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Article - Amarnath

Author: Mrs. Rama Parameshwaram

With all your good wishes and blessings I am back in Mumbai from the Amarnath tour with Lord Shivas blessings for all of us.We left Mumbai airport after a flight delay of one hour at 12 pmand reached Srinagar by 3 pm. Our other members 4 of them were waiting for us at Srinagar airport. Our group consists of 6 ladies and one man

Day 1 - 10 th July
We left Mumbai airport after a flight delay of one hour at 12 pmand reached Srinagar by 3 pm. Our other members 4 of them were waiting for us at Srinagar airport. Our group consists of 6 ladies and one man Youngest was Viji 53 yrs and oldest were Anandavalli and Kamala 69 yrs We were transported to Sonmarg 3 hrs drive by Tavera.Journey was pleasant with Jhelam river flowing along and beautiful snow clad mountains. We checked in to the hotel and rested We were keen to get our hard copies of the helicopter tkts.

Day 2 - July 11.
We got ready after breakfast with maximum clothing and gear for the Yatra and were in high spirits .We reached the helipad . Our agents man met us there and informed that there is a huge back log due to Eid and were behind by 36 hrs . There was a huge crowd waiting Our agent promised that he would. try to get tkts by evening. Or latest next morning. We were returned to the hotel and had lunch. We were contemplating as to whether we should do the entire Yatra by pony / doli etc. The whole day was wasted in anticipation and discussion. After an hour the local agent turned up. Mr Javed promised that we would do the Yatra only by helicopter. We didn't have much hope ,but believe me he turned up to be our godfather in the days to come.

Day 3 - July 12.
At last we boarded the helicopter . Pawanhans and global vectra are the two operators . They operate nearly 100 flights per day. Each flight carries 5 passengers other than the pilot and takes about 10 mts travel time. It's very fast. People get down and second lot gets in We met people who had gone the previous day and could return only next day. They gave us useful info and suggested that we take doli as its faster . They gave us lot of bhelpatta which they got ,but forgot to offer at the temple. I was personally very delighted as I had forgotten the same.atMumbai. They were a group of 32 people from Coimbutore The heli ride was smooth and view from top was breathtaking.we could see people ,doli, pony going up .Our agent wished us and said would wait for us down. We reached the base by 12 30 pm We have to walk a distance of about 20 mts from heli base to doli /pony stand. Crowd is huge By now decision was made that all of us will take doli as we have to reach back in time for return journey as heli ride stops at 6 pm. Me and Mr Salvi who were planning pony ride decided to join others as that was the best option . The doli ride took more than one hour . All the way we could see ice mountains. Walking, doli ,pony and forward and return journey is the same path. Path being very very narrow many a times we had to stop and go. We entered the cave and at a certain point we have to get down and start climbing steps.The steps are steep and height causes a lot of discomfort. The doli man catches each one by the arm and leads us till the top. Have Darshan and return, .With out his help,it's impossible to walk as the path is full of ice , water and mud. Our dolimen though from the other community are fully aware of what we should look like ice Lingam, silver Nandi, the pigeons inside the cave etc and guide us . It's very strange that this sacred Yatra is possible by the Hindus only because of our brothers/ sons of the other community. We have the silver Nandi at the entrance , then the ice Lingam about 4 ft which is cordoned off by railings . Echoes of har har Mahadeva by devotees filled the air . All the way there is free supply of tea , food etc inside the cave also. Heavy police and military monitoring is on. Had a good Darshan, offered our prayers and started the journey down. Reached base by about 5 pm . Our people who reached first stood in the line for return tkts . But Lord shiva had other plans . We could not get tkts . So we had food at the lungar. , there are no hotels up there. Fixed up a tent , and slept It rained heavily at night. Early morning we got our tkts and returned to base by 12 pm. We thought we are safe and should be back in Mumbai by night. News trickled that there is tension in Srinagar and curfew imposed. Now started the second part of the tour which was not in the itinerary completely unplanned and took us for more adventure.
Sonmarg. Kargil. Ladak. Mumbai

Day 4 - July 11.
We were planning to travel by night to Srinagaras curfew was during the day. But situation was getting worsened . So we travelled by Tavera to leh Ladakh We requested our local agent to travel with us to Leh He obliged us ,went out of his way and we left Sonmarg by 8 pm and reached Kargil by 1 pm . It was a great adventure , roads are very bad. we had a tyre puncture and driver Shameen could not get out to set it right as a Black bear just crossed our way. We waited till two trucks came and stopped. They helped Shameen change tyre . Locals are extremely helpful saying we are their guests . wonder who causes problems?scene out of Bolly wood movie .only heroines are 6 senior citizens .

Day 5 - July 12.
After resting in Kargil , at last It was really good morning. we got some good news. We got our tkts booked to Mumbai for Wednesday .it was a big relief. We resumed our travel and reached leh Ladakh by 4 pm. Javed put us up at the hotel and made arrangements with local driver for our drop etc. In the last few days Javed and Shameen became our best friends and they bid good bye to us and left for Sonmarg. But for these two. We would have faced much more troubles. They went out of their way to help us out.

Day 6 - July 13 .
Today. We did some sight seeing of Leh Ladakh Shanti stupa, Rancho school ( three idiots fame ) , war memorial at army base. Day 7 July 14. We are back in Mumbai .what a relief to be back eating rice and Rasam Thanks to all of you there for your concern for me in the last few days Will send pictures soon Rama

ALL. IZZ WELL. THAT ENDs WELL Our association with Divya desh travels goes a long way back and will continue in future also. They were prompt in informing our families of our safety. Hotel at Sonmarg was very comfortable and the travel agents Iqbal tours and travels were very cordial.special thanks to Mr Javed and Mr Shameen. Pray for peace in the valley. Last but not the least. Our thanks to Satish. And Ms Anusha who were the our contacts at Mumbai and were patient with us when we we were desperate in crisis . Thanks to Baba Barfani. for making our dreams come true A suggestion to future Yatris Do carry lot of chocolates as doli/ pony Walas ask for them as its instant energy