Harmony lived each day, Triloknath
Triloknath. Temples of Himachal…14 Triloknath is a small, but primary temple in Lahaul valley of Himachal. The valley is cut off for six months each year. The snow blocks the passes and the residents just live out the winter. Every now and then, a chopper addresses emergencies; and drops firewood when the winter sours. That […]
Philosophy at a glance, Kardang
Kardang Monastery. Temples of Himachal … 4. Kardang is one of the many monasteries in Keylong. Probably one of the oldest, the building has been rebuilt maybe several times. It looks quite modern despite being 900 years old. It is across the Bagha river that flows fast, thin and deep. The walk requires either a […]
Hanumanji at hilltop, Shimla
I go to the Jakhoo temple every time I visit Shimla. February 2019 was no exception. I had reached Shimla in the evening and it had soon started to snow. It was a gentle drift which became heavier in the night. I set out very early the next morning to the temple, maybe at 5.30 […]
Everyday life at Kali Bhari, Shimla
Kali Bhari at Shimla. Temples of Himachal …10. There are grand temples, there are popular temples and there are temples at great locations. Then there are some that are part of everyday life. Kali Bari temple in Shimla is a part of the daily life. It is an interesting blend of native history and migration. […]
Mataji, Mountains and Maggi, Dainkund
Dainkund. Temples of Himachal… 6. There are several temples in Himachal on hilltops. Although they are neither grand nor popular, the location makes up for it. Dainkund is one such temple. At about 9000 feet height, it is near Dalhousie, itself lesser visited than Dharamshala or Shimla. It is a nice family hike, not too […]
Lake placid at Renukaji
Renukaji, Temples of Himachal …2. Renukaji is one of the quietest lake fronts in India and on Christmas holiday in 2017, I could not spot more than a dozen overnighters. Strange, considering the reserve area is only three hours from Chandigarh.Perhaps, because hotels are not allowed to set up shop, that makes the place less […]
Hatkoti, on its own
Hatkoti, Temples of Himachal… 5. Shimla is over visited, so is Dehradun-Mussourie. Surprisingly, the region between Shimla and Dehradun is not. There are several routes, some as short as six hours. Hatkoti is in one of them, a 100 odd kms east of Shimla. This is the start of the Yamuna river territory. Every drop […]
Variety of Manikiran
Manikiran. Temples of Himachal …. 8 Manikiran is a pilgrimage for Sikhs.. and the area around is bewildering mix of experiences. Manikiran is above hot sulphur springs. The small sarovar within the Gurudwara is always comfortably warm; and there are elaborate arrangements to stow away your shoes and clothes before the bath, including small plastic […]
Perfect setting for the soul. Baijnath
Baijnath, Temples of Himachal…16 Timeless, grand, picturesque, popular, clean and peaceful. Very few temples have the perfect mix that Baijnath has. It is the setting for the soul. It is perched 50 meters high from the undulating Palampur fields. The river Binduka cuts a shallow valley along the edge of the hills. The temple has […]
Land’s end at Bharmour
Chaurasi temple of Bharmour. Temples of Himachal ….9. Bharmour is as far as you will go. It is surrounded by 16000 feet high mountains on three sides, the hill equivalent of a peninsula. It is at the dead end of a sliver of a valley. Squeezed between the Dauladhar range and the Pir Panjal range, […]