High Tea in the Mountains..!

The Mountain air is stimulating to the spirit, it can build up an appetite as we explore the mountain stream..in seconds there can be a drifting cloud who will with careless abandon change the weather clock. You are left wondering why you did not carry your jackets and raincoats..at that moment you remember your favorite hot 'chai' to bring the chatter back and enjoy the serenity and the music of the flowing n healing waters around you..!

**For more on the best green tea of Kangra Valley..Click here..!

Buddha Chat

The Buddha is an eternal figure not measured by years, by age or by the passing seasons. There are many Buddhas in our heart. One which can cry like a child in its acute sense of desire, it can weep when it loses an object or person of great love ! 

Life is a journey...a roaming ant, once in its curiosity came across a loose strand of hair of the Buddha. Surely it thought this must be the aging of mankind. It went to the Buddha and was surprised that even while he sat on his scanty grass mat, his body emaciated  with days of fasting, his eyes closed in deep trance,  there were still the heart beats of a free soul which could be heard.  !!

A Life purchase must be a Prayer..Know your Buddha at Buddha Bazaar !

Rosewood Table Memories...Vidya Niwas, Dharamsala !

 In all the furniture in the house, there is a certain feeling of ' lived in ', they all have played center stage in our daily life. Most important I have seen my pets almost all of them, develop their own rapport and bond with them...my favorite rosewood table has seen many journeys made by them..as it tells you..

" A birthday celebration was always something to look forward to, on any day. It was special not just for the person for whom the cake was decorated, but also for me as I was stocked with gifts, food, wine and laughter. 

It was on one such occasion, when along with all the gifts my Mistress received a beautiful gift of  life in a sparkling bag..a dancing gold fish Mandaline, who peered at us from her water screen. The immediate task of getting an aquarium took some time, but she soon had her own home which I think gave her more space to antic around than a water jar. Soon there were many others of her own species who joined her company.

The coming spring was like a rush of adrenaline, with "Handsome', a beautiful gold fish, to romance around with Mandaline. They were like a whirlpool in the aquarium..running around the corners, hiding in the bush plant, riding atop a bubble and racing for food..!

Alas ! the good days did not last, Handsome tragically passed away and left a void in Mandaline's life. Everyone tried to cheer her up but she griefed in her sorrow by hiding under the stone. Other gold fishes were brought along with  the best  of  aquarium toys which she loved, but even the best worms did not appeal her or bring her happiness in her solitude. We gave up and I could see the Mistress was worried. 

One fine day, the little master brought the Black Moore called the Black Prince. No one accepeted him in the aquarium. He was a different hue altogether, till this happened..in her solitude and with the passing of time, Mandaline was slowly loosing her say inside the water politics...she was often brushed aside by the other younger gold fishes, but come this day, the Black Prince came to her rescue and shooed them away..from then on they becoame the best of friends..a companionship which only comes in the muted sunset of our life... Mandaline once again had found joy in her soulmate...!

Like the many seasons of our life, every association has its own flavor n joy..!!

Memoirs of a Rose Table..Tea with the Gods !

" The best part of my Mistress was, that she lifted the mundane to the spiritual...I , a rosewood table  was never just a piece of simple furniture lying in the house.  I was nurtured, polished with loving hands and always repaired on time as the years crept by..the children grew but, till today I remember the High Tea of the Gods and the little girl who, with the genius of the Divine, created a new perception of the Almighty.

I often with envy, wished myself to be with the children of the house, in a garden tea party. The mindless chattering and playing of the kids, made me leave behind my gathering years..and so one mystical afternoon when the sun was low and there was the sound of thunder in the yonder hills, I found myself in the midst of a chidlren high tea party.  There were small baby sandwiches, french pastries straight from the Barbie oven, little tea cups n tea pot..teddy bears, dolls and glow worms as guests, along with our pet dogs..! There was so much preparation and excitement, that my Mistress with her kind humor told the children that she was expecting the Gods for tea today.

As the evening crept by, much was forgotten..a half cleared table and spilled food crumbs..the children had gone and everyone was busy with their evening chores. As can happen a sudden crash of thunder and the rain poured in !  With a loud rumbling of the clouds, the power crashed in too and for some  miraculous moments there was darkness..till the little girl in the house suddenly chirped " Oh Mom ! look the Gods have come for tea and sure enough almost like magic,  there I was glowing with the glow worm toys, beautifully lighted and comforting in the dark..! "

..Very often, the perception of God for children is innocent of all image..anything or anyone that can give comfort n laughter can warranty patronage from them..!

                                                    For a Himalayan Tea Buzz...Click Here !

Memoirs of Rosewood Table..Of Food & Pets, 2012 !

There is so much which centers around the dining table which, has seen many hungry and happy faces reach a state of fulfillment, pleasure and happiness..

" While there are many moments which I will never forget with the Gurung family, I cannot but help remember the old chief of the Vidya Niwas pet family..Tabu !

From what I can remenber..Tabu alias Tumba got his name from the children due to his great  fondness and should I say 'greed' for good home food. The rising aroma  of  melted cheese on minced lamb, chicken and mashed potatoes, very often drifted into a home surrounded by guests, children..not to forget the other pet members..Bozo !

I speak of a day with great pride because no one could have received better attention and a guard on duty, like I did. It was a sunday and there was as usual, a spirit of expectation among all children and pets alike, for the good food to come on the table. Alas ! the little white dog,  Bozo could not resist the good appetising smell of a loaded table with  an array of delicious food. He tried to jump on the table even as we waited for everyone to arrive for dinner...What a commotion..the black dog, Tabu guarding the food table like a baby sitter, suddenly sprang into action which such speed and aggression...Till today, it is difficult for all of us here in Vidya Niwas, to get him away from his old guarding habit when there is food on the table...Iam truely honored and treasured, not just by the Gurung family but, also by my beautiful black Himalayan dog..Tabu, truely mountain in his spirit..!!"

*Memoir dedicated to our dear and loving dog..Tabu.