Whoever remarked of paradise being only within the heart was not blessed enough to admire the expansive outbacks that lie strewn across all of India.
Matheran is one such destination and it was sheer thoughtfulness that took me there.
V's text one Friday evening had me elated when he asked if i'd like to go along over the weekend. And, on a following Sunday morning when we set about, in the midst of nippy winter air, i had little clue of what was to come. Excitement turned into elation when we slipped out of the city and into unrestrained greenery, which to me is balm to the soul, or rather, its home.
Winding roads, thin clear air, rugged hills and rolling mountains later,
Matheran presented itself and welcomed us like home would its inhabitants. I cannot justly describe the sights and sounds, for they are much more and beyond words. But walking about untroubled by time or intention and purely ecstatic at taking in all the marvel that was, i soon reached a point of not wanting to return; of the need to disappear into the consoling wilderness and remain lost forever!
Humbled, and in awe, i was once again reassured by the verity that meaning and purpose are nothing more than the synonyms of nature, the marvels of creation.
I cannot thank
V and his friends enough for this splendid opportunity; the sojourn, feel, stillness, conversations. And
V, and his family, particularly for some delightfully homemade
Rajasthani fare of '
dal bati churma.'
I can at best sum up the day with one word, very distinctive of what it truly is - a 'blessing.'
And as i returned home and passed into time, another milestone, quite contrary of its just-relished predecessor stood in force to smother me - It was a Monday morning!
