Aditi Raj

The breathtaking Lidder Valley of Kashmir. An altitude of 12,700 feet. And a centuries-old miracle.

Every year, as the summer peaks around late June or early July, the Amarnath Yatra begins. Thousands of seekers make their way to an ancient limestone and gypsum cave. Inside, a natural ice stalagmite forms drop by drop—revered as the 'Swayambhu' (self-manifested) Shivling. Historically, this delicate balance of nature and faith would stand tall for 45 to 60 days.

But this year, something shifted. The sacred ice formation that traditionally graced the cave for weeks melted within just one week of the pilgrimage starting. Within a single week.

This isn't just an environmental anomaly; it is a loud, glaring wake-up call from nature itself.

The Science Behind the Melting Faith

If we look at the geography and science of it, M.N. Koul, a glaciologist and former head at the University of Jammu, highlighted a crucial point. The intricate water pathways inside the mountains that drip to form this stalagmite are changing.

But why are they changing? The real culprit isn't the mountain; it's us.

Human Footfall & Body Heat: When thousands of people crowd into a closed cave ecosystem, the collective body heat drastically alters a highly fragile microclimate.

Rising Temperatures: Global warming is no longer just a textbook concept. While helipads and helicopter sorties have been regulated to an extent, introducing heavy human interference and fossil fuel emissions at such an altitude is bound to leave a devastating mark.

The "Content Over Devotion" Era

In today's landscape of digital media and mass communication, where every personal experience is treated as a content opportunity, the very nature of pilgrimage has evolved.

We are seeing a surge of crowds whose primary focus seems to lean more toward capturing the perfect, viral reel than experiencing actual devotion. Now, this doesn't mean content creators can't be genuine devotees. Faith and documenting memories can absolutely coexist. The real issue is how responsible we are when stepping into these highly fragile eco-zones.

Truth be told, we cannot pin the entire blame on influencers or creators. All of us—the general public—are equal stakeholders in this environmental degradation. We have normalized pollution in our daily lives to such an extent that we are now seeing the direct, real-time consequences of global warming melting away our heritage.

Can We "Fix" It?

When the news of the rapid melting broke, there were whispers about whether we could artificially extend the life of the Shivling by installing cooling systems or ACs.

Thankfully, this was met with strong objections. The entire spiritual essence of the Amarnath cave lies in its natural, self-manifested form. If we start artificially freezing the ice, it ceases to be a symbol of faith and turns into an ecological theme park.

Lord Shiva himself represents nature, change, and impermanence. This rapidly melting ice is perhaps a profound reminder that humans cannot, and should not try to, control nature.

The Path Forward: Eco-Spirituality

We cannot revere the Creator while actively destroying the creation. The next time we pack our bags for these breathtaking high-altitude terrains, we need to remember that going there is not just our right—it is a heavy responsibility.

Travel light. Leave the plastics behind. Be deeply mindful of your carbon footprint. Because if we don't act now, the majestic miracles of nature will be reduced to mere digital archives and old blog posts for our future generations.

Love & Peace 🤍

The other day, I was scrolling through Instagram and stumbled upon a viral reel claiming President Droupadi Murmu stated that Chief Ministers must resign if action isn't taken on specific criminal cases within 24 hours. Intrigued but skeptical, I did a quick fact-check and found out it was completely fabricated—the PIB Fact Check unit had already publicly debunked it as fake. Yet, there it was, still live on that influencer's page, racking up likes and misinforming thousands of people. This is the scary reality of the AI era: the old rule of "seeing is believing" is officially dead, and hyper-realistic, emotionally triggering content can be created and kept online by anyone in seconds.

​Today, random influencer reels and unverified pages play a massive role in aggressively misleading the public just for views and engagement, meaning we can no longer blindly trust every trending post. This naturally brings up a very fair question: If we have to do all this fact-checking ourselves, what are the journalists even doing?

​The answer comes down to choosing who gets your attention. While it's true that many media personalities today might be biased or compromised for money, true journalism still exists. You can usually spot the reliable ones by watching how objectively they report the facts rather than pushing a specific agenda. We need to actively filter out the noise and rely only on actual, neutral journalists.

​However, we cannot simply blame the media and wash our hands of the responsibility. As an educated generation with smartphones literally glued to our hands, we are more than smart enough to do some of the heavy lifting ourselves. Taking just two minutes out of our day to verify if a headline is apt is much better than blindly adding fuel to a toxic rumor. Instead of effortlessly forwarding fake information, we have the power to stop it in its tracks. Ultimately, we have to act as our own filters and break the chain—because a smart device is only as smart as the person using it.

Peace out 🤍

2 April 2024

Studying away from home can be a real adventure! It can be challenging to leave the comfort of home, but it's also an opportunity for growth and new experiences.

When I was 18 only, I left my home for higher education, and I learned so much during my time away. One of the most important things I discovered was the value of independence and self-reliance. Being away from home forced me to take care of myself and make my own decisions, which ultimately made me stronger and more confident.

Another thing I learned was the importance of forming new relationships. When you're away from home, you have the chance to meet new people and make lifelong friendships. I met Anchal, who became my comfort person, and together we faced many challenges and grew stronger because of our bond.

Of course, studying away from home can also be tough at times. I missed my family and the familiarity of home, just like I missed my loved ones. But I always remembered the bigger goal I was working towards, and that kept me motivated.

So, if you're studying away from home, remember that it's a chance to learn, grow, and make unforgettable memories. Embrace the experience, stay connected with your loved ones, and believe in yourself, just like I believe in myself during my hustle and battles. Good luck, and enjoy the journey!

2 April 2024

वाराणसी का मौसम और वातावरण अत्यंत प्रेरणादायक है। नदी किनारे बैठकर सूर्यास्त का दृश्य देखना, गंगा आरती का अनुभव करना और देवघरों में भगवान की भक्ति करना वाराणसी के आत्मा को चूमता है।

इस शहर में स्थित काशी विश्वनाथ मंदिर भगवान शिव की प्राचीनतम और प्रमुख धार्मिक स्थलों में से एक है। मैंने भी इस प्रसिद्ध मंदिर का दर्शन किया है और वहां की शांति और ध्यान की वातावरण में जीवन का अद्भुत अनुभव किया है।

वाराणसी का भोजन खास होता है। जितना पुराना यह शहर है, उतना ही उसका खाना रौचक और परंपरागत है। मैंने भी कई लोकप्रिय भोजन का आनंद लिया है, जैसे की बाटी चोक्हा और रसगुल्ला।

वाराणसी के रंग-बिरंगे बाजार, विक्रमादित्य का उद्यान और सर्दियों में मनोरंजन के लिए घूमने के लिए ढेर सारी जगहें हैं। इस शहर की महानता और प्राचीनता के साथ-साथ, यह भारतीय सभ्यता का गौरवशाली हिस्सा भी है।

वाराणसी शहर मैंने अनेक योद्धाओं और पान्दवों के साथ प्राचीन भारत का वीर इतिहास जीते हैं और मैंने भी ऐसे पलों को अपने आंतरिक अनुभव के रूप में देखा है।

वाराणसी शहर की प्रतिभा और ऐतिहासिक महत्ता का पता लगाने के लिए उसके लाभ उठाएं और इस अद्भुत शहर के सबसे अनूठे पहलू को जाने। उसकी सुंदरता और धार्मिक विरासत के साथ सम्मान और समर्थन करें।

नमः पार्वती पतये हर हर महादेव 🙌❤️

29 MARCH 2024

When I was in the eighth grade, I realized I had a secret gift. I had no idea that my brain could interpret words, put them together into a poem, and eventually create poetries. My initial attempt at poetry was utterly flawed and naturally filled with negativity. I haven't previously released a printed copy of my first attempt (poem) or shared it on social media. READ, WROTE, AND BURNT! My path as a writer started then; after all, we all enjoy trying new things one after the other. Being a teenager, I was maturing into an adult. I recall being more interested in composing poetry than in academics. My father used to get upset with me since I've discovered a new passion for myself. He constantly chastised me for being involved in all spheres, whether it be athletics or a cultural festival. I've been an active child since I was a little youngster, hehe.

My mother informed me that writing is okay, but why do you write? and since I wasn't sure why I was into this, that was a legitimate question. I was now in my ninth grade. I had now discovered why I wanted to write. Hahahahaha, it's simply that I've found the purpose, nahi nahi koi premi nahi mila, the reason I got is to be THE VOICE OF VOICELESS. Writing gives you the strength, power, and independence that come with an abundance of love and patience. I've attempted writing in nearly every genre, but the majority of my works are about love. I choose this subject because I saw that the definition of love is altered in this generation. The irony is that although love unites us all, it no longer has the same significance. Writing also brings peace. It soothes the chaos and tidal wave that arises within the heart and mind. I'm getting better every day and can't wait to write as much as I can.

This is my journey. My intention in sharing it with you is to inspire you to consider yourself a writer so that you can express your thoughts to other people. I didn't plan out this trip. It came to me in a certain way. I suggest that you pick up your pen and see what you have to say. It may be a video, a blog, or a manual for your coworkers. Stay open-minded and imaginative when coming up with solutions.

Peace & Love on your way 💕

28 March 2024

All of us have at some point in our lives witnessed the existence of karma. Karma is true—really, truly true! Let me tell you what Karma is truly called for those of you who are still trying to figure it out. According to Google's definition, it is the culmination of an individual's good and bad deeds throughout their current and past life stages, which are thought to have an impact on their future. I am aware that you were also unaware of this, since karma a bitch (don't smile) 🤦‍♀️. Karma accumulates on three basic levels, as we have previously seen: mental oscillations, chemical reactions, and experiences. The unconscious mind's external expression is the sensory body. A vast archive of karmic memory governs the unconscious mind. This karmic memory continues to show itself without your consent. Being an unconscious manifestation, it gives you the appearance of being a huge mess. However, if you give it some thought, it might be really helpful knowledge. Three forms of karma exist: kriyamana, also known as agami, sanchita, and prarabadha. While agami karma is the outcome of one's current decisions and acts, parabi karma is experienced via the present body and is merely a portion of sanchita karma, which is the sum of one's past karmas. Karma isn't really related to rewards and punishments. It has nothing to do with some tyrannical life auditor operating on rudimentary carrot and stick equipment in the sky.

It's got nothing to do with some nice god high in the sky. It's as simple as "as you sow, so shall you reap." The only trick you should be aware of is brainstorming.

I can recall every instance in my life where I felt a lot of karma. I am appreciative of my parents since they constantly serve me a reminder of KARMA. Few people who are close to me frequently curious about how this process functions and what consequences result from constantly acting in the right path. As I am too young to answer because I have to discover a lot so for now all I know is that sometime things are done badly so that you might learn from it, and we then ask ourselves, "Why me?" in response to the question of why we exist. The truth is that everyone works hard. Everybody is growing every day and everyone is suffering in their  सफर. Rather than crying to God, one must be prepared to learn from their experiences and emotions.

Recalling the day of my life when I experienced the real karma, I wrote few lines that says –

I doubt that I am who I am. I've evolved over time into someone who is essentially just a walking corpse that has been contaminated by the ruins of all the individuals I've already met and will continue to encounter.

I'm not the one doing anything I do, thinking, choosing, saying, or speaking in a certain way.

I think the people we have encountered throughout our lives have shaped each of us into the people we are now. Sometimes we take on someone else's accent, eating habits, song preferences, cafe preferences, places and dreams, dressing style, advice on how to look good on ourselves, perspective on the world, and manner of Everything about us—the way we enjoy the outdoors, our spirituality, beliefs, and superstitions, how we build relationships or choose to be alone, how we view other people, the songs we listen to, the lyrics, the emotions they evoke, our feelings of rage and anxiety, our habits, our characters—is shaped by the people we spend our formative years with, part ways with, or devote our energies to.

I'm trying to convey that you should be careful while investing in something or someone. For it's not only that we impact them; they also affect us. Make sure to concentrate on what you will become rather than what you currently desire. Desires never go away, but your inner vitality does.

In conjunction, we become what we are with.

Love & Peace on your way! ❤️

26 MARCH 2024

I recall how thrilling festivals used to be in those days. "Those days" refers to the period before I turned 20.

This month, known as Faagun, brings us the liveliest celebration of the year, known as HOLI. To be honest, I hope no more gulal on my way till the next Holi because I celebrated Holi for the fourth time this month on March 25.😁

Speaking for myself, I was let down; unlike the beginning of the month, this time around, Holi didn't leave an impression on me. I'm studying for my master's degree in Lucknow. As the holidays got underway, I left for Varanasi, my hometown. I was really looking forward to the bustle and preparation that the market would bring.

Pitaji ordered me to dress in my old clothes because we were going shopping for Holi together, as we normally do. It is customary to do this. And as soon as I entered the market, I noticed that there were no colors in the surroundings—only darkness. I came to realize that things have changed. I remained shut as few part of the festival was yet to discover; when I went to my neighbors, I didn't find any gujhiya-making ceremonies. That sensation, that thrill, had disappeared. Moreover, I discovered that my mother has made less gujhiyas. The fading craze is the cause I found behind this stillness. People are moving away from their traditions as a result of advancements, which some refer to as conservatism. While we experimented with colors, clicking came first, to get aesthetic picture was the priority.

There were fewer organized Holi Milan Samaroh. The fact that they weren't sober is what most disappointed me. Does Holi occur for alcohol consumption? not at all! Adequate amount of alcohol consumption is sufficient to enjoy the festival without getting too wasted and endangering the safety of children and women, which could perhaps lead to a sprawl-brawl situation.

However, I noticed that instead of savoring the moment, 3/4 of the public was more interested in using their phones or going live on various social media platforms. This demonstrates our ignorance of our own civilization. More individuals played digital Holi this time around than actual colors, which were only in grams. Real colors were twenty grams, and digital colors were in Instagram. Every Rangotsav event, in my opinion, need to include an infotainment subprogram to raise awareness about the proper use of color in the surroundings. Perhaps most importantly, events ought to inform the public about the festival.

I glanced in both directions, and the scene that thrilled me the most was when an elderly woman took gulal and sprayed her husband with it. She then led him to their group, where around seven or eight elderly people were dancing and enjoying their thandai. 💕

People of my age did not enjoy Holi as much as group of kids and elderly audience did. While we are all educated, we are not socially literate. I think that as time goes on, young people like us will also come to appreciate the significance of the "not-so-cool world." It's critical to comprehend the concept of "parity" in both real life and textbooks. The reason that I discovered why young people are not interested is because of their daily life problems which have annoyed them. Almost every middle-aged heart found scrambling… NEVERMIND, I'm looking for more reasons, hope my bachelor in Psychology will come in handy!!!.

And I anticipate the fest-related frenzy and excitement.