ghumakkar.com

If you are an avid trekker of the northern India circuit, the name Roopkund is sure to give you mixed feelings. A lot of trekkers aspire to do it, but haven’t planned on it because they want more “practice” before it. Because for sure , Roopkund is steep. You may want to do roopkund for a variety of reasons: A) the folk lore associated with it is grand. It is said that Shiva and Parvati were on their way to Kailas –more scientifically Trishul I assume because google earth tells me it would be a waste of time, fuel and powers vested with Gods to take this aerial approach to Kailash-Mansarovar,–when Parvati wanted to cool it a bit and Shiva struck his trident to make a small pond for her to sip some water and the narcissist in her found the reflection in the water beautiful, so Roop-kund. B) The religious want to do it for the much famed (in these parts only) 12 yearly, highly ritualistic (you got it, T-Series sells CDs on it) Nanda Jaat, whereby thousands of barefooted devotees make this strenous trek braving bad weather and high altitude sickness, to see-off a ram with 4 horns, symbolically sending their daughter Goddess Nanda off to Trishul. C) I personally know some creeps going to this mystical lake full of skeletons to get a skull home and put a bulb inside it to sit on their office desk.

My reason was that it is a water body sitting at a height of more than 5000 meters (16,470feet) and it takes you right to the base of Trishul. Also the meter reading comes handy to boast ( what’s the highest have you gone, Rohtang? *smirk*) (more…)

This is my yet another post on Sikkim. This one is about second day of trekking in Yuksom which is our fifth day in Sikkim.

As earlier told in my previous post there is only one thing to be done in Yuksom – Trekking. Between Yuksom and Dzongri, there is a well-beaten trek, which passes in the shadow of Kanchendjonga range through dense forest. Dzongri itself is a junction of several trails. Yuksom serves as a base for all these treks. Guides, porters, pack yaks, tents, sleeping bags and other trekking equipments are readily available. However, we saw a group of six boys trying hard to get all these on rent (They had no arrangements with hotels) from market, which on that day were all booked.

We decided to trek for the first half (or less) stretch of day one of Yuksom-Dzongri trail. Day one of this trail covers a climb of 16 Km from Yuksom (1780 Mts) to Tsokha (3480 Mts). One can also stay at Bakhim that is some 2 Kms before Tsokha, at a height of 2684 Mts. It takes four days to reach Dzongri from Yuksom.

We decided to climb upon this path up to 12:30 pm and then return as we had to reach Bliss resort in Biksthang (last destination of our itinerary) by that evening. We started early morning and just at a distance of 10 Minutes walk we saw how disastrous and horrible a landslide could be. In 2004 there was a huge landslide right there.

Very big rocks were lying everywhere blocking the route of a previously existing stream. Suman told us that on that day he was at hotel Tashigang and suddenly they heard loud sound of explosion. Initially they could not comprehend what was happening – A war with China or what. But in no time they realized what it was. They were all trembling with fear and could not dare to come out as rocks were flying towards the hotel. Luckily they were spared by less than ½ Km of distance between death and them. Not many people were there on that day and casualties were restricted to four persons - an angry face of otherwise loving and beautiful Mother Nature.

(more…)

Our family has a tradition of visiting Baba Balaknath Shrine in Himachal every year. Usually we drive down to the temple during the summer months. But last year we took Himachal Express to Una after monsoon. And it turned out to be the best way to do these annual trips.

When we deboarded the train at Una, the quaint little railway station won my heart immediately. It was such a pleasant change from the crowded railway stations of Delhi. A cab was to pick us up from the railway station and we had to wait for a bit there. We were initially reluctant to go inside the waiting room but eventually we had to as the constant drizzle was turning into proper rain. The waiting room was a surprize too. Totally devoid of any stench, it was comfortable and airy. The cab arrived in about half-an-hour and we set out to Baba Balaknath’s Temple.

(more…)

While every year, a large no of visitors throng Corbett Tiger Reserve, not more then a handful visit the man’s home in whom honor the park has been named. Infact not everyone knows that there is indeed a place called Jim’s house, which is now converted into a museum. I first hit upon the museum by chance. Was driving back from Nainital and decided to go via Kala Dhungi (its a lovely route) , for Kala Dhungi falls. While the falls were not impressive, I saw this museum and was bowled over. I have been to Corbett many times and was not aware of such a place.

So last week when I was in that area, I clocked few more miles to visit the museum again, just a quick visit because I wanted to reach Delhi before its gets too dark, with a small baby around, didn’t want to make the journey tiring. So there are some pics and some commentary.

Jim Corbett’s Museum is at Kaladhungi. From Delhi, go till Muradabad and then take the now-better road to Bajpur and then to Kaladhungi. Ask around. If you are coming from Corbett then take a left exit towards Naintal in Ramnagar itself, keep going towards Nainital and ask for Kaladhungi. Its about 50 odd KMs from Ramnagar. If you are coming from Nainital then dont take the more traditional route to Haldwani, instead cross the lake, climb up and take the road towards Kaladhungi.

Its an old place. The entry charges are Rs 5. Its a rusty old world building which is well kept, is very clean, lawns and flora is well preserved and has that laid-back leisure charm in it. There are plaques, life size oil paintings, lots of text about Jim and his family, some of his furniture etc. It wont take you too long to cover the place but do take time out to read about him and his beliefs on eco-village etc. Since its not very popular, there are hardly any tourist, there is no car parking and a parking attendant :) and photography is allowed. (more…)