Past Rohtang Pass

I had always known about Rohtang pass... One of the most popular tourist destinations near Manali in the Himalayas in Northern India. And I had sort become used to the beauty of the Shivalik ranges of Himalayas as I travelled from Shimla to Manali through Jalori Jot, probably the greenest pass one can ever find at around 13,000 feet.

The entire terrain was so subtly and quietly beautiful that I had started taking it's serene beauty fro granted on my 4^th day in the Himalayas.

We left Manali early morning to avoid the traffic jam on the way to Rohtang pass. Yet, it was around 6AM when we reached Rohtang pass. I was wondering what the hype was about Rohtang apart from the fact that it was the first pass with snow capped peaks. The driver was telling us about the horse rides, treks and other tourist activities in Rohtang pass, when we crossed the pass and went to the other side of the mountain...

That was something I never knew about... Could never know about... It was something that one can not tell another human being about... It is something the words can never describe...

For it was not changing a valley... It was changing my entire world.

It was as if I had left the civilization that I knew about behind. It was something so magnificent and yet the barrenness of the terrain so terrifying...

I don't think a photo or a video can even give an idea of the sensation that first footstep in the Dhavaladhar ranges evokes in you.

A sensation of serenity, sanctity, aloneness without being lonely, something that brought me back to myself.

I knew Himachal was called the "Land of the Gods". In this moment I knew why...

It is not meant for mortal humans.