Journey to Churah Valley

            Mountains are the best place to go when you need a break from your routine, there is something about them that brings sort of calmness, serenity in you. I found out about this during one of my course trip to Churah Valley in Himachal Pradesh. 

Himachal is known for its beautiful mountains that have yet remain unaffected by human activities and indeed it is true most of the mountain that we went during this trip had a thick forest cover and its wildlife intact. I think this is something special about churah valley, So If you are truly looking for an experience that is filled with beauties of nature churah valley is the place to go

Day 0: Delhi to Bhanjraru

We started our journey from Delhi taking a train to reach Pathankot from where we were supposed to take a traveller to reach our destination Bhanjraru.

One of the best things about the mountain is that you enjoy the journey as much as you enjoy the destination the same was the case with Churah Valley as soon as we started our journey from Pathankot we were amazed by the scenic beauty of these mountains. It was really amazing to see that despite all this deforestation most of the forest in the mountain of Himachal are still intact.

After reaching Bhanjraru we camped there for the night. One of the most amazing things about nights in the mountain is clear skies, as you leave the pollution of the city behind you can clearly see all the constellation that you have read about in school. I myself being one of those who crazy about star decided to spent my night sleeping outside enjoying the night sky.

Day 1: Trek to Devikothi

Next morning, we started our Trek to Devikothi (9000 feet). On our way to the Devikothi, we were again mesmerized by the beauty of the mountain. During this trip, I discovered something amazing about the forest. Every part of the forest is unique in some way and it is this uniqueness that greatly adds to the value of the forest.

On our way to Devikothi, we visited various schools as one of the objectives of our trip was to get in touch with the young mind of these areas and motivate, encourage them to take their idea to the next level.

One of the most amazing things about kids is their innovative imagination, unlike us, they aren’t bounded by the laws of the society that we hold so dearly, along with this journey I had the experience to interact with some of the most innovative kids I have ever seen. One of the most important lessons that I have learned through this experience was that talents and intellectually capabilities aren’t bounded by what we learn in school. Nature is one of the teachers that you have and due to this intellectual capability isn’t bounded by the geographical bounds.

Later on, we camped at one of the schools in Devikothi, here I came across one of the most mesmerizing views of the moon I have ever seen.

Day 2: Trek to Bairagarh

Next day early morning we started our trek to Bairagarh, one of the best things about mountains is the rising sun if ever you have an opportunity to spend time in the mountain I recommend that you enjoy this.

After this we started trekking to our next milestone Bairagarh (7000 ft), here we got the opportunity to interact with the students of one of the biggest schools in Churah valley. The school brought back my memories of having a prayer service in the morning it is truly amazing no matter where you go in India most of the school have more or less the same prayer service

Day 3: Visit another School in Bairagarh

Next day we trekked to a nearby school to meet with the Kids and later went to relax in a nearby guest house for the day. One of the most amazing things about the mountain is its fickle nature for a moment you have the bright sun shining above you and the next moment we were surrounded by thunderous cloud.

I was so fascinated by this amazing weather that I along with a few of my friends climbed the highest place that we could find nearby and enjoyed the amazing weather for a while. Churah valley is known for its unexpected rain and it is truly a memorable site for those who enjoy this kind of weather (like me) I would certainly recommend having this experience

Those who are interested in visiting the place can book a room at the guest house we visited it had an amazing view and a really huge garden for you to enjoy the view at night

Day 4: Trek to Mangli

This was the last day of our trek and our final destination was a village on the border of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Border. Although the path to the Village was equally mesmerizing I was awestruck when I actually reached the village.

The village is completely surrounded by vast mountains and completely disconnected from the outside world, this is one of the best places that can allow you to disconnect from the outside world and enjoy the calmness of nature.

This place is also home to one of the most amazing folk music through instruments that are somewhat indigenous to this place. The music is so soothing that it is capable of making you completely lost in nature.

Although I am not a user of Henna but for those who are, Mangli is also home to one of the plants that act as an alternative source of Henna through a flower, Villagers claim it is much better than what we have at home, Interested people can give it a try

Places I would recommend to Visit & Things to try

Although I would recommend you to not to miss witnessing any of the above experience I have mentioned, there are still few that completely blew my mind

A night at Mangli

As described above Mangli is completely surrounded by mountains on all 4 sides this makes Mangli one of the most memorable experience of my life. Stay here for the night and enjoy the night sky and watch the moon rise above the mountains and spread the moonlights on the mountain

People are extremely friendly in this village as well (something that I have observed all around Churah valley) and if you are lucky you’ll be able to enjoy there calming & breath-taking music

Spending an Afternoon Sitting by Waterfall

If you truly want to retrospect on your life I would recommend sitting by the side of one of the many waterfalls presents in Churah valley and enjoying the beautiful site.'

Reconnecting with Nature

The best thing about Churah valley is that you can reconnect with nature you want if you truly want to embrace nature I would recommend that you sit at whatever places you find calmness and just enjoy the view. One of the things that I kept on doing on my trek… n that one part of the trip I missed the most.  

Drink Water seeping through rocks

Although we are used to drinking purified mineral water in cities I would recommend trying out the water seeping through rocks in this valley. As mountains in this area are almost untouched by human activities the water from these mountains are the purest form of the water that you could possibly have and secondly as it seeps through the rocks its amazingly cold

Food that you must Try

One of the most amazing things about Churah Valley was food. I have been to various cities in Himachal and Uttarakhand, but nowhere have I tasted such an amazing food. People in Churah valley have been able to use local vegetation and their old family recipe to create something that is not only unique but truly amazing.  

Some of my most favourite dishes.

Rajma (Madra)

Cooked with Curd and Kidney Beans, Madra ate with rice was one of the most amazing dishes that I have ever eaten. After having this I don’t think I can ever eat the normal rajma curry.

Bicchu Buti Saag with Makke ki Roti

This saag is made with one of the indigenous plants that grow naturally in the Churah valley. I am not a saag lover but damn this was one of the finest dishes that I have ever seen, this saag along with Makke ki roti and some ghee is enough to make you forget any of the finest dishes you might have had around the world

Pickles

Although one might they are just pickle! but there was something amazing about them, which actually lead me to buy 4 bottles of one of the pickle "Chug". If you ever visit Churah valley I would recommend tasting this at least once

Other Recommendation

Churah valley is known for its unexpected weather I would recommend any traveller to carry things like umbrella or raincoat along with that