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swapnagangadharan · 7 months

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The world of the Universe..

Do you hear it? Do you listen to it? Are you aware about it? There are secrets of the universe and yet it’s an open book baring it’s heart to all, accepting whoever wants to listen it. My life has inexplicably changed and how. 2023 is truly special because it’s challenging, all consuming and exploratory in every possible way. My connection and love for dogs has been eternal which my dear ones…

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swapnagangadharan · 1 year

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The Invisible Woman

It’s ironic that I am writing this on a day, a month that celebrates ‘Woman’s day’. And I am one of those who completely despises the concept of a day for anything except festivals. The fact is that one requires a DAY to celebrate love, women, father, mother’s days to prove to all and sundry that we exist. And what is celebration?? Buying red roses and expensive gifts and dinners to prove love,…

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#feminism #invisiblewomen #vulnerable #womanday #women

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swapnagangadharan · 1 year

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A story and beyond..

I have done it all, mostly. I am not saying this as a bragging right, or as a world weary person. But as someone in her 40’s who has led a life in a zig zag and absurdly contrasting with every decade that I feel exhausted when I look back. Hell I feel like a 70+ year old with all the stories I have experienced! And then I wonder how extraordinary it has been so far. Every year to every decade has…

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swapnagangadharan · 1 year

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An ambiguous blog

I had written a blog with full on enthusiasm a few days ago, due to time constraints I couldn’t edit before posting it and in a few days so many events happened, not at all coincidental which made me reconsider to post that blog as it seems very frivolous now. Life sometimes makes you stop and take a good look at yourself. This is an ambiguous post about an ambiguous feeling and emotion, that’s…

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#emotions #experience #explorations #hindu #hindusim #humans #lifelessons #mahavakyas #selfworth #sentient #soul #upanishads #life #love

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swapnagangadharan · 1 year

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A day in a Dog’s life

As I write this, it will be three weeks since one giant furball with her drool and saliva left us physically.. And since then I have seen only darkness, inky black darkness, a colour that I didn’t think existed around me and within me. My Bella, my whole, my whole whole, my daughter, my mother, my life and literally the centre of my universe for almost 10 years and just like that she chose to…

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#child #dog #grief #lifelessons #loss #mother #pets #sorrow #life

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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The Journey

What can I say about this unbelievable journey ? If you told me a year ago that I would be cycling in the Himalayas I would have laughed on your face. Forget Himalayas, I never imagined I would cycle again to begin with. It told me we need catalysts in our life who without knowing trigger it within us, because that’s their role. To be that, to move us forward. They will never know it but that’s…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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A wise decision and an awesome day - Part XII

A wise decision and an awesome day – Part XII

The moment I woke up, Archana still resting in bed said, ‘I am not doing it.’ And I was still in conflict. Well this is me. My stomach was making noises inside, it was not a good feeling and yet like an idiot I dressed up in my gear still indecisive, that’s me also. Archana to her credit didn’t push me to go nor goaded me to stay. It was my journey, my decision. I had to do that. Sonam called to…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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The Aftermath, Tensions and Lessons - Part XII

The Aftermath, Tensions and Lessons – Part XII

The moment I reached where Vikram and Archana stopped, I saw Swati pedalling in confusion. She was like why did you stop? I want to cycle all the way to the hotel. Btw the hotel was another 7-8 kms away. Archana said this is it, I am done. The moment she said it, Swati said it’s ok then, if you are stopping then I will too 😊 I wouldn’t miss this opportunity now would I?? I told her, why do you…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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The harrowing back breaking ride to Leh - Part XI

The harrowing back breaking ride to Leh – Part XI

Sonam said he had arranged for the hotel to give us some bread toast and jam at 6.30 am so we could start early but the moment we came down no one woke up. That’s how it’s usually there. Forget bread toast, the kitchen was empty and the hotel staff was sleeping. Somehow Sonam woke up a couple of them and told them to get us Chai and some bread at least, as the butter was over. Then Archana told…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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La Mayuru to Saspol - Part X

La Mayuru to Saspol – Part X

That terrible feeling, as I dressed up in my cycling gear that morning was unbelievable. Zero energy, head was spinning and the mention of food would make me throw up. Archana told me to keep sipping ORS water- 2 litres before cycling and keep having more while cycling. She was a life saver. She gave me lots of ORS packets, calmly told me if I wanted to sit out for this for some time it’s ok. I…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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First comes the good, then not so good and bad - Part IX

First comes the good, then not so good and bad – Part IX

It was so hot as we walked upto the monastery. The place was overflowing with tourists, doors of vehicles snapping open and shut, noisy and of course going trigger happy with instant pics and reels or whatever. We focused on entering the main temple where the altar was, and it was sad, really sad to see a sign saying, ‘You are entering into holy premises, please wear decent clothes’ Really? That…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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The stay at Bodh Karbu & Fotu La pass & the next destination - Part VIII

The stay at Bodh Karbu & Fotu La pass & the next destination – Part VIII

Our stay at Bodh Karbu was memorable. The Ladakhi family running it were simple, very friendly and warm. They kept giving us chais, even their home made butter tea that was absolutely delicious. Please note this, if you ever are this side, don’t stay at hotels but Homestays and definitely don’t drink butter tea from restaurants, you will gag. Home made ones are slightly salty, texture is amazing…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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To Bodh Karbu via Namik la Pass - Part VII

To Bodh Karbu via Namik la Pass – Part VII

We were eager to get out of Kargil as soon as possible, trying our best to avoid traffic as it was already increasing. Army trucks, transport lorries, speeding cars, the whole lot, one should have a specific course just to teach how to deal with this! And was it hot, the moment we left the town, it was an instant uphill! Yup concrete roads all on uphill with beating sun already at 8 am! I am…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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The ‘Easiest day’ of the journey - Part VI

The ‘Easiest day’ of the journey – Part VI

The Homestay at Drass was tiny and comfortable and four of us camped together in one room while Vikram had a room of his own. With 4 rooms and only one bathroom used for guests and staff it was a constant opening and closing and waiting for the bathroom to get empty 😊 Luckily besides us with Sonam and Karma there was no one yet. The cook was from Dehradun and he and his brother ran the Homestay.…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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The route to a pass and Freedom - Part V -III

The route to a pass and Freedom – Part V -III

Have you experienced Freedom?Think again, think hard. In every possible way freedom? Unbridled, unrestricted, no if’s and but’s, no fallback plan? Just free fall Freedom? And am not talking about bungee jumping or sky diving or none of those adventurous roller coaster rides where that too is in someone else’s control? A Freedom where for the first time in your life you have the reins in your…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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The route to a pass and Freedom - Part V - II

The route to a pass and Freedom – Part V – II

I was ahead and dying inside out as I pedalled uphill slowly, and I heard voices shouting towards me. It was the construction workers asking me where I was heading to. Panting but still smiling I said Drass for that was our destination. Immediately they invited me for some chai, take a break and even though I wanted to keep going and not stop, how could I refuse? And so I did, standing with the…

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swapnagangadharan · 2 years

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The route to a Pass and freedom - Part V - I

The route to a Pass and freedom – Part V – I

We also got some news from Sonam, it was a Friday and it was a road maintenance day and no vehicles would be allowed, it had come to a standstill, would we be allowed? Then we decided to head out anyways, who would restrict folks on cycles? We were 6 including Karma and a small support van. And that decision to move ahead became a blessing indeed. The crowded Sonamarg of yesterday seemed like a…

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