|
SURKHANDA DEVI TREK(courtesy Devender Kumar of Devmalya's photostream) |
|
KANATAL |
They hold regular yoga camps at "The Camp Caravan" in Dhanaulti and I missed it due to time constrain; also the beautiful resort "The Whispering Pines"at village Thandhar close to Dhanaulti who arrange treks, angling, camps and many other adventure sports.The bus stopped at Kaddukhal a half an hour drive, a base for a spiritual steep climb to a heavenly place! SURKHANDA DEVI, an ancient stone and wood temple. There are mythological stories associated with the temple. At base on the road were small shops selling everything which could be called divine. A typical scent of incense greeted us. The road takes a sharp turn from where you take the steps and a rough path to the great heights of 8000 ft and cover a 2 km distance.
In this part of the country, our Gods are known to reside in the most difficult places and that too at heights whereas we are known to be too lazy to try and take their blessings but the truth is, you get what you want once you reach and pay your respects.
The climb was hard at least to me with my age and extra padding. I had joined a group while climbing who were a great help encouraging me all the time. With perspiration trickling down my neck and lungs about to burst I looked around and I was speechless! It was a stunning sight! Nothing less than a miracle! With the pain and tiredness vanishing instantly I looked at the incredible sight..remembering the description of "Heaven" I had read and seen in the mythological books in my childhood. With my group I was standing above the clouds wherein I could see a sprawling expanse of a sky, the tips of the snow peaks emerging from clouds below but at our eye level! There was a total silence among the group staring at the nature's wonder..the abode of Gods...nothing above us...no horizon!!
Suddenly I felt cold and realized that the temperature must be minus. We offered our respects to Surkhanda Devi and started the descend to the base chanting "Jai Surkhanda Devi", Jai Durga Mata" and "Jai Kaali". At the road side restaurant I had the privilege of two cups of hot sugary tea, courtesy group leader Balwant. Thanking profusely I boarded my bus to KANATAL, another half an hour journey.
It was an early evening when I reached KANATAL straight into cold clouds, a translucent cotton wool. When I came out from my room after a wash, the mist was still moving in from the adjacent jungle slowly creeping in and then rising. With the fading light the scene was mystic and very strange. It was getting colder at 6000 ft. Sitting on an easy chair I looked at the distance. Downhill, I saw between clouds or mist...a blurred sight right from the mystery novel... diffused lights of sodium vapor lamps! I heard steps on the wooden floor behind me. It was Bholu, the help, emerging from the mist with a covered teapot. He told me the mists would disappear anytime and you can see a clear sky.
My dinner of cabbage, dal(lentils) and fluffy rotis was early. When I came out, yes, the sky was clear. Walking on the ground I looked up and I was in a dreamworld. The sky looked so near and the stars..as if I could touch and pluck them! To my north was a painting by some crazy guy...snow peaks in exotic colors of lemon yellow against a dark blue sky of moonlit night!
all around there was a silence... and then I heard a growl coming from the jungle. A Panther? Returning back Bholu the help said, "yes, it could be". They are in the jungles close to Chamba 15 km from Kanatal. Must have strayed. He was very casual.
KANATAL is known for its wonderful walks so after enjoying my breakfast at the beautifully located restaurant within the forest at Hotel Hermitage, ventured into nearby forests. It was a serene trek, tall alpine trees, moss and lichen, streams and sunlight barely breaking through. The birds and colorful hundreds of butterflies and abundance of silence! I sat near a tree and started analysing I don't know what..may be remoteness! Then I saw a hare darting into bushes and I smiled. The mist had started moving in.. so I decided to go back; it was about to be late afternoon
KANATAL was perhaps the best for peace and serenity and I knew that I am going to come again. Here you don't do anything and you have done everything !!
I recommend the following hotels at KANATAL:
The Terrace (91-1376-283170/71)
The Hermitage (91-1376-283014)
Avalon Resorts:http://www.avalonresorts.com/Related post
A journey to mystic ABBOTT MOUNT in Uttarakhand