The government bus from Dharamsala was handy enough

The government bus from Dharamsala was handy enough

The government bus from Dharamsala proved to be handy enough to undertake the short and yet urgent journey to Mcleodganj. It was perhaps six different bus journeys from Manali split with halts at Kullu, Mandi, Baijnath, Palampur and Dharamsala that led to accessing D'sala late in the evening. Here in D'sala  the option of taking a shared taxi could not be exercised as they cease to operate after 6.30 in the evening due to falling and not traceable traffic.  The stay in Mcleodganj was for two days  As against a seven to eight -day stay in Tapi Road, this time round the reducing options took me to Tashi Khangsar Travel Lodge in Bhagsu road. From lodge after lodge the persuasive efforts to part with a room for two days failed to cut much ice, with most expressing  the non availability due to new flood of tourists in the town.

The stay provided me the opportunity to visit Pancake Hut, Tsongkha restaurant and a visit to a Tibetan Stall storing Tibetan Dress. The Buddhist Temple was another high point with a good understanding with Doreje, working in the Temple Kitchen. The two occasions i visited the Buddhist temple i was amidst a prayer session followed with serving of refreshments. I was told that this temple ritual is special with monks and other followers congregating from different directions. A temple official told me the food/tea itinerary that is followed the entire day. Tea, bread at 7 in the morning followed by mithai, namkeen at 9 , elaborate spread of rice, dal and vegetables at 11.30 and rounding this again with special tea affection displayed at 1, 3 and 5 pm. Monday was the day i left Mcleodganj with no certainty on when i would be able to visit the sacred centre again. What i missed was the Tibetan dress that i had procured at some point and having lost the attempt to secure another one was not successful given the markets that remain largely closed on Mondays.
 

Mcleodganj to Shimla
   
Left Mcleodganj at 10.46 in the morning, with the board showing Shimla 278 kms away. From Dharamsala the bus departed at 12 followed by Gaggal at 12.25. Reached Kangra bus stand at 12.45. Better known for  24 hrs parantha house, the Kangra stand has more than 20 bus platforms.  The ride from Kangra to Jwalamukhi lasted seventy five minutes with the latter coming at 2.15. Few kms from here Nadaun area begins and soon after you come across Tillu Cricket stadium. From Nadaun, Hamirpur is shown to be 28kms. On way came across a board "photostat, exam result printout here. "
Further on way is Manpaul, Deosidh, Sukrala bridge with no sighting of water. Reached Hamirpur at 3.15. Here the man selling apple drink among other daily necessities from a store behind our bus seem to be in a disturbed frame of mind. Perhaps not content with the salary or ownership comfort not diluting his concerns. A change in the outlook towards life could bring him cheers.

Reached Mair at 4.30 followed by road breaking out for 100-odd metres with Ghumarwin coming at 5.10. In Ghumarwin, there is vaishno dhaba and no problem dhaba. And between them is a fruit vendor whose bananas are the sweetest. Reached Bilaspur bus stand  at 5.55 - some effort needs to be made for its upkeep-  and left the same at 6.25. Reached Brahmapukhar at 7 and from here shimla is shown to be 71 kms. Reached Namhol at 7.25.  For meals the halt is at Jagdamba rest't. At 9.05 the board shows Shimla 33 and Kalpa 276. In fact from 9 onwards the fog begins and when shimla is between 33 and 20 kms, there is a dense fog with interruptions. When Shimla is 20kms, the fog is dense and continuos. Finally reached Shimla bus stand at 10.25.
The road from Mcleodganj to shimla is fairly smooth with fewer irritations. And if halts are not taken into account, the ride between two places can be completed under eight hours. A smooth road with a smooth coat.