A visit to Munsyari
After visiting Mayavati and carrying with us the spiritual aroma of the place, we went back to our guest house. Our next destination was Munsyari via Pithoragarh.
The route from Pithoragarh to Thal was marvellous. The greenary all around kept our mind delighted in spite of frequent stoppage of the jeep to drop or to accommodate more passengers. Finally, we reached Thal and the driver took us up to the bus which we missed in the morning now awaiting to go to Munsyari. We were relieved to see the bus standing. We got very comfortable seats and enjoyed the drive .Although the road to Munsyari was very dangerous one, the number of water falls by way side refreshed our mind now and then. After sometime the clouds started gathering and it soon turned into a rain. The rains in the hills are usually vigorous one. This rain on the way continued till we reached our guest house at Munsyari. Fortunately, the guest house is situated just by the side of the road and by the time we got down from the bus the rain became a drizzle. Finally, the cosy room of the guest house gave us the necessary comfort and after our lunch we had a good rest.
Around 5 p.m. the sky became clear and the Panchauli peaks became visible. We could see it from our room itself. Outside it was quite cold and windy. However, after having a cup of tea I alone went out to have a walk with nature letting Shivani and Krishna rest. The weather outside was still very wet and water drops falling from the trees and creepers by the little touch of the wind. I took a long walk looking at the Panchauli. I observed with every step as if the mountain range was coming closer and the view getting clearer. I could see the bus stand where three buses were parked. I was told there is a direct bus even up to Delhi and in fact we met the driver next day when we went to the market. There were a few visitors here unlike Mussouri or Nainital where crowd is the norm. This place is suitable for people who want to enjoy nature exclusively. I stood for quite sometime looking at the icy peaks and the view was clear till almost 7.30 in the evening. I retraced my steps towards the guest house as the lights were being switched on. From the road above, the guest house and the small town looked very pretty. I was wearing a full sweater to cover myself and the temperature could be around 6 degree Celsius. In the night the temperature went down to 1 or 2 degree Celsius. Munsyari is situated at a height of 2135 meter above sea level. This is the last motorable destination in this region. From here trekking to Milam, Ralam and Namik glaciers starts. When I came back to the guest house room Shivani and Krishna had their tea and snacks and were just watching some TV programme. Later we went for dinner. After finishing our dinner we went out to see the sky but it was cloudy and we could see only a few stars and planet Jupiter only. Out side it was pitch dark and cold thus we had to rush back to our room to play it safe.
After breakfast I alone went out to take a walk by the forest area. I came across a big guest house by name Zara Residency away from the main road. I believe hardly any guest comes there as it was looking deserted. There is a waterfall near this guest house. I went near the fall. It looked very dangerous, deep, secluded and surrounded by forest. I felt nature could also be terrible besides being beautiful. I stood there for a while thinking of nature’s other side; ruthless, dangerous and treacherous.
I was just imagining Delhi at that time how hot it would be and here we are enjoying the sun! What a contrast in nature! Today was the 2nd day at Munsyari and our programme was to stay there for 3 days. Krishna took a few photographs here and there with Shivani keeping the Panchauli at the background. I just looked at the mountains, the sky and forest and a few people walking down to market and coming back and taking the narrow winding path up to the hill and vanishing behind trees and creepers. Just then the bus from Pithoragarh arrived and drove on in a serpentine way to the market area. This is the bus that we took from Thal. I must admire the driving skill of these hilly drivers, their skill in negotiating a blind curve, and giving side to another bus or car on a road which is just enough for a bus. These narrow roads are made out by cutting the hills from the side exposing the vehicle on one side deep gorges and the other the rocky mountains. The situation gets worse if it rains and in the hills it does rain quite often than not - rocks big or small may just fall by the force of torrential rain and the road becomes slippery. A little negligence on the part of the driver could take the vehicle headlong into the waiting deep gorges. We hear news almost everyday of accidents of these kinds. Life is so fragile! That is why also it is so beautiful like water drop on a lotus leaf.
On the morning of third day, I took a long walk along the road. I dipped my feet in two waterfalls on the way flowing from above making gurgling sound and heading towards down below. I enjoyed the coolness of the running water and played with it for a while. On this road a few vehicles pass through the number of which you can just count on your fingertips. So intrusion from the modern world was minimal. You can enjoy the sound of silence and now and then chirruping of birds. After walking about 3 km I sat under the shade of a tree looking at the gigantic Panchauli peaks.
It was so divinely white and the cool breeze that was coming from the mountains was elixir indeed. I wondered at the splendor and the mystery that nature is. The memory of the golden moments is kept in the recesses of my heart and whenever I close my eyes I can still see them vividly. Time flew by without leaving any trace behind. Only the sun rose higher and the fire in the belly sounded alarm. On the advice of a passer by, I found a short cut through the forest area to our guest house. On the way, I saw a number of huts built in the middle of forest area and people living there. I imagined they must be enjoying nature to their heart’s content. As we city people look towards the holidays when we can spend a few days in junge retreat, these hilly people may be eagerly looking forward to go to city and see it’s extravaganza life style. Perhaps we all look for what we do not have and this keeps life moving forward. If we are to sum up what life is, it is acquiring things of comfort, accumulating money as a symbol of power and security, building selfish relationships. But what is the premium that we are paying - we move around selfish people and inwardly we all dislike each other and will enjoy hearing others misery. Our life is what we made it to be.
Next day morning saying good bye to Munsyari, we headed towards Thal on the way to Choukori.