Shimla, the queen of hills. A tourist hotspot filled with pre-colonial architecture, narrow roads and not to mention, a whole lot of snow. Shimla has cemented its place in our hearts as a must-visit destination for travellers and wanderers. But this queen is slowly and steadily losing its foothold. The tourist hotspot, once revered as a temple of peace of tranquillity, is now covered is with bustling tourists from all across the world. The heart aches for serenity and yet Shimla is not able to provide it. But is Shimla all that there is to this beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh?
If you’ve visited Shimla, then you must know that to reach your destination, you have to cross the district of Solan. Located approximately 28 km away from the city of Solan, is the quiet little hill town of Kasauli. Not much is there to this town, but a pit stop at this cantonment is sure to leave your heart satisfied and asking for more. The only major attractions here are The Monkey Point, The Hanuman Temple, The Sunset Point, and The Church Of England. While returning from Shimla, my friends and I had the opportunity to explore this small town located in the hills.
The roads, covered with trees on both sides, the shops, all built in the pre-colonial style and the mountains surrounding the area, all imbue in us a sense of peace and serenity. But amongst all this, our visit to the famed Monkey Point was especially memorable. The area is an Indian Air Force base, but at the top of this base lies the renowned Hanuman Temple. It is said that one foot of Lord Hanuman, while returning from the Himalayas after acquiring the ‘Sanjeevani”, touched the hill and that’s why the temple is in the shape of a foot. At least that’s how the folklore is narrated by the locals.
Now, I’m not such a huge believer of such fables. So for me, it wasn’t the story that mattered, but rather the journey that took me to that point. From the base, it’s a 20-min hike that will take you approximately 6900 feet above sea level. Warning, this climb is quite tough and is not recommended for children and the elderly. The air gets thinner and thinner as you ascend and by the time you reach the peak you’ll surely be out of breath. From there you’ll probably have to remove your shoes to enter the temple premises (removing your shoes and walking barefooted at an astonishing 2 degree Celsius, surprisingly, not a fun thing to do).
The temple as such is not that big and just mainly consists of a single building in which the idol of the deity is placed. Outside the building is a completely open and free area. Looking from 7000 feet, it is said that you’ll get a complete view of Chandigarh from there. And let me just state this for the record, that view is absolutely breathtaking (literally). Looking down from the heavens, now that is one sight which will remain etched in your mind for all eternity. With the wind blowing through your hair, and the sun shining and glistening off your face, you’ll get one such experience which will be quite hard to forget. The sun on one side and parallel to it we have the moon. Not an ordinary sight, I reckon
Not only does the view put your mind at peace, it also provides you with a respite from the busy city life that you’re accustomed to. It opens up your mind and frees your senses. Standing at such tremendous height, surrounded by ominous clouds, your thoughts become clearer than ever. All the trouble that you endured, all that seems finally worth it. Have you ever felt the desire to experience a ‘Top of the world’ kinda feeling? That’s exactly what’ll go through your head once you reach the peak. Your fingertips will graze the fields of heaven and your mind will soar through the never-ending array of the universe.
A wise man once said, “To Travel is to Live.” Truer words have seldom been spoken. A reprieve from our tiring routine is much required. A break from the contemporary lifestyle of ours is desired by each and every one of us. So travel. Travel until your heart is satisfied. Travel until your soul is satiated. Travel your mind is fully free from all those burdens that weigh you down. Find new places, explore new cultures, taste new cuisines, meet new people, live your life and travel to places that soothe your soul.
