Our alarms and phone started buzzing and a new day, new dawn
welcomed us…… The night was truly cherishable after all we chatted for hours
altogether apart from the usual official stuff.. Today’s itinerary was to visit
the Army Temple and the Bhagsunag Waterfalls and straight away leave for
Dharamshala… So, accordingly, we asked the manager to escort us to Bhagsu as
the local guy knew a shorter route…. We check-out of our rooms and left the
hotel at around 0900 hours..
Since, it rained heavily last night, the roads were slippery.In
the dewy, pleasant petrichor of the post-rain morning, we made our way through
the lush green forest (which was devoid of Komorebi as the weather was still
‘bad’ for some but not for ME) and breathed the natural fresh pollution-free air.
In a few minutes’ time, we were at the temple and after doing the pradakshina
around the path, we clicked photos (as usual)… There was a pool few steps ahead
of the temple and we (read ‘I’) just couldn’t resist from clicking….
Then, we had our breakfast in the local Bhagsu Market and I
was telling the group that I want to try THUKPA from the day we reached there…
First we ordered the usual North Indian stuff – THE PARANTHAS.. Though they
were good, but I like trying the exclusive thing which I will not find here at
my place… So, Arpit asked me whether I was willing to have one? I responded in
YES, but since I was full, I won’t be able to finish it and someone has to give
me company in finishing that THUKPA (as I don’t like wasting even an ounce of
food). So, we ordered and it was such YUM that none could resist eating it..
The restaurant was lake-side facing and we could see the
towering mountains from the window… As we were having our breakfast, series of
clouds passed through and instantly I recalled the day when I landed in Manali
8 years back… As our bus entered Manali, clouds were so low, we could even feel
them with our hands.. Same was the case here but the glass window became a
hindrance and I was devoid of feeling it… LL
 |
| The Captivating Scene From our Restaurant |
So, after breakfast, we thought to meet the other group (Prasoon, Ankita, Ashmeen and Dahiya) to ask them if they are willing to come but since they were having their breakfast we decided to head straight to see the Bhagsu waterfall which was just 2 kms away from the place we ate. As we walked, I sensed that something was missing, Bhagsu was not the Bhagsu which I had seen 5 years back… The cute huts where we had our selfies then, were nowhere to be seen… Finally, we reached there and the place was fully COMMERCIALISED…
 |
| Sonia, Me, Arpit - CRAZY US... AGAIN!! |
People were selling Maggis, and even there were shops..
Imagine shops at waterfall…. What we are doing to MOTHER EARTH and then they
say it is causing havoc.. Of course, it will! It will find a mechanism to
lessen the population burden… Perhaps, it is too easy to romanticize the natural
world because it is one of the most enduring characteristics… Fortunately,
there were just three huts left and we posed there emphatically..
 |
| Bhagsu Waterfall |
Finally, we returned at the main Mcleodganj Chauraha and Dhirendraji
and Arpit went back to pick up the luggage… While our gang of four girls (ME,
Sonia, Mona, Rajput) were strolling in the market… The scene which we next saw
is undescribable and is best in our memories…. :P :P
Finally, when the boys came, we moved forward to reach Dharamshala
(…again in a local bus)… As the bus snaked through the Army Cantonment Area, I
was being nostalgic as IT WAS TIME to bid adieu to Mcleodganj…. So, in about
half an hour, we reached the Dharamshala bus stand and we were welcome with a
nebulous atmosphere… We couldn’t see an inch and it was like heavenly….
If I could ever search for ‘Heaven’, it was then… THERE…… The
fog, the cloudiness, the cool pleasant breeze… Mensch, it was truly experience
of a LIFETIME…. So, me, Mona and Arpit were game for walking towards the
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium (which is one of its kind in the midst of mountains)…
While others were earlier reluctant, but later on they agreed and we started
walking… And I just can’t tell you how I was feeling THEN…. THERE at that
moment….
 |
| The HEAVENLY SIGHT |
We asked for our way from the localiites and we were walking
in the Government zone just like the Aurangzeb Road of Delhi…. After walking
few miles, Lord Indra became happy and started showering… And it was simply
WOW-WALA-Experience…. So, Sonia, Rajput and Dhirendraji decided to take a bus
to Dharamshala.. while me, Mona and Arpit decided to walk.. because it was just
drizzling then so we were actually feeling the place that was Dharamshala….
We passed a large medical institution cum hospital, an
ancient colonial-era structure, house of IFS, and many such prominent buildings
passed by… As soon as the rain started heavily downpouring, we decided to halt
near a bank and then, finally took a bus to reach the destination… The other
group was waiting for us and then as Lord Indra calmed down, we began moving
finally to reach the Cricket Stadium.. The entry was FREE and open to all… I wouldn’t
say that it was the best sight because the dark grey clouds came in the passage
of hills.. but undoubtedly, it was a good experience…
 |
| Dharamshala Cricket Stadium |
Afterwards, it was time to have our lunch and we decided to
sit in a comforting place without eating too much.. So, we had hot chocolate,
momos and lots of other stuff… and finally we boarded our bus to reach the
Dharamshala bus stand..
The other group would meet us there and so we pre-arranged seats
for them… They arrived and we were dead tired… A pinch of nostalgia started
running through my veins as on the one hand I was hiraeth of the fact of
leaving the wondrous place.. on the other, I wanted to go home and meet my
niece that was waiting for me at my place…
So, we boarded the bus that dropped us at Pathankot around
1930 hours…
The Return Journey Will Be TO BE CONTINUED……..
To read what we did the other three days, visit page -
http://akanksha13sep.blogspot.in/2015/04/hill-sojourn-part-iii-day-02.html
http://akanksha13sep.blogspot.in/2015/04/hill-sojourn-part-iii-day-02.html
