Finding ourselves amidst a serene forest in the foothills of the Shivaliks
At one point of this ‘endless’ journey
we almost begin to think that The Kikar Lodge is an illusion. A
nature resort
of the name does not exist. Why else would it prove so elusive? The winding
dirt tracks go on and on and every time you ask a passer-by, he offers a fuzzy
reply about a big hotel that is still far, far away. Our tummies are rumbling,
our heads throbbing (we’ve been negotiating the Punjab countryside for over
half a day now), the mercury is steadily dipping, Ropar is getting darker by
the minute and our driver is losing his cool at the drop of a hat suddenly.
Well, he’s been cantankerous since we
started from the Capital. Every second minute he has needlessly stopped the car
to ask which way Punjab was. This, even after entering the Land of Five Rivers.
Yes, he has been trying our patience for long. But on that, some other day...
So, what was all that we had heard
about this private forest reserve at the foot of the Shivaliks? A blissful and
luxurious nature resort that will rejuvenate your senses. Not that we doubt its
therapeutic quality, but for that we’ve to locate it first. And The Kikar Lodge
at this point seems a distant dream.
And then suddenly, the entrance to The
Kikar Lodge emerges from nowhere, a unique resort carved out of the lush green
forests of Ropar in Punjab. It is cold, but a certain serenity about the place
is instantly inviting. We offload ourselves from the crammed quarters of the
car to take a look around before checking into our cosy huts, quaint quarters
in tones of beige and red.
Spread across 1,800 acres Kikar Lodge
is supposedly the biggest private forest reserve in the country,
boasting of not
just a well landscaped set up but also the beauty of the little hills and
mountains surrounding it. Inspired by the Kikar tree atop one of the hills on
which the entire place nests, the resort is a verdant treat for the our tired eyes.
Says Amarinder Singh Chopra, the CEO, “We allowed the natural foliage to stay
for the natural feel. The cottages and huts are surrounded by a variety of
trees and shrubs. One part of the place overlooks the serene lake and the other
part the wild forests.”
Soon, the moon light washes the property
with a silvery haze, quiet with an eerie calm, broken intermittently, by the
cheerful exchanges of the visiting youngsters from Ludhiana. They are gearing
up for the night safari, an exciting tour of the forests on a jeep. They have
been promised sights of
deers, Nilgais, Barasinghas and a melange of birds. And
if really lucky, a pair of leopards! They are thrilled to bits, while we decide
to trudge towards out nests for the night, wishing them luck as they disappear
into the darkness.
Enroute our lodging, we meander towards
the lake, now an inky blue blanket, dotted with the reflecting stars as well as
the bright moon. The tranquil air is cut into by the faint chant of a rustic Punjabi
song. Perhaps it’s from the villagers who are enjoying over food, music and
drinks.
They have company. A pair of owls who
match each other’s call with gusto. They shriek to increase the numbness of the
night, telling us that it’s late enough...
We retreat into our huts, each one
named after flowers. You can live in one named after Jacaranda or Hibiscus. Or
maybe, Champa and Chinar. The interiors are bright yet cosy, with plush seating
arrangements, wooden flooring and plenty of leg space. Atop the hills, the huts
overlook the forests and the lake and are well done up to suit the tastes of the
discerning guests.
Morning unfolds with a different kind
of beauty—all misty yet golden. As the sun kisses the verdant hills, we set out
once more and meet a young couple, who are off for a series of adventure sports
that the authorities organise for guests. There is rappelling, quadbiking and a
host of other activities for charged youngsters. But those with a penchant for
peace, follow our example. Just explore the scenic splendour of the place. Climb
the hills to reach the meditation hut and sit down for a while. Calm your
nerves frayed by the din of the city. Breathe in the fresh and scintillating
air that you don’t get anymore. Repair the harm caused by noxious fumes that
you are forced to inhale every single day.
Till the quack of the ducks break your
reverie, as they waddle happily on the lake. This is followed by greetings from
a pair of turkeys and plenty of squirrels. It’s a miniature jungle out there,
full of flowers, trees and animals.
The authorities inform that all animals
here are protected from poachers and trees from woodcutters. This is a natural
habitat. Even the spa uses natural herbs and oils for body treatments and
massages. The nature resort sees heavy footfall from autumn to spring. Guests
come here from all quarters of the globe, sometimes even from Turkey and
Germany. “They love it because it is not very far from the city, yet it is
completely remote and green,” says Chopra.
A serene getaway carved out of the
lush green forests of Punjab in the foothills of the Shivaliks, The
Kikar Lodge
turned out to be absolutely rejuvenating. A soothing effect it had on us city
dwellers. Just like the baby monkey we saw extracting warmth and protection
from his mother’s bosom, we felt alive again after feasting on the bounty of
nature...
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