We took a train from old Delhi railway station to Pathankot Decebmer 23, 2005. We reached Pathankot the next day 4 hours after the scheduled time. We stuffed Aloo-Parathas (Indian Stuffed Bread) in a hotel next to the bus stand and then took a bus to Chamba. We stayed in Chamba at the night. Next day we started for Bharmour. From Chamba, Bharmour is a 3-3.5 hour ride and for part of the way, we had these goats as co-passengers in the bus.
Bharmour is a sleepy village and quite cold in winter. When we got down from the bus, no one approached us and this lack of touts bewildered us completely. We took a road in search of a hotel and we arrived at a temple complex called Chaurasi Complex. A group of people guided us to a hotel (Rajdhani Hotel) that was locked. We dumped our luggage in a small room adjacent to a Dhaba (small food shop) and went to have tea. There at the tea shop we met the owner of Rajdhani Hotel by accident and he took us back and we were the only guests in the entire hotel.
Next day, we decided to walk for 12 kilometers and visit the next village Hadsar. Jeeps are available on this route but we still decided to walk as it provides better photo opportunities. The owner of the Rajdhani Hotel asked us to leave the excess baggage in the room and the keys to the room on a ledge! And he recommended another guesthouse in Hadsar. One of the first photographs I took was of this road side temple and prayer flags.
The way was a proper jeep road but with very little traffic. I had ample opportunity to use my camera. This tree on the edge also caught my attention.
Being December, it was freezing cold and I have proof below. But walking kept the cold at bay and the smell of pine all around kept the mood pleasant.
After walking for 10 kilometers I started feeling tired and was dragging by feet for the last two kilometers. The sight of Shanti Gueshouse at Hadsar was a welcome one. After having tea and a late lunch we started exploring the village and soon enough we landed near a stream.
Next day, we planned to climb up for 6 kilometers on the way to the pilgrimage route of Mani Mahesh. . People at the Shanti Guest House told us that after 6 kilometers, we would reach a village Dhanchow and beyond that the route would be lost in the snow. The weather was bad the next day and it looked as if it would snow. Still, we decided to go ahead. The trail is well marked so we were on our own. As we gradually gained height, more snow-capped peaks were visible.
After five kilomerets, we reached a waterfall and parts of it had frozen solid. I had half a mind to return from here but there were many rocks free of snow and ice and we could push further. We finally went all the way to Dhanchow. The weather turned bad there and it started snowing lightly. We decided to run back quickly. The snow stopped falling after a while and the day cleared somewhat. We reached back safely and in good time.
I debated with H if we should walk back or take a jeep to Bharmour the next day. We finally decided to walk back 12 kilometres again.
Lovely pictures Mridula, especially the tree on the edge and the trick of sunlight. I loved them. Looks like you had a wonderful holiday.A very happy new year to you and your family members.
Such beautiful skies and I really like the photo with the tree on the edge. India is such a vast large country and a lot of these little places (Bhamour, Hadsar, etc.) I’ve never heard of, but I’m definitely curious to learn more. This trip must have been a wonderful way to start the New Year!
As usual, the photos are lovely!
beautiful pictures Mridula. place looks heavenly from your discription and snaps. very happy new year Mridula.
Lovely snaps! The frozen waterfall is absolutely fascinating.There must be so many of these beautiful, unheard-of places – am glad you bring them to us!
Very nice fotus there Mridula. India has so much to offer in terms of beautiful and interesting places to visit. Unfortunately many indians are not even aware of this, forget foreigners. For example we have some sterling ski slopes.
Loved the frozen waterfall. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Walking is so much more fun
loively pictures… true, walking is so much better for photography… I have so often missed great shots because I am sitting inside a vehicle and cannot stop 🙁
I traveled to Bharmour a few years back in the summer and was absolutley fascinated by the history and architectural details of the eighty-four temples. It was great to see the area written about and see your super pictures.
Emma, Crystal and Teri, thank you so much. I cannot make up my mind between the tree on the edge and frozen waterfall, which one I like more?Nliesh, a very happy new year to you too. Any plans of blogging in the new year or you already do and do not leave me a link? :(Shruthi and S thank you. Actually these destinations are listed in a lonely planet guide called ‘Trekking in the Indian Himalayas.’ H goes through it and digs something up!One more reason, thank you. Charu and you both have called walking fun. Well, it is fun in retrospect! When I was walking the last two kilometers on day 1 you should have told me then and seen my reaction! But yes, now looking at the pictures, I am sure I will do it again.Atraveler, you have been to Bharmour! Great place I agree, only in winter H and I were the only tourist. We are thinking of going back to Mani mahesh sometime in the future.
Beautiful snaps, great detailed information.Himachal
Avinash, thank you for your comment and the link. I will keep coming back to your site.
Lovely pics and travel tales :). The billy goats smell so awful, i hope you didn’t have those on board.
Ohh dear, I just love your pictures. They are always so beautiful. :))
Rajeev, I do not remember a bad smell.Cuckoo, thank you.
I liked your pics and the way you have explained your travel.Here is one more: http://triptatma.blogspot.com/
Thanks for sharing Kamlesh.
Hi
I am planning to go to bharmour and hadsar next month. Do you have any contact numbers of local hotels or dorm rooms there. please mail to my id or post on traveltrivials.blogspot.com
BTW, u blog is short, sweet and to the point. Keep it up!!!
Thanks a lot
Paddy
Hi,
Bharmour was a trip we took long back. And we just turned up and got a hotel, unfortunately we didn’t take any numbers.
Manimahesh is land of god shivas. Beautiful place. It is very difficult to went manimahesh via hadsar specially for walk. I had already went three times.