 |
| Kheerganga Temple |
Kasol valley plan was already on. I was checking FB and saw somebody posted a Kheerganga pic, little question answer made it clear that place is worth, called few friends, everything started working.
Five of us started our journey swiftly (Maruti) around 7 pm from Delhi, had a dinner at Pehalwan dhaba Murthal. Overnight drive, heavy rain started the moment we entered in Bilaspur (Another route via Una, Bhota is highly recommended despite additional 80 kms, your vehicle and body will love you for taking the alternative route) reached Sundarnagar at 6:30 am. One of friend's relative was ready with breakfast arrangement.
Journey resumed at 8:00 am, it took 4 hours to reach Manikaran, got stuck in traffic jam for an hour, acted little traffic police to sort out the mess.
 |
| Traffic jam at Manikaran. |
Once traffic was clear, we reached Barsheni, the starting point of Kheerganga trek in another one hour which is 15 kms from Manikaran.
 |
| Barsheni: Starting point for Kheerganga Trek. |
Immediately around 2:30 pm we started the trekking. It's approx 7-8 km track. Locations are awesome, (You can follow our Facebook page for more pics) There are two villages on the way.
.jpg) |
| An awesome view of the trek. There are many locations like this. |
Fellow travelers specially the one's who are coming back will keep telling you, it'll take three hours, four hours, five hours, my advice is, don't listen much, pass a smile and keep walking.
 |
| Lady we met on the way, once anyone passes a smile, we just don't let them go without a talk. |
Enjoy the track, click as much as you want. Pics makes your journeys awesome when you are back home and go through the reflections. Don't forget to shout loudly. Echo effect will make you feel good. On the way ask people if they need help even if you helpless yourself. Little show off doesn't kill.
You'll find enough options to eat on the way as well, rates however are understandably high. Once you reach Rudranaag, pat yourself, half the trek is done and enjoy two breathtaking waterfalls (they are definitely not the places to show heroism).
 |
| Rudranaag waterfall : |
Keep walking for another 20 minutes, you'll find urself at another eating point. Here you can take rest for 30 minutes. You are just 2 kms away now. Depending on your fitness, It can easily take one hour.
 |
| The Trek after crossing Rudranaag: |
It's absolutely true that this sort of trekking soak up your energy but once you reach the destination, you'll agree that, you start feeling energetic because of the feel of accomplishment. Especially in this case, once you reach Kheerganga and jump into the Hot spring water natural pool.
You'll realize "this is worth" man.
(Note: don't jump into the before taking bath outside)
For ladies: There is a separate and covered pool (I know it might be heartbreaking for our ladies but if you wanna raise a voice, I am with you).
You can seek the blessings of Lord Bholenath, Kheerganga is in the temple itself.
Altitude is 2900 meters plus. Enjoy awesome sunrise, sunset.
 |
| The first scene, when we reached the place: |
Staying options are easily available and they are cost effective too. You'll get a bed in a hall for Rs. 100, separate rooms are available for Rs. 300. If you like camping, charges are rs. 400 per tent for two or max three.
Wait a second that's not all. They play music too. One of the camps even arranged live streaming of Football world cup on 6' 8' screen.
You are free to spend your time as you want. Bhole jee ki booti is available too, if you understand what I mean. You can try your hand at Carom board, chess and playing cards.
Back to our trip now. We spent a night at Kheerganga and decided to move early in the morning. We reached back at Barsheni in two and half hours. On our way we also met a German traveler and spend half an hour in a very interesting chit chat about his traveling experience in India and other countries.
 |
| No prize for guessing, who is the German here. |
Then we went to Kasol valley to participate in a cleaning drive organised by Devil on Wheels (Best FB travel page about Himalayas.)
Spent two hours there, cleaned streets and communicated with local people and tourists to create awareness.
Then we went back to visit Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib, had lunger and left towards Delhi around 3:30. On the way we decided to visit the Rewalsar lake as well. We reached there around 6:45 pm, moved back after an hour.
 |
| The Rewalsar Lake: |
For our return journey we took Jahu- Bhota - Una- Chandigarh route. It's good that three of us can drive, we reached Delhi 6:00 am. We drove approx 1300 kms up n down.
Don't know about others but I reached office at 8:00 am. Now back at my place and dying to tell stories so wrote whatever I could and will share few with those pics.
(Story was written on June 23rd, 2014)
Stay tuned. Until next time.
Bhot hi alaaa Bhau
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you..
Delete