Brahmatal- The Heaven On Earth

While you still can, stay a little longer, watch a little longer, adore a little longer and perceive just a little longer. Because this life is a little less long. And what's lesser is a view that I was about to witness. Some prefer beaches, some prefer greens, all some want is a few scenes. And that's what I craved for. Mountains have an incomparable might, an unaltered glory. Oblivious to what holds beyond and before them, unbent, unbroken. To conquer one such height, chasing the snow-covered trail, get on board with me to this winter trail.

Brahmatal, which falls in the mountain ranges of Uttarakhand, is situated at an altitude of approximately 13,000 feet. I started from Delhi, almost 500kms away from the final destination. As the towering trees running parallel to road started to leave by, I found myself surrounded by the great Himalayas. One could witness the beauty of the mountains spread across the regions of Uttarakhand. Ranikhet, Baijnath, Kausani, Gwaldam are few such regions one must make their acquaintance while covering this terrain. I took a halt at Kausani to soak in the beauty of the Himalayan ranges. The tea factory and shawls are woven by local artisans are renowned. Crossing Dewal, I reached the destination for day one that was Lohajung at about 9000ft. The localites told us, that it was named after Goddess Parvati had defeated Lohasur. It would be better if you refill your fuel tanks and wallets at Gwaldham, as it is the last point where you'd find them.

Little do we know about the way nature works, little did we know what the next day had to offer. I slept in a different land and woke up in different land altogether. Before this, snow was something I always adored from afar. This morning turned the meaning of all other mornings upside down. As white as white, as light as cotton, if one could relate he'd call it snow. Waking up to a winter morning with hand warming cup of tea, the sight of snowfall, absolute bliss. Everything was paused except for those flakes of snow falling gently to the ground, accumulating as one white sheet, spread across the lengths, our eyes could measure. Imagine a newborn opening his eyes for the first time. Awestruck, glazed and amazed with all that the world has to offer. If words could describe, they'd sum up to surreal.

Excited as I was, overwhelmed with the adrenaline rush, I looked up and set the foot forth on a journey I never could have anticipated. I had light breakfast and packed the lunch as it's time-saving and easier to hop on when exhausted. Narrow trails covered with snow foregoing footprints, it was a view to admire. Mandoli Village revealed itself after a short trek. My visual guides were the water pipes that supply water to Lohajung. Commendable is the spirit and determination of the people living in the mountains. We wouldn't know the everyday struggle they have to face for their living. One vivid phenomenon that I came across on this trek was the immediate change in weather. I started the trek wrapped in jackets and woollens but as the body heated up, I subsequently reduced the layers.

Meanwhile, the snowfall started and I had to put on rain-cover which made it difficult to trek. Every step was put forth with utmost attention as the ground was slippery and the track got narrower. Commendable is the spirit and determination of the people living in the mountains. We wouldn't know the everyday struggle they have to face for their living. The transportation of common goods in mountains is usually done either by carrying the load on backs or on mules.

Narrow trails covered with snow foregoing footprints, it was a view to admire. I halted at a meadow that offered splendid views, to take a breather. The fresh snow felt like cotton candies and I couldn't help but get my hands dirty, rather cleansed in that pool of delight.

The sprawling trees, dazzling snow, and the majestic peaks. They were all compelling me to keep moving forth. Climbing under the shadow of trees, which acted as a filter for the ongoing snowfall, I made it the base site of the Bekaltal camp. A heavenly facet was unveiled, the frozen lake with the mighty Himalayan peaks overlooking it.

The lunch I had packed came in handy at this point when I needed to gain energy, without losing any in the process of cooking. As I set foot near the frozen shores of Bekaltal, the sun that was about to set too, shone out. I'm the diamond glistening on the snow, I'm the answer, to the question you know. A better world, as I would like to call it, was revealed.

Away from all, that the consumerist society had to offer, the tents were put down in the lap of the mother nature. It must be kept in mind while setting up the tent, that you find a flat land, or, at least possible angle. When the temperature falls below zero, and the chills start to hit you, the only wish you have, is if you had set up the camp, with more thought.

Not only was it a day to remember, but an unforgettable night too.

They say that there's no camp without a campfire, I say, the fire was lit, and so was my spirit. A few friendly faces, soul-soothing music and the company of some localites added to the x-factor. Never before have I seen a sky, so splendidly captivated by stars and then mysteriously the clouds float all over. It doesn't make sense, but it all made sense.

You don't wake up to such a morning every day. As the rays of the sun, broke into the tent, I tightened my shoelaces for the final destination. I packed small bags and left everything else in the tent. It seemed that the sun was also going to join which didn't the last day. The trail got narrower and the snow started melting as the sun was out. It is in times like these when you need to watch every step. Following the trail made out in the mountains, there came a point with flat land spread wide across. Untouched by any human body, laid this beauty naked.

The snow was the mattress, and sky, the roof. Turning back to the same land on which I had left my footprints on, I realized what we are giving to nature in return. Walking forward, uncertain of where I had reached, I now realized that some things can't be found without getting lost. Giving the spirits one final boost, I climbed the final summit. To put it in common man's terms, it felt like the first bite of food after a day full of toil.

While descending, we passed through Brahmatal, marked an end to the journey. I don't know what heaven looks like, and neither do you, but I definitely had a taste of it here. Roller coaster, if nothing more, is what this ride was.

If you think your bed is comforting, try closing your eyes on the same bed and then opening them up to sheer alpine in front of you. A place where the birds will chirp to be your alarm, the sun will rise to lighten your world, the wind gently patting your cheek, the water following you and mother nature embracing you.

If it entices you, do it. If you're afraid, do it. If you feel me, do it. If nothing at all, do it anyway.

I'll start again with a clean canvas.