Best of Yatra 2011: Flashback

Yes, 2011 is all set to bid us Goodbye!

But before we close down the curtains... It’s time to pause and look back... time to muse over  a pile of reminisces... time to thank for all the good it gave to us and time to pray for peace and a better tomorrow... It's time to relive an entire journey of 365 days in a few moments...

It's time to reflect and rewind, and to walk on the sand dune of memories…

My Yatra Diary... Posts Recap:

Picked out from the archives, a recap of My Yatra Diary... January through December, 2011 compiled together in pictures accompanied with a short excerpt and the link of that article... Hope you enjoy going through it..

JANUARY

There is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather - John Ruskin

Moody Weather Photographs from the Mumbai- Nashik Highway

FEBRUARY

Living in a crowded suburb of Mumbai and having experienced the crowds first hand, I have to admit I had never seen anything like what was before me that day. The sheer number of people overwhelmed me...

Travelling With a Purpose - Magh Mela, Allahabad

MARCH

One of the most awaited festivals – The festival of color, HOLI - is finally here! Today is Dhuleti and this post comes amidst all the vibrant fun and frolic, singing and merrymaking that's happening right now in many parts all over the country!

Holika Dahan, Celebrating the Festival of Holi

APRIL

So these stones that you see in the river… These are not ordinary stones, Beti! They are Lord Vishnu. Pray to them with a sincere heart… They will make all your wishes come true!

Harsil - A Beauty Untouched in the Garhwal Himalayas

MAY

There are days when you just bring out some old photos, old scribblings, old notes; to do nothing but to sit amidst a bundle of memories that you treasure and would never want to lose…

Hurray! 100 Posts Completed

JUNE

I stood there outside…starring at the temple for several long minutes...It’s a dream to be at this holy place and God calls only the lucky ones to His abode…The sound of my elders echoed deep in my ears… I felt highly blessed… for I felt like I was among the chosen few…

Badrinath Dham

JULY

For the next ten minutes or so… we did not move, nor spoke… just stood transfixed and gaped in awe and admiration at Nature’s own wonder miracle unfolding before our eyes …

Sunrise at the Neelkanth Peak in Badrinath

AUGUST

Mom, it’s raining so heavy today!

The RainGods are bathing Lord Shiva dear…

As a small child, I remember such instances quite vividly.

For me, it was just the dark clouds and the cool breeze of the rainy season that came along in the months of July-August.

But for her (read my mother) it was a little bit more…

Lord Shiva Temple in Ambernath during the month of Shravan

SEPTEMBER

1.

‘Bagha Bagha! Lalbaghcha Raja Disto Aahe!’ (Look! The Lord is now visible! ) It’s just 20 min or so in the queue… A glimpse so soon, How? I wonder. But a single step forward, a slight curve in the queue and yes, its indeed Him!

Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati Pandal in Mumbai

2.

So, pack your bags and bundle up your woes… Get ready to join me, as I embark on a yatra (pilgrimage) of a slightly different kind… The Festive Ganesh Yatra… And let’s together enjoy this spirited carnival!

Festive Colors of Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganpati Pandal Hopping in Mumbai

OCTOBER

1.

Many years ago, a solitary figure clothed in a loin cloth, firmly holding on to his stick of principles and ideologies, set out on an expedition…

On the 142nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, also fondly known as Bapu and renowned world over as The Father of the Nation, just spare a few moments to ponder on His wisdom, teachings and invaluable contributions to the rich history of India…

In the Honor of Bapu - Celebrating His Birth Anniversary with a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad

2.

By the time, I climb back again, the sun is all set kissing the horizon and the steps are fully occupied. The chit-chatter amongst the crowd has risen substantially and so has the anticipation for the Ganga arti to commence.

A Tryst with the Evening Ganga Arti at Haridwar

NOVEMBER

1.

Cards, letters, and poems - they were all there... Oh, when and how I had forgotten about them...?! Soon enough, I found myself buried in a heap of memories, going through the scribblings, chuckling to myself, getting reflective over some, while finding others quite childish. I ended up spending the whole afternoon rummaging through the letters that had gathered dust over time and found utmost joy in wiping them off. Ah... Memories!

Miss You Ma...

2.

Thus, If I witness celebrate this day today by writing this post, it’s only because of You... You have encouraged, supported and contributed to the growth of the diary… You are the reason it has all been possible! I have nothing more to say except a -- BIG THANK YOU!!!

Celebarting 2 Years of Togetherness!

DECEMBER

A constant companion throughout my journey... It was difficult to part with Her and say goodbye at the end of my yatra...

River Ganga and Quotes from scriptures: Photographical Memories from the Himalayas

What People came looking for in 'My Yatra Diary...' this Year... Some Facts, Stats and Figures:

1. Top 12 Search Results for My Yatra Diary... in 2011 -

Pages Overview Summary for the year

1. ISKCON Temple Delhi - 6318 Pageviews

2. Festive Colors of Ganesh Chaturthi - Pandal Hopping 2010 - 5569 Pageviews

3. Salasar Balaji Temple, Rajasthan - 5316 Pageviews

4. Samadhi Temple of Sai Baba, Shirdi - 4151 Pageviews

5. Khatu Shyamji Temple, Rajasthan - 3271 Pageviews

6. One of the oldest Living Banyan Trees, Kabirvad in Gujarat - 3178 Pageviews

7. Rani Sati Temple, Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan - 2731 Pageviews

8. Planning the Char Dham Yatra - Accomodation, Map, Itenary, etc - 2381 Pageviews

9. Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik, One of the 12 Jyotirlings - 2336 Pageviews

10. Diwali Celebrations in the Badrinath Temple - Char Dham Yatra - 2273 Pageviews

11. Enchanting Mother Ganga, Gangotri - Char Dham Yatra - 1762 Pageviews

12. Treks Beyond Badrinath - Swargarohini, Satopanth, Valley of Flowers, etc - 1620 Pageviews

2. Top 12 keywords for My Yatra Diary... -

Traffic Sources Overview for the year

1. iskcon temple delhi - 619 Visits
2. Salasar balaji temple - 429 Visits
3. ganpati decoration - 411 Visits
4. kabirvad - 396 Visits
5. valley of flowers - 315 Visits
6. harsil - 303 Visits
7. sai baba - 265 Visits
8. pilot baba - 248 Visits
9. char dham yatra map - 211 Visits
10. trimbakeshwar - 195 Visits
11. iskcon temple - 192 Visits
12. khatu shyam temple - 186 Visits

And Finally...

Happy New Year Everyone!
Keep Blogging And Keep Smiling :)