The Śūnyatā (Openness) Blog

'Mini Switzerland' - The Baisaran valley near Pahalgam has been the scene for dozens of Indian films. The four ponies we were on - all had their own individual character. The one I was riding 'Shera', and the one my wife was on - 'Mastani' - both were Amarnath yatra horses and used to carry heavy riders. Shera was circumspect in crossing little streams, and would take one gingery step first, and then do the crossing. Mastani, however, was a little more adventurous and would leap across, making Lakshmi worry for her balance and safety. But the real heroes were the ponies bearing my children. They seemed to be extremely well trained, and were enjoying themselves a lot, leading from the front, going away in a different direction, and then responding to their minders' calls, and coming back to join us. We were initially worried for the kids' safety because the minders just let those two horses do their own thing, and stayed with our horses. The chil...

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...