The Pristine Chamba

The journey to Chamba was inexplicably beautiful. Living like a local gave a new meaning to the trip. Churah Valley in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh is an eternally beautiful place with amazing and talented people. This place was quite remote with not many schools offering choices regarding field of study. We visited a few of those schools and interacted with children of different classes. As amazed I was with the beauty of this place, I was astonished with the beauty and the hospitality of the people of Churah Valley.

 Day 1:

Location: Bhanjraru village- We started off from Pathankot and reached Banjarau village where we had our first session under the sky during night. This session revolved around a discussion of our expectations from Shodhyatra and the reason behind our interest in this course. People shared stories about how they would like to bring a change in themselves as well as the places they go to, some wanted a break from the hustle of everyday life, some wanted to break the monotony, some wanted to clear the clutter of mind, others wanted new experience and the feel of being close to nature and trekking. During the night session, the moon was so beautiful and natural that we all had to pause for a while to see that rising moon. That was the moment when I realized that this is going to be a trip which is to be remembered even after years.

Next day morning, we all went a place to have breakfast after which we went to a school uphill. On our way there, we came across the local people of Churah Valley. Two women particularly caught my attention. One was busy in farming and her friend was sitting in the shade waiting for her friend to complete and going back together. When asked whether she wanted her pic to be clicked, all she did was make a pose for the pic.(The women who gave the best pose)

We went the first school where we interacted with the students and were part of their morning assembly. We then made a move to the next school. On the way to the next school, there was Sukhrali trek which is known to have a landslide many years ago and was a very steep mountain which was to be crossed. The path was difficult and at times, I felt like giving up and taking the longer way but the guides reassured me that it will be fine and to trust them. I went forward with confidence and what was awaiting for us was something which was beautiful. A scenery which took my breath away. Churah Valley is untouched and unseen by most people.

Day 2:

Location: Majoga- Our journey started by visiting a temple, Devi Koti, which was so beautiful that that was a perfect start to the day. The carvings on the walls of that temple was hundreds of years old and was still so firm. The trek begun and the place where we went to the road again was where we saw a flour mill which operated automatically with the help of water current. It was really innovative and came at a low cost.

The journey to this place was also uphill. On the way up the hill, we were caught with a lot of bichhu booti which is filled with thorns but at the same time are taken to prepare a type of dish by the locals. The school was Rajkriya Kendriya Prathmik Vidhyalaya where we were served an amazing food prepared in a Churahi style by the localites. I was awestruck once again with the beauty of the people and the taste of the food.

Day 3:

Location: Bairagad- This place was reached when there was a light shower on the way. The place became even more beautiful. I met a beautiful dog on my way which I fell in love with. It was almost like the dog was as playful, energetic and happy like the people of Churah Valley. It is something about the place and the essence of the morals that resides in the heart of the people of Chamba. The school which we visited and stayed at was Rajikriya Aadarsh Varisht Madhyamik Pathshala, Bairagad. This school was one of the biggest school we came across. The students here were all enthusiastic about everything from playing to studying.

Day 4:

Location: Mangli- This place was the last stop we had before leaving for Tissa Valley again. On the way to this place, I came across a man who offered us apples without taking money in return. When we insisted him to take the money, he said he did not give the apples for money but for his own happiness. The joy which could be seen on the man’s face was so amazing. I came across another man which I would describe as “The Mountain Man”. He stays there making a house out of woods and took care of the stock of the woods in the mountains. When asked what does he do when it starts raining, he simply answered that the wood is more important. He just cannot leave the place. When we reached Mangli, we were welcomed by a host who narrated stories of that place- some mythological, some historical. One such story was that Mangli has a waterfall which is said to have medicinal properties of curing leucoderma. Another was a metaphorical love story between spring and waterfall. The residents of this place did not really have means of entertainment like television. They mostly have their own means of entertainment like local musicians. A treat was given to us with a performance by the local musicians who played instruments we never even heard of and the dance we never saw but it was so musically engrossing and lively that we could not help ourselves but dance to it. The localites taught us their dance and we shared a cultural exchange.

Day 5:

Location: Tissa- We came back to Tissa after crossing a landslide on our way back from Churah Valley to Tissa. As soon as I felt Churah Valley, it felt like a part of me stayed there which does not ever want to come back from that place. The beauty, the peace, the people- Churah Valley gave the best experience of trekking and natural beauty. There were times when I just kept staring at the nature- something so untouched and even camera could not capture the true beauty of that place.

Churah Valley in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh is a place which is untouched and unexplored but it is filled with natural beauty and heartwarming people. This place is surely one of those places that resides in the heart forever and one wants to keep going to the place back again for refreshing the memories.