The Parvati Valley

We often wonder about where our lives are headed. We take turns, sometimes right, sometimes wrong, only to realize that we are standing right at the beginning of our time. They say that everything changes and yet, nothing really changes.

Sometimes, we look for things beyond ourselves, to fill us up. Sometimes, we are the ones who fill up others. In this constant process of give and take, it’s hard to find, at times, moments of solitude that are essential for our existence. To break away from our comfort zone and the monotony of life, we have a strong urge to go out and explore-- to embrace the wilderness, the moon and the stars, the unknown, and to not be afraid of experiencing the emotions that are born within.

One such trip, that brought me closer to myself, was a trip to the beautiful Parvati Valley in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh. I decided to head for a small hill-station called Kasol. It was the summer of 2017, and I was up for the energy of raw adventure. I boarded a bus from Delhi to Kasol, which took 11 hours to reach my destination. Kasol had a vibe of its own, it marched (or rather, stayed still) at its own tune. The backpackers, the hostels, the quaint cafes, the relaxing music, the rolled-up joints, the lazy, slow days, and the riverside, were nothing short of magic.

However, Kheerganga stole my heart. The five to six hour long trek (depending on your pace) from Kasol with small cafes serving maggi and chai, pancakes and crepes, was like a breath of new life in the cool mountain air. The mountains, standing stubbornly over the earth, protruding with rocks and plants, asserted themselves to whoever passed by. An exhausting, yet satisfying, six hours later, I reached Kheerganga—a serene mountain top that overlooked the magnificence of Parvati Valley. To say that it was cold there in the month of May would be an understatement. The weather added to the charm of the place that was buzzing with Israilies and other backpackers from abroad. The food, in particular, was appetizing. One could stay in a tent or in a small kachcha room. The night became warmer with music as a small group of friends hummed to the tune of a Guitar.

Overall, it was an enchanting experience which I wouldn’t shy away from re-experiencing one more time. The trip served its purpose. I was blissful.