SINDHU GHAT: This Ghat (a flight of few steps) on Sindhu (Indus) River is located around Shey. It’s at a distance of app. 10 kms, upstream on the River from Leh. The simple & obvious name of this focal point is “SINDHU GHAT”. Geographical facts indicate that the traditional source of Sindhu – “The Senge Khabab” or Lions Mouth, is a perennial spring which is not far from the sacred Mount Kailash in the neighbourhood of Lake Mansoravar, high on the Tibetan plateau; so why in Tibetan language, the river is known the “Lion River”. It then meanders through Ladakh hugging the Ladakh & Karakoram Range, met by major tributaries like Zanskar & Shyok in India; flows into Pakistan to be first met by Kabul River coming from Afghanistan & also being met by the 5 rivers of Punjab. It is the lifeline of Pakistan. The time spent there was an overload on the senses. In midst of framing photographs & shutter releases, realization dawned that this water body is what gives all of us an identity – nationally, culturally, emotionally........ All those various passages from history books read years ago – about how our sub-continent came to be named & known world over; how the river lent its name to one of the most important civilizations (Indus Valley Civilization) which flourished on its banks & its tributaries, albeit further downstream; & even today when we fill forms anywhere asking for our Nationality, this Rivers Name binds it all. I remembered my father mentioning (before embarking on this journey to Ladakh) that we should have a Darshan of this River. And so, with all these coalescing into a moment, I bent, picked up the cold glacial waters in my palm & sprinkled it over myself. I hope to, someday in the near future, return to this Ghat, & travel in Time.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:36:06 +0000