Jibhi, Jalori Pass, Saryoskar Lake: A Trip to Hidden Jewel

  

Jibhi, Jalori Pass, Saryoskar Lake: A Trip to Hidden Jewel

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”- Mark Twain

My crave for traveling started at office on Friday afternoon to go to mountains. To a place which is unexplored, unknown and where I can find mountain’s beauty. Next thing was in my mind to search any of such place which is hardly to anybody’s reach. I have finally gone through many google searches and come down to one destination “Offbeat Destination” and booked my bus ticket to Aut.

I reached home, packed my bag to start my journey from Delhi at 11:00 PM and reached Aut next day at 12:00 PM. From there I caught a local bus to Jibhi going via Banjar of 2 hours journey and on the way to Jibhi bus route, Brajesh, the homestay property owner stopped the bus and picked me from the mid way. Bewildered, I thought where the way could be to that secret place where I planned to stay. Brajesh showed me a narrow trekking way going downhill. I started following him. Passing by dense flora where I can see there is no way and I was trying to find a way :D, then I started hearing the sound of flowing water after 500 mts trek and got intrigue to see from where the sound was coming.

     

A way to Nature nestled Homestay

At last the view was soul filling when I saw the river flowing, a bridge with colouful prayer flags to reach mud house, nestled in lush greenery and this brought big smile on my face.

The plan for day was to do nothing, just be there.

Day was blissed with on taking nap in open air of moving clouds, refreshing breeze and gentle relaxing river sounds on background with night of bon fire and meeting travel buddies from Delhi.

 

Mudhouse

Day 2 started with exploration of garden of hybrid fruit of apple and peach, pomegrant and papaya…surprising information about old time gyser “Hmam” and it’s technique. Next we started our drive to Jalori. Jalori pass is a connecting way of Shimla to Manali, used by Britishers during their rule in India. It was around 45 mins drive from Jibhi to Jalori Pass. The route was amazingly curvy and hardly any vehicle on route. On the way, one can see “Trout fish” restaurant which is speciality of Jibhi and Tirthan Valley. We reached Jalori Pass and can see lush greenery and silky roads from there. In moisty and moving clouds, we had maggi and tea.

Discovery in Greens

Then we started our trek to Saryolskar Lake which is 5 kms from Jalori Pass, of about 2-3 hours . It is Abode of Budhi Nagin Temple which is about 3199 meters above the sea level.  The trek route is narrow and covered with thick alpine forest. On the way, we met some local villagers who were coming from Budha Nagini Temple and they gave us prasad - Shudhha Desi Ghee, even they offered us Ghee waggon when we mentioned it is too tasty, such humility !!! Also we discovered poisonous Mushroom.

 

Rare Poisonous Mushroom

Once we reached the nearby Saryolskar lake, famished us, had favorite Himanchali Kadi and Rice, Rajma & Rice and Chai. There, we saw some trees having its roots growing against the gravity, towards sky…awestuck !! 

Himanchali Food : Kadi Chawal

We reached the temple and paid our visit to Budha Nagini Devi temple. It is said that Budha Nagini resides in lake and there can never be a leaf found on lake, even being surrounded with trees. It is immediately pick by bird, so we found the same.

Budha Nagini Temple

 Local villagers have strong faith in Buda Nagini devi and offer Ghee to deity on any pious occassion or for Mannat (wish), by doing Parikrama of lake and pouring regular dhaar of ghee around lake and not to miss to tell you that at a place the pathway is really difficult that one need to climb up the wall without breaking the Dhaar. It is even more slippery to climb the wall because of spilled ghee around. Kudos we did it.

 As per local’s saying, at this place Pandav stayed during their Agyatwas and they used to sow paddy in lake, small portion of paddy is still there.

From this trek, We, a group of 10 unknown/ known people became connected with sharing our thoughts, trekking, exchanging food and playing & singing songs. 

Trekking time

After soaking the mist air on lakeside and spending quite and quality time, we did not have realization of time passed. 
We started our back journey at 4:00 PM, reached to Jalori Pass by dusk and returned to our homestay at @Offbeat_footprints.

Famished and tired, the bon fire and favourite Himanchali food was ultimate need and comfort..

Day 3 was a leisure morning than last spent hardship day. After having breakfast of Poha, spending time on river and planting tree which is ritual of homestay @offbeat_footprints to say adios. Since I missed my local bus to Bhuntar of 2:00 PM, our friend gave me ride to Banjar, the next stop. I finally caught the bus and reached on time to catch the bus from Bhuntar to Delhi. Thankfully I was on time.

The next morning I am in Delhi, in memory of those refreshing air………

Information in a jiffy ;)

Days require to Travel: Minimum 3 Days from Delhi to Delhi

Destinations:

 Jibhi

 Jalori Pass

 Saryolskar Lake & Budhi Nagin Temple

Trek Level: Easy

Best time to travel: March - May, September - November

Not to miss:

 Himanchali Food

 Trout Fish , if non vegetarian

 Homestay - Offbeat_footprints

 Hybrid fruits

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