Bhadraj

The clock struck 2 at night and it was about time for around 30 of us to gather at the Multi-Activity Centre of IIT Roorkee. For many of us it was our very first trek, and after a week of rigorous conditioning, we were looking forward to some thrill and adventure in the mountains. After a long wait, we finally departed for Mussoorie at 4 in the morning to witness one of the most memorable experiences of our lives – trek to the Bhadraj Temple. It was a bumpy ride, through narrow roads and sharp turns, to the starting point of the trek – The Cloud’s End. The panoramic view of the majestic Oak and Deodar forest and the tranquillity in the air was breathtaking. The trail to the hilltop was equally mesmerizing, be it the dense forests, bare meadows, cool breeze, or galvanizing clouds. Walking at a leisurely pace, laughing, and singing all along we bonded like never before and tried to capture every moment deep into our hearts and phones. Despite the heavy trekking bags on our shoulders and the fear of blood-sucking leeches, each and every one of us were brimming with gaiety. Some of us were lucky enough to not get bitten by leeches while others had a nice leech therapy. 3 kilometres down, the trail took us to the village of Dudhli, The Milkman’s Village. This section was a refreshing downhill walk and as if the scenic beauty was not enough, the heavens decided to pour. The trek became a tad bit difficult from here. The trail meandered into a thick oak forest via a rocky ascending track. Soon it was dusk and the visibility dropped because of mist. It might sound like a bit of an exaggeration but oak forest covered in mist accompanied by loud creaking noises of insects literally felt like one of the plots of a horror movie. There were a number of camping sites along the trail after the exit of the forest cover. It was dark, drizzling, and cold and we took up abode under a rain shelter for dinner. Though the rain ruined our bonfire plan, we contented ourselves with the stove fire. The solid bare land had turned into a mushy mire of cattle dung and that’s where we laid our tents. Even the night turned out to be pretty adventurous for many of us as the trek leaders struggled to keep away the approaching cattle herd late in the night. Some tales were told and some bonds were made under the beautiful night sky, and yet it was one of the most peaceful nights for those who slept into oblivion after a long exhausting day. The Bhadraj Temple, dedicated to Lord Balabhadra, younger brother of Lord Krishna, is located atop one of the highest mountain peaks in Mussoorie region (2,200m). The next morning few of us climbed up to the hilltop, early in the morning, to witness the beauty of the sunrise, while the others visited the temple after breakfast. Though the sun decided to hide behind the veil of clouds, the notorious rays escaped, giving a truly spectacular view. Catering to the needs of nature-lovers, the Bhadraj hill gives a 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayas in the north, Assan barrage to the west and Doon valley to the south. After cleaning up the area, winding up the tents, and of course the mandatory group picture, it was time to bid adieu to the hills, until next time. The descent back to cloud’s end was relatively short. After having lunch, we departed for Roorkee. Although it was a short and an easy trek, we all returned with a lifetime of memories.