We entered the Kashmir valley, the ‘paradise on earth’, on the second day of our trip. We had our first glimpse of the Kashmir valley after we crossed Banihal tunnel to reach our next place of night stay at Pahalgam via Batote, Ramban, Ramsoo, Banihal, Verinag and Anantnag...
We reached Yumthang valley around 8.30 in the morning. There were very few visitors in the early morning. It was a clear day and the view was nothing less than magical and unearthly...
Gradually the forest cover became light and gave way to a wide Yumthang valley with Lachungchu river flowing in the middle. Our destination, the breathtaking Yumthang valley just a little way ahead...
As soon as we left plains, the road became meandering mountain road with mountains on one side and deep gorges on the other side. Tall wild bamboo groves were shooting up straight towards the sky all along the gorges. Those lush green deep forests up to the horizon became haunting with the fading soft light of approaching evening..
Standing on the rooftop of his house at Dharamshala my friend dispelled my doubts regarding tourist worthiness of Dharamshala, “Don’t underestimate this place as a tourist spot. In fact this is one of the major tourist destinations in Himachal. Look at the Dhauladhar...
It was not a planned trip. My friend announced the evening before, “Tomorrow I have to visit Dharamshala. Would you like to come? We’d be back by evening.” No question of not agreeing. As usual start from Jammu was comfortably in the morning at about eight thirty. With three of us, the small red car rolled again...
If you like—come, stay for at least one night, roam around on foot, drive along the roads on both sides, be one with yourself and nature and finally take back something with you that will always remain valuable to you...
On the plains evening descended, and then night fell. The car streaked ahead through the night towards a small bubble of light, warmth, food and company—our home in Jammu. Far behind up in the mountains, Khajjiar lay dreaming in the lap of its mother.
This is the Pir Panjal mountain range running from east-southeast to west-northwest across Himachal Pradesh. The highest peak in this lower Himalayan range is Indrasan (6221m). Further to the right should be Dhauladhar behind the bend.Nowhere in between I could detect any sign of human civilization—it seemed to be all the way wilderness...
Three of us stood together watching the scene. At first I couldn’t comprehend clearly what I saw. Not often a natural scene takes my breath away! The expanse so vast, the carpet of short soft grass so inviting, the soft curves all around so soothing! The light green of the grass merged nearly at the horizon with the dark green wall of deodar trees...
