Apr 21, 2003 10:38 AM
6180 Views
(Updated Apr 21, 2003 11:02 AM)
Kuch Yaadein, Kuch Lamhe, Log Kabhi Nahi Bhulte
Kyonki Yahi Sab To Zindagi Ka Saar Hote Hain
And one and a half years is not that big period to forget such great times. In fact it’s quite some time when I had posted the Part 1 on MS. Though I had been thinking of completing this one for a long period now but someway or the other, the things never worked out(I must say I’m a very busy person). But this weekend being an extended one(Thanks to Good Friday), I thought of finishing the task. BTW sorry for posting this under this one, but MS doesn't allow you to post multiple reviews on same topic. However since this review was bit lengthy I had no options but to post it under some other similar topic. Sorry.
In Part 1, I finished with the beginning of a new day, the beginning of a new year. Our nightly adventure had failed, thanks to our own fears of the unknown. However we were not to be denied the experience of witnessing the snow. So early morning 6:30 / 7:00 A.M. we were on the way to Sarkunda Devi Temple which was some 7 km from Dhanaulti. The Himalayas provide you with enough satisfaction(both spiritually and emotionally) if one has time to spare and we had time aplenty, thus we decided to walk the distance. And as I wrote towards the ending of Part 1, we soon were blessed with the realization of that long cherished dream of playing with the snow. The road fully covered with snow was a sight my eyes had craved for long.
The rest of the journey passed amidst songs, sceneries and breathtaking views of snow clad peaks and green valleys. APS was already having a hangover of being Miya Zazzakh and all through the walk he kept on uttering his nonsense shaiyari which kept us all laughing with someone or the other chipping on with a line or two in between. Two and a half hours later we were at our destination. The temple was at the top of a hill and it was a steep climb of some two km. So before starting for the temple we thought of recharging ourselves. A glass of milk and Aloo ka Parathas(They taste really good when serve hot with Aam ka Achaar, especially if the weather is cold like it was that day) and off we were to the temple. Well, to walk 7 km in mountains and then to climb two extremely steep km, man it really takes a toll on you. But the reward one gets on completing this tiring climb makes it really worthwhile.
Sarkunda Devi is the highest peak in the neighbouring area and thus provides you a wide spectrum view of the spectacular higher Himalayan peaks. One is left spellbound to see the snow clad peaks in the north amongst which are the famous Char Dhams(Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath). To our east was the majestic Nanda Devi, this being a clear day we got a splendid view of what is considered to be one of the most beautiful peaks in the world. Having witnessed the Nanda Devi from a different angle from Auli during my visit to Badrinath, I consider myself lucky to witness the highest peak of the country from this different angle and though it was far, it remained as charming as it seemed from a closer look that I had from Auli. Since we had reached at around 12:00 in the noon, the temple was closed for afternoon cleaning. This provided us enough opportunity to enjoy the scenic surroundings. There were pockets here and there covered with snow and we decided to explore these areas once we were through with the darshan.
As is the case all over Garwhal and Kumaon region, Sarkunda Devi temple is also a Shakti Peeth where goddess Parvati is worshipped in form of Sarkunda Devi. As the temple opened we offered our prayers to the goddess. The inner sanctum of the temple was cold but one could feel the air of divinity. There was a bhandara going on in the temple and so we had our lunch at the bhandara and then we moved on to explore the pockets of snow. As we climbed down from the other side of the hill, we came across this decent enough area covered with snow. After being our matured self for some time, we couldn’t control ourselves and soon the child within us took over. Everyone was busy in making snowballs and throwing at each other. It was absolute fun.
Some distance away from this place we noticed, was a much larger area covered with snow. This place was actually on an adjoining hill and though we all reached there safe and sound, I admit that we had taken a very foolish step. The way to the hill was extremely dangerous with not even enough space to keep your two legs side by side. I remember Docs was on his all fours and crawled the whole way instead of walking. On the top of this hill it was like one is left stranded on an island, all alone and cut from the rest of the world. With all energy and enthu gone, nobody played with snow. We passed some time like that only and started back for the temple. Docs crawled on our way back too and we all laughed. Our adventure at the Sarkunda Devi thus ended on this high note. It was 4:00 in the evening. The town of Chamba was 15 km away. After enquiring that last jeep from Chamba to Sarkunda Devi returns at around 5:00 p.m. we decided to give Chamba a go.
Chamba was a typical, small hill town, beautiful like every Himalayan town is. Evening time the market was busy, people engrossed in buying and selling, the place all hustling and bustling. Chamba didn’t offer much except for a closer look at the life in mountains. We, however, were short on time and thus decided to move back. As we moved in the Jeep from Chamba, the evening was paving the way for the night. The driver played some Garwhali cassette. Everyone was quiet, the rustic voice of the singer, cool sound of the flute and of course the sound of the engine, everything seemed to compliment each other and also the ambience.
The Jeep dropped us at Sarkunda Devi and since we knew that we won’t be getting any conveyance at this hour, we starting walking our way back to Dhanaulti just as we have started in the morning. APS’s Zazzakh hangover was gone and he was whistling his favourite tune “Yeh Shaam Mastaani Madhosh Kiye Jaaye”. We had walked some two three km when one tourist bus enroute Mussoorie stopped and gave us the lift. The good natured driver didn’t even took any money for dropping us at Dhanaulti.
By this time the day has passed and the valley had started to dip in the heavenly silence. It was an eternal feeling. The five of us sat around the fire near a tea stall deeply immersed among ourselves. Nobody knew if we would ever travel again like this or not.
To Be Contd.
