Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?
The piece contrasts the serene beauty of beaches with the majestic allure of mountains, exploring personal reflections during a trek in the Himalayas from Gangotri to Gomukh. The author captures breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and the deeper connections between land and sea, ultimately emphasizing the inherent value in both natural forms of beauty.
Travelling through a serpentine hilly road, the taxi stopped at a small destination. Tintinnabulation declared that the place was a religious one. There was an imposing but simple white temple at a distance of a stone’s throw. This was Gangotri, situated in the lap of the Himalayas. Here, the Ganga is Bhagirathi turns to the North after travelling about sixteen Kilometers from its origin, Gomukh. Ganga “Uttari” or Ganga turning North. After an overnight rest, my trek for Gomukh was to start from here. I strolled around and tried to capture the ambience in my heart and fill my lungs with sweet-scented clean air. Towering peaks, lush green surroundings, and gushing Ganga were stunningly beautiful.
In the morning, I started trekking. The beaten path was narrow and risky. Flanked by shining large boulders on one side and about hundred feet deep canyon with the roaring river on its bed on the other. As the trek advanced, the scene also changed. The tall Pine trees were gradually replaced by Birch trees and soon they also vanished. A few feet away, across the river, was a stunningly beautiful peak that stood tall and accompanied me for a fairly long distance. It was Shivlinga Peak, lofty and awesomely beautiful.
Trek from Gangotri to Gaumukh is tough. Situated at 4023 meters above sea level, Gaumukh is known for its glacier, the origin of the river Bhagirathi (Ganga). The river, embracing several subsidiaries on its way, reaches Dev Prayag in Uttarakhand State of India and becomes Ganga. Trek passes through some of the most picturesque sites. With surrounding mountains, rocky flats and steep decline followed by equally steep inclination, the path passes among Green Pine and Birch trees. Chirping birds and the musical rippling sound of the flowing river were my constant companions, who kept me refreshed and upbeat. The scenario was mesmerizingly beautiful. The towering peaks of Bhagirathi, Shivaling and Satopanth look awesome. Beautiful towering mountains and steep gorges caused horripilation. As height increased gradually tree lines became less distinct and eventually disappeared, leading to rocky terrain. The white boulders reflect UV rays that pass through thin air and scorch unprotected skin to charcoal black.
The evening was descending, and soon a veil of darkness would cover the entire rocky, barren landscape. A kilometre away from Gomukh, I paused in Bhojwasa, planning to visit it the next morning.
Watching the wild beauty of Gomukh was an experience inexpressible. The deafening loud bang of falling chunks of the glacier was simply a terrifying beauty. The site of the huge glacier with a river coming out of it was enchanting and terror-striking.
Standing at a beach and watching cerulean water with a fine mosaic of sand and overhanging tall palm trees gives immense pleasure. The sea appears comparatively calm and shallow. The variety of aquatic fauna adds an extra hue to the whole environment. The clear azure sky, sometimes with patches of drifting cottony clouds, adds beauty and serenity. The crowdy atmosphere on the ground and playful children and adults add another dimension but break the placidity of the spot. It becomes a place akin to a carnival.
Mother Nature manifests herself in many ways, and each of her forms is unique and beautiful. She is seen in her wild form at hills where the whole surrounding is beautiful but challenging. Watching the sea evokes a sense of depth and volume. The restless waves rush to the shore and wash away things around. People draw pleasure in writing something romantic and then watching it washed away with glee. Sea beaches and sea shore gives pleasure but with a sense of security provided people behave properly.
Snorkelling or diving with a Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) is the processes that take a person closer to the sea and allow them to see different and vivid life forms. The sea looks comparatively calm, but inside, it is a vast aquatic world which is vibrant and vivacious. Varieties of aquatic flora and fauna and their behaviour are exhilarating. Marine life is diverse and enchanting, with a marked difference from terrestrial life.
The joy and thrill of watching sunrise and sunset, standing at the southernmost tip of peninsular India is inexpressible. It is difficult to describe the vastness, depth and restlessness of the sea. During sunrise, the sun appears, coming out of the womb of the vast sea. The large crimson ball looks stunning against the dark seawater. The feeling of hope and achievement results when watching the sunrise on the sea. Similarly, during sunset, the beauty of the deep scarlet ball gradually goes down the horizon beyond the sea. It arouses hope as well. A hope of tomorrow, a hope of doing worthwhile and one more day to thank Almighty for creating such a beautiful world and also for making us a part of it.
The creation of nature is always unique, and no two creations are ever repeated. The myriad of life forms and lifeless entities is mesmerizingly beautiful and often beyond comprehension. While humans have understood various processes that govern the world, many aspects remain unexplored and await discovery and discussion.
It is impossible to compare any two things gifted by nature due to the uniqueness of every creation, whether animate or inanimate, alive or dead. Despite this, the subjectivity of the human mind often leads to comparisons between vast seas and lofty mountains, though such comparisons are ultimately unproductive.
Land and water are living entities, vibrant and life-sustaining. They have intricate energy cycles and food webs that are interrelated. It is fascinating to watch how animals and plants depend on one another, and the diversity of life offers a multitude of visual and tactile experiences.
As a Nature lover, it is a hard thing to choose between the two, that is a beach or a mountain. Both, though seen apart, are interrelated and interdependent. Monsoon arrives with moisture received from the ocean and pours into the plains of India thousands of Kilometers away from the sea. The river water of a perennial river or its tributaries pours into the sea after Kilometers of journey. Land life would be difficult in the absence of the sea. It is why the sea has also been personified, and Ramayana, the famous epic, is described vividly as the conquer of the sea by Lord Rama, who was told by the humbled sea the way to cross it.
The sea and mountains are equally beautiful and challenging. The thrill and awe of watching them are equal, too. Nature needs to be watched and appreciated in totality, not in isolation. Even a Hovering insect on a lone flower or a swimming frog can look beautiful and raise inquiry.
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