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We left in two buses, for
Kathgodam. From the time we left Delhi, we were
guests of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN). Very warm hosts all the time.
The only disappointment was that though they gave us hot and wholesome meals,
they never changed the menu!
After Kathgodam,
starts the scenic drive, because now we are in the hills. Another 2 days of hill
driving, stopping one night at Bageshwar, took us to Dharchula. Just before
Bageshwar, we stopped at a very pretty, antique temple called Baijnath. An
interesting aspect of this temple was a particular stone. Legend has it, that
this stone, can be lifted only by 8 men--they collect around it, place the tip
of one forefinger under the stone, give a gentle push and the stone lifts
effortlessly! No doubt the men in the group experimented and lifted it. One
tried to do it alone but was not successful (only because it was too heavy!).
Women are not supposed to touch it!! Ha !
Before reaching Dharchula, we had lunch at a place called Didihat which is known for its
glorious view of snow peaks all around. Unfortunately, we got to see only
clouds, and no peaks! By now we had started traveling along the Kali Nadi,
across which was Nepal-and this goes on all the way till we reach the Chinese
side.
Camp life
started at Dharchula! Dharchula is one huge shed with 40 beds! The section for
ladies, was cordoned off by a curtain. The toilets were a little away. We had
running water, but there was no light. Having settled our bags by our beds, we
walked up to the river, which was very inviting, and so refreshing after the
camp--you could see the river and the scenic view around. Then we decided to go
to Nepal, which was across a bridge! Emergency shopping was done in Nepal. What
we were tempted by, were the huge, but crisp 'khiras'(cucumbers) and the tender
corn. On our return to the camp, it was swarming with porters and horsemen. Not
only were these allotted to each yatri, but so were cooks interviewed and
selected by the Food Committee.
When everyone was,
so to say, 'retiring' for the night, the whole place resembled a railway
station, with people talking loud, baggage being packed and dragged, swamis
chanting, and so on. Next morning was an interesting sight. All bags were packed
in huge plastic bags, secured with thick nylon strings and placed near a huge
weighing scale, waiting to be weighed. Each one's bags were weighed. Anything
over 25 kilos, is charged extra by the KMVN, before it is loaded on to the bus.
Two ladies in particular had almost double the weight, out of which half
contained food items. So they had to pay a neat packet, though I must admit all
of us benefited from their delicious farsans!
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