Durgadas House Educational Mid Term Trip-2009

Life becomes rich as we travel. Travelling creates new friendship for us- friendship with trees, birds, animals, mountains, rivers, and with stars.

Travel in the younger sort is a part of education, in the elder, a part of experience. So to gain the same D.D. House students along with the teachers, a group of 63 members was destined to travel to Chandigarh, Manali and Rohtang Pass.

Day 1 – We boarded Shatabdi Express for Delhi on a bright Saturday afternoon. We all were cheerful and lively, there was an excitement in us to see new places, meet new people and study new modes of living. At Delhi we boarded buses and set off for an overnight journey to Chandigarh.

Day 2- There we checked in Silky Resort, freshened up, had breakfast and set out to explore the Chandigarh city. It is a city which is often known as the "city of Gardens". It is a jewel in the world of architecture and town-planning. It was planned by the famous French architect Le Corbusier. First we visited the Rose Garden, also known as Zakir Hussain Rose Garden. It is Asia’s largest rose garden and is spread over 30 acres of land, having over 1,600 different species of roses. These have been planted in beautifully carved lawns and flower beds. This was planned by Dr. MS. Randhawa, the first Chief Commissioner of the Union Territory of Chandigarh. From here we went to see the Natural History Museum. This museum served as a mirror for us and a constant reminder of our humble beginning, so that we may be more sympathetic to all living beings. It was also a pointer to the unity of life, so that we may be more responsive to our environment and surroundings which is of paramount importance to our survival and onward evolution.

Then we went to the Chandigarh Architecture Museum which displayed the original documents of planning and depicted the history of making of Chandigarh.

From here we went to the Art Gallery. It is classified into Gandhara and Hindu sculptures, miniature paintings, contemporary Art Gallery and decorative Arts and Coins.

Then we came back to the hotel for a hot, delicious lunch. Then again we were on the move to view the Rock Garden.

An unpretentious entrance led to a magnificent, almost surreal arrangement of rock fossils, broken chinaware, discarded florescent tubes, broken glass bangles, building waste, coal and clay all juxtaposed to create a dream folk world of animals, dancers, musicians, temples and women. These were open air sculptures, one display separated from the other by a clever use of tunnels, twists, turns – magically the world unfolds in phases. All of this was enhanced by a waterfall and pool. We all were highly impressed by the beauty and artistry displayed with the discarded, waste material. The creator of the rock garden is Nek Chand, a road inspector in the engineering department. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1984.

Day 3 – Next day we packed our luggage, had breakfast and proceeded for Manali. Once called the ‘end of the habitable world,’ it is an important hill station of Northern India. Manali is perched at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea – level and is spread along the banks of River Beas.

Journey from Chandigarh to Manali was quite long but the students were comfortable. After the intense heat of the plains, it was a pleasant sensation to be enjoying winters in the month of September. The mountain scenery was delightful. The sloping mountains were all covered with majestic pine trees rising high as if touching the sky. The Beas River gushed and bounced, leaping merrily over the rocks lying in her bed. We were able to see a number of gleaming waterfalls- big and small, falling into the river Beas; the milky foam sprang several feet up and thrilled the onlookers.

Day 4 - Next morning after breakfast we were transferred to camp. We camped along the river Beas and towering mountains surrounded us. We enjoyed a lot in the camp. The days were warm and sunny, just right for adventure activities. We had some adventure activities like rock climbing and rappelling. We were safely tied to a harness, which was attached to an immovable object with the help of a rope. We climbed up the rock, the strong arms of the young boys not failing them. The kids also enjoyed rappelling.

After lunch we went for river-crossing. In groups of four boys each, we were tied to a rope and held another rope and crossed the fast-flowing river, Beas. The water was very-very cold and current was too fast but we all managed to cross the river.

In the evening we went for shopping.

In Manali the nights were cold and required a campfire. We spent the evening at leisure and enjoyed dancing near the campfire. It is surprising that the mountains, which look so splendid during the day, appear like frightful giants at nights. The gushing noise of the river lends an eerie feel to the atmosphere.

Day 5 - After breakfast we got ready for an unforgettable excursion to Rohtang Pass, it is 54 kms from Manali at the height of 3,978 mts above the sea level. We enjoyed scenic beauty of the place. High snow peaks were too beautiful to describe. They aroused awe in our hearts. The snow on the peaks and slopes was like a silvery white sheet over them. When we reached at summit we enjoyed the enchanting environment where the cool fresh breeze, direct from the snowy peak thrilled us to the core. There we thoroughly enjoyed in the snow. The boys made snow balls and threw them at each other. We had never had such fun before. We slipped and fell, but enjoyed that too.

After coming down from Rohtang Pass, we visited Hidimba Temple erected in 1533; this temple is dedicated to local deity Hidimba, wife of the Pandava Prince, Bhim.

Before dinner we danced to our heart on heart throbbing numbers and enjoyed the campfire.

Day 6 – Next day, after breakfast, we packed our luggage and boarded buses to proceed for Chandigarh. Before leaving the camp, we went near the river Beas and got some beautiful photographs clicked and had a last look at the scenery around the camp ground which was breathtaking beautiful.

Day 7 – After a long and tiring journey we had a late breakfast and relaxed in the hotel. A painting competition was organized by Sir Chauhan, the topic was, ‘My Mid–Term Trip.’

After lunch we went to Sukhna Lake, it was a beautiful manmade lake that lies in the foothills of Shivalik Range. The roof of the dam is elegantly landscaped. We had an enjoyable time there. There were many shops and also rides. The boys did shopping and enjoyed different rides.

From there we went to sector – 17, a sleek shopping area of Chandigarh.

Then we came back to hotel, changed up, and packed our luggage for a journey back to Mayo. That day, it was Yash Kapoor’s birthday, we celebrated his birthday. After dinner we boarded buses and proceeded for Delhi to board Shatabdi. We reached Ajmer in the afternoon. We reached Mayo tired but happy with beautiful and unforgettable memories of hectic but enjoyable trip.

We would like to thank our Headmaster-Sir Pramod Chaturvedi, who has provided us with this opportunity. And our House Master Sir Pradeep Upadhyaya and our teachers Mr. Chauhan, Mr. Ankur Bhatt, Mrs. Avantika Alfred, Mrs.Jaishree Kushwaha, and Mrs. Krishna Kumari our matron, for making our journey a real success and guided us so well during the tour.

....Suyash Surana and Varun Bhargava