Pangong Tso
A seven hour drive over rugged terrain,
On the border with Tibet;
Lies a hidden jewel.
A bit of the azure Pacific,
Surrounded by Himalayan peaks;
Awaits discovery.
Pangong Tso is a jewel,
Hidden in the folds of the Chushul ranges;
And only the adventurous;
Visit this clear blue diamond.
The sparkling waters,
Are so transparent ,
The floor of this lake is seen.
Reflected in the dark blue waters.
This brackish lake
Is a miracle of the cosmos.
And a dip in its icy waters;
Is soothing;
For body mind and soul.
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