Pangong – An Azure Diamond

Films are a major trigger for our wanderlust. Credit needs to be given to our films to bring these beautiful locales to us.

The PHUNSUKH Wangdo /Rancho of the film “ 3 Iditos “ meeting his lady love on this beautiful strip of land surrounded with azure blue waters on a yellow Bajaj Super in red hot lehenga & helmet and  with  killer look in her eyes made the audience reel over the picturesque Pangong TSO lake  & Kareena. 2009 released “3 IDIOTS ” gave us the PANGONG TSO.

Most INDIANS fell in love with 3 things, firstly the location of Pangong TSO Lake, Secondly, education can be fun with friends like Rancho, Thirdly the school of PHUNSUK WANGDOO.

Dream Come true!!!!!!!!

This became the dream destination on each one’s bucket list. After doing Leh & Nubra we are on our way to Pangong. Travel to Pangong via the changla pass known to be the third-highest motor able mountain pass takes around 6 hrs. Despite the distance, height, thinning oxygen, conquering the uneven roads crossing many flowing streams it is indeed surreal to then be face to face with this wonder of nature.

This blue-green diamond with glistening rivulets firmly set amidst the brown ice-capped mountains take away your breath. You are speechless for a long time for many good reasons.

It was around 4:00 pm as we reached. The lake & sky throwing a vista of colors seem competing with each other.  Clouds just beginning to form on the faraway mountains. The diamond glistened at its full capacity. The enchanting but eerie landscape makes you just drink in the surroundings.

About the lake…

Pangong Tso means narrow & enchanted, comes from the word “Banggong”. The lake is set amidst the huge Himalayas of which One-third part of the lake is in India rest in China. 134km long & 5km broad at its broadest point

Line of Control between the two countries passes through the Lake & the Himalayan ranges. Set at a height of 4350meters the lake is saline but very interestingly freezes totally in the winters. Being saline does not support any aquatic life & vegetation but gives favorable weather conditions for many of the migratory birds. Being very near to the LOC activities like boating or any other are not allowed.

The clarity is unbeaten as you walk on the LAPIS LAZULI (stones formed in blue-green color) the crystal clear water touching your feet.

With much of the photo ops.at every angle, every Inch, on yellow bajaj Scooter with the red Helmet feeling like Kareena but with layers of woolens, imagining  RANCHO waiting for you it feels  you have achieved your dream.

As the dusk falls the temperature starts to dip we proceed to our tented abodes for the night. In the pitch darkness, the starlit sky & tiny bulbs of the tents is the only light around.

Staying under the starlit sky…..

The tents are big enough with all facilities required for a stay, stacked with woolens, heater & hot water you are made comfortable.

Fun was seating out on the porch in freezing temperatures with a bonfire & a hot drink and staring at the star-studded sky, you forget the time as the night passes by.

NEW DAY NEW BEGINNING

Dawn at Pangong TSO had a different beauty. It’s calm, peace, serenity & its chill is just magical. It holds you in a trance & unfolds many thoughts.

As I stand for the last time before moving ahead I count my many blessings and I realize I had stopped doing that, surrounded by Skyscrapers as high as your vision reaches, Countless vehicles with noise and emission, Gadgets operated by fingertips that entertain you all the time, I had taken for granted the everyday Sunrise & set, star-studded sky with the moon, the crisp air & countless blessings.

Life is beautiful with God’s innumerable blessings which we take for granted & stop appreciating, But the blessings stay with us, so embrace them be grateful for every moment.