Himachal Pradesh - A Photo Blog

The summer of 2014 witnessed a rare event. We went out for a trip as a family! Himachal Pradesh was selected as the destination. The timing couldn't be more fortunate as I was about to put in my resignation in the office. So the entire journey was made in trains - Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani - Delhi-Pathankot Jhelum Express and HPTDC bus from Pathankot to McLeodganj (Dharamsala).

The morning we reached Pathankot was a beautiful morning, all around there were endless mango all abloom. And Pathankot is an air force base - so regular sightings of fighter jets were a huge plus. It was raining lightly when we reached McLeodganj, but the next day was clear and pleasantly cold.

View from HPTDC's Hotel Bhagsu

View from HPTDC's Hotel Bhagsu

We covered the local spots in the next day or two - Dal lake, Naddi, local markets of upper and lower dharamsala, Bhagsu falls.

Dal Lake (Namesake of Kashmir's famous lake)

Local market

Local market

A shop near Bhagsu Falls

View from Lower Dharamsala

Unrestricted view of Dhauladhar range from Naddi

Another outstanding place there was a fort close by around ~50 km from Dharamsala - Kangra Fort. This fort apparently had been destroyed for the most part in a big earthquake in 1905. If so, then judging from what was left, the original fort must have been breathtaking. Here's some photos-

The food everywhere was superb, in McLeodganj be sure to try out the local Tibetan cuisine - Thukpa, glass noodle soups, Thenthuk, momos etc - it is phenomenal and goes well with the cold weather up there. There's one place called Norling restaurant - it is a place not to be missed! The Norling special soup was so delicious and filling that we had that for lunch and dinner!

McLeodganj overall is enchanting and the significant Tibetan influence gives rise to an atmosphere markedly different from the general touristy places in India.

Next up on our itinerary was Dalhousie. Chilly rains persisted throughout our journey - which enhanced the taste of roadside dhaba tandoor aloo parathas with chai. The moment we entered Dalhousie after climbing our way up the winding ghaats of Himalayas, the mountains decided to put on a show for us. Entire Dalhousie was engulfed in a freezing cold sheet of clouds howling over the mountains, and I mean freezing cold. Here's some of my favourite photos of it -

Dalhousie is just a place to relax and idle around, not much sight seeing is necessary when all the sights are so stunning! With that ended the most awesome trip.

Note: All the photos were taken with my Nexus 4, some have been edited somewhat. :)

Enjoy

Baba

I'm in the mood for a short blog. I don't remember what sparked it today, maybe it was watching the sitcom Modern Family, but I just wanted to describe how great dads are. I remember very little from my childhood, but I do remember when I was a wee little boy of probably a year or two, my father would carry me to the wash basin, bend one leg so I would stand on his thigh, and then bring a handful of water to my mouth to rinse. And I even vividly recall the specific shape of his cupped hand.
These things go so unappreciated that it is almost cruel! But that doesn't stop dads from keeping at it. I would get sick a lot when I used to study in Mumbai. Dad would always book a ticket straight away, come to Mumbai, stay in the hostel guest room till I felt better. The numerous Appy's, Lays potato chips to bring taste to my tasteless mouth are just how kind and caring dad is.
All the money sent our way without even a single question as to how or where I spend it? How do you repay that?
When we were kids dad used to take us to all these places of natural beauty. From lakes to dams to forests to watch the birds and trees. All these birds used to have these unique Rao family names, derived in part from our hilarious pronunciations as kids. And when at the end of the p i c n i c (yes we used to spell it) when we were too tired to walk back to our apartment, guess who would carry us and put us in bed. The love for nature that we have today, all the genuine interest in wildlife, especially birds, comes straight from dad. If it were a superficial interest in him in the first place, we couldn't have possible imbibed it.
The trip to a birding destination, Bharatpur, when I was old enough, will remain in the top 5 vacations/trips I have taken in my life! I mean it is this 25 sq km park, and this enthusiastic and energetic man pushing his fifties is biking with his 25 year old son throughout the sanctuary, taking me down routes he remembered from the numerous times he had been there before, it is just phenomenal richness of spirit. I could not be more happy that the first time I ever saw an eagle (crested serpent, or as dad called it crested sarpanch eagle), the first ever pair of beautiful Sarus cranes was with the man who taught me to know and love these majestic creatures. It is fitting, poetic justice.

All the riches that were ever desired were never in any bank account, they were with the two people that raised me up. To this day, if ever the front door rings with his characteristic double-bell, my face will always light up that my baba's home.. Always.