A Spiritual Journey

I used to live with my family in the beautiful town of Himachal Pradesh, Nahan, where my father was working as a government doctor. It's a beautiful hill town surrounded by many more beautiful villages. One such willage is Renuka.

Renuka is the birthplace of Lord Parashuram. In fact, the place has been named in honour of Lord Parashuram's mother(Devi Renuka). There is a beautiful lake over there which is a major point of attraction for tourists. And you will be surprised to know that if somebody observes the lake from the sky, the lake looks like a woman standing. According to an ancient adage, the lake is itself Goddess Renuka who was transformed into water.

Throughout the day, I enjoyed my journey exploring the beautiful hill station & in the evening one more beautiful surprise was waiting for me.

Actually, when I was in Renuka, it was a festive season over there where Lord Parashuram's Birthday was getting celebrated. There is a story that on every Birthday, Lord Parashuram still visit Renuka to take blessings of his mother.

An open auditorium was erected where local performers showed their talent in various forms like dancing, singing, poetry and much more.

All Himachali songs carry a glimpse of the lifestyle of Himachal Pradesh with a soulful touch. Listening to the song I felt like this is how human life should be, fill with peace, love, caring & brotherhood. Why do people hate each other, why nations are involved in demolishing each other, why everyone is wearing a disguise hiding their real self, living in their self-created trap that is separating humans from humans?

When the function was over, we not only just clicked pictures with the local performers but also had tea & snacks together, talking to them, I came to know much more about Himachali Culture & its beautiful essence. 

It was dusk by now so I went back to the hotel where I was staying. The services of that hotel were just awesome & I had the tastiest dinner that night but I was not able to sleep properly. Why? Because the next day I had to return to City life with the same old 9 to 5 job schedule & I sincerely did not want to return. 

In this rat race of proving ourselves better than others, we have really left something much more valuable. "That manager wants to throw you out of the company, that colleague of yours always speaks I'll of you behind your back, the boss is willing to promote his nephew & not you at the end of the financial year" and many such useless things are now the part of our life. 

Nobody says, "Come let's have lunch together. Let us go on a boat ride in the evening after office. Please don't hide that bigger piece of Dhokla from me, I know you have enough at home." Everybody just talking about corrupt politicians, rising pollution, extramarital affairs, nations throwing bombs at each other & people stealing each other's valuables in crowded places. 

We don't need such a society. Let us return to the woods. Let us surround ourselves with mesmerizing fragrance of beautiful flowers, the beauty of tall green trees & a never to forget cultural heritage. Let us proceed over there with an oath that once we return, we are more pure & divine.