JHANJEHLI – SHIKARI DEVI – PARASHAR LAKE
AN INTRODUCTION
Janjehli is like a heartbeat and it reminds you of those particular lyrics of a Pink Floyd song ‘Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day, you fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way’. Yes officially there is nothing to do in Janjehli, and that nothing depends on what decipher nothing to be. Long walks, Cycling, Forest hikes, Photography are often considered nothing in our modern Go get it lifestyles, and if that is not enough, then getting inspired for a creative pursuit would never find any takers. Janjehli does offer all that nothing. Approached from Chail Chowk and Pandoh (both on the Manali Highway) Janjehli is 45 kms of a very beautiful drive from either side. The road leads towards Chattri which will take you further to Takrasi and further to Khanag and Jalori pass. Numerous hikes embark from Janjehli the most prominent being towards Shikari Devi and Magru Gala leading towards Gadah Gushaini. Another memorable route is towards Kamrunag.
Parashar Lake is a jewel. Legend has it, that the sage Parashar meditated here for years and the small island on the lake keeps changing its position with the seasons. Beyond the folklore the region is a nature lover’s paradise and affords magnificent views of the Dhauladhars and other Himalayan ranges to the northwest and the northeast.
THE ITINERARY
DAY 00
We will all meet at Himachal Bhavan, Safdar Hashmi Marg, Delhi at 1700hrs and board the Volvo bus to Manali.
DAY 01
Disembark at Chail Chowk in the morning from the Volvo and board our cabs towards Jhanjehli another 2 hours from here. Refresh yourself and after breakfast saddle up and pedal towards Raigad (10kms) and further to the base of Shikari Devi (6kms). 500 stairs lead to the temple and the sprawling meadow on the top affording sterling views of the Dhauladhars and Pir Panjals. We hike through the forest and Rolling Meadows to reach Budha Kedar (8kms) and further, Jhanjehli.
DAY 02
Start early morning after breakfast and ride through the valley towards Bagsad about 25 kms from the hamlet of Jhanjehli. Another 8kms to Kandi pass and 20kms of descent brings us to Pandoh. From Pandoh a steep jeep track ascends to Parashar Lake. We camp before the lake on the sprawling meadows or near the forest rest house.
DAY 03
Early morning breakfast and we bid adieu to Parashar Lake, zipping downhill towards Kataula from where it is another 8kms of climbing towards Kandidhar and another 23kms to Bajaura, where we finish our ride. Take the Volvo back home from here.
