This is amongst the longest and my most memorable trips in the Himalayas. Ever since I did the Kailash Mansrovar Yatra 1998, my tent made Jayant Doshi and me were planning this trip. It eventually happened in July 2001. Spread over about 23 days our travel schedule was –
1. Mumbai to Jammu/Katra by train.
2. Jammu to Dalhousie by train/taxi. Saw Dalhousie, Chamba Valley and Khajjar.
3. Dalhousie to Mcleodganj by taxi. Saw Kangra Valley and around as well.
4. Mcleodganj to Manali/Rohtang Pass.
5. Next stop was Keylong in Lahaul Valley.
6. From there to Kaza in Spiti Valley.
7. To Kalpa and Sangla.
8. Took a twenty three hour bus drive from Kalpa to Hardwar.
9. Rishikesh to Govindghat the base camp for Valley of Flowers.
10. From there to Badrinath.
11. Last stop was Kedarnath returned to Rishikesh.
12. Took Shatabdi Express from Hardwar to Delhi and train to Mumbai.
Between Jayant and me we spent about Rs 18,000/ per head. Jayant was from London and could not believe that we spent so less. It is not that we compromised in any way. We travelled by taxi and bus and stayed at budget hotels that were amazingly clean as well.
We took a night bus from Mcleodganj to Manali. Comfortable journey. We reached Manali at about 5 or 6am. We had only 3-4 hours till we got a taxi to Rohtang Pass so just decided to walk around after leaving our bags at the Himachal Tourism hotel.
After a steep climb we came to the Hadimba Mata temple. Most of you must be aware that Hadimba was the wife of Bhima one the five Pandava brothers in Mahabharata. This temple is dedicated to her. The DHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess Hadimba. It has four-tiered Pagoda shaped roof and the doorway is carved with legendary figures and symbols. This temple located amidst wooden forest of deodar is about 2.5 kms from the tourist office. It is a pleasant experience to stroll in the temple complex which was built in 1533 A.D. We saw a number of locals who, as part of their morning walk, came to pay their respects to Hadimba. Close by is a temple dedicated to Ghatotkach, the son of Bhima and Hadimba. It is not a temple but a photo of Ghatotkach is hung on a tree and worshipped. In May Dhoongri Fair is organized around the Hadimba Temple.
By about 9.30am we got a taxi for Rohtang. It is a 51km from Manali and took over two hours. Tourists must go well prepared to Rohtang. The weather is uncertain. Rain, snow and hailstorm in a matter of minutes. All along the route you will find shops that rent warm clothing and shoes. Important you have the right shoes or else your feet could get cold or you could slip in the rain.
We spent over an hour at Rohtang. At about 2ish we got a bus to our next destination Lahaul Valley. Rohtang is the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti Valleys. Keylong is Lahaul Valley is enroute to Leh. Himachal after Lahaul is a different place all together, the people the terrain and the hills. Most Indians stop at Rohtang. I would urge them to move forward and visit Spiti Valley i.e. about a 12 hour bus drive from Manali.
