Gulmarg can be the world's most visited winter sports destination. If only.. At the Thajiwas glacier (Sonamarg), the snow at the lower reaches is hardened (very old snow), and one needs to trek up for about 500 metres to find relatively fresh snow one could play with or do a bit of sledge ride. Though we had booked the sledges and the helpers were willing, it seemed inhuman and a bit embarassing to ask them to drag us up the snow hill. So, up we went, and eventually made it to the top, after a couple of funny slips and falls in the snow. The view was magnificient, and the helpers ensured the kids have as much fun as they wanted to. We came down after a couple of hours, and trotted back on the horses to Sonamarg. On the way back, we passed by a meadow where a Cricket match was going on. You won't believe it, but most of the kids were playing in whites. The teenager walking with my horse asked me where I am from. And when I said Hyderabad, he immediately said: Sun Rise...
"Like a tiny drop of dew, or a bubble floating in a stream..so, is all conditioned existence to be seen" - The Diamond Sutra