It were the clouds, I swear. The fluffy white clouds soaked in the sunset at Fagu floating over the mountains like magic.
Spread over as far as I could see. With the sun rays making the blanket orange, then pink till twilight gobbled it all.
The next morning it was the dewdrops, you know.
I walked on the pebbled pathways with flowers keeping me company all through. While I looked at the peaks devoid of clouds, they danced in the breeze to seek attention, with dew drops shining on their shivering petals.
The dusk brought surprises too. The sweet scent of Serendipity of discovering a hidden valley of flowers in Sarahan while on a trail to see the Colourful tragopan. Walking on mossy tracks with forest fragrances rampant in the air.
It was magic I tell you. The rays over Shrikhand Mahadev lighting up the mountain and the bells of the Bhimakali temple Aarti announcing it.
There was energy and there was awe.
Wishes granted even before they were articulated.
It happened again. At the curves, when life was at the edge on NH 22, precariously holding on. With a deep gorge on one side and rocks on the other.
Getting lost weaved magic too. It led to goat trails and the roaring Baspa with deodhars lost in mist. It led to fairy tale houses and smiling locals in Batseri. It led to apples shining like red dots in the green.
And then next day it there was magic in solitude, in the silence in the thick mountain air, where I hear my own breathing, sitting on a rock with feet dipped in the Baspa’s coolness. There was a song in my head and an unsung tune. A happy one, leading to a spring in my step. All was well.
There was magic in this journey, in those lone walks of solitude, in finding bubbling streams and giggling rivers.
The magic returned. When drama enfolded over Kinner Kailash, with the mountains changing colours as the sun played hide and seek.
It returned with prayer flags fluttering in the cold breeze as I stood rooted at the monastery hearing Om Mane Padme Hum.
It returned when I saw the priceless smiles of the girls at the Baalika ashram and the kids who ran home after the school bell rung.
It returned when I tried to fathom the mystic energy at the sacred grove: of energy in trees and a song in the breeze.
It returned in random wanderings and silent ramblings. In the sound of singing cicadas and the rustle of leaves.
It returned when I encountered genuine hearts, helpful souls and a hospitality like none other.
When I stood on the edge of the Suicide point feeling grateful for this gift of life!
When I stumbled upon nature’s beauties : mushrooms shooting out of nowhere, unkempt, wild, beautiful.
It was there all along.
When I stuck out my head and let the mountain air hit my face on the winding curves leading to Narkanda and one of the most serene sunsets ever.
When the meadows of Hatu peak spread over like a green blanket with surprise encounters of birds and flowers.
When flowers popped out of nowhere and fingers encountered their warmth and softness and eyes their beauty!
When the slow, quiet pace of Chail enveloped me as life came to a standstill when I walked aimlessly under the shadows of these silent witnesses.
The mist swirled around the Oak and Deodhar before it submerged into the dark slowly and stars got out of their hiding place to come out and meet me.
We conversed for a long long time.
I smiled they winked.
They sprinkled happiness of a lifetime as I sat in silence, hands outstretched, grasping that warm, tingling feeling called magic.
Note: This piece is written to celebrate a year full of magical memories of that blessed trip to Kinnaur.
Doreen, I will be forever indebted!
Marvelous! Simply marvelous. You have a literary and photography masterpiece here. The magic is so intertwined in those words and the photos. While I wait for the call of Kinnaur, I’ll sit back and visit the place through this piece. Amazing Divyakshi!
Thanks a lot Johann! 🙂 Glad you liked it. Kinnaur is magical and I really really hope to get to visit it soon 🙂
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Beautiful post. love the way you expressed the magic you experienced in the hills of Kinnaur. Sarahan is such a beautiful place. Totally loved trekking there.
Hi Archana, yes there was an issue with the website, Now sorted. Thanks for reading and finding a way to comment! Appreciate that! 🙂
I can’t even… Sheer poetry. This post is for keeps. It won’t be an understatement if I said this is the most beautiful write up on Kinnaur that I’ve laid my eyes upon. Magic.
*Slow claps* Divyakshi.
This comment brought a hugeeee smile Shubham! 🙂 When it comes from a person who knows the place like home it means so much 🙂 Thanks so much!
Thanks Divya for transporting me to magical Kinnaur through your poetry and photos.
Kinnaur will always hold a special place in my heart as it was my first exposure to the Himalayas way back in Oct 1986 when we did the fantastic Sarahan to Sangla trek. Secondly, I met some of my best friends on this trek. Thirdly because the Kinner Kailash range introduced me to our very caring and hospitable Prithvi Raj Negi of the Grand Shambala
Doreen, remember the conversation we had in Kalpa, about the universe and connections! So blessed are we to experience it all. Hope to relive all those moments with you all over again, to see your child like enthusiasm when you showed the base of your trek! 🙂 Hugs!
Love love love this! Like Shubham, am lost for words! Thanks for sharing such an intimate feeling with us!
Thank you 🙂 This was meant to be a diary thing 😀 Hehe but then decided to make it public 🙂 glad you liked it!
So Beautiful! I have just left, but feel the pull to return strengthen as i peruse your inspirational photos and words. Thankyou!
I could go back again and again 🙂 Actually tempted to teach those kids in that tiny school someday 🙂
And I was dreaming all along! The scent of flowers, the curvy roads, the mountains, and pure air around makes for a dramatic experience 😊
Hehe! Glad you felt it all. The place is spell bounding! 🙂
Awesome Divyakshi!!!! I couldn’t come for this tour but through your poetic words and the lovely pix I felt I was there walking besides you could smell the flowers, feel the crispiness in the air….just enjoying myself… thanks for this lovely post…
Missed you on this Shubz! 🙂 Please do visit when you get a chance! 🙂 Thanks so much for reading! 🙂
So beautifully written I’m not even sure what to say! The photos and the words all match so perfectly, a beautiful celebration piece 🙂
Thanks a lot! 🙂 So happy to know you liked them both 🙂
Beautiful! This post itself is an inspiration. Keep inspiring, Divya.
Thanks a lot Niranjan! 🙂 Thats very encouraging!
You’ve got such a wonderful style of storytelling! The Magic of the photos match the Magic of your words so well. When I looked at your Pictures then I have to say that the clouds do look absolutely stunning and the mountains seem to be so Close to the sky as well. Thank you for sharing this article!
Tom, thanks for such a thoughtful comment! 🙂 Thanks for reading it and feeling the magic!
You’re a poet when it comes to narrate the story from a poet’s perspective. You’re a storyteller when it comes to share your experiences through emotions. You’re a magician who directs the show in the backdrop of stunning pictures. There is nothing more I can say to describe what I felt after ‘Experiencing’ this post. Loved it, Divyakshi. 🙂
Saumy! Your comment truly truly made my day:) This is something for keeps! 🙂 One of the best comments I have ever got! Thank you 🙂
Indeed magical Kinnaur! Loved seeing it through your words too.
There is a poem in each frame.
Thanks Indrani <3 🙂
Just what I needed. Thank you.
This makes me soooo happy! 🙂
It’s magical.love love this post
Pictures and your words. I walked the trail in my imagination with the words of yours
Thanks Mayuri! So happy to share this magic with my readers 🙂 <3
This was such a romantic post divyakshi…a perfect blend of lovely pictures and evocative words! Kinnaur is truly magical
Ah! Thanks Sid. Glad you find it so 🙂 Kinnaur is sheer love!
The pictures are breathtaking! The beauty of a few words! Your enthusiasm ; your being in touch with the silence ; allowing the solitude to still your mind; serenity to the inner core is an experience. Thanks ever so much for sharing.
Thanks Firoza 🙂 You lived it with me! Yay! <3 Hugs!
I love reading this, loving your writing style and the photos are breath-taking. Keep up the enthusiasm, your amazing.
Thank you Danik for such lovely words of encouragement! 🙂
Wow, love poetic prose. It is nice to read something a little different and inspiring. Looks like you had quite the adventure.
Thanks Drew! 🙂 was hoping to do something different with this. Mission accomplished!:)
What a wonderfully lyrical and moving tribute to the magic of Kinnaur! Your beautiful words and photos have conveyed its wonder and magnificence all the way across the world where they’ve lodged in my heart. Fantastic!
Thanks a lot! feels so good to read a comment like this! Nothing better than a reader saying they have traveled with me! 🙂
Amazing shots and those words. In perfect harmony with each other. Love your photography, Divsi!
Thank you so much Parul 🙂 So happy you liked it! <3
The poetic expression and the dreamy pictures are making me yearn for the hills. Walking along the misty mountain roads framed by oaks and deodars is one of my favourite things. Sometimes simple pleasures are the best. Lovely post.
So true. Simple pleasures are the bestest! 🙂 Thanks Punita. So glad this made you yearn for the hills!
Creating magic with words and then adding equally magical pictures… Leaving the reader mesmerizing. Beautiful place to be and equally justifying post to show the beauty to the lesser mortals who are yet to be there. Loved your post 🙂
You rarely comment and when you do you are ever so encouraging! 🙂 Thanks so much Braj! This means a lot.
Most lyrical description of the magic of travel ever! Makes me want to rush to Kinnaur now 🙂
Thanks so much Madhu! 🙂 You will LOVE it 🙂 Nature at its best!