Altering Perspectives: Shivangi's Holi Trip To Spiti And Sangla
There comes a time in everyone’s life when a particular trip or a particular event seems destined.
Shivangi’s Holi trip to Spiti and Sangla this year was just that!
Stepping aside from the ‘normative’, she played the festival of colours amidst the cool breezes and the amazing surroundings of Rakcham....
Departing from Delhi and reaching Shimla, Shivangi wondered how this trip would turn out. She had several doubts in her mind-
How will the experience be? Will the trip arrangement be good? Has Thrillophilia confirmed the stays that we wanted?
Will there be too many people? She did not really wish for much crowds.
There was only one way to find out the answer to all these queries- head out straight for the trip and leave it all to destiny.
And there she was, travelling to Rakcham with Thrillophilia along with her partner just the day before Holi! And she was hands-down excited. After all…she was on a trip!
There is Magic in the Mountains
No matter how stressed you are, a well-planned trip can naturally heal you. Be it mountains or beaches, hills or rivers, if you love being amidst nature, nature will protect you.
On the day of Holi,
Shivangi stepped out of her room to the magnificent views of the Kinnaur-Kailash range, and just in front of her, on the ground below, preparations had already started. There were a lot of people on the ground.
Excited, she took a bite of the bread omelette served on the table and headed out to play Holi! Her partner was already outside, talking to a bunch of people. He introduced her to the new friends he made there and they all had immense fun together celebrating the festival of colours. They also met some little children of the village and treated their taste buds with some delicious sweets.
There was another person who was there, helping them with everything, Mr. Sunil. He was their guide on the trip, and he was in constant contact with them. After the party, he took them to meet his family who lived in Rakcham village itself…they greeted them with Holi wishes and had a homemade Himachali lunch.
This experience was very unique to them, all their lives they have been celebrating this festival in their hometowns, playing with friends and family and running on the roads. But this time it was different, all were strangers. The entire vibe of the place was much new to her, yet so familiar and warm.
She knew she also had a day’s itinerary ahead, they were to head to Kalpa the very day. But she did not want to leave so soon. With no other option in hand, she decided to mark this day by recording how the local people celebrated this festival on this journey. She thought of making a reel as a token of remembrance.
Throughout the travelling time, Sunil told them stories about the region and the people, elaborating their ways and their lives. Shivangi could see patches of colours and water on every alternate turning, children giggling and adults pranking their neighbours into getting drenched…
It all seemed so quaint and innocent, and Shivangi captured it all in her phone.
Highlights of Reality
Often, we don't realise how valuable a thing is until we lose it…yes it's a cliched dialogue, yet so true.
Shivangi has never been a big fan of stargazing, she was more interested in bonfires. But unfortunately, there was no provision for that in Kaza. When she contacted Thrillophilia, she had asked to include this activity in the itinerary, but it was not possible in the small town of Kaza as it has very sparse vegetation. So, she had to resort to stargazing, and to be honest, she did not ‘not-like’ it. She found it quite peaceful.
There were two things she realised that day- one, the terrain and the geography have a huge role to play in the livelihoods of the local people. Two, people have forgotten how stunning the night sky can be, as all of it has vanished under light pollution.
This journey has been crucial for Shivangi to understand how critical is the condition of our environment, and how important it is to conserve it.
So, after the stargazing session, she came back to her room and said just one thing to her partner-
“I never understood the value of those green campaigns and all, always thinking there is a lot of resources of our mother earth….but I never knew that we have been snatching away her life in the process”
Changing Perspectives
As they went further into their route, covering Langza, Hikkim, Komik, Chicham, and Nako, the terrain grew harder and the place grew more remote. But their driver Jeetu drove through the terrain with master skills. They visited several monasteries and villages, viewpoints and famous spots, soaking in the essence of the place. Sunil was instrumental in their trip, he made them try the regional food items, and the various forms of tea found here.
One night at Chicham, Shivangi and her partner were having yet another conversation, where Shivangi mentioned one of her observations-
“This region is not just about the mountains, and the valleys, and the beauty, it is also about the people, their history and culture, and their heritage…for example, look at this cup of rose bud tea, a speciality of Spiti. We can say it's amazing, pay a good price for it to take back home, and then forget about the people who grew it. We appreciate its taste, but not its being… just like we appreciate this place, but we neglect its history”
Perhaps this trip was more of an awakening journey for Shivangi, this whole trip had changed her perspective.
A Life-Changing Trip
Leaving a token of gratitude for their driver Jeetu for his exceptional driving skills and cooperative nature, and Sunil, their guide, for treating them like family, they boarded their flight back home.
Thrillophilia has taken care of all arrangements brilliantly. Perhaps that is why this trip was such an eye-opener, they did not have to invest their minds in solving any hassle because there were none.
After hearing their review, we felt more humble than appreciated.
Indeed, travelling can be eye-opening, teaching lessons that change your life.
Read More: Thrillophilia Spiti Reviews