My Pillar Of Support- Lord Shiva

The sky and the hill mingled as a serene whirl of wind passed by, gently caressing my skin. The sky was lit with exquisite shades of light perfectly blended with a slight plumage of pink. In front of me stood my childhood dream, "CHAR DHAM, NAMCHi". As my grandma had filled my brain with the description of the riveting beauty of the deity's statue, I couldn't help always wanting to visit there someday.

It was early monsoon, and the scent of musk intertwined with the wet earth mud surrounded me. I waded through the sludge perkily, determined to reach the temple in no time to let my eyes behold the auspicious sight of our deity.

The climb went by in a blink of an eye. I couldn't hold my elation as I was about to take the first step to enter the temple.

The moment I walked in, I was left awestruck by the captivating beauty of the place. The ambience was tranquil and soulful, and every bit of it was as beautiful as my mother's hum. The air was filled with the fragrance of fresh, ravishing flowers and incense sticks. The place was buzzing with Lord Shiva's devotees. The familiar comforting warmth of being in my little bubble, in my querencia, was all I felt.

The cacophony of birds harmonized with the ringing of bells and the tinkling of bangles. As I walked closer to the deity's image, I could feel myself being encapsulated in a strong aura. An aura of empowerment, spirituality.

As I finally took in the whole statue, my heart exploded with happiness. I felt the presence of an almighty power there. Who stood in front of me was my mentor, guide, guru, inspiration - a 5 in 1 personality. But that's only for me, for others it might be so much more. I felt more ecstatic than ever before. The lit white marble statue that lay in front of me wasn't just any ordinary one. It embodied the beliefs of millions of Indians, carrying in it the strength to give blessings and eternal courage and power to each and every one of its creations, whether us humans or the minuscule insects present there. The temple might look archaic for an atheist, but for us devotees, it is our pillar of strength. The place in itself was a transcendental realm of the believers.

After taking the darshan, I stood at the calm corner of the temple. I reminisced the view I just encountered. It was without any doubt the best view my eyes have ever got the chance to behold. It oozed assurance, benevolence, and pure love. The whirling wind, the harmonized sounds, the mesmerizing vivid landscapes, all of it screamed the dawn of knowledge and peace. It was a sign of a new beginning with all the best facilities and intentions one could gather.

Just then, I saw a flock of heaven-bound birds that looked as magnificent as the glistening, wind-dappled ocean water under the influence of the radiant sun. These reminded me of my independence, and they are the gods' Messengers who reminded me of my existence as a free soul amidst this Wonderland. They evoked within me the paroxysm of realization and elation and encouraged me to make the most remarkable and exquisite arcs in the sky of opportunities that destiny has presented me. Now as I glanced at the sky, it dawned on me that 4 hrs had passed; it was almost time for sunset. The sun sank behind the hills, lighting the ivory white clouds with roseate, copper, and lemon yellow. Soon, the shades of grey blended with the glow as evening gave way to twilight.

This was my first solo trip, and a life-changing one. Every element of nature has a unique teaching to offer. I know that I can't name all of them; however, some of the cornerstones that it taught are discipline, honesty, and the importance of being genuine and hardworking.

To this day, whenever I feel low, under-confident, or a shudder down my spine trying to compel me to give up, all I do is close my eyes, take in a deep, calm breath, and place both my hands on my heart. I ask myself to recall that pleasant day, that immense power, and that father-like figure who is always with me, ready to guide me whenever necessary. It reminds me that failure, weakness, loss are all integral parts of life. Just like the storms which play an important role in controlling nature's balance by filtering the world, these carve our way towards success, making sure that only the ones who deserve it thrive in their lives.