KASHMIR

KASHMIR 

 It's been quite some time since I returned to Delhi after my summer in Kashmir. The experience still feels surreal, knowing I've been to paradise on Earth. Kashmir feels like a home I never had, a home whose beauty I never truly appreciated until I saw it with my own eyes. From day one, I was enchanted by the magic of Kashmir. The very name 'Kashmir' evokes feelings of royalty, nature, and a warm embrace. Every moment spent there, from the first to the last, will always hold a special place in my heart. I absorbed as much information as I could during those 10 days - from the people of Kashmir, the Kashmiri Pandits, Article 370, temples, mosques, gardens, Dal Lake, ruins, and the newly built infrastructure. It was a lot to take in, but it was worth it.

As a self-proclaimed Delhiite, the quietude of nothingness was a welcome change. Away from the chaos of Delhi, away from the noise of seeking peace in the rush, the rustling leaves and chirping birds were all I needed. I may sound a bit serious for a seventeen-year-old, but that's my truth. At an age where everything seems daunting, from choosing a career to deciding what to wear, the silence finally brought me inner peace.

Our days passed swiftly, like a gentle breeze bringing fleeting moments of joy. My time in Sonamarg, witnessing valleys, rainbows, mountains, and snow, truly felt like paradise. Feeling proud as an Indian in Kargil, living my dream in Ladakh, exploring monasteries, conversing with monks, learning about Buddhism, crossing the Zojila Pass, gazing at the Jhelum and Indus rivers, gliding in a shikara on Dal Lake, strolling through Kashmiri gardens, trekking in Pahalgam, admiring the breathtaking view of Doodhpathri, and savoring authentic Kashmiri cuisine were just a few highlights of my journey.

How can I put into words the emotions I experienced there? How can I capture the sensation of truly feeling alive for the very first time? How can I convey the feeling of leaving paradise on earth? How could I possibly erase the memories of this unforgettable journey?