My Honeymoon.......


Well!! I am back in Delhi after seven days (July 9 to 15,2010) of honeymoon, the most awaited phase of a man and woman's life after marriage. After having cancelled twice for Jammu and Kashmir, I finally headed to Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Himachal in place of Kashmir, the heaven on earth.

Interestingly, we had to pre-pone it by 12 hours due to Ambala flood situation and the train journey was changed into bus journey. Thankfully, it was by Volvo! We reached Katra, the base camp for Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. We stayed at Durga Hotel for short stay, as we were a bit late for relaxing for two-three hours at the Shrine Board's room. It's called short stay. We finally landed in Durga Hotel, the oldest and biggest hotel, located opposite to Jewels, the ultimate place for fresh, clean, and quality food. It’s any gourmet’s delight.

We left for the ultimate pilgrimage at 7.45 p.m. and returned the next morning riding Khachhars....it was an ultimate joy.....thereafter we visited Dharamshala, stayed at Govt. Guest house with the help of a friend.It was a great joy...surrounded by mountains and fog on the following morning after rainshower. We enjoyed it greatly.

Thereafter we visited Bhagsu nath temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, Dalai Lama temple, an unforgettable and fascinating place full of peace and prayers, and the McLoed Ganj. She didn’t realize McLoed Ganj was about a market full of extraordinary beautiful Buddhists and foreigners. I realized it only when after our brief wandering there for an hour in the market while enjoying the romantic breeze, she asked……Sunna ji yaahan se chalao ab…mujhe McLoed Ganj jana hai!!!! I was surprised. She was left blushing….at her soft-minded or rather ignorant reply.

But the pleasant weather made it a great joy visiting any place.

Later, we headed towards Pathankot, a place where you will find it all buses standing except the one you wish to board. We waited for an hour.

Well, we travelled mostly by local buses there. It was a great joy for me enjoying the local feel. Maybe it wasn't that much for Pratibha. But soon she felt there is different feel and joy than waiting for hours for luxury buses or expensive private cabs to cover even short distances.

The valleys and the mountains added to the mood and joy. The buses were never crowded so we felt nice. Actually, both of us travelled all places as old buddies enjoying a short trip outside home for the first time after a long time of separation. :) Well, then we reached Chamunda Devi, the place I deeply worship and value. I told her that it was the same Devi before whom I had prayed after failing in standard XII exams to bless me with guidance, intelligence and knowledge. She realised it's importance. We had plans to visit Palampur, Tapovan and one more place on the next day. But, on request of a friend, who had arranged our stay in one of his relative's hotel for free, we decided to spend another day at Chamunda Devi. The hotel was very good to be there besides the mood-lifting, soothing and pleasant green surroundings with all greeting mountains around us.

The following day in Chamuda Devi happened to be my b'day also. With my pre-paid phone being inaccessible for all, I missed everyone's blessings and faced the annoyance a few days later. But, it was actually very nice staying there and attendin Aartis four times in two days. It was a great joy also spending time sittin on pebbles or large stones in the river in Chamunda Devi temple.

After that we boarded another bus and left for Amritsar. My dearest and closest journalist friend Ravinder Singh Robin, Bureau Chief of Punjab who always travels with President and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister invited us to pay obeisance at Harmandar Saheb or, the Golden temple.

I agreed to take further obligation from him after having enjoyed free accomodation at his relative's hotel for two days in Chamunda Devi. Though i don't believe in free lunch as a principal but his affection had overwhelmed me. It was Atithi hotel, a three storey building and the second attractive place to stay in Chamunda Devi.

As i reached Amritsar, I had finished explaining Pratibha that we were actually going to visit Robin's residence, located in a remote area in border villages. I advised her not to let her veil or head covering beyond nose-tip, as it will like flouting typical Punjabi customs as maintained and valued by such families in villages. She was scared. I told her to avoid using Hindi or English, as the ladies at his home prefer and understand just Teth Punjabi, the hardcore Punjabi that is too difficult to understand by even Punjabis leave aside non-Punjabis. She turned nervous. I told her there was nothing to worrry about as she would be in Janankhana!! But what's that Sandeep,,,she asked me. I smiled and said it's nothing but a place in a house that is meant for woman only. And, there will be my friend's aged mother, Dadi, Nani and wife to converse with whole night! She turned pale. I said don't worry they will take care tht you have hand-held Pankhi and mosquitoes shouldn't touch you!! She was like.....Sandeep plsss after such a good stay why you are pushing me into all that....I said: Don't worry my dear.....it will be a distinct joy ....going to Jangal Pani.....with a lalten . But whyyyyyyyy.......sandeep....plss tell me ...why can't we skip all thisssss and go to home.....Pratibha asked me.....I said arreyy it's a courtesy to visit my affectionate friend after enjoying his hotel at Chamunda. She murmured something and just settled down in her seat, as i had just added telling ther that she would definitely be accompanied by any child or lady in the fields with lantern! And, it was obvious as it is being said that electricity is going to be available in there village in next five years!! She started sweating...after hearing to all this. She said ....Sandy yaaar....plssssssss....I said: "arrey madam don't worry....it's a joy of different sort and i want to be strong enough wife of a journalist who likes rural life!!!!!

Finally, we reached Amritsar bus stop. My friend Ravinder Singh informed that some close relative is hospitalised and he has to rush back to him. So , he advised me to just visit Darbar Saheb first and later he would catch both of us. He sent a car with a driver and two of his journalists to assist us. They collected our heavy bags to relieve us from its weight and we headed to Darbar Sahib. We were given VIP treatment. The car was parked where nobody's allowed. I was given Rumala and we entered. As usual, my camera's battery ditched at the first pic. One of the two journalists rushed back to car and brought two camera, as they had planned for us. We were clicked before Darbar Sahib and I was happy as it was my first combine click with her. I remained clicking stones, trees, rivers and her throughout the tour and just avoided clicking myself too.

So, my delight was obvious. We were introduced to the in-charge of entire arrangement at Golden temple and later escorted inside the magnificent Golden Temple's sanctum sanctorum. Both of our two new journalist friends were ensuring that we should cover Darshan and due meet with Ravinder Singh within our one-and-a-half hour's time available at our disposal in Amritsar. One of the two journos escorting us whispered something to one of the main Granthis inside the sanctum sanctorum. And, he presented Pratibha with the Saropa, a special religious gift from the temple body often given to VIPs. I felt blessed that my wife recieved it.

Ravinder called up and ensured that we get the best food for our back journey to home. I asked him to leave everything and just meet. He reserved lobby of a huge and captivating hotel for us. We reached there by the car along with the two journalists who assist Ravinder Singh. He was waiting there with his innocent Mrs. and a very handsome child. I termed him an NRI, as his father travels foreign almost every second month.

Well, the meet was actually a family meet and both of them were highly courteous. I wanted to show my wife how down to earth and affectionate my friend Robin Singh is despite his big profile in Punjab, not just in Amritsar. It was actually a great meeting, as she had an opportunity to meet my first friend outside Delhi.

He also arranged for our return journey by Volvo. Pratibha was delighted that she finally had her 'AC' bus at her serivce in her last leg of honeymoon. Ravinder Singh brought her another stylish and luxury vehicle and dropped us. Our luggage was brought in another car by the other two journalists. We had a good talk and our share of laughter with that loving couple and invited them to visit Delhi at the earliest.
Pratibha was so ecstatic after meeting both of them and the special arrangements that she requested me now to stay back at Amritsar for a day as being consistenly requested by Ravinder Singh and family !!!! I smiled and asked her to just remember Amritsar as her second in-laws' house where she would be visiting very soon whenever it's possible for a long stay.

Really, both of us returned, by everyone's blessings with a big cheer on our faces and delight inside our hearts.