of Parsari, a home of Bhotias.
Kitkani is just 500 meters above the
metal-road connecting Parsari to
Joshimath and Niti.
The unfrequented hiking trail did
not support eateries. A small shop
in the village sold selected items
considering local demand. We
were hungry. The guide requested
one of his local acquaintances to
prepare lunch. The lady of the
house served a delicious hot meal
of rice, dal, chutney, and payaz. On
my repeated requests, she accepted
₹100 as a token of my gratitude for
the satiating lunch. Her terrace
afforded views of the Bethartoli
Peak (6,352m) and the Bugyalkoti
range.
Her neighbor, Raveena, happily
posed in her blue house although
many fellow villagers did not like to
be photographed. She shared her
mobile number expecting me to
SMS the photo.
The Indo-Chinese border conflict
killed trade between Indian Bhotias
and Tibetans. They traded a
number of things, including cotton
clothes, gur, spices, hardware, and
salt. Now-a-days, a large number
of Bhotias migrate to plains tosell woolen products in winter.
However, Bhotias of Parsari and
Reni villages do not migrate.
They rely on the forests; grow
vegetables and fruits to meet daily
requirements.
Parsari is to the south of Joshimath.
The Parsari Nullah, a small
tributary of the Dhauliganga, drains
parts of the village. Geologically,
Parsari sits in Joshimath Formation
consisting of a series of gneiss
featuring garnet, kyanite, and mica.
Parsari lies in 16-kilometer-long
Joshimath-Tapoban fruit growing
area, one of the well-marked fruit
zones in the Alaknanda basin.
After lunch the weather changed
and we ascended the wet trail. Blue
sky turned gloomy gray. Premature
rain shower accompanied stormy
wind as soon as we reached army
helipad. The dust swirled on the
road as the wind howled. My
poncho fluttered violently. The
fallen pine cones rolled on the road.
Wind pushed me forward.
The day that began on a cheerful
note finally ended on a colorful
note. A rainbow greeted us in
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(I.T.B.P.) area.theoff.info
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