Sri Krishna Temple in Thawa Naggar in Kullu, Manali - Himachal Pradesh
Muralidhar Krishna Temple
Om Mantra Chanting - Meditation for peace of mind
"OM" Mantra
Shimla to Kullu via Kotkhai, Rohru, Rampur, Ani, Jalori Pass and Tirthan Valley - Jibhi , Banjar
Full video here:
A full day journey from Shimla to Kullu of approximate distance 280 kms.
We travels through the apple belt and some of the most scenic towns/villages.
First we head towards Kotkhai, Kharapathar, Rohru, Rambur Bushahr valley, Ani, Jalori Pass and after crossing this pass at 10,300 feets, we descend downwards and enter the tartan valley, starting with Shoja, Jibhi and then Banjar. Finally , we reach Kullu.
Kullu Dussehra - International Level Festival in Himachal Pradesh
Kullu Dussehra a famous International level festival celebrated in the month of October in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India.
to see Kullu Dussehra 2020 live starting 24th October 2020
Click on the link below
Kullu Dussehra - Live streaming
The day when the festivities end in the rest of the country, marks start of festivities at week long Kullu Dussehra, tens of thousands of devotees follow tradition that is nearly 400 years old and pull the chariot of Kullu Valley's chief deity Lord Raghunath from the historical temple in Sultanpur on the first day of Dussehra or Vijay Dashami.
Assembled deities, usually more than 250, from various villages of the entire district,, accompany the chief deity during the procession. They all stay in Dhalpur ground till the conclusion of the festival.
In deities, the gods "live" and they are among the people and "speak" to their followers and tell them what to do. They have families and relatives who join them in celebrations.
The 'devta' summons the 'gur' and speaks through him. The oracle goes into a trance and connects with the deity. The deity's wish spreads and its followers are ready to obey the sacred command.
In 2020, Kullu Dussehra starts from 25th October 2020, this year, Coronavirus pandemic has affected not only mere mortals, but also the divine and various restrictions are in place.
Only seven prominent deities to participate in the Dussehra festivities this year
A maximum of 200 persons who test negative for Covid-19 would be allowed to join in with adherence to strict health protocols.
no cultural shows or commercial activity are allowed this year during the weeklong festival to ensure the safety of the public.
Worlds oldest technique of Construction of House in Himalayas - Kathkuni...
Atal Tunnel Rohtang in Manali, Lahaul - Himachal Pradesh
Atal Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in the world (above 10,000 feet).
The plan for the tunnel was conceived in 1983. The foundation stone for the project was laid by the then prime minister of India Atal Behari Vajpayee in June 2000. Work on the tunnel began in July 2010. It was expected to be completed by 2015, but due difficult geographic conditions and large water stream (seri) inside the mountain, the tunnel was finally completed in September 2020. It is 9.02 kms long
The state-owned Border Roads Organisation will operate the tunnel.
The Rohtang Tunnel is a route that will connect the Lahaul-Spiti valley to the tourist town of Manali in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The tunnel will also form part of an all-weather access route to the mountainous regions of Leh and Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
The construction of the tunnel was undertaken by Strabag-Afcons, a joint venture between India-based Afcons Infrastructure and Austria’s Strabag. The contractors were selected after the project was approved by the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security in September 2009.
Australia-based SMEC (Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation) will provide design and project management services until completion of the project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the strategically important all-weather Atal Tunnel on 3rd October 2020. It was a matter of great pride for all us in Kullu - Manali and also the people of Lahaul Spiti.
The tunnel is built with ultra-modern specifications in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 metres (10,000 feet) from the Mean Sea Level
The south portal (SP) of Atal Tunnel is located at a distance of 25 km from Manali at an altitude of 3,060 metres, while the north portal (NP) of the tunnel is located near village Teling, Sissu, in Lahaul Valley at an altitude of 3,071 metres. It is a horse shoe shaped, single-tube double lane tunnel with a roadway of 8 metres and has an overhead clearance of 5.525 metres. Atal Tunnel has been designed for traffic density of 3000 cars per day and 1,500 trucks per day with max speed of 80 kmph.
Moment of relief for people of Lahaul Spiti
Before the construction of the tunnel, there was only one route to Lahaul and Spiti via Rohtang Pass. The 13,050-feet high pass receives heavy snow during the winter, cutting off the Lahaul valley from the rest of the state for six months every year. During this period, residents of the valley are dependent on a flight service provided by the state government.
Lack of medical facilities also posed greater risk during winter periods of isolation.
Tashi Dawa, a close friend of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is remembered for convincing Vajpayee for sanctioning the tunnel. hailed from Tholang village in Lahaul and had come in contact with Vajpayee during a RSS camp in Baroda, Gujarat, in 1942. Dawa used to visit the former prime minister whenever he used to come to Prini village in Manali.
Pangi Valley in Chamba via Sach Pass
Do watch youtube video of our Pangi valley tour
A trip to Pangi was long ovedue. This time while on Dalhousie , Khajjiar tour, we decided to make it happen. We started early in the morning from Khajjiar towards Chamba. It was an arduos and tiring journey of 12 hrs towards Killar, where we stayed for the night.
Sach Pass lies about 127 km from Chamba and about 175 km from Dalhousie. Every year the pass gets open from late June or early July to mid-October, and then the road closes for winters after heavy snowfall.
This was a general route we followed, Chamba to Bairagarh – Satrundi – Sach Pass – Killar.
We stopped at Chamba just for a while and had our breakfast here and post which we started our journey.
The road was not a good one and not dangerous until Bairagarh. A few kms after Bairagarh and gaining a greater height, the road seemed to become deadliest one and everytime thought creeped into my mind that vehicle would crash into a mountain or fall into the ChandraBhaga river below.
We were at Sach pass by 2 pm and it was crowded with tourist from the plains, as Himachal had recently lifted restrictions on entry of tourists to the state.
It was onset of winters in mountains, and the chill could be well felt at Sach pass, and at any moment there could be a possibilty of rain or snowfall. We visited the temple as the pass and lunch at nearby Dhaba, and set of towards Killar, without wasting any time as we were aware that weather in high altitude passes changes quickly.
In the evening we reached Killar and we had booked a PWD rest house. We stayed here for the night.
Next day morning , we had to cover Sural Bhatori and Hudan Bhatori.
Pangi valleys inhabitants were of mixed religions, hindu and buddhists.
Pangi valley is divided into the Saichu, Hudan Bhatori and Sural Bhatori valleys. Tinglotti pass which separates the Hudan and Sural valleys
1) Sural Bhatori: The distance from Killar to Sural Bhatori was said to be around 20 kms.
This village was mostly inhabited by Buddhist people, called a Bhotia of Tibetan descendents.
The locals informed me that there was no homestay in the village but there was a Forest Rest House where a stay could be arranged. This also known as bhojpatra village , here bhojpatra (Betula Utilis trees are commonly found) and in ancient time sanskrit texts were writted on this paper like bark of the tree.
The village itself, was a beautiful one. Very clean and tidy. People were busy in field and wrapping up their work before onset of long winters.
2) Hudan Bhatori
If one doesnt prefer cars and whats to trek, one can reach Hudan by hiking for about 12 km. From Hudan, you can return to Killar by catching the afternoon bus or your car.
There isnt frequent bus service to this place. Just one or two buses ply in a day.
The village itself is devoid of any hotel or homestay but some locals said that there is a forest rest house which can booked from main office in Killar.
So in all, Killar is hub for adventurers and trekker, who can either choose to go towards Jammu and Kashmir via Kishtwar, or towards Manali via Lahaul spiti, or towards the Zanskar valley in Ladakh.
In the evening we returned to Killar for a night stay and next morning we headed towards Udaipur in Lahaul valley on our way back to Manali.
Trek to a Glacier in Kullu Manali in Pirpanjal Himalayas
Hampta Pass in Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Route -
Manali - Sethan - Jobra - Chika (10,100ft) – Balu ka Ghera (11,900ft) - Balu ka Gera (11,900ft) – Siagoru (12,900ft) - Siagoru (12,900ft) – Chatru (11,000ft , Spiti Valley) - Chandertal Lake or towards Manali (via Rohtang)Hinduism in Bali - Being a Hindu in India
Hinduism - Belief beyond Expectation and Karma
I am a proud Indian Hindu and all throughout my life I've been taught to govern my actions by beliefs and values of family and my religion. In mind, Gods and goddesses have been projected as normal human beings but of supreme souls, paramount to human existence.
In India, each god has some attached significance, be it wealth with Laxmi, be it education and learning with Saraswati, power with hanuman and so on. We know on whom to rely when we encounter situations.
Gods and Godesses are invoked at birth, in life and at death. Fairs, festival, functions etc cannot begin without solicitation from gods.
Now when i reach Bali, an indonesian island, with nearly 83% hindu population, my sense of pride in being a hindu multiplies. Various hindu sects exist here today, namely vaishnava, shaivites, ganpatya etc.
As I land at the Ngurah Rai International airport in Jimbaran, a local driver named Mr Kaar comes to pick me he seemed to be a gentleman guy at very first sight and all throughout the trip he was just awesome. Very helpful and cooperative.
We checked in to the hotel and next day marked start of our sightseeing.
We were taken to Batubalan village to see magical show of Barong and Keris dance.
Barong is a panther like creature, in Balinese mythology, and king of spirits.
My first impression was that this was a legacy of practice of animism. Wearing masks is considered very spiritual and belief that god can be found anywhere. Mask act as a medium of passing on messages of gods and ancestral spirits back to this world.
So for Balinese, gods everywhere, a slight difference from what we belive that god is an entity itself and everything we see around is just his creation.
What i felt seeing various statues and artefacts around Bali is that Balinese people deeply followed Mahabarata , Ganesh, Shiva and Vishnu (Garuda).
Like in hindu, sacred water of Ganga and other rivers is used to purify things, as mark of similar symbolism , also sprinkle water (tirtha) over the head to purify minds, drunk to purify speech and sprinkled to purify body.
A very common sight you find at most religious places and functions is a canang sari (bowl made of palm leaf). In it it has, betel leaf symbolizing vishnu, lime - Shiva and gambier- Brahma. Household offer this daily as a mark of self sacrifice owing to the time and effort it requires.
In India, usually a thali (plate) with rices ,tika, prasad is prevalent during religious ceremonies.
When i think of god, instantly a picture gets framed in mind. Good and bad times, we are taught to rely on gods.
But for Bali people god is not just a picture , figure or a statue, but solid belief that everywhere there is god.
Unlike our common towering indoor Hindu temples, puras (temple) are designed as an open air place of worship within enclosed walls, connected with a series of decorated gates between its compounds.
Tirta empul , a water temple was good. it is dedicated to lord vishnu and the water considered very spiritual with healing and purifying power.
Your knees and shoulders need to be covered.
You can hire a sarong at the temple’s entrance for a small fee.
Take off your shoes before entering the temple
Females are not permitted to enter if they are menstruating
Pregnant women are not permitted inside temples
It’s offensive to point your feet towards shrines or other holy objects
Jana waterfall in Naggar, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Bollywood's Favourite Place - Naggar, Manali
Drive from Naggar to Jana falls is worth every penny. On the way pine trees, deodar trees, apple orchards and snow-peaked mountain, make this drive all worthwhile.
This fall has developed as picnic spot and a tourist point. Jana waterfall is just 12 kms from Naggar Village and 32 Kms from Manali Bus Stand and even equally distanced from Kullu.
The village enearby is equally beautiful and famous for local red rice, localy know as zaatu chawal.
With changing agricultural ways and more importance to economically viable horticulture production, like Apple, pears, plum , the rice field are giving way to these products. The demand for red rice is hight but supply diminishing day by day.
Zaatu chawal is being sold for nearly Rs 300 per KG.
There are few dhabas around which will serve you the nutritious Zaatu chawal near Jana water fall.
There is a single lane road which is end at Bijli Mahadev Temple and the condition of the road is not good after Jana. The road is surrounded by beautiful pine trees and view on the way to Jana is awsome of snow clad mountains. It is a small waterfall but the USP of the place is the local delicious food served here . It is good picnic spot for families and children and a beautifual place away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Recently , a film was shot at this location. It was Brahmastra and starring none other than legend Mr Amitabh Bachhan and Ranbir Kapoor.
When in Manali , do pay a visit to Jana falls with family.
http://www.countrysidetravels.com/index.php/video-stories
Village life in Kullu Manali - People, Traditions and Culture - How a te...
Kullu and Manali, is known for rich cultural heritage. The customs and practices have been going on for centuries.
Just witness rural life, a village tour in Kullu Valley, where a temple is being built by the village community.
Tourism in Kullu Manali - Himachal Pradesh
Planning to tour Himachal Pradesh - Kullu Manali
Just watch this video and you will know exactly why Kullu Manali has to be on your bucket list.
For planning a trip, do reach us countrysidestays@gmail.com
Subscribe to our channel on Youtube : countrysidetravels
Winters in Manali - Snowfall and Coziness of Tandoor
While I write this post today(26th September), I admit the chill has set in and its onset of winters.
Winter usually start with a dry spell in October and severity in December, January and February.
With time a lot has changed, and daily life of the people of the valley is not paused now with onset of winters rather people continue living normally. A few years back, it was not the same, these few months, were focussed on getting ready for long winters.
Stock pile of wood, food items, warm clothes etc were rationed for the winter season. It was all but obvious that there would be days without water and electricity. Mobile phones, televisions and other electronic items were not there then barring a few households.
Today the things have changed, maximum population in the valley today relies on information exchange, be it Facebook, Instagram etc, and would do anything to get their mobile phone charges to keep up with the world pace. Younger generation wouldn't hold on for even one day without electricity and would go to extent of charging their mobile phones and gadget in their cars.
With very very little work in winters and religious activities , congregations very few during winters, this time of year is used for socialising with each other. Villages become a to happening again, Under sunshine, locals can be seen gossiping/chatting over tea.
Every house hold, has special room where tandoor is fired. Tandoor is fire oven in which wood is burnt. It helps to warm the room and maintain a cosy temperature. Without tandoor, it is very difficult to sit in room, even with a quilt or blanket. So essentially, tandoor, helps bringing family together. To keep themselves warm each of the family member sits int the room.
Hot water is kept in a kettle, which has multiple uses like for instant cooking, washing utensils, bathing etc.
Few people (adventurers) also set out to ski slopes with snowboard and ski. Solang valley and Sethan are some areas around with good ski slopes.
During winters, most of the months are said to be dark months (nyara mahine) and very few social events like mariages, etc are held.
Only major event, start in February, and is called a Fagli. The festival is organised to observe the "victory of good over evil".
This festival is celebrated to mark the end of winter or the beginning of spring. It is celebrated in the entire valley on the moonless night or Amavasya.
In many villages, like Malana, Men dressed in traditional attire with masks on their faces were seen dancing in circles while hundreds of locals also gathered to watch the event.
Local beverage, Chaakti/Lugdi made from rice is served in the evening to all the guests.
So winters, in Kullu valley are pretty long and thanks to internet, it does keep most people busy.
Ghost Stories of Pirpanjal Himalayas
World beyond ours and spirits beyond our world
When one thinks of mountains, few things some to mind, the slope, the treacherous road, snow, river and beautiful people (of course girls too). But one other thing which is always there in the mind and may not directly show up or rather I would say some condition would trigger the thought, like being in dark place, hearing unwanted noise or being alone, and yes I am talking about spirits and ghosts.
Mountains, in fact were synonyms of ghost stories in earlier times and the folk/tales of same still exist.
Though development, construction activities, rising population today has sent such spiritual /ghost experience into the oblivion now a days.
But let me be true, you may call it hallucination or tiredness of mind or whatever, but the thing is stories of such ghost/spirit encounters still exist.
In my next blog, I''l take you through such experience......
To be continued, watch out for my next blog...
Dashal - The Khajuraho of north - The tales and folklore
The beginning of Dashal as a village
Tales and folklores are synonyms of village life. There are few such tales associated with one of village in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, namely, Dashal.
This is a story as told by my father, Mr Gajender Thakur.
Village Dashal, derived from the word DEV-God and Shala- Place, i.e. gods place.
Because, the place being abode of many Devi devtas (god-goddess) the place was rechristened as Devshala in earlier times.
There existed gods and goddesses, Devi Kotli, Patal Devta, Gauri Shankar, Naar singh, Vasuki Nag and Nanda Patal.
It is situated on the left bank of river Beas (ancient Vedic name- Vipasha).
Initially, as the tales goes, a village by the name Bhotgraan existed there by the bank of the Pakhnoj Nallah(stream). It is said that that mine of Pukhraj, of precious stones, existed somewhere near the source of the nalah.
At some later time, this entire village was completely washed away by floods due to the Nallah. The families of KHUS, RAHU, KOL, KIRAT sub-castes were the original residents of this village. The flood ruined and devastated these inhabitants.
The chief deity of these inhabitants was Nanda Patal, also Agni pataal devta was there in the village. His place was at a nearby place up the hills, called Chharahan.
The flood just ruined the entire existence of the village and happened due to a lake being formed uphill due to landslide. This dam like structure at a place called "Tateri Thhach" was damaged resulting in collapse and large volume of water from the artificial lake coming down as flood.
It is said that, while entire community perished, there was just one survivor, a Shepard and during the time of flood he was grazing his sheep.
A few years back utensils of the old village were found. OKHLEES (paddy husking pits on thick slab of stone).
So there was a large unclaimed fertile land in this village , which started attracting many outsiders to this village, which in present day is called Dashal.
Valley of God - Kullu - Himachal Pradesh
Beliefs of Himalayas
Trek to Malana in Kullu - Manali - Worlds oldest democracy
Malana Trek via Naggar(Rumsu) and Return via Manikaran/Kasol
Level of beginner and moderate trekkers
Altitude of 9500 feet
1 Night/ 2days trek
Local people , proudly describe themselves as descendants of Alexander the Great.
Base camp - Bharhka Countryside Cottage Resorts, Bharhka, Sarsai.
Things To Carry: Solar lamp, Warm clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats/caps, mosquito repellant, headlamp, medical and first-aid kit, camera, toiletries, trekking shoes, thermal wear, snacks and water.
Ideal time for visit- May to September
Malana is a small self-governed village with distinctive customs. It is said to be world's oldest democracy.
The village is famous for the cultivation of the cannabis plantations; though declared illegal by the government, the villagers drive their income by selling the 'malana cream', a variety of cannabis hashish, which has attracted a large foreign-based crowd here.
We were a group of 6 people and we carried packed food (lunch and dinner)
Day 1
Post breakfast at our hotel (4 kms before Base Naggar), we started our journey via jeep till base.
The scenic route took us along the Rumsu village, lush green hills, small streams. The surrounding hills were dotted with dense Deodar vegetation that gave green hues to the waters of the streams.
Our first, halt base was the Chanderkhani pass (altitude- 3600m)
On reaching Chanderkhani, we pitched our tents for night halt, since we had packed dinner with us , we immediately went to sleep post dinner, as uphill climb over the mountain to this pass had made everyone very tired. We were drained and had trekked intermittently.
Day 2
Early morning at 5 am, we woke up packed our tents and things, and were set to take downward(downhill) journey to Malana village.
By 10 am we were in Malana. We had breakfast at relatives home of one of our team member.
Malana Village-
Houses in the village are 2-3 storeyed (older ones are typical kathkuni styled but new ones are brick/mortar buildings) and built of wood and stone.
The Malanese are believed to be the descendants of "Alexander the great", dating back to 326 BC. They speak the Kanashi tongue that is unheard of in the neighbouring villages since outsiders are barred from using their dialect.
Foreigners are not allowed to enter household of Malana natives and they cannot touch any things which Malanses use like tap, clothes etc.
The outer walls of the temples are adorned with bones, skulls and horns of the animals.
There are now plenty of cafes and dhabas, variety of food is served at the place now, though the food is simple; but one can't complain, as the locals have to bring food, water from the lower terrains on foot.
Later in the day, we trekked back to the starting point and headed to Manali via Kasol.
On the way, We reached Manikaran. We visited the famous Gurudwara and witnessed the natural hot-water springs. The cultural richness of the village and the beauty of mountain peaks is enough for one to disconnect with the hustle-bustle of the mundane and hectic urban life and find solace in mother earth and nature.
Malana is exactly that what it offers you
Malana gives you thrills and experience of lifetime. You have to be here once.
Village life in Kullu Manali
Dashal Village
We give you glimpse of village , village life and people and how they participate in social aspects.
A temple, Vasuki naan delta, is being constructed in this village, and we have documented the entire process during its construction.
You may watch the video here:
Experience at Igloo in Manali
Igloo Stays in Manali with the Countryside Travels
- Adventure Activities: Skiing, Tube Sliding, Making Snow Man & Lesson to make your own igloo.
- 4WD experience in mountain.
- Calm, and serene environment of snowy winter.
- Make new friends.
- Bonfire and music.
Marriages in Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh
Kullu Customs, traditions and beliefs
3 Day trek to Hampta Pass in Manali, Himachal Pradesh
On the third and last day, we had light breakfast and we started downhill trek along the same Hampta Pass Circular trek river crossing at Juara Nala then Chhika and finally our trek starting and ending Point at Jobri where our vehicles will be waiting for us to drive back to Manali.
Our Hampta Pass Circular Trek comes to an end with beautiful mosaic of memories.
If you are interested in this trek, please reach our customer suport team at +91-93186-18200