Uttaranchal-a droplet of tranquility

Eco-tourism through ZeNLP poetryby

Murli Menon

What the press says about ZeNLP

ZeNLP shows how success in life can be achieved through meditation-Life Positive

More than 5000 people have benefited from ZeNLP workshops till date-Economic Times

ZeNLP helps to harness the infinite power of the mind-Hindu

ZeNLP exercises are simple-Yahoo India News

ZeNLP helps people discover their inner power-MSN India News

ZeNLP trains the mind to think positively-Telegraph

Negative thoughts can be silenced by ZeNLP-Civil Society

ZeNLP can empower individuals through meditation-Asian Age

ForDeepika my wife…

This book is a result of your sacrificing nature. The tremendous support you have provided me over the years has enabled me to discover the poet in myself. This book is dedicated to your selfless nature. Your hidden hand is visible in every word of this book and I would like to accept that this book is as much mine as yours. Writing this book without your support would have been tough. You have smoothened my path by managing everything single-handedly during my long absence from home. Not to speak of your soothing presence which motivates me to work longer and harder.

Thanks for those endless cups of herbal black tea which have kept me active and for your innovative zero stress vegan cooking which increased my effectiveness and efficiency. Thanks for not watching television. Thanks for not going to watch movies. Just because you couldn’t do these without me and I couldn’t accompany you, as I was busy working on this book. Thanks for not buying milk and willingly following my vegan diet. Words are insufficient to communicate my gratitude for attending my stress management workshops over the years and suggesting small improvements. Thanks a ton, chotu, for being my pillar of strength during our initial turbulent days at Bangalore.

Contents

Preface i acknowledgements ii 1. Uttaranchal 1 2. Kumaon 1 3. Naukuchiatal 1 4. Jageshwar 2 5. Binsar 2 6. Kausani 3 7. Bageshwar 3 8. Thal 3 9. Chakauri 410. Sunrise over Kumaon 411. Didihat 512. Ascot 513. Tawaghat 614. Pangu 615. Malpa 716. Lamari 717. Budhi 818. Gunji 819.Garbhiang 920. Kalapani 921. Nabhidang 922. Badarinath 1023. Auli24. Ukhimath 1125.Kalimath 1226.Kalshila 1427. Garhwal 1528. Ruch Mahadev 1629. Gaurikund 1730. About the Author 18

Preface

This book is a result of one year of painstaking work and repeated journeys to some of the most interior and inaccessible areas in Uttaranchal. On January 1st'1995, I had one of the most traumatic experiences of my 28 years of existence on planet earth. I was returning home after a New Year's party at Jayanagar in Bangalore, when I had a head-on collision with a truck. I was wearing a helmet, yet had a serious head injury, which resulted in organic damage to the right fronto-parietal lobe of my brain. This haemoharrage prevented blood flow to my right brain resulting in complete paralysis of the left side of my body. Doctors at Manipal hospital were brave enough to declare me a vegetable for life, as blood flow to my right brain had been obstructed for eight hours and I went into coma. The subsequent surgical interventions meant total dependency on powerful anti-epileptic drugs for the rest of my life!

After about a week of drifting in and out of coma, I regained consciousness. However, the left side of my body continued to be dead weights. Slowly but surely, I recovered from paralysis by combining Zen meditation with NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). I was regularly practicing meditation and creative visualisation before my accident. I knew that mind power could cure any disease including amnesia, epilepsy and paralysis.

By practicing ZeNLP, I regained back my health in a short span of three months. I decided that as I had been given a new life, I would dedicate it to the cause of environment protection. In May’2004, I undertook a three month long trek in Uttaranchal to complete a research report for Eco-tourism News on the potential of eco-tourism in India. This collection of poems were composed during my visit to Uttaranchal.

Uttaranchal Tourism, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam and Indo-Tibetan Border Police whole-heartedly supported my mission. I whole heartedly recommend all readers interested in ecotourism to visit Uttaranchal and visit all the places listed in this poetic travelogue. I wish every citizen of planet earth can visit Uttaranchal once in his lifetime to enjoy a blissful experience. ZeNLP is an acronym for Zen poetry or poems about the beauty of nature. All these poems are a spontaneous expression inspired by Nature.

(i)

Acknowledgements

This book is a result of the combined knowledge gained from unknown people living in inaccessible villages in the most interior parts of India. A few of these places are Kutti, Jollingkong, Nabhidang, Napalchu, Bundi, Gunji, Kalapani and Garbhiang in Uttaranchal.

Mr. N. N. Prasad, Secretary Tourism, Government of Uttaranchal is the catalyst who invited me to visit Uttaranchal. I would like to acknowledge his great contribution in giving shape to this volume of work. I also appreciate the efforts of my production team and editors.

I would like to acknowledge the silent motivation provided by my friends Raghab and Subashree Dash at New Delhi, Mr. C. R. Nair, Nani and Leela Ratnakaran at Mumbai Ganesh Srinivasan at Pune and Ravi Menon at Bangalore.

The press has been kind to me. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Satyamurty at Hindu, Bangalore, Rasheeda Bhagat at Business Line, Rajeshwari Sharma at Economic Times, Swagata Sen at Telegraph, K. P. K. Kutty and Tarun Basu at IANS, Annapoorna Jha at UNI, Ziya Us Salaam and Sangeeta Baruah from Hindu Metro Plus, New Delhi, Madhumita Chakraborty from Financial Express, Shreekumar Varma from Decan Herald, Umesh and Rita Anand at Civil Society, Nishant Arora at Life Positive and Aruna Raghuram at Asian Age.

My clients have reposed faith in my training abilities and are partners in my success. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Shikha Sharma, Mohit Sharma and Nazish Ahmed at ICICI-Prudential Life Insurance, Rajinder Gupta at Trident Group, Shyam Bhartia, Chandan Chattaraj Sanjana Sinha and Nisheeth Jankar at Jubilant Organosys Ltd. and V. K. Khanna at Narmada Chematur Fertilizers Ltd. I would also like to thank Shyam Suri at FHRAI (Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Association of India) and Gulu Jagtiani at TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India), among numerous others. Anil Goyal, Shekhar Ghosh, Anjana Maheshwari, Ashok Gulani and Bharat Tikle of Indian Airlines Ltd. have beeen particularly helpful. Thanks for motivating this vagabond.

The officials who have gone out of the way to assist me include Tara Kendra Vaishnav, Managing Director at KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam), Kundan Singh Bisht, at Indo-Tibetan Border Police at Didihat and Mr. Srivastava, Forest Ranger at Didihat. Also, Mr.Raj Kumar Singh, Managing Director at GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) and Mr. Satish Khanduri of GMVN were particularly helpful in facilitating my visit to Garhwal.

Above all, I am indebted to my mother Sowbhagyawati Menon and father Kannanunni Menon, who have given me the freedom to explore the unknown. My father-in-law Dr. Gangadhar Sahu, mother-in-law Ashalata Sahu, sisters-in-law Ashima, Lipika and Neelima have made my extended stay at Bhubaneshwar as comfortable as possible. Thanks for bearing with my tantrums! Though a lot of inputs from innumerable sources have gone into this book, if any unacknowledged sources are brought to our notice, they will be incorporated into future editions of this book. I humbly acknowledge that all the good things in this book are lessons I have learnt from my varied experiences. However, all shortcomings, errors and mistakes in this book are solely mine. I take full responsibility for all mistakes that have crept into this manuscript and have escaped my attention.

I humbly acknowledge the hidden spiritual guidance provided to me by Shirdi Sai Baba, who guided me through all my journeys and Mata Vaishno Devi who protected me in all moments of danger. I bow down to the power of Goddess Gayatri and her blessings without which I could not have completed this journey. Last but not the least, I pray to the Holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Sadashiv, the supreme power behind creation, maintenance and destruction of this Universe. (ii)

“Among the rivers, I am Ganga,Among the mountains I am MeruAmong the vasus I am AgniAmong the mantras I am GayatriAmong the words I am Om”

- Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Geeta.

(iii)

Uttaranchal

A droplet of tranquility,Encased in an oyster of peace;Hidden under rocks of serenity,Buried under oceans of calmness...

A snow-white pearl awaits discovery,Uttaranchal is the gem, time forgot;And where one forgets time.

Clear starlit skies are an astronomer's delight,Where Venus shines like a silver top;And where Mars winks at the break of dawn.

It is the paradise of Hindu deities;For heaven is better than anywhere else.Discover Uttaranchal to discover heaven.--------------------------------------------------

Kumaon

Where fire meets earth,And earth meets snow;Where dew, mist and clouds abound.

Where mist is engaged to pines,Where clouds wed snowy mountain peaks;Where dew courts grassy knolls,And where rain flirts with conifers.

Where blankets of snow kiss the verdant earth,Where clear blue skies rarely turn grey!Kumaon is the place to meditate and pray!--------------------------------------------------

NaukuchiatalTeardrop of some ancient Goddess,Rests in the midst of Kumaon's hills;Spread over all of corners nine;

Placid waters of this mini-ocean.Lap along its Byzantine edges;Mildly rocking the wooden boats.

Naukuchiatal is the Queen of Kumaon's lakes,Boating here is meditation for one's soul.Where else do peace and serenity meet?

Nature is both, merciful and kind;Snow and rain keep away from Kumaon;And pleasant weather greets you in every town.--------------------------------------------------

1

Jageshwar

Tucked away in a secluded corner of Kumaon,Guarded zealously by tiny hillocks;Shielded by countless deodars,Jageshwar is hidden in a canopy of green.

Flanked by twin thousand year old trees,The three-eyed one rests in secluded glory;Ancient stones placed one above the other,Cemented by cosmic energy;Have stood undisturbed over centuries,Mute witnesses to history.

Cascading streams and thick woods, Pine covered slopes and grassy knolls;Beckon nature walks.

Friendly treks over gentle slopes,Lead you to oasis of tranquility;Breathe the pine scented mountain air,Lose yourself in meditation and peace.

Destress, detoxify, rejuvenate your aching bones,Visit the hills of Kumaon to discover….Hidden gems in this valley of the Gods.-----------------------------------------------BinsarBillions of dried rhodenderon leaves,Describes the forest at Binsar;Lost in meditation are the bees,Migratory birds sing alien melodies in nature's tongue;Barking deer slip invisibly between trees.

Binsar is cosmic Mother's sanctuary,Leopards and wildlife are her tributaries;Clear mornings offer Himalayan views,Nature is bountiful to a select few.

Wild flowers are your tourist guides;As divinity exists in every stride,Welcome to the land of misty peaks;Meet migratory birds with colourful beaksBinsar is the tranquilizer,Every city dweller needs!--------------------------------------------------

2

Kausani

Golden rays steal their way,Blessing snowy peaks;Like flames in a cave,Spreading rust to crimson to golden hues.Birds begin their flowery tunes;As darkness surrenders, sunlight rules.

At dusk Kausani has a new tale to tell.Sun hides like a shy bride;Shadows lengthen,Crickets sing with pride.Twilight gives way to night,The crescent moon takes over the darkened skies;As electric stars play hide and seek.To absorb the three junctions of the day,Kausani shows you the game nature plays.--------------------------------------------------Bageshwar

An ancient temple…Steeped in mythology and lore,Hidden in Kumaon's secret groves;On the banks of sacred waters,Lies Bageshwar- the temple town.

Every stone an antique,Every stone a treasure;Sacred chants and rituals,Rosary, sacred ash, camphor and vermillion;Heads bowed in reverence for the holy one!

Giant fishes swim in endless turns,Illuminated in the clear water;Of the mountain stream;

Lessons many one can learn,As nine thumbs lift a heavy stone;Chanting Om in one united tone.--------------------------------------------------Thal

A river of tiny rocks,With silvery pebbles;And shiny stones.Gurgling sounds of cascading waters,Is soothing music to one's ears?

Ramganga flows gently through Thal,Its turquoise waters;A sharp contrast To the grayish stones;Arranged in concentric rows.

3

Chakauri

An obscure village,Nestled below Himalayan ranges;Surrounded by a foliage of green,Firs, spruces and ferns,Vie with each other for views,

Isolated cottages scattered...Randomly across the hillside;Is one's summer retreat.

To escape the biting cold in May,One seeks the warmth of the embers;Nay, it is winter here in May.

Trekkers seeking glaciers,Trudge up the hills like snails;To experience eco-tourism at its best;A visit to Chakauri is a must.

A park full of musk deer is also very near;Patal Bhubaneshwar - a labyrinth of underground caves;And the ancient Kalika temple,Dotted with many power symbols;Should interest devotees of the Mother Goddess;One seeks her blessing by planting a tree;At this powerful shrine.-----------------------------------------------

Sunrise over KumaonSilhouettes of rocky peaks,Like giant sculptures abandoned;Appear like ghosts;On a moonless night.

Skies transform from dark to crimson,Reflecting molten gold;Anticipating Sun-God's chariot…

Streaks of fire light the dawn,Spreading warmth and heat.Savour every momentOf Nature's incessant meditation.

Sunrise over the Kumaon Himalayas,Touches spiritual chords of one's soul;Align your energy with the cosmos,Balance the subtle with the gross.

Recharged body, rejuvenated soul, distressed mind.Kumaon is the place to rewind and unwind.--------------------------------------------------

4

Didihat

Thick forests of oak, pine and deodar,Line either sides of my mountain path;Resembling hundreds of students,Lining up for prayers at school.

Its darkness at noon here,As crickets continue their song,Tricked by the dark shady groves.

Leopards rule the roost here,Making stealthy appearances after dusk.

Bears are a common sight,Though rarely seen in summers,As they move up to cooler climes.

Wild chital and spotted deer,Are seldom seen from near.

Forest log cabins, centuries old,Oasis of peace, hidden under nature's folds;Where evenings are pleasant,And nights are biting cold.

Where every rock, is poetry on stone;Didihat is Kumaon's protected zone.----------------------------------------------AscotPerched on a quiet hill,Under a giant peepal tree;I rest silently,Listening to nature's songs;Emanating from our feathered friends.Chirping away like musical bells;The forest guest-house at Ascot,Is the nest of Kumaon's colourful birds;

Early at dawn, they begin their melodious tunes,Soft whistles, sharp hoots, ceetees and coos;Magpies, cuckoos, parrots and peckers,

It's like fusion music;Played by musicians of every tribe.This is nature's philharmonic orchestra;Guided by the omnipotent conductor.

Minutes turn into hours,But the soothing strains; Of these therapeutic sounds,Continue to hold one spellbound.As one experiences,The power to relax.

5

Tawaghat

Gigantic mounds of stone, sand and rock,Separated by the icy Kali;Amidst miles of rocks,Lies a valley - untouched by time.

Patches of green dot this arid landscape,Like oasis across the Sahara;

Each patch of green nurtures a village,Tawaghat is one amongst the many;

Icy springs abound in this speck of green,Many a miracle, this town has seen;

Acidity and ulceritis disappear,As you sip this medicinal water;A refreshing dip in this stream,Cures arthritis, psoriasis and skin disorders;

Tawaghat is a peaceful paradise,Where time, stops.--------------------------------------------------Pangu

An arduous trek,Through the rugged Himalayas;Leads to the confluence,Of silvery mountain streams.

Pangu is this sacred site,The cradle of India.Icy waters of these streams,Is freshly melted snow.

The chilly winds,Cut through like knives;Bathing in these frozen waters,Is only for the courageous;One needs blessings of cosmic deities,To enter the freezing waters.

I continue my dip;On this auspicious wintry day.Your fingers turn numb;And body turns bluish long after!

It is a torturous trek,Over soft round pebbles;Which decorate the banks,Of this poetry in molten snow.

It feels like coming out of Mansarovar,On the trek to Kailash in December.

Malpa

Perched on a secluded cliff,Between giant Himalayan peaks;Overlooking the snowy Kali,Cascading down like in violent rage;Over a bed of rocks and boulders.

I snuggle into my cozy bed,At picturesque Malpa;Tons of melted ice flow below me,A cascading silver stream of snowy water;Winding its way between the peaks,Like a snake slithering across grass.

Across the river, in verdant Nepal,Evergreen trees, sway in gentle gusts of wind;The manicured Indian hills,Are a sharp contrast to Nepal's greenery.

At ten thousand feet above sea level;Shops resemble tiny stones.Giant rocks resemble tiny pebbles;

The mighty Kali resembles a narrow stream,The roar of the waterfall becomes a soft hum,As the sun plays hide and seek with the clouds.----------------------------------------------Lamari

Two monolith hills,Divided by the snowy Kali;Demarcating India and Nepal,

Lush green forests,Cascading mountain streams;Two fiberglass huts,And few scattered rock shelters;Is known as Lamari.The indecripit camp,Of soldiers of India's border police.

The constant hum of flowing water,Preponders the air, day and night;There is a nip in the air,As the starlit skies,Shift the balance of the cosmos;To water and earth.

7

Budhi

Where mighty peaks,Mock human achievements;Challenging valour of men.

Trishul, Annapoorna and Panchachuli,Snowy heights stretch horizon to horizon;Sanctuary of cosmic Gods!

Deodars, pines, oaks and elms,Budhi is but several shades of green.Thick woods, virginal waterfalls,Unspoilt beauty, verdant hills…

Azure lakes, Temples steeped in history;Glaciers many, a few caves too!Kumaon is serene and tranquil,Where time always stands still.--------------------------------------------------GunjiFollowing the banks of Kaliganga,One reaches..Snowy peaks as far as eye can see,

Sulphur springs are one's giant bathtub;As steaming water overlooks cascading icy streams,The cold winds numb your face,As sulphurated water massages one neck down.

The tepid hot water is soothing relief;From the freezing breeze.

Strong fumes of sulphur,Hit your nostrils;As the steam meets the mist,Gently purifying your skin.

The temple bells ring at dawn,And rocky steps lead you down;Over small wooden bridges.

Napalchu village is at the other end.Shielded by obscurity.A collection of rock palaces,Hidden away from prying eyes.

----------------------------------------------

8

Garbhiang

A silvery moon,Shines behind clear starlit skies;The gurgle of the Kali,Is music to my ears;As she flows gently,Across the rocky valley;Besides the hamlet of Garbhiang.

Garbhiang is the home of Tibetan Bhutias;The lost tribe of a pure race,Untouched for centuries;Living in self-imposed seclusion,In the Himalayas.---------------------------------Kalapani

High velocity winds are your only companion,As you climb to over fourteen thousand feet,Trekking to the source of the Kali;The temple crowning this sacred place,Is an island of peace and serenity.

Water drops from the feet of the goddess.Cascading into a fiery river rapid,Flowing down the plains.Like a surfer riding a wave,And landing on wet beach soil.

Giant boulders encircle this holy temple,Like carved mosaics since creation began;Protecting cosmic mother's sacred abode.----------------------------------------------Nabhidang

A helipad crowns lush green meadows;With Om Parvat and Nabhidang peaksOverlooking the craggy, rocky valley.

Devoid of trees and vegetation, They resemble fortresses of stone;Crowned in snow and ice;Like two bodyguards with sharpened spears.

Giant rocks, round stones and tiny pebbles, Are scattered all across Nabhidang;Like footprints of Celestial God,Formed during the birth of time.

The snow white, fluffy clouds a stark contrast to the azures blue sky,Resembling black Pagodas covered with snow; Providing a picture postcard view.

9

Badrinath

An icy Alaknanda,Flows amongst giant rocks;Winding its way,Through the verdant valley.

Cascading gently at times,Roaring furiously at times;Yet flowing steadily…

Alaknanda exhibits her changing moods here,Several glaciers melt in May;Giving birth to countless mountain streams,That merges into this snowy river.

The icy winds blow against your face,Several pilgrims trek up the hills;Chanting religiously in one united tone,In reverence of the Holy One.Snowy peaks overlook the sacred shrine.

Chopta

Thick evergreen forests line both sides of your path,Pines, Conifers, oaks and elms;Vie with each other for space,And its green as far as eye can see.

Hundreds of pines reach up for the skies,Some like identical twins;Standing shoulder to shoulder.

The winding drive through these forests,Over a gentle slope;Is a soothing experience.

Dew drops trickle down your eyes,As fog and mist envelop the horizon;The clouds gently caress the treetops,Providing picture postcard views.

Rhodenderon flowers in full bloom,Resemble a bedecked bride;On her wedding night.

The crescent moon shines at night,Lighting up the darkness;The electric stars blink around the moon.

10

Ukhimath

Quaint wooden cottages dot the hillside,Offering panoramic views;Snow capped peaks in the distance,Verdant hills down below.

The constant hum of the mountain streams,Sound like bees buzzing near a hive;The pine scented mountain air,Makes every breath a pleasure.

It is so serene and peaceful here,Chirping birds sing musical tunes;Making the morn’ come alive.

Cold gusts of wind,Play across your eyelids;And it is so difficult to believe,We are in the middle of May!

Peace, serenity and tranquilness,Co-exist in harmony at Ukhimath;The winter seat of the three-eyed one,Near the sacred shrine of Kedarnath.

Fruit trees decorate my simple cottage,And the fragrance of wild flowers;Pervade the air at dawn.A stay at Ukhimath means,Rejuvenation;For body, mind and soul.

Gopeshwar

A long drive along the Holy Ganges,Climbing several hills and peaks;One reaches the temple town of Gopeshwar.

It is hidden away from prying eyes;Tucked away into a quiet corner of Garhwal.

Cool climes. Fresh air and spring water;Attract many to this secluded town.Healthy food, restful sleep and holy pilgrimages,Enlighten one’s body, mind and soul.Serenity intersects tranquility here,While bisecting peace and calmness.Flowing streams cut across grassy knolls;Stones, rock and pebbles massage your feet,As you experience nature walks.Birds sing in flowery tunes.Guiding you at every step.Orange orchards welcome you with open arms;Inviting you to savour their sweetness.

11

Auli

Snowy peaks surround the horizon,Peeking out between brown, rocky hills;Nanda Devi makes her appearance,On clear, cloudless mornings.

A ropeway chugs along the slopes,Offering birds eye views;And icy winds cut across your skin,As you watch the sunrise!

Thick forests of oaks, rhodenderons and pines,Stretch from here to there;Clouds attempt to kiss the mountain tops,Enhancing the enchanting beauty of Auli.

Auli is truly a picturesque place,Where one enjoys snowfall in May.

-----------------------------------------------

Guptkashi

Silvery peaks surround verdant hills,Covered in layers of pure white snow.A stark contrast to the greenery.

The golden rays of the sun;Add to the bewitching beautyBy bathing the snowy peaks in liquid crimson.Reflected in the waters of the icy riverThat flows through Guptkashi.The twinkling lanterns of the faraway villagersIlluminate the nightly view.

The clear heavens, the sparkling stars and the full moon,Offers one celestial spectaclesWithout telescopes.

Where else can one clearly see?Venus, Mars and UranusAnd the moons of Saturn too!In the nightly sky!-----------------------------------------------

12

Kalimath

A quick drive alongside a river rapid,Leads you to the village of Kalimath;In three adjacent shrines,Overlooking the waters of the Mandakini.

The cascading river, the verdant hills,The thick forest cover and the evergreen glades;Add to the beauty of this serene place.

The gurgling water is soothing to one’s ears,As the river resembles molten snow;And giant boulders cross its winding path.

-----------------------------------------------

August Muni

Hundreds of unusually tall pine trees,Peek out of the hill tops;Surrounded by rhodenderones and elms,Enveloped by forests, hills and streams.

As I meditate in this secluded cave,Nature exists in every breath;And the elements touch every pore,The rock shelters at August muni.Is my cosy abode;Dried leaves are my mattress,And rounded rocks my pillow.

One exits in self imposed seclusion,In aware of the enchanting beauty;Crystal clear water drips into my dark cave,Reflecting the hazy yellow of the sun.

Clouds rest on the hilltops,Resembling white turbans;Sparrows chirp away happily,Announcing the arrival of summer.

Snow melts on the ice-capped peaks,Feeding the mountain streams with molten snow;The river cascades down the hills,Like a child running to play…After the bell at school.

-----------------------------------------------

13

KalshilaTiny hills arranged in concentric rows,Envelop horizon to horizon;The buzz of the mountain stream.Preponders the air,Terraced fields cut through the mountainside;Resemble squares from a chessboard.

From the summit at Kalshila,One gets an eagle eye’s view;Red flowers of the rhodenderon,Resembling lotuses adorning celestial nymphs.Adorn the hills.

Dark clouds assemble at the peaks,Thunder and lightning follow;And it is torrential rain in May,The hills, the fields and the villages.Feel the power of nature’s downpour.

The air turns cold and icy,As mist, snow and hail rule;And it turns moist in mid-summer.

Summer snowfall

Wisps of white float across the sky,Gently landing on the earth;They resemble an unending cascade of white parachutes,Floating down to earth.

The icy snow I like cotton,Whiter than the whitest white.

They land on the sloping rooftops,On ski caps and on one’s hair;They land just about everywhere.

They softly settle,Waiting for their brothers to join them;An hour or two of this blizzard,Covers the earth and peaks,In blankets of pure white snow;And white dominates all around.

Snowflakes fall everywhere,More rapidly by the minute;A chilling breeze cuts across Badarinath.As sacred chants sound in the air,Heads bow in reverence for the Holy One;Shivering devotees brave the snowflakes,To prostate on the Lords feet.-----------------------------------------------

14

Garhwal

Rain, mist, fog and hail co-exist here,Mist is fog’s partner;And snow is cloud’s eternal twin…Trees are the ornament of the Himalayan foothills,Snow carpets the higher peaks.

Blizzards and avalanches are very rare,And so are landslides and quakes;Hailstorms and rain are never in May,Pleasant weather always has its say;As the icy breeze stays away.

Snow leopards and ice bears,Seldom come near;As they seek the shelter,Of the highest peaks in May.

Musk deer do come down in herds,Feeling secure when bonded in groups;Water is abundant in Garhwal,Streams, rivers lakes and waterfalls everywhere;The fertile soil of this divine land.Nurtures oaks, rhodenderons, firs and pines;Growing rampantly along the slopes.

Cold, cool and pleasant…Are the three moods; Of Uttaranchal’s weather Gods.

Rain, wet and moist…Describes the weekly mood swing;Of the weather Goddess.

Snow and ice…Make their appearance;Just once a month in summer.

Serene calm and peaceful…Describes the look on the face;Of Uttaranchal’s tourists in May.

Divine and blissful…Describes the pilgrims;Trudging down Badrinath and Kedarnath.-----------------------------------------------

15

Ruch Mahadev

A gentle trek,Alongside flowing waters;Between green meadows and terraced fields,Overlooking the junction of Twin Rivers;The confluence of the Alaknanda and Kaliganaga.

One river is snowy white,The other a darker shade of blue;These divine rivers at Ruch Mahadev do meet.An ancient temple exists here,A singular trident;Marks the divine spot.

Gushing waters, Roar like lions…Hiss like serpents…Buzz like bees…Hum like hummingbirds…

Sprays of ice cold water,Wet your face;As you gingerly step over the rounded stones;To reach the holy spot.

-----------------------------------------------

Kumaon

Soothen your soul…Listen to gurgling soundsOf flowing mountain streams

Relax your body…On grassy knollsUnder shady grovesIn Himalayan foothills

Rejuvenate your mind…Under starlit skiesIn secluded cavesHidden inside thick forests.

Visit KumaonOur holy land…

-----------------------------------------------

16

Gaurikund

A long winding drive,Over gentle slopes;Dotted with trees,In all shades of green;Takes you to Gaurikund,Hot water springs abound;In this temple town.

A roaring waterfall,Welcomes your arrival;Snowy peaks beckon nature walks,Thick forests surround the hills,Encircles by the icy Mandakini River;Flowing down from melting glaciers.

A circuitous trek along the river,Takes you to the Holy abode.

Devotees trudge up the hill,Chants sounding the air;Ponies, palanquins and people,Jostle each other for space.Thoughts lost in reverence for the Holy One;Shouts, squeals and chants along the way.

-----------------------------------------------

17

About the author

Murli Menon is the President of phenoMenon consultants inc, Ahmedabad, which conducts stress management workshops for senior managers based on Indian, Buddhist, Zen and Tibetan scriptures. These are often week long workshops on stress management which are attended by senior management, company directors and CEO’s. Conceptualised and conducted by Murli these workshops are result oriented with a focus on stress management using creative visualisation, tribal trance music and trance forming tribal meditation. phenoMenon’s clients include Jubilant Organosys Ltd., Trident Group, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizer Company Ltd., Zydus Cadila, Recon Healthcare and Narmada Chematur Petrochemicals Ltd. among numerous others. Murli addressed delegates at the TAAI convention at Genting, Malaysia, in September’2003 and FHRAI convention at Kolkata, in November’2003 about “Practical ways to manage stress”

phenoMenon consultants inc also conducts week-end, outdoor residential stress management workshops at beach resorts, country clubs, hill stations or forest rest-houses for corporates. These can also be conducted at plants, factories and project-sites with residential and conferencing facilities. Tailor-made workshops are conceptualised and conducted for clients with specific training needs. Murli’s other interests include eco-friendly trekking and he has successfully trekked up to “Om Parvat” in Kumaon. Murli reached “Om Parvat” on 2nd June’2004, which is “Gayatri Jayanti” day.

Murli holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad and an MBA with specialisation in marketing from Institute for Management Development and Research (IMDR), Pune.

ed research on the effect of tribal trance meditation on the unconscious mind and conducts ZeNLP workshops for teachers, housewives and corporates. Before founding phenoMenon consultants inc in 1995, Murli worked as a Product Manager with leading multinationals including Astra-IDL Ltd.

Murli is also a poet, environmentalist and storywriter. His articles regularly appear in Civil Society, fe Business Traveller and Global Indian. His articles on ZeNLP have also been published in Times of India, Deccan Herald, Hindu, India Empire and Business Line among others. He is also the author of an anthology of poems titled “Environment Friendly Poetry”. Murli’s first book titled “ZeNLP-the power to succeed” has been published by Response Books (Sage Publications) in June’2004. Murli is presently working on a cookbook about ZeNLP vegan recipes titled “ZeNLP and the science of vegan cooking”, a manager’s handbook titled “Management Lessons from Nature” and a travelogue about stress management destinations in India and abroad titled “Tranquil Travel Destinations”. Murli also consults on tribal vaastu which is based on the ancient, traditional tribal knowledge of building science which teaches the art of generating positive vibrations. He can be contacted over email at zenlp@rediffmail.com

Readers can take your ZeNLP mental map test online by pointing your browser to:

http://www.tips4ceos.com/research.htm

18