During my childhood, whenever I had the urge to depict the beauty of nature through art, I would consistently draw a single image - the sun concealing itself behind two majestic mountains while a gentle stream cascaded down from their peaks. I am confident that many of us have sketched this very scene, unknowingly captivated by its serene allure. If one ever wishes to witness this drawing come to life, a visit to the enchanting hill station of Swarghat in Himachal Pradesh is a must.
Swarghat is situated on the Shivalik mountain range and lies along the Delhi-Manali highway, approximately 90 kilometers from Chandigarh.
In November 2010, I had the opportunity to visit Swarghat while on a road trip with my family from Gurgaon to Manali. This was during my time working in Gurgaon.
In order to evade the heavy traffic in Delhi, we commenced our journey at the crack of dawn, around 5.00 AM. The weather was bitterly cold, and as we ventured onto the Chandigarh highway, the conditions only worsened. Promptly, my wife ensured that our children were bundled up in sweaters and caps. Seated in the back, they cocooned themselves in blankets, peering out through the closed windows, attentively listening to my tales. As we passed through Panipat and Sonipat, I enlightened them about the historical significance of these two cities.
After a while, during our journey through Karnal city, I informed them that it is the realm of Karna from the epic Mahabharata. By 8.30 AM, we arrived at Kurukshetra, the sacred site where the great battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas took place. According to Hindu mythology, Kurukshetra is a highly revered place, and any act of charity towards the poor in that location will result in abundant blessings. Moreover, taking a bath in the holy waters of Brahma Sarovar tank during an eclipse is believed to grant us the merits equivalent to performing 1000 Aswamedha yagnas.
After having our breakfast, we proceeded to explore significant locations such as the site where Bhagavatgita was imparted to Arjuna by the divine Bhagavan Krishna himself. We also visited the spot where the valiant warrior Bhishma met his end on the bed of arrows known as *Ampa sayya*. Additionally, we made a point to visit the Brahma Sarovara and Bhima Sarovara tanks.
Swarghat hill station was our initial resting point on the tour, and we proceeded there. During our journey, we traversed Ambala city, which I informed my children was the place where Amba, the woman who brought about Bheeshma's defeat, resided.
In order to bypass the traffic in Chandigarh, we opted to take a detour through Ropadi town, formerly known as Roopnagar. Eventually, we crossed over the Sutlej River and were amazed by its stunning sky blue hue. It was truly invigorating to witness such a breathtaking sight.
After a two-hour drive from Sutlej, we finally arrived at our destination for the day, *Swarghat hill station*, nestled on the majestic peaks of the Shivalic mountain range. Prior to our trip, I had made an online reservation for a suite at the renowned Himachal Pradesh tourism resort called *Hill top*.
Upon arriving at the resort, we parked our car and stepped out in awe. The stunning scenery before us left us speechless. The picturesque views of the lush greenery and majestic Himalayas with their silver peaks were simply breathtaking. The tranquil atmosphere and serene beauty of the place had a calming effect on our restless souls. It's hard to put into words just how magnificent this paradise truly is. The cloud-covered mountain slopes and tall trees surrounding us were a sight to behold, and we felt grateful to have witnessed such enthralling vistas.
The breathtaking sight of the Sunrise peeking through the clouds draped over the mountain slopes is indescribable. The serene and magnificent aura of Swarghat and its environs were simply divine.
The Tourism department takes great care in maintaining The Hill Top Guest House. The staff is known for their courteous and polite demeanor, and the suites are kept in immaculate condition. Guests can enjoy delicious food items during their stay. The room rent is quite reasonable, especially during the off-season. The spacious hall is equipped with four beds, room heaters, 24/7 hot water facility, and unlimited blankets. Additionally, all modern facilities are provided for the guests' convenience. The suite is available for a charge of Rs.800/-.
We had an adventurous drive in the evening as we visited the nearby Naina Devi Temple and Baktanangal Project.
The serene atmosphere, healthy food, and pollution-free environment at Swarghat make it a heavenly abode where one can extend their stay. My stay at Swarghat was so captivating that I fell in love with the place.
Y Dwaraka Nath
Mysore
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