Kunzum Pass is a beautiful mountain pass in the Kunzum Range of Himalayas. Located at an altitude of 15,060 feet above sea level, the Kunzum Pass is a breathtaking sight to behold. One of the exciting features of the pass is the fifteen hairpin turns along the way.
Kunzum Devi Temple
The Kunzum Pass is one of the highestmotorablepasses of India and acts as a connection link between the Lahaul Valley and the Spiti valley. It is located at a distance of 122 km from Manali town and further leads to Kaza town. Beautiful glaciers, snow-clad peaks and the valley beyond give exquisite views for photography.
Kunzum La
One of the biggest challenges of traveling towards Kunzum La is the numerous water streams on the way, fed by glacialmelt and the rains.
Streams on the way
Chandrabhaga Range
The Chandrabhaga range is a part of the Himalayas located near Kunzum Pass. At an altitude of 6264 meters above sea level, the range provides an excellent spot for trekking and hiking expeditions. Every year, trekking expeditions are conducted as it is one of the well-known summits of the world.
Chandrabhaga PeakChandrabhaga Peak Trek
Chandra Taal
This is a beautiful lake of Spiti valley located near the Kunzum Pass at an altitude of 4300 meters. The name Chandra refers to moon in Hindi and the lake is named the same because of its crescent shape. The lake is located in the plateau of Samudra Tapu. Travellers can trek to this beautiful lake from the Kunzum Pass.
Chandratal Lake
Lahaul valley
This is a beautiful valley dotted with mountain villages and eye-catching Buddhist art. Located near the Kunzum pass, the road connects it to Spiti valley. Tourist visiting Lahaul get mesmerised by the lush greenery, high mountains and beautiful rivers streaming along the valley.
Hair pin bends in the Valley
Spiti Valley
Spiti in Tibetan means ‘middle land’, referring to the ground betweenIndia and Tibet. The Spiti Valley is a freezing desert mountain valley spanning across the Himalayas. One of the leastpopulatedareas of the country, Spiti Valley gives access to the northernmost parts of India. The valley also houses Buddhist monasteries and is an even a research centre for Buddhism.
Village Kaza in Spiti valley
Bara Shigri Glacier
The Kunzum Pass gives an eye-catching view of the BaraShigriGlacier. This glacier with snow clad mountains at the backdrop is a mesmerising sight to behold. This glacier feeds the RiverChenab which originates in India and flows into neighboring country Pakistan. 30-km long glacier with an area of 125 sq kms, it is the largestglacier in Himachal Pradesh and second-longest glacier in the Himalayas after Gangotri. It flows northwards and feeds the Chenab river through Chandra river and forms the famous ‘Chandrataal’ lake.
Bara Shigri Glacier
You can read in detail about KunzumPass and surrounding areas here . This site has some amazing pictures too.
Yol is a cantonment town in Kangradistrict in Himachal Pradesh.
The town gets its name from YOL (YoungOfficersLiving), a small town established by British Indian Army around 1849. The Yol Cantt. (cantonment) was built in 1942. Formerly it was known as “majhaitha” village.
Yol was the location of a Prisoner-of-war camp which hosted German soldiers in the First World War and Italian soldiers in the Second World War. Frogman Elios Toschi, a member of the pre-Armistice Decima Flottiglia MAS and inventor of the “maiale”, was one of the very few to escape from the camp. After the war, the former POW facility hosted ethnic Tibetan refugees from China.
Rising Star peak as seen from Yol
Yol is situated 10 km southwest of Dharamsala on the Dharamshala-Chamunda Devi-Palampur road and about 15 km northeast of Kangra town. The nearestrailway station is Nagrota Bagwan about 12 km away in south on 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) narrow gauge railway line originating at Pathankot. The nearest broad gauge railhead is Pathankot. The nearestairport is Gaggal airport (IATA airport code DHM), also known as Kangra airport, about 15 km to the west through Dharamshala.
Visting the cantt. isn’t allowed, but there are many other places of interest in Yol.
Namgyal Monastery
Often referred to as “Dalai Lama’s Temple”, is currently located in McleodGanj, Dharamsala, India. It is the personal monastery of the 14th Dalai Lama. Another name for this temple-complex is NamgyalTantric College.
This monastery key role is to assist with rituals involving the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Its main tantric practices reportedly include those of Kalachakra, Yamantaka, Chakrasamvara, Guhyasamaja, and Vajrakilaya.
Kangra Fort
The Kangra Fort is located 20 kilometers from the town of Dharamsala on the outskirts of the town of Kangra, in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India.
The KangraFort was built by the ruling Katoch Rajput dynasty. RajaDharamChand submitted to the Mughal Ruler Akbar in 1556 and agreed to pay tribute, including, renouncing claims to the fort. But in 1620, Emperor Jahangir, killed that Katoch king, Raja Hari Chand and annexed the Kangra kingdom into the Mughal Empire. Under the leadership of Nawab Ali Khan and aided by Raja Jagat Singh , the fort was captured in 1620 and under Mughal rule until 1783. In 1621, Jahangir visited it. A mosque was also built within the fort of Kangra.
Slate Godam Village
The uphill village of Slate Godam is approximately 9 kilometres from the town of Dharamshala, situated in the foothills of DhauladharMountains. It is a picturesque village which gets its name from the slatequarries. They however, still exist here even today. The area is surrounded by views of the snow clad peaks and boasts a mix of traditional and modern village houses, green fields in addition to green meadows and peaceful environs.
Mining of slate which is illegal now
Tulip Garden Palampur
TulipGarden Palampur Himachal Pradesh it is the 2nd Tulip garden in country after Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. This initiative is taken by CSIR-IHBT Palampur Himachal Pradesh. Tulip Garden Palampur is open for Local and Tourist and it must be in your bucket list if you are planning to visit Himachal Pradesh. Palampur is famous for its lush green Tea Gardens, Abode of the Kargil War hero Captain Vikram Batra, ShobaSingh art gallery. Now Tulip Garden is must visit place in Palampur Himachal Pradesh for Tea Garden add Tulip Garden to your sightseeing. Tulip Garden is situated in CSIR-IHBT Palampur.
Timing : Closed for now till next bloom season.
Entry Fees : No fee.
Bloom Season : Tulip Bloom Season March To May. But in Palampur it was a trial so bloom season was early till 15 March 2022 and now its closed till next Season.
Anyone who was anyone in the Raj had a country house in Mashobra, India, elevation 8,250 feet. As well-placed officials of the period have drolly described it, the mountain outpost offered an escape from the “slightly trying gaiety” and “despotism of despatch boxes” in Shimla, the summer seat of the government eight miles away.
Picture clicked by my niece Ruchi Pathak on her visit
History
Going back in time, this fascinating resort is wrapped in the history of Shimla for more than a hundred years. It was for many years the property of Mr. G H M Batten, C S who officiated as the one time Private Secretary of the Earl of Lytton.
It was also the favourite retreat of Lord Ripon. Later, it also served as a charming country villa of Lord and Lady Dufferin.
At one time, the Shimla Royal House at nearby Koti housed the residences of three of the most powerful men of the British Raj — the viceroy, the governor general and the commander-in-chief.
An egoclash between India’s ViceroyLordCurzon and Commander-in-Chief LordKitchener in 1903, prompted Kitchener to build a residence at Shimla rivalling that of the viceroy. And so Wildflower Hall was built 1,500 feet higher than the Viceregal Lodge.
Viceregal Lodge now Indian Institute of Advanced Studies
Ghost
The story goes that on frostywinternights weary and solitary travellers may see the ghost of Lord Kitchner in and around the woods of Wildflower Hall.
Immediately after he left India, the Goldstein family sold Wildflower Hall to Mrs. Hotz who converted it into a hotel.
Fire
Some years ago Kitchner’s residence was reduced to ashes, allegedly due to the negligence of the HPTDC staff who ran a hotel here. Some say the devastating fire may have given peace to the soul of Kitchner, while others feel it could have caused even greater anguish to it.
Ruins
The place had became a popular residence for visitors and weekendresort for the Shimla public. Before the formation of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation in 1972, the Wildflower Hall was being run as a hotel by the Department of Tourism. In 1972, the property, along with several others, was transferred to the HPTDC. Unfortunately, the building was gutted in a devastating fire in the year 1993.
The Oberoi Group
The Oberoi group took over and began construction the year 1995 and a majestic new building was erected among the sylvan surroundings and sweet smelling pines.
The hotel is a perfect base from which to explore the fascinating Himalayas. Out door activities include trekking, mountain biking, picnics, nature walks and riding. The building occupies only five percent of the twenty-two acres of property, allowing guests ample space for privacy and tranquility.
One cannot talk of Himachal and not talk of apples. This little hamlet and villages around it are the reason why Himachal is called the fruit bowl of India.
Thanedar is a small village in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at a distance of about 80 kilometers from the capital city of Shimla. At an altitude of 8,000 feet (2,400 meters, which is slightly higher than Shimla), this tiny hamlet is famous for being home to one of the first apple plantations in the country. The area around Thanedar is also the orchardregion of Himachal Pradesh, where cherries, strawberries, and apples are found in quite a large number. In short, it is a perfect place to spend some time away from the crowd and in complete peace.
Sea of apple orchards
Not much to see
To be honest, if destinations like Shimla and Manali are your thing, than Thanedar is not the place for you. There is nothing out here except for a few houses, orchards with mighty Himalayan peaks all around. It is just a tiny village hidden up in the hills. If you like your vacations to involve a lot of sightseeing, fun activities, eating out, and plenty of shopping then you will not like Thanedar. However, if you are looking forward to spending some time at a place that is far away from the touristmania and never gets crowded then you should be headed to Thanedar. If discovering unexplored and offbeatdestination is your idea of a trip than you would love it here.
Cherry blossom
A fewattractions near Thanedar that are definitely worth a visit. Mostly all of them are within a short distance and can easily be covered within a day. Below is a list of the top tourist places in Thanedar.
Hatu Peak
Hatu Temple
Ski Slopes
Sutlej View Point
Tani Jubbar Lake
Jor Bagh
Mahamaya Temple at Kacheri
Arya Samaj Mandir
Stokes Farm, Thanedar
St. Mary’s Church
Why visit Thanedar
Thanedar lies 18 kms from Narkanda off the NH-22 and is surrounded by Apple, Plum and Apricot orchard.
Thanedar offers good Himalayan views, walks and village character.
Thanedar is where you can pickup apples, apricot etc that are used in preparing jam, pickles, and wines.
Apple picking
Thanedar is home to experientialretreats that focuses on softadventure, walks, treks etc.
Thanedar is recommended for honeymooners and families who are not looking for luxury but looking for a naturecentric comfortable experience.
History of Apple in Shimla
In the early 20th CE a young American called Samuel Evans Stokes, who belonged to a wealthy family of Philadelphia, came to India to work with leprosy-impacted patients near Shimla. He landed up in a church in Kotgarh, not too far from Thanedar, for rest and here he falls in love with the place and its people. He married a local Rajput-Christian girl and decided to live here for the rest of his life. On one of the trips back home, he brought the sapling of Red delicious apples to Kotgarh and planted them.
Satyanand Stokes with his family
In about 5 years the apples bloomed and were an instant hit with the local population. They continue to be hit with apple lovers till date.
Once the Stokesexperiment was successful, people around his estate got inspired and they started planting apples instead of their usual crop of potatoes and plums. Over a period of time the whole of Shimla & Kinnaur region became one hugeorchard sending its apples across state, national & international borders, bringing in cash and prosperity in return.
He converted to Hinduism or rather AryaSamaj to be precise. He changed his given name to Satyanand though retained his family name.
To read in detail about Thanedar please visit this website
This little hamlet, located in SerajValley, links the Shimla and Kullu districts. Shoja village is still off the beaten path for most, which probably explains it’s still undiscovered feel. With sloping mountains covered in verdure, conifers and deodars stretching for miles around, and an incredible view of the snow-covered peaks, this is a breathtaking spot.
The bestmonths to go are April to June and September to October. It can be somewhat complicated to get here, unless you are driving yourself. For those headed here by bus, the ride from Delhi to Banjar is quite comfortable, but the way from Banjar to Shoja less so, as the road is riddled with stones and potholes.
The ordeal will be worth it, though. As soon as you reach, the charming and peaceful village and its pristine environs and Himalayan surrounds are likely to leave you speechless. Accommodation options are few and far between, but that also adds to the charm of the place, as it confirms Shoja as one of the few untouched spots in the well-visited state of Himachal.
Things to see and do
To be honest, there isn’t that much to do here, and Shoja’s proximity to TirthanValley means that if you are here for a long weekend, it is possible to head there. A sojourn to Shoja is more about rest and relaxation, with a few activities thrown in.
Jalori Pass
The area of Jalori Pass is, quite simply put, a naturalparadise. The pass is at a height of 3,125 m, and is located five km away from Shoja. You can easily drive your car up to the stop point, and then start climbing the steep path, which will take you on a trek lasting around an hour and a half. On your way, you will cross a dense forest with a huge variety of flowers, herbs and medicinalplants. The view from the top is simply heavenly and well worth the trip. From there, you can get a spectacular panoramic view of the Himalayas, a top-of-the-world feeling. Take some food with you, as you will definitely end up staying a while.
Perhaps one would recognise it better as the snow-covered summit in the Bollywoodfilm “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”, where actors Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone are seen trekking through the mountainside.
WaterfallPoint
The walk to this waterfall is a good outdoor option to get acclimatized on the day of your arrival. You can ask your hotel to direct you to the starting point. This fairly easy trekking path winds through a thickly forested, sun-dappled path to reach the point.
A longsilentwalk through the nature with gurgling sound of water can do wonder to your senses. At a mere distance of 1 Km from Shoja, the waterfall point is a magical journey that spellbinding and beautiful.
Best place for your morning walk, you will find the water of the fall sweet and cold.
Trout Fishing in the Tirthan Valley
This activity can be done in Tirthan Valley, not far from Shoja. You can go on your own, but first timers may be better off with a guide who will arrange the required equipment and show you the best spots for troutfishing. This half-day trip is especially great for families and large groups. Ask your hotel to arrange permits well in advance of your trip.
Where to stay and eat
Shoja’s growing popularity means that there are now several basic, although comfortable, accommodation options available here.
Nearest Airport. Bhuntar Airport. Kullu
Nearest Railway Station. Joginder Nagar Railway Station
Distance from Delhi. 473km
Being creative is so essential to live. To be who you are, you need to take a break from what you are doing at present and find offbeat and quaint places like Shoja to go on some soul searching. After all, being a wanderer is what makes life beautiful.
You must be wondering why we are suddenly talking of Shimla, when the entire theme is about off-beat destinations. Well, you can have a perfectholiday in Shimla itself away from the maddening crowd of tourists by staying in these beautiful places. Just go there to relax and rejuvenate.
Every season brings a different charm to this evergreen holiday destination. Hotels and homestays here offer the perfect respite from noisy metropolitans and crowded touristy spots, with a gateway into an idyllicworld of hammocks and birdsong, mudwalls and valleyviews.
A list of places for you to choose from.
Jungle House, Jakhu Hill
The erstwhile summer home of PrincessKusum of Bharatpur, Jungle House is a gateway into a regal past. The otherwise earthy stone and wood cottage is kitted out with Pashmina tapestry, huge bathtubs, windows overlooking the sprawling Himalayas and rows and rows of books in a giant library. The twosuites—Holly and Chelsea—are flooded with the morning sun with floor-to-ceiling windows. Through changing owners since its inception in the 19th century, this cottage on JakhuHill has retained its colonial architecture and two-tier garden. The traditional fare too is curated from recipes handed down through generations and served over high tea sessions and with complimentarysundowners and horsd’oeuvres during the Aperitivo Hour. The good folks here are kind enough to pack picnics, arrange excursions and curate shopping tours on request.
Spirits Unplugged, Farm and Orchard Retreat, Karyali
Open those windows, and breathe in the Himalayanair and feast your eyes on endless landscapes of the KaryaliValley. The exterior of the property is made of manicured lawns, while the interior is a contrast of black ceilings and woodenfurnishings. The entire house with its two bedrooms can accommodate up to eight people. Each room has a fireplace of its own and heaters are available too. The kitchen is accessible on an additional charge. The best part? You can even bring your pooch along as the property is pet-friendly.
Khaddu’s Den, Sanjauli
Khaddu’sDen is a mudplastered room opened by Meena Bagh Homes in Shimla. But don’t be fooled by its simple pahadi architecture: the space comes equipped with all kinds of creature comforts such as a 32-inch LCD TV, a heated bathroom and a shower panel. If you’re a writer, artist or journalist, this place is perfect for you. The team will offer you a 50 per cent discount during your stay, and you will remain undisturbed as children and pets are not allowed on the property. The room is hosted by Sanjay, who is a journalist himself. You can also try the flavours of Himachal by requesting the staff to prepare a pahadimeal.
Sunnymead Estate, below Cartroad
A 10min walk from the city centre, this two-storey cottage is built in the traditional Dhajji style. Its four rooms overlook the garden, valley or woods. You’ll find vintagechairs, Afghancarpets, bedside reading (Ghost Stories of Shimla) and Kama Ayurveda toiletries. Breakfast is an elaborate, four-course affair, served with antiquesilverware. Lively host Madhavi Bhatia has handy tips on Shimla’s tucked-away delights, from secludedforestwalks to local souvenirs. Her great-grand uncle built the colonial-era home, which her mother inherited in 2010. Bhatia moved from Delhi, where she worked with INTACH, to restore the house over the next two years. The lodging was picked as the FavouriteHomestay in India at CNT’sReaders’ TravelAwards2021. Bonus for animal lovers: five friendly dogs and twocats also call Sunnymead home.
Chapslee, Longwood road
One of Shimla’s firstcolonialhomes, Chapslee has been hosting guests since 1976. The grand two–storey home was the Secretariat when LordAuckland was Governor General. It saw the British sign the Simla Manifesto in 1838 to reinstate the deposed king of Kabul. Hundred years later, RajaCharanjitSingh of Kapurthala bought and refurbished the stone building as his summer home. His grandson Ratanjit “Reggie” Singh, now the owner, says that there has been no renovation since. Chapslee has the mind-bending qualities of a time machine—though it’s only a short walk from the city centre. A stunning blood–redMuranochandelier fills your vision as you enter. Oldhuntingtrophies, weapons and familyportraits line the walls. Elegant powderrooms flank four-poster beds with gleaming fireplaces. Meals are equally a production with silver service and liveried staff. And there’s always time for a spot of croquet on the lawns.
Sanjeev Aira’s Holme retreat, Chotta Shimla
An idyllic pocket of charm in ChottaShimla, Sanjiv’s Aira Holme Retreat is a 10min drive from the city centre. It started as a billiardsroom and guesthouse in 1920. In 2012, owner Sanjiv and her husband, Birinder “Billy” Singh, opened it to guests. After Sanjiv passed away last year, Billy continues to run it in her memory. The two tasteful guestrooms have plenty of well-appointed couches and nooks to gaze out of or fall into a book. Calmingmountain views include surrounding deodars sighing in the wind. Nap sun-warmed in the garden, spend hours in the bright and cosy attic, cuddle up with the threelittledogs, and linger over Billy’s mystical landscapes. An artist, photographer and founder-member of the Shimla chapter of INTACH, Billy retired as convenor for the state chapter. He is a font of information on the region’s myths and heritage.
All these places are in the heart of Shimla, yet secluded.
The information has been taken from CN Traveller where you can find other awesome stays too.
Palampur is located in the northwestern part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is situated in the Kangra valley, near the Dhauladhar ranges. It is located on an altitude of 1,220 m above sea level. Palampur is 30 km from Dharamshala.
It is surrounded by pine forests and flanked by the Dhauladharranges. There are numerous streams flowing from the mountains to the plains, from Palampur. The combination of greenery, snowclad mountains and water gives Palampur a distinctive look.
The term Palampur is formed after combining three words—pani (water), alam (environment or ‘abode of’) and pur (settlement). Thus, Palampur means “a settlement where there is plenty of rainfall”.
History
It was once a part of the Jalandharkingdom. The town came into being when Dr. Jameson, the superintendent of BotanicalGardens, introduced the tea bush from Almora in 1849. The bush thrived in the climatic conditions of Palampur and became the focalpoint of the European tea estate owners with an exception of the famous Wah Tea Estate which was owned by Nawab Muhammad Hayat Khan and his descendants, until 1947. Since then, the Kangra tea of Palampur has become internationally renowned.
Wah tea estate
The first prime minister of independent India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, visited Palampur in 1941. There is a Nehru Chowk in Palampur to commemorate this visit.
Places of interest
Baijnath temple
Built during the 12th century, Bajinath is known to be one of the oldest temples of Shiva. The temple bespeaks ancient art and culture through its pristine and spellbinding craftsmanship. The temple premises are extremely spotless and the view from the rear end of the temple is magical. The temple lies between the Kangra and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh. It is just 16 km from Palampur.
The temple consists of an ‘Adytum‘ surrounded by a spire of the usual conical shape with a ‘Mandap’ covered with a low, pyramid-shaped roof. The ‘Adytum’ contains the Lingam. There is fine sculpture work associated with Ravana, who worshipped Shiva at this spot and gained immortality.
Andretta
Andretta is an artsy dainty village in Himachal Pradesh. It has been attracting tourists for long since it’s an artists’ colony. It is at a distance of 11.9 km from Palampur, which can be covered in an easy 20 minutes. Try your hand at pottery in this beautiful village of Andretta at nominal prices. The place to explore here is Sobha Singh Art Gallery, a treasure for art connoisseurs, photography freaks, and history buffs.
Sobha Singh Art Gallery Pottery
Tashi Jong monastery
Tashi Jong monastery, an abode of Tibetanrefugees, is a beautiful structure. The monastery is a serene and quiet place and one can enjoy the stunning views of the Kangra Valley from here. The complex has a Tibetan restaurant where one can relish the lip-smacking Tibetan flavors. The place also houses a crafts emporium where tourists can buy Tibetan artifacts and take them home as souvenirs.
Naam Art Gallery
Naam Art Gallery is located in Dharamshala at a distance of 30.9 km from Palampur. This gallery displays works of Elsbeth Buschmann, a German professional painter, and AlfredW. Hallett, a renowned painter from England. The paintings are magnetic and captivating and you would be totally fascinated by those watercolors, oils, and acrylics over them.
Timings: 10 AM – 7:30 PM (closed on Monday)
Entry fee: INR 10/-
Triund trek
Triund trek is a must, where you can enjoy the climb and camp at the Triund base camp. Fall in love with the beautiful vistas of mountains and meadows on the way. The Triund trek starts from Dharamkot which is at a distance of 41 km from Palampur. This tops the list of the things to do in Palampur. The view of the evening sky when the sun is setting behind the mountains at Triund is priceless. You can gaze at the twinkling stars all night from your tent, and the witness the phenomenal sunrise the next morning.
Tea Gardens
The tea gardens are top Palampur attractions which is also the tea capital of northern India. Vast expanses of land here are covered in lush tea plantations enveloping the town in green foliage year-round. You can view the tea making process elaborately here. For tea lovers, this is amongst the top Palampur sightseeing. Enjoy the aroma of the tea fields and we are sure it would be a paradisiacal experience for all tea addicts out there.
Tea Gardens here are spread over a vast area and add a special touch to the beauty of the place. Palampur is also regarded as the TeaCapital of Northwestern India and produces the famous “Kangra Tea”.
Other places of interest
Saurabh Kalia Van Vihar
Neugal khad
Norbulingka Institute
Chamunda Devi temple
Sherabling Monastery
Jwalamukhi Shaktipeeth
How to reach
The nearest airport to Palampur is Gaggal airport in Dharamshala, which is located at a distance of around 40 km.
Railway station lies on the major Palampur – Kangra Valley Narrow gauge railhead, connecting Palampur to Pathankot and Kangra. This railway station 5.3 km away from the main area
Palampur is well- connected by a network of roads to most neighboring areas and important destinations in Himachal Pradeshstate.
Climate
The weather in Palampur is moderate. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters (November-February) are cold but pleasant. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.
Popular treks
Some important treks are
Over the Sanghar pass to Bharmaur via Holi,
The Thamsar Pass (4,747 meters above MSL) from Billing to Manali via Bara Bhangal,
Over the Jalsu pass from Baijnath to Bharmaur.
A four-day trek will lead the traveller to Holi, via Waru La.
The monastery is situated in the Spiti valley (an isolated valley with a total population of 10,000) above Tabo village on the left bank of the Spiti River.
Also called “Ajanta of The Himalayas”, this ancient beauty rests at 3050 meters above sea level. Tabo village is in a bowl-shaped flat valley, the monastery is also in the bottomof the valley, unlike other monasteries that are built on hills, Tabo monastery is sitting at the bottom of the valley, in the rocky desert of Tabo Valley.
Tabo Valley
It is one of the oldestBuddhistpilgrimage centres in the Trans-Himalayas region. Held in high regard by Tibetan Buddhists, Tabo is second in importance to the TholingGompa in Tibet. Spread over an area of 6300 sq mtr, the monastery comprises of nine temples and gompas.
History
Tabo Monastery will take you a millennium back in 996 A.D when it was built by the Buddhist KingYesho-O, which was later renovated by the royalpriest, Jangchub O’d, the 2nd generation of Yesho-O. Initially, Tabo monastery was built as a “daughter” monastery of the Tholing Monastery in Nagri, western Tibet. This royal dynasty was majorly responsible for spreading Buddhism in Tibetan History and was keen on re-introduction of Indian Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet.
Living Quarters
Ajanta of the Himalayas
The monastery is known for its murals and stuccosculptures carved on the wall just like Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra. The monasteries were founded in 996 AD by the great Tibetan Buddhist translator RinchenZangpo. An inscription to this effect can be found on the monastery wall. The monastery has several thangkhas, murals and statues. Paintings basically depict the culture and history of Himalayan Region.
From the murals, one learns that the place was meeting point of two cultures, Tibetan and Indian cultures. The painting and sculptures date back to the time when the monastery was constructed. However time to time, the art pieces were updated and added upon.
National Historic Treasure
After the earthquake of 1975, the monastery was rebuilt, and in 1983 a new Du-kang or Assembly Hall was constructed. It is here that the 14thDalaiLama held the Kalachakra ceremonies in 1983 and 1996. The monastery is protected by the ArchaeologicalSurveyofIndia (ASI) as a national historic treasure of India.
Architecture:
The architecture of Tabo Monastery is a beautiful blend of Indian and Tibetan styles. The main prayer hall is the largest and most important structure, with a square-shaped design and four entrances. The hall is supported by wooden pillars, and its walls are adorned with murals and frescoes depicting various scenes from the life of Buddha. The complex also has several smaller temples and meditation halls, along with residential quarters for the monks.
The exterior of the monastery is equally stunning, with intricate mud sculptures and carvings adorning the walls. These sculptures depict various deities and symbols from Buddhist mythology, and are a testament to the skill of the local craftsmen.
Main temple
The main temple has an entry hall (Go Khang), followed by an Assembly Hall (Du Khang). At the western end of the assembly hall there is an apse (recessed area), which has a cella or shrine area (Ti Tsang Khang) with an ambulatory (Kor lam Khang) passage. The entry hall has pictures of Yeshe-Ö and his two sons Nagaraja and Devaraja, the founders of the temple, on its south wall. The temple has a new entry hall (Go Khang), which has paintings dated to the late 19th century or 20th century. The old entry hall, which originally formed the only part of the complex, has retained the paintings of 996 AD.
Deities
The main iconographic deities here are the Vajradhatu and life-size clay sculptures with painted decorations complementing the main theme. The mandala also has 32 life-size claysculptures of other deities which are embedded to the wall which merge well within the painted environment.
Things to do in Tabo
Visit Monastery Museum
You can make your way to the Monastery Museum. It is an extension which is comparatively new but traditional as well, to the old Gompa’s Zal-ma.
Explore Caves
These used to be a part of the monastery complex, you can head towards several small caves that open on the hillside just above the main road.
Caves
Library
Hidden upstairs in the monastery guesthouse building, you can also find a Library within the monastery. This will provide you a piece of detailed information on Tibbet and Buddhism culture spread across the whole town.
Live with the Monks
You can try living with the Monks as Tabo Monastery provides bag-packers with an option to stay in the guest house run by Gompa.
Guest house
Best time to visit
From May to October only the Spiti valley remains functional for guests, November onwards the heavy snow sets in. The ideal duration of the trip is between 7 to 8 days.
Timings of Monastery
Morning chants begin at 6 am and monastery closes down at 7 pm in the evening.
You can read more details about the monastery on their website
The only village in the Malana Nala, a side valley of the Parvati Valley northeast of the Kullu Valley, Malana isolated from the rest of the world.
Even in the time of technology and globalization, the village is untouched by the humdrum of the popular. Malana is one of the oldest standing democracies of the world, with the small village managing it’s own affairs even today.
Village
This primitive land shadowed by the majestic peaks of Chandrakhani and Deotibba has always been kind to tourists, fiercely and silently guarding it’s own culture.
Malana has been the subject of various documentaries, including Malana: Globalization of a Himalayan Village and Malana, A Lost Identity.
History and Myths
The exact history of Malana is shrouded in mystery, and there are many legends surrounding the origins of the village. According to one popular legend, Malana was founded by remnants of Alexander the Great’s army who settled in the region. Another legend states that the village was founded by people of Indo–Aryan descent who migrated to the area thousands of years ago.
People here are generally not open to change, though there are some traces of modernization visible. Non-Malani are considered inferior in Malana.
Do not touch anything!
You’ve to keep to the prescribedpaths when visiting Malana town and do not touch any of the walls, houses, or people. Consequently, you’ll have to pay a forfeit to purify the impure item by covering the cost of sacrificial slaughter. Non-Malanis may never cook for Malanis unless they are outside the valley where their Devta cannot see them. Before using utensils again, Malanis must undergo a strict purification ritual.
The shopkeepers will ask you to keep the money on the counter and place the goods on the counter, without any physical contact.
Customs
Malana is also known for its uniquelegalsystem, which is based on ancientcustoms and traditions. The village has its owncouncil, called the Kardar, which is responsible for maintaining law and order in the village. The Kardar is believed to have descended from the village’s originalfounders and is held in high esteem by the villagers. The village is governed by a bicameral parliament, consisting of lowerhouse called the Kanishthang and an upperhouse called the Jayeshthang.
Language
The residents of Malana speak Kanashi (supposedly the dialect of people residing there long ago), which is understood only by the villagers. “Kanashi, the language of Malana, does not resemble any of the dialects spoken in its neighbourhood but seems to be a mixture of Sanskrit and several Tibetan dialects.” Outsiders are not allowed to learn or speak kanashi.
Malana Cream
Malana is famous for its “Malana Cream”, a product made from cannabis plants which grow in the Parvati valley. Malana cream is regarded as high purity hash. In order to make Malana Cream the live cannabis flower is rubbed between the hands repeatedly, pulling out the resin to generate a layer of sticky hashish across the palm. Wikipedia
Kath Kothis
The kath kothis, which are unique to Malana and are constructed entirely from wood, are an important part of the village’s architectural and culturalheritage and are considered to be some of the finest examples of traditional Himalayan architecture.
Fire of 2008
In 2008, a devastating fire broke out in the village of Malana, which destroyed many of the kath kothis, that had been built by the villagers over generations. The fire was believed to have been caused by a short circuit in one of the houses and quickly spread through the densely packed village.
The fire destroyed around 200 houses, leaving hundreds of villagers homeless and causing extensive damage to the village’s cultural heritage. Today, many of the kath kothis in Malana have been restored to their former glory.
Restrictions in Malana
In addition to the taboo on physicalcontact and use of Kanashi by an outsider, there are many other restrictions.
According to village rules, fixingnails on a tree is prohibited as that could damage the tree.
Burningwood is also prohibited in the forests of Malana.
Only dry twigs and branches are permitted to be carried outside the forest.
Similarly, hunting of wild animals is notallowed without the permission of the village council that too only during specific periods of the year.
Policeintervention is not allowed, but if the accused wants to seek the help of police he has to pay a fine of Rs 1000/- to the village council.
Festivals
Malana Fagli is celebrated in mid of February while Malana Shaun is celebrated on 15th August.
Fagli festival
Things to remember
Outsiders are not allowed inside temples, in fact, they cannot even touch the walls of the temples.
Photography is allowed, though for videography you will need to seek permission of the villagers.
How to reach
The most common route to the village is by taxi or bus from Jhari. Then trek the 4 km trail to Malana village from the endpoint.
You cannot stay in the village, but lots of options are available to stay in Kullu and Kasol.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Malana village is either the summer months (May to July) or the post-monsoon months (September to November). A word of caution that the connectivity will be minimal or even non-existent in the harsh winter months due to the presence of snow.
Kalpa is an offbeatdestination, perfect for those who are looking for some quiet time in the mountains, surrounded by nature and a very laid-back vibe. The town is for those who love to sit back, relax and rejuvenate. All this means only one thing – less foot traffic here.
You will not find anything in Kalpa that resembles any of the touristy things you get in places like Shimla and Manali. There are no crazy fun places to eat and drink, no shopping streets where vendors and buyers interact. Kalpa is as quaint as they come, suited for discerning travellers.
Surrounded by snow-clad Himalayan ranges and lush green forests, Kalpa offers a mesmerizing view of the valley and the mountains. The town is situated at an altitude of 2,960 meters above sea level.
Kinner-Kailash
Fairytale village nestled in the majestic Kinnaur Kailash Mountains of the Himalayas; Kalpa is a nature lover’s paradise. Boasting spectacular sights of Mount KinnaurKailash, Raldang, and JorkandenPeaks, extensive apple orchards, sumptuous Tibetan cuisine and a mesmerizing mixture of Hinduism and Buddhism, Kalpa is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh to experience the raw and pristine charm of the Himalayas.
Mt. Raldang
The region is famous for production of high-quality apples and pinusgerardiana, also known as chilghoza. All of tehsil Kalpa is apple growing area, the primary crop for residents of the area.
Chilgoza
Houses
Generally, houses in Kalpa have storerooms for keeping grain and dried fruits, and separate wooden grain-storage structures, called kathar. Pakpa, a piece of sheepskin or yakskin, is often placed on the khayarcha mat. Traditionally they used utensils made of brass and bronze. Modern influences have included the introduction of Chinese crockery, and utensils made of stainless steel and aluminium.
Traditional Home
Dress
Clothes are mainly of wool. The thepang, a grey woollen cap with green velvet band is worn by the local people . The Tibetan chhuba, a long woollen coat which resembles an achkan, is worn as well, with a sleeveless woollen jacket. While men wear woollen churidhar pajamas, and tailored woollen shirts such as the chamnkurti, the women wrap themselves up in a dohru. The first wrap of the dohru is based on the back, with embroidered borders displayed throughout its length, which stretches to the heels. Darker shades of colours are preferred for the Dohru, although other coloured shawls may be worn, usually draped over the shoulders. A choli, another type of full sleeved blouse worn by women, may serve as a decorative lining as well.
Locals in traditional dressBride and groom Kinnauri Bride
Places to visit
Some of the popular places to visit in Kalpa include the Kalpa Monastery,SuicidePoint, and RoghiVillage.
The Kalpa Monastery also known as Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar monastery, is a perfect place for history buffs! This extremely old monastery was founded by Rinchensang–po (950-1055 AD) and is very ancient.
Kalpa monastery
Suicide Point
It is located on the road connecting Kalpa with Roghi. The dangeroustrench and vertical slopes are the reason it got its name. You feel so tiny in front of the gargantuan mountains.
Suicide Point
Roghi village is situated 8 km away from the town of Kalpa and is surrounded by lovely gardens and village houses. The road to Roghi from Kalpa is a bit dangerous.
Road to Kalpa
Kalpa to Chaka trek
The Chaka trek is the quintessential Himalayan mountain meadow, located at an altitude of around 3800 m above sea level. The trails start from a point on Kalpa-Roghi road above the charming Kalpa. The marvelous sunrise from the Kinner Kailash mountain, breathtaking views of the mountain range and beautiful views of Kalpa village are major highlights of the hike.
Meadows Frozen Stream
Narayan Nagini Temple:
The Narayan Nagini Temple is an ancient temple located in Kalpa. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort, Nagini, and is known for its beautiful architecture and serene atmosphere.
Narayan Nagini temple
Some more places to visit and treks to explore around Kalpa:
Chitkul: Chitkul is a small village located at a distance of 25 km from Kalpa. It is the last inhabited village near the Indo-China border.
Sangla Valley: Sangla Valley is a beautiful valley located at a distance of 30 km from Kalpa Some of the popular tourist attractions in Sangla Valley include the Kamru Fort, Bering Nag Temple, and Trout Farm.
Sangla in winters
Kinnaur Kailash Range: The Kinnaur Kailash range is a popular trekking destination located near Kalpa. The trek is known for its rugged terrain and challenging routes.
Reckong Peo: Reckong Peo is a small town located at a distance of 7 km from Kalpa. It is the administrative center of the Kinnaur district. The town is also home to several temples and monasteries, including the Mahasu Devta Temple and the Kinnaur Kailash Shivling Temple.
Rekang peo
Rakcham: Rakcham is a small village located at a distance of 35 km from Kalpa. The village is known for its natural beauty and is a popular base camp for several treks in the region. The village also offers stunning views of the Baspa River and the snow-covered mountains.
How to reach
To reach Kalpa, one can take a flight to the nearest airport in Shimla, which is about 250 kilometers away from the town. Alternatively, one can also take a train to the nearest railway station in Shimla, which is well connected to major cities across the country. From Shimla, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Kalpa.
Weather
Kalpa is blessed with a pleasant and moderate climate throughout the year, making it an ideal destination. Summers are pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 28°C, making it perfect for outdoor activities like trekking, camping, and sightseeing. Winters can be chilly with temperatures dropping to -10°C, but the snow-covered mountains offer a picturesque view.
Stay
There are several accommodation options in Kalpa that cater to the needs of all kinds of travellers. One can choose from budget hotels, guesthouses, and homestays that offer comfortable and cozy accommodations.
As you can see I am mesmerized by this place and it is my favourite destination in Himachal, also it’s very close to my heart.
Deepika Sharma 