siddhapaila

Siddha Paila

Siddha Paila is the first choice of those people who love to trek and enjoy challenging their body as well as mind. To reach this fantastic location, an exhaustive journey of 15 Kms which will take 3-4 hours on foot has to be made from Birendranagar. Although frequent bus services are available, which will drop you at the front of the Siddha Paila but it’s a different fun when you are in group and cover this journey on foot.

Siddha Piala has a famous mythological belief also. According to local villagers and elder person, there are foot prints of god Shiva on the rock and local residents have started to worship those prints as god’s own foot prints. A small temple has been also built and many religious events are held in this temple now.

Siddha Paila is situated at a very high mountain so visitors must check their health status (Blood pressure, heartbeat and other precautions) before starting this trekking. If visitors are using bus, motorbike and cars then they can ignore the previous risks. Within 20 minutes of journey, a very dark and conserved forest starts. Many species of birds, monkeys, and reptiles are found in this jungle. Big wild animals and their appearance is a rare tale so we can enjoy this forest without any fear.

Dharamasala is probably the first location (base camp) where visitors and other travelers can take rest and drink cold water supplied by devotees. Some temporary stalls of cigarettes, khaini-gutkha (tobacco products), cucumber, yogurt, chau-chau (instant noodles) and tea are available till sunset and again they are brought back to home by local residents.

After having small rest time at Dharamsala, we must walk as very much distance is yet to be travelled. Many wild plants like Sunakhari, Malu (used to build rope as well as eating purpose), Chameli, Amla and especially Badar ko kera (monkey’s banana, a funny word to denote that plant) are found in this jungle. Now the way becomes bit rough and danger due to rocks and small passes way. Make sure you are offering a way for coming groups of donkeys and mules which are frequently faced at this area otherwise they may harm you.

The next place that comes before reaching Siddha paila is Katuka. This place has its own history and still sign of its glory. Both sides of roads are full of various kinds of bloomed flowers (according to season) especially marigold flower because the entire Surkhet valley is the creation and habitat of those people who were staying in Katuka many years ago. Katuka is famous for its chilled Dahi (yogurt). Many people come Katuka to just eat such delicious Dahi.

Siddhapaila is about 45-60 minutes away from Katuka and a shortcut way has to be taken which is used by donkeys and mules for transportation. While travelling to this shortcut way all fingers and toes get a bit yellowish which creates a curiosity among travelers and trekkers. According to residents of this area, a gold mine is closest to that road which makes everything yellow.

After crossing this road, visitors reach to Ladhe which is a popular destination for Guraas (Rhododendron) flower. In the summer month mostly all school’s students come here and enjoy the gorgeous scene which is created by Guraas. All eatables are available at Ladhe even in case of emergency; accommodation may be available in small hotel cum home.

A short distance but straight up climbing is required to reach the miracle. It’s the wonder, it’s the sensation it’s Siddha Paila. White rocks, white soil, huge mountain and visitor’s are on the top. Amazing and clear scene of valley can be captured from this place.

As other places this adventurous and attractive place is looking for conservation. Due to regular soil erosion many years tones of soil is removed from this area. Lack of trees and other plants in this area is major factor behind this problem. Related organization should plant such types of plant which can grow and spread in soil having fewer amounts of humus as amount of grinded sand stone is very high in soil.