In the middle of August, I was in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. While driving from Chamba to my native place Tissa, I bypassed long lines of pilgrims on their way to Manimahesh -- the well known abode of Lord Shiva in the Bharmour tribal area. Most of the pilgrims were barefoot. There were men, women and children. I could make out from their appearances that they were from Bhaderwah -- a hilly area in Jammu and Kashmir contiguous to Chamba district.
On my return from Tissa to Chamba, I saw these people from the terrace of a friend's house. Initially, I watched them a bit indifferently. Then something struck me powerfully. Can I do what they are doing? Can I walk barefoot from Bhaderwah to Manimahesh with a heavy bag strapped to my back and my three years old daughter astride my shoulders? Do I have the face of faith these people have?
The answers to all these questions were negative. It was only then that I realised these were not ordinary men and women. It was only then that I looked at these people with awe verging on reverence.
The following pictures of these people I took after the realisation are my little tribute to their FAITH.
On my return from Tissa to Chamba, I saw these people from the terrace of a friend's house. Initially, I watched them a bit indifferently. Then something struck me powerfully. Can I do what they are doing? Can I walk barefoot from Bhaderwah to Manimahesh with a heavy bag strapped to my back and my three years old daughter astride my shoulders? Do I have the face of faith these people have?
The answers to all these questions were negative. It was only then that I realised these were not ordinary men and women. It was only then that I looked at these people with awe verging on reverence.
The following pictures of these people I took after the realisation are my little tribute to their FAITH.
