Dalhousie Dilse

 It was a trip I planned and cancelled, and then it happened the same again. Finally, it fructified last month when I reached the Gandhinagar Railway Station in Jaipur. The beautiful and artistic paintings on the walls of the station truly reflected the Padharo Mhare Desh feeling, but ironically, I was leaving the place for another ecstatic location in the hills.

Jaipur Gandhi Nagar

I boarded the Pooja Express at the station to Pathankot. But my destination was two hours away from Pathankot, Khajjiar in Delhousie, also called the mini Switzerland. I had to hire a cab to reach the place that is blessed with enchanting beauty, tranquility, serenity and sacredness of its culture.

For a change, I have started travelling in sleeper class recently, which I consider more fascinating as it allows me to feel the real taste of India up and close. The weather was a little hot when I boarded the train but in late afternoon it started raining and the whole world felt pleasant. Soon, I was having a pleasurable time with the fellow travelers.

Next day early morning I reached Pathankot where on the way I was trying to feel the geographical and the cultural territory as I was heading from the land of dessert to the world of hills, mountains and greenery.    

Day I

The serpentine road was pretty good to start with but afterwards I felt a little giddy which is peculiar to my mental constitution. I reached Dalhousie at around 9 am and headed to my home away from home, Zostel.

Zostel Dalhousie

I was totally amazed to see the location of Zostel in Dalhousie. It is perched a little far from the Mall Road, around 3 km but it’s worth staying. The place is couched in lush greenery, sheltered by mountains and surrounded by villages nearby. One can have a beautiful view of the snow-covered mountains. As you gaze at them with a little intensity, you can feel as if the silvery domes of the snow-capped mountains smiling at you. What I truly realised is that Zostel in Dalhousie offers a wonderful stay to have meditation and feel yourself. It would be unjust for the place if you to stay for a short time. The place is meant to stay at least for couple of days to feel yourself. The weather was soothing with cool healthy breeze which I can never experience in Jaipur. The hill station is covered with thick forests of pine and deodar trees.

A home away from home

Zostel Dalhousie

I took a little rest and started for Khajjiar. I had already booked the taxi so there was no chaos at the eleventh hour. Guys, please plan it before and book your taxi a little early as in Dalhousie conveyance could be an issue. All the details and contacts are shared below.

Driver's contact number: 09418512370 (Mishra Ji, The man was truly good and took me at a verz reasonable rate 1000 bucks where others do not get ready in less than 1700.)

Dalhousie Public School

War Memorial

Now, I was on my way to Khajjiar via Bankrota hills and Dainkund peak.

At Green Valley

Bakrota Hills: The place is also called as the Green Valley. In Bakrota Hills, there is not much activity to do except to have a beautiful view of the Green Valley, photography with a little Himachali accessories like rabbits and pigeons in a flower basket. Though the place is just a small stop on the way to Dainkund peak but has one of the most exotic and scenic beauty.

Dainkund Peak: As it started raining heavily and I was not feeling well therefore I could not climb to the top of Dainkund Peak but yes I would urge you that the place is not to be missed. Do take a little pain to reach the place.

On the way to Dainkund Peak

And I was reminded of the poem, "The Road not Taken"

View from the beginning of the Dainkund Peak

Black and white makes the perfect combination
(Dainkund Peak)

Snow Love!!!!!!

It has always been my first love in Himalayas!!!!

Khajjiar: Located at an attitude of 6,450 ft, the saucer shaped green meadow, ringed by Deodar trees also has a small lake but unfortunately now the lake has almost dried up. I spent there around three to four hours and the place was nothing but just a feast for eyes.

Mini Switzerland

And there I found my Dream House....

And my soul was happyy...

There are a few options to satisfy one’s hunger. The weather was a little unpredictable as some time it started raining, then at times it was a little cloudy and there I decided to have Maggie. Friends, what I believe is Maggie automatically changes its taste in the Himalayas. The kind of taste one gets in Himalayas is totally different from the taste that we get elsewhere. So, whenever you visit any hill station do not forget to have Maggie.

Things to do in Khajjiar:

Paragliding: The beautiful place offers paragliding where one must have a bargaining skill. I did not do paragliding as I have planned for Bir Billing. In Khajjiar normally they charge around Rs 1,000 to 1,200 (only if you bargain).

Jorbing: I also saw a few people doing jorbing but sorry I am not able to tell you more about it as I was not interested in it.

Chetak

Horse riding: Half of the Khajjiar I covered walking, playing with sheep and talking to long and tall deodar trees and half of the area I covered with horse riding. Riding in a cloudy weather, capturing the minute moments in my eyes, heart, soul and definitely the man-made storehouse. My cellphone and I had started witnessing a few drops of rain was a truly an ecstatic moment at a different level.  The horseman was a very cute, simple and helpful boy.  One must also bargain for horse riding. They charge heavily around Rs 8,00 or 1,000 bucks but the boy settled for Rs 200 and showed me more places than he had promised. He also obliged to become my photographer in Khajjiar. If you need any help then you can contact him; Rakesh: 9816181244.

Photography: You will also find people getting their photos clicked in Himachali attire. They hardly charge Rs 200 bucks.

Let us know more about Khajjiar from the vedio..

Now, it was the time to bid farewell to the Heaven Abode. I started my journey back to Dalhousie. My driver took another route which goes via Lakkarmandi. At Lakkarmandi one can visit wildlife sanctuary but I was least interested in it because I have been witnessing these in Rajasthan since last one and a half year. On the way, my driver stopped at a tiny shop to have tea and pakoras, where I started interacting with the Himachali people. I found them very simple.

Himachali people: Simple people

In fifteen minutes I reached Gandhi Chowk, the happening place of Dalhousie. Gandhi Chowk is nearly 10 minutes distance from Zostel Dalhousie.

Gandhi Chowk

One corner of Gandhi Chowk is the Mall Road, a very tiny, small and one of the most ordinary market I have ever come across.

Mall Road

But yes there are a few outlets on the Mall Road to have a light snacks like Bon Appetite. They are known for providing fresh chicken.

The small store serves scrumptious chicken!!!!

Second corner is St. John Church. Built in 1834, the church had a very deep influence on me as it was not allowing me to leave the place but I was forced to. I was also a little disheartened to see a few Christian girls inside the church calling people and forcing them to buy candles. As no church does such things for monetary purpose but sadly being a Christian I can say, we should not spread such wrong message.

St. John Church

Third corner of the Gandhi Chowk is the way to Zostel and there my full day trip came to an end.

Evening scenes in Zostel..

Mandala Workshop at Zostel

Mandala Workshop at Zostel

One must stop to listen the mystic voice

pankaj_bhatt0 (instagram)

Day II
As I am an early riser, I woke up at around 6 am. Snow laden mountains, lush greenery, shepherds, cold breeze, and Himachali folks had become my morning companions. I felt like spending a month at the place but life is meant for doing what we really don’t want to.

I tried to capture the magical morning!!!!

And the beautiful morning

And their friendship may last for ever and ever!!!!

The Solitary Being!!!!

Morning Scene...

The Gateway to Heaven

Himachali Village Life

Himachali people#Simple people#Great people

My one of the best mornings ever.....

Other places to visit in Dalhousie

i)                   Kalatop Santuary: It was closed therefore I could not visit the place.

ii)       Satdhara Falls: Guys please do not trust Google. There is nothing to see in Satdhara Falls.

iii)     Panchpula: Its smothing to be ignored. There is nothing unique or anything different to see

It's a humble request to all of you....
Kindly take a little time and please let me know what is lacking in the present blog as it would he a great help to me in writing further blogs. You can also mention in the comment box.
My Instagram id: tulika_anand01