HELLO!

 It's been months since I blogged! And boy...am I happy to be back!!! My work priorities kept me away for sometime..and I hope to be back...back with a bang, as they say! Let me begin at the beginning ...of my holiday!

Our Dushehra holiday-plan materialized all of a sudden..and just like that! I called up Praveen to wish her on her birthday and there she was, asking me to consider a trip to Delhi/Jalandhar /Vishnavo Devi/ Amritsar.

We had to get ourselves to New Delhi and Praveen volunteered to arrange the next  leg of the journey. It dawned on me that it would be the first of its kind…a holiday with friends, the joy of which we had started discovering recently. We have always traveled with family and this was something we eagerly looked forward to! It was an unforgettable trip, and Praveen’s two vivacious girls ensured that we remained happy and cheerful throughout the trip!

Our holiday was too good to be true! Our first halt was Greater Noida. The place has to be seen to be believed! International Schools, Degree Colleges, the expressway to Noida! We spent a wonderful weekend there!

Then on to the  army mess at Suranasi in the outskirts of Jallandar in Rural Punjab-the countryside was fascinating! 

From Jallandar, we went by road to Katra. We spent the night at Jindra, an army post in the foothills of the Himalayas, an hours' drive from Katra. The comfort of having people who care for you! Jindra post was amazing.....a pool table, hot home cooked dinner and a warm cozy room for bed and breakfast! 

Our faith was tested to the core on our visit to the shrine of Vaishnavo Devi. 

 












The next day was a lesson in patriotism – pages from our freedom struggle, when the innocent patriots were smothered by the British! A visit to Jalianwala Bagh is a must for all Indians......to realize that this freedom did not come easily!

 

and the Wagah Border. Finally, a few hours at The Harmandir sahib-serene spiritual moments in the Golden Halo!