Reflections nn the threshold of a new year....

There is a kingdom of the spirit’s ease.
It is not in this helpless swirl of thought,
Foam from the world-sea or spray-whisper caught,
With which we build mind’s shifting symmetries,
Nor in life’s stuff of passionate unease,
Nor the heart’s unsure emotions frailty wrought
Nor trivial clipped sense-joys soon brought to nought
Nor in this body’s solid transiences.

Wider behind than the vast universe
Our spirit scans the drama and the stir,
A peace, a light, an ecstasy, a power
Waiting at the end of blindness and the curse
That veils it from its ignorant minister,
The grandeur of its free eternal hour.

- Sri Aurobindo -

Chandrataal

Magical, mystical Chandrataal. Enchanting. Breath-taking. Giver of epiphanies. Depriver of adjectives. You-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it Chandrataal.

At Lossar, through Kunzum La, I crossed over from Spiti to Lahaul. The destination was Chandrataal. The walk is not long, but is alluring in terms of sights & the crispness of the Himalayan air refreshes not just the lungs, but also the soul. It is not possible to have walked on this route and not have run out of adjectives!!

Given its supply of crystal-clear, sweet water & lush grass, this area is rather a favourite with shepherds. Seen below, some interesting strcutres by the lake-side. Wonder what these were....

Legend has it that fairies can be seen dancing on the surface of the lake on full moon nights. But alas, a freezing midnight vigil did not yield any success!