8
RECREATIONS

DURING my stay at Gurdaspur I attended the Congress Session at Calcutta over which Mrs. Besant presided. There I heard Surendra-nath Bannerji, Bipen Chander Pal, Mrs. Besant, Lokamanya Tilak and Khaparde. The conflict between the extremists and moderates could be sensed in this session. Gandhi I first saw pthere. He looked like a back-bencher then.

Between the years 1914-1918, along with my father and some time in company with Bakshi Tek Chand and Lala Dhani Ram, I made three hiking trips. The first trip was to Kulu valley. We went on foot via Bhabu pass. I thoroughly enjoyed hiking. The places that impressed me with their scenic beauty were Baijnath, Jatingiri in Mandi State, then the summer residence of the Raja of Mandi, Sil Badwani, where on a beautiful site stands a comfortable Dak Bungalow. Bhabu pass itself is worth a visit. In Kulu we went up to Manali and Rahla but could not go to the Rotang pass and Beas Kund because of bad weather. We visited Mani Karan hot water springs and the site of the silver mine. We cooked our food in the spring water. This boiling hot water spring is situated on the bank of the ice cold river, Parbati. We also had our bath in the sulphur spring of Vashist above Manali. Maharishi Vashist, king Dasrath’s family guru and Rama’s tutor and preceptor- is supposed to have done his tapasya there. Then we went to Mandi which at one time produced fine cooks. Father had a big clientele in Kulu and Mandi, and everywhere he went, he was-offered apples, pears, walnuts, honey, blankets and various hill articles as presents. Wherever he went he was welcomed affectionately and feted and feasted. Since father was a poor eater. I did enough justice for both.

Another trip we took was to the Gallies, Murree to Abbotabad. This was a big party including Bakshi Tek Chand, Lala Dhani Ram, R.Jagmohan, father, Dewan Radha Krishan, son-in-law of Mahatma Hans Raj and father of Y. K. Puri, I.C.S. of External Affairs Ministry and myself.

to be continued...

( This account is maintained by Har Anand Publication)