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Destination Kasauli- Experience the myriad sounds of silence…
As I stood on the precipice of a small hillock, perched far away from the concrete jungles that we have been conditioned to “survive” in- my mind couldn’t help but wonder at the ravishingly green and captivating environs of this small piece of paradise, one which almost seemed to be wrapped up in a divine halo of mist and memories, of a time gone by. Just as I started to trudge back reluctantly, the pines seemed to stretch out and call me back, to return, to this arena where Mother Nature played out the perfect symphony of love and life…
An almost overdue vacation had been on my cards, and as I left the monstrosity called Delhi behind me, and hit the GT Karnal road- a sense of excitement and anticipation gripped my senses. It was for the first time that I was heading out of the city, all on my own, and had little know-how of what lay ahead, how were the roads like, and many such questions dogged my mind, as I was driving out towards the promised land. However, my fears soon evaporated, as the scenario changed from busy city and concrete lined roads, to a smooth hundred miles per hour track, which was lined with hues of green, and interspersed with tiny villages dotting the landscape, where locals had just kicked off the day, and started with their routine activities.
We stopped by at a place, unfashionably referred to as “Murthal” – which is one of the many small hamlets that line the highway, to catch a bite, as we readied ourselves for the long haul ahead. To my surprise, the delicious “Paranthas” that are served here, are a far cry from the oily and slicky stuff that is being caddied around in city restaurants as the real thing- these murthal specials are served straight out from the Tandoors, and bear a certain imprint of the local cuisine, that is hardy, rich, and a treat for the senses, as well as the stomach. Moreover, the dollops of home made butter, which is served as an accompaniment, would satisfy the most ravenous of appetites.
We were off again, and within a matter of 4 hours, had covered almost the entire Haryana belt, criss crossing through the cities of Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Ambala, on the way. Most of these cities are now being developed on a fast track, and are replete with filling stations along the NH 1, so one doesn’t have to be unduly concerned about any vehicle emergencies on the way. Soon enough, we were at a certain confluence of traffic, coming in from all sides, and a big welcome billboard told me that we were on track for the first milestone of our journey- the dream city of Chandigarh, which was to serve as a base for our onward sojourn.
Le Corbusier, the French architect who conceptualized this city, has indeed engineered a pioneer in planned development, which is sorely missing in most parts of India. Chandigarh is an eclectic mix of the modern and the contemporary, wherein huge green spaces jostle with sprawling city markets, and aesthetically designed city squares vie for attention. The Rock garden, which is a tribute to a man’s intellectual vision, and the Sukhna Lake, which is an integral jewel of the cityscape; stand out as twin pearls of modern design and architecture. The Sector 17 market, along with the numerous
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