Barot, You Beauty.

Have you ever had those days when everything about your life makes you want to escape it and go to a place far away from all the hue and cry and drama that's been getting on your nerves? Well, I have had my share of chagrin in the past few months and after a constant chase between going for it or not, I threw my clothes in a bag and took off to ISBT to board a bus and leave for the first hill station that hits my mind. After a hell lot brain storming (not really) I finally got into the bus for Manali and came cross this yet another spellbinding hamlet prospering in the laps of the majestic Himalayas called Barot.

With a population of not more than a thousand, this little place is settled amid wilderness with kangra valley on one side and Mandi on the other, divided by the pristine Uhl river that is the most beautiful attribute of the whole village.

Though it took more than 12 hours to reach the place and tiredness was dripping from every inch of my body  yet as soon as the cool mountain air touched my skin, my worn out self was replaced by a much more refreshing persona. I was engrossed now, cherishing the undeniable beauty of this yet another treasure of the Himalayas.

The bus from ISBT dropped me off at Mandi Bus Stop around 10 in the morning and after necessary inquiry I took a bus for Ghatasni. Another bus would have dropped me off at Barot directly but it was scheduled for 2 p.m and I didn't want to wait for another 4 hours. I took the bus and it was one heck of a ride. All the bumps and bruises were on my head and back were the result of this ride. I was dropped at Ghatasni and from there I took a cab which cost me 200 bucks and tada finally I witnessed beauty in its truest sense. Barot, you have my heart.

                                         

                                             

                                     

Recognizing the full worth of the little hamlet, I strolled through every inch and corner of this village and enjoyed a little chat with adorable people there who called this little Himalayan treasure their home. I stayed at Sachin's and got a family room because the single rooms were all booked. It cost me 600 bucks without food. There was nothing much to do there except for appreciating the beauty of the place. Sitting by the Uhl river was the most amazing. Lohardi, another village organized a kind of mela and someone suggested me to not miss the fare. I went there and the weather there was as amazing as one can imagine. After spending an hour or two I came down to Barot. There was also a natural spring by the river that caught my attention. The picture would explain what fun it was to make my way there, also because it was a segregated area and was absolutely dreamy. The water was also held through a damn of which I did not inquire much because my whole attention was towards the silvery water of the gushing Uhl river and what a beauty it was.

                                       

Food in the village was also delicious and was not very costly too. I had proper Indian breakfast in the day and chicken crusted plate for dinner. The simplicity and honesty of the people from the hills have always charmed me. And people here were no less. One instance being I ordered egg noodles for myself and could not eat even half of it. The kind owner of the restaurant charged only half the amount. I insisted though but he did not take it. Such warm people.

One thing I love to mention, every time when I write about the hills is the bewitching nights. The twinkling stars that give an impression of falling from the sky any minute because they seem so close from the hills. I can gaze at them all through the night and I tend to not fall asleep when in the hills. Because I don't want to miss the nights in the Himalayas. Such beautiful thing it is to witness the beauty of the pearly white moon and pretty little stars, oh I can just watch them over and over.

So this was all about Barot. I would suggest you to visit the place only if you want to have a relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If this is what you are looking for, then Barot should definitely be on your list.

Tirthan Valley: A Paradise Nestled Amidst the Wilderness.

Mr. Ruskin Bond, the master story teller, affirms, “Once you have lived with mountains, there is no escape. You belong to them.”  And my affair with the Himalayas makes me agree with every single word of his. The Himalayas, the ivory crown of India, owns so many mesmerizing hamlets that are untouched and hence, unexplored by the travelers.  One such treasure is Tirthan Valley. 

                  

The gushing Tirthan River, pure bliss.

Brimming with lush green forests and cuddled in the lap of the majestic mountains in Himachal Pradesh, Tirthan Valley is an off-beat place situated in Kullu district. It has an altitude of approximately 1600 mts. One can board a bus or travel by a car. Since the place is little known, boarding a bus is better. The bus drops you at Aut which is around 20 km away from Tirthan Valley. From Aut, a local taxi or bus will take you to the Valley. As you enter the valley, you will witness the musical Tirthan river shimmering like a diamond and gushing alongside your car or the bus. Soon, you will forget about the world you’ve left behind, a world that usually makes sense and enter a portal that will replenish your freedom. Nothing can disturb you in that lowly populated village where everybody knows everybody and visitors are welcomed with open heart. The weather here at Tirthan is whimsical too. At one moment you are smeared by the sun light but in a jiffy, you might get sprinkled with the grey chorus of rain and the clouds. Anyhow, rain in the mountains is an utter euphoria.

                                        

Little stream flowing below my feet. 

                                 

  

Tirthan is a perfect getaway for those who are sick of the fast paced life of the cities. A 2-3 days stay at this magical place is enough to lighten your mood and take on the world again. Stay at Tirthan is also affordable. There are various homestays like Khem Bharti’s Guest House, Raju Bharti’s Guest House, Himalayan Trout House etc. It is advised to book your rooms before visiting the place just to be on the safe side.

The hidden waterfall.

                                       

Also witnessed a rainbow after the overwhelming rain.

This was something. 

                                     

There is nothing much to do there apart from appreciating the picturesque scenery and having a relaxed time with yourself and your people. However, if you are a trekker, you can behold something totally out of this world here in the valley. A hidden waterfall. The kind that should and most probably will make it to the list of India’s most amazing waterfalls. If you go on a trek which is long and a little over the edge but is totally worth it because as soon as you hear the sound of water cascading down the mountains, like a child, you would want to trace the sound and reach the waterfall and as you see it, you would second me when I reckon that the Himalayas is full of natural treasures like this that nobody has heard of as yet. A waterfall in the middle of nowhere. The best thing about the whole valley is this. Or so I think. You may visit the place and find out yourself. Apart from this, a visit to the Great Himalaya National Park and Trout Fishing can be a part of your itinerary. A drive to Jalori Pass and Manikaran can also be included since they are near by areas.

Nights at Tirthan Valley are alluring. One can witness the beauty of pearly white moon and a handful of twinkling stars. The stars that can be gazed at all through the night. Cool breeze along with clear sound of gushing water fills you with a sheer sense of freedom in the wilderness.  Tirthan, in a nutshell, is pure bliss.