A stunning Himachal road recently caught the attention of ace industrialist Anand Mahindra which left him in awe and made him say, “Some destinations are not meant to be reached”. Sharing the video on X, Mahindra wrote about how the sight reminded him of an idea he had held on to for decades: “You can never reach the end of a rainbow.” He drew a parallel between a rainbow and destinations. It’s something that keeps pulling you forward even when it remains beyond reach. The Dhauladhars in the video, appearing at the end of the road, became the perfect example of that thought.The video is from the Kangra–Ranital stretch in Himachal Pradesh. It shows the mighty Dhauladhar range in the most perfect and beautiful manner. It seemingly looks like waiting at the end of the road, absolutely gorgeous.Mahindra’s post:When the journey becomes the destination…Seeing this video from the Kangra–Ranital stretch, with the Dhauladhars looming ahead, reminded me of an idea I’ve held on to for decades. You can never reach the end of a rainbow. And that’s exactly the point.Why the Kangra–Ranital road is worth experiencingKangra is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most stunning destinations. It’s spread beneath the Dhauladhar range and is a beautiful combination of mountains, valleys, rivers, tea gardens, temples and historic sites.The Ranital stretch adds another dimension to a Kangra road trip. Ranital–Kotla is among the district’s major roads, while state road records also list routes connecting Ranital with Dharamshala and other parts of Kangra.Unlike a destination where visitors arrive, tick off a viewpoint and leave, this is the kind of landscape that unfolds gradually through the windscreen. Depending on weather and visibility, the Dhauladhars can appear dramatically close or seem impossibly distant across the valley.Sunlit terrain
Dharamshala views (Canva)
Mahindra further writes, “I’ve always believed there’s an important difference between a mission and an aspiration. A mission can be time bound. You set a goal, you work towards it and, if all goes well, you get there. But the highest aspirations should always stay just out of reach”.“For decades, I’ve used the rainbow to explain our Group’s Core Purpose. Not as a destination we will one day arrive at, but as something that keeps drawing us forward.”Because after rain, the scene can become even more dramatic. Sunlight breaking through clouds while rain is still falling can introduce travellers to a rainbow against the mountain which is considered an experience of a lifetime.Places to visit in and around
Kangra Fort, Himachal Pradesh
The Dhauladhar range dominates the Kangra valley. Dharamshala itself sits in the shadow of these mountains. For travellers wanting to extend the road trip, Dharamshala, Palampur and Bir-Billing make natural additions.Palampur is about 35 km from Kangra and the place is all about tea estates, pine and deodar forests and mountain views.Bir-Billing is a perfect place for adventure seekers. Bir is also surrounded by tea gardens and is known for paragliding, while Billing serves as the take-off point for the sport.Kangra Fort is another must-visit attraction here while the remarkable Masroor Rock-cut Temples, an 8th-century monolithic temple complex, is another worthwhile detour.How to reach Kangra and RanitalBy air: The most convenient airport for Kangra is Kangra Airport at Gaggal. Dharamshala is about 14–15 km from the airport.By train: Kangra is connected to the Pathankot–Jogindernagar narrow-gauge railway, a scenic railway line running through the Kangra valley.By road: Kangra is connected by road with Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Dharamshala and other major destinations. From Delhi to Kangra is t about 456 km.Best time to visit
Monks in Himachal Pradesh
For a comfortable Kangra road trip, September to May is the period recommended by Himachal Tourism. The department describes these months as suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities.However, travellers chasing the kind of dramatic sky seen in Mahindra’s video may find the post-monsoon period particularly appealing.Where to stayKangra and Dharamshala offer the widest choice of accommodation, while Palampur works well for travellers who want to combine mountain views with tea-country experiences.Mahindra ends the post and writes, “That’s what this road brought to mind. The Dhauladhars seem to sit right at the end of it. You know you’ll never get there. But you keep driving towards them. Some destinations are not meant to be reached. They are there to give direction to the journey”.Source: Himachal Pradesh Tourism; Himachal Pradesh PWD; Anand Mahindra’s X post
