In the lap of Himalayan Mountains

Sixteen on the 16th

It has been more than 15 months since we visited Himalay.  We fondly remember our previous trek and start planning for the next. We quickly have 20 people who want to go. The Whats app group is formed and preparations begin. After a few months the group is reduced to 16 and we finally get on to our flights on the 16^th of May 2019. The journey of 16 begins on the 16^th. Though  we reach New Delhi in different flights we unite together at Majnu Ka Tila to board the bus to Manali. The bus leaves on time and after a strenuous journey of 14 hours we reach Manali.

Hadimba Temple and Vasisthi are two places one must visit in Manali. Hadimba (Hidimba) was Bhim’s wife and must have been a very popular queen.   Wasisthi is another historical place famous because of the hot water springs. As we reach this place the light showers of rain welcome us playfully. We decide to have food and proceed to the Jugni Falls. As we eat lunch it seems impossible to proceed to the falls. After a walk of about 20 minutes we decide to go back to our hotel at Mall Road. Everybody gets back to the rooms. Chandan, Anirudh and I get busy in planning the trek details with Mitraji and Dinesh Thakur, our trek coordinators. All the minute details are planned as other members also join in. It is already dark and we proceed for the dinner.

Aniruddh, Mayur and Chitaleji

Next morning welcomes us with bright sunshine. We are now eager to start our trek. We eat at Manali sweets and board our vehicles at 11 am. After a journey of 40 minutes or so, we halt at a place called Kothi. This is the place where we would be beginning our trek.

Dinesh gives us some basic instructions of trekking after a headcount. Today is a light day.

Para Gliding-Sachin's Passion

We would be trekking a distance of  just 2 to 3 hours. We suddenly see the paragliders over our head. Sachin remembers our initial discussion regarding Paragliding. He suddenly wants to go to Bir Biling. 

All of us remind him that we have come on a trek and not for leisure. He some how reconciles and we proceed further. The mountains are green. Huge pine trees welcome us with open arms. The blue skies look marvelous. We climb one after the other and keep a steady pace. We would be taking a steep climb today to reach the campsite at Chouda Mod. As we are half way through we take a break for a bite. We have bananas, juice and Five star to munch. We follow our swatch Bharat routine and leave no dry waste behind. We climb further through the forest and suddenly reach our camping site.

Dining Tent

The camp site is getting ready. We relax for a while and start erecting our tents. It seems to be an easy job when others are doing it. However we realize how difficult it is when we do it ourselves. We have not trekked much today hence erecting tents seems to be fun.As we finish our jobs, we proudly look at our creation. The lunch is served in the dining tent. 

Rohatang Pass

After a while when everybody is settled, Sharvari and I venture out to some photography. Shardul and Tanaya join us after some time. We spot eagles and a few more birds. Tanaya spots a weird animal. All of us try to capture it in our camera how ever it disappears in fraction of a second. We guess it was Raccoon. The sky is clear but cold is catching up in the air.  Sushant, Anirudh, Sachin and Chandan come out to check on us. We are able to see the Rohtang Pass in front of us. Hanuman Tibaa and Seven Sisters are over looking us. This will be our first night in the tent after almost two years. Cold winds encircle us. We shiver in the breeze, yet feel the warmth of gigantic Himalayas.  It is amazing how this cold mountain calls us every season so warmly to visit it. We the children of Sahyadri sleep  peacefully in the lap of Himalaya the big brother.

                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                    To be continued…………..