My journey with plants

 My journey with plants

Coming from a quaint, small town, border area, Gurdaspur, Punjab, I grew up in the company of lush, vibrant plants and towering trees. Both my grandmother and mother had special and soulful affection towards plants. We had a beautiful, green, thriving kitchen garden that was a source of many vegetables like tender bitter gourds, bottle gourd, lady finger, fragrant curry leaves and medicinal giloy, and the elders of the house took care of them as their children. They were nurtured with unwavering love, adding rich, organic manure from time to time.

 I came to the bustling, fast–paced city of Hyderabad, where space is a crunch for one who wants to pursue gardening as a hobby. Still, the memory of green, serene surroundings around me had a profound impact on my mind, and it lingered on for years until recently, when I dared to think of growing small, little, delicate living creatures- plants in the only tiny balcony that is part of our modern flat. 

Initially, the idea felt flat when it was resisted by the other members of the family as it was the only place in the entire house where they could sit in the open, cool air and look at the colourful, vast, ever changing sky and gossip in the evening and wanted that their needs should be prioritized and preferred that place to not to be occupied by what they saw as intruding living creatures. But, I somehow convinced them and promised them their space would not be encroached by the tiny plants that they thought to be their counterparts. 

Soon, I got a green flag from everyone in the family and started a new journey, a rather beautiful, amazing journey with the plants. I began with the seeds from my kitchen, and a few precious varieties from my neighbour, Ms Geeta, who is very close to my heart, and was happier than I for my prospects, interests and sense of duty towards nature. 

In a few weeks, the plants began to thrive, and now I have a beautiful garden on my balcony. It has given a rhythmic heartbeat to my once concrete home. The plants sway and dance when I pour water on them. I sometimes sing to my plants, and they respond by growing in leaps and bounds. My small garden, a corner, no less than heavenly bliss, is admired by one and all who visit our home.

 Plants are a divine blessing of God. After my long, tiring day’s work, I spend some peaceful time with my plants. They rejuvenate my life and help me uplift my emotions, helping me prepare for the next day’s work. I have now red hibiscus, healing giloy, a few ornamental plants, graceful palm, holy tulsi, evergreen money plant and many more.     

By – 

Ms Anunidhi Sharma

Mansa Devi Panchkula , near Chandigarh

 In the summer holidays, we visited the Mansa Devi Temple, located in the picturesque area of Panchkula. It is about 12 km from Zirakpur and is a truly beautiful place. According to ancient beliefs, when Parvati Ji decided to sacrifice her life as Sati in the yajna, her head fell to earth where the Mansa Devi Temple now stands in Panchkula.

We booked an Uber and journeyed to the temple. There was not much rush, allowing us to have a peaceful and comfortable darshan. The temple offers langar 24 hours a day. The langar, considered prasad, is incredibly delicious, featuring a variety of dishes such as rice, maani (kari with pakoras), black chana, and sometimes halwa, and halwa kadu ki meethi sabji. The food is very tasty and is available round the clock. There is a spacious hall where people sit on the floor to enjoy their meal/prasad. Additionally, there are some chairs and tables for elderly people who cannot sit on the floor.

We attended the evening aarti, which was attended by many devotees. It had a captivating and uplifting atmosphere with positive vibes and a magnetic effect that dispelled negativity and instilled positivity in our minds. All the family members felt very happy and blessed, receiving the blessings of Almighty God for progress in the coming years.

Safar from Chandigarh to Hyderabad

 We had to travel to Hyderabad from Chandigarh. We reserved our railway tickets on the Shatabdi Express three months in advance, anticipating a smooth and comfortable journey. However, it turned out to be a roller coaster ride and a memorable adventure.

From our society, we booked a seven-seater uber cab – a spacious one – with ample legroom and enough space for all five family members: three teenagers and two adults. Each of us had a 15 kg suitcase, a handbag, and one extra, hefty food bag, bursting at the seams. If it had been a person, it would have been pitifully complaining.

We reached the railway station an hour early and waited in the bustling waiting hall. When the train arrived, we all hopped on. The train was scheduled to reach Delhi at 3:25 pm but was over an hour late, arriving at 4:30 pm. After that, we headed to the metro station.

All our luggage – five 15 kg suitcases, five 7 kg bags, two purses, and the heavy food bag – had to be scanned. There was a lot of hustle and bustle, with separate lines for males and females. We bought tickets to Aerocity, Delhi, for Rs. 50 each. Later, we learned we needed to take a shuttle for Rs. 40 each. We purchased the shuttle tickets and trudged to the bus stop with our heavy luggage.

On 28th May, the temperature in Delhi soared to a scorching 52.6 degrees Celsius. The situation was pathetic: only one shuttle bus was available, making round trips to the airport. We stood in the sweltering heat for about half an hour without any shade. Taxi drivers offered to take us for Rs. 100 per head, suggesting we return the bus tickets. It seemed like collusion between the cab drivers and the ticket seller, as it was a government-run shuttle service. Two other buses stood roadside, deemed out of order by the caretaker, leaving just one functioning bus. He suggested we take a taxi if we were in a hurry.

Just as we were losing hope, a bus finally arrived, bringing a sigh of relief. We boarded and reached the airport in 25 minutes. The ride was bumpy, and the driver initially struggled to start the bus.

After rushing through the security check, we finally relaxed upon boarding the plane. Upon reaching our destination, Hyderabad, we collected our luggage, exited the airport at 11:30 pm, booked an Uber, and headed home.

Thus, our long journey, starting at 8:30 am and ending at 1 am, was thrilling, memorable, and filled with incidents that added to our experience.

Visit to Lachiwala Park, North India

 Lachiwala Park, located in Doiwala on the way to Jolly Grant International Airport, is a beautiful and serene nature park that attracts visitors from all nearby regions. The park's main attractions include a centrally flowing river and numerous fountains. It is a sprawling park featuring a diverse variety of trees and plants.

The entry fee is Rs 80 for adults, and there is an additional fee of Rs 50 for cars. Many visitors also arrive by e-rickshaw. Inside the park, there is a picturesque driveway stretching about 2 to 3 kilometers, which many prefer to explore by car. The park provides a dedicated parking area. Additionally, there is a designated space for swimming where people can relax and have fun. Several shops near the swimming area offer swimming supplies. This area is located just outside and parallel to the nature park's entrance.

However, the park does have a few drawbacks. While there is one ice cream shop that also sells cakes and other items, and another eatery, the latter's pungent smell can be off-putting. As a result, many visitors prefer to bring their own food, which is allowed in the park. Enhanced dining options within the park would greatly improve the visitor experience. Atleast they can come hands-free to the park and enjoy the stroll inside the park.

The park features many heart-shaped entrances and charming wooden bridges, perfect for posing and taking photos. Visitors often make reels and short videos for Instagram. Numerous sitting areas are available for relaxation, allowing visitors to walk and enjoy the park's beauty. There is also a dedicated play area for children. Strolling and spending time in the park provides a sense of peace and tranquility that is enjoyed by both the young and the elderly.

Visit to Haridwar

 Travel to Haridwar is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage and is visited by lakhs of devotees every year. People visit here as it is one of the important dhams out of the four dhams in Hinduism. There are many temples in Haridwar – the famous ones being Vaishno Devi Temple and Sureshwari Devi Temple. These temples are located in the picturesque Shivalik Hills and are frequented by many devotees. The Sureshwari Devi Temple, in particular, is near the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. During the rainy season and colder months, visitors can often see wildlife such as the majestic neelgai, elephants, and other animals along the way.

The River Ganga is a sacred river in Hinduism. People come to take a holy dip in the river at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, believing that this act washes away all their sins. Many people from all over the world visit to pray for their well-being, health, and prosperity.

Haridwar has also become a popular tourist destination, and many eateries have opened up to cater to the visitors. Famous food joints like Chotiwala's, Bahubali Samosa, and various stalls selling cuisines such as Chinese and local delicacies like kulfi are popular among tourists.

Additionally, a variety of ornaments such as bangles, rings, and necklaces are sold here, along with different types of keychains that attract children. Near Har Ki Pauri, there is a 1.5 km stretch of road lined with shops offering various clothes, ornaments, and eateries. This area is a pedestrian zone, restricted to all electric and other vehicles, so people, young and old alike, walk through this vibrant and bustling market.

One of the most beautiful and serene experiences in Haridwar is the Ganga Aarti, which brings peace and tranquility to the mind. The Ganga Aarti takes place in the morning and evening, and people visit Haridwar specifically to witness this peaceful and spiritual ritual.