Celebrating 5 Years Anniversary of 'My Yatra Diary'

I’m not sure what I’ll do, but— well,
I want to go places and see people.
I want my mind to grow.
I want to live where things happen on a big scale.
― F. Scott Fitzgerald

It’s been a long time... But today, for some reason, it doesn't feel so. I don’t feel the depth of time. Not before, I sit down and flip back the pages. Like the colors of a morning sun slowly splashing its magic on the chalky canvas of the twilight sky, the grainy hues of nostalgia come creeping in...

Precious moments, fleeting emotions, countless memories flutter across…
shaping 290 posts, 1840 days, and God knows how many words.

Even as this occasion calls for a gala celebration of words itself… the irony remains: words betray, as was the case some 5 years (and 13 days) back. I confess, even when the entire world might look like moving at a lightening speed, nothing really changes for me. Words are still not easy to come by, they are greased just like moments; slipping away faster than they arrive. Seems like mind finds joy in its own little games that it has got to play.

Anyway, the fact remains. 5 years and I have managed to continue writing. Something. And, all credits go to her: She’s really been a wonderful companion all these years.



Meandering down the paths, crisscrossing turns left and right and dodging speed-breakers up and down, it’s a good feeling to have finally reached somewhere. She’s been a great company all along, someone who’s managed to melt the crust of my exteriors away and shown me a new perspective for life… something I am yet to fully uncover and explore. It's going to take a lot of time, considering my snail speed but even for the tiny glimpse that I see, I will always be eternally grateful to her.

Here are a few doodles I managed to scribble while thinking about things learnt, also unlearnt in my 5 years journey with my blog and travel blogging...



The practice of art isn't to make a living. It's to make your soul grow. ~ Kurt Vonnegut



There is no footprint so small, that it cannot leave an imprint on this world. ~ Unknown



I would like to travel the world with you twice. Once, to see the world.
Twice, to see the way you see the world. ~ Unknown



In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you,
but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art. ~ Rumi

Can't really thank you enough... for all your time, visiting and gracing my little diary with your priceless blessings, footprints and well wishes through all these years. It was only because of your motivation and constant encouragement that I have survived this long perhaps. Thank you, for filling colors on the chalky canvas of my sky... Thank you, for adding beautiful melody and music to my otherwise common song...

... THANK YOU ...

YOU, touched a part of my soul.

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Since we are celebrating the completion of 5 years of this diary, I thought of compiling a list showcasing the power of 5! So, here it is, the TOP 5 posts of 'My Yatra Diary' based on pageviews of all time (November 2009 to December 2014).

5 POSTS WHICH HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME - ALL TIME HIGHEST PAGEVIEWS:




ISKCON Temple, Delhi : 44823 pageviews




TIME FOR AN ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!

Just a quick note to say that the #MyCollegeDiaries Contest is still on! Participate NOW and you could win your share from cash prizes worth Rs. 10,000!

Post a Comment

63 Comments

  1. Congratulations Arti...in short span of time you have made a great name for yourself and for My Yatra Diary, your unique, personal and spiritual journeys and writing style are an inspiration to all your readers including me. All the best for the coming years. ...

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    1. Thank You Prasad, as you rightly said we have all learnt from each other and continue to do so each day!

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  2. Wow! You are so artistic and creative with these doodles Arti... quite impressive!

    Congrats with your pilgrimage :) Hope it takes u far into this journey. Keep sharing and let us enjoy the world through your perspective.

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    1. I just doodle sometimes and actually think twice before sharing them here on my blog!!
      Thanks for your good wishes Jeevan :)

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  3. Congratulations Arti on your successful 5 years of blogging. You are an inspiration. I am glad that I joined Indiblogger and found your blog there. Happy blogging :)

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    1. Thanks so much Moon! It was great to discover your blog as well :)

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  4. Firstly heartiest congratulations on completion of five precious years of blogging.It is amazing how time flies by.you have expressed your thoughts and feelings so beautifully.Wishing you many more anniversaries to follow.Best Wishes.Ramakrishnan

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    1. Time really does fly by, I still remember those early days of my blog vividly as if they happened yesterday! Thanks for your wishes :)

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  5. Travel each one of us try to do as much as we can because traveling solves ones own questions.
    Congratulations and Celebrations for 5 years and continuing.. Keep traveling, Keep writing. Cheers!!

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    1. Travelling helps us discover ourselves Tushar and that the great joy I find in my travels! Thanks for your wishes :)

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  6. What an amazing achievement. A talented doodler as well as a great blogger. Here's to many more years of your Yatra Diary.

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    1. Thank You so much Tracy for your compliments and comments, they always mean so much to me! You are one of my earliest readers and it feels wonderful to see you here even after so many years :)

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  7. Congratulations, Arti! I've enjoyed accompanying you for many years. You've shown me your world in India and allowed me to go with you through photos and words when you travel. I wish you many more successful years of blogging.

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    1. Thanks Barb for your constant motivation. I am privileged to be connected to wonderful and humble human beings like you! Thanks again for your wishes :)

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  8. Happy Birthday My Yatra Diary, I'm happy to be part of your journey, keep traveling and touching other mind with your words ...

    Satnam..

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    1. Glad we are a part of each others journey Mareta, I do hope our paths cross some day :)

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  9. Congrats. Wishing you many more years of travelling and blogging :)

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    1. Thanks Prashanth and I wish you the same :)

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  10. Heartiest Congratulations Arti..:-) I have traveled all the beautiful divine places with you with this very special Diary. You are an amazing artist. I loved your doodles so much, they convey the deepest feelings of devotion you have for this Diary, this passion of blogging and for the blogosphere. I always find the peace in the photos of holy places you share. I am blessed to have you my dear sister, so proud to be part of blogging this journey with you! :-)

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    1. Thanks so much sister dear for being a constant travel companion on my virtual Yatras! Thanks for all the praise that you lavish on me, always, speaks of your humility. And I feel so very grateful of people like you who follow my travels :)

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  11. Congratulations, Arti! Have wonderful travel and blogging years ahead!

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  12. Congrats Arti!
    So special :)
    Love all the quotes & doodles :)
    Wish you many more milestones ahead!

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  13. Wishing your lovely blog many more anniversaries and accolades that it deserves, Arti!

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  14. Congratulations dear...keep writing...
    Loved those doodles..!!

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  15. Congratulations on a five- year- anniversary of Yatra blog, Arti!
    Your sincere personality, your devotion to this yatra diary reveal itself from every and each post written in impressive and truehearted and organized way. No wonder you have drawn so many followers to this blog. Wishing you many more years of yatra diary, Arti!

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    1. Visiting Japan and meeting Nara Bloggers has been one of the top highlights of the last 5 years for me. The warmth and love I received still brings a smile on my face and restores my faith in humanity :) Thank you so much for your wishes Cosmos :)

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  16. Congratulations on completing 5 yrs of blogging Arti and its such a lovely way to express your hidden thoughts by these small art ...I too love art ...esp pencil sketching it was and still my first passion ....it was lovely to connect with you all these years ...know you ....there are days where I struggle to leave in a comment as i am q busy with my kids esp with my 2 yr old toddler.....lovely to come to your space and continue your lovely work of expressing your yatra with a lovely write up ...love to read them ...All the Best for the coming years........

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    1. You are one of the earliest readers of my blog Sushma and it feels wonderful to be connected even after so many years! Thank you for all your motivation and love through the last 5 years :)

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  17. Nice. Five years is such an accomplishment. I just passed my first year and I see the commitment needed. You are a huge inspiration.

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    1. I wish your blog reaches great heights, thank you for all the kind words that you shower me with :)

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  18. I love your doodles Arti, so awesome! Happy anniversary!

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  19. @ R Niranjan Das @ Anita @ Rahul Bhatia @ Akshita @ Vaisakhi
    Thanks so much for your wishes!! :)

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  20. Dear Arti - Congratulations on your five years of blogging! Your blogging has been so successful including award tours. Your doodles are so lovely and I’d like to keep in mind those quotes. I think I know that to keep blogging constantly, we need spontaneous overflow of feeling in some experiences, preparation for posting which can be time-consuming, and inspiration and encouragement from other people as well. Look forward to longer tracks of your yatra. Have happy days ahead.

    Yoko

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  21. Happy Five Year Anniversary! Keep blogging!

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  22. Congratulations, Arti !!!

    And best wishes for years to come too....

    May your writing inspires others to travel and we enjoy reading your blogs as the way you love to write it...!!!

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  23. Congrats Arti! You are a traveller and blogger to reckon with, and I thoroughly enjoy your posts and journeys. To many many more!!

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  24. Χρόνια πολλά αγαπημένη μου Arti!!!!
    Εύχομαι να γίνει το blog σου 100 χρονών!
    Και να έχεις πολλά ταξίδια!
    Συγχαρητήρια και για το ζωγραφικό σου ταλέντο!
    Πολλά φιλιά

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  25. Happy Fifth Year Anniversary! Keep blogging!!

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  26. Congratulations and jubilations, I am happy as can be :-) Keep traveling and blogging!

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  27. Five years is quite a landmark.Congrats Arthi!

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  28. Congratz Arti! Thanks for giving this wonderful inspirational morning with those amazing doodles & quotes :)

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  29. Congratulations dear girl :) You are an inspiration to many! Here's to many more travel stories and spiritual journeys :) Keep shining!

    Much love,
    Divsi

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  30. Congratulations and wishes for many more successful years

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  31. Congrats Arti.Your blog itself is a spiritual journey for the reader.Your incomparable style and these cute doodles make it so distinctive.

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  32. Hi
    Many Congratulations on successful five years and Wishing all the best for coming years
    Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences wit us and Thanks for Sharing
    Once again Happy birthday to your Blog !!
    Have a wonderful Day Ahead

    Regards
    Bhavikk Shah

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  33. First of all, Congratulations dear Arti and Happy Anniversary to My Yatra Diary.
    Keep up the good work.
    Here's wishing you loads of travel and many, many more years of blogging.

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  34. Congratssssssssss Arti..five glorious years and many more to come.... :-) feeling happy for you... it's always a visual treat to visit your blog :-)

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  35. Congratulations Arti...... many more to come......have a great weekend.....:)

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  36. Five years huh? Congrats!! I can imagine the passion and tenacity it takes to blog on such a consistent basis. The stats are amazing but they are where they are because of your writing, not to mention the doodles. Wish you all the best for many more such milestones Arti - keep going!

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  37. Congratulations - wishing you many more happy years of spreading cheer.

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  38. It's been a rewarding journey for you, I'm sure.

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  39. Congratulations and Happy Blogoversary, Arti! Wishing you many more years of blogging. Your sketches are wonderful! Thank you for sharing your beautiful words with us. It has been a pleasure to follow along.

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  40. Congratulations Arti ! Have always liked reading you and loved the way you have highlighted the important things. Great doodles !

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  41. Congrats Arti...I;m thankful to you...I'm seeing the world which I haven't seen, which I would love to see through your posts..keep going..

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  42. बहुत-बहुत बधाई, आरती...! आप इसी तरह और आयेज बढ़ती रहे यही शुभकामना.

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  43. Wonderful Doodles, yatras (many to read) and congratulations!

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  44. Best wishes for the 5 years and wish you many more glorious years ahead :)
    Keep traveling! Keep blogging!

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  45. Congratulations Arti for 5 wonderful years :) Through your posts, most of us have travelled and visited the world. And yes, my checklist has kept on increasing the way your post count has increased. Too much on the checklist now :D

    Wishing you many more years. God Bless.. :)

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  46. Congrats Arti on completion of 5 years of blogging. You have a great travel passion and particularly your zeal to share your travelling experiences through your blog is indeed meritorious. Here we seen your arduous efforts. Keep it and i wish you to reach many more heights in your passion.

    Arti recently i am conducted my Third Seminar on Indian Heritage and Culture. In this seminar i am sharing my collections relating to our culture and many children actively participated in my seminar and they cleared their doubts about our heritage through me.

    http://indian-heritage-and-culture.blogspot.in/2014/12/my-third-seminar-on-indian-heritage-and.html

    Arti please look into my Third Seminar on Indian Heritage and Culture post and share your valuable and inspirational comment.

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  47. Arti,
    As I have opined in another of your post that I just went through..I admire your travel blog-posts for the immense valuable information that you provide. Most of the other travel blogs that I come across come with repetitive stories , but you seem to suplly the kind of info that a fellow travellers would be looking forward to ...
    All the best... I am sure some one will be complementing you on your completing the 50th anniversary of blogging, though, I may not , yet would love to live long to comment and see that too..! (lol)

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