To a die-hard adventurer, nothing could be more invigorating than setting off on a long trek to the Churdhar peak.Nohradhar forms a base camp for trekking to Churdhar. The trek-paths are surrounded by fir, pine and oak trees. At the foothills, you will find pine trees. A little further up, you will find oak trees, and as you make your way still further, the fiery rhododendrons with beautiful flowe
rs, will greet you. The rhododendrons are used extensively for making pakoras, syrup or a sweet drink by the local people. This flower is said to possess some medicinal value and is used for high blood pressure and heart diseases. At the foothills, the rhododendrons are reddish in colour, at a greater height, their colour becomes mauve. As you turn to Nohradhar you get a glimpse of lacy waterfalls. The crystal-clear water jumping over boulders and foliage, is a perfect picnic spot. It will be better if you carry your own eatables, because as you go higher, there will be a limited variety of fruit or snacks available. As you trek a little further, you will come across a temple, perched on a precipice, presenting a truly beautiful view of the mountainside. The temple is dedicated to Shirguldevta, a local deity. A big fair is held here during the Navratras. After crossing some more distance, you will reach the Churdhar peak. At 11,995 ft above the sea level, it is the highest peak in southern Himachal. The peak is also called Chur-Chandini (bangle of moon light). The majestic peaks, pine forests, green meadows with the backdrop of snow-clad misty mountains, provide a breath-taking view. As you go around another bend, there opens before your eyes a vista more beautiful than the one you saw last. In the distance, you can see the mountain ranges. If you are lucky, you can get a view of the Kedarnath and Badrinath peaks on a clear sunny day. The night sky — brilliant, bright, criss-crossed with innumerable stars — is a treat to the eyes. Sometimes, it starts raining all of a sudden. The sky become black and menacing and descends down in heavy mist. When the sky is rent apart by lightning, the echo of the sound reverberates all around the peaks. If there is a thunderstorm, you can take refuge in sarai near the temple complex. The sarai has eight large rooms (like dormitories) and can accommodate nearly 200 people at a time. A blanket can be hired for Rs 2 per day. You will need woollens at night. A view of the rainbow emerging on the horizon after the rain, is a memorable sight. The multi-coloured rays streaming out of the cloud cover, make the sky look like a huge chandelier. May and June are the best months to visit the Churdhar peak. There is moderate to heavy snowfall throughout the year. The peak has 33 ft of snowfall during the year. Sometimes even the temple disappears in the snow. Only some rocks remain visible. There are some mini glaciers en route to the Churdhar peak that melt during the rainy season.
