It's been months that I had given a relaxing weekend to myself. I was continuously surrendering my weekend to nitty grities of life and soon after 9 weeks of no me time. I left with my car and a friend on Friday evening. Unknowingly where we are going, we decided to take a halt in Dehra and decide next day where in Uttarakhand we would be.
Following the reflectors on narrow roads from Ghaziabad to Dehra! Careful of every twist and turn on the dark road, we entered Dehra!
Ah! What a feeling it was to enter into a place which has always been part of Bond's stories. Soon I started recalling all beautiful stories of the book 'The night train at Deoli' As we entered Dehra, we pressed our windows down, to feel the smell of the woods. The feeling of the cold breeze into my hair. What else I was in need of that day, a drive in that twisting road with gush of wind on my face. The moment we entered Dehra it was midnight, on the way only signage show of a place called Poanta Sahib, which was just an hour away from Dehra, the road was pretty broad and good. And we reached Poanta, it was 1:30 a.m. and we were standing right in front of the mighty Gurudwara, We saw few blue turban men reaching out to Gurudwara for the morning ceremony. We checked into the Hotel Pal Regency which was right in front of the Gurudwara, the hotel staff was very professional and very helpful in letting us hop for cheaper hotels only to check in the same hotel.
It drizzled, rained all night,I couldn't take off my eye from the beautiful view of the Gurudwara surrounded by hills from my room's window. And the melodious Gurubani reached my ears and morning 5:30 I stand out in the balcony of the hotel to cherish it, we reached Gurudwara at 7:30 a.m and nearly sat for an hour listening to the melody. As we moved we saw Yamuna temple and realised the temple was right below the Gurudwara by the banks of river Yamuna. We walked by the side of the road to absorb the city and see a complete view of Gurudwara, temple and river from the other side of the road.
We went back to the hotel after taking the delicious kadha prashad. By this time also it was raining, and we decided to move to Chakrata, surfing good places to stay in chakrata, we came across two Chani Churani (found to be closed on confirming) and the Himalayan Eco Lodge. We decided to move and book the place only after reaching there.
In no-time, we started our journey, through the narrow lanes and the velvet green carpet veiling the sheet of clouds, what a beauty it was! We stopped at beautiful locations on the road before we reached the property.
The property offered the best view of mountains with a pleasant balcony room, food was a bit of an issue but moving a little ahead from the lodge there were shops to buy stuff. We spent a relaxed afternoon in the property itself. In the evening we went scouting for a place to spend the best time of the day, you know what it is, the sunset!
Driving for few minutes, we came across diversion one towards Yamuna pull and other towards Gangro, Gangro seemed to be near and sun was about to set, so we took the way to Gangro and in those narrow mountain lanes we saw the beautiful view of the valley, crossing fields full of kids, beautiful ladies smiling at us and guiding us the route to the top from where whole of Nagthat could be seen. The hill top welcomed us, a small guest house caretaker offered us tea. As we sipped the tea in the clouds, we discussed with the caretaker about the beauty of Chakrata primarily a military cantonment area with very few tribes like Jaunsari living here. He showed us way up the hill to watch sunset. Reaching there I knew I have found my place of zen in this small village of Nagthat where I could sit for hours and hours. With this beautiful view, we called it a day and went back to the lodge we were staying in.
Birds of chakrata came to wake us up. The place is a must visit for bird watchers or someone who is looking for a natural musical escape from the city life. After a refreshing breakfast, we checked out and moved towards Tiger Falls, crossing main Chakrata town and the surreal cantonment area, embellished by deodar, rhododendron and wild oaks. Nearly 40 kms from the place we were staying, we reached Tiger falls. With a minimal entry ticket of Rs. 30, this place is known among the locals for spending quality time and picnics with families. In monsoons this place screens all the boredom and let pristine scenery reach to the nature lovers. Sit for hours quietly and you can listen to the magical music of water. Tiger falls is known to be the highest direct waterfall in India which flows without any hurdles. The water is clean and attracts you to take a dip in it. The place is lush green in monsoons and even when its crowded you can find your own sweet spot and hear the rustling of water flowing through the boulders.
There are many places around Chakrata which can fill your heart with joy. Drive safely in the monsoons and I promise you will find beauty in every inch of the journey. Do not play loud music in the mountains just involve yourself into the natural music of streams, wind gushing through the valley, echoing of birds, rustling of the trees and a bit of honking of the horn as it helps driving on those narrow roads.