The Valley

I have just returned from a short but fulfilling trip to Solang valley aptly located in the beautiful terrain of Himachal Pradesh. Just a drive of a few kilometers ahead of the hustle and bustle of the 'ever-more-so-commercial' Manali and you find yourself in the midst of the beauty that relaxes the tense muscles and joints of the body and gently jolts the mind from the stupor of travelling for hours although the way to the valley does keep the senses engaged. And boy, is it worth it!!

The way to the valley winds along the graceful path of the river keeping you a constant company and promising you the river side to rest your tired feet in on having reached the valley. As one moves closer to the valley, the snow capped mountain peaks gently lift their heads wondering who their next guests would be this season. And then starts the game of hide and seek. Making their presence felt by peeping out every once in a while seemed to make the distance longer although only more enchanting =)

When we reached, we were welcomed by the starry night, the sound of the gushing river flowing nearby, the silence of the neighbourhood invisible in the pitch darkness, the chill of the night,  the bonfire of the neighbouring tents, the lights of the accommodation. The dark of the freezing night kept us guessing about the scene which was to be unveiled only with the first ray of the morning sun =). As I stepped into the balcony the next morning, I stared at the majestic mountains standing right in front of me. They seemed bigger and better than they would have looked on any 70mm screen. What a view!!! I thanked my stars to have found the right place to stay to make such a wonderful surprise possible. The mountains were splashed with God's favourite shades of greens interspersed with the browns here and there. The icing on the cake was, of course, the snow which proudly occupied the topmost place as it always did. Like the crown of diamonds and pearls it shone in the light reflecting back its beauty which was overflowing in abundance.

The weather has its many moods. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes infuriated and sometimes calm like a Buddha.  Does it sound familiar? =) Well, aren't we part of nature =) We are very much related and not an island unto ourselves. Its many moods had their own beauty. I was fascinated. Sometimes raining with all its loud announcements and soaking you with its love. Sometimes calm, almost indifferent to your presence. At times sunny and compassionate, like its almost coaxing you to get out and run in its lap. At other times, a bit mad, windy, crazy, warning you to stay away. Almost telling you 'I WARNED YOU'.

Me and my cup of chai almost empathised with all its changing colours and remained a witness to 'Your Majesty'. I soaked it all in. Back in the city and away from nature, the memories of sight, touch and smell flood me and take me back to the paradise when it seems to be missed.

The mountains changed their attire everyday. Sometimes, their real self, uninhibited, sometimes accessorised with mist and the clouds, almost hiding away. The picture is only one of its moment, Caught and captured!! But the beauty is in the dynamic. Unfortunately, it cannot convey the sound of the silence, the chirping of the birds, the grazing of the horses, the sound of the passing breeze, the drifting clouds, the whispers from the nearby tents, the locals going about their jobs( minus the frantic rush), the smells of the nature, the cold of the river, the constant greetings from the river, the starry nights. Fortunately, it will inspire you to experience it all by yourself =)