Ordinary World

There are a million things in life we would never do, if not for others. The latest one on my list being the road trip to Shirdi I made today.

Well, I wouldn’t tag myself as an atheist but for some reason, I can’t get myself to submit to idol worship. I would rather say a little prayer before I go to sleep and expect the Big Man up there to at least listen to me. Anyway, my parents being the devoted religious selves that they are, were keen on driving down to the famous Sai Baba shrine during this trip of theirs to Mumbai. So, off we went.

Our road trip began half an hour past schedule at 4:30 am. Sleepy and already tired that I was, I drifted fast asleep only to wake up at 6 am outside a huge out-of-the-way dhaba. As I stepped out to sip a cup of coffee, I felt the winter chill after days. The realization that I was out of bounds of the city was reason enough to get me out of sleep. Wrapped in my mom’s shawl, I witnessed the quiet composure around, the cracking of dawn and the slowly fading night. It’s strange how nature can have such wondrous effect on us. 

Preparing for the long road ahead

Peeping Sun

Once in Shirdi, the ambiance completely changed. There was an air of urgency in spite of the calm that faith demands. It was evident that people had travelled miles and spent recklessly to be there. I recalled our driver, Madan, pointing out a few touristy trekkers and mentioning how they would walk their way to the shrine and probably make it there in the next 3 days. Extraordinary were their ways and perhaps, I would never comprehend why.

After spending two hours amidst elated devotees, walking long queues and hurriedly gorging on butter chappatis, we decided to head back. In the five hours back home, I must have exhausted every second missing my camera. Every meter that we sped by was pictorial enough to be captured and framed. 

Vast windy fields

We passed huge rocky hills lined with a dozen white wind mills, a clear blue lake, cotton and tomato fields; women selling ripe tempting guavas on the street; small villages that ended as soon as they began; men in white dhotis riding a bike to their fields; lavish resorts living up to the demands of those craving a piece of both nature and luxury. In the midst of deserted fields and roads, I saw shambled red brick houses that were so beautifully demolished that I began to wonder if it was intentional.

Sea green, see blue

                    

                         Discovered these five little puppies playing around in a corner

I could go on but my words wouldn’t truly describe the rich panorama that pleased and thrilled me for long hours today.

Perhaps, the Big Man up there has a way of getting us to love him. One way or the other.

P.S. Pictures clicked with the 5 megapixel camera in my phone. I guess, some things are just so beautiful that they don’t even require to be well captured. :)