Memories of Chitkul By Seema Misra
While backpacking through Spiti and Kinnaur, I happened to visit a small village a little off the tourist route, called Chitkul. It is the last inhabited village on the India China border.
What was intended as a two-day stopover turned into a week spent walking the mountains and sketching.
I stayed in a travelers hostel, called 'The Wanderers Nest' where for a large part I was the only guest. Over time, it felt more like a home than a hotel!
While I sunbathed on the veranda, morning visitors would stop by.
Chitkul offers simple pleasures.
Birdsong While walking towards the ITBP check post, there's a small brook which is frequented by this little red bird, that the locals call 'The Lama's Pet' because it likes nesting in the wooden roofs of monasteries.
Walks and trails: Towards the town bus stop and the Baspa river bank. Or, towards the Army Check Post, which is the last point where anyone can reach without a permit.
A prominent red bridge that leads to snow covered river banks with dense deodar forests and absolute isolation.
An unused wooden bridge, somewhere down the river.Â
The constant company of the Baspa river.
A school by the river.
Mountain streams.
The 500 year old, Mathi Devi temple. If you reach early in the morning or at dusk, you'll get to hear theprayers accompanied by rhythmic drumming.
Starry night skies. Mesmerising sunrises, followed by parathas at 'India's Last Dhaba' near the bus stop.
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“Live close to nature and you'll never feel lonely. Don't drive those sparrows out of your veranda; they won't hack into your computer.” ― Ruskin Bond
Se m Mis is an ar t an w i r. To un d, s e wa h wo d ci or t a l ac s it! She ta s to he p a t an so me pe as we . But mo of t a no ‌ yo wi fi he cu d up in he fa te co r re g a bo w i si n s on co . She is as pa na ab t a l as s e is ab he ar . She fi d t a t e be wa to co n he t o pa n wo be t o g a se -il t ed t a l u of he co an en n g so n ac s t e co r . She ta up f e n e il t i n p o c t o g Lon Can (h p ://lo y op l .wo p s.co /) an In ag (@lo y op )
