I remembered my childhood days in Kohima and the snow over Japfu at 3048 metresabove sea level. This valley is tucked away at 2438 metres above sea level. From June toSeptember, the entire valley is covered with a carpet of wild flowers. Here, you arecompletely at peace with nature.The valley is surrounded by hills, natural caves & rocks and is thus, ideal for camping. Inthe year 1973 while I was studying in class X in the Baptist English School, we hadplanned to scale the peak. Amongst the team members was my good friend Nitso Shiza.We could never reach the top and ended having a grand party in my father’s house inPWD Hill 291. Our phone no. that time was 474. Nevertheless, I am sharing my recentexperience with you all in Nagaland.I read in the papers on the 21st that the Manali – Leh highway via the Rohtang Pass hadclosed and many persons were stranded. Helicopters were deployed to drop food andwarm clothes for the stranded people. I had been hearing of the 13, 050 feet high Passfrom the books and my friends. I had a desire to drive up and see it for myself. At last theday came in September this year and I found myself on the flatland at a high altitude thathad Ponies to take the people even higher to experience the snow on the steep hilltops.The Pass is surrounded by hills and presents a magnificent sight with clouds covering thehilltops. It was very breezy and cool there. I could talk to my folks down below- thanksto the advancement of the communication technology.
The road maintained by the Border Roads is the link between Manali and the Lahaul andSpiti valley. The Rohtang Pass thus serves as the Gateway to the valley. I was impressedto cross the ~3 Km. Kullu Tunnel that had a broad double lane for the traffic. It is reallyan engineering feat to make such a tunnel below the mighty mountains. I understand thata much longer tunnel is being made below the Rohtang Pass to bypass the Rohtang Passthat closes in winter leading to great hardships. The current road is used by big trucks forstocking food stuff, clothing, daily needs and oil in this area and in the cold desert: Leh and Ladakh for the winter. Once this tunnel is operational link with the area will beimproved to a large extent. The river Beas follows the adventurous tourists till Manaliand much ahead. You will be surprised to know that the 51 Km. stretch from Manali tothe top took me 3.5 hours. You can well imagine the difficult bad road that is not onlynarrow but dangerous. A single wrong move while driving can land up in a majordisaster. It was frightening to see the deep 90º hill side cliffs just next to the road.The mountain Kullu goats were grazing on the hills. I wondered whether the Chandigarhgoats could do so! The famous Kullu shawls are made from the wool of these KulluGoats. The Kullu Shawl is a unique product of the Kullu valley and is blended with theenvironmental conditions specific to this place. The Kullu Shawls are protected by theGeographical Indication (GI) Act of 1999. If any one is found selling fake Kullu shawlshe can be fined or imprisoned or both under the GI Act of 1999. Even if unauthorizedboards are put up exhibiting “Genuine Kullu Shawls”, the concerned people can beprosecuted under the GI Act of 1999. I have enclosed a few snaps of the enchantingregion for you to see and admire. The people in this region are very helpful and guide atourist if he is in need of information in the difficult hill area. Due to over heating of thebrakes as a result of excessive braking, a lot of smoke came out of the front tyres thatmade me worried. I was told by a roadside person not to worry but to park my car for awhile to cool the brake pads. This according to him was a common feature on the steeproads there!