Reaching Dhikala Forest Rest House
As I approached the Dhikala Forest Rest House, each milestone I passed heightened my excitement. In 1994, there were no Google maps or online images to guide me, and I relied entirely on stories and the writings of Jim Corbett. My expectations for the accommodation were modest, but my eagerness to stay in a forest rest house deep within the jungle was unparalleled. The final stretch towards Dhikala, through a towering Sal forest, felt like the entrance to another world. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting beams of light across the forest floor. The sight of termite mounds along the path was an indication of the forest’s thriving ecosystem. A Sambar deer paused in its task as our vehicle passed, and in the distance, I caught sight of some old buildings. That final stretch felt like the last leg of a race – I was almost there.
We arrived at the Dhikala complex, and as I stepped out, the words of Paramahansa Yogananda echoed in my mind:
” I sit by life’s well, In the land beyond my dreams.”
Even with the wealth of information and images available online today, nothing can truly prepare you for the experience that awaits at Dhikala Forest Rest House.
Exploring the Area
While my friends handled the check-in, I took the opportunity to stretch my legs and explore the surroundings. A broken pathway led me to a deck, where I was struck by a vivid image from my childhood painting – a sun peeking between two hilltops, a river flowing below, and birds soaring across the clear blue sky. Monkeys munched on fruits in nearby trees, and animals grazed peacefully in the open grassland. Only two things were missing from my picture – a woman carrying water from a well and an old man sitting with a hookah outside a small hut.
Suddenly, I was jolted back to the present as my friends called me to join them. We proceeded to the rooms, but what I saw next left me speechless. Right before me stood a beautiful, double-storied lodge. My imagination took flight as I pictured Jim Corbett relaxing in his favorite chair, sipping tea after a long day’s trek, his rifle resting against the wall and his iconic hat hanging on the chair. I could almost hear the voices from another era – Corbett’s cook asking what he would like for lunch. Before I could take in more, a friend called out to me, pulling me back to the present.
A Serene Welcome
We reached our room, and I paused to take in the surroundings one more time. The wind had picked up, rustling the leaves of a tree in front. A family of Rhesus monkeys sat on the swaying branches, eating fruit, while a sounder of wild boars wandered by the riverbank. On the opposite side of the river, crocodiles and gharials basked in the sun. I couldn’t help but think of the iconic lines from The Jungle Book:
“Look for the bare necessities. The simple bare necessities. Forget about your worries and your strife. The bare necessities are Mother Nature’s recipes.”
Settling In
I entered the room, which was simple but comfortable – two beds, a clean floor, and an old fan quietly spinning overhead. I decided to sit on the verandah with a cup of tea, a hot drink to enjoy as I leafed through Man-Eaters of Kumaon, the book that had inspired this unforgettable journey. The cool breeze and the occasional bird chirp lulled me to sleep, and I drifted off, content in the embrace of nature.
About the Author: Sharad Vats
Sharad Vats, born and raised in New Delhi, grew up with dreams of playing cricket for India. However, a holiday in 1990 changed his path forever when he saw his first tiger. That moment ignited a deep passion for wildlife, and over the next 30 years, he observed the behavior of tigers and immersed himself in the world of wildlife photography. Sharad founded Nature Safari India Pvt Ltd, with a focus on conservation through tourism, aiming to protect and repopulate India’s forests with tigers. In 2006, he established a premier jungle lodge in Kanha National Park. Sharad believes that the lessons we can learn from a tiger’s behavior are valuable for leadership, both in business and life.
Sharad has recently written a new book on leadership and management skills inspired by the tiger. You can purchase it on Amazon.
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