Blogs from Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia - page 13

The only Himalayan valley that truly characterizes the Switzerland of India epithet, among all those raved about with this hyperbole, is Sangla valley in Kinnaur. Carved out by sparkling Baspa river, it has ethereal contrasting combination of the right bank view of saw-tooth sharp, high, rocky mountains, cradling villages and houses; and the gentle lush green, rich pine and birch forest covered, mountains on the left bank. Discovering Sangla, the Himalayan high valley of amazing forms, in the far out tributary valley of mighty Satluj, the land of culture rich Kinnaur folks, doesn’t take more than a day long car, jeep or bus journey from Delhi, through Chandigarh, Shimla, Rampur, Jeori, Karchham. Beginning from New Delhi on the national highway 1 to reach Chandigarh; and taking national highway 22 to reach Shimla; and further on the ... read more

Bala, Inner Saraj Valley, Himachal Pradesh 9th October, 2014 “Smile, breathe and go slowly” Thic Nhat Hanh “Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more” Mother Teresa “What is your name?......What is your quest?.......What is your favourite colour?” The Bridgekeeper, Monty Python and the Holy Grail Waking early to a totally clear sky, I decide to do my stuff and take a bike ride the long way to Banjar so as to score a glimpse of distant snow caps, as is my passion. Rather than the relatively good 8 km road this is a 15 km unsurfaced road with some sections reduced to a mud bath. But at one point the views north and east reveal distant high mountains. My plan is to visit Wolfgang, a German married to ... read more

After 25 years, on second August 2013, I had an unexpected opportunity to visit again this lake side mountain temple of sage Prashar. I had then written a story namely ‘The Grandfather of Gods’ about it in The Tribune’s Himachal that You Do not Know series of articles. Till then it was a mere a neighbourhood travel and pilgrimage spot, away from its present national and Bollywood fame. As an exotic alpine meadow excursion spot and an antiquated spiritual seat of sage Parashar now it is a dream destination for not only the patron population of the surrounding villages of Mandi and Kul... read more

Mixed thoughts and emotions swirling around as i was sitting in the Delhi-bound flight to undertake my second Himalayan trekking expedition to Rupin Pass with Indiahikes. My first one being Sandakphu trekking expedition with YHAI in Dec 2013. I landed in Delhi on June 6th, 8.30 PM and was welcomed by 43 degree Celsius mercury level. My respect for Chennai increased after facing the near-furnace level heat of Delhi. I met with my good friend Kuttu in the airport, who has done Rupin pass in Oct 2013. Then I reached NDLS to catch the overnight train to Dehradun. I met another trekker from Kolkata who was undertaking a trek in Uttarkashi. Then I got to catch up with some of my trek mates before boarding the train. As much as I wanted to catch some good ... read more

RETIRED BUT NOT TIRED- H. P. TRIBAL CIRCUIT TRIP Age and ailments are not obstacles in realising your dreams. In most of the cases, these are simply mental blocks, which can be easily overcome. So, there I was, travelling on the tribal circuit of Himachal Pradesh in the month of August 2013, fulfilling my most cherished trip for the last 7-8 years. No big deal- except that, one, I was on the other side of 60 years with two total knee replacement operations just three months ago and, two, I was travelling all alone without any company and that too using public transport, without any prior bookings or reservations. At the very outset, I will admit that public transport is not the best option, when it comes to enjoying the beauty of nature and for clicking ... read more