A trek to paradise, Shikaridevi, HP:..

 

 

Recently I alongwith my two friends of Delhi planned to visit Thanedar, the apple basket of India alongwith Shikaridevi trek. We planned to leave the Delhi on Sunday morning on Gypsy. I was supposed to reach Delhi on Sunday morning to join the duo for further journey. But on Saturday, I received an urgent professional assignment and I unwillingly cancelled my trip. With heavy heart, I communicated to my friends on Saturday evening regarding cancellation of my programme. In the wee hours of Sunday we booked a smuggling case at International Airport and subsequently I got utterly indulged in the follow-ups of that case. Meanwhile, my friends left for the Thanedar in the afternoon of Sunday.

 

            The idiots, of course my friends, gave me first shock on whatsapp, when they sent a pic of Gulshan Da Dabha. It is a very famous Dabha situated on the limits of Delhi,  on Delhi- Chandigarh Highway. Whenever we choose that highway, a break at Gulshan Da Dabha is always a must. I felt very envious. Second shock I received when they reached Chandigarh in the evening of Sunday and uploaded pictures of beautifully planned Chandigarh city. Even at that time I was indulged in the nascent case, we booked on Sunday morning. The pictures were very disturbing for me and I was cursing whatsapp application, which can keep the flames of jealousy ignite incessantly. The third shock, I received, when the duo touched Dharampur hills on Chandigarh – Shimla highway and uploaded latest pictures. The pictures of lush green Shivaliks were looking very tempting and I was still busy in completion of initial formalities of the case. The duo gave me fourth shock when they uploaded their latest pictures, cheering their plum wine glasses near a pink coloured enticing tent pitched infront of jazzing flames on the bonfire at Dharampur. The scene was beguiling me and my inherited adrenals have started tickling my tolerance. My boss gave me good news that on tomorrow morning we may handover the case to some other agency for further exertions. On Sunday night I communicated with my friends that I may join them on Tuesday morning. Owing to very seductive effects of the pictures uploaded by the duo, I could not sleep comfortably on Sunday night. Monday morning with due permission of my better half I packed by backpack and reached office. By the lunch time, the case was transferred and I got my leaves sanctioned. I confirmed my programme to my twosome friends, who were still posting very alluring pictures of the shivaliks. I boarded the first available roadways bus from Jaipur to Delhi and further from Delhi to Rampur via Shimla. After 15-16 hours roadways bus overnight journey, at 9 O’clock of Tuesday morning I caught the duo at Kufri. The duo knew about my passion and were very cheerful on their success to fish me out of the pools of Rajasthan to the sprawling Shivaliks through whatsapp angling gears.

 

            Without taking any rest, I immediately joined the dual vagabonds and reached Narkanda. Narkanda is situated on Shimla – Rampur highway and a beautiful town. Upper Himalayas views of snow clad mountains from Narkanda are just marvelous. At Narkanda we met a local friend Mr. Kamal, who had been of a great help in our earlier visit at Narkanda. Kamal also participates in Raid De Himalaya and organizes various treks in the vicinity. He had ample knowledge of the locale and informed about the treks and road conditions. From Narkanda we departed to Thanedar at 1300 hrs. From Narkanda to Thanedar is 35 kms and the road is very narrow but it is a pleasant drive. Thanedar is known as apple basket of India and why it is called so, we realized very soon. The Thanedar valley was at its bursting blossom, the fragrance of apples was tossing pixilation effect on us. The charm of apple orchards was engulfing us in its magical enchantment. I had forgotten all about my hectic official schedule and discomforts of 16 hours Haryana Roadways journey. We decided to camp at Tani Jubbar lake in Thanedar valley and reached at lake at 1430. The compelling scenic beauty of lake was just mesmerizing. The small lake encircled by pine trees was looking extremely calm and serene. The green soothing shadow of pine trees in the still water of the lake was extending solace to our spirits. In the vicinity of lake there were many apple orchards. After some snacks and rest, we had some leisurely walk in the environs. The unsullied atmosphere and fragrance of apples were making us buoyant & jaunty. We pitched our florescent coloured tent near the lake and had fantastic bonfire. During the bonfire we deafeningly recited songs of kishore, rafi and mukesh in chorus, prepared food and slept in the camp unkemptly without caring for any past, present n future. 

 

            In the morning, after routine schedule, we decided to go to Kursog valley for meeting Shikaridevi Trek. We started early in the morning at 8 O’clock and through Narkanda -Sainj-Bahana we reached at Kursog, Distt Mandi, HP at 1200 hrs. We stayed at Chindi, a small village 2 kilometers from Bakrot. We visited Chindi Devi temple and witnessed extraordinary carvings on wooden walls of the temple. We had a wonderful bonfire at Chindi village as well. In the next morning we had to trek from Chindi to Shikaridevi, apprx 16 kms. According to the legends, it is believed that the hunters in the early years once worshipped the Goddess on the mountain asking for success in their hunt. Most probably, the name of the temple has originated from the name of the Goddess Shikari Devi.

 

The Shikari Devi Temple is positioned at a height of 3250 meters. It is extremely difficult to trek up to the Shikari Devi Temple from Janjheli and Karsog in the town of Mandi. It has an alternate route from Chindi-Bakrote- Shikaridevi, which is most difficult and longest. We opted for the third one, the difficult 16 kms long trek. We started at 6 O’clock in the morning and through maize & pea fields reached ‘Santhal’ the last village of the trekking route at 9 O’clock. Afterwards the trek was through dense forests and hence we hired services of Amarsingh a resident of Santhal village. Afterwards, the woods going towards the temple had assorted trees and shrubs, which include various medicinal herbs as well. The forest was very dense and being a cloudy weather, we were making our sky way through the floating clouds. It was a heavenly experience. The man can not fantasize the scenic beauty of heaven better than that we experienced there on the trek through the woods. We reached at temple at 4 O’clock in the evening and had prayer.

 

In the Shikaridevi temple, the goddess is idolized in the form of a stone image. This temple is believed to be in existence from the time of the Pandavas and has no cover or roof on top. According to the myth, whenever anyone tried to build a roof on the Shikari Devi Temple, it had been a failure. We sat on the pyol of the temple for an hour and enjoyed the picturesque & charming beauty of the spot.

 

We stayed in a forest rest house half a kilometer away from the temple and had wonderful dinner. After a comfortable sleep, in the morning, we started descending to Chindi. We opted the same route for descend but it looked very diverse & different, owing to changed weather. The weather was clear and trek through the forest appeared more tranquil, pleasant and divine. By lunch time we were at Chindi. Next day, we departed from Chindi to Delhi via Tatapani, Naldhera, Shimla and Chandigarh.

 

It was an unforgettable journey and was a tremendous addition to my trekking reminiscences.

 

RENUKA LAKE: A BLISS NEAR DELHI

 

 

Trekking n traveling is my passion and I love to explore the world. In the initial years of my married life, my wife remained a little bit skeptical about my passion. Though later on she accepted trekking n traveling as a good sport activity; rather she started relishing these activities. In the year 1994, I was posted at Alwar, 150 kms away from Delhi. I hail from a satellite town of Delhi and on the eve of 14^th August I was at my home town to meet my parents. I got a call on our land line phone from my Alwar office that some VIP is visiting Alwar on 15^th of August to celebrate his/her independence day and I was informed to resume my duties in the morning of 15^th of August. At 4 O’clock in the morning of 15^th August, I left my home to board bus for Alwar. I observed that at the farther end of our street, my childhood friends were preparing to leave for some place by their car. I approached them and asked them to drop me at the Bus stand. They all were overwhelmed to see me unexpectedly and that too in the wee hours. They happily accepted my request but as soon as  I boarded their car, they started persuading me to accompany them upto holy sarovar of Kurukshetra, Haryana and to postpone the visit to Alwar. They pleaded that the on that day Solar Eclipse was to occur and as per Indian mythology, it is believed very pious to take holy dip in the Sarovar of Kurukshetra. They also swayed me to remain ‘free’ on the Independence Day from all official or family obligations. I got convinced and got ready to accompany them, subject to they allow me boarding the bus from Kurukshetra to Alwar. I telephoned to my boss that I was not feeling well and telephoned to my wife that I shall be busy in Delhi owing to some official assignments.

 

            At 9 O’clock we reached at Holy Sarovar and it was a beautiful panoramic as well as sacred scene. The sarovar was shining like a silver sheet under the sparkling rays of the Sun. The devotees were taking holy dip and were chanting mantras. It was a very soothing and relaxing religious atmosphere. We all entered into the sarovar for holly dip. One of among us was a professional body builder. As soon as he unclothed for the holy dip, the mob surrounded him and requested, rather forced, him to show case some of his muscles. This episode completely turned all of us into joyous mood and I forgot all the stress as well as boarding the bus to Alwar.

 

            After the holy dip, it was planned to visit Pinjore garden 22 kilometers away from Chandigarh at Ambala-Shimla highway. The beautiful picturesque garden was built by the rulers of Patiala Dynasty in the 17^th century in Mughal style architecture. This is worth seeing garden and one must visit if he or she is visiting from Delhi to Shimla by road. We reached Pinjore gardens at 1 pm, the weather was very pleasant owing to monsoon season but unfortunately that day was Independence Day and there was a function to honour CM of Haryana. The garden was overcrowded and that suffocative atmosphere forced us to left Pinjore Gardens within half an hour stay. One of us compelled to get chilled beer. On 15^th August, the country also celebrates dry-day, but near the Pinjore Garden the police personnel, who were deployed on duty at Garden for CM’s visit, were buying/getting liquor at a full shutter open liquor license shop. Our stubborn friend also bought his ale in presence of police walas, like a rabbit gulping water from a forest pond in presence of member of big cat family. By the evening we planned to visit Holy Renuka lake situated in Sirmour region of Himachal Pradesh. Renuka lake may be approached  from Chandigarh (95 kms) or Ambala (95 kms) or Dehradun (105 kms). From Delhi it is around 300 kms and very good option for weekends.

 

From Chandigarh, one can reach to Renuka Lake following the route through Panchkula, Morni hills road and Nahan. It is a beautiful route through thick forest and water falls. On the way from Nahan to Renuka there is a splendid waterfall, especially during rains. We had a very nourishing recreational bath for almost an hour. Near that fall there was a small cave, which was inhabited by one Fakir Baba. He offered us Jalebi. We got astonished to see delicious Jalebi at such a remote place. The BSNL landline phone installed in that cave added wonders to our astonishment. The Fakir Baba, said ‘Sab Sukh Ram Baba ki kripa hai. I was amazed to see how he procured this landline phone without having formal documents, identities etc. necessarily required to get BSNL landline. We all recalled the line in rhyme, ‘it happens only in India’.

 

Though Renuka Lake is situated at 660 m above the sea level but the weather remains very pleasant throughout the year. Especially during monsoon and winter it is picturesque hilly spot near Delhi to explore. Goddess Renuka was the mother of Parsuram, the twelfth incarnation of God Vishnu. This is the largest lake of Himachal Pradesh having periphery of around 3.5 kilometers. It is surrounded by thick forest with plenty of interesting variety of flora and fauna. The spot is having a boating option as well. This place experiences only a few tourists, that increases your pleasure of peaceful boating in the tranquil lake. You can boat across the lake or drive to this zoo, which has Asiatic lions, spotted deers, lion tailed macaques, 'Nilgai' Methuen, barking deer and Himalayan black bears. Adjoining the zoo, an armored van enters the large enclosure allowing for a close glimpse of the lions within. The lake is having beautiful fishes and you can have joy of feeding them. Since this is a holy place, angling is strictly prohibited. The place is having enough options to stay like HPTDC hotel, private hotels and inns. Temple ashram is also good for stay, where one can mediate, can do yoga and can participate ‘Satsanga’. For foodies, the place may not have ample options but pure good vegetarian food is adequately available. We reached Renuka Lake by late evening and had a delicious food at lake side daba. It was a beautiful evening with clear sky and reflection of stars in the lake was conveying amazing delight. In the morning we visited Goddess Renuka Temple, it is a beautiful temple and one can feel the sacred and peaceful vibes in the temple area as well as in the vicinity. After breakfast we had boating in the holy lake and thereafter roaming in the forest in an armored van was also very thrilling &  exciting experience. By the lunch time we reached back to hotel.  After lunch and an hour nap we wandered around the local market and village. During the day, the intermittent rains increased our pleasure. We all were far away from the worries of hustles and bustles of the city.

 

            Next day in the morning we planned for a small 8 kms trek to Rishi Jamadgini temple. It is believed that at this place Rishi Jamadagini meditated. The trek has a gentle ascend and passes through the maize fields. On the way one of the farmers offered us roasted maize with Chhach. It was very delicious and was much tastier than French fries with cold drinks. We reached temple by noon and the glimpse of Renuka lake from this temple was wonderful. From that height it looks a sacred goddess sleeping calmly. This peak gives a beautiful panoramic view of the whole valley. At the temple a family was observing pooja and they offered us very delicious Prasad and tea. After an hour of rest we descended back and reached hotel by the evening. Next day we departed back with a blissful experience.