Lockdown… When it started locking all my senses, I thought let me break free before it takes on me. So Me and Shriya started to have a wild thought, why not spend some time in mountains and make it home for some days.
With working and schooling from home, why not making it working and schooling from mountains. My first choice was Spiti valley as it holds a special place in my heart but it was close for visitors due to pandemic. Then There is a place I never been to but was in my wish list for a long time. Tirthan Valley it is. Why not..
What more, the research for a place where we can spend atleast a month started. Then one fine day I came across few images of this place called The Forest Edge. This place made me fall in love at first sight. I cant describe but there were positive vibes coming from those images. At instance I felt this is the place I wanted to be. But was quite apprehensive as both forest Edge and Tirthan Valley is totally new to me. Its not at all familiar upto a comfort feeling at first, like Spiti. It was absolutely fine if I would travel alone, but with my daughter makes me more apprehensive.
But they say desperation makes you to do crazy things. That’s what exactly happened with me. Then the communication started to finalize the place. And when from opposite side of the call a voice says “ Don’t worry, once you landed in Chandigarh, you are our responsibility.” It was so soothing to my restlessness. I guess I choose the right place.
During Pandemic we would be travelling by air for first time. I was in multiple panic attacks for this. But thanks to Indigo they have taken all safety majors to atleast feel safe.
We landed in Chandigarh, rather before time. But Lalit Ji who suppose to drive us to The Forest Edge, was already there. Infact he came a day before. We boarded the cab. Lalit Ji is a very quite but sensible person. He only talks when you ask him anything. First thing I asked him how much time it will take, it may be late night when we reach Tirthan. He is like “koi baat nehi maam, raat ke 12 baje tak bhi aaram se pohonch sakte hei .” That was so comforting.. By the time we entered the mountains, It was already dark and I was missing the valley views. I knew, what I was missing, with my multiple Spiti travel experience. I just opened the Google map and was telling Shriya what we might be passing through, a deep valley next to the road, a river just flowing along side the path, a huge dam or reservoir here somewhere. It was pitch dark and we can’t see a soul apart from our vehicle. But our travel was tracked through messages and calls by our host to make sure our safety. It did take bit longer due to construction work going on.
By 10.30 in the night we reach Forest Edge. We had a long day and were tired and hungry to the core. No strength to even get freshen up. Headed directly to the dinning area to have our dinner. The pipping hot dinner was served by Veru Ji with the widest smile ever, where u can see the corner of his lips are almost touching his ears.
Morning my eyes opened to this. This is exactly I got right from the bed. For sometime it was unbelievable to be reality. I pinched myself if I was still in my dreams. I was sure I was in paradise.
I slowly opened the room and came out and to the surprise What I saw four lovely furry friends are waiting to welcome us.
Next stage of apprehension was Internet connectivity, as my whole trip was dependent on that. I needed to work and Shriya needed to attend her school and other online classes from there, else we had to call off this trip and pack up. Which would have been a massive heart break for both of us. The connection which was given to us was really good. Even I can say it was better than my back home airtel wifi. Not a single call drop, not a single disconnection, The clarity of video calls were flawless.
We were all sorted..
Our typical day would start when those furry friends would come and pawing our door to drag us from the bed to go for a walk early in the morning. Then Viru Ji or Raju Bhaiya will come with my morning hot honey water , with a broad smile. Just to note this was even before 7 am in the morning. I get really amazed how super active, fresh and full of life even in that chilled early morning hours.
Then we would get ready quickly for our morning walk. Shriya who never wakes up early and going for walk is out of her syllabus. She just drags herself out just to be with Gulab, Jamoon, Sheru and Laddo. I still remember just one of days, they didn’t come with us for the walk. They went with other guests. Believe me we couldn’t go much further. Within few minutes, Shriya tells me “Its so boring walking without them. Lets go back.” And we did an immediate U turn.
Well, after a lovely morning walk, sharp 8.15 our breakfast use to be ready as Shriya’s school starts at 8.45.
Do I need to say anything more.. These are the wonders of magical hands of Rohit Ji. One of the amazing cook I ever met and his amazing creations. The best Aloo Puri, sin-full but irresistible Parathas and Shriya’s all time favourite pancake.
After breakfast Shriya starts her school and I use to have bit of relaxed time before I login to my office. During that time I use to enjoy my ginger lemon tea. Viru ji has completely got the hack of my tea. And would make exactly the way I wanted. It took few days though, coz I am very fussy about my tea and would have made whole Forest Edge go head over hill for it. I was very particular about the amount of ginger and how little the tea need to be boiled, rather it should be brewed. And Viru Ji cracked it perfectly in no time.
During first couple of days I use to lock the room, even if I step a bit out of the room. Then the cleaning lady would come and take the keys from me for cleaning. One day she asked me “Maam , aap yehi ho phir room kyu lock kar rahi ho.” ( you r just around then why u r locking the room). It hit me hard. She is so correct. Its me who is so paranoid with city life. why in the earth I am locking the room. Probably she has no idea where I am coming from, what I went through. I am panicked due to the incidents that has happened with me . I totally want to explain and apologize to the lady for locking the room but then I stopped myself thinking lets not dilute their brain with the dreadful realities of city life. They are quite innocent and pure, let them be like that. They are our hope for humanity.
Megh Singh Ji – He is like the wish granting Genie from Aladdin. you make a wish and somewhere the vibe comes from him.. “Jo hukum mere Aka”. Not literally I meant Aka here but he can put heaven and hell together to grant whatever you wished for. May it be planning and arranging your travel and trekking, or the food you want to eat, till sourcing honey and apricot oil from near by village. He is such a beautiful soul. Simplest at its best. Its really great to know people like him.
Viru Ji – He is the pulse of Forest Edge. His smile, his talk would keep you so lively. He always makes you believe that good people are still around and the earth is still a liveable place.
The dogs love him and listen to him so obediently. He loves them too, but Sheru takes the cherry of the cake.
Raju Bhaiya – He is the quietest and most well-mannered Forest Edger. An amazing trekking guide too.
Bal Krishna , Tiria – The siblings.. Bal Kishna the wonder kid of Forest Edge. Everyone might have answer for any question, but he has questions for your answer.
Tiria – The adorable doll of the Forest Edge. You don’t listen her talking coz talking part is the sole proprietary of Bal Krishna. But just observe her when she is not realising you are looking at her. You can see a fierce and poised girl in making.
Ranjana Ji – Couldn’t get her picture so putting the image of her wonderful creation. she is the magician of making the delicious Siddu.
Her soulful laughter keeps the Forest Edge so alive.
The series of unfair events happened around and with us, during Pandemic, has forced me to lose my faith in humanity. I was so broken, shattered and lost.
When you see so many happy faces, innocent and pure souls around, I get my faith back in humanity and yet much hopeful the world is still a worth living because of people like them.
Time has come for us to bid goodbye to this place. We started early in morning by around 5 am. Its all dark, we got into the vehicle. Baldeep Ji has come to leave us upto Chandigarh, inspite of the Diwali day and he had to be back same day to join his family for festival celebration. All the way we both were so lost. Shriya was looking other side of the window, though nothing was visible outside. Just to hide her tears and there was a silent cry within me. I was looking this side of the window, into the darkness re-living all the memories, day after day we spent in this heaven. Suddenly she would say Mamma, one month isn’t a good idea. It’s so painful to leave.
Before I came to this place. I was not within myself. I was stressed , panicked, disoriented about my life. I hardly could recognize myself. Everything and everybody, I use to hate around me. I was going through a tough phase in my life.
But after spending a month here and meeting these lovely souls around, I re-discover myself. As if I got myself back. Cant be more thankful to each and everyone, specially those four furry friends. They were my saviors.
Till date whenever I close my eyes, My heart take me to The Forest Edge, sipping my hot ginger honey or lemon tea in the morning sun after a sumptuous breakfast, or taking my morning calls from the seat out surrounded by those four fur balls, occasionally they would come and give such a look that you can’t avoid petting them.
Or seating in that Game of Throne couch, preparing some presentation or working on some data analysis or having my meetings.
Every afternoon Jamoon would come to me to try his level best to stop me from working, He would make me play with him or go for an afternoon walk by the river.
And how my special day turnout to be such magnificent way when actually this year I wanted to keep it very low profile. Wanted to be just away from everyone, be alone. May be thats how I planed this remote mountains., where no one would know me. But I didn’t have slightest idea that I will be getting so much attention and all the lovely wishes would pour on me.
These are the endless memories I had during that one month. It has completely changed my life or rather get my life back in track.
I came back with me, and I left myself there as well. Till I go back and find myself again.
A HEARTFELT GRATITUDE & A BIG THANKS ….!!!
