Inside of Kumayun - Where Language Is Feelings

 

     Hill always attracts me. Each year, when I get free time I plan for travel. This time we set out for the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. On the right day, we reached Howrah Jn. at the right time in the evening. We boarded Howrah Delhi superfast express. It was a March evening. On 14th March one day after boarding, we reached New Delhi at 9 pm. For that night, we stayed in a hotel near the station. The next day at 10 in the morning, we boarded  Kathgodam Express. That was a very cold day. We arrived at our destination the next day at dawn at 5.15 am. Kathgodam station. A small well maintained railway station. There is a nice garden with colourful flowers in front of the station.

   Booking a car, we took the left road in front of the station. Sun was just rising then. The whole environment had become attractive. Our car halted near Naini Lake. It was 7.30 am on 16th March, we came to Nainital.

    Getting out of the car, I felt the very cold weather. The blowing of cold wind made it more horrible. From a local people, we came to know that after heavy rainfall & snowfall, on that day Sun rising had become visible after quite some days. So, whether just developed a little bit. Rain refreshed trees, small wooden houses were looking beautiful on sweet sunshine. After walking a little bit, we came to our hotel named, Vikrant. I got a room on the top floor. The total room was made of wood. Keeping the luggage at a corner, I came to the window. I enjoyed seeing the Naini lake, which was looking diligent in the sweet sunshine.

  We took our lunch in a restaurant near the lake. After taking lunch, we get into a bus at 1 pm. At first, we went to Sat Tal. 'Tal' means lake. All 7 lakes are interconnected. There are many Pine trees in rows on the bank of the lakes. Next destination was 'Naukuchia Tal '. Its beauty is of another type. One side of this lake, there is a bus stand & another three sides are covered with mountains. After this lake, we went to hanuman temple & then to Bhim Tal.

  In the evening the colourful water of the lake was looking nice. After Bhimtal, we came back to Nainital. Night at Nainital was very unique. On the opposite side of the lake, the light of houses, shops, streets were looking like stars. As if the sky had come down to meet the lake.

  17th March, at 7 am in the morning. After taking bath we left the hotel & got into an Indica car. Our car first halted at Naini Devi Temple. There is a viewpoint near the temple. from the place, the view of the mountains is really amazing. Our destination for that day was Almora. As that was not a travel season, so the roads were empty. Keeping the Koshi river on one side, our car started running. At Khairna, the one road split into two roads. One road goes to Almora & other Ranikhet. We took the road towards Almora. After some time, we reached the destination, old hill town of Kumayun. Of course, Almora is a beautiful place. While travelling in the mountains, you will see the same peaks after travelling a quite long distance. That also happened to me. The great peaks ie. Chakhamba, Nandakot which I saw in Nainital, also had seen in Almora. Forests made the town more attractive. After spending some times in Almora, we got into the car again. Next destination was Chaukori. Chitai temple of Almora is famous for its bells. Pilgrims who come here tie bells in the temple to fulfil their wishes. We saw thousands of bells in the temple.

  When the wind blows, the sound of these thousands of bells makes an incredible atmosphere. We took the Dhaulchina road. The roadside beauty is really very good. Blue sky over the head, green forests in two sides of the road, gentle cold wind & sweet sunshine. These ingredients made the moment special. After crossing Dhaulchina, we came to the end of Almora district & starting of Pithoragarh named Seraghat.

   Here, roadside hill beauty is really nice. In between green trees, the stunning beauty of red rhododendron trees is memorable. Here, this tree is known as 'Boras'. Petal of its flower is useful for hearts. Its juice cures Eczema disease. We had come to Raigarh. After some time, our car took the way towards Bering keeping Nandadevi at the right side. At 5 in the afternoon, we reached Choukari. The temperature was 5 degree. We stayed that night in a govt. bungalow. As daylight was gone, the temperature was falling rapidly. That night was extremely calm. At 8 pm, we got a call for dinner. Anyhow, taking dinner, I came to my room & placed myself under 2 big quilts.

  18th March, at 5 am in the morning. Though the body didn't permit, I followed my mind. Waking up, I went to the viewpoint, keeping the camera in one hand. Hati, Trishul, Choukhamba - These peaks were looking very beautiful with the sweet sunshine of just rising Sun. After a couple of minutes, total fogs disappeared. I took a village route beside the tea estates. But it was my misfortune. Suddenly, the cloud occupied the whole sky. Being frightened, I came back to my room. But nothing happened. After one hour, our car came.

  Leaving Choukari, we took the route of Bagheswar. The road was beautiful because of the red Rhododendron trees. Though road was beautiful, Bagheswar is extremely dirty. There is a temple in the Sangam of Gomati & Sarsu.

 Baghnath ie, Lord Shiva is worshipped here. Keeping Gomati on one side, our car started running again. We reached Baijnath. This place is of course beautiful. Baijnath lake is also beautiful. Gomati is wider here. Green hill trees at two sides of the river made the view more attractive. Leaving Baijnath, we went to Kausani. It was noon. We sheltered in hotel Prasant. In the afternoon, we went to the Anashakti Ashram of Gandhiji. The calm atmosphere of the ashram is really amazing. On the following day, we boarded our returning train.

Hope you loved it.