My travel journey in my letter
— Jyoti
This winter, I began my journey in Sikkim, where Changy Lake lay still under a thick cover of snow. The sky was a clear winter blue, and the footprints in the fresh snow hinted at recent wanderers — perhaps travelers like me, pausing to take in the peacefulness. Beyond the lake, the mighty Kanchenjunga stood tall, its icy crown glowing in the morning light, a reminder of India’s majestic landscapes.
A solitary bird gliding over the Himalayan layers.
The climb to higher viewpoints revealed sweeping layers of hills that seemed to fold endlessly into the horizon. In that stillness, a lone bird soared above the snow-capped ridges, its graceful flight adding life to the frozen serenity.
Majestic peaks under a crystal-clear sky
From the Himalayan calm, I traveled down to Darjeeling, the “Queen of Hill Stations.” The tea gardens stretched like green carpets over the slopes, their leaves glistening with dew. Each sip of freshly brewed Darjeeling tea felt like a piece of the landscape itself — delicate yet enduring.
Mumbai’s energy was the opposite of the hills, yet equally captivating. At the Siddhivinayak Mandir, devotion echoed in chants and incense-filled air. The divine presence felt grounding, reminding me of patience and faith.
My journey ended in Katra, a place close to my heart. The climb to the Vaishno Devi shrine was filled with quiet prayers and a sense of renewal that no photograph can capture.
This trip took me from frozen lakes to bustling temples, from the silent glide of a bird over snow to the vibrant hum of city life. Each place, each image, was a chapter in my winter story — one I will carry with me for years.