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Thanedar

Thanedar is a quaint little hamlet in Himachal Pradesh, located amidst the scenic apple orchards in Shimla district. Situated at a height of 7,250 ft from the above sea level, it is famed as the fruit bowl of Himachal Pradesh.  Active with its beautiful apple and cherry orchards, Thanedar gives unequaled delight to the nature lovers. You can enjoy plucking the fruits from the myriad trees that supply lakhs of cartons full’s with juicy apples around India and also abroad and also biting into them or can savor the chewy slices of apples that the localities dry on their roofs.. There are many resorts forgeting the deluxe orchards that offer one the experience of staying near the nature.

The nearby places that you must visit are the Nag Devta temple, standing along the Tani-Jubbar Lake, St. Mary’s church which also happens to be one of the oldest churches in India and Hathu Peak that provides mesmerizing vista of the snow clad peaks of the Himalayas.

Thanedar is a good base to explore the apple country side. It is here, Samuel Stokes (later known as Satyanand Stokes), a social worker from Philadelphia, planted the first apple seed in 1916 and the legacy of apples in India started growing. Samuel stokes is an embodiment in Thanedar. One can still see the 'Starking Delicious' apple orchard that he planted there. Thanedar’s apples are used in preparing most delicious wines, jam and pickles. The hill station has an impressive rest house built in the traditional pahari style overlooking the Sutlej valley. This is a place to undertake many adventure activities from camping to trekking, nature walks and rock climbing.

Prime attractions in this picturesque place include an ancient Tani-Jubbar Lake, St. Mary’s Church and Arya Samaj Mandir.

Tani-Jubbar Lake : It is a small but pretty lake. This lake is in fame for Nag Devta temple, an ancient wooden temple built along the lake but not open to outsiders. Every month of June, a fair is held near the lake, where local artisans and craftsmen display their wares. Its just 6 kms from the Thanedar Retreat.

Barobag : It is the highest point in Thanedar. Flanked by the Shilajan Peak, it offers stunning views of the snow-capped mountains to the North. Many miles below the Barobag Hill at Thanedar, one can see the meandering Sutlej make its way into the Punjab plains. Atop Barobag hill is the Harmony Hall -a three-storeyed structure made of stone house of Satyanand Stokes , built in 1912.

Hattu Peak : This peak is at a height of 11000 ft. Surrounded by pine and spruce trees, it offers a wonderful trek, it takes minimum two hour trek to reach this peak from Narkanda. On the way one can see many flora and fauna. Also can enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges of Himalayas from the peak. During winter and spring, the peak is covered with a with a thick blanket of snow. At the top there is small temple dedicated to Hatu Mata (incarnation of Kali). Every year a fair is organized here in the month of May. An ancient Hattu Mata temple is located on the top of the hill. Trekking through the steep mountain slopes is the only way to reach the peak. 

St. Mary's Church : This is one of the oldest churches in India built in 1843. Located 6 km from the town, it is a beautiful wooden church with its old graveyard stands as a reminder to a bygone era. Built of wood in a neo classical style, it's stained glass windows are its main attraction. Adjoining the church is the Gorton Mission school established in 1843.

Arya Samaj Mandir : This is a Pahari style temple built by Stokes. Situated amidst of picturesque apple orchards of Thanedar, the temple is surrounded by inscriptions from the Upanishads and Bhagvad Gita. 

Reasons to Visit

·        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.

·        Thanedar is home to experiential retreats that focuses on soft adventure, walks, treks etc.

·        Thanedar is Recommended for honeymooners and families who are not looking for luxury but looking for a nature centric comfortable experience.

Access Information

·        Nearest Airport -Shimla (80 kms), Kullu (175 kms), Chandigarh (198 kms)

·        Nearest Railway Station - Shimla (80 kms), Shoghi (95 kms), Kandaghat (110 kms)

·        Thanedar is an Ex-Chandigarh / Ex-Dehradun / Ex-Ludhiana / Ex-Jalandhar / Ex-Amritsar / Ex-New Delhi / Ex-Noida / Ex-Gurgaon Getaway

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Pabbar Valley

                        Pabbar valley is a vibrant mix of ethereality and nature, and provides something to everyone that walks its way. Its picturesque hamlets as well as swift brooks in addition to fruit orchards were enough to entice British Viceroys that camped as well as recuperated here. A trek via Pabbar Valley is comprehensive, taking one through tiny villages untouched by tourism, to cedar, oak and birch forests and finally to snow-covered valleys.

Pabbar Valley is ahead of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh and located in the still non-touristy mountains amongst the most prosperous apple orchard belt of India, with deep forests of deodar and oak. The route for Pabbar Valley branches off the national highway NH22 (the old Hindustan-Tibet Road) from Theog, and heads towards the Pabbar Valley and beyond. Lying in the lap of virgin nature below the breathtakingly beautiful Chanshal mountain range, the Pabbar Valley is a haven for offbeat travelers and lovers of nature and adventure. At 4220 m / 13926 feet, the Chansal Pass remains open from May to October. Known after the name of its major river Pabbar with numerous tributary streams, once rich in trout fish, it stretches from the southern boundaries of the legendary land of Kinnaur to the borders of the sacred land of Uttarakhand. The Pabbar, rising high in the snow-capped mountains and fed with glacial ice, meanders its way to join the Tons at Tiuni to feed the waters of the Yamuna.

You can also experience a large range of activities like camping, trekking, fishing, and other adventure activities are also gaining attention including rafting and paragliding.

Majestic mountains, splashing streams, natural beauty of shimmering lakes and breathtaking landscapes, Pabbar valley is a paradise of travelers. This valley is known for the dynamic and adventurous tourist activities. The amazing opportunities of trekking like Kuper Valley Trek and Chanshal Trek in Pabbar valley are praise worthy.

Hatkoti, 120 km away, and Rohru, 131 km away, are the two main picturesque places on the bank of river Pabbar, known for trout fishing. Hatkoti has a splendidly built temple of Goddess Durga with green fields all round and Rohru has a typical hill town market.

There are options for Jeep Safaries and natural walks in the spectacular valley of Pabbar. The banks of Pabbar River are ideal for fishing activities including trout and Mahasheer fishing. Pabbar valley is a virgin land waiting to be explored. This valley is an ideal retreat from the busy life in the urbanized regions. If you experience a place where man and nature live as one, then come to Pabbar valley.

PLACES OF INTEREST :

·        HATKOTI : Hatkoti, at an altitude of 1,100 m, is a scenic village on the banks of Pabbar River in Shimla (104km away). Sanctified with a number of temples, it derived its name from Goddess Hateshwari, who is believed to be the embodiment of Lord Shiva. With inspiring legends the temples of Hatkoti are on the banks of the Pabbar, the core belongs to the classical shikhara style temple. This is dated to the 7th-8th centuries. Adjoining Shiva temple is of the latika temple, having some remarkable wood carvings. During their exile of Mahabharat, the Pandavas are regarded to have lived here for a while. The temple is said to be blessed by Lord Shankara. 20km from Jubbal.

·       ROHRU : Rohru, a small town located by the banks of the river Pabbar, 115 km from Shimla. There is a valley near this city which is well known for trout fishing. This place is famous for its natural beauty and splendor, and offers great opportunities for various tourist activities, especially fishing, camping, trekking, hang gliding, and para gliding. Later this area has been converted to paradise of anglers. Rohru's temple of Shikhru devta is held in high veberation and is the site of an annual fair. The elaborately wood worked temples of Baindra devta of Bachhonch and the Gadaru devta of Gwas are acessible from Rohru. 11km from Hatkoti.

·        CHIRGAON : 15 km from Rohru. Scenically enchanting, Chirgaon has a trout hatchery. Good fishing spots in the area are Seema, Mandil, Sandhsu, Tikkri and Dhamvari. Larot is another attractive spot near Chirgaon. This is the base for treks to Dodra - Kwar, the Sangla Valley and to Sarahan via Tacklech and to Nichar. 

·        THEOG : A small but bustling settlement it rests where the road to the Pabbar Valley branches off the National Highway. The Banthia devta temples of Janog with exemplary wood carvings are barely a kilometer from Theong. The panels are the free standing carvings include the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu, a ten headed Ravana and Devi Durga as Mahishasuramardini - the slayer of the demon Mahisha. 10 km from Fagu.

·        CHOPAL : The small town seems to hold the essence of the region and lies exactly 100 kms from Shimla. Chopal's woodand stone houses, topped by slate roofs, are set in the midst of deodar woods. This idyllic scene is framed by a row of snowclad peaks. Sarain village near Chopal is set against the backdrop of the Churdhar. At 3647m, the Churdar sometimes called the Choor Chandni which poetically transalates as the 'Mountain of the Silver Bangle' is the highest peak in the area and forms a popular trek. Held in high reverence Sarain has the Bijat temple which is exemplary specimen of local craftmanship. Within or accessible from Chopal are the temples of Lankra Bir, Narsingh Bir, Gugga Bir, Shirgul and Lord Shiva. 13 km from Theog.

·        KOTKHAI : 19 kms from Chhaila. It is the peaceful and prosperous area as said about is. As Himachal is reffered to as the Fruit bowl of India, this place too has apples, cherries and apricot orchards. Kothkai produces 40 percent of the apples of Himachal pradesh.

·        KHARA PATHAR : 24 kms from Kotkhai. As the name says Khara Patthar has huge free standing egg shaped boulder. Worn smooth by aeons of erosion this is a wonder of this area. From here the steady descent of the Pabbar valley begins. Khara pathar is a place that gives expression to the phrase of 'time standing still', Kharapathar is a perfect leisure destination in the heart of nature's generous blessings to the area. Lush forests, wide views, excellent walk and hike trails and the charm of apple orchards make this a perfect leisure destination that is easily accessible by a short drive (85 km) from Shimla. .

·        JUBBAL : 9 kms from Khara Pathar. This was once the ruling seat of the princely state with the same name. One of the most important Hill States its earstwhile rulers trace their lineage to ancient Kannauj. Jubbal has a well maintained palace which was designed by French architect in the 1930s and is a remarkable mix of European and indigenous styles. The Jubbal area also has some splendid temples. The high tower like temple of Piri Devi is very beautiuful.

·        CHANSHAL : Like the resplendant crown for a noble face the snow cald Chanshal range rises above the Pabbar valley. At 4220m the Chanshal pass which opens from May to October is the link to Dodra Kwar. The Chansal area also has some excellent Ski slopes.

·        DODRA KWAR : The villages of Dodra Kwar are seperated by a few kilometers. Still unconnected by a motorable road this pocket retains a pristine beauty. There are countless wild flowers and medicinal herbs, thick woods of flowering rhododendron, ceddar and birch, waterfalls and fast flowing stream.

·        HANOL MAHASU TEMPLE : Hanol Mahasu temple is situated at an altitude of 1429 m in the village of Hanol, 55 km from Rohru on the eastern bank of the Taons. This temple constructed in Huna style architecture is dedicated to Mahasu. The Hanol temple is said to the originating place of all the deities of the area of Rohru and Jubbal. Tradition recounts that a demon lived here and killed the people, one by one each day. A devotee of Lord Shiva in Mandrath challenged the custom and prayed to Shiva for help. This ardent devotee of the lord- Deolari Devi, a resident of Hanol, was being directed by God. Accordingly, she sent her four sons to Mandrath, where from a field they obtained four Shivlings. The shivlings were given the names of the four young men. Meanwhile the demon was killed by the four sons and the villagers thereafter started worshipping Shiva as Mahasu.

·        SHIKHRU DEVTA TEMPLE : This is a beautiful temple located in the heart of the town, Shikhru Devta is held in high veneration and is the sight of on annual fair which is celebrated during the month of April every year.

·        CHHUPARI : This village is last village situated just below the hills of Bollon. There is small temple on the top of the village called "Thamti Temple". From here you can view the beautiful sites of Jubbal and Rohru area. Bhaloon hills is popular for it OM which is said to be a natural creation of god which can be clearly seen from Thamti temple. In the heart of the village there is a beautiful wood artichected temple of local DEVTA GUDARU JI. The temple of Hatkoti can be seen from this village. The local place of interests are Lowerkoti, Sidhroti villages. The village is well connected by road which 18 Km from Rohru.

·        BAGI : Village Bagi is a small village situated in lap of Bollon hills. The village is covered with thick forest. The village is having many springs. The springs of the village is said to be famous for mineral water sources. There is a beautiful Gudaru Devta temple situated on the top of the village. The Pabber Valley camp’s is also situated within the village Bagi and the near by village of the Bagi are Parsa, Chiuni. The village is well connected by roads which is 15 Kms away from Rohru. There is a beautiful camping site of pasture of Sara which is about 2 Kms away on foot from this village.

·        Alpine Retreat Package : Alpine Retreat is situated 18 km from Rohru on the hill top covered with apple orchards and forest area. Retreat has 4 bedrooms with attached toilet, independent kitchen in wooden architecture and traditional look. Retreat is around 400 mtrs walking from the road.

·        Talra wildlife sanctuary: This sanctuary was officially declared in 1962 and was established in 1974 under wildlife protection act. It is near to Pabbar valley and 92 km away from Shimla. It is made in an area of 40.49 square kilometers. This sanctuary was used as a hunting ground by Britishers. This massive sanctuary is the best place to visit with your children.

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Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh

Chitkul (or Chittkul) is a village in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. During winters, the place mostly remains covered with the snow and the inhabitants move to lower regions of Himachal.

In the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh lies Chitkul, a little village. At a height of 3450 metres, it is the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibet border, as well as also the last location in India one can travel to without a permit. Travelers typically remain at Sangla and plan a return trip to Chitkul the same day. The river Baspa is a constant companion on this trip from Sangla. The surroundings, like the rest of Himachal, are included snow clothed mountains as well as differing tones of apple orchards, mustard areas as well as vegetation. The valley is known for its great quality potatoes and peas. The weather, cold and unpredictable, can be harsh. The Goddess of Chitkul resides in a temple here believed to be 500 years of ages. Reverence to the siren is a should by the Parikrama pilgrims.

The Kagyupa temple has a highly valued old image of the Shakyamuni Buddha, a Wheel of Life mandala and four Directional Kings on either side of the door. Chitkul is practically the last point of the famous Kinner Kailash Parikrama as one can hitch a hike from here onwards.

After one crosses over the 5,242 m high Charang Pass, it is a long and steep run down through slithery scree slopes to Chitkul(3,450m). The powerful goddess of Chitkul is the only non-Buddhist deity to which respect must be paid by the Parikrama pilgrims.  Chitkul is situated around 40 km from Karcham, the place where road bifurcates from Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 22). The Sangla Valley is a delight for nature lovers; especially the stretch after Raksham and right up to Chitkul. The valley is extremely beautiful, on the left bank of the Baspa River are snow-clad mountains and on the right bank the whole terrain is full of apple orchards and wooden houses.

Chitkul is start point for Lamkhaga pass trek and Borasu pass trek. Nagasthi ITBP post is 4km and Ranikanda meadows is 10km trek from Chitkul.

How to reach Chitkul :

1.      Bus : Delhi – Simla – Chitkul

                   Delhi – Chitkul

2.      Rent-a-Car : From Delhi

3.      Train – Nearest railway station is Dehra Dun

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Himachal Unexplored

Tirthan Valley

If you have actually not been to Tirthan Valley yet, then I am sure that you have not seasoned nature in its purest form. Surrounded by the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), this beautiful valley situated beside the Tirthan River is among the hidden tourist places in Himachal.

Tirthan Valley is an incredible place to relax in the lap of nature. It tops my list of offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh any day if you have never been to it. I love this place most in the whole Himachal region for my family outings.

THINGS TO DO

River Crossing, Tirthan Valley Overview

River crossing in the Tirthan Valley is an adventure sport for people who are looking for some adrenaline rush in the quiet valley. A person is tied to a safety harness and slides from one point to the other, with the turbulent River Tirthan gushing underneath. The icy cold spray of the river while taking on the sport, sure is a motivating factor for enthusiasts.

Trekking in Great Himalayan National Park, Tirthan Valley Overview

The Great Himalayan National Park is a blessing in disguise for nature lovers. From lush green forests to blooming flowers and meandering streams, this place also houses various well laid out trek paths.

Depending on the difficulty level, one has an option to choose from half day, full day, overnight or multiple day camping. Whatever you may opt for, this place does promise a wonderful experience and equally amazing trip.

General tips and tricks 

1) Make sure you carry warm clothes along with you no matter during whichever season you are travelling in. 2) Be always prepared with your trekking gear and equipment. 3) Carrying your own medication and a good pair of shoes is a must. 4) Make sure you obtain all the permits well in advance required for trekking in the region. 5) Also carry raingear along as weather at higher altitude changes at every moment. 6) Choose a well-qualified and professional guide and fix the rates in order to avoid any misunderstanding. 7) Carry spare batteries and film roll for camera as there maybe no electricity supply.

How to reach Trekking in Great Himalayan National Park 

Rail: There are trains every hour from Delhi to Pathankot. Ideal would be Uttar Sampark Kranti Express, which departs from New Delhi Railway station at 8:50 pm and reaches Pathankot by 4:20 am. From Pathankot, it's a 5 hour long drive to Aut.

Road: 

The shortest route to Aut goes through Chandigarh, Bilaspur, Mandi, and then Banjar or Sainj, the two main entry to the Park. (Delhi - Banjar, 12 hours). You can also come from Shimla going through Jalori pass (Shimla - Banjar which is a 8 hour long drive). Be aware that Jalori pass is closed in winter because of snow (December to March).

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HIMACHAL UNEXPLORED

Nowadays many people look out for unexplored tourist places to visit in Himachal Pradesh as the most of the tourist places are mostly turning to concrete jungles. There is so much demand for these less known places in Himachal that a number of them are developing into the tourist spots now.

Malana 

Malana is an ancient Indian village in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This solitary village in the Malana Nala, a side valley of the Parvati Valley to the north-east of Kullu Valley, is isolated from the rest of the world. The peaks of Chanderkhani and Deo Tibba shadow the village. It is situated on a remote plateau by the side of the torrential Malana river, at a height of 2,652 metres (8,701 ft) above sea level. Malana has its own lifestyle and social structure and people are strict in following their customs. Malana has been the subject of various documentaries, including Malana: Globalization of a Himalayan Village, and Malana, A Lost Identity. The existing speakers of the autochthonous language Kanashi, the traditional language of the inhabitants of Malana, number approximately 1700. According to the 1961 census, the language speakers were then 563, but today the population of Malana is at least three times as large as 40 years ago.[4] Most common route towards the village is by taxi or bus from Jhari. One stop prior to Malana. Roads till Malana Village trekking gate are developed.

In addition to the taboo on physical contact and use of Kanashi by an outsider, there are many other restrictions.

According to village rules, fixing nails on a tree is prohibited as that could damage the tree.

Burning wood 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 not allowed without the permission of the village council that too only during specific periods of the year.

In case wild animals attack the herds of sheep and goats of the villagers the hunters are sent from the village to the pastures to kill them. And if a bear is killed, the hunter is rewarded but has to deposit the fur in the Bhandara of the Devta.

Police intervention 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.

How to reach Malana?

A. There are 3 mountain passes to reach the Malana Village. If you are in Himachal Pradesh, you can reach the village from Parvati Valley through Rashol and Chanderkhani Passes. But the best way to reach Malana is from Jari (23 Km), by hiring a taxi. There is a 4 km long easy trek which everyone has to take to reach Malana.