Tag: Himachal Pradesh

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North India

Jibhi – The unexplored and untouched hamlet in Kullu

Himachal Pradesh happens to be one enchantress of a state and nature has bestowed the state with some of the most beautiful and scenic places to be found in the entire country. One such place which remains largely unexplored is a small village called Jibhi. One can reach the village quite easily from the Chandigarh-Manali highway. One night drive from the national capital New Delhi will bring you here. The locations around here are so beautiful that even the most tiring journey will seem all worth it once you set your foot in here. Located in the arms of the beautiful Banjar valley, Jibhi is known for its enchanting sceneries and photogenic places. Banjar valley happens to be one of the most typical beauties surrounded by the greenery and Himalayan magnificence.

Famous For

The town has some very famous Victorian pinewood cottages for the tourists where they can just relax after coming back from tiring and long trips. Jibhi becomes home for a few months not only for the Indians or the locales, but for the foreign tourists as well. People from countries such as UK, Belgium, Israel and much more can be seen here roaming the streets or drinking ‘Chai’ on the stalls. They make it their home for a few months before they continue their journey to explore more of the Himalayan range.

There comes a great view of a river flowing through the valley from the cottage where we stayed. This was easily one of the most beautiful moments that we had experienced. The uncomfortable silence seems so comforting here. It’s just nature and its bliss, without the contamination that has been caused by the ever-developing human civilization in other parts of the world.

Chain Village was the next stop, which was way more beautiful than we expected. Let alone the natural marvels which seem like to be there in almost every corner of the state. The ancient structures here gives us a glimpse of the ancient history of the town. The Chinese-inspired architecture tells a lot of untold stories.

The 3 to 4 hours trek is all you need to reach Chain. There is a Sharing Bagi temple which is one great marvel of architecture. Monuments like this make us realize that even without all the technology and stuff, our forefathers were way ahead of us when it came to creating the awe-inspiring structures.

Other places one can visit in and around the Jibhi village are Chaini Fort, Jalori pass, Sarehul lake, Rahupur Garh fort and of course, the lush greenery needs a mention here as well. Other than that there is trekking that can impress the tourists quite nicely. The way is quite long and adventurous and can easily satisfy every last fabric of your being.

How to reach there?

The beautiful lush-green village of Jibhi is situated at the Chandigarh-Manali Highway. The most convenient way to reach this heavenly valley is by boarding a bus from Anand vihar ISBT, New Delhi heading towards Manali and Get down at Kut. There you can get many private and government  transport service, which will take you to the desired destination.

Travel Tip

While you visit the dreamy town, don’t forget to experience the extremely beautiful and affordable Victorian pinewood cottages and just unwind and relax. After all you’re on a holiday! So feel the fun..

Nature has been extremely patient while designing this very small town, it sometimes makes us realize, how a place this beautiful can remain untouched for so long. Beautiful and pure as a newborn baby, Jibhi is one marvel of a place and deserves to be explored by more people.

Categories
North India

Shoghi- The unexplored beauty

Located in the beautiful valleys of Himachal, right beside Shimla, Shogi is a wonderful hill station that remains unknown for the most part. Shimla takes away all the attention and rightly so, it is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. But where Shogi fares better than Shimla is the fact that there happens to be an unnerving and enchanting calmness in Shogi which cannot be found in Shimla. The tourists come to Shimla in heavy numbers and it becomes crowded. It seems fine for the adventure seekers but for the rest, who likes the pure silence of nature, they must visit Shogi at least once. This place is one of the most beautiful places on earth and yet as calm as a place can get.

Tara Devi temple- Shoghi also happens to be known as the city of temples. The Tara Devi temple is quite famous among the visitors and also happens to be known as one very ancient Hindu pilgrimage. The old temple happens to be here since 250 years and is located on a high peak of the Tara hills. The view from the temple is amazing and the peaceful ambiance is one other reason for its popularity.

Kali Temple- Shoghi is full of so many different places, the natural sceneries, and the religious places, that it serves all kind of tourists. The devoted ones and the beauty seekers ones, everybody can enjoy the place. One other important tourist spot happens to be the Kali temple, which is located at about a height of 4000 feet above the sea level. The mysterious Hindu goddess temple is said to have been around for about 150 years and the legends state that this is even older than that.

Camping- One other very solid attraction around the place is camping. Actually, there is no specific place where people can set up their camps. It can be almost anywhere. There are hotels and resorts in the place that provides camping facilities to the tourists. The beautiful and mysterious aura of the night makes the place look much more beautiful and as the stars shine in the sky, it becomes magical when paired with the sound of silence.

Sightseeing- This one requires no mention whatsoever. Himachal is full of these rare beauties that are there to charm and slide a spear into your souls. The views of lush greenery and clear sky will make you forget who you are. You will know what they mean when they say- Becoming one with nature.

How to reach Shoghi

No regular flights are available from major cities of the country to Shogi. The nearest airport is Chandigarh Airport, 110 km away from Shoghi. Shoghi is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular trains. You can board a regular train to Kalka and then TOY train to Shoghi.

Instead of Shoghi, tourists can get a bus to Shimla on the regular basis. You can also reach Shimla by car through the beautiful Chandigarh-Shimla highway. A few hours car ride from Shimla will bring you to Shoghi.

Being located in the northern part of the country, the influence is quite clear. The cuisines, the shops the busy streets, everything seems to be touched by the flavor of North India. However, Himachal as a state has its very own set of culture and customs which is also quite visible in their houses and the people walking on the streets.

Travel tip

Summers is the perfect time to visit this place.

The place holds its individual charm. Still looking for more reasons to pack your bags and visit this place? You have found the one stop shop for the crazy adventurous trip that you have been looking forward to.

Categories
Culture North India Treks

The self governing land of Malana!!!

 Malana is a beautiful yet a secluded village in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists from Israel and other parts of the world flock in great numbers to this quiet little Himalayan hamlet. Out of the several villages in the Parvati Valley, this village is relatively an isolated one, best known for Malana cream. It is a local variety of hashish, a purified resinous extract of cannabis which is highly valued in the international market.

Belief

The people of Malana consider cannabis as ‘shiv ji ki buti’ and do not see its production as something wrong. Apart from Shiva, they have a firm belief in their devta, Jamlu Rishi. As per the Puranas, a sage once inhabited this land and laid the foundation of democracy, which still persists. They believe in self-governance and thus have their own lower and the higher court, President and Prime Minister. The Malanese people are believed to be the descendants of Alexander, the great.

The Taboo

The set of rules they follow is absolutely unknown to the common world. To resolve a conflict their justice relies on the death of the lamb. They cut the right foreleg of lamb, stuff it with poison and then sew it back. The person whose lamb dies first fails in the judgment. It is believed to be a decision made by their Devta.

The Social Background

The locals here are unfriendly and avoid interaction with a foreigner. They do not eat any food cooked by an outsider and not even let them touch themselves. They believe that the rest of the world is inferior to them. Tourists are prescribed a set of rules to follow when in Malana.

  • Do not touch the walls, houses, temples, people or any sacred stone.
  • If by any case food is offered to a non-Malani, then all the utensils have to undergo a purification ritual before they can be used again.­­­

How to get there

Malana is 527 km from Delhi by road.  The easiest and shortest way to reach Malana is to go to Buntar by air (13 km from Jari) and from there to village Jari. You would have to trek for 12 km, as there are no taxis or buses available to Malana.

Best Time to visit

At an altitude of 2,652metres above the sea level, the village has an extreme climate. The best time to go is from early May to August.

Malana’s Cream

The small village of Malana is famous throughout the world for its quality hashish known as Malana cream, extracted from the Cannabis plant. The quality of hash is so fine that it has won the Best Hashish title in 1994 and 1996 at the High Times magazine’s Cannabis Cup. The Malana cream is the most expensive hashish in the Amsterdam menu. Earlier, cannabis was only used for medical treatment. It was only when foreigners started coming to this land, they taught the locals how to make hashish by rubbing the oil on the hand under sunlight. Slowly and gradually they started the business of Hashish production which eventually became their main source of income.

Travel Tip

The best time to visit this alluring valley is in summer. The famous “Malan Shuan” the summer festival takes place on 15th August.

Categories
Adventure Himalayas Rejoice Travel Trends

Adventure comes to life -Tirthan Valley

Ringed by the sprawling Great Himalayan National Park, jeweled with lush green forests, free-flowing rivers and tranquil and clear water sheet, the Tirthan valley is one of the most alluring places, resting in the lap of Himalayas.The Tirthan Valley has Charismatic ambiance and best idea to spend the weekend.
The beautiful land lies in Kullu district,Himachal Pradesh. The name “Tirthan”has been drawn from the majestic Tirthan river flowing in that region. It is an enduring river of cold and clear glacier water, which abundant with trout fish. It is the ideal place nature lovers and adventure freak.
The time as you reach the magnificent valley, you feel released from all exhaustion and frustration.
Things to do
The Tirthan Valley is an ultimate destination for many adventurous activities including, trout fishing, hiking, trekking, camping, bonfires, and photography.The last ten years has witnessed the huge rise in a number of travelers.This article is an attempt to guide you all through your travel to this alluring Himalayan valley.
Feel the thrill-River crossing.
The thrilling experience of River crossing in the Tirthan Valley is a most captivating adventure for people, who are fond of engaging in daring activity in the serene valley. You can enjoy the escapade sports, where you are tied with a rope and suspended freely to feel the cool spray of the tempestuous River Tirthan flowing underneath. Other than that you can try to cross the river with the help of a rope, where you’re tied with rope for safety.


Enjoy Trout fishing.
Get ready with your fishing tackle!! The Tirthan river is the best place for trying out explore your fishing skills. The crystal clear flowing water offers you an ideal spot to hunt trout fish. The travelers are love in love with this place and try yet another adventure of fish hunting.
Adventure at the peak- The Great Himalayan Park.
The beautiful and alluring view of the Great Himalayan Park will leave you mesmerized. It is an ideal place to experience the thrilling danger and unfold the unrevealed chapters of the Himalaya. It definitely gives you vacation goals to the adventure enthusiast. The region is loaded with amazing wildlife, Landscape, trekking, and fishing.


The refreshing and Stunning art of nature- Waterfalls
The alluring view of invigorating waterfalls is the best sight you definitely don’t want to miss. Find out some time to witness the extreme beauty of nature. Enjoy bathing in refreshing pure Himalayan water.


If you want a break from your hectic life, and need some quality time for yourself, then tour to tirthan valley in the laps of Himalaya is an excellent idea.
Travel tip
The best season to head towards this heavenly place is summers between March to June.
Don’t forget to carry your fish tackle!!
How to reach?
By Air: Nearest Airport is Bhunter near Kullu.
By Train: Chandigarh is the closest Railway Station.
By Road: Possible route(s) to Tirthan Valley from Delhi by road are
Delhi – Ambala (188 KM) – Chandigarh – Roopnagar (282 KM) – Kiratpur – Bilaspur (371 KM) – Mandi (440 KM) – Pandoh – Aut (481 KM) – Larji – Gushaini – Tirthan (511 KM)
The government Buses (Volvo) also head from Janpath, Delhi at 6 P.M daily and it takes 12 hrs to reach Aut. Next morning after reaching Aut you can hire taxi or bus heading towards Tirthan valley. It is about more 45 minutes drive from Aut to Tirthan

Categories
Relax

Triund Valley- A trek for beginners in Mcleodganj

 

Located at a distance of about 9 km from McLeod Ganj in Himachal Pradesh, the Triund Valley has been drawing crowds for its amazing trek. The easy to moderate hike is suitable not only for experts but also for those who are willing to set the ball rolling in the astounding sport. It is a perfect weekend getaway to refresh one’s mind and get going with the monotonous schedule of the next week.

McLeod Ganj, often called as ‘Little Lhasa’ is a lively and colourful suburb of Dharamshala where it feels like actually being in Tibet. It is a 9 km walk from here to Triund hilltop.  There are two routes which one can take. One of them is via Galu Temple while the other is through Bhagsu. The former one is easier in terms of steepness and terrain. After registering oneself at the Police Check Point near Galu Temple – the last point till where going by cars is feasible – no other option but going on foot remains.

For amateurs, it is recommended that they start early so that they reach the hilltop before it gets dark. Otherwise, for experienced trekkers, it is only a 2-3 hours journey. Due to the brief stretch, it is possible for one to go uphill and return also on the same day but it is always advisable to spend the night on the hilltop only so as to cherish the night sky view. It is also suggested to carry ample food and water from downhill only as the prices of every item goes on increasing by leaps and bounds with increasing altitude. Other than these, only essential items must be carried as unnecessary baggage slows down speed.

As one crosses the Registration Point, the calmness and wilderness of the place start taking in. The initial peregrination is very easy and one can enjoy the beautiful view of the adjoining hills. The fresh air of the mountains energises the people while the desire to get closer to nature incentivizes them to carry on.

The first refreshment counter comes after about 2 km of the trek from the Galu temple, where there is a Momos Point. One can relish them with the peculiar homemade sauce that they are served with. Also, let there be some space for a hot cup of tea or noodles which are available at cafés that come later on in the trail.

The ascend’s difficulty level increases a little after the Momos Point. One might find wild goats and cows on the way. The second halting point is usually the Magic View café where one can refill their water bottles and eat something before going further. The real escalation starts after this café and the last 2 km of the trek test one’s patience and energy. But at the end, they are all worth it.

On reaching the hilltop one gets mesmerised by the breathtaking scenery. The lofty Dhauladhar Range can be seen from here and the snow covered peaks are a treat to the eyes. There is Forest Department guest house where one can seek accommodation for the night only if the advance booking has been done but pitching a tent is highly recommended to make the trip more thrilling. After adoring the splendid sunset, one is captivated by the beautiful clear sky full of twinkling stars. It is a Photographer’s paradise!

The next morning one can tread to the Snowline Café which at a distance of 2 km from the hilltop and consequently begins the return journey. Going downhill is relatively easier that climbing, so it does not take much time to reach the Registration Point. After resting for a while in McLeod Ganj, one can head backwards as the weekend comes to a close.

Adventure,tranquillity, peace, nature’s beauty and an experience of a time- if one wants it all at one place under time constraints, a trek to Triund is an unparalleled idea!

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