A thrilling encounter with mountain monkeys

The Jakhu Temple

It happened a back,when I had gone to Shimla during my summer vacations,to meet an acquaintance and to escape the scorching heat of the northwest.It was the last day of our visit and we all decided to go to the beautiful temple of lord Hanuman-"The Jakhu Temple".It was a pleasant sunny day,with fine breeze blowing in our hair.The way to Jakhu is a long,steep walk.Although vehicles can go through the steep hill, but as the temple was so close to our friend's dwelling,we chose to go on foot,for what is better than a refreshing walk in the peaceful hills.

As we stirred out of the house,we were warned of the naughty little apes in the temple by our concerned friend,but,were also assured of the harmless pranks of the monkeys.So,me and my family,i.e my dad,mom and my big bro,accompanied by the family of another of my dad's friend,set out for the upcoming adventure.We walked from the house to the foothill of the mountain on which the temple is situated,enjoying the chirruping of birds and the rustling of leaves on our way up.

way to  Jakhu temple

On reaching the base,my dad suggested of a little adventure,as the walk had become a little boring and undistinguished,and as we had a zing of getting into something unusual every time we went anywhere.So,he proposed of taking the hilly slopes as a route instead of the plain road that led to the temple.As we were all tired of the monotonous plainy roads,we readily agreed to the proposition.Some of us had  got all our energy exhausted,and so,we hired a car and separated into two groups,one that went by road ,and the other that set out for the hill.

We all were very excited to walk on the steep hill,and were clinging to the underlying rocks for the fear of falling down.My dad and his friend were on the lead,and we kids were strutting along behind them,panting and slipping occasionally.

Just then,the leaders were attacked by mountain monkeys and dogs,who were already on the lookout for some prey.Dad was the only one amongst us who was carrying a few stones for safety purpose,and without wasting any minute,he started pelting the wild animals with them.But  it proved more harmful as the animals  grew furious and tried to pounce upon us.It all made the surprisingly and exceptionally sandy hills,with dried trees look more gruesome . 

And then,as we were watching the fight between the elders and the beasts with terrified eyes and gawking expressions,my dad and my uncle,as if driven with some external power,hit them so hard that they started runnig away,and soon,the hills were deserted again,except for our mocking intervention to the peaceful mountain.We all looked at each other for a moment,and then burst into laughter,on seeing our elders bewildered faces.

On reaching the temple,we narrated our little ,but horrifying encounter to the others,who showed mixed feelings of concern,joy and mockery.And when we went back,our adventure was overheard by some people,because of whom,the story featured in the next day's newspaper,which,unfortunately,couldn't be read as we had to leave early,back to he hotter hometown.

It was definitely one of my best travelling experiences,most of which have been observed in Shimla,and which I'll be narrating to you timely.

                                                                                                            -Anjali Singh