Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Baba Mandir near Nathu La, Sikkim

The true value of effort and bravery of security personnel guarding various vital installations and watch posts on our international borders often goes unnoticed. There are many beautiful spots in the upper Himalayan Region, where a tourist cannot spend more than a few hours during day time in summer, when the weather is very pleasant. The burden of the heavy overcoats and gum boots make us feel miserable and get out of them at the earliest opportunity.  But these personnel of the Army and security forces spend days and nights continuously, even under very severe weather conditions.  They routinely face chilling winds, heavy snowfalls and continuous rains.  Sunshine is not seen for long periods of time. There are areas where one does not understand the end of land or beginning of the sky. Everything appears murky and white. Supplies of food and water are difficult to reach them and the threat of a showdown from across the border is always there. The burden of arms and ammunition is a constant companion for them.  That the tourists are able to enjoy their vacation and have grand sight-seeing time is entirely due to the sacrifice made by these Officers and Soldiers of the armed forces. This brings to mind, our visit to "Baba Mandir" near Nathu La in Sikkim, a few years ago.

Nathu La border post between India and China is 55 Kilometers east of Gangtok. Indian tourists are allowed to go the border post on selected days of the week, as decided by the Government.  For going to Nathu La, a permit issued by the Department of Tourism and civil Aviation of the Government of Sikkim is required. The applications are to be submitted through an authorized travel agent, two days in advance of the visit. Major hotels in Gangtok arrange for the permits as they have tie up with the authorized travel agents.  An acceptable identification document is required to be produced and this document is to be carried by the person on the day of visit.  Nathu La pass is on the old silk route at an altitude of 14,150 feet above sea level.  The pass was closed after the 1962 Sino-Indian war, but was reopened in 2006 after bilateral trade agreement.  Limited international trade is permitted through this pass.  There is an Indian War memorial at Nathu La.  The road to Nathu La from Gangtok is one of the highest motor able roads in the world. Tourists are taken in six-seater jeeps. An ATM is available here and is said to the world's highest ATM. 

During our visit to Sikkim, our Hotel owner wanted our documents to obtain permit.  He told us that we can visit Babaji Mandir and Nathu La border post.  I politely told him that we are not interested in visiting any Baba Temple and our permit should be only for Nathu La post. He advised that all vehicles to Nathu La pass through Babaji Temple and if we do not desire to visit it, we may sit in the vehicle until other tourists return.  We decided to do the same.  But once the vehicle reached that place, the surroundings aroused some curiosity.  We went to the Mandir and found that it was not any other Babaji Mandir, but a memorial built for one of our brave soldiers who laid down his life in the course of his duty.  All soldiers and officers who pass through the area stop here and pay their respects to their departed colleague.  We were indeed glad that we did visit this sacred place.  The pictures given here, taken from the internet, gives a view of the temple's exterior and photo of the babaji kept inside the temple.
            
Major Baba Harbhajan Singh was born in the year 1941 in a village in Punjab and joined Indian Army in 1956.  He was commissioned in 1965.  As per the official version, he died in a battle with Chinese at a battle in Nathu La border. He was awarded a posthumous "Maha Vir Chakra" for his bravery. According to a legend, he drowned in a glacier while escorting a party with mules carrying supplies.  He is said to have come in the dream of his fellow soldier and told him the actual place where his body was lying. Three days later his body was found at exactly same place.  His body was cremated with full military honors.  He was only 26 years old when he died.  He is hailed as the "Hero of Nathu La" and a temple has been constructed in his honor.  Soldiers on duty in the area believe that his spirit gives them advance warnings about lurking dangers and attacks on them, and protects them. Chinese soldiers are also reported to respect the sentiment and said to have even set up a chair for him during a flag meeting.  Every year on September 11th, his death anniversary, one vehicle leaves the temple with the personal belongings of the soldier kept in the temple, to New Jalpaiguri, nearest railway station.  A new set of uniform and other items are kept in the temple.  From New Jalpaiguri, the belongings brought from the temple are kept on a berth booked in his name on a train, and accompanied by army jawans to his village in Punjab. The berth is not allotted to any other passenger, though unoccupied.  The sentiment is respected by all concerned without fail.  A board near the temple reads: "Call of duty beyond death".

Baba Mandir and Major Harbhajan Singh are a standing testimony for the bravery of the members of the armed forces who spend the most important years of their lives in guarding the country's borders in such unfriendly terrains.  Anyone who visits this place is sure to come out with wet eyes, as we too did.

On the return journey from Nathu La, there is a usual stop at Changu Lake, also known as Tsongmo Lake, which gives a beautiful view with different colors during different periods of the year (see picture).  The return journey from Nathu La is scary as the roads are in treacherous terrain and visibility nearly zero by evening. Some of the passengers with us closed their eyes and most of them started their prayers!  The driver of our van could view the road only by putting his face outside the window as the windshield became opaque due to fog.  I told him to stop for some time till the visibility improved. He did not respond and continued to drive.  After reaching Gangtok, when we were about to get down, he told me that the visibility will only get worse and this is the situation every day. There are many interesting boards put up by the army personnel that we cross as we return from Nathu La.  Two of them are fresh in my memory and read something like this:

"We are sacrificing our today for your happier tomorrow"

 "Go back and live happily with the thought that we are here guarding your safety"

*****

This is, by coincidence, my 200th blog post in 195 weeks.  I am glad that the subject of the post is a soldier who laid down his life in the protection of our motherland.  One who is alive and on duty even after his death. 

I am grateful to all the readers, friends and well-wishers who have encouraged me over the last four years in this journey.  This hobby has kept me away from unwanted TV viewing and wasteful pursuits.  It has helped me in learning new things and develop interest in varied aspects of life.......       

Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple at Kavi Kamboi in Gujarat – Shivling Here Disappears In Sea during High Tide and Appears during Low Tide

tambheshwar Mahadev Temple is located at Kavi Kamboi Village in Gujarat. The Shivling in the temple is located so close to the sea that one can only perform worship here during low tide. The shrine is more than 150 years old and is situated near the Gulf of Cambay.




The temple does not have any particular architecture that is noteworthy.

During high tide, the four feet Shivling is completely submerged. After this as the tide starts to get low we can see the Shivling appearing back.

Mother Nature constantly performs Jal Abhishek on Shiva here.


The ideal time to visit the Shrine is morning hours when there is low tide. As the day progress the temple slowly gets submerged in water.

That’s Strange In India - Your Great American Dream Via Chilkur Balaji

When I was a child, I was amazed to see my mother celebrating the news of her nephew getting a US visa like she had just won the lottery! As I grew up, I read many articles on visa restrictions making headlines in the news dailies. Since then, I always considered travelling to the US, a big thing. Most of you would agree with me, right? But these days, visa-seekers have found a unique way to get close to the much-anticipated US ticket. No, I’m not talking about any specific airline or a guidebook that will help you clear the visa interview but an unusual temple that guarantees a US visa. Now, isn’t that strange?
After introducing you to the land that takes you to heaven, this time, let me familiarise you with the temple that takes you to the US.

chilkur balaji
Chilkur Balaji Temple, Hyderabad | Photo Credit: Adityamadhav83/wikipedia



Temple Run
Be it engineers, doctors or all those prospective students and professionals who nurture the great American dream, this is your ultimate destination. Welcome to the Chilkur Balaji Temple. Built on the banks of Osman Sagar Lake near hyderabad, this temple is a 17-kilometer drive from the quaint town of Mehedipatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Believed to have the miraculous power of granting visas (especially the American visa), they say that if a devotee visits the temple before appearing for his or her visa interview, chances of getting the visa are brighter.
The American Dream
On my latest expedition to discover what’s strange in India, I pondered over the fact that how can a temple help you in getting a visa? Isn’t that odd? However, when I reached there, I saw a substantial number of people (or should I say visa seekers) crowding around the temple, waiting to please the lord. While I roamed around the temple and performed holy rituals, I realised that it is customary for a visa seeker to do 11 circumambulations (also known as Pradakshina) of the inner shrine and ask for that one wish (visa, it is!). So, why 11? One of the regular devotees explained to me that the number 11 represents the secret of creation, i.e. 1 soul and 1 body which unite together with utmost devotion to fulfill your wish. But hang on! It’s not over yet. Once your wish comes true, you need to come back to the temple to complete your vow, which includes walking 108 times around the epic sanctum. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy in life, does it? But then, who’s complaining when your American dream is fulfilled, right.

chilkur balaji
Devotees queue up for blessings

I also noticed a rare temple guideline written on boards all through the sacred premises- do not close your eyes during the darshan. Till date, I can’t think of any religious place that I’ve ever been to where you are asked to pray keeping your eyes open. I would not be truthful if I didn’t say that it was a little discomforting for me to pray with open eyes.
The Legend Of Chilkur Balaji Temple
But the curious ‘I’ wanted to know more. While I understand that it is faith that draws so many people to the temple but to know the mystery behind this unique temple was next on my to-do list. One of the locals I bumped in to had an interesting tale to share.
Legend has it that years ago, an ardent devotee who visited Tirupati every year could not travel on one occasion due to ill health. One night, Lord Venkateshwara himself appeared in his dream and asked him to come to the nearby jungle to meet him. The ardent devotee immediately reached the specified location and saw a molehill. As he started digging the molehill, his axe struck Lord Balaji's idol below the chin and on the chest, which was buried beneath the molehill. To his dismay, blood oozed out turning the ground red, which scared him. Suddenly, he heard a voice asking him to fill the molehill with the cow’s milk. He dutifully did that and that is when a Swayambhu idol of Lord Balaji accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi emerged (which is a rare combination). It was this idol that was installed with religious rites and a temple was built by the devotee. Even today, you will find the same idol of Sri Balaji Venkateshwara mounted inside the temple.
The Hope
So, all those who have been yearning to get their passports stamped by the US embassy, fret no more! Simply board a flight to Hyderabad and make a wish to the revered deity of the Chilkur Balaji Temple. Who knows, you may actually make it to the dream land!
After getting acquainted with the incredible power of the visa temple, now, let’s move to the temple of… more, in the next blog.

10 Natural Depression Treatments










Being depressed can make you feel helpless. You're not. Along with therapy and sometimes medication, there's a lot you can do on your own to fight back. Changing your behavior -- your physical activity, lifestyle, and even your way of thinking -- are all natural depression treatments.
These tips can help you feel better -- starting right now.
1. Get in a routine. If you’re depressed, you need a routine, says Ian Cook, MD. He's a psychiatrist and director of the Depression Research and Clinic Program at UCLA.
Depression can strip away the structure from your life. One day melts into the next. Setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track.
2.Set goals. When you're depressed, you may feel like you can't accomplish anything. That makes you feel worse about yourself. To push back, set daily goals for yourself.
"Start very small," Cook says. "Make your goal something that you can succeed at, like doing the dishes every other day."
As you start to feel better, you can add more challenging daily goals.
3. Exercise. It temporarily boosts feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It may also have long-term benefits for people withdepression. Regular exercise seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive ways, Cook says.
How much exercise do you need? You don’t need to run marathons to get a benefit. Just walking a few times a week can help.
4. Eat healthy. There is no magic diet that fixes depression. It's a good idea to watch what you eat, though. If depression tends to make you overeat, getting in control of your eating will help you feel better.
Although nothing is definitive, Cook says there's evidence that foods with omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and tuna) and folic acid (such as spinach and avocado) could help ease depression.
5. Get enough sleep. Depression can make it hard to get enough shut-eye, and too little sleep can make depression worse.
What can you do? Start by making some changes to your lifestyle. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Try not to nap. Take all the distractions out of your bedroom -- no computer and no TV. In time, you may find your sleep improves.
6. Take on responsibilities. When you’re depressed, you may want to pull back from life and give up your responsibilities at home and at work. Don't. Staying involved and having daily responsibilities can help you maintain a lifestyle that can help counter depression. They ground you and give you a sense of accomplishment.
If you're not up to full-time school or work, that’s fine. Think about part-time. If that seems like too much, consider volunteer work.
7. Challenge negative thoughts. In your fight against depression, a lot of the work is mental -- changing how you think. When you're depressed, you leap to the worst possible conclusions.
The next time you're feeling terrible about yourself, use logic as a natural depression treatment. You might feel like no one likes you, but is there real evidence for that? You might feel like the most worthless person on the planet, but is that really likely? It takes practice, but in time you can beat back those negative thoughts before they get out of control.
8. Check with your doctor before using supplements. "There's promising evidence for certain supplements for depression," Cook says. Those include fish oil, folic acid, and SAMe. But more research needs to be done before we'll know for sure. Always check with your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you’re already taking medications.
9. Do something new. When you’re depressed, you’re in a rut. Push yourself to do something different. Go to a museum. Pick up a used book and read it on a park bench. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Take a language class.
"When we challenge ourselves to do something different, there are chemical changes in the brain," Cook says. "Trying something new alters the levels of [the brain chemical] dopamine, which is associated with pleasure, enjoyment, and learning."
10. Try to have fun. If you’re depressed, make time for things you enjoy. What if nothing seems fun anymore? "That's just a symptom of depression," Cook says. You have to keep trying anyway. 


As strange as it might sound, you have to work at having fun. Plan things you used to enjoy, even if they feel like a chore. Keep going to the movies. Keep going out with friends for dinner.
When you're depressed, you can lose the knack for enjoying life, Cook says. You have to relearn how to do it. In time, fun things really will feel fun again.