Pics From Outdoors

Indore and Outdoor are both to be enjoyed with equal attention. So it was in a spirit of exploration that we, a band of Indoreans set out last weekend. We managed to take in two major sights, one a religious shrine on the banks of river Narmada (Omkareshwar) and the second, a waterfall called Patalpaani, which has a railway line running opposite itself (like Dudhsagar near Goa, except that this one is below the track level). Some pics of the explorers, mostly colleagues at IIMI. There is this suspension bridge like the one in Rishikesh that you can walk across to reach the temple. Some dhaba food and a terrific shower thumping the roof of it while we ate were other highlights. There was some 'monkey business' at Patalpani too, but we came out unscathed.

I (Almost) Become a Buddhist

Being in a majority Buddhist land for the first time -at least in India- I can feel the difference. Peace is the overwhelming theme in Leh and Ladakh. Population is a confounding factor, I admit. But the difference between a temple and a monastery (both sacred places) is too much to ignore. Again, the dominating word would be "peaceful". No cacophony, or crowds. Or pandas who insist on extortion under various guises. You can meditate, or just have a quick look, or sit there for hours. Only a small entry ticket of 20-30 rupees for tourists/visitors. Don't know whether these things are taught or inherent in the locals, but everyone is polite to a fault. Maybe it is the mountain air!

What is civilization, or culture? Is it being in a perpetual state of chaos? Or is it being at peace with yourself and those around you? I wonder. There have been a few mails circulating about Japan and the reactions to the Tsunami damage in Fukushima. Japan happens to be a Buddhist nation, and though it is far from flawless as a society, it does have a resilience (modern equivalent of stoicism?) to withstand a lot of adversity.

Just staring at a snow-covered peak gives you a feeling that life (as we have been living it) is meaningless, and that there is more to it (or less to it?) than we think. If a short trip can do this, I am not surprised at the sages over the years who made the region their home.