Y for Yatra

One of the first fellow bloggers I discovered was Arti's My Yatra Diary. The way she took me along on her travels and made it more than just travel - went straight to my heart. Arti brings you right there. She captures those valuable small moments of life, and is one of the most awesome bloggers I know. Kind, humble and she puts her heart out. Therefor I am thrilled to present a guestpost by her today. Thank you so much dear friend Arti for saying yes. And dear reader: I am sure you will be as blown away by her writings as I was. Buckle up for Arti's Y for Yatra:

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Let’s explore the letter Y today,

 “Y” … Y is for Yatra …

But, what is a yatra?

Yatra is a journey;

Picture & Caption: Magh Mela Yatra

I was nervous as I had seldom seen crowds of such huge intensity, let alone be a part of it. But I was mentally prepared for the battle, if ever there was one and my gut feeling told me this was going to be deep and exciting. And thus, began a journey, on the auspicious occasion of Hindu festival Makar Sankranti, to the sacred confluence of the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad. A journey of me, with people – one in belief, one in faith, one in yatra.

Yatra is having experiences;

Picture & Caption: River Ganga in Himalayas

I sat rooted on the cold boulder, staring into infinity, mesmerized. From somewhere beyond, she seemed to rush forth in delight, dancing to the wind, tumbling over rocks, and singing to the mountains, even opening my senses to an exquisite experience. I witnessed all this in a small hamlet in the Himalayas when I touched her with my hand. She responded by softly comforting it back with hers. I was with mother, not mine but of the entire humanity that has ever been in existence. She was River Ganga, an enigma, so beautiful and pure, all set to take me along her own little journey of sharing, caring and loving since times immemorial.

Yatra is learning;

Picture & Caption:  Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi

Vishnu Kaka circled his oars up and down, patiently explaining the significance of each ghat as we crossed them. Until here, where as if in a silent tribute, he rested his oars down. Close the lens of your camera, he motioned to me and began explaining the significance of the place. Far in the distance, I could see fire leaping out towards the skies while a strange decaying odor billowed in the atmosphere. I was taking a boat ride in Varanasi, the land of salvation, and this was the Manikarnika Ghat, a place bustling with death… death here, I learnt, was not the end but a new beginning.

Yatra is a dream; alive and breathing,

Picture & Caption:  Mount Fuji, Japan

I had stood there on the airport with my passport in hand, wondering if this was indeed happening for real. Even before I could gather any answers, I felt a strong rush of emotions running down within me. My first visit to a land outside India, the land of the rising sun, Japan and little did I know then, that those 6 days, of a dream I had never seen, would make cherished memories of a lifetime.

What is a ‘Yatra’ … ?

Yatra, is a journey,

… of learning, experiences, moments and dreams …

Picture Collage & Caption: My Yatra diaries.

My journey, where I am getting lost, each day…

A journey where I will find myself… someday…

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I hope you enjoyed our yatra destination today, I sooo did. You can follow her travels at MyYatraDiary. Thanks again dear Arti:-)

So, we are almost at the end of our 26 dream destinations in 26 days challenge, dear reader. We have been a bit dreamy the last few days, so it's about time that we finish our world tour with a real rocking farewell party, I think! So please; gather your party gear, dancing shoes, dress up and let' me take you away to the amazing Z.........

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination tomorrow, and that will be our last one for AtoZ - 2014. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com