Height of Desperation

Shot taken from my bus window at 6 AM in the morning on our way to Manali.

Took this photo just incase that we may never see snow at all in our trip other than this !

The reason being that when we touched Kullu, (where I expected to see snow), it was as bare as 'Talakaadu'!

Will ther be snow in Manali??? Big question. 

Amundsen wouldn't have enjoyed reaching the south pole as much as Madhuri (literally, jumping with joy!), Naveena, Souji and myself did touching and playing with the snow.

This place is right in front of our hotel (Orchard Greens) which was covered with a thick 3 ft blanket of snow.

What a way to welcome us ! 

Vinay and Souji posing infront of our hotel (Orchard Greens). The hotel welcomed us with 3 ft of snow all around.

What a joy!. This was our first sight of snow! Words defy justice to the extent of pleasure we derived being in snow.

Especially, me who was travelling 3 rd time in peak winter to the high mountains in search of snow and on the previous two occasions couldn't get to see snow. 

Souji posing in front of the mighty mountains enroute to Solang Valley.

First day trip from Manali. Costed us Rs. 1300 for the package inclusive of Ski gear, clothes, ski training and transport up and down.

Worth every penny. 

Souji posing amidst tons of snow and ice.

Our 4X4 gaadi, got stuck in ice on our way to the Solang Valley. We had to trek 2 kms in ice and snow to reach the snow point.

But the best part about it was that we felt happy to trek instead of driving! 

Here are some pictures we took during our Ski expedition to the snow-capped Solang Valley !!!

Souji getting ready to ski!!!

Souji skiing solo!

Ski Champ on his way! Wheeez!

And crash!!!

Doing it together!

All part of the game!

After an exhilarating experience of Skiing @ Solang Valley 

Posing with Himachali Outfits!!!

Poster picture @ Solang Valley - Naveen, Madhuri, Souji and Myself :-)

After a tiring day of Skiing the slopes, we had some tea before our return back to Manali. Solang Valley is a must see for anybody who wants to Ski and have a good time. Snowfall on the higher hills in the background. 

Souji draped in Himachali outfit, behind 'Hadimba' temple. 

On our way to Manikaran, a holy town with loads of temples and gurudwaras, we stopped for having the 'lunch of a lifetime'.

The 'Sanjha Chulha' is a by-the-road hotel at a valley locked by loft peaks on all directions. Lipsmacking food with loads of varietes. 

A Cannadian settled in Manali teaches us the spirutialism that we have forgotten.

This is the Hot springs at Manali. The temperature of the water keeps increasing when the outside temperature decreases ! Amazing. 

Pathi, Patni aur WOW !!!

Enroute to Manali's Hot Spring temple. About 4~5 Kms from the main Manali area. 

Oh! Khaiiike Bhang Banarasvalla! On the way to Hot spings of Manali 

Naveena's pin-up Photograph !

Taken at a place called 'Bhang' just a kilometer away from the hot water springs. River 'Beas' (almost no water) can be seen amidst the cool moutains in the background 

Madhuri and Souji pose infront of the Hadimba Temple. A few scenes of the film 'Roja' was shot here.

(Arvind Swamy gets abducted by terrorists from here !). 

Naveena stint with the Skiis.

Behind Hadimba temple. 

This is no childs play ! Souji and Madhuri enjoying 'Jokalay' in Suz-zero temperature.

'Van vihar', behind Hadimba temple, Manali. 

Snow covered Hadimba Devi temple: History says that Bheema married 'Hidamba' at this place.

There is a 'Gatothkach' temple close by, but the localites alerted that visitors would not like that place as animal sacrifices were being done during those days. 

All set for a hot masala tea. Naveena and Souji our last day at Manali. 

Snow clad town of Manali 

King of the world on the roof of the world!

Town of Manali, in the background 

Naveen and Madhuri at the entrance of Ram Temple. Manlali Local Sight Seeing. 

Madhuri, Souji and Naveen pose infront of the Ram Temple on the last day of our local sight seeing at Manali.