O My Homeland Uttarakhand

 O My Homeland

Uttarakhand

Deep in my longings,

For the hills of my birth,

For the valleys of my life,

Where rivers flow,

With youthfulness and grace,

Where clouds are the crown,

Brooks cover the chest,

Rivers wash the feet,

Of mighty mountains, 

I miss you Thee, 

O My Homeland. 

With the

Longing is my heart,

For the lovely Temples,

On hilltops and by the flowing rivers,

Where mytrle grow in abundance,

Where moonlight Pine trees embrace,

I miss you Thee,

O My Homeland.

With the

Longing in my mind, 

For peacefullness unbound,

For sweet fragrance of pine,

For the smell of rice,

From expanse of farms,

I miss you Thee,

O my homeland.

With the

Longing in my ears,

For the rustling sound,

Of Pine and Deodar leaves,

For the sound of flute,

Played by shepherds,

From distant hill top,

For the echoing sound of,

Conch and bells,

From neighbour's house,

O My homeland,

I miss you Thee.

With the

Longing on my taste buds,

Of the sweetness of berries,

Red Kafal, Ghingaroo, Plums,

And yellow juicy Hisalu,

Of the golden Peaches an' Apricots,

I miss you Thee,

O My homeland.

I yet remember the embrace,

Of huge lush green mountains,

When we used to foray in glades, 

Making us feel loved and protected,

The cool breeze calming restless mind,

I miss you Thee,

O My homeland.

Gingaru, Kafal, Hisalu 

🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️🏞️

यादें

 यादें 

कुछ खट्टी,कुछ मीठी,कुछ कड़वी,

कुछ नीरस,कुछ नीरव, कुछ सरस,

बस यादें ही तो हैं जो जीवन के,

दुर्गम मंजिल पर पहुंचे कैसे,

उस राह को दिखलाती हैं।

सब कहते भूत को भूल जाओ,

अतीत में क्या रखा है,

उसे ना कुरेदो,

कल की सोचते सोचते,

जीवन व्यतीत कर दिया,

भूत भविष्य छोड़ो,

वर्तमान में रहना सीखो।

बीत गया है जीवन सारा कल कल करके जीने में,

अब जीवन की सन्ध्या में,

वर्तमान को स्वर्णिम कर दो,

सोचो तो उस भविष्य का सोचो,

जो जा उस पार मिलेगा,

जब तन मन इस धरती पर छोड़,

परमात्मा से मिलन होगा।

फिर भी ये यादें जो मन मष्तिष्क पर बसी हुई हैं,

यह भूत जो भूत बन समा गया है इन यादों में,

कैसे उसको निष्कासित कर दूँ,

अपने जीवन पट से,

कोई मुझको बतला दे।

इस अतीत के सफर में,

मेरी वृद्धा माँ की जवानी,

मेरे जवां बच्चों का बचपन है,

साथ बिताए दुःख सुख के पल हैं,

ना जाने कितने अनमोल क्षण हैं,

उनको कैसे झुठला दूँ।

कोई मुझको बतला दे।

वर्तमान का आनंद ले कर,

भूत को सम्भाल भविष्य को संजोउंगी,

कुछ खट्टी, कुछ मीठी, कुछ कड़वी,

कुछ नीरस नीरव कुछ सरस,

यादों को एकाकी का साथी बनाकर,

भूत का फल वर्तमान में खा,

भविष्य को सुखद बना दूँगी।

खट्टी मीठी कड़वी,

नीरस नीरव सरस,

पर ये यादें मेरी अपनी हैं,

जिंदगी की राह में मेरी साथी हैं।

ये मेरी अपनी यादें हैं।

🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️

भूली बिसरी यादें

श्री भोलानाथ जी द्वारा बनाया चित्र 

श्री भोलानाथ जी द्वारा रचित कविता 

घर की सफाई करते पुरानी फोटो और पुस्तकों को टटोला तो अचानक इस चित्र देख कर और कविता पढ़ कर ५२ वर्ष पुरानी बचपन की यादें मन मष्तिष्क के पटल पर चलचित्र की भाँति उभर आईं।

यह water color की painting उसके पीछे कविता लिख कर मेरे पूज्य पिताजी श्री प्रकाश चंद्र पंत जी को उनके मित्रों की ओर से श्री भोला नाथ जी ने १९६९ में भेंट की थी। 

पिता जी की रामायण, यह चित्र और कविता मेरे लिए अमूल्य है, जिन्हें मैं संजो के रखती हूं। 

कविता चित्र के कागज से पढ़ कर लिख रही हूँ ताकि सब कविता का आनंद ले सकें और कविता ब्लॉग के माध्यम से भविष्य में भी सुरक्षित रहे।

आज चंदा को चकोरी मुस्कराता देखलेगी 

गुनगुनाता देख लेगी मुस्कराता देख लेगी 

मानसर के जुगुल हंसो का मधुर अभिसार होगा, 

आज से सिय की कमल पर राम का अधिकार होगा। 

आज अंचल से मदन का डोलता मंगल पवन है, 

आज दो अंजान ह्रदयों का मिलन है, 

प्रिय मिलन है दिल मिलन है मधुर मिलन है। 

सर्वथा सम्भव निकट है आ गया जीवन सहारा, 

आज तरनी को मिला है आगम जल अनुकूल धारा, 

स्वप्न की रंगीनकी पर सत्य बन विश्वास आया, 

निर्झरों सा मधु बहता आज फिर मधुमास आया, 

ह्रदय की कोमल काली को आज फिर खिलने की लगन है, 

आज दो अंजान हृदयों का मिलन है, 

प्रिय मिलन है दिल मिलन है मधुर मिलन है। 

आज श्रीवर राम नाथ के पावन चरण मैं, 

हो रही है समर्पित स्वतः कलम उनके शरण में, 

सर्व गुण से युक्त श्री रंजीत नारायण आशीष देते, 

और बुलवारी दास जा रहे परम आनंद लेते, 

भाई श्री विश्वनाथ जी कितने मगन हैं, 

यह महफिलें रहें और महफ़िले-शबाब रहे,

----   महफ़िल से महफ़िल में इंकलाब रहे। 

कानपुर               मित्रों की ओर से 

२९.११.६९.                     भोला नाथ  

इस  चित्र को ५२ वषों के पश्चात देखने और कविता को पढ़ने के बाद मेरे भाव 👇

भूली बिसरी यादें,

बहुत कुछ बोल जाती हैं,

बीते काल के घड़े को, 

हिला कर कुछ पल के लिए,

अतीत में ले जाती हैं, 

ऐसे ही कुछ पल के लिए,

अतीत के उन पृष्ठों में, 

वर्तमान की किरणों ने,

फिर आज किया उजियारा। 

           **************

Glimpse of Kenya Part 5:Thomson Water Fall And Equator

Thomson waterfall is 2370 Mt above the sea, in Nahururu County of Kenya. Being almost next to equator line the fall is also famous by the name of equator watetfall. We had planned to reach Nairobi by afternoon so that we can lave relaxed lunch, go to masai market, Indian market, do shopping, pack for fight back and have sumptuous Indian meal before flight, because in Ethiopia getting many Indian food items, sweets, namkin was next to impossible specially in debrezeyit we were staying. That was ofcourse in 2011—13, now things may be different.

Early breakfast done with elephant on the other side of glass partition, wet headed for Thomson waterfall. It was drizzling and slight chill was in air, but most enjoyable road trip till now in Kenya. All around were tea gardens, clouds were kissing the peaks of hills, some inquisitively entering into our van through open windows as if telling us "see what nature has gifted Kenya. Hope human do not spoil it in the name of development ". 

Lush green Tea gardens

Misty cloudy Vista of country side Nahururu

Since there was no hurry so we got down to enjoy the drizzle by the tea gardens, absorb into mind through eyes what ever we could. Thus enjoying the vistas we reached Thomson fall. 

Thompson waterfall as viewed from far 

This fall was discovered by a British wildlife enthusiast after whom the waterfall is named. 

I had seen many waterfalls in India, Ethiopia, what I found special about this waterfall was that it has lush green surroundings, undisturbed, unspoilt forest around it. I just hope for the sake of commercial benifits this place has not been encroached by human. 

The origin of the fall is a huge lake and from far it may look calm and serene but the river gushing out and ultimately culminating into waterfall from between the rocks and trees is roaring high speed water body. 

Lake from where river originates thus waterfall 

The vibrations of the waterfall could be felt on the barricaded platform where we stood. The white frothy river from the fall then flows making thundering sound as if saying "I am beautiful watch from distance, try troubling me I will show you my might". 

With water splashing from the fall, slightly drizzle from sky it was most enjoyable. Local tribes dressed in their attire, face a painted, were roaming around and were ready to pose for a picture but their price was too much, so I prefer zooming my lens and taking their picture with waterfall in background. What a colorful photo it is! Stunning. 

The hotel and guest house are built keeping preserving nature, flora and fauna in mind. Myraid of local flowers, shrubs, herbaceous plants and big birch, silver oak and many other trees were adding to the beauty of the whole place. 

We went for a quick visit to the river which ultimately culminates into water fall. The bridge we were standing on was literally shaking due to huge water massy flowing under it with high speed and roaring sound. Due to heavy rains in few days the whole area was flooded with dam water thus were advised not to cross the bridge. 

Mighty river flowing from the dam mouth 

Water flows under the bridge 

There is a spread of curios shop in the open field of the village near by. Beautifully carved, painted articles were by and large made of stone queried from the hill. 

From Thomson waterfall we went to place called equator line. This is the equator line of earth. We enjoyed the demonstration of magnetic field of equator line, how the match stick when placed in a water tub moves, when the water tub is kept on N-W line and on E-W line, and how it simply does not move when the water full of tub is kept on the intersection of N-W and E-W line.  I found this simple experiment to be very interesting way to teach the magnetic field of earth. 

We did visit the curios shop but by and large things same like all over Kenya. Since we were going to visit Masai market in Nairobi so we did not purchase anything from there. 

All items in shop were made of heavy stone or wood. Very intricate and beautiful. 

Nahururu Tribal art and curios 

Inspired by wild life 

Mostly black stone and wooden craft 

Cases for Bible made of stone 

A cup of hot coffee was welcome, which we enjoyed with the snacks we had carried with us. Mind, heart and stomach satiated we started with the last leg of our Kenya trip. We were going back to Nairobi. 

Once in Nairobi our tour operator played trick with us. We were promised lunch in hotel serving best sea food but were taken to a third grade hotel where we did not deem fit to have a glass of water, thus we huffed and puffed in anger but had to be satisfied with our packed snacks and coffee in near by shop. 

After shopping in Masai market we had ample time on hand thus went to the mall, watched a hindi movie, went to Indian market to get things we struggle to get in Ethiopia. With a bachelor, two ladies busy in shopping it soon became dinner time. So we had delicious Indian meal and went to airport to catch flight back to Ethiopia. 

The whole trip was awesome not only because it was planned nicely or we saw wild life, masai tribes, forest national park, waterfall and equator, but also because of the exceptionally great company we had and Daniel as a knowledgeable, humorous safe driver and guide. 

The nostalgia remains. Memories are revived when I go through the photos again and again. 

Glimpse Of Kenya Part 4: Aberdare National Park

With the sound of birds singing and dancing flapping their wings yet fresh in our mind 

we left for another exciting place called Aberdare Forest Reserve National Park. 

It is protected area in Aberdare mountain range of Nyandarua County, Central Kenya, east of rift valley. 

The road distance is almost 140 km. From Nakuru to Aberdare National Park and then we had to travel through the dense forest almost 4t minutes to reach Ark Forest Resort. On the way from Nakuru to Nyandarua we welcomed by lush green tea gardens. Locals selling tea packets and local spices. We did stop to enjoy our packed lunch enjoying the vivid colours and facets of nature. We all were tired so while Daniel was singing and driving we all slept off because we had to be awake in the night for sighting of animals.

The forest resorts are made around /near the watering holes of animals. Arrey of wild animals frequent these places for a drink or just enjoy a cool mud bath. 

We were woken by Daniel when we were in forest area. The whole area was slushy due to heavy rains because pukka roads are not allowed in forest /reserved areas. So with all sorts of wild flowers, 

huge trees, thick bushes around us we sustained the bumps smilingly and reached the park entrance.

Entrance to Aberdare National Park 

Our passes were checked and we proceeded to Ark Forest Resort. Well we did not directly go to resort, but first the reception area where our reservation were confirmed and we had to wait for our turn to board their vehicle for further 30 minutes travel to the resort. 

Reception Area 

The wait was worth it because the whole area is very well maintained. They have a lovely county club which gives temporary membership. We were in this resort for just one night so did not avail the facility, but those who had come on vacation only to be here were thrilled by all the facilities of club. 

County club area 

The amount is in Kenyan currency 

Spruced up lawns, exquisite flower beds, occasionally a deer or rabbit would run from one bush to other. 

Birds were aplenty, making different sounds. And then there were these beautiful, magnificent creatures Peacocks dancing to attract the Peahen.

Keep dancing I am inspecting 

Hey will you come 

No, not interested 

Going round and round for you ladies 

Let me see from near 

Yes yes I am happy to dance for you 

Discussing which one to choose 

Soon our turn was called and we started final leg of travel to resort. The vehicle they use arey battery driven and almost noiseless so they are environment and wild life friendly. We saw some colourful birds, wildbeest, deers, antlers, Dafassa waterbuck, Reed buck grazing in green pasture oblivious to all activities around them. 

The entrance to Ark resort is guarded by a wooden gate and side barriers and the pathway is a wooden bridge. 

After checking in our room we gathered for a cup of hot Indian tea, spiced with ginger. At that time the resort was managed by a Sindhi buisness tycoon so we got Indian, Kenyan, European cuisine to enjoy. 

It was very cold so we had to put on woolens and then we came to watching deck as they call it, but it is huge platform almost 10-12 mt. above the ground. Below us was the slushy ground and watering holes and vast expanse of thick forest.

Suddenly we heard the loud trumpeting of elephant, it was a huge huge beast, never seen anything like that from so near. It kept on hitting its head on trees and trumpeting. Resort people told he is angry because it cannot find its partner. Pin drop silence again, where did the elephant go? Oh see how majestically like a king he is walking followed by a female elephant and baby elephant.

Sun had set and it became pitch dark so flood lights were switched on. Then from another end started emerging more and more babies with the rear end kept by another male elephant.

I am not angry I am calling my family 

Mother and baby responds to call 

My tusks are big, I am young adult 

From our deck we could see and record their drinking water from slush and discarding the mud. Babies being protected by mother by pushing them under their belly. 

All of a sudden a Wild Boar family comes from forest thicket and elephants get alarmed and the patriarch of the brood pushes them to one corner, as if saying this is your limit, do not cross over.

After almost three hours on the watching deck, enjoying the daily life of the wonderful wildlife, we were famished and thus proceeded for dinner.

The dining hall had a great spread of buffet, Vegetarian and non-vegetarian both. The whole area was decorated tastefully with the paintings of the flora and fauna of Kenya and the wodden statues of the animals. The impregnable wall to wards the garden is made of thick glass so that one can enjoy the surroundings and occasional visit of the habitats of jungle. 

Staff polite and courteous, food delicious and yes we got variety of Indian pickles to tickle our taste buds. 

While we were enjoying food a big thud was felt with scraping sound on my left. I stood with startle and to my amazement a huge elephant was hitting his body to glass and scraping his tusks. It looked directly in my eyes. I was scared, thrilled and took out my camera only to to reminded that animals hate flash light, so what ever I could get in that light is here.

We were told that the peels of fruits, vegetables and old fruits and vegetables are usually thrown out near watering hole for elephants and some unused meat for nocturnal animals, so they come for food, luck be elephants /elephant will come in early morning also.

Another thing we were told that in the night if the security sights a big cat sprawling they will ring three bells so that anyone interested can come out and watch quietly, if black Rhino is sighted then two bells and if civet cat then one bell. 

With all food and information in us we crept into bed warmed with hot water bottle and electric blankets.

At almost 11pm bell was stuck one time and while we hurried we were asked to be quite and look at the staircase near store. A shy civet was enjoying food. 

The keepers of the place allowed me one photo with flash when all visitors went off. I was hungry for clear photo this beautiful creature. 

Two bell call came and most preferred not coming out of their cozy beds, but few of us went running to the deck to find huge rock like two Rhinos almost 500 mts from us, but we could not take photos, no flash, dark night and rain. But we enjoyed the rare sight and almost by 2 am fell off to deep slumber.

I new if I want to see birds I have to get up early. So by 6 am I was ready with my camera. It was not sunny but sky had cleared a bit. One could smell the freshness in crisp air and hear birds singing. 

Early bird gets the worm 

I even got to see shy wild cat and along with many other birds gathered to eat food kept for them. 

Hey come food is delicious here 

And we responded to the call 

Taking one morsel for the kids 

Suni

Jackson Francolin 

If I would have asked for stars I think I would have got them that morning. After sighting and phograhimg the shy animals who run away at human sound, I was wishing I get to see the elephant from the glass partition again and yes someone shouted look and everyone forgot about eating, it was huge elephant nothing like we had seen earlier. Same elephant they said, same spot! I said and belive me I did so. I said hello to this elephant and took photo before finishing breakfast. 

We had lunch, fruits packed as we had ordered it while booking the resort. We were to go to Thomson falls and then to equator to have a live session of geography. (I was always poor in geography). It would be very exciting visit but not too hectic we were told. It seems this cutie pie has this small rock perch reserved for itself, when we came it was sunbathing here, when we are leaving resort area it is sun tanning itself on the same spot. 

Aberdare had yet some surprise for us. While we were exiting the National Park area we saw these cute cubs of hyena trying to get some sun bath till clouds would make it wet and cold. 

Wow it is so warm here 

See ya all in Thomson Falls in Nyandarua County.