Traveling has been an area of great interest and exploration since ages be it
any civilization. People have travelled for a variety of reasons like gaining
enlightenment, higher studies, expansion of trade and territory and for
personal interests. The Silk trade has been made possible due to travels of
Chinese merchants. Traveling is one of the major reasons for the spread of
culture and lifestyle.
In the past one year I have travelled to many places and I feel it to be the best
part of my life till now. Though life goes through ups and downs but these
amusing and adventurous events make us feel the depths of life better.
During my JEE preparation, I spent around 9 months in a small village of Pune,
Maharashtra- Kadus. The village is away from the sounds and rush of the city
life. It is surrounded by low lying hills- valleys. These stay green during the rains
and turns yellow in summer and winters. The weather is almost same
throughout the year. Living there, I encountered the life in a village for the first
time. The hardships they have to face and the struggle they do for fulfilling the
needs of the daily. Being lucky I got the chance to visit Sri Sai Baba Shirdi
Temple and Sri Shani Shingnapur Temple. The faith of people in God
astonished me. The entire Shingnapur village has not even a single door.
Everything is open and God is keeping their credence. Each single shop and
restaurant name in Shirdi begins with the name of Sai.
After those successful meetings with God, I got the chance to explore the
history and beauty of the Twin cities of Gujarat – Ahmedabad and
Gandhinagar. The heritage walk in the Ahmedabad made me revisit the past
and all the stages of change, problems, flavors of Shahi food, lifestyle etc.
which Ahmed Shah faced to civilize the great city. Apart from the dominant
Muslim culture in the city the Hindus and Muslims live with great harmony.
The city also has beautiful temples. People have a firm faith in Lord
Swaminarayana. You can fall in love with the astonishing cultures and
diversities of India.
Finally, I landed to the great holy city of Lord Shiva- BENARAS. The city is
unique and complete in its own way. The narrow lanes of Varanasi, the flavors
of pan, the Aghoris, the nashta of different times and the Ghats – everything
has its own place that can’t be replaced. The Swami Vishwanath Temple and
the evening Aarti of the Ganga Ghat will give you goosebumps.
The exploration is still much more left. But all this experience has made me
believe that beauty lies in diversity. One can enjoy and feel the charm if he has
the willing to live the life.
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