I had heard much about Himachal Pradesh from friends and family, that just being there and breathing in the mountain air felt surreal. The mountains looked like they have always existed—naked, tall and proud, serving the purpose of their existence. Complementing it is the sparkling Parbati River, mimicking Lord Tennyson’s brook. It reminds you of its existence with a slight splash every time you start to forget. The water is crystal clear and consumable like your “sparkling” water.
Snow can get anyone excited, and it did. Though the mountain with snowfall was miles away from me, the sight of it alone got me jumping up and down, clapping my hands like Charlie Chimp (the cymbal-clapping toy monkey). I went in the month of October and Himachal was going through its “confused” state, where it was sunny but it was also really cold, and the sun rays burned through your skin and hurt your eyes. It did not make any sense.
Kheerganga, a natural hot spring, is a tranquil meadow situated approximately 2,960km above sea level where Lord Shiva is said to have meditated for 3,000 years. The hot spring, like the locals claim, is said to have been Kheer or Khir (a sweet made of rice, milk and dry fruits), but saint Parashurama later turned it into water over a dispute. Kheerganga is THE trek to go for if you are in Himachal Pradesh. The reward for the 13km trek from Barsheini is the natural hot spring where you can relax and calm your sore muscles. It is a sauna that comes with a beautiful view overlooking a snow-capped mountain. For women, they have covered the area with wooden barks on all four sides. “NO CLOTHES” read the sign board. I was bewildered―no naked beaches, but naked hot springs?
Parbati River in Himachal Pradesh | Anagha Vishakh
The trek to Kheerganga offers you amazing views. From the Naag falls to the mountains with different shapes and a Shiva temple―you are always looking everywhere around you except the narrow pathway―one wrong step and off you go down the hill.
You know how when we were kids, we used to catch fireflies in a bottle? If only you could bottle up views.
By the end of the trek, almost everyone is on all fours, vowing never to trek again. But as soon as they dip themselves in the hot spring, they change their mind about the tiring trek as the chilly wind blows and the hot water washes over them.
The sky at night is the most beautiful view you will see in Himachal, dark blue with big, bright stars, shining down on you. You can also distinctively hear the Parbati river as if it is flowing right under your feet, loud and clear.
For almost a week, I woke up to views that I have only seen on calendars.