Celebrating 5 Years Anniversary of 'My Yatra Diary'

I’m not sure what I’ll do, but— well,

I want to go places and see people.

I want my mind to grow.

I want to live where things happen on a big scale.

― F. Scott Fitzgerald

It’s been a long time... But today, for some reason, it doesn't feel so. I don’t feel the depth of time. Not before, I sit down and flip back the pages. Like the colors of a morning sun slowly splashing its magic on the chalky canvas of the twilight sky, the grainy hues of nostalgia come creeping in...

Precious moments, fleeting emotions, countless memories flutter across…

shaping 290 posts, 1840 days, and God knows how many words.

Even as this occasion calls for a gala celebration of words itself… the irony remains: words betray, as was the case some 5 years (and 13 days) back. I confess, even when the entire world might look like moving at a lightening speed, nothing really changes for me. Words are still not easy to come by, they are greased just like moments; slipping away faster than they arrive. Seems like mind finds joy in its own little games that it has got to play.

Anyway, the fact remains. 5 years and I have managed to continue writing. Something. And, all credits go to her: She’s really been a wonderful companion all these years.

My small little Yatra diary.

Meandering down the paths, crisscrossing turns left and right and dodging speed-breakers up and down, it’s a good feeling to have finally reached somewhere. She’s been a great company all along, someone who’s managed to melt the crust of my exteriors away and shown me a new perspective for life… something I am yet to fully uncover and explore. It's going to take a lot of time, considering my snail speed but even for the tiny glimpse that I see, I will always be eternally grateful to her.

Here are a few doodles I managed to scribble while thinking about things learnt, also unlearnt in my 5 years journey with my blog and travel blogging...

The practice of art isn't to make a living. It's to make your soul grow. ~ Kurt Vonnegut

There is no footprint so small, that it cannot leave an imprint on this world. ~ Unknown

I would like to travel the world with you twice. Once, to see the world.
Twice, to see the way you see the world. ~ Unknown

In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems.

You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you,

but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art. ~ Rumi

Can't really thank you enough... for all your time, visiting and gracing my little diary with your priceless blessings, footprints and well wishes through all these years. It was only because of your motivation and constant encouragement that I have survived this long perhaps. Thank you, for filling colors on the chalky canvas of my sky... Thank you, for adding beautiful melody and music to my otherwise common song...

... THANK YOU ...

YOU, touched a part of my soul.

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Since we are celebrating the completion of 5 years of this diary, I thought of compiling a list showcasing the power of 5! So, here it is, the TOP 5 posts of 'My Yatra Diary' based on pageviews of all time (November 2009 to December 2014).

5 POSTS WHICH HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME - ALL TIME HIGHEST PAGEVIEWS:

Samadhi Temple of Sai Baba in Shirdi  : 57152 pageviews

Festive colors of Ganesh Chaturthi (Mumbai Pandals) : 46890 pageviews

ISKCON Temple, Delhi : 44823 pageviews

Planning the Char Dham Yatra - Accomodation, Travel Route Map and Itinerary : 39782 pageviews

Rishikesh - Where to Stay, Eat (Swami Dayananda Ashram) : 34291 pageviews

TIME FOR AN ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!

Just a quick note to say that the #MyCollegeDiaries Contest is still on! Participate NOW and you could win your share from cash prizes worth Rs. 10,000!