Nature has blessed us with so many different shades of weather with so many different colors and hues. Each season has its own charm, its own temptations. Who wouldn’t long to be on the snow-clad mountains when it’s seething hot in the planes during the peak summer season (especially in the South-Asian continent).
A group of our friends often constantly expressed a deep desire to plan a trip to some less-explored hill station this May as the mercury was scaling new heights every other day. Problem was that we could only get away from work and the sizzling summer for just a couple of days. To make the matters worse, no travel agency showed any inclination towards organizing a trip to a hilly area for a group of visually impaired persons.
However, as a famous movie star once said, “If you desire something from the bottom of your heart, the entire universe will conspire to fulfil your desire”, and just as we were getting desperate, the miracle happened! I was contemplating what our next move could be when a senior friend, Sandeep Singh, called me. He took my breath away by inviting me (and our other friends, too) to a 2-day festival they were organizing in Naggar of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. The name of the festival itself was so fascinating: Shobla Bana (which means in the local dialect “beautiful fashion”).
I didn’t hesitate for a moment and with a big smile playing on my face, accepted his invitation with gratitude. Next few hours went in a flash contacting friends like Rachit, Surbhi, Mohit, Kartik, Varun, Ruchi, Sangeeta and a few others. Needless to say, the pack was super-excited about attending Shobla Bana and having fun at the picturesque Naggar. The icy weather was beckoning us all with open arms!
A Long Journey:
We were scheduled to leave on the 18th May morning, a tempo traveler was booked by Chap Foundation). As we started packing in great anticipation, I recommended we followed the policy of “travel light, have fun day and night”.
Introduction to Kathkoni architecture and history of Naggar Castle
PWD visitors experience Ibex Horn
A Fascinating Show:
After the visit to the historic Naggar Castle, our team thoroughly enjoyed the colorful cultural programs that were a part of Shobla Bana Festival. The children of National Association for the Blind, Kullu performed dance and song items that drew thunderous applause from the audience. Some local students also presented a “Nukkad Natak” (Street play) that emphasized on the need for the tourists to keep it intoxication-free. Some competitions were also organized to showcase the talent of the local people, especially weaving and crochet, culture walk, and a unique “Pattu wearing ‘ competitions that gave a beautiful glimpse of the traditional Kullu culture.
Performance by NAB Kullu students.
Performances By Our Team Members:
Our team also wanted to contribute something towards making the festival richer and more diverse; we performed on both days of the festival. Rachit and Surbhi mesmerized the audience with their melodious songs while Mohit and I narrated our life experiences to engage the crowds. We also performed a short skit based on travel aspirations of the visually impaired people, a play that was appreciated by everyone.
An evening to remember:
Chap team had organized an evening of relaxation and sheer joy and enjoyment for us after the first day of the festival. Bara Garh Resort owned by The Taj Group of Hotels hosted our team for an unforgettable experience for all of us. They treated us to delicious refreshments and then some yoga experts held a meditation and yoga session in the beautiful lawns of the resort with amazing background settings. Thus our first day engagements ended on a very happy note, a day we had so many new and amazing experiences first time in our lives.
Another very special day:
Chief guest honorable DC Kullu Mr Ashutosh Garg inaugurated Shobla Bana’s 2nd day programs. He also inaugurated Chap initiative Shobla Bazar where local artisans and self-help groups exhibited their products. These well-designed, well-crafted hand-made products included articles of traditional and contemporary designs, like bags, shawls, bedsheets and covers, caps, , toys, pen-stands, table-mats etc.
Two young girls presented a vibrant traditional dance form that was appreciated by one and all. A fashion show with participants donning colorful traditional attires added to the charm of the festival. Chief Guest Mr Ashutosh Garg distributed the prizes and addressed the gathering. He commended the efforts of Chap Foundation in upliftment of the local women artisans and wished them well.
DC Kullu and GM, fairfest Media presenting laptops
I had the good fortune of interviewing Mr Garg on his views about accessible travel and tourism and the steps government has been taking in that direction.
The festival drew to a close with Ms Aparna Agrawal, Founder & Director of Chap Foundation, presenting a vote of thanks to all distinguished guests, participants and team members.
Chap didn’t forget to give our team a wonderful send-off by arranging a tour to the renowned Roerich Art Gallery that was sponsored by the International Roerich Memorial Trust.
Visit to International Roerich Mmorial Trust
Enjoying local delicacies:
Now, our formal engagements were over, but we decided to visit a good local restaurant to taste some native delicacies. I especially loved this local cuisine named Situ. Sized equal to almost 6 momoes, Situ is cooked from wheat flour and is filled with walnut! They serve it with ghee and chutney and it tastes just amazing.
Team outing, trying local snacks
The tempo traveler was waiting for us as it was finally time to go home. Aparna was there once again to say goodbye and we thanked her and the entire Chap team for this wonderful opportunity. We promised to meet again sometime in future, and we were on our way back to Delhi. We will not forget in a hurry the beautiful Naggar weather, the gentle, simple local people, and of course the grand time Chap gave us during the visit. Well, now it was time to be back at our polluted city to be a part of the maddening rush after this tranquil stay of two days.
I strongly recommend traveling to Naggar anytime you wish to go on a vacation. Believe me, the less-explored location will afford breathtaking views of North Himalayan ranges, beautiful weather and some memories for life.
Mr. Naresh addressing the audience
Mr Naresh Kumar Kashyap works as manager with Union Bank of India, Azadpur Delhi branch. He is a distinguished Radio Jockey at Radio Udaan, the first online Radio Station in India run exclusively by visually-impaired persons. Naresh is an avid reader and enjoys writing poetry.
