On 1st December 2021 we checked out Gita Bhawan, Rishikesh at 2.30 PM and started for Garhwal Home Stay, Chaukhal, Kanatal which is 6 Km from Chamba. Distance between Rishikesh to Chamba is 70 KM. On the way we purchased grocery, snacks and vegetables and reached at 5 PM. We had coffee and as it was very cold, owner arranged for bonfire, We enjoyed bonfire and ordered nonveg food for dinner. We stayed at Garhwal Home Stay for 15 days till 16th December 21. It is a cool, calm and scenic place. During our stay, daily, we used to go down to hill to purchase our daily needs like milk, grocery and vegetables. In the evening we used to play badminton. We used Garhwal Restaurant's kitchen to prepare our daily food. On alternate day we climb nearby hills (a short trek) and breathe pollution free air. Every day in the morning when we get up we enjoyed different shades of sunrise, fog, clouds and silver icy mountains. It was definitely a very cool, calm stay for us. My daughter was very happy because there was a plenty place to play. We observed scenic beauty all the 15 days.
On 13th December 21 we went to Surkanda Devi Temple which was 17 KM away from our stay.
Surkanda Devi is a Hindu Temple (one of the 51 shaktipeeth) near Kanatal, Uttarakhand. It is at an altitude of about 2756 metres lies close to nearby hill stations of Dhanaulti (8 kilometres). Walking distance of approx 3 kilometres from Kaddukhal (uphill trek), the place where vehicles are parked. It is surrounded by dense forests and has a scenic view of the surrounding region including the Himalaya to the north and Dehradun, Rishikesh to the south. It is covered with fog most of the time of the year. As my Mom has a slight knee pain, she and my daughter went to temple by riding a horse at Rs. 400/- When we visited we felt that we are on the clouds. A very awesome place with awesome scenic beauty. It offers a 360 degree view of the surrounding region along with the snowy Himalayan peaks. It took us nearly 5 hours to return to our stay.
