As I travel I reminisce about the many rivers of my country, right now the one flowing beside me, and I dive deep to understand more about my trip. As I write this, I am awed by the vastness and power it holds and I wonder about the people who stay alongside her and take in her every tantrum, calm to Chaotic, shallow to deep, silent to roaring.
Wondering about the origin and her power
Your first glimpse is of these Gorgeous giggling beside you, till you reach the origin of these rivers high up in the mountains. As I flowed with them deep into the state, she deep below in royal green and I high up on the mountain road, sometimes flowing very next to me in white, bearing a mirror image of the sky confusing me where to look. Many cascading from a waterfall peering through the dense vegetation around her, I fell in love with all the seven rivers of the state in every form.
I am traveling adjacent to a river Bed, she is running in her usual elegance, roaring but melodious, soothing music echoes as she flows, heavily jeweled with beads and boulders of every size and shape in earthy tones. I am on my way to Manali and traveling adjacent to The River BEAS.
Deep in my dreams…Still on the ROCK
I hear a knock at my door and I check the time, its 3:00 am. I am in my dream … on a rock sitting beside River BEAS. As I scramble out of my sweet slumber realize it’s the wake-up call, for our day is planned for Rohtang pass.
I question myself, who the hell goes to a mountain pass at 4:00 am? Give me a break, I am on my SOLO vacation! I remember I am lucky the pass is open and I need to get ready.
What I found at the Rohtang Pass
My early morning race to the Rohtang Pass made me think twice about the whole exercise. I am on an exploring trip and my FOMO didn’t allow me to leave anything undone, getting dressed in the attire to play in the snow was not sustainable, but the drive to Rohtang was exhilarating, adventurous, and thrilling.
As many enjoyed the snow, I gave in to the landscape and followed a trail going down, which took me to a cascading waterfall and I could see the river gushing down the mountainous paths.
Diversity in landscape
It seems god is really in love with the state, he has bestowed the state with the most stunning landscapes. Lush valleys like Kinnaur, Kullu, and Kangra to barren fertile terrains like Lahaul and Spiti with their age-old monasteries.
How the Locals have evolved their shelters
The blue-painted shelters in quaint little hamlets with the locally sourced material, doting the landscape make it a postcard Click. These houses sustain extreme weather conditions keeping all life resources like the cattle and humans protected the local architecture is at its best.
My Gateway
This landscape of Deodar, Walnut, Pine, and apple orchards kissing the compound of my mountain abode I am staying, is the pinnacle of beauty. Every White peak and cascading waterfall seems to be a walk away from my stay.
The cascading water brings me back to the present, and the river I see, these life sources too many of the rural Indian villages on its path, called the drainage system of the state, has a continuous feed and flow from the snowcapped mountains, with the banks layered with dense green vegetation.
Never had seen such a beautiful Drainage system
These drainage systems of the state flow continuously making the ecosystem around the most scenic and fertile. Each is revered and has a significant history and contributes to the major electricity production and the cannel systems in the neighboring states contributing to rich crops.
BEAS: The Beas in Manali is the most sought-after river created by VED Vyas from the Vyas Kund, the hot water spring attracts many for a dip.
Sutlej:originates from the western end of Lake Rakshastal, Tibet, and runs 1400km and is the longest river and major source of irrigation.
Chenab: is one of the prominent ones. Traditionally known by the name Chandrabhaga is formed by the confluence of 2 streams the Chandra and Bhaga.
Yamuna: This second largest tributary of the Ganges rightly gets its name from the Sanskrit word ‘Yama’ that means ‘twin’ and the fact that it runs along the Ganges.
Baspa: Originates around the Indo-Tibetan border with Glaciers enhancing the flow. Resulting in the formation of Baspa Valley, also called Sangla Valley is considered one of the most scenic valleys of the Himalayas with Ching Sakhago Pass located atop.
Parbati: Known for its geothermal springs around the towns of Khirganga and Manikaran meets Beas at Bhuntar and originates from ManTalai Glacier.
Beauty Bestowed
Umpteen trips and you still feel the tug to be among the wilderness. Called the land of Gods, the Gods did their best to host me on my first trip. Loving every bit of the landscape, culture, and cuisine.
The contrast in the biodiversity of the state is to be experienced to be believed. Home to many saints and the Dalai Lama, the state boasts about the diversified culture of temples and monasteries and its influence.
The landscape demands respect which we as a traveler often forget and tamper with the serenity. We visit the place for a short period but leave a deep mark of destruction.
With the Government initiatives to conserve this beautiful abode of Gods, by banning plastic, the efforts need to multifold as the highest electricity producing state today faces the brunt of hyped tourism through Climate Change and many drainage systems see the decline in water flow.
Traveling responsibly was my takeaway on my first solo trip to preserve these natural vistas created by the almighty.
Freezing Moments (apart From the climate)
# On the Rock beside the Beas
# The stay amidst the green where I could walk to the cascading fall
# The power of the seven rivers
# Local stay
#Snow at Rohtang and the happiness on every tourist’s face
Stay tuned to Varsha Mahore Blogs. Enriching lives through travel.
Very nice…