Goofy-The pet

Goofy came to our lives 6years back. He was then a two month old cute little stout puppy. From the very beggining he became the cynosure of all eyes at home. As time passed by, he fully grew up in a year's time. He was just so loving but had become a little aggressive also. Once my mother was walking him, he suddenly pulled on the leash and ran off at the sight of a rodent in the bushes near by. My mother fell down and it fractured her arm. After this incident we got him castrated. It dramatically calmed him down and his unfair behaviour improved greatly. But yes, he was as playful and funny as ever! We all knew, he had unknowingly hurt my mother and this incident never ever changed our love for him. One day Goofy was out walking and roaming. He happened to see our former maid and recognised her. She was going back to her house which is miles up the mountain. Goofy started following her. She asked him to get back but in vain. He kept walking. By the time they reached her home it had been dark. She decided to keep him in her place till morning. She could also not inform us as she did not have a phone facility. That night it snowed also. Back home everyone started searching from Goofy and we looked around almost 20 miles from our house. We beleived we had lost him. I thought of what could have happened and was he alive or not, with all kind of negative thoughts flashing my mind. No one slept that night. In the morning Goofy was back home with the maid. He had that sheepish look as if he was apologising for his act of elopement. As he had walked down a good distance in the snow his nose was runny and he also had mild fever. I gave him medicines and he kept sleeping the entire day. Next morning, he was again active and energetic. Recently he again went out to the main bus stop with my mom and got into the bus creating a ruckus there. He only got down when my mom came down with him. He is certainly living upto his name. But we love this wacky silly pet.....Oh my Dog!!!!!!

Blacky's Tale

After Kalu, our dear pet who was snatched from us by a leopard; I got home a small black stray pup and named him Blacky. He was a lovable, watchful and hardy fellow. He never got unwell in his short life of eight years. After all, he was an Indian Breed. Come what may.......scorching summers, chilling winters or even torrential rains...in early morning or in the middle of the night, he was always agile and active. His abode was a terrace facing a jungle where wild hares and foxes frequently strolled in the night. Entire night would witness Blacky on the move barking and running. He would thoroughly enjoy his night marathon and we could hear the thumping downstairs all night. As we were accustomed, it was never a disturbance. Blacky, like Kalu, too had a stint with a leopard but was fortunately with a cub. My aunt saw him jumping in the bushes one evening. Lo and Behold! He was playing with a small leopard. She instantly called him back. This incident really left us horrified. Had the mother leopard been in the vicinity, she would have surely gotten him. We thanked god.Blacky grew up to be a real stud. He used to hang around in the area with other dogs and would elope for days in the breeding season. We had never thought of getting him sterilized. Consequently every breeding season was a run away time for Blacky. He used to come back home after the season ended . We were aware of his seasonal absconding. No one had ever anticipated anything untoward happening to him. Nevertheless this apathy on our part cost us his life. When he was eight, he was badly injured by other dogs in a scuffle. As he came home, his ear was torn with tracts of maggots around. There were infective injuries on his head and the abdomen. He collapsed in no time. A great pet had become a victim of our negligence.

A SAD OLD DAY

Ours is a family of which pets are an integral part. My granny is especially fond of them and she was the one to look after our pets when I was young. We had a majestic mongrel breed pet called Kalu. He was a faithful and adorable member of our family. He was fond of moving around and chasing hares and farm animals but never used to hurt them. His tales of bravery were famous in the area. He had valiantly fought the leopard twice and had managed to escape. The wounds would heal after treatment and Kalu would be active and back to chasing and playing. However lucky he was not in his life’s last encounter with the cat. The signs of aging had started to show on him. He was 12+ and used to spend most of his time sleeping and resting. Our house has a forest in the neighborhood and leopards often sneak on in farms to get goats and dogs. They mostly come during dawn and dusk or in the night. Hence we had our concern for aging kalu as we feared a leopard attack on him. At times when kalu needed a walk in the night or early morning, we were particularly careful that someone went out with him. Once our entire family had to go out for a wedding, and kalu was left at home with a servant. On that fateful day kalu urgently needed to go out in early morning and our servant let him loose. He just raced out to do his stuff but never came back. Our servant had heard his last whimper fading in seconds. A leopard had gotten him. Our beloved kalu was gone. We really miss him. Twenty years after his death he is still alive in my memories and I look forward to meeting him in heaven.

KANGRA’S GRACE- MOUNTAIN AND THE VALLEY

Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India is one of the picturesque and splendid places having an unparalleled charm. The mighty Dhauladahar mountain range stands tall overseeing a lively valley. Indeed worthwhile! In winters the snow clad Dhauladhar offers an incredible sight. The place has much to offer for people from all walks of life. Mcleodganj is apt for the youth who wish to have a gala time shopping and eating while elderly can plan a religious cum pleasure trip. For adventurers plenty of passable treks and wilderness is there in the offing.
In summers a large number of tourists from the adjoining states make a beeline to the place to get respite from the scorching weather. Hill station of Dharamshala is a well known tourist destination. There are many places viz. main town Kotwali, Mc Leodganj and Bhagsunag which can be visited to savor the real flavor of the place. In the main town a war memorial and temple of goddess Kunalpathri are worth seeing. On way to Kunal pathri which is about 3 km from the war memorial, one can enjoy a walk on a narrow route amidst tea gardens. It can certainly be ‘a walk to remember’.
Dharamshala is a cosmopolitan place where Indians , Tibetans , Nepalis and foreigners from other countries live together in an absolute harmony. Mc Leodganj is about 14 km from Dharamshala town and is the home of His Holiness- the Dalai Lama and a headquarter of Tibetan government in exile. In Mc Leodganj one can truly experience a feeling of hanging out somewhere in the streets of Tibet.
The place exudes a distinctive holiness and buzzes with activity all through the year. There is a famous Buddhist monastery, Tibetan hospitals, TCV (Tibetan Children Village) school and handicraft outlets. An archaic church of St. Johns in the wilderness is another landmark structure. The architecture and ambience lends a truly divine glory to the place. Connoisseurs will be attracted by a variety of items the shops offer including exclusive junk jewelry, ethnic handicrafts and decoration pieces and antiques.
Hotels and restaurants are ubiquitous with multi cuisine food from different countries to satiate the gastronomic urge, thanks to the heavy influx of foreign tourists every year! While in the town one can also enjoy authentic Tibetan loco momos and thupka sold for peanuts as a street food, with hygeine of course remaining uncompromised. Besides, there are bookshops which sell literature on Buddhism and Tibetan struggle for those with an appetite for realistic reading.
Bhagsunag is another important destination which is at a walking distance (2km) from Mc Leodganj. There is a magnificent Nag temple and a natural waterfall. Tourist groups can be seen playing in the waters and enjoying to the hilt. Naddi and Dal Lake are other adjacent and equally picturesque serene places worth visiting. Adventurers who wish to retreat from the hustle bustle to a calm solitude can take pleasure in the treks of Dharamkot and Talnu which are regularly organized by local mountaineering groups.
Apart from these tourist addresses, district Kangra is also famous for the pilgrimages of Chamunda Devi, Brajeshwari and Jwalamukhhi. Chamunda Devi also known as Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham is around 15 km from Dharamshala is situated on the rivulet side. View of Dhauladhar range is spectacular from the temple premises. Other places of interest like Gopalpur zoo, Palampur and Baijnath temple (a protected monument) on the Kullu-Manali highway are notably great for sightseeing. Tea gardens on the way are simply irresistible. One can always stop by to click pictures and purchase pleasant tasting Kangra tea from the direct retail outlets.
Kangra can be reached by a direct bus from Delhi or a train from Delhi till Pathankot. From Pathankot one can board a bus to Kangra. Also a direct flight from Delhi to Gaggal (Kangra) is available. I would personally advise a night bus travel which is comfortable . One can really enjoy the morning fresh air and the beautiful view en route as one approaches one of the most beautiful valleys of the world. Advance hotel booking is also recommended in peak tourist season and otherwise also to avoid any inconvenience.

BHARMOUR- A ROAD LESS TRAVELLED BECKONS

Himachal Pradesh popularly known as ‘Dev Bhumi’ or the land of gods is one beautiful hill state which is endowed with a captivating blend of rich cultural heritage, enthralling landscapes, diverse flora and fauna and of course a vivid cultural heritage.
Tourism is the mainstay of state’s economy and many places like Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Kausauli, Dalhousie, and Dharamshala are well recognized in the national and global tourism sphere.
Bharmour in Chamba district of this hill state is one lesser known yet breathtakingly magnificent place situated in the Himalayan abode amidst magnificent mountains. Place has a fine expanse of river, mountains and a curtain of greenery having indeed a unique charm. An extremely rich cultural legacy further potentiates the exquisiteness. The land is inhabited by “Gaddi” a tribe truly distinctive in its own right. The group was earlier mostly into rearing of sheep and goats practicing transhumant pastoralism. Now the trend is witnessing a change with the people switching to other vocations.
Habitations in the area are distinct settlements in the form of small hamlets all over the mountains. A bewildering array of temples of Lord Shiva and Durga goddess add in to the religious sanctity of the place .
During Janamashtmi every year, a religious pilgrimage is organized where in the pilgrims from many places visit the Manimahesh Lake situated at an altitude of 4080 meters to take the holy dip. The trek is quite treacherous yet offers an awesome vista and can surely be an unforgettable remembrance
The main town of Bharmour has a seventh century 84 temple complex popularly known as ‘Chaurasi’ where a holy festivity is organized during Kailash Manimahesh Yatra. The intricate wood work over the ancient temples is simply fabulous. Other holy treks of Goddess Banni and Keylong temple at Kugti are genuine treats for adventure loving individuals. All that is needed is a favorable weather, a zeal to trek and a local guide. One can reside in the village overnight and get a glimpse of the rural lifestyle and enjoy the regional cuisine like rajma or goat meat. Not to mention, folk songs and dances come as a bonus. Best time to visit the place is April-June for people who wish to camp and have an excursion. Pilgrims can plan a visit during janamastmi period. Bharmour is 60 km from Chamba and is well connected by a road network. One can reach the place either by a bus or jeep. The way is landslide prone in rainy season but is promptly cleared by the authorities. Hotels and guest houses are affordable and available round the year in the main town.

While taking to the road alongside river Raavi en-route, one can experience a truly exhilarating and wonderful picture of “nature at its best”. The place is simply an undisturbed world which has kept back its original appeal. Indeed one true journey into the lap of nature. The best kept secret of a beautiful hill state is revealed at last!