(Al)lure Of The Himalaya

Dear Peeved Mountain-loving Subscriber,

This one is for you. Just this once. For no reason other than that I empathise with your yearning for a topography nonpareil; indeed my bailiwick.

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I am reminded of yet another who was unable to repel the lure – Lady Penelope Chetwode. Her initial ill-disposition towards India when she arrived in the late 20s (her father was the British Commander-in-Chief) swiftly disintegrated in face of the youthful and towering charm of the Himalaya. Accompanied by her mother, she undertook a mule trek from Shimla to Rohtang via the Jalori Pass at 10,500 feet. This (pic below) could well have been the view she encountered when she approached the Jalori for the very first time in 1931.

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View from Jalori Pass

Lady Penelope returned to the region many a-time including once in 1963 when she retraced her earlier ‘pony-ride’ through Narkanda, Ani, Khanag, over the Jalori before descending to Banjar, Aut, Kullu and finally up to Manali and the Rohtang. No doubt she would have gotten a hot cuppa ever so often along the way at the many dak bungalows she halted at en route. Today, visitors will also chance upon the welcoming sight of Shan-e-Jalori (one of two shacks selling tea, kadhi-chawal, Maggi and the works) crowning the Pass.

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Shan-e-Jalori

The descent from Jalori to Banjar goes past Shoja (short detour). For long an idyllic Himalayan hamlet that many escaped to for respite from metro madness. And even though it is now experiencing its share of ‘concretising’, it is still one of the most picturesque villages of the Seraj region. From where I was looking on my own visit, it would have been no different from what the intrepid Englishwoman would have seen of other villages during her many excursions.

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Shoja village

The bountiful Shringi Vatika, however, is more recent in vintage. Owned by a garrulous lady – Pammi Aunty to all – and her laconic husband, it has been feeding and housing visitors to and from Jalori Pass for a while now. Typically, on a day-trip when ascending from the Banjar or Tirthan valley, you will place your order on the way up and find a freshly prepared, mostly delish meal awaiting your return. While it would appear to the uninitiated that you’re spoilt for culinary choice; I suggest you stick to local fare. The sidoo is divine; the frightfully bitter nettle soup is explained away as a French recipe.

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Pammi Aunty’s bounty

Lady Penelope made a longish detour while returning from her jaunt in 1963. She wound her way up to the sulphur springs at Khirganga in the Parvati Valley, before choosing a different route to return to Shimla. This time around through Goshaini in Tirthan, and over the Bashleo Pass which descends towards Sarahan and Rampur on the banks of the Sutlej. Her travelogue, Kulu: The End Of The Habitable World, is a vivid recounting of this adventure.

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Heaven is a place on earth, yes? Tirthan.

She continued to visit the region well into the 80s, often leading tours to the place she came to dearly love and know as home away from home.  Her last trip was made in April 1986. She passed away reportedly around Dim village near the Jalori while helming one of her groups. Another version suggests she may have died in Khanag. Where, set in the garden of the colonial-era rest house, a memorial tablet in black granite honours her deep affection for the Himalaya.

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Rest house, Khanag

As for you, dear Peeved Mountain-loving Reader, I sincerely hope you will get that chance real soon to cut loose from whatever is keeping you from your love.

Cheers!

7 comments

  • I am big sucker of mountains 🙂 Before I head of to 3000kms Rickshaw Race from Jailsamer to Shillong , I decided to get some luxury -mountains in Uttrakhand.. And now in delhi before the race 🙂 Btw Do leave your motivation word for me here : http://www.photokatha.in/indian-travel-blogger-on-rickshaw-run-2015/

  • Thanks for showcasing this hidden valley in your amazing blog ! Just next to this lies the Tirthan Valley which is the gateway to the World Heritage Site of the Great Himalayan National Park…described a Jewel in the crown of the Himalayas.

    Some hidden treasures for the people who love to spend time at Shringi Vatika include trout fishing in the Hirrub Nala next door and a walk to the Chaini Kothi ( Which is the highest tower in the Kullu Valley and is believed to be one of the oldest earthquake proof structures in the world.

    • In fact, thank you Ankit, for introducing me to many of the amazing places in the region I return to…not as much as I would like to. Still, can’t complain. Next on the bucket list is a visit to Chaini Kothi. And of course a hike into the GHNP. You have been warned 🙂

  • Enjoyed reading, Puneet. (As always!)

    Nice pics… especially the one with the rays playing in the wheat-fields of Tirthan. And for a change, you have posted a selfie too 😉

    • Hey Rajnish, thanks! The Tirthan one is en route a hike to the waterfall nearby, referred to as Jogni (female divinity) Falls in local lore. Bliss.

      Honestly, this blog is all about the self…but I know what you mean, rather, see 😉

  • with so much of commercialization now ruining most of places in himalayas which are directly accessible by road, especially in uttrakhand where tourism developed in recent years. The only solace is unspoilt Himalayas which are off course and not in reach of most of touristy crowd!

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