This time solo, betting on the memory of the previous one when I got the company of trekkers from Bangalore. This time would I be able to travel the trek safely?, the thing revolving around my mind. Yes, the monsoon season is on its way and all the way you look around it’s completely lush green. Clouds and mountains are fighting down in the sky to dominate space. Waterfalls are in a full gush and fall from all the sides of the mountain.I swear whenever I travel, Mountain in Monsoon the whole landscape becomes alive.
Everyone who loves trekking in the mountains has heard the name of kheerganga. It’s a go-to place for trekkers. Trek of 3-4 hours from the Barshaini village either via Nakthan route or Kalaga route (forest route) . Welcome, you can reach Kheerganga. I know the simpler it sounds in writing it’s not as easy as a cakewalk. Especially when you take the forest route of Kalga. One thing I have learned from the mountains is that the more beautiful and scenic it looks, the cruller it will be.
How to reach
There are three ways you can reach Bairshani either by road, air or train. But the air and train modes end much earlier and you have to take the service of the road.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Pathankot. From there you can take a bus or hire a taxi to Barshaini.
By air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar airport in Kullu and again you need to hire a car or take a bus to Barshaini.
Enroute to kalga to kheerganga
After the Barsheni road ends, you have to travel on foot to reach Kalga. Kalga is the first beautiful village you will come across when you travel from Barsheni after the Parvati dam. Kalga has a lot of options for staying. From beautiful cafes to homestays, you will find a lot of options. Kalga is not very far from Barsheni, hardly 1 km, so it’s better to stay in Kalga.
After kalga the trek starts to ascend and starts rolling out its beautiful escape on you. The waterfall gushing out from the top of the mountain will come across your path. You have to be extra careful while crossing such waterfall bridges. There are many instances of mishap happening on such a cross-section in the past.
Big tall trees of Deodar, Pine or maple lining along treks make a beautiful canopy around the trek. When you travel across the trek you will see the parallel trek coming from the Nakthan side also.
Parvati river flows in the middle of these two treks and moves along the trek. Nature’s waterfall is the major attraction point along the trek where you will get a chance to fill out the waterfall. Remember in Kheerganga there is no source of water and you have to buy water because they themselves have to carry water from far.
In the middle of the trek, you will find a shop to eat Maggi and drink chai. Always take those to rejuvenate your mind and body.
At the end of a long tiring trail reaching kheerganga gives you immense satisfaction after all it came after toiling hard for 4 hours. Kheerganga is a beautiful landscape surrounded by big mountains on all sides. In the valley, the Parvati river is flowing at a brisk pace from Manatalai lake. Yes, there is a trek to Manatalai lake from Kheerganga, a beautiful and challenging trek to do.
Kheerganga has a beautiful mythological story. According to legend, Kartikeya, the younger son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, meditated for a thousand years at Kheerganga making it a very important religious place for Hindus.
A hot bath in a hot sulphur spring makes you feel comfortable and numb. It is believed to have medicinal benefits that can cure skin related problems.
Conclusion
Nature never feels short to amazed you; it depends on how far you want to explore.
