Chakrata (Dev-Bhumi). Review on Garhwal

I have been brought up in the hills of Garhwal, I completed my schooling from Dehradun and near by regions, so may be because of this, I have a very deep relation with this region. From the first day when my father gifted me my first bike (Enfield), I started exploring near by places alone, i.e. Masoorie, Dhanaulti etc, and these small trips with in the Garhwal region make’s my relation more stronger.

In true words, Garhwal is really a heaven on earth, where u will find gods/goddess every where around this region. Localities are so polite in nature, so helpful, so cheerful, that u will realize/feel god with in them.

Well here I am writing my experience about Chakrata, actually it’s a very beautiful place, comes under Garhwal region. It’s almost 100 Kms far from Dehradun. It’s situated at the height of “7000 ft (2118 mts)”. Basically Chakrata is a cantonment area for Indo-Tibettian Force. At the time of 1959 when China threaten and ordered, current Dalai Lama to vacant Tibbet, then the Prime minister of India J L Nehru, allows Tibbetian peoples to stay in India, and at that time Dalai Lama choose dharmashala as there tibeetian headquarter from where he can fight back at political foot against China. Well after some time because of this issue we had a war with china, and then India realize to build up an Indo – Tibeetian paramilitary forces against china. So now they operated from Chakrata. India provides training to tibeetian youngsters. Chalo lets leave this issue here and let’s talk about my trip…

Well I have listened a lot about Chakrata from my child hood, bet due the bad road conditions my father never allowed me to visit that place. But few years back I decided to visit this place, but this time with my wife… well I started colleting information about chakrata and near by regions. So in humid hot summer day I decided to full fill travel hunger.

I followed a route: DELHI – MEERUT – SAHARANPUR – KALSI – SAHIYA – CHAKRATA, it was a total 8 hours journey (one side).

Till saharanpur road was ok… but after Saharnpur towards Kalsi bumpy rides starts. Well Kalsi is actually base camp for Indian military forces as well as for chakrta too. From kalsi towards chakrta is a one way zone. It’s some thing like gate system, i.e. if u are heading towards chakrata then u have to follow gate timings set by Indian Army personals. After every 3.5 hours gate opens and then u have to complete your journey between those 3.5 hours, or else you will get stuck mid of the way, and then you have to wait again for next gate.

Road condition was really not good, road was so narrow that after every turn, I turn back to have a glimpse on my rear tiers, that are they still on road..!! Well after a struggling drive I reached at place “Sahiya” which is again a place where Indian army take care of gate system timings. Well after the moment I crossed sahiya… Weather gets changes dramatically and a cool breeze touches my sweaty neck. Whole picture gets changes, now instead of Empty mountain cliffs; all this hills were full of Deodar trees. Well after watching couple of land slides at last I reached at chakrata, and me and my wife welcomed by a army personal, by asking my identity card and a thorough checkup of my car. After getting clearance I asked for accommodation from localities, they told me that there are very few good hotels. One is snow view and other was Himalayan Paradise. Actually Snow view hotel was in mid of the chakrata city and Himalayan Paradise was 12 kms far from city, so I decided to have a look on Himalayan Paradise first. Well it was not a 3 star hotel, but yeah location wise it was good, rooms were good in space, build by Deodar woods, bathroom was clean. So we stayed in Himalayan Paradise for 2 days, and it was a wonderful experience. It’s an ideal place for bird watching, trekking, meditation, sight seeing, and all above to test your driving skills. It’s my promise that u will fell yourself in nature lap while visiting this place.

Important Note: Non Indians are not allowed. (they should acquire a approval ceritificate from Army commandant of chakrata division.)

Places to visit:

Tiger Fall: Very beautiful water fall, but to explore this you have to walk a bit, because it’s not easily accessible.

DeoBan: 16 Kms away from Chakrata this place is surrounded by dense forests and lies at an altitude of 9, 500 ft. It provides a panoramic view of the majestic Himalayan ranges.

LakhaMandal: 75 Kms far from chakrata. Well it’s a place where Pandva’s (Mahabharat) spent there 14 years of “Agyaat-Vass”. Some of archeological events still exist at this place. (Note: very interesting thing: In lakhamandal, people still follows ethics made by Pandva’s. 2 – 3 brother marry to a single woman (same like draupadi case)).

Best time to visit: Whole summers, and if you want to freeze your souls then visit in winters also.

Budget: 1000 per day.

Accomodation: Snow view hotel and Himalayan Paradise.

Food: Veg and Non Veg both,   but prefer vegetarian food, and in non veg try Desi Murga.

Fruits: Try very rare collection of fruits, i.e. Kafful, Chilu, Pulum, Khumani, road side cherries & strawberries, and green but very sweet apples.

Clothes: Carry heavy woolens in winter and at least one heavy sweater or Jackets in summers, because weather gets changes without any prior information.

In the end you will feel that at being on Dev-Bhumi, gods are following you every where.

Regards,

MJ