It is the gateway for the Great Himalayan National Park. I was encouraged to visit the valley as my friend Sandeep Mukherjee had visited this place six times during the past one year.
Sandeep chalked out a program for us, a group of six persons i.e. I, Seema, my wife, Sandeep, Sandeep’s sister (Didi), jeejaji (Didi used to call him as Ashokda) and Sandeep’s cousin Buji. Sandeep’s wife Anjana bhabhiji and his daughter Ishani had to stay back at Delhi due to Ishani’s exam on 30.03.2013.
Sometimes, on the way, we stopped to watch birds or take pics of the beautiful scenery of nature. All through the way, Tirthan River was flowing with its fast moving waters.
On reaching guest house, we refreshed ourselves, took breakfast and decided to
visit the local fall of that area.
Sandeep, Seema and I were guided by Tarun, teenager son of Khem Bhai. Other members of the group decided to stay
back for rest. We went through
the difficult track. It took around half
an hour to reach the fall. On reaching
there, we found that Didi and Ashokda had reached there via an easier
route.
The sound of water flowing through the stones was very soothing for the ears. Clouds had their place in between the hills. Greenery on the hills gave a special touch to the scenery.
Next day on 30.03.2013, we commenced our journey to Jalori Pass at around 8.30 a.m. The road passed through Banjar town, and thereafter, it was all uphill road. After Shoja, the climb to Jalori Pass was steep. Just about 3 kms before the pass, snow appeared and became thicker as we came close to Jalori Pass.
The entire route to Jalori Pass was very scenic with road passing through the thick forest of deodar trees and heavy snow all around. A combination of green and white was eye-catching. We reached Jalori Pass at around 11.00 a.m. and spent almost 2 hours there. In the evening, we took a stroll outside the guest house as it was slight drizzling and that day also we had to keep aside our pending program of trout fishing.
On 31.03.2013, after taking breakfast, we left the guest house for our return journey at around 9.00 AM. Panki had arranged lunch for us at his house. He has a joint family. His house was palatial and well decorated. We took a sumptuous lunch there which was prepared by his mother with the help of his wife and bhabhi. Panki and his elder brother, Ankit are both mountaineers and bird watchers. The enjoyment with the family is unforgettable. In the evening, we boarded the bus for Delhi. We reached at around 5.30 am at ISBT, Kashmiri Gate, took metro and reached home at 6.30 am and again got ourselves busy in the daily humdrum of life as we had to leave for office the same day.