visit to Shuru Manali - part-2

..continued from visit to Shuru Manali - part-1

After hours of continuously moving around, we sat down in Kishanchand's living room. The little room felt cozy, nice to be sitting around the heater-stove. The contraption radiates heat from is base and the pipe as well. The stove could be used to cook rice as well. I was eagerly waiting for a warm drink. Kishan's wife Lata brought in cups of tea and biscuits. The tea was great, I relished every sip of the warm liquid. We spoke of Deepak's stay. Kishan said he met Deepak at Manali bus-stand, he was looking for a hotel which were quite expensive, Kishan offered him accommodation at his home for Rs.50 per day including food, done deal. Deepak had told me that he fell ill once, Lata had prepared a steaming hot herbal drink, which cured him overnight. Lata was so happy that someone remembered them even after 20+ years. She recalled the tough days back then, how they worked hard to get where they are today. Their first daughter is married and the second daughter was with them. Nice, I was happy for them.

Kishan said that it snows in December, almost two feet of snow would cover the ground. Rajesh asked if they stayed indoors all the time. No, life would go on as usual. They are used to it.. life just goes on.

Rajesh and Kishan got along great. They were happily chatting away as though they were long time neighbors. Kishan's daughter came from school, she was shy at the sight of two strangers. Kishan introduced her "meri choti beti." I asked her name.. Anamika. Sweet name for a sweet little girl. She's in her school uniform. Later I learnt that all schools across Himachal follow the same dress code.

It was nice to sit and chat but at the back of the mind I was worried about the ride back to Kais.  wasn't dressed for the late afternoon weather. So we got up, ready to say bye. We spoke few more minutes.. life was much simpler and definitely more peaceful compared to our city lives. However, it was saddening to see the number of concrete buildings coming up.. crowding the space.. aagh. We said our byes with a promise to make it again.

Shuru visit was a wonderful experience. Fortunate enough to have met Kishan just like that. Our journey back to Kais started.. it was much colder now. We were riding on Manali-Naggar-Kullu road. The road passed through a Deodar forest, it would be really cold in there. After few kilometers, I realized my nose was freezing despite the helmet's visor. I held my handkerchief to my face, covering my mouth and nose.. aah, it felt much better. We entered the forest, what a glorious sight those trees were but no time to stop. Our speed averaged 20+ kmph.. my hands were numb. It was a crazy feeling at times. We saw a tea shop but the guy wasn't out of stock. We approached the road leading to Naggar town, Rajesh asked if I wanted to go up to Naggar. No, no, lets just get to Kais. By now it was completely dark, the darkness kind of made the air colder. I was a milestone which said Kais 5 km.. every kilometer felt like 10 km. Finally, with just 2 km to go, we stopped at a tea shop with a fire place. Rajesh quickly made a fire.. aaah the fire and hot cup of tea revived our will to continue the journey. I recalled my earlier encounters with cold weather.. the 40 km ride on Baba Budangiri range in wind, mist and rain and Bangalore-Shravanabelagola ride in December.

We reached Kais, was happy to to back at the monastery guest house, warming myself with the room heater. Then I met one of the senior monks, another cup of tea, a nice little chat. This weather id something else.. one needs to be prepared properly. Later in the evening, I shared the pictures of Shuru with Deepak and Gulveer.

Back home, Deepak dug out photos of his Manali trip, it was written on one of the pictures May-1996. Deepak recalled their 4 or 5 day trek in the mountains, at nights they would stay in caves, spread a layer of leaves on the cave floor as a bed. That's real adventure. Here are a few pictures..

Kishan's daughter, seemed like a super active kid

Kishan's sister working the loom

Mataji Mandir

hollow trunk

Deepak and Kishan (must be Kishan)

Hidimba Mandir

A house near Arjun Goofa

one of the caves Deepak and Kishan stayed

Truly Himachal Pradesh is a magical place. I yearn to visit it again, would be happy to stay there for months :)
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