The calendar has flipped to December and the season of winter greets us with open arms. As the crisp winter air surrounds us, it brings with it a magical season filled with joy and warmth. While the outdoors may be chilly, indoors indicate the truly delightful season of the year. Recent days have witnessed a significant drop in the temperature in Doon. Personally, I adore winter—gone are the grime, sweat, mosquitoes, and the threat of diseases like Dengue and sunstroke. The prevailing atmosphere now exudes good cheer and vitality.
As dawn breaks, the sky dons a splendid pink hue, a sight that is simply mesmerising! Nestling within a quilt with a cup of piping hot tea is an indescribable pleasure, akin to being cocooned in a completely new and private world. Warm, cozy, and sheltered!
My preferred winter pastime involves brisk walks or cycling along the diversion and old Mussoorie Road. Summoning the will to leave the ‘razai’ requires some effort. Nonetheless, after the initial five minutes outside the bed, that’s all it takes to get me going. This also means finding meaningful destinations nearby. Hence, I seek out an interesting place to stop, grab another steaming cup of tea, pick up a loaf of bread, check out newspapers, or have a look at my mobile before preparing to warm up.
Following a lengthy walking session, it’s incredibly satisfying to return indoors and bask in the warmth of home. Settling into your favourite corner, you can gaze out of the window at the winter landscape and vibrant flower beds. A long, steaming shower to refresh you after being outdoors is a luxury to be appreciated. Winter is synonymous with comforting, hearty meals. Indulging in a steaming bowl of soup, whether it’s a classic chicken noodle or a creamy tomato, warms both the body and soul. Additionally, sipping on hot beverages or spiced tea is something I look forward to. A bowl of ‘peanuts’ and some ‘gajak’ along with a bestseller or a binge worthy new series in a cozy room will keep you happy and entertained.
Winter provides an ideal time for meditation and contemplation. A serene interlude on a winter afternoon allows for reflection on the next steps in life—a wonderful opportunity for positive change. Snuggling into a warm, cozy bed after the day is done is a fantastic way to conclude a great winter day. Take the time to read a book or listen to your favourite music and gradually drift off to sleep. When we actively work to bring joy into our lives, we begin to feel the internal blessings that surround us.
Winter is the season that reminds us we are animals after all—creatures who shiver and nest and draw close to the fire, snuggling until the sun comes back. Its landscape may be stark, but its heart is wide open, glittering and alive. To walk on a dew covered road under a sky full of stars, breath-fogging, heart beating hard against the cold—that is one of the purest joys a human being can know. Winter does not merely endure; it sings, in a low key perhaps, but with perfect clarity, of rest and renewal.
(Vimal Kapoor, a Dehradun resident, is passionate about literature, creative writing, cricket and exploration through travel)
