What do we call a place which has the exotic collection of mesmerizing valley views, the lovely yellow flowers with mild fragrance of love, and innocent-hearted people? Isn’t it a bank where the total happiness and beauty are collected? Well, pretty much yes; and that’s why this place that we are gonna introduce is called as such: Bank!
Bank is a tiny cozy village, situated at the foothills of Lohajung, Uttarakhand which is the basecamp for many impeccable treks. This village is known not just for its eye-catchy mountain views, and the translucent stream, but also for the modest localites. The village doesn’t have any hazards, unbearable noise, or anything that could put you in a bad shape of mind. Instead, just calmness, outside and within.
As you leave Lohajung, the pass you can reach Bank village in less than an hour, either by road or by hiking down the hills, having a refreshing view of the Rhododendron flowers, which paint the valley with exuberant red color. But red could turn into bright yellow, when you enter the village’s mustard seeds farms; the village is folded in between the enormous beauty of the yellow flowers. The village is known not just for the colorful flowers and plants, but not to miss the beauties- ponies and mules- who are used to carry things up and down the mountain as and when required. Every household could have a cow or a pony, that could feed them and they become a part of the family.
What could be more beautiful here than this village, one may ask. Yes, there is. Ah, the hearts of these villagers. Bank village has a population of around 900 in total, but every one of them-no matter how old they are-are truly humble and genuine. When we hiked down to Bank village, we were invited to have a tea chat with them, at their houses, offered us food as well. Since this village don’t receive many tourists or outsiders, they’re elated to see guests and host them warm.
From Village Bank, if you hike further down you can reach Neel Ganga stream which flows crystal clear alongside another village called Kulling. And Bank is extra-admired for its aesthetically built, at least 100-year-old mud houses which look like a painting. People still do leave in those old houses, making one room for cooking and storage, one room for living and another room for their cattles. In the evenings, you could see them all assembled in front of a bonfire, and singing purani pahadi songs, sipping a hot chaai and enjoying their simple, contended lives.
- How to reach Bank : You can take a cab/bus from Delhi to Rishikesh overnight, then reach Lohajung the next day evening in a private/shared cab. Bank is just 15 minutes’ drive from nearest Village, Lohajung.
- Mode of transport: 2 wheeler/4 wheeler/walk
- Available source of food and essentials: Only from Lohajung. Suggested to carry food/snacks.
- Not to miss in the village: Neel Ganga Stream, hundred years old mud houses.
Extra tip
Lohajung could be the basecamp for all the treks that you wanna do in your life, and the place where you can see mighty peaks like Nandha Ghunti, Trishul, Mrigaduni and others. But alongside, You could always explore Bank kind of petty villages where satisfaction and happiness lies in nature and in people’s heart. It just takes 1 day for you to explore this village, that could stay forever rent free in your heart!
6 Comments
This was one of the best trek in my life, thanks a lot Primal for this heavenly experience.
Thanks Ayush for this wonderful comment.
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