Enchanting Chandra Taal

A much awaited journey to the mythological lake Chandra Taal through "Him-Aachal" took our breadth away. A rendezvous with the massive Himalayas spanning its arms from the green valleys to rocky Eagle's cliffs, was waiting in dreams and as if an oceanic thirst to be quenched.

We started our travel at 4 am from Solang Valley and reached Batal at around 11 am. It was time to gorge on a late hot breakfast at Batal Rest House - oasis in the midst of nowhere.

The team was super excited and all set for a long 12 km trek. Some took the challenge upfront to start right from Batal Rest House and the rest chose to act in moderation, and started the journey from the by-lane off the highway. Lost in own thoughts and feeling rejuvenated even in this harsh dry nature, the team soon dispersed at their own sweet pace. Soon one could hardly any one else in the horizon.

The team re-joined forces once there were hurdles on the path. Every apparently docile stream across the path was a tedious walk-through in reality, due to slippery pebbles and frosty cold water, capable of leaving you literally grounded at every bit of over-confident step.

The trip began on a mesmerizing note. A 12 km trek on pebbled road, under scorching sun and freezing wind at 20 to 30 km/hr drained us out completely. The beauty around is un-explainable. Photographs taken along the way were taken in a trance, oblivious of what is being framed or snapped. The feeling of insignificance compared to the sheer magnitude of nature around us, was overwhelming.

The journey took approximately 5 hours. The third and fourth hours needed sheer grit to pass through. Some of our members teamed up to keep company and courage, though they were walking as teamed up zombies. Finally the camp site was in view where the team was destined for the night halt, but being visible did not mean it was anywhere close by.

The final test of mettle was an icy stream about to be refrozen as the sun was hiding behind the lofty mountain peaks. It had to be crossed about 700 meters ahead of the camp site. Shoes were loosing grip on the slippery wet stones. The stream depth was just above the ankle level, at risk of seeping inside the only pair of shoes if walked through. This could mess things up for the rest of the night and the next day too. Only option left was to take off the shoes and cross and quickly put them on, risking a frost bite though. At one moment one of the tired travelers contemplated walking back to Batal instead of crossing the stream, evoking feats of laughter even today. Finally, some of us crossed with shoes on and some bare footed. But the sheer pleasure after crossing the stream was eliciting smiles and relief, as all knew we were 'home' for the night.

So was the setting sun, with its last rays cast on the snowy peaks around the camp.

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The night at the base camp imprinted memories that can never be forgotten. The camp hosted double walled tents providing overnight shelter from 40-50 km/hr wind which rendered temperature well below the freezing point. Lack of oxygen at close to 14,000 feet above sea level could hardly be relieved by sipping on hot garlic soup at dinner time. Layers of sleeping bags above and below, could hardly fight the cold within the tent. Exhaled moisture was simply freezing inside the tent and dropped from the inner tent surface on face. After hours of restlessness watches would betray to say its only half past mid-night and dawn was nowhere near. At dawn the accumulated stream water in drums were frozen, rendering it unusable. In spite of all odds, what was viewed at the darkest of hours imprinted an unforgettable memory. Once the tent lights went off, it was realized that the place was lit by millions of stars. The milky way could be viewed through naked eyes. No word is good enough to narrate the experience. It was a mesmerizing moment; the moment of a lifetime.

The next dawn broke in the lap of absolute serenity. Frosty night ended with the golden rays of the sun shining on the snow clad peaks around.

The amiable host of the camp, was a citizen of Nepal, organizing and managing the camp for off beat tourists during the summer months. Embraced and determined to reach the mythological Chandra Taal lake, journey started after a warm breakfast. Every moment of the day is worth living for the rest of the life.

May it be the trance of being engulfed by supreme nature, or being stuck by the magic of mythology or humbled by divinity, the journey to Chandra Taal opened new horizons to life. A rejuvenated self emerged with renewed confidence and humility, continuing its journey in search of its purpose.