2015 has been a great year in my travel space as I took baby steps to explore the big wide world. Not that sacrifices weren’t made as I had to make few compromises by putting down my paper after working for thirteen years in the software industry. But travel has taught me something very important that my daily job failed to do – to live every moment to the fullest. The ride hasn’t been easy as I have had to face the chill wind couple of times in my solo travel ventures….
I took a private bus from Delhi that took me through Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee and finally to Haridwar. The wheat fields were golden brown as they swayed in the summer wind. A short stop in one of the dhabas at Muzaffarnagar for lunch followed by a nap I survived the road travel which was more than close to 6 hours. From Haridwar I took the local city bus to reach Rishikesh in the sweltering heat.
The Uttarakhand region is peppered with Taal (Read my trip to Agoda which is en-route to Doditaal) or lakes and Bugyals. During my recent trip to this beautiful state that never fails to leave you mesmerized I trekked to Nachiketa Taal. Legend of this Taal is quite interesting and a compelling read/hear. Today I shall narrate the story of Nachiketa a ten year old kid who found the gateway to hell and the truth behind life after death.
When I reached Uttar Kashi I got into a discussion with a juice vendor at the market. One look at me and he realized I wasn’t a local. After the initial greetings he asked me where am I headed to. When I mentioned Kuflon his face beamed and excitedly he mentioned when you reach Kuflon the only sound that you would hear is that of your breath, birds and brooks.
When in Kuflon Basics a beautiful homestay in the hills of Garhwal, Uttarakhand I decided to venture further up the hill. Dodital is a beautiful lake with abundant rainbow or golden trouts and brown trouts introduced by the Britisher Morrison. It is believed Lord Ganesh the Hindu deity was born at Dodital which is at a height of 3310 m. Dodital is 21 km from Sangam Chatti close to the Uttar Kashi town. You traverse through the hamlets of Agoda or Agora, Manjhi before reaching Dodital that takes…
The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough goes a popular quote by Rabindranath Tagore. When you are in the company of nature nothing beats those moments of tranquility and serenity. Each moment brings out a new lease of life and you live every count of it. My love affair with the mighty Himalayas started with my trip to Arunachal Pradesh. The gigantic peaks with the snow drenched slopes leave you in a state of trance. There is nothing better than to wake up to…