My buket-list for my Himalayan solo trip has a lot of small tiny wishes in it. On the top of the list is to see gushing greenish-blue-ish water streams and rivers! I reached expecting snow and thinking all the water bodies must have been dried up!
Warning: Selfies incoming!
To my surprise, I saw Parvati river flowing with all her might on the first day itself. I was even happier when I could hear the sound of the river from my room. Did I tell you I am so happy with the property I chose already in the last blog??!
I was determined to find a way to reach the river from day one! I asked around here and I was told it is dangerous to go near the river since it is very unpredictable. Then, on day two, I found the bridge that is built on top of the river while I was going to Kasol market. I stayed on that bridge for at least one hour just taking in the experience.
It is almost indescribable in words! I can confirm that since I've seen others reacting the same way as well.
However, the beautiful river gets moody as well. This year, during the flood many places near the bank got washed away in the flood. The concrete remains from that destruction is seen all around the place. The stream of rocks left over after the landslides in the mountains also reflects the magnitude of the recent episode. Hence everyone warned me of going near the river.
Parvati river is a very long river that flows covering a vast length. However, it was a challenge for me to find a place where it is not crowded, that's not a cafe and where I can safely sit alone. Well, on day three, I finally found a way to reach the river in a safe way.
It was on the side of the Malana Hydropower Plant. The tiny route took me to the riverside. There is a small cafe run by a lady who lived there as well. So, I confirmed with her if I could go near the river or even touch the water. She said it is just fine right now. She also mentioned it is more unpredictable when it is hot or during the rainy season.
I was a bit confident that at least there are people around to check on me if I don't come back at a reasonable time. I had all my cameras and tripods as well.
I can just tell you it felt so surreal reaching there! The river flowed at a higher speed than I anticipated. It looked very different from near than what I was used to seeing from the bridge or uphill. I could feel my hands shaking passing each rock and going close to her.
Watch the reel here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0TIijEPIME/
And, finally, I took a hand full of water and well whispered I'm not here to disturb! I ended up talking to her for a long time and then decided to rest on one of the rocks. At that moment, it made sense why people consider natural forces like these as Gods and Goddesses in some cultures, especially in the tribes that stays close to those forces.
Then I ended up spending more time than I expected writing and just looking at the river. It started to get dark and I had to rush back. Going back I had a tea from the lady who runs a small cafe there.
Her children wanted me to take their pictures and I ended up spending more time with them. I always felt putting a big camera towards someone as rude. To my surprise, they were so excited about the camera and even wanted to touch it. It was a pleasant evening where I was filled with joy.
Fast forward, it's been a week I reached Kasol. I honestly wanted to keep this place a secret. Today, someone new joined me and it was her first day here yesterday. I took her to the place and she just wanted to be there forever! She even left for the riverside early in the morning today as well.
It is such moments that gives me a great deal of joy exploring and finding such hidden gems.
The spot on the map: [//]:# (!pinmapple 32.00413 lat 77.25147 long Malana Hydropower plant d3scr)