The fertile plains and lower and middle hills of Himachal Pradesh particularly Kullu, Solan and Sirmaur have seen record production of off-season cash crops like peach, tomato, cauliflower and cabbage in recent years. This is largely attributed to excellent implementation of the central government pro-farmer schemes, fertilizer subsidies, seed management, impetus to drip irrigation and... Continue Reading →
Himachali Galgal
Galgal (Citrus pseudolimon Tanaka), popularly known as pahadi nimbu or Hill lemon is one of the finest varieties of indigenous lemons in the country. Largely confined to rainfed areas in the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, this hardy fruit crop has immense medicinal, healing and nutritional properties and... Continue Reading →
Himachali Lakucha
Lakucha is one of the most revered native fruits that finds mention in several Hindu texts and treatises. Lakucha (Artocarpus lacucha), commonly known as monkey jack or monkey jackfruit is often taken to be the cousin of the more famous jackfruit and possesses a rare combination of sweetness and sourness accompanied with a fiery punch. In... Continue Reading →
Himachali Charota (Chakramarda)
The hilly state of Himachal Pradesh is a treasure trove of rare medicinal herbs that have been used in traditional medicine and Ayurveda since the ancient times. The roots, leaves, stalks, flowers, fruits and seeds of these unique plants are used in the preparation of local delicacies as well as fodder for the livestock. ... Continue Reading →
Himachali Kachalu
One of the most versatile and widely cultivated crops in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh is the humble kachalu. Kachalu (Colocasia Esculenta (L.)) is a root vegetable that is revered by locals for its medicinal, healing and nutritional properties. The corms, leaves and stalks are used to prepare traditional medicine as well as local delicacies. The... Continue Reading →
Himachali Lasura
Lasura, a relatively unknown tree to many is actually one of the most revered trees in India. Also known as Indian Cherry or Gum Berry or Glue Berry, lasura as it is called in the hilly state of Himachal has been used in Ayurveda, traditional medicines and Unani for centuries. The fruits, leaves, bark... Continue Reading →
Himachali Kachnar
The hilly state of Himachal Pradesh is the land of exotic fruits, vegetables and flowers. A fair number of these native vegetables and fruits grow in the wild on the foothills of the Himalayas. Locals and nomadic tribes have been using edible fruits, vegetables and flowers to prepare medicines and local delicacies since the ancient... Continue Reading →
Himachali Beedana Pickle
Beedana (Cydonia oblonga M.), more commonly known as quince is an edible fruit found in abundance in the Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh. This indigenous fruit is revered by locals for its medicinal, healing and nutritional properties and used to treat several ailments like cancer, diabetes, ulcers and respiratory infections to mention a few. ... Continue Reading →
Himachali Aaroo Pickle
The hilly state of Himachal Pradesh has a variety of traditional pickles prepared from native fruits, vegetables, tree stems, buds, roots and leaves. These pickles are revered by the locals for their nutritional, medicinal and healing properties. Each part of Himachal has a particular speciality based on the availability of the produce and its use.... Continue Reading →
Himachali Lingri
Lingri or lungru as it is known in Himachal Pradesh is an indigenous vegetable that grows in the wild in the Himalayan region. This fern also known as fiddlehead (Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw) is widely used by locals of Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in their traditional cuisine. Lingri is... Continue Reading →
Chamba Chukh
Chamba, revered for its stunning natural beauty, history, literature and spiritual potency is the land of the world-famous chukh. This delightful home-made pickle is prepared from the exotic Himalayan chitrali chillies that grow in abundance in the hilly region. The fiery Himalayan green chitrali chillies are carefully picked, sundried and then mixed with the extract of an indigenous... Continue Reading →
Kullu Capsicum
Shimla Mirch, also known as Sweet Pepper or Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum) is one of the most famous agricultural produces of the lush green Kullu valley. This economically viable crop is revered for its taste, versatility and flavour and is widely used in Indian cuisine. Almost 9 percent of India's annual... Continue Reading →
Chamba Chappal of Himachal Pradesh
The picturesque town of Chamba named after the devout royal princess of Bharmour, Champavati is situated on the banks of the river Ravi at an elevation of about 926 feet. Historians say that Chamba was known as Airavati in the ancient times. There are very few places in the world that can rival its stunning... Continue Reading →
Yula Kanda, Rora Valley, Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh
The world's highest Krishna temple is seated at an elevation of 12,778 feet in the middle of the picturesque Yula Kanda lake hidden deep in the Rora Valley of Kinnaur and surrounded by the majestic snow-capped Himalayas. One has to travel from Tapri towards Yula and walk 12 kms from Yula to reach this ancient... Continue Reading →
लंग्ज़ा – टेथिस समुद्र के जीवाश्मों का खज़ाना (Langza, Himachal Pradesh)
वानस्पतिक आवरण से रहित स्पीति की बर्फीली ठंडी रेगिस्तानी पहाड़ी घाटी में १४,५०० फीट की ऊँचाई पर लंग्ज़ा को आमतौर पर “फॉसिल विलेज” के रूप में जाना जाता है। रोहतांग दर्रे से होकर लंग्ज़ा तक पहुंचने के लिए खतरनाक सड़कें निश्चित रूप से कमजोर दिल वालोंके लिए नहीं हैं। खराब सड़कों पर गहरे घुमावदार मोड़... Continue Reading →
Hatu Mata Mandir, Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh
Hatu Peak at a staggering elevation of 11,152 feet (3400 metres) is the highest peak in Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh. A narrow treacherous single road, a little away from Narkanda passing through dense forests of deodar, fir, spruce, blue pine and others on one side and a dizzying fall into a valley below leads... Continue Reading →
Bijli Mahadev Temple, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Bijli Mahadev temple is one of the most ancient and sacred temples in the spectacular Kullu Valley in Dev Bhoomi Himachal Pradesh. This temple is seated at an altitude of 2,460 metres and an arduous trek of 7 – 8 km through a scenic Cedar forest leads you to this divine place that offers a... Continue Reading →
Aadi Brahma Temple and Aadi Purkha Temple, Himachal Pradesh
The breathtaking Kullu Valley flanked by Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges of the Lesser Himalayan mountains on either side is referred to as the Valley of Gods or Eden of Apple. This historical place was called as Kulantapitha meaning end of the habitable world and is held in high esteem in the ancient texts of Brahmanda... Continue Reading →
Himachali Kala Zeera
Himachali Kala Zeera or black cumin is one of the most economically important medicinal plant and spice that grows largely in Himachal Pradesh. Generally known to be found as a wild plant in the forests and grassy slopes of the North-Western Himalayas, kala zeera thrives in the high mountainous regions of Kinnaur, Kullu, Chamba, Shimla,... Continue Reading →
Brij Raj Swamy Temple at Nurpur Fort, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Nurpur formerly known as Dhameri in the ancient times is located in the scenic Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful fort of Dhameri was built by Raja Basu Dev, the then ruler of Pathankot of the Pathania clan in the late 16th century. The historic fort offers a mesmerizing view of Jabhar Khud, a... Continue Reading →
Himachali Chulli Oil
Even though chulli or wild apricot grows abundantly in the districts of Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Sirmour, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti of Himachal Pradesh, it is primarily identified with Kinnaur. Chulli oil or otherwise locally known as ‘Gutti ka tel’ is extracted from the kernels of wild apricots in almost all the households for domestic consumption. ... Continue Reading →
Langza – A Treasure For Tethys Sea Fossils
Langza at an elevation of 14,500 feet is commonly known as the "Fossil Village" in the brutally stark cold desert mountain valley of Spiti devoid of vegetative cover. The treacherous roads of Manali through Rohtang Pass to reach Langza is definitely not for the faint-hearted. The bad roads with almost blind corners with no barriers... Continue Reading →