In the summer of 2023, I visited Kurseong, a small hill station which is two hours away from Darjeeling (a well-known city located in the north-eastern part of India). I had a profound transformative feeling seeing such a place set amidst nature in all its pristine beauty. My entire being felt a certain kind of calmness amidst the vibrant hues of nature, the intricate geometric patterns and the overall atmosphere.
As I explored further and learnt about the surrounding places of Kurseong, I got to know about Dow Hill. It sounded interesting and upon asking the local guide for more information, I was told that it was a deep forest with tall pine trees. After some hesitation, the guide added that Dow Hill also had a “death road!” The road had been named as such because many had apparently seen the ghost of a headless boy walking on that road and then disappearing into the forest. I was intrigued.
I told the guide that I wanted to go to Dow Hill. I also told him jokingly that though I do not believe in ghosts, I would like to take a photograph of the ghost in case we bumped into it. The guide was not too pleased with this proposition. But I was adamant and so we started out for Dow Hill the next morning. I must admit straight away that for me, in retrospect it was the most beautiful day of the year 2023. As we gained altitude on Dow Hill, there was fog, mist and fresh clean air entering my lungs (probably removing the city muck as well) and also the tallest pine trees that were seemingly touching the heavens. It was like a surreal dream. And I hoped that the ghost would appear before I woke up!
As we went further into the forest I could not see beyond a few yards. There was complete silence except for the birds. We had to put on the headlights of the car since there was so much fog around. The temperature on Dow Hill was at minus zero degrees Celsius. Some local people who had to travel for work were also using the Hill Road. I tried my best to look beyond the fog in every direction. We kept moving in the car. I started taking photographs on my mobile hoping that my camera would capture the ghost as well in case it was lurking around somewhere.
They say luck favours the brave. Finally, in the stillness we heard some sounds and we could see vaguely see something ahead. As we got a little closer, I realised it was just two boys walking…humans alright, making their way out of the forest. As I looked on, I must admit inspite of my disappointment about the ghost, this was actually a lovely sight. I took some foggy blurred pictures of the two boys in the mesmerising landscape. What a lovely, dreamy adventurous afternoon it had been.
Two things came out of the Dow Hill visit: First I hope my photos have conveyed how much I love taking landscape photographs. The outdoors allows one to be creative, poetic and these experiences light up the soul. The second one is that I think the ghost was deliberately elusive! It is probably extended an invitation for me to visit Dow Hill one more time.
All photographs were taken from my mobile.
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This essay was inspiring. Evocative. I found myself a passenger stop the car as it eased deeper into the forest. Your sense of adventure and bravery shone!
intrigue, curiosity and mystery!!