The view of the majestic Dhauladhar ranges with its snow capped peaks mesmerizes anyone watching them from the Kangra valley. But to experience the Dhauldhars up-close from Triund and Snowline is something that cannot be put into words. It has to be felt.
We were a group of professionals in our quest for rejuvenation from the busy city life. And Triund seemed to be just the right place. So we started our journey to the mountains.
We set off early one day from Delhi to our destination of day one – a popular hill town of Mcloedgunj in Himachal Pradesh. From the sweaty heat of the plains to the sweet cool of the hills, the scenery changed every few hours. Busy highways, lush green farms, narrow road lined by trees on both sides, bridges over fast flowing rivers and hill road on a rainy day, we enjoyed it all during our journey.
Mcleodgunj is a beautiful little town out of a story book. Serene environment, monks in their maroon robes and warm smiles, locals conversing in their native languages, foreigners enjoying fruit porridge in cafés, roadside stalls selling numerous colourful artifacts and scrumptious pastries, the music to which the town dances is overwhelming.
We visited the famous Tsuglagkhang Temple (Dalai Lama Temple) at day break when there were few devotees. We freely immersed in the quiet spirituality of the place. Rotating the prayer wheels and spreading around the holy mantras written on it, we wished for purity and happiness in our lives.
Then we loaded our backpacks and hoping for breath taking views in our hearts we braced ourselves for a trek of 10 kms to reach Triund. We met butterflies who guided our way, snails and mollusks enjoying the sunshine and spiders busy weaving their webs. We walked on the stony pathway under the canopy of Himalayan Cedar, Rhododendron and Oak trees, drank the cold refreshing water of the stream and enjoyed the fresh cool air of the mountains. The weather was good for trekking.
We rested for a while at Dharamkot, a small village on the crest of a hill, collected our packed lunches and again the climb began. Some of us got so engrossed in the experience of the trek that we forgot when we left the others behind. The others were mesmerized by the views and stopped often to capture that perfect picture. Still some more were just enjoying this intimacy with nature and were going with the flow. Meeting some very friendly trekkers and humble and hardworking shopkeepers on the way made us realize the simplicity of the life in the hills.
We had our lunch at one of the two cafés in the entire stretch till Triund. They are halfway in the trek. Relaxing on the window sill watching the valley below and the lush green hills, we forgot our professional lives in the city and began planning our retirements in such quaint little towns. The view from the café was stunning. The small houses in the valley, the waters of the Pong Dam extending from either ends at the horizon, the red building with the lush greenery of the dharamshala cricket ground, the scene was a treat for the eyes. The rain welcomed us to the hills and prolonged our rest at this small café.
After having rested for an hour we began our trek again. The higher we climbed the foggier it got. The pathway looked like an entrance to an unknown heaven and the trees looked spooky in the backdrop of fog. The green of the grass and the trees, the grey of the rock and the white of the fog, the three colours blended together to give us beautiful views to capture. Further up we could see our destination and quickened our steps. Rain gods kept on playing hide and seek with us through the entire trek.
As each one of us reached Triund, the view made us forget the fatigue of the trek. But the thrill of reaching Triund was nothing in comparison to the view from the top. The clouds had parted and the sun was on his journey back home. The Dhauladhar mountain range in front of us and the Kangra valley spread below, our eyes never seemed to get enough of the beauty around us. We ran to the edge of the hill and the shutters kept on humming their melodies tunes capturing view after view in its heart with our heavy bags still on our backs.
Slowly we came back to reality, set down our bags, filled our hungry stomach with some great food and sat down to enjoy the view of the beautiful Dhauladhar ranges so close to us. Enjoying a hot cup of tea at a height of approx. 9500 feet in the companionship of nature is something to cherish . There was no electricity at this place and water available was minimal. Such was the magic of this place that we forgot that the batteries of our phones had long discharged. Each one fumbled in their bags to find our new best friend in this electricity less place – our torches.
As the blue skies turned dark, sitting in our tent with the twinkling stars above and the lights of the Kangra valley below, we felt so close to existence.
The next morning brought with it sessions of hot tea, scrumptious breakfast and lovely conversations sitting inside quilts and watching the fog and the rain outside. Our plan to trek till Lahesh Caves and back seemed lost to the whims of nature. Even after lunch when the rain didn’t stop, our hope on going ahead started to purge. But a few of us were more stubborn than nature. We decided to climb towards Lahesh caves till wherever we make it to and come back. Our guide and friend Anil agreed to take us further and we started our trek.
The way was more treacherous and non-defined than the trek the day earlier. At some places, it was just big rocks that served as a staircase and the path was just a feet wide. One slip and you may never be found again. We could not see the views due to the fog around. We walked on concentrating only on the next step. It was getting late and we could afford just 15 minutes more of the climb before having to turn back. We lost hopes of making it till Lahesh caves. As we were thinking of turning back, we saw a clearing and a small café in front of us. We had finally reached snowline – a popular resting spot for those attempting to cross the Indrahar Pass.
The owner of the café told us that on a clear day, the view of the mountain was beautiful. Alone at the height of about 10,000ft, he was living an adventure of his own. With no electricity, a battery operated radio was his companion and the only link to the world below.
A small cosy café serving you fresh made hot tea at a height of 10,000 feet, this is pure luxury. Even though we were here at snowline, we could not see the Dhauladhar due to the thick sheet of fog. We all prayed in our hearts for a sneek-peek of the magnificent view hidden behind the fog.
They say that the God hears your prayers very soon at such heights and we experienced it for real. After a few minutes the fog began to clear and we could see the outline of the peak. We watched with our hearts racing and suddenly the sky was clear, the sun was shining and the Dhauladhar range was there so close to us as if we could extend our hands and touch it. The majestic mountain dwarfed our presence and dissolved our egos. We were a tiny speck in front of the huge mountain range. The golden mountain under the shining sun, the glaciers, the clouds at the base of the mountain, our eyes were glued to the view. We sat watching this beautiful scenery and even forgot to click pictures. You don’t need a temple to pray at such a place. The silence we felt and the view we saw, made our heads automatically bow down in respect for the creator.
Slowly with heavy hearts as we turned to go back to Triund, the fog and clouds came back and hid the mountain again. We had just experienced the private screening of the Dhauladhars from Snowline exclusively organized by God for the few of us who had ventured despite rain and fog with hope in our hearts that maybe the clouds would part.
Without a word these mountains taught us the lesson Krishna preached in Geeta – Show God your intent, venture out even when the situations don’t seem favourable and just leave the results to Almighty. Rest will be taken care of.
This entry has been shortlisted for Holidify’s Travelogue Writing Contest in association with Linger. The content and pictures may not be used without prior permission of the author.
Submitted by: Arishi Sood
The original post can be found here.