My Dreamy Spiti

Let's start with a question this time; Do dreams come in sizes like Small, Medium, Large and so on, if they do, how do you we differentiate them? Like everyone else, I also had a dream and it was to visit the splendid Spiti Valley. Maybe to many of you it may sound like a very doable thing or one can say a Small dream but for me it was more than that. I had been planning to visit Spiti from 5-6 years but something or the other usually got it pushed and it kept getting delayed, however I had visited the place in my head so many times that I had lost the count already. 

Actually, I was supposed to go to Dharamshala again but Omicron had canned the plan and that cancellation led me to pursue my Spiti dream. I didn't even had to give it a second thought, it was like the stars were aligned for me. The timing, the weather and the Covid situation was perfect and I got my slot booked for the trip, it just happened so swiftly. The only thing left was counting the days and I was so exhilarated. 

I came to Delhi and the same evening we left for Shimla. The Queen of Hills welcomed us in the morning with single degree temperatures which were actually quite comforting to what we were supposed to face in the coming days. We boarded our tempo traveller and after a short stoppage we were on the way to Kalpa which is an offbeat village nestled in the majestic Kinnaur Kailash Mountains of the Himalayas at an elevation of 9711 feet, it is nature lover’s paradise. We reached there late in the evening and it was mighty cold that night, as it had snowed heavily in previous days. Next morning I woke up and caught my first glimpse of mighty Kinnaur Kailash mountains, I went out on the balcony to get a proper view but it was so chilly and windy that I couldn't even stand there for long. Kalpa was only a stop-over for us and we were supposed to leave for Nako in the morning, so after breakfast we packed and loaded our bags back to the traveller and left for Nako making a stoppage at the famous Suicide Point.

There were a couple of places which I was very excited to visit and Suicide Point was one of them, this spot is so heavenly that you will forget about the dangerous trench for a while, the enticing landscapes are truly a feast for your eyes. I'd say that it is beautifully dangerous!

After some photography and making sure nobody has literally utilized the name of the place, we boarded our traveller again and were on the way to Nako which was our stop for the night. My body was now getting synced to the zigzags of the mountain roads and I was enjoying the changing landscape of the region. The next stop for the day was Khab which is one of the important halts on a Spiti trip. Khab Sangam comes on the way where Sutlej and Spiti rivers meet on the left and on the right there is the old Silk Route. It was actually a very relaxing spot, sitting beside the river, breathing the fresh air, absolutely soothing.

After lunch, we were on the road again to the Nako village which was going to be our stay for the night. Nako is at an elevation of approximately 12,000 feet and we reached there well in the evening. After dropping our bags in our rooms, we went to the Nako monastery which was a short walk from our hotel. The ancient monastery was founded in 11th century and is located uphill from the village surrounded by the mountains from all the sides, the view was breathtaking with snow peaks all around. We returned from monastery and found ourselves chilling at the Nako lake which was totally frozen, we had some mountain dogs to keep us company there. The lake is surrounded by willow and poplar tree and is considered sacred by the locals. Next morning, we woke up early and some of us hiked to the Nako View Point which offers a panoramic view of the village, enveloped by the massive Himalayas and the frozen lake in the center, it was just a short hike but it was so cold, it felt like a major task.

We were informed that it was snowing heavily in Kaza from a couple of days and our trip lead also told us that the previous batch could not even reach Kaza due to road closures, which made me a little nervous because reaching Kaza was very important. But, the Gods were in our favor and it was well lit day and the trip lead told us that we will be heading to Kaza directly without making a stop at Tabo. We departed from Nako in the morning itself and were making good time on the road but then there was a road closure where we had to wait for more than an hour. I got a chance to converse with some Army soldiers who were also stuck with us and waiting for the road ahead to clear. We asked them about their families and they asked us about our jobs and lives, they were so humble and respectful. The road finally cleared and we bid farewell and thanked them for their services and again we were on the road to Kaza. 

The White Spiti started to exhibit itself when we started nearing Kaza, the landscape changed dramatically. The brownish mountains were now white, all covered in the heavy snow, there were some frozen waterfalls, the roads were entirely covered in fresh snow and the temperatures had further dipped. 

Kaza is the largest township in Lahaul and Spiti Valley situated at an elevation of  12,500 feet, boasting of high mountains with snowy crowns, crystal clear streams. We had some very concrete plans of café hopping in Kaza but all of them were canned when we found out that almost everything is closed in the town due to winters. We reached our homestay and after feasting on some hot maggi, we ventured out in the town to explore whatever was open. It was chilly, there was snow everywhere and then there was our group wandering around in the sleepy town of Kaza looking for possibilities to shop, eat and explore; to conclude it was a fun evening. We came back to our homestay and everyone was chilling in the common room, the heat was on and the dinner was served. After dinner around 11 PM, a couple of us went out again to stargaze, the sky was lit and it was -15 degrees but still we stayed out and went to the Kaza monastery and clicked a couple of pictures from outside.

Due to heavy snowfall, we had to hire 4*4 gypsies to visit Chicham Bridge, Key Monastery, Langza and Komic. Then came the next freezing morning, we boarded our 4*4 gypsies and hit the road again.

 

Stop No. 1 was Chicham Bridge which is the highest bridge in Asia at an staggering height of 13,596 feet above sea level. The yellow suspension bridge hangs dramatically on top of a 1,000 feet deep gorge keeping the Himalayan mountains in the backdrop, you can see the turquoise Spiti river flowing calmly from atop Chicham Bridge.

Stop No. 2 was Key Monastery (13,668 feet above sea level) which was founded in 11th century, it is one of the largest monastery in Spiti Valley and is a religious training center. We were welcomed by the monks who offered us delicious herbal tea and prasad, they showed us around the monastery, explaining the religious significance of the place and talking about their personal lives there. Being in their presence was so relaxing, listening to them talk about life and spirituality made me realize that there is no place for ego in our lives. 

We paid our respects and bid adieu to the monks and then hopped on the cars for the Stop No. 3, Langza Gompa (14,500 feet above sea level). I don't know why but I was itching to visit Langza, as I mentioned earlier, I had visited the place so many times in my head that I knew exactly what I was about to experience, I knew what kind of picture I wanted to click there and when I saw the Lord Buddha statue from a distance, it all felt so familiar like deja vu. 

Langza village is dominated by the Lord Buddha statue, overlooking and blessing the valley from a vantage point. It is a heavenly place, standing there and admiring the panoramic views of the valley, I felt so overwhelmed. It felt comfortable as if I was home after a tedious day, it was a blessing for me from the Lord himself and many deities of the valley.

Stop No. 4 was Komic village. Komic means "Eye of a Snow Cock" is a remote village situated at an altitude of 15,500 feet having its fame as the highest village in the world connected to a motorable road, the beauty of the place cannot even be described in the words. We made a quick stop at Komic as one of our friends was experiencing the ill effects of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) due to sudden gain in the elevation.

We reached our final stop of the day, Hikkim village (14,400 feet above sea level), the place is famous for its post office which is the highest in the world. The happiness of buying those postcards and the emotions of people scribbling their messages was so pure, everyone was busy recollecting the addresses of their loved ones and posing in front of the post office for pictures and videos. I also wrote down a couple of post cards, I posted some and took some home with me. It was a fulfilling experience.

We started heading back to Kaza sailing through the white snowy desert, my eyes set at the magnificent landscapes and my heart beating for them, it was a surreal drive.

We safely reached back to Kaza and the rest of the evening was free to relax. We took another stroll to the Kaza market and then came back to our homestay for dinner, the vibe was good, everyone was enjoying and having fun. After a while, we retired to our respective rooms as we had to leave for Kalpa again in the morning. 

We left for Kalpa making a stopover at the ancient Tabo Monastery. Tabo is located in a very arid, cold and rocky area at an altitude of 10,010 feet above sea level. Above the monastery there are a number of caves carved into the cliff which are used for meditation by the monks. The monastery was founded in 996 CE and the walls inside are covered with priceless murals and statues.

That evening we came back to Kalpa for the night stay and God has listened to my prayers again and I got to experience my first snowfall there. Everyone was having the time of their lives, dancing and playing outside in the snow. Oh! That was a glorious evening.

The majestic Kinnaur Kailash mountains welcomed us again and all of the group was busy in playing with the snow, we also tried making snowman but it turned out as Annabelle, but at least we tried.

The trip was coming to an end and there was only one place left to visit so, we were on the road to Chitkul village.

Chitkul stole my heart! It is such a gorgeous little place that you will be in its awe for a long long time. Chitkul is the last inhabited village near the Indo-China border. An absolute serene place with breathtaking scenery! You can go sit on the banks of Baspa river which is on the walking distance from the village, the freshness of the air, the sound of the flowing water and the beauty of the valley will calm you down and you'll wish to spend eternity there.

That night we went for stargazing and that was the clearest of skies I had ever witnessed, it was as if you could see the milky way up there and touch the stars, that was a mind blowing affair.

That's it, next morning we left for Shimla from where we had to board the bus for Delhi and the trip came to an end but the memories, the fun and the friends will stay forever. 

This trip made my dream come true, it made me realize how much I wanted to be there, what it meant to me. For me this was not a big dream or a small dream, it was just a dream, I just wanted to be surrounded by those magnificent mountains, being blessed by the Lord Buddha in Langza, write letters to my loved ones from Hikkim, when I saw shooting stars I didn't made a wish, I just closed my eyes and thanked God for making this trip possible, I thanked my family who never came cross with my love for travel.

Lastly, I want to thank JustWravel group for the trip, the trip lead Rishabh for all the support, our driver Mani Bhaiya, Dhairya, Himani, Indu, Shaurya, Smriti, Kshitij, Kishore, Ishan, Ruchi, Chirag, Denver and Deepak for their fun company.

Spiti will always remain very close to my heart. So often, we tell ourselves stories as to why we can't and why we shouldn't. This is absolute crap! The fact that we're here, living and breathing is a proof we're worthy. We are worthy of everything that we've ever wanted, just listen to your heart.

I do have many dreams but I never categorize them by their 'sizes', I just want to live and enjoy them, yes it'll take a lot of hard work but someday I'll be there and when I'll reach there I might write another blog, so maybe stay tuned.

Ciao!

The Great Stupa of Sanchi

Situated at a distance of almost 50 km from Bhopal city, Sanchi is not just another small town; in fact it is a very popular Buddhist pilgrimage destination because it houses a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Sanchi Stupa which is one of the oldest Buddhist monument in the country.

The Great Stupa of Sanchi (also called Stupa No.1) was constructed by the orders of Emperor Ashoka around 3rd Century BC to preserve and spread the great Buddhist philosophy and it is believed that the Great Stupa houses the relics of the Buddha. The simple structure was small and it was damaged around 2nd century BC, it was later repaired and enlarged also, some new elements were introduced to the existing structure. The grand structure sits at the top of a hill, surrounded by smaller stupas, monasteries and temples.

There are four gateways to enter the structure and they are beautifully carved depicting Buddhist symbols, historical and religious scenes. The Northern gateway lies in the front and it is absolutely vivid, you will also find a carved sculpture of Buddha in human form at every gateway entrance.

Northern Gateway

Buddha represented as Bodhi Tree.

Sculpture of Buddha in human form at the Eastern gateway entrance. 

Coming to the Stupa which consists of a hemispherical dome (anda) on a base with a relic chamber deep within, symbolizing the dome of heaven enclosing the earth. It is surmounted by a squared rail unit (harmika) representing the world mountain, from which rises a mast (yashti), symbolizing the cosmic axis. The mast bears umbrellas (chatras) that represent the various heavens (devlok). The entire structure is enclosed by a low wall (vedika), which meets at the four cardinal points by gateways. 

As a kid, while travelling on train from my hometown to Bhopal, when the railway station of Sanchi neared, I always tried and looked for Sanchi Stupa and sometimes I even convinced myself that I saw it even in the dusk. After living in Bhopal for many years, I never visited the Stupas of Sanchi and finally after a long wait on a hot and humid afternoon, I got a chance to visit and explore the site and I was ecstatic just to be there, it reminded me of the stories of Emperor Ashoka and some history lessons. The place literally holds a mixture of history and sacredness.

The Great Stupa (Stupa No.1)

Stupa No.3

Things to Do:

• Visit the World Heritage Site, The Great Stupa of Sanchi and surrounding smaller stupas, monasteries and temples.
• Fill yourself in awe of the beautiful and intricate gateways of Sanchi Stupa.
• Visit the Museum of Sanchi.
• Visit Udaygiri Caves.

How to Reach:

• Nearest airport is Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal, located at a distance of about 60 kms.
• Nearest railway station is Sanchi itself and it will take only 5-10 minutes to reach the site.
• Sanchi can be visited by road from Bhopal (50 km), Vidisha (10 km) and Indore (234 km) also.

PS - If you are driving from Bhopal, you will also find an interesting geographical point, The Tropic of Cancer, the imaginary line passes from here. Just keep an eye on both side of the rode, a small stone structure is made with the name engraved on it.

Imaginary line of Tropic of Cancer.

Happy Travelling, Ciao!

Agra - Land of the Taj

 

Well! The pandemic is still here; no surprises at all and I took another short trip which may as well not surprise anyone who have read my previous blogs, to be honest I have travelled more during the pandemic than I used to before. I had never been to Agra but it had always been there in my travel list and one Friday evening I just decided to visit the city and utilize the long weekend.

After winding up the work, I swiftly booked the train tickets to Agra and left for the station to board Shaan-e-Bhopal Express. It was mid February, the winter season was dissipating hence presenting the perfect season to visit Agra. I was travelling solo and it was just a one day trip so packing a bag was not required, I was just carrying my small travel pack for some essentials. I had already booked my tickets for the Taj Mahal (due to pandemic, only online ticketing is available) and was advised to visit the place early morning only to avoid the crowds. I was resting on the berth imagining about the pictures I will be clicking, how will be the light for photography, where will I visit, in general I was not able to sleep because of my crazy imagination. But things don't usually go as you plan and in my case they never go as planned!

I reached Agra early in the morning and it welcomed me with a hug of dense fog, which I was not expecting at all. My plans were in peril but I was hopeful that in some time the fog will go away and will present a beautiful clear day. Keeping my spirits up, I decided to carry on and left the Agra Cantt station; the next thing I found myself surrounded by a swarm of rickshaw-walas offering me various packages to visit the city or to drop to a nearby hotel. After saying no many times and keeping my temper in check, I finally escaped and walked outside the station to get a cup of tea.

After the tea break, I managed to get an auto and asked him to drop me to the East Gate of Taj Mahal, as he started driving, the salesman in him came alive and I was again bombarded with offers and hotel advises, I told him just drop me to the Taj. It was still very early in the morning, the fog situation and the auto guy was starting to get on my nerves. Finally, I reached the East Gate entry and as expected the crowd was minimal, after security checks I entered the Taj complex still expecting a miracle that fog will disappear. 

Standing in front of Darwaza-i-Rauza and staring at the colossal gateway, I was wondering how in the world did they pull off and created this wonder in the 16th century. I entered from the gate and there was a white sheet of dense fog in the front, the task was to locate the Taj Mahal now. I stood there for a while observing the water channels that were inter-connected across the Mughal gardens and that made me think about the Humayun's Tomb which inspired the architecture of the Taj Mahal. I walked further but Taj was still not in sight, the fog was not going away and there was no sign of proper sunshine. I had the entry tickets to the main mausoleum, so I got the shoe covers mandatory to enter the tomb.

Now, I could see the outlines of the architecture as I was roaming around looking at the minarets which were still not fully visible. After taking a couple of rounds, I entered the mausoleum. I stood and observed the place, everything in white with precious stones and various exquisite carvings. It was enthralling and the calmness inside was giving a different kind of a vibe.

I came out of the mausoleum and walked towards a corner facing Yamuna; gazing at the sun hidden behind the mist, shying away from coming out, I was dejected. A couple was standing close and the guy asked me to click their picture to which I complied and after some pictures we got into conversation, the guy told me that they were in the city for a couple of hours only and had to leave soon, his fiancé was disappointed because their Valentine's plan was ruined.

They left bidding goodbye and I was just sitting on the bench staring at the invisible monument in front of myself. Round 1 of the Taj Mahal was ending here.

I spent some time there and then left the Taj complex and decided to visit the Agra Fort also known as Lal Qila, the fort was the residence of Mughals before they shifted their capital to Delhi. 

I love forts because they represent history, they have witnessed many great emperors, wars, bloodsheds and celebrations and visiting them makes you relive that history. 

I entered the fort from the Akbar Darwazza also known as Amar Singh Gate and started exploring the fort on my own, as usual guides came up to me advising to take their services to which my reply was a simple "No". I was informed by a guard that major portion of fort has been closed due to pandemic and maintenance work by the authorities so, it won't take me more than an hour or so to explore the fort. 

I had plenty of time in my hands so there was no need to rush also, I covered almost the entire fort open to public and Diwan-e-Aam or Hall of Audience caught my eye purely because of the architecture, it is a spectacular combination of finesse and design. Diwan-e-Aam was basically a hall where the emperor held public meetings to attend to their problems or requests, the multi pillared hall created a symmetry so beautiful that I spent a good 30 minutes looking at that before leaving the premises.

The sun was finally out, fog had also vanished and now it was time for Round-2 of the Taj Mahal.

I re-booked the tickets while having breakfast and entered the Taj complex again from East Gate but by now the place was filled with large crowds. I did not think about it much as my only motivation now was to at least see the monument. I entered from Darwaza-i-Rauza again which was now bathing in the sunshine but now I could eventually see the Taj from the arched gateway. Round-2 had paid-off, the majestic Taj Mahal was in front of my eye. I stood there looking at the glimmering white marble structure in complete awe and I was possessed by its beauty. 

After clicking many pictures, I found an empty bench and sat there just admiring the unmatchable beauty of the Taj when some thoughts pierced my mind. I had noticed the Yamuna river which flows adjacent to the Taj but the condition of the river was grim, it had narrowed and was severely polluted.

The river was stagnant and I was just wondering what might have led to this condition; Yamuna is an integral part of Taj, without Yamuna the structural integrity of the Taj comes at risk.

We worship our rivers, call them "Mother" and at the same time defile them without thinking about any consequences. I am not sure if the local authorities had done any work on it but the river needs to be re-stored at least for the sake of being an important element to the wonder of the world.

I collected my thoughts and decided to head out stealing a final glimpse of the Taj Mahal that will always remain with me. 

But, a coin has two sides and the same applies for the city of Agra. Just keep in mind these 2 things when you are visiting:

1. If you have booked an auto rickshaw for the entire day they usually take you to shops claiming they sell finest of souvenirs like fabrics, art pieces etc. Please decline that offer straight away, they are touts working on commission.

2. If you have hired a guide, he will also do the same by taking you to marble shops and their owners will claim that their ancestors were employed during the construction of the Taj Mahal but God only knows what's the truth, they will try and sell you over priced stuff but stay away!

It was a bitter sweet trip for me, I might not have liked the city but I fell in love with the Taj Mahal. If you are reading this and have not visited Agra, just go! Plan something out and go see the Taj Mahal, it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful structures in the world.

Till the next adventure, Ciao!

The Wintry Wonderland of Himachal

 

The winter season is on the full swing and I am writing about yet another trip to Himachal Pradesh. After Dharamshala in 2016, it took me exactly 4 years to go back to my favorite state and this time I was travelling to Jibhi and Manali. Tired of working from home and definitely not being the kind of person who likes to stay at home for long periods of time, my feet were itching to go out and I was craving for some snow laden mountains.
I was looking for a trip to Himachal and the Photographers of India presented one in the nick of time and I grabbed it swiftly. There were a lot of questions, is it safe to travel, what will be the restrictions due to COVID-19 etc. but I was not worried about them, all I wanted was to get out and I was already counting the days. This time I was not completely alone, as my friend Sahista was also joining me on this trip.
I had to undergo the COVID test before leaving from home as it was advised to get it done just to be on the safer side and only God knows how much I hated those 2 seconds of agony. The result came out 'negative' and I was ready to witness the winter wonderland of Jibhi and Manali. We were supposed to reach Chandigarh on 27th December by 9 PM, so it was decided to take the train from Delhi only.
We boarded the Jan Shatabdi from New Delhi Railway Station in the afternoon and reached Chandigarh in the evening. The city welcomed us with extreme cold and rain which made me wonder about the temperature up in the mountains. On reaching the boarding point, we found out that due to heavy traffic the travelers have not yet arrived, so the only option was to wait it out. We had taken shelter outside a hotel named Sunbeam and thanks to those guys for not asking us to go away, as after sometime it seemed to look like a refugee camp. Finally, after waiting for more than 5-6 hours, the tempos came and we were ready to leave the lovely city of Chandigarh. The journey started around 2 in the morning and I decided to get some rest and fell asleep.
After a long drive and a couple of stops, we reached the mesmerizing hamlet of Jibhi situated amidst the lush green forests and surrounded by beautiful mountains in the afternoon. Well! It was not that straight forward, actually we had just entered the town and due to immense snowfall the previous night, the roads were totally blocked and were being cleared. Meanwhile, it was decided to explore the Jibhi Waterfall which was nearby, the temperature was dropping by every passing hour and we were presented with the first glimpses of snow.
To reach the waterfall, you have to take a short 10 minute walk. The place is neatly done with lovely arched wooden bridges made over the streams which are fed from the waterfall itself, the waterfall is tucked inside lush green jungle and the soothing sound of streams and the waterfall makes it even more precious.

After a short photography session, it was time to head back. We were informed that our tempos won't be able to go ahead, as the road was too slippery for them. Consequentially, a pick up truck was arranged for us and we had to hop on the trolley of the truck to reach our hostel.
An adventure was unfolding in front of our eyes, we were 7-8 people standing in the trolley holding on to each other. The climb started and in some time we came to a halt as one portion of the road was way too risky for the people coming down on their cars and bikes. A struggling trio of bikers were trying to get their Royal Enfields downhill, 3 people holding on to the bike and still falling down, gosh that was scary. After letting the traffic pass by, we started again and accidentally our pick up went inside a side drain and we had to push it. It was so slippery for us that we were falling down while pushing the truck but finally we made it and again hopped on. The climb was getting steeper and we were holding on to our dear lives because on our right was a deep gorge full of snow covered Deodars and if you fell, well that will be the end of your story.

It was 5 PM, the light was dying and we eventually reached 'The Hosteller' after all the struggles and hassles. Our bags were yet to be delivered to us, as taking them with us on the pick up truck was not possible. We got our rooms and mostly everyone fell on their beds, it was a very cozy and a comfortable stay. After freshening up and some rest, we went downstairs to the cafeteria for dinner and there we had a short introduction session. The dinner was done and when most people had decided to call it a night, myself and some friends decided to go out for night photography, the temperature had dipped to -6 but photography is love. We clicked outside for an hour and Sandip, (the Director as I call him) was giving us some tips and tricks. That was a great and a freezing night but we ended up with good pictures. Now, it was time for shut eye and much needed rest.

We woke up to a pleasing sunny morning and after some tea and breakfast, it was time for a hike to Jalori Pass. We started the ascend at 1 PM, it was at a distance of almost 5 kms from our hostel so it did not seem like a gigantic task. We started walking, making our way through the snow covered roads, the view was majestic, it felt like the mountains were embracing the valley. The snow started getting heavier on the road and it was getting difficult to walk, again the same pick up truck came to our rescue and we hopped on to reach the top.

 

Jalori Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 10280 feet above sea level, nestled in the peaks of Northern Himalayas. It is a sight to behold and there is a Mahakali temple at the top known as Jalori Maata and some small restaurants operated by local folks.  We reached the top and had tea because we were freezing and started clicking pictures and exploring the place. I certainly cannot miss out the lunch we had, steaming Rajma Chawal, oh boy! It was so delicious.

The daylight was dying and it was time to head back to our hostel. The descend was great fun, everyone was singing, sharing stories and most importantly slipping and falling down. We came back to the hostel by evening and after some rest, we were back at the cafeteria chilling with everyone.

Jibhi was so alluring and tranquil, it is the place where your thoughts will be at peace, away from the hustle and bustle, you will appreciate or at least learn to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.

The next morning, we had to start the next leg of our journey and the bustling town of Manali was waiting for us with more adventures and lesser temperatures. We bid adieu to Jibhi in the afternoon and were set for another 4 hour journey to Manali.

Traversing through the gigantic mountains, we reached Manali by 4PM in the evening and it was jam packed. The town was bustling like the entire population of India had come there for vacation, who says we are living in a pandemic world. We got off at Old Manali Bridge which separates Old and New Manali and from there we had to walk with our backpacks to The Orchards House - The Hidden Tribe.

The place is calm and serene, nestled away from the streets of the town, you will get to see the mountains jubilantly beaming at the valley.

We retired to our respective dorms to get some rest and then decided to head out to explore the streets of Manali. It was so crowded that after wandering around, we settled in a cozy looking café called Café Melange for some snacks and after a short shopping spree, we were back to our hostel. The bonfire was ready and temperatures had already dipped to -10 so, naturally everyone was sitting around the fire chatting, eating and drinking. We came back to our room well after midnight and it was time to sleep.

Next morning, the Jogini Waterfall trek was waiting for us and after some tea and breakfast, we left for the next adventure.

We were ferried on our travellers to the base point and from there it was just an hour long trek which seemed easy but I didn't know that my shoes will be failing me badly. I was not even able to get a proper grip at some places due to snow but after struggling for a while and getting some assistance from my fellow friends, I finally found my feet. Also, going back was not an option for me and the only way was up! The view was spectacular and it raised my spirits as we continued climbing through snow, mud, trees and what-not.

After an hour long arduous trek, we finally reached the top and the 150 feet high waterfall was in front of us. We made our way through some freezing streams and found a spot to click some pictures, drones were flying, people were posing in front of cameras, overall it was a fun little place. We filled our water bottle from one of the streams and that was the most delicious water I had ever tasted.

After the photography session, we started heading down to the base and had some refreshments. We came back to the Mall Road and it was time for some proper shopping. The Mall Road was immensely crowded as it was New Year's Eve, even walking was difficult for us and yet again these are 'pandemic times' we are living in. The shopping was done and now we were back at hostel for the new year party and the gloom of the trip ending was already looming over me but despite that I was content. That was the last night of our trip and everyone was chilling and celebrating the arrival of 2021.

The next morning we started the journey back home and that was altogether a different story.

Before this trip, I had decided that this will be a leisurely trip for me but it turned out to be one hell of an adventure that I will remember forever. And before ending this tale, a big shoutout to all the people who joined this adventure, you all made it lovely and I certainly cannot miss to mention my crazy roommates, a bunch of totally crazy people. Sahista! I seriously hope, you had a great time and now you know why I love Himachal so much, and thanks to 'Photographers of India' for this much needed getaway.

I am writing this from home but deep down I know, "Mera Dil Kahi Door, Pahadon Me Kho Gaya." 

Till the next Adventure, Keep Travelling and Keep Exploring!

Ciao!