Didag: Hill resort with a difference
Getaway
By Anjana Datta

IF you want to have a relaxed vacation away from the hubbub of city life then nothing like the mountains, which offer a tremendous travel opportunity to escape from the dusty heat of the plains.

There are several popular and much-publicised hill stations in India like Shimla, Kulu, Manali, Mussorie and Darjeeling and numerous lesser known holiday resorts which are not so frequented and not so demanding, but they are equally enjoyable. One such place is Didag — a nature resort.

Nestled in the calm and serene environs of the Himalayas, Didag is situated 6,800 ft. above sea level in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Dotted with tiny villages and picturesque valleys, Didag is 125 km from Chandigarh, just a five-hour drive via Solan and Rajgarh.

Didag is a tiny hill resort with country-town charm. One finds nature at its magnificent best with grand trees, daisy-strewn lawns and lush green meadows with the backdrop of misty mountains. If you are in love with nature, then Didag is the place for you.

The snow-clad majestic peaks catch the first rays of the sun, flooding the sky with vibrant hues. It is the greenest and quietest place where the bounties of nature surpass their own majesty.

Didag’s attractions begin before you reach it. You can enjoy the solitude of the Himalayas en route to Didag. One place worth halting at is Ochhghat, about 10 km from Solan. It has a big temple of Lord Shiva in a nearby hill. People from nearby villages make it a point to come here to pray.

Dr Y.S. Parmar Horticulture and Forestry University at Nauni, 9 km from Ochhghat is also worth a visit. You can feast your eyes on the sprawling lawns and green meadows.

The road, eventually, winds down to the Giri river, flowing quietly past a tiny village called Gaura. Gaura, with neatly laid-out terrace fields, was once the favourite tourist spot of the erstwhile rulers of Patiala for its mahaseer fishing. The British guests of the former rulers of Patiala used to frequent this place to enjoy this sport. Just after crossing the Giri river, you enter Yashwant Nagar. This picturesque town is situated on the banks of the Giri. The greenery all around and the crystal-clear water of the river that shimmers under the sun, make it an excellent picnic spot.

Here the road bifurcates to Chail, which is 29 km away from Yashwant Nagar.

After several sharp twists and turns, you reach Didag — a hill resort with a difference.

Didag is not a commercial centre. It is a small tourist spot with hardly any hotels or restaurants. During local fairs and festivals, big vendors from the neighbouring villages come to put up stalls of merchandise, food and handicrafts.

Didag has many pleasant surprises in store for you. If you are a lover of nature, then treat yourself to the snow slopes, pine forests and shrines. If you are an avid bird watcher, spend a night or two up here just to wake up at dawn to the melody of birds on the hill sides. If you have an adventurous streak in you, go for a excursion to the nearby hills or for long walks. You can even pitch in your tents and indulge in recreational activities like playing tambola, carrom, badminton etc. Tents equipped with bedding and electricity are provided to the tourists by the Himgiri Nature Resorts’ authorities.

But to a die-hard adventurer, nothing could be more invigorating than setting off on a long trek to the Churdhar peak. In fact, Didag forms a base camp for trekking to Churdhar via Nohradhar. Nohradhar is 14 km away from Didag, while Churdhar is 18 km from Nohradhar.

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 rhodedendrons with beautiful flowers, will greet you. The rhodedendrons 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 rhodedendrons 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.

A gradual ascent of 15 km will take you to Ghandduri — another scenic spot to have a break and unwind yourself.

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 Shriguldevta, 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.

Didag and the Churdhar peak hold out immense promise for tourism. A trip to these places will not only be inexpensive but a unique journey, to be remembered for a lifetime.