Another beautiful walk starts from Mashobra I to Talai Bhimakali temple. It is said that the temple is 500 years old and was set up by the king of Faridkot. The area is surrounded by deodar trees and has a small pond, which is a tourist attraction. We’ve had several picnics here, and my grand kids love to roll down the sloping hills covered with green grass around the pond. There are two tea shops here, which serve very good halwa, pooris, samosas and bread pakoras besides excellent tea and coffee.
Fairs and festivities are a norm in the hills. A big local attraction is an annual bull fair held on 15th September at Talai. Earlier, there used to be a bull fight, which has been stopped for some years now. According to the 2011 Census, Mashobra village has a population of 195 people, with 48 families residing. But there are at least 5,000 people who visit the Talai mela. Some come from nearby villages, some are tourists, and some are floating residents like us who spend a good part of the summer extending to October/November in Mashobra. It is amazing to see such a multitude of people in an otherwise sleepy little town.
The two-kilometre walk from Mashobra takes you through the tiny bazaar. There is a one-stop hardware shop run by a very lovable old person. Ironically his name is Happy, but I have never seen him smile. He has everything that one requires. Then there is an old man, Kulbhushan, who is a wizard when it comes to any electronic gadget. His tiny shop is cluttered with old TV sets, toasters, mixies, heaters, geysers, irons and God alone what else. Looking at the chaos in the minuscule space you would wonder how he operates. Recently, I had a problem with my microwave and very reluctantly took it to him. He looked at it listlessly and said I should come in the evening to collect it, he would do his best. Lo and behold, in the evening I was amazed to learn that he had found the fault and was able to restore it. He would make millions abroad with his ingenious ability if ever given a chance.
Then there are the usual vegetable shops, tailors and grocery stores. Surprisingly, they are very well stocked. If something is unavailable, they will procure it in a day or two and call you to inform about its availability.
Next, one crosses a pickle-making enterprise, the legacy of which has been passed on from generations. One also crosses a local school where a number of children study.
Then, you come across various housing complexes, such as Hill View Apartments, Anandam, Green Wood Estate and Misty Mountains where non-resident Himachalis like us have made our homes for the summer. While walking towards Talai, you can view the mountain ranges on your right. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped Himalayan range. You can also spot Shali Peak in the distance, which is a full-day trek popular with the locals.
We call it a cardio walk, as the road winds up and down a lot. The best thing about it is that one always walks in the shade, since the entire stretch is lined with deodars on either side. During and after the monsoons, one can hear cicadas like background music through the entire walk. After a steep uphill walk of about 300 metres, one reaches Rana Estate, a beautiful property owned by an erstwhile Rana of Nepal. Incidentally, it’s the highest point in Mashobra. You then walk along the Faridkot Estate that sweeps for acres and continues right until Talai. Now pretty run down, it used to be a majestic estate of the erstwhile Maharaja of Faridkot, who had a retinue of vintage cars and was very fond of opulent living.
Normally, it’s a pristine walk that gives one an adrenalin gush. However, even 10 days after the annual fair, I was disappointed to see garbage littered all along the walk. It almost seemed deliberate, as there was a pile of trash every 200 to 300 metres. It was as if a large trash bag had been emptied every now and then.
I hope the administration will take cognisance of this serious hazard, and ensure that the junk is removed as quickly as possible – and return the unspoiled beauty of this wonderful walk to all of us who love to tread on this track.
Photo credits: Poonam Kirpal
Poonam Kirpal is a Post Graduate in Child Development from Delhi University. Essentially associated with academics at the school and college level, she has been in touch with the young and the old at a personal and professional level. A freelance counsellor, she has three books to her credit: ‘Fast Forward’, ‘Saccharine and a Lot of Spice’, ‘Amma’ and ‘Ma + Ma = Grandma’. You can read her blog at www.midlifeuphoria.blogspot.in
