RETURN TO INNOCENCE

Paradise On The Ground -- Chapter 2

The Secret Society Of The Nagas

I slept for 2 days straight upon my return to Delhi from Ellora. But Pallavi didn’t ditch me either. She accompanied me on the way home and stayed by my side every minute of those 48 hours I spent recuperating.

The harrowing ordeal at Ellora brought us closer than ever before. In spite of being accustomed to getting in and out of sticky situations, like journalists usually are, Pallavi was rattled to her core. She was not her usual self. I could see it on her face and hear it in her voice. Something inside told me that the situation needed to change.

On the 3rd day after our return, I decided to broach the topic of her project again. Her eyes lit up when I told her that I would not mind accompanying her to the next destination in order to fulfil her journalistic responsibilities.
But there was a caveat.

“No more posing as disciples,” I laid out my precondition. “We go as journalists and in case we don’t get access, we return. We will not try to infiltrate any sect or cult again.”

“Sure! Wow, am so happy!” Pallavi was ecstatic. “My editor has given me a list of contacts for the next group we are supposed to approach. It will be better and safer this time, I promise.”

“Hope so,” I felt lighter seeing her smile. “So, where are we headed to next?”

“The Himalayas,” Pallavi blurted out exuberantly as I rolled my eyes in disbelief. “The famous Naga sect will be our next target. As you know, they are a secret society comprising mostly men who have to embrace nakedness as a religious mandate.”

“I know about the requirement for compulsory nudity among the Nagas,” I replied hesitantly. “But I am not so sure about travelling all the way to the Himalayas to meet them.”

“C’mon! It’s going to be fun! My editor has given me contacts of a secret group of Nagas that reside in Gomukh, at the foothills of the Himalayas. It’s high up in the mountains, sure, but not up in the Himalayan range itself. It’s where the glacier that later becomes the River Ganges originates from.”

“So, it’s going to be remote and cold,” I replied grimly. “And how do we get up to Gomukh? On foot?”

“Yes. It’s going to be a fun trek of a few hours from the nearest town. The trek is completely safe, and we will be embedded with a group of expert trekkers as a precaution. Don’t you worry.”

So off we went, 2 Delhi girls carrying massive backpacks full of winter clothes and trekking gear. It was a welcome respite from the scorching June heat of Delhi as we reached the colder environs of the plains and then began our trek up the mountainous trail.

The trek was not as fun as Pallavi had predicted it would be. It was rough, rocky, the terrain was difficult and even dangerous at places. Fortunately, the professional trekking group we were embedded with came to our rescue on more than one occasion. They helped us reach our destination at the scheduled time.

The scenery was spectacular, though. I had never seen rough rocky terrain glow so radiantly in early morning sunlight. Or, breathed air so fresh and clean. The mighty snow-capped Himalayas inspired awe at daybreak and loomed like giant shadows at twilight. I felt fatigued, exhausted, but incredibly happy.

On the trek up, Pallavi gave me a brief history of the Naga sect. Nobody knows for sure where they live or come from. But legend has it that the sect was created in the 7th century CE and since then, the Himalayas have been their home. While they do not wear clothes as a religious mandate, they are known to carry weapons like tridents, swords, canes and spears.

“Weapons?” I was apprehensive. “Hope we will be safe this time.”

“Of course, honey,” Pallavi assured me. “You know I have your back, don’t you?”