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.