Himachal Pradesh

In the lap of the great Himalayan Ranges lies this mesmerising state of Himachal Pradesh. Possessing an enviable diversity of natural beauty, Himachal Pradesh cradles snow capped mountains, snow fed rivers, dense deodar forests, cultivated terraces and apple orchards within itself. Fondly called as Devbhumi or land of the Gods, this land welcomes visitors to enjoy the natural splendour of Rajgarh Valley, Chail, Great Himalayan National Park and Pin Valley National Park. For a peek into the past, there are historical sites like Sujanpur Tihra and Kangra Fort.
Bird watchers would love the Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake Sanctuary, which attracts multitudes of migratory ducks from the Siberian region during winter months. Himachal Pradesh has pleasant summers and cold winters with snowfall in some places. Many favoured destinations for those who wish to get away from the heat of the plains are the hill stations of Simla, Dalhousie, Kasauli, Manali and Chail.

Himachal – Kalpa, Shimla

Himachal – Kalpa, Shimla

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I have lived in Shimla long back in early 90s when my father was posted here. I used to come in summers for 2 months for 3 years, so I was keen on visiting places where I had lived and visited during that time. We lived in a suburb of Shimla there called Kelti. The route to it is from Ridge to Longwood and then towards Kelston and then bifurcate at one point towards Kelti. It was nostalgic to walk on the same road which I used to frequent 20 years back as child. To my surprise, road was just like what it used to be. Same road barriers painted green and white, the rain shelters where I took refuge many times in rains, the ascent, descent. The final leg to Kelti was still unpaved like it was at that time. Though this time saw more people crossing me with phones in their hands, hoardings and presence of vehicles.

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BRO Board

Rohtang Pass And Manali – Rohtang road review

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A plate of Maggi for 50 bucks and a chai at 20 bucks may be a bit steep, but so is the place. Admittedly, the rampant crowd, jostling vehicles, hordes of animals, irrepressible mob of shilajeet sellers and such other elements do rob the place of exclusivity befitting a Himalayan pass at 3900+ mtrs – but that is how it comes,

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Weekend Trip to Narkanda

Weekend Trip to Narkanda

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Ah! It is always good to be back :-)

It has been a long hiatus – years I guess – since I have shared by travel experience on Ghumakkar. But its better late than never. It was a not so cold December Friday when I along with 3 companions arrived at Delhi ISBT to catch our bus to Narkanda.

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An ancient church - St.John in the wilderness

McLeodganj – The mystical hub of Himachal

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We then moved to the church of St. John in the Wilderness between Forsyth Ganj and Mcleod Ganj. This neo-gothic stone shrine was made in 1852 following Anglian structure. It was named after John the Baptist. As the structure lies deep inside dense woods, during the olden times, they appropriately named it as St. John In The Wilderness. There is a memorial devoted to Lord Elgin, who was Viceroy of India during British raj.

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Dalhousie – how we made the most before the onward journey

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The church just stood behind, surrounded by tall and dense trees. It was an old Catholic church built in 1894 exhibiting elegance of Victorian architecture. This church is a look alike of a church of England. Construction of the church was financed by people posted there during that time and local inhabitants. That is why its door remains open for all.

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हिमाचल का अनमोल रत्न ‘त्रिउण्ड’ : आकर्षक पर्वतारोहण क्षेत्र

हिमाचल का अनमोल रत्न ‘त्रिउण्ड’ : आकर्षक पर्वतारोहण क्षेत्र

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जिस प्रकार स्वादिष्ट व्यंजनों की चर्चा भूखे व्यक्ति की भूख को ओर अधिक बढ़ा देती है उसी प्रकार त्रिउण्ड के प्राकृतिक सौंदर्य की चर्चा ने घुमक्कड़ों की लालसा को भी बढ़ा दिया होगा. जिन्होंने त्रिउण्ड की घुमक्कड़ी नहीं की है उनके मन में अवश्य ही ये प्रश्न उठ रहे होंगे कि त्रिउण्ड कैसे पहुंचा जाए,

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Khushwant Singh Kasauli LitFest – Himalayan Hamlet

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The litfest opened at 2 pm with a welcome by Khushwant Singh’s son Rahul Singh.
The event kick started under the October sun with tributes and anecdotes pouring in for the Always Khush sardar by his son Rahul Singh, nephew Pammi Singh, colleague Bachi Karkaria and friends Farooq Abdullah and Bishan Singh Bedi.

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Chail- a virginal suburb of Himachal Pradesh

Chail- a virginal suburb of Himachal Pradesh

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The hills were dead silent with occasional laughter and cries of ancestors of the HOMO SAPIENS. These brave hearts have made tall and fragile pine and deodar trees their play grounds. They dare to walk on high tension electric wires and water pipes at a height good enough to claim your life, if you lose your balance. They generally reside in abandoned homes, towering trees and earn their living by robbing from homes and climbing tall trees eating seeds and fruits. They were the sole owners of these lands encroached by humans. Their voices might be a welcome to us and an agreement to live peacefully with them or they might be planning a revolution against us or maybe they have an attitude that they don’t care. Hills grow quieter as you glide down the day. Sky turns darker as sun takes your leave. You keep filling your lungs with the fresh air just to make sure that serene natural air reaches even to the last ruptured alveoli of your smoke and pollution damaged lungs. The mist is the best treat that you can give to your eyes next to actually snowing.

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