Places to Visit in Himachal: Serolsar Lake

I revisited the Banjar Valley & Seraj Valley in Himachal after a gap of thirteen years. This time I stayed at three different locations in the valley. 

Serolsar Lake, Seraj Valley, Himachal

The Banjar valley is more beautiful than the Kullu valley and less touristy as it is away from the main Delhi-Manali-Leh highway. While staying at Shoja I decided to go again on the trek to the Serolsar Lake. Since I had driven from Delhi by car (it would take anywhere between 15 to 17 hours from Delhi to Shoja as the road conditions from Mandi till Kullu tunnel are not good) so I went from Shoja to Jalori Pass by car.

The drive from Jalori Pass to Shoja

Jalori Pass is at a height of 10280 feet from Sea level on the Kullu-Shimla route. I encountered patches of snow on the road and sides even though it was end-March and early-April period.

The Jalori Pass-Serolsar Lake Trek path through forest

From Jalori Pass the trek starts to the Serolsar Lake (also known as Seruvalsar Lake). From Jalori Pass to Serolsar Lake the distance is around five km and I would rate the trek as ‘easy’. However, it is advisable to carry sufficient drinking water and eatables as once you leave Jalori Pass and almost upto the Serolsar Lake you won’t get any place to have water, tea or snacks (especially if it is not a tourist season). I did see some shacks on the way but they had not opened for the season yet. The trek is through forests and therefore the walk is pleasant. 

Tried bouldering on a rock face on way to Serolsar

There are at some places huge rock faces so I did try doing some bouldering. However, I would advise against it if you were not a rock-climber.

A pond near the Serolsar Lake

Very close to the lake, there is a pond that collects rain water from the catchment area – so do not get confused and assume that you have reached the lake. This pond does not have clear water and has some weeds.

A view of the Serolsar Lake

The moment you see some dhabas offering tea, snacks and food you would realise that you are about to reach the lake site. The lake is in a depression with hill surrounding it on all sides to form a bowl, which is perfect catchment area for rain and snow-melt water to accumulate.  

A 360 degree view of the Serolsar Lake area

The first view of the lake itself is beautiful with clear water and surrounding hills still having the winter snow.

At the Serolsar Lake 

Like most of the lakes in the Himalayas, the locals also consider the Serolsar Lake holy. Therefore, it is advisable not to enter the lake for bathing or to wash clothes etc. 

Serolsar Lake with Budhi Nagin temple in the background

There is also the Budhi Nagin temple close by. Before starting the return journey you can have hot (and tasty) meal of Rajma-Chawal or Kadhi-Chawal and tea etc at the few dhabas located nearby. One should keep at least half a day for this excursion if one really want to enjoy nature leisurely. 

Even in April there were patches of snow on the Jalori Pass- Serolsar Trek

If you are the more adventurous type then you can try to climb the hills on the way and do some snow walking as well. My advice to travellers – carry good trekking shoes, water, snacks and do not litter. In case you are not carrying water etc then these can be bought at the Jalori Pass as it has few shops and dhabas.

Things to do in Mcleodganj: The Kora Circuit

I have been visiting Mcleodganj since the year 1987 but somehow had been unaware of one important facet of the Buddhist tradition – the Kora. Kora is a form of pilgrimage wherein you circumambulate a holy site (Parikrama in the Hindu tradition). In Mcleodganj Buddhist, young and old, take the Kora circuit around the hill that has the residence of Dalai Lama and the monastery and therefore considered holy. Surprisingly it is little known.

The Kora in Mcleodganj

This tradition on circumambulation is common in both Buddhism and Bon. However, in Buddhism the walk in a circle is clockwise whereas in Bon it is counter clockwise. Two famous Kora are the Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

Huge prayer flags on the Kora route, Mcleodganj

The route in Mcleodganj is well paved and away from the town’s honking traffic amidst pine and deodar forest. The route has stringed prayer flags small and large. Buddhists believe that the fluttering of the flags carries the prayers written on them onwards.

The Kora route has benches placed all along for people to take rest

If one gets tired then one can sit down on one of the benches lined up along the route. The older people do sit down to take rest and chant prayers.

Prayer wheels of all sizes on the Kora route in Mcleodganj

The path is lined with prayer wheels in different sizes. Some are made of metal; others are of wood. Some are very small and look antique as if they have been brought from Tibet while there are others that maybe be 8-10 feet in height. The prayer wheels are always on the right side of the devotee.

A Tibetan lady at the prayer wheels on the Kora in Mcleodganj

On the Kora route there are stones carved with the Buddhist prayer Om Mani Padme Hum. The stones are in various sizes and some of them are brightly painted.

Artistically carved stones with Om Mani Padme Hum written on them on the Kora in Mcleodganj

Apart from the serenity and the beauty of the path, the dense forest is a paradise for the birdwatchers. I saw several birds and one could spend several hours just observing them.

Kora route in Mcleodganj is a Birdwatchers paradise 

Langurs come down the mountains in winters and one comes across them in this area. Unlike monkeys they do not trouble people. They are busy with themselves.

Langurs preening each other on the Kora route in Mcleodganj

I liked the Kora circuit so much that I performed the Kora twice in three days. I thank my Tibetan friend who introduced the Kora to me and took me around explaining things on the first visit.

Prayer flags and prayer wheels on the Kora in Mcleodganj 

This route is, fortunately, little known to most tourists and therefore not crowded.  There is something special about it.

Wind carrying the prayers written on the flags

The cleanliness is impressive. Jute bags function as dustbins.

The serene Kora route in Mcleodganj

All in all the best part of McLeodganj, for the devout as well as the curious tourist.

Also read:
Bon Monastery in Himachal
Places to visit in McLeodganj: Bhagsunag Waterfall
McLeodganj, Dharamshala, Himachal
Why I love to go to McLeodganj
Skywatch Friday - Sunset at McLeodganj, Himachal
Places to visit in McLeodganj: The Church of St John-in-the-Wilderness

Hidden Himachal: Rajgarh

There are so many places in Himachal that the mainstream tourists do not visit or are not aware of.

Sheeps & Goats grazing in the fog covered forests near Rajgarh

One such place is Rajgarh, a small town located at an altitude of 1555 metres in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The town in itself has nothing to boast about but it is the surrounding areas that are bountiful in their nature and beauty. 

A fruit laden tree near Rajgarh in Sirmaur

Economically the area grows lots of peaches and in fact is also sometimes called the Peach country. 

Resin being extracted from the pine trees

There are wood and wood products like the resin and turpentine oil extracted from the pine trees. See the cone shaped receptacles attached to the trees in the above picture. Cuts are made on the bark of the tree and the resin that flows from it is collected in these receptacles.

A farmer carrying a tomatoes laden basket from the field

Also some commercial vegetables are grown in plenty like the tomatoes. 

A misty path near Bhuira village beckons you to its secrets

One can make Rajgarh a base for some beautiful treks including the Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary. If you are with family and do not have the skills or options for a longer trek then you can do small day treks for which the area has plenty of options like going to the Bhuira area (Yes the famous Himachal jam maker Bhuira is from this region) or the Bhat-ka-Saina with beautiful meadows all around. 

A fairy tale picture? This is Rajgarh in Sirmaur

As the altitude is such that the pines are in plenty but the deodars have also started (though not big ones) the effect in the mist is beautiful.

A beautiful meadow near Rajgarh, Sirmaur

I went to Rajgarh close to Monsoon, 1st July. It was drizzling mildly and thus it was perfect weather. The other advantage was that we got Off-Season discount in the HPTDC hotel. 

A plant with multi-coloured stem

One could see all kinds of vegetation growing in the wild like the multi-coloured stem of this plant trying to camouflage itself in the surrounding area. The area was full of wild flowers. 

Wild Blue Berries near Rajgarh

I also saw several berries including the blue and black berries. Sometimes I felt as if I was walking in the clouds and at other times as if I was walking above the clouds. 

Wild flowering plant with water droplets 

The fog and the mist added to the surreal beauty of the place. The water droplets on the leaves after the rains were shimmering like diamonds. 

A fairy tale house?

However, in terms of food joints Rajgarh is not the right place. There are few eateries in town. The town has practically nothing interesting to offer. The Tourist Inn run by Himachal Tourism is located at a height. It has decent rooms with view of the nearby hills. It serves decent food. On the positive side, its rates are much less than the more popular tourist destinations in Himachal.

How to reach Rajgarh: Rajgarh is about 340 kms from Delhi, 100 kms from Chandigarh and 39 kms from Solan. One has to leave the Chandigarh - Shimla national highway 22 at Solan and take a State Highway road for Rajgarh via Ochhghat and Giripul.

Also read:
Rajgarh: Pretty as a Peach?
Around Rajgarh in Himachal Pradesh
Wild Flowers of Rajgarh
Wildlife in Rajgarh