JIBHI - A place to blend in

Enjoying the views of the Banjar valley from the last seat of HRSTC, the bus suddenly stopped in a narrow path, almost 20-25 mins before Jibhi. I got down to enjoy the views up close and it starts pouring down. I climbed up to my seat and started daydreaming while keeping a blank gaze onto those green trees, mostly pine, getting gently swayed away by the rains. 30 mins down, the traffic was cleared and the drops started hitting my face as we moved. The villages were full of pretty little houses with tiled roofs and the hills on the opposite end of the valley played the role of a background for them. Soon the conductor called "Next stop Jibhi" and I grabbed my bags getting my mind ready to get drenched.

The bus stops at this small sign which says Jibhi. Before I could look up my hostel I found a small shed with people already standing there waiting for it to clear up and I joined them. It feels like these pauses asked me to 'stay, appreciate and understand' the place before I rush towards my hostel. Soon I started walking to my hostel 'Young Monk' which was accompanied by views out of my imagination. The whole scenery was decorated with post rain mist, clouds and the freshly bathed look of the village. I thanked them and continued my walk uphill. Among a really small settlement stayed put this white building which looked nothing like the one's around and it was clearly my place for the upcoming days. As I was shown my dorm, the balcony which leads to my door had the best valley view which I saw

throughout this trip, and I was already sold. Dropped my bags and started walking around to familiarize myself. Just opposite was a small shop/kitchen where this Himachali lady sold paranthas and her toddler son named 'Moksha' entertained the visitors with his cuteness and innocence. As I ate my paranthas I enjoyed the view in the front and Moksha fooling around on the side. After the much needed meal I went back to my bed to figure out what should I do next, what all this place got to offer. And that's when I met Akash and Ayush. We quickly got to know each other and started our walk towards a place called 'Mini Switzerland'.

Huh, I know. I am not on the side of commercializing and 'beautifying' a place which doesn't need it but I yes, that's how the tourists are attracted. Nowadays, the fomo's of not going to a place are a bigger reason to visit rather than just visiting it for the sake of it and appreciating it for what it is. Anyways, the whole thing was bearable just because of the my two amigos. The best humourous jodi as I'd like to call them. From there we ended up at a random stream alongside a cemetery and that 'free' experience was definitely more fun. Wrapped up and now hungry we walked down to the town, had a nice dinner to call it a day.

With his innocent smile Moksha and I played cricket where he handed me a stick and he was throwing stones at me xd, ugh! That's how I remember my next day morning. Now post lunch I had looked up a couple villages on the same hill I was on and planned on hiking to 'Seri'.

Saathi posing.

Imagine waking on a path all surrounded by the greens, some hills looking at you here and there, no people, no vehicles, no sounds except for what are natural and a road which keeps turning left and right uphill. This experience continued until I ended up meeting 'Saathi' (meaning companion), a dog, which I turned friends with instantly and Saathi kept herself alongside if not ahead of me leading the way at all times after that. She didn't like selfies is what I know, but solo pictures were ok. Now just 1 km of road was left to cover when Saathi

started turning back. I got scared because I believe Himachali dogs guide and guard the travellers there. So I called a random bhaiyya from the hotel on top and asked if the road was safe. Thanks to his confident voice I could convince her and we reached the top together. Thirsty and tired I found a cottage which made me meet Monty bhaiyya. He offered me water with the most genuine smile and welcomed me into his stay for a coffee. Saathi made herself comfortable just outside. Monty Bhaiyya handled the property for someone and loved there alone, unless the place had visitors. His stay was this comfortable looking shed with two beds with a window in between on the left with the valley views and also a kitchen on the right where he was making coffee for us. For sure I could sense how peacefully he lived there. When I asked about if it feels all lonely up here and if he plans to stay like this even in the future? - He said, "Ab aadat si ho gyi hai" (I am used to this peaceful living), But he blushed and added that it will change when I'll have a wife and I'll adjust to however that would be.

After drinking coffees I asked him my permission to leave as it was getting dark and as I heard Saathi crying for me to finish up and just leave! It was pitch black soon, it was just me and her with my phone's flashlight and the distant dots of lights of houses I could see sometimes. I checked my maps, it showed '600m left' and as I looked up I couldn't find Saathi?! Had to pass off my gratitude and sulked up for a while as I wanted to say her goodbye. But this moment was soon disturbed by a mugging - yes, so, as I was walking alongside the ridge, a bike approached directly towards me with it's bright flashlight and I didn't have a good feeling about it. I definitely didn't had any money and my camera? NO. As they stopped, both of them started asking for my wallet and trust me my legs went cold. Then as the guy behind got off and started approaching I put my flashlight on his face and guess what, it was Ayush! AH! These guys! I told you. They made fun of me for a while and then soon left. And I was here wondering what if all this actually happened. They didn't leave it here, the next night when we went on a dinner I started asking them for life advices as they were 14-15 yrs older than me. When we finished our dinner they started laughing revealing that they are just 4-5 years older had the lives they portrayed were all fake. Huh.

But one thing I learnt from them was "Duniya Gol nahi M*******d hai" hahahahaha.

Bidding them farewell at the Jibhi sign bus stop, this day I continued my way to 'Mini Thailand' xd, it's hilariously cute to look at the local people and their aspirations. Anyways, after walking ahead of the bus stop for a while I reached a sign called 'Kulhi Katandi- Veera ri Aal'. And was happy to spot the original name and not 'Mini Thailand'. As I walked down the path, I spotted a small river stream going left to right and a small 'pakdandi' (like a log or wooden plank) placed on top to cross it. Enjoying the mini thrill it served I continued understanding I was on the wrong way and crossed the pakdandi again to take a right now and entered a rocky structure. The moment I saw a huge group of people I knew this is it. The unique quality of the place was how the rocks were shaped and naturally stood there making a cave like structure. And people were standing in line to take the picture in between the rocks and waters behind. I usually don't click my own pictures so I walked ahead, spotted a rock to sit on, removed my footwear and just started listening to the noises which the stream and the birds made. Briefly I people started joining in, some slipped, some walked with their partners in the stream for pictures. I was just an observer. After a while it felt right to leave. As I was about to reach the bus stop, I saw some stairs leading up. My curious mind doesn't understand what my body says, it just leads the way. And here I was climbing these stairs which ended up in a minimal temple setup. I offered my prayers and continued along a small path which was very welcoming to look at. Soon a small picturesque valley opened up as I saw many local houses along with new cottages being built alongside. Here I got a really beautiful picture of a cottage or a house structure with a few men circled around the fire smoke on the right of it. And this particular frame called me to click it

because, I avoided a road which led exactly here before the stairs and yet ended up exactly at the same spot. Satisfied mind needed a satisfied stomach now. On my way down to the town I stopped at 'Aman barbar shop' (This is the exact spelling) - The only barber in the whole of Jibhi. Thus ending my procrastination to cut my hair I had some interesting conversations with the barber about his life.

Moksha morning again! Where aunty mentioned about a temple in the jungle. A temple which belonged to the village god named Latoda. Before I write further I want to stretch this message as much as possible that if you end up visiting it, please maintain the local vibe and leave the place as it is! Well, not able to control my excitement, I started hiking up where I crossed a beautiful settlement. The daily life looks so fascinating in these mountains. I know it must be quite boring for them, but as far as I know, they are definitely happier and healthier than most people. Ok, continuing these really narrow paths I ended up in the jungle where all I knew that the temple is up. Not knowing the exact location and distance I climbed and climbed for 45 mins straight which ended up me being at the village 'Tehri' above the hill! From here I asked a didi nearby the road an she said it wayyy down there on the same hill. I was like howwwww? xd She explained me the way and I strictly followed it regardless of several doubts in between. Tall grass, no roads, but continued in the same direction. Additionally my hostel owner had mentioned a thing or two about leopards which were spotted near the hostel, I was just wishing not to ending up meeting one and if I did I had no idea what would be happening after that. As these thoughts kept repeating on a loop for a while, I saw a brown structure down there and I almost teared up in happiness. Ran down and just sat besides it, my eyes gazed all over the structure for a while. Then I entered the temple, prayed for a while and sat along the edges now gazing

over the tall trees and feeling the cold air all around. I titled it as my 'Peace Place'. I love finding my Peace Places, which help me offer peace and confort where I can sit and contemplate about things or just stare and come back. My mind and body now ready, it was time to climb the hill once again to visit the village Tehri! Climbed back again just aiming the higher ground and reached a different road which was accessible to vehicles. As I stepped up and looked back in the distance, I saw a couple mountains with Ice tops and I still remember the happiness I felt physically in my heart. I actually felt it. And I can confidently say that was 'one of my most' happiest moments which was so simple and yet I felt it. Teaches you something doesn't it?. Continued in the path where the view for the Banjar valley ahead of Jibhi opened up and I was in awe! I remember posting a story about it immediately which I never do. I am often shortened for words to explain these sights because there are so many and putting out them uniquely is very hard. After calming my overwhelmed mind, I walked ahead and reached Tehri which was a nice mix of a few cafes, local vibe and unique huts. Not much time must have past and I realised I need to head back as it was soon gonna get dark. This time I chose to stick to the traditional route than the jungle obviously and it was dark soon. I used to feel a bit scared sometimes but had no choice but to walk with the flashlight in my hand until I reach. Yet again, the 'townlights' glittered my eyes and after a long walk I slept off instantly.

Opening my laptop (I had a remote job), I worked for most of that day but had to visit the temple again, this time I reached in maximum 15 mins. Enjoyed my peace, clicked a few pictures of the villagers too. There was a dad who had his baby tied around him was singing to it to make her fall asleep. Also there were the kids who were playing kho-kho at the small village square and their mothers sitting in the distance. All this with the view behind. It's not only about the views but the energy and atmosphere there.

"I need to leave", is what I felt the very next morning and I decided to leave Jibhi for Bir. Asked for the bus, packed in an hour and left. Goodbyes are always hard for me, because all these connections which I enjoyed here won't be the same anymore, either won't exist or would change eventually. And if you find someone who has the same vibe with you regardless, don't loose them! Ending this one on this very random note! Take care you all. And thank you for reading!

View from my dormitory.