Kullu
Manali –
The
Valley Of The Gods
Kullu
Valley, referred to as the valley of the Gods for eons,
The
cynosure, the best of the Himachal region,
Where
the Hindu legends believe,
The
sage Manu got out of his ark, a sigh heaved
After
the great flood in the world so devastating.
An
ancient temple dedicated to the sage is still existing.
On
both sides of the roads are crevasses,
Presenting
deep awesome gorges.
Higher
up, the gorges seem to be lost
In
unknown, in nothingness mysterious.
Surely,
erosion or geologic uplifts have resulted in years,
Those
gorges and the snow-capped peaks and dramatic glaciers.
The flowing rivers, dales, and deep valleys,
All
simply present a relaxing, picturesque topography.
Blueish
in colour in some areas,
Partly
covered in mist in other areas
It
all looks like a fairy land, with appeal celestial,
As
if they were the abode of the beings, spiritual!
The
thick deodar forests, luxuriant,
The
Great Himalayan National Park, exuberant,
Manali
Sanctuary, Rohtang Pass, Solang enthralling,
With
waterfalls in a few places, so mesmerizing.
No
doubt, seekers of adventures can engage in rock climbing,
Adventure
on bikes, river rafting and snow scootering.
The
hill station attracts many tourists, being panoramic,
With
its abundance of extravagant boutiques and spa, all so dramatic.
For
treating skin ailments, well known, the Hot Water Springs
Situated
across the Beas River, a treat it brings
To
tourists from distant lands or to lovers
If
drained of stamina, can cool under the heavenly bowers.
Manali,
Jawaharlal Nehru’s favourite destination presumably
Offers
therapeutic effects mentally and spiritually.
With
its fresh air and, the panoramic views, inviting
To
capture in photography, the reality so enchanting,
The
cherished souvenir becoming,
A
joy for ever, with beauty thrilling.
Black
River Gorges
National
Park - Mauritius
The
mesmerising Black River Gorges National Park covering
An
area of 6,574 hectares, all breath-taking,
Offers
one of the most panoramic views,
From
the top seen in different hues
Dark
green, deep blue,
With
hills rolling down often lost in a mist.
Like
in a dream land full of mist.
One
can walk along the greenery
Reach
the highest point, view the amazing scenery,
Which is the Black River Peak.
The
paradisiacal island’s highest peak.
The
stretch of azure blue and green protects
Most
of the island's remaining rainforest,
And
is home to flora and fauna of many species.
It harbours many endangered endemic bird
species,
Nine
of them found only in Mauritius
To
name a few, the pink pigeon, the Mauritian kestrel
The
emerald green Echo parakeet, all endemic to the island
Tell
many conservation stories, remarkably.
The
dodo’s demise has awakened protection intensely,
And
managing endangered species has become a priority.
Currently,
Black River Gorges National Park
Is
home to three hundred species of birds
To
name a few Mauritian birds,
The lovely white paille en queue, flying fox,
Cuckoo-shrike,
bulbul, olive white-eye, and grey-white eye fody,
The
saved kestrel, pink pigeon and parakeet,
All flying leisurely, enhance the verdant
landscape.
The
colourful birds chirping gaily,
Panoramic
views to keep nature lovers happy,
Those
who want to do hiking or bird watching
Or
engage in some juicy tropical fruits plucking
Are welcome to enjoy in the many picnic areas,
Forget
harassing troubles, breathe the pure fresh air,
And
leave relaxed, with much beauty in their mind’s eye.
The
Seascape Of
Pointe
Jerome
The
traveller cannot but stop to be lured
By
the warm sea azure,
The
seascape of Pointe Jerome, really breath taking,
And
certainly enchanting,
With
the golden stretches of white sand,
In
this glamorous scenic land.
In
the background the Lion Mountain poses majestically
In
its sphinx-like profile, so grandly,
In the Bambous Range all vibrant,
Famous
for its native vegetation verdant,
And spectacular views.
With
teeming visitors amidst its heavenly hues.
Adjacently,
L’ile aux Aigrette lies in beauty.
A
coral island made up of limestone, rather tiny.
Home
to the last remnants of dry coastal forest,
Oh,
what a heavenly nest!
Once
found around most of Mauritius.
All
plenteous.
The
island was declared a nature reserve
In
a bid to preserve,
The
forest was restored,
And
rare species reintroduced.
Making
the island flourish,
And
its fauna to embellish,
What
more than this can visitors wish?
Pushmaotee
Subrun
Pushmaotee Subrun was born in 1949 in
Mauritius. She pursued higher studies in Delhi University where she graduated
in English. For the past forty-five years she has worked in secondary schools,
seven years of which she spent in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, teaching English in an
army school. She completed her PGCE at the Mauritius Institute of Education.
After her retirement, she was a member of the Council of the University of
Mauritius for three years. She is currently a reader and editor in the Ministry
of Arts and Culture. She is the author
of: ‘Ella’- a novel’. ‘Who is Your Best Friend?’- a play . ‘Short Stories and
Fables’- a compilation of stories and Fables. Her poems have featured in
prestigious online literary magazines such as ‘Setu e zine’, ‘Poetry and
Creativity’, ‘Atunis Poetry’ and ‘Destiny Poets’. In 2018, she was invited as a poet delegate
from Mauritius at the 4th International Multilingual Poets Meet in Vijayawada,
Andhra Pradesh, India. Her poem now features in Multilingual Poetry Anthology
of Amaravati Poetic Prism 2018 and Atunis Galaxy Anthology 2019. Her article
features in ‘Traumas on Widows’, an International Book of Articles and Poems
published by The Literati Council, India.