Away from toxic air!

Some roads that are not taken are worth exploring. With an overwhelming population in India, every tourist place is overcrowded throughout the year. But there are few hidden splendours less crowded too.

Although I might seem pretty extroverted, in reality I don't really like being a part of the crowd. Back in college everybody was planning for a trip, and I decided to go solo. 

Though at the end it didn't turn out to be a solo, the getaway was much needed and I went with my best friends - my mother and my brother, and nobody better than them could have accompanied me, as they're the coolest in my list. 

I knew there would be chaos and grim faces back at home because on Diwali when everybody was celebrating, I was packing my bag for the getaway. So, the next day after Diwali I left the city that had become highly polluted due to the bursting of crackers despite a ban by the Supreme Court. 

I think my timing of the holiday was perfect. I didn't want to choke myself breathing the toxic air of Delhi. 

I wanted to unwind, and I could think of no other place better than Jibhi in Himachal Pradesh. Google shows a distance of about 480 km from Delhi but it is more than that.

An unexplored paradise known for its beauty, Jibhi has been on my mind for a very long time, since one of my traveller friends told me about this quaint village.

Surrounded by mountains, the place is covered with pine and deodar trees with Pusphbhadra river adding to the beauty. 

From Delhi I booked a bus till Aut. There is no direct bus till Aut, and the endpoint of tourist buses is Bhuntar or Manali.

Therefore, one has to inform the driver well in advance that you want to get down at Aut from there a cab or bus goes till Jibhi. 

It takes almost two hours to reach Jibhi from Aut. The village is filled with beautiful homestays and hostels, though one can't really expect any fancy accommodation.

To be continued.....

Pictures by Shreyoshi