The month of March is definitely not the monsoon time for Indian subcontinent but the northern lands of India can experience enough of rain particularly in the months of Feb and March ( and most of the winter's heavy snowfall in Himalayan region as well ) which mostly been attributed to the western disturbences those originates at the Mediterranean Sea . Well the actual place of the origin of these rain/snow carrying winds is far off from the imagination of the local Himachali native but they satisfy themselves with associating the Indian festival of Shivratri with these off seasonal rains and see these as the coming of the spring and end of winters . { Shivratri or Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna (Feb / March) when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord of destruction.The significance of the day lies in the mythological fact that the absolute formless God, Shiva appeared in the form of "Lingodbhav Moorti" exactly at midnight on Maha Shivratri. That is why all Shiva devotees keep vigil during the night of Shivratri and do "Shivlingam abhishekham" (coronation of the phallic idol) at midnight. The other two reasons as per the puranas are as , this is the day when Lord Shiva was married to Devi Parvati and he became "Sagun Brahman" from "Nirgun Brahman" ( the marriage to Devi Parvati signifies the completion of Shiva-Shakti ) and the other reason for the day's celebration lies in another mythological fact that this day Shiva became Neelkantham (after drinking the deadly poison that came out during the churning of "Kshir Sagar" or the milky ocean .The poison was so deadly that even a drop in His stomach, which represents the universe, would have annihilated the entire world. Hence, He held it in His neck, which turned blue due to the effect of poison. }
I somehow forget to account for this rain when I planned for the trek in the Chamba region in early march , though I did realise that even the retreating winters can be cold enough with heavy snow laden passes and hilltops in the deep Himalayan region, that a trek through them is almost impossible and what ever the little possibility one can plan for would rather require more of a high mountaineering skills then some hasty trek preperation . So after landing in Chamba I realise this mistake with the very first look at the circumferential peaks of Pir Panjal, Dhauladhaar and Great Western Himalayas. And to add salt to the wound was the perennial rain that started as soon as we approached Chamba town . This would mean an even worse weather conditions in the far off places of Bharmour/Tissa , the two options that I had kept with myself . After inquiring about the possibility of reaching any of these places I decided to be safe then sorry and visit the nearby places and make my trip a small weekend visit to Khajjiar(the mini Switzerland of India ) and Dalhousie .
The only positive that I could gain out of this trip was some gud pictures which I was able to click of some good snowfall in Dalhousie and the picturesque Khajjiar which looked absolutely stunning in the rain and hail . Also the scenic view of the Chamba valley and the Pir Panjal range en route Khajjiar from Chamba was worth the visit . So I thought to post some of those picture here as a post in the Blog and start filling this site with some early brushes from the beautiful Himachali palette .
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Few Contact Details those can be helpful in Chamba :
1. Mr TilakRaj --9805711144 ( Taxi Operator -- A very simple and helpful man , a typical pahari :) but worth a trust for the rates and any local guidence ) .
2. Mr Vijay --9805297172 (Taxi Driver and works with TilakRaj )
3. Mr Joginder --9418330630 ( Circuit House Caretaker at Chamba , can check about the rooms availability with him at the PWD rest houses at Chamba and Bharmour ).
I somehow forget to account for this rain when I planned for the trek in the Chamba region in early march , though I did realise that even the retreating winters can be cold enough with heavy snow laden passes and hilltops in the deep Himalayan region, that a trek through them is almost impossible and what ever the little possibility one can plan for would rather require more of a high mountaineering skills then some hasty trek preperation . So after landing in Chamba I realise this mistake with the very first look at the circumferential peaks of Pir Panjal, Dhauladhaar and Great Western Himalayas. And to add salt to the wound was the perennial rain that started as soon as we approached Chamba town . This would mean an even worse weather conditions in the far off places of Bharmour/Tissa , the two options that I had kept with myself . After inquiring about the possibility of reaching any of these places I decided to be safe then sorry and visit the nearby places and make my trip a small weekend visit to Khajjiar(the mini Switzerland of India ) and Dalhousie .
The only positive that I could gain out of this trip was some gud pictures which I was able to click of some good snowfall in Dalhousie and the picturesque Khajjiar which looked absolutely stunning in the rain and hail . Also the scenic view of the Chamba valley and the Pir Panjal range en route Khajjiar from Chamba was worth the visit . So I thought to post some of those picture here as a post in the Blog and start filling this site with some early brushes from the beautiful Himachali palette .
Chamera Lake- An artifically crreated lake at Chamera Dam about 30 Km's from Chamba.
Chamba's famous Chaugan
Small Worship site dedicated to Lord Shiva enroute Khajjiyar from Chamba. One can see the Holy Manimahesh Peak from here.
Chamba town as seen from a small village called Dhraman some 10km from Chamba.
View of the Pir Panjal ( Pangi) range from near Khajjiyar.
Another view of the Pir Panjal ( Pangi) range from near Khajjiyar.
Another view of the Pir Panjal ( Pangi) range from near Khajjiyar.
A View from the Hotel MiniSwiss at Khajjiyar
Distant Himalayas engulfed in thick clouds.
Lord Shiva's 82 feet statue being build near Khajjiyar
And .........The Mini Switzerland of India .....Khajjiyar
A small village with terrace fields ( A hallmark of Himalayan /Mountain farming )
It was heavy snow on the Dalhousie-Khajjiyar road , finally trust your own limbs .
Pangi/J&K Himalayan Ranges as seen from Dalhousie.
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Few Contact Details those can be helpful in Chamba :
1. Mr TilakRaj --9805711144 ( Taxi Operator -- A very simple and helpful man , a typical pahari :) but worth a trust for the rates and any local guidence ) .
2. Mr Vijay --9805297172 (Taxi Driver and works with TilakRaj )
3. Mr Joginder --9418330630 ( Circuit House Caretaker at Chamba , can check about the rooms availability with him at the PWD rest houses at Chamba and Bharmour ).
