Road #2 Delhi – Lansdowne – Delhi – Page 2

Day 2 (19th Sept 2015, Time: 7:30 am)

On day two, i got up a bit early, generally i do not take tea, but on that day i took it and went outside for some great air. After having breakfast, we decided to go and see the famous Gharwal museum, maintained by the IA. Before reaching the museum, i thought that it would be just like any other museum, with some trophies and souvenirs, but i was in for a huge SHOCK. After reaching the museum, the local soldier stationed their told me that i can’t enter inside the museum, as there is a dress code of proper trousers and tucked in shirt. I was wearing a shirt that was hanging out, and a normal denim jeans. So, i remained outside and my parents went on to see the museum from the inside. While i was outside, i started clicking some pics of the place. Also, you can’t take pics of the museum from the inside. So i just strolled from one part of the premises to another, clicking pics of the view that i was seeing. There was a beautiful gombaz(a circular room) right on the edge of a viewpoint, which housed some pieces of art and lovely sofas. From here, i was able to get an awesome view of the Himalayan range. There was also a huge compass, built by the British, near one of the railings, right on the edge of that area, it showed all the important ranges and their directions. It also showed the direction of the peak nanda devi, which, during that time was the highest point in the British empire.

After some time, my parents came out of the museum, and they were absolutely fascinated by what they saw inside. They requested the soldier, who was there on duty, to let me see the museum just from the entry door. So, i went to the entry door, the soldier present, lifted the curtains, and then what i saw, i would never forget in my whole life.
There was a huge, a super huge tiger, leopard and a bear skin hanging on the walls. The tiger skin was the second largest skin in the entire world. There were sofas which were made out of crocodile skin, there was a piano whose keys were made out of crocodile’s teeth. Apart from all this, there were also heads of barasingha(swap deer), many other types of species, i don’t remember all the species whose heads were showcased there. I was completely spell-bound with what i saw, and that too just by standing at the entry point of the museum. After seeing all this, one thing was pretty sure, the British really really lived lavish lives for the time when they were in India.
After visiting this amazing museum, we left for the ancient Shiva temple, which was about 35 km from Lansdowne. The road to the temple was, again, very narrow, it was almost impossible for two vehicles to pass smoothly at some turns. In around one hour we were able to reach the temple. After parking the car, there was another 5 min walk to the temple. The temple was surrounded by huge trees all around, some trees were even shaped like a trishul, the temple’s outer structure was not very old, i think, only the Shiva idol placed inside the structure was pretty old, according to the local history, it was about 3000 years old. I guess, this was a place that would have been chosen by some sadhus(Hindu Saints), many many years back, to meditate for a very long period of time. In fact, i think that the Himalayan mountains are still a cradle for those who are seekers of liberation, rather than just believers who just believe things that are told to them. It was a nice temple, and like all ancient Shiva temples, a place where you can feel great energy and peace.

Sitting next to an amazing looking trishul, within the temple complex

After visiting the temple, we drove back to Lansdowne, and while returning we halted at a roadside rest house which also had a kitchen. I was feeling really hungry, i ordered a plate of pakoras and one huge aaloo parontha with curd, pickle and lots of butter. The food was so delicious, specially the curd, it was really very fresh. The taste of potatoes was a bit different from the ones we get in the plains. These were potatoes that were locally grown, they were very small in size, yet very tasty and appetizing. After finishing off the lunch, we moved on towards Lansdowne.
By evening we were back, and i was a bit tired, so i just went to sleep for an hour or so. There is actually nothing much to do in Lansdowne, mostly its just the good view of the mountains and the fresh air. After i got up, i went outside, i interacted with few other people who were also staying at the same place. At about 8:30 pm we went to have dinner, which was again very palatable. After dinner, i again went for long walks just outside the Robert’s bungalow for about an hour. Then suddenly the lights went out for about 10 mins, and the only thing that i could here was the sound of various wild animals, and in midst of all this i herd a voice with a British accent, maybe it was Mr Roberts who was still there after a 100 years or maybe it was just the Himalayan wind flowing past my ears.I can’t really be sure. After a while i went back in and off i went to sleep. Next morning we would be going back to Delhi