The Giri Ganga Temple, Khara Pathar, Himachal

So here are the pics from the Giri Ganga Temple. This dates back to Mahabharat Age, i.e. approx 5500 years ago. Beleived to be built by Maharishi Ved Vyas as told by the local priest, This shrine is full of peace. Far far away from the maddening world, situated on the banks of Giri Ganga river, Surrounded by the thick deodar jungles, 100% pure peace awaits you here. You suddenly feel like meditating to rise above mortality. in winters, this entire space is filled with snow. An overwhelmingly peaceful place, very highly recommended by us if you are seeking a break.

The Path to Giri Ganga

So, We start moving from Khara Pathar to Giri Ganga. A trekking I'll never forget. Here are a few pics of the path moving up to Giri Ganga Temple, supposedly approx 5000 yrs old.

Road is paved with Silver Dust presenting an amazing view. (The mountain is of Mica stone, the powder form shines no less that Silver).

It takes almost 45 minutes to cover 7-8 Kms of upward journey on a rough road barely wide enough for a single vehicle. You have to drive so slow out of the fear that sometimes you prefer to get down & walk on foot. Going through the jungle is a bad idea... we came to know this when, on the way back, we lost our way in the jungle & had to travel all the way back, wasting an hour or so .

The track itself was enjoyable, the destination all the more so.

Untouched Corners- Reckong Peo, Kinnaur

This is a view on the way to Reckong Peo, District Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. Taken on April 2, 2010.

This is just a glimpse & many more images of breathtakingly beautiful trip to Kinnaur are lined up. Its just awesome... Incredible India !!!

Khara Pathar - Base Camp for Giri Ganga

After Kotkhai, we reach Khara Pathar. It was not less than a shock for us to find Khara Pathar to be just like an ordinary destination.
Local people told us that this place got this name from a Standing Stone at a temple. But that stone is no more & two years ago it gave way to a calamity.
However, sharing some phhotographs of Sunrise & some Misty Mountains at Khara Pathar, District Shimla.

From here, we were advised either to go to Hatkoti or to see the temple of Giri Ganga, atop a hill, a 7 Km long trek.

We decided to go for Giri Ganga.... wait for the next post.

The Lonely Tree at Kotkhai Valley

From Fagu we moved on towards Khara Pathar, the base camp for Giri Ganga.
Kotkhai is a small town on the way. These are two pics. The Lonely Tree in the Kotkhai Vally and An Apple Orchard at Kotkhai.

Sunrise at Fagu, Shimla

Here we go...

Friends now we have set on a journey to Giri Ganga. An unknown untouched corner in Himachal Pradesh. This post is the first in this series.

We start from Chandigarh in evening. As discussed in one of the previous posts (click here), we decide to byepass Shimla & stay at Fagu. This helps us cover some miles before we sleep.

In the morning, we enjoy a beautiful Sunrise behind the Himalayan mountains. Pics are here for you.

From Fagu, we'll be moving on to Theog, take a side road towards Chhaila, Kotkhai & Khara Pathar.This road further goes to Jubbal, Hatkoti & Rohru. This area is famous for apple orchards.

But from Khara Pathar - we trek to Giri Ganga & take another unknown, untrekked route back to Chandigarh. Details & photos will be coming soon.

For the time being, here's the sunrise at Fagu.

Kangra

Kangra
Originally uploaded by Dainik Batoula

This is the last photograph of our journey towards Kangra, Himachal. Further to Kangra one can visit Dharmshala, Mcleodganj, Baijnath, Palampur. Dhauladhar Range of Himalays is visible in its awesome beauty from here.
We hope to explore all these locations in future.

In our next posts we'll resume our journey on Shimla route. Byepassing Shimla, we'll stop at Fagu.. and then we'll take you to a journey of rather unknown destinations. Untouched by crowd... seen only by some compulsive travellers.. some fanatics of beauty.. some devotees of beauty of Incredible India.

Plains of Punjab, The Land of Five Rivers

While we almost always cherish the photographs of Mountains,Valleys, Lakes, Sea Beaches, Deserts... beauty of plains is almost taken for granted. So for a change, here are some photos of plains. Lush green fields mark the entire territory of Punjab, the land of Five Rivers. This one is an image from the historical town of Ropar or Roopnagar as it is known these days. Another image is of a bridge on a river on the way to Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Well, in case you don't like these images, I don't blame you. But lets have them for a change. I hope you agree that all photos can't be enchanting, but simplicity is also incredible sometimes.

Valley of Peace, Kangra

On way to Kangra from Chandigarh, one has to cross the lush green planes of Punjab, the historic cities of Ropar, Anandpur Saheb & then Nangal Dam to enter Himachal Pradesh. After crossing first major town Una, the uphill journey starts. Somewhere there, while you are engrossed in scenic beauty, suddenly something strikes you... breath stopping peace... tranquility... serenity.
You decide to get down... breathe deeply... you try to store the air in your lungs hoping that the peace & life contained in this air will last forever. Lest memories fade, you also click a few images which you could share with all your loved ones & with all those compulsive travellers.
We don't know exactly what the name of this place was, But we decide to call it ....

Valley of Peace.

A Mountain Floating on Clouds-Dhauladhar, Kangra | Images of Incredible India

A Mountain Floating on Clouds-Dhauladhar, Kangra | Images of Incredible India