The Mountains and It's People

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.”

Having enjoyed the view for a while near the camp, situated on a conflux of river Ganga and one of its tributaries, outside Rishikesh, I decided to head on for a short trek (1.5 kms one side from the motorable road) in The Rajaji National Park. It leads to the Patna Waterfalls, named after the nearby village Patna.

This trek runs parallel to the spring, lush greenery bordering it. Birds chirping and waters gushing felt like a perfect musical concert sponsored by nature.

Going along, I met a lone villager on his way back to the village in the park. intrigued seeing him walking in the forest, with no roads, to his home, the conversation had already sparked. We walked along, talking about the life over there.

I asked, What about wild animals around? "A few days back, I saw three Tigers crossing this path, they come in search of food. Sometimes they feed on our cattle and this is the only way for us to commute," he replied.

A strange thought jumped into my mind saying “What if we are welcomed by the Tigers on our way now!!!? It's their area”

This thought faded away as we were joined by a few more villagers, one septuagenarian!

Surprised, I shot the villager back with another question,

"How do you carry necessary goods and materials to build houses and stuff.!”

He replied, "Sir, khachars (mules) are used for carrying stuff up to the villages and we have no other way to do it, well we are used to it, that's life up here."

It is their daily life, a village of around 200 people, 4 kms up inside the forest, some villages ahead, this trek, short, but not an easy one, definitely not for the septuagenarian.

Worrisome fact is that, Rishikesh, a Yoga hub is flocked with tourists all around the year. Yet there is a village nearby and the only way to reach it is by a trek and nothing seems to deter these smiles.

Bidding bye to the villagers, I took a detour to reach the waterfalls, sun rays being dispersed into colours by the water drops in the air. It was a delight to watch and the view filled my soul with peace.

Wandering around, found a small tea shop, talking to the shopkeeper, I complimented him on the tea, it was by far the best tea I have had on that day of travel. He responded with a smile,

Asking him "Why don't you sell it in Rishikesh?" He replied, "Sir, I have no interest to earn more by adding water to the milk that I use in preparing tea. I prefer it served here, the way I have it myself at home. I am happy and this tea is the only way a person coming here will remember me or my shop. I love this feeling, when someone enjoys it, just like the waterfalls here!"

Amazed by their simplicity and disheartened for their hardships, I left from there with mixed feelings, thinking how happiness lies in small things. The mountains and the simplicity of the people have affirmed my faith in humanity and this small trek has now become a part of me.