Not for today
the brood of a distant moon

  the sun is here
and with it, everything shone

A soft white warmth

sweeps all, inside out

and oozes

gaiety in honeysuckle spurts

Time saunters

stretching each moment 

on supple shafts
hither to the smiling sun

Rainbow-dots lash 

a gaze
chasing butterfly wings

aloft a drunken breeze

Not for today 

the brood of a distant moon

No
not for today
the brood of a distant moon
the sun is here
and with it, everything shone.

I remember writing these lines sitting on a rock in the sun as work on the misty project had just started. The lines have stayed with me all these years, and we get to live them every now and then at the soul sanctuary we ended up creating here – The Misty Mountains.

The Misty Mountains is Destiny’s child. We chanced upon the location after actively looking for a project site for 3 years. There was no road, no electricity, no water when we first saw it. But then, there was a little piece of heaven, a little piece of a childhood fantasy, unparalleled solitude, nature’s bounty, and so much space! I still remember the first time we walked to the orchard where Misty now stands – we missed a live deer kill by a leopard by a matter of seconds! It was such a thrill.

Since then, it has almost been a decade and a half of little joys and immense learning. We have built everything from scratch and it will take a lifetime or more of efforts to build upon that dream. It is a journey that keeps us hooked.

My wife Ambika, and I, made this our home, and we ran it like an extended homestay. And even though, we do not stay there fulltime, we spend a few weeks every season at Misty. It is now our second home. The setup is informal, and the food simple and delicious. Everything is the way we would like it to be if we were on a holiday. All of the food at misty is from Ambika;s recipes and you would love the jams and pickles she personally makes for our guests.

The two of us, along with guest appearances from our family, an able and ever smiling team, our brat of a daughter, and an over friendly dog, love to share this place with people who appreciate offbeat holidaying.

Do spend sometime exploring our website and if you like it, come by and spend a few days at Misty Mountains, Jhaltola. Walk around, relax in the sweet mountain sunshine, gaze at the mighty Himalayas, or just savour the peace. You are very welcome to come and share our little soul sanctuary.