Earthly Stays

A Trek To Kheerganga

earthlystays — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 11:54:00 +0000

‘Yearning to chill and relax in the lap of nature and craving to escape from the mundane routine of
all work and no play?’ Don’t be as dull as Jack and pack your bags to visit one of the finest
destinations in northern India, rejuvenate your senses and live in close proximity to the bounty of
nature. WELCOME TO KASOL! With even less than 4,000 people in the town, affordable
accommodations most of which faces a clean, gurgling river, coniferous forests, and snow-capped
mountains, Kasol is the perfect ‘do-nothing’ vacation spot to just chill and relax in the arms of
nature. Apart from being apt for travelers wanting an escape from the madding crowd, Kasol is also
an ideal destination for backpackers, trekkers, and nature enthusiasts due to its breathtaking scenic
valley, immaculate mountains, and great climate throughout the year. It is an important base for
trekking towards SarPass, Yanker Pass, Pin Parbati Pass and Kheerganga.
TREK TO THE HOLY ABODE

Lying in picturesque Parvati Valley, Kheerganga makes it to the list of destinations to encounter hippie culture amidst the mountain solace. The base point of the trek is from Barshaini, which is 20
km from Kasol and one can reach Barshaini via private cabs (Rs. 1100 to 1200 for 4 persons) or a
local buses (Rs. 45). The 12km trail from here provides you with ample opportunities to explore the
natural bounties of the region. The first few kilometres are hardly a climb and the trail will take you
through lush farms, small hills and villages along the Parvati River. On the way, you will find
numerous charming waterfalls that will lure you to take pictures. This mystic land of enchanting
beauty will compel you to sink in its enthralling views that serve as ‘food for the soul’. The last village
where you can expect your phone network to work before dying is the Rudra Nag village, crossing it
will leave you with just yourself, your trekking partners and of course nature. One sight of the
astonishing serpent-shaped waterfall of Rudra Nag will give you a new perspective on nature. These
splendid waterfalls are one of the highlights of the trek. Kheerganga is almost 2 hours from this
village.
Beyond Nag village the woods become dense and the path becomes steeper. The trek from here
requires strenuous climbing and hardcore trekking abilities before you reach Kheerganga. After
reaching the green meadow of Kheerganga, take a refreshing dip in the hot springs to wash off the
fatigue acquired during the trek. The cool weather and vistas of the mighty peaks of the Himalayas,
and the therapeutic water of the hot springs is a unique combination, a life changing experience to
be cherished forever. The best feeling is the one you feel on being immersed in a pool of warm
water surrounded with snow clad mountains. Unbelievable!!! Isn’t it?
ABOUT THE PLACE
Kheerganga is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva meditated for 3,000 years, thus it holds
spiritual and religious importance. The hot springs here called the Parvati kund, is the highlight of
this place and is believed to be ‘holy’ with healing and therapeutic properties. Kheerganga which
translates to ‘milky, holy water of pious nature’ is said to be named after this tiny pool, which is

considered sacred. Amidst the heaven at Kheerganga are many cafes and a dharamshala. You can
spend the night here in your tent or get an accommodation from the various lodging options at a
throw away cost .The cafes offer stay in tents and large halls with inbuilt ‘tandoors’. The cost per bed
varies from INR 100 to INR 200 depending upon the season. Spend the night here and gear up for
the second round of the trek and wake up to a magical morning that won’t fade away from your
memory ever. You can take the same route to Barshaini the next day. From Barshaini you can take a
bus back to Kasol. A gist about the trek is given below:

Approximate trekking distance (to and fro) : 26 Km
Base Camp : Barshaini
Difficulty Level : Easy to moderate
Highest point of trek : 10,065 ft
Nearest Airport : Bhuntar Airport
Nearest Railhead : 150 km
Region : Kullu
Snow : Kheerganga is covered with snow in the winters that is from November to January.

PLANNING A TREK TO THIS MYSTIC LAND, KEEP THESE THINGS IN MIND

1) Be sure to carry a powerbank, rain coat, something warm to wear at night as Kheerganga is
cold during summers too, torch and cash (credit and debit cards don’t work here).
2) Wear proper trekking/ sports shoes.
3) Do not carry heavy backpacks while trekking, carry light backpacks with only the important
items in its stead.
4) Carry drinking water and some biscuits for that quick energy reinforcement.
5) Do not try to trek to and fro to Kheerganga in a day. Resting in Kheerganga is highly
advisable for safety as well as to avoid too much fatigue.
6) Respect the serenity and beauty of nature and the locals, do not litter and make this pious
place dirty.

CONCLUSION
The Parvati Valley is one of the most picturesque places in Himachal Pradesh. You can explore its
magnificent landscape and let your soul devour peace from its enchanting views. The Kasol to
Kheerganga trek is an invigorating journey, which not only unveils the stunning terrain of the
Himalayas, but also gives you a chance to learn about the interesting culture of the people living
here . So pack your bags and Get, set Go……!!

A Trek To Malana (The Village Of Taboos)

earthlystays — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 11:42:04 +0000

Parvati River cottage, near Jari offers you a mesmerising stay and the much needed relaxation one
needs on reaching Kasol. After spending a day in this beautiful cottage you can hike up to the
nearest taxi stand and head straight to Narang, which is the starting point of the trek to the beautiful
hamlet called Malana.
“Hush Hush!!! They have the best Hash in the world!!!”
This tiny hamlet with just about 100 houses in the state of Himachal Pradesh is a magical green
rimmed village that overlooks the Deotiba and Chandrakhani Peaks. The village of Malana is
considered as one of the oldest democracies in the world. At an altitude of 9,938 feet above sea
level lies this village also known as the village of Taboos.The Malanese locals consider all outsiders of
the village are ‘untouchable’ since they regard themselves as descendents of Alexander the Great
and of the Aryan race. If one decides to visit this village of Taboos it is advisable to not touch the
walls or belongings of any of the locals as you will have to pay a fine if you touch anything.
Blessed by Lord Shiva, good quality cannabis plant grows in abundance here. For ages the use of
cannabis has been an integral part of their lives, from medicine to footwears. But in the past they
had never traded it, neither did they know the value of it. Their only trade with the outside world
had been sheep wool. In the seventies came some white men and taught the villagers how to rub
the cream – the cleaner and more potent hash suitable for an international market. Those foreigners
drew them into business. Malana cream became an international brand. Hash production grew like a
home industry for each household.

DESCRIPTION:

A remote primitive little village in the Himalayas, Malana was isolated from the outside civilization
for thousands of years. Was never invaded or ruled by an external administration. The people there
had been living in harmony with nature, an innocent pure existence with their own language, their
own world, their own democracy. Their people’s republic has been governed by a village council
with an upper house and a lower house like the bicameral assemblies of our parliament.
Malana village is connected to Kulu by three mountain passes. Once in the state of Himachal
Pradesh it can be reached from Parvati valley across the Rashol Pass and Chanderkhani pass. The
easiest way to reach Malana is from Jari by hiring a taxi since no public buses ply to the village of
Malana, which is 23 km away.
On the ascent towards Malana village, one will be greeted by a valley which has more shades of
green than you can imagine and a river flowing with all its might. The best time to visit Malana and
witness the pleasing landscape is between March and October. Since winters are very severe.

EXPLORE:

Located near the Kullu Valley, Malana offers mesmerising views of the Deo Tiba and Chandrakhani
peaks. Unaffected by the modern civilization, Malana has its own lifestyle and social structure.
People are strict in following their customs. Malana has been the subject of various documentaries
including, Malana: Globalization of a Himalayan Village, and Malana- The Lost Identity.
A dam project, known as the Malana Hydro Power Station, has played an important role in the
development of the village. Travellers can visit the temple of Mahadev, which is located in proximity
to Malana. Interacting with the natives is the best way to comprehend the culture and the customs
they follow. Being in Malana, travellers can enjoy trekking and other similar activities. They are
advised not to touch the belongings of the villagers as it is considered to be an offence. There are a
few basic guesthouses in the village, which provide simple meals as well. There is a place for
camping, but that is at a distance from the village.
Malana is more of a village for backpackers and travellers and less for tourists. Everyone must trek
the last 4kms uphill to reach the village of Malana ,the trek is very easy as it has broad concrete
steps all along the way. This trek is picturesque and covered with lush greenery. There are few
temples here like : The Jamdagni Maa Temple, this sacred space is made of wood and stone and
does not have any electricity. There is also the shrine of Renuka Devi which is located at the start of
the village and has horns of animals in the temple complex. The horns are usually fixed on the facade
of the temple with the bangles of the villagers signifying femininity. There is a festival celebrated in
the village every year on the 15th of August which attracts a crowd from all around the valley.

CONCLUSION:

When the whole world is looking for an answer to the shortcomings of the present form of
democracy, we witness a beautiful model of self-governance, one of the world’s oldest forms of
democracy for the people being obliterated by the rule of the majority. Malana is truly a very unique
village and totally lays claim to the village of Taboos and has many restrictions on the people visiting
the village.

HOW TO REACH:

Malana is connected to the Kullu valley by three mountain passes. It can be reached from Parbati
Valley, Manikaran after a 10-hour trek over the 3180-meter high Rashol Pass, or via Nagar over the
3600-meter high beautiful Chanderkhani Pass, which is a two-day trek. The easiest and shortest way
to reach Malana is from the village Jari connected to Kullu valley. It is an easy and picturesque walk
of six hours to Malana, which is only 12 km from here. Beautiful waterfalls and the Malana nallah
stream are an incentive. The nearest Airport is at Buntar, 13 km away from Jari.

Trek To Bijli Mahadev Temple: Temple Of Lightning

earthlystays — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 10:30:40 +0000

The BIJLI MAHADEV TEMPLE, which literally translates to ‘Electric Mahadev’ is no less electrifying than
its name. This legendary temple is at an altitude of 2,460 m on top of Mathan hill in the
Kullu valley which is referred to as ‘The valley of God’. Surrounded by Pir Panjal range on one side
and Parvati on the other, the Kullu valley welcomes its visitors with majestic and breathtaking
landscapes, rich culture, and heritage.
This Lord Shiva temple is quite unique and is named after a supernatural phenomenon. It is said that
the ‘Shiva Linga’ in the temple is occasionally struck by lightning and it shatters into pieces. The
priest then uses butter as an adhesive to put the statue together. Thrilling, right? This place is full of
mysteries and miracles that will blow your mind.
The temple depicts typical hill architecture and is made of wood and stone with a sloping wooden
roof. The tranquility of the place will surely lure you when you explore the temple’s heritage,
especially the carving on wood and vibrant paintings on the temple doors. The 60 feet high staff of
Bijli Mahadev temple glistens like a silver needle in the sun. it is said that the tall staff attracts the
divine blessings in the form of lightning. One can witness the charred part (especially on the walls)
inside the temple which is due to the flames resulted during lightning.

THE TREK:

DAY 1: JANA VILLAGE TO MATIKOCHAR (5 hours)
The trek starts from Jana village passing the ancient village of Naggar which was once the capital of
the Kullu Kingdom. Climb the stairs which cross verdant forests, paddy fields and terraced orchards
of apples, pears and pomegranate, and a small Himalayan Village called Jana. Enjoy the spectacular
panoramic views from the temple overlooking the Parvati and Kullu Valley. The steep forest trail will
take you to typical Kullu villages, giving you ample chances to explore the before reaching the
Matikochar Ridge in the Kais Wildlife Sanctuary amidst forests of Pine and Deodar. You can chose to
stay here for the night and take rest at the camps in Matikochar.

DAY 2: MATIKOCHAR TO BIJLI MAHADEV (4 hours)
The next day you can start early and walk through the Kais Wildlife Sanctuary. Walk through the
woodland and then enter the wide grass field which leads to Bijli Mahadev temple. The enthralling
views throughout the trek will leave you spellbound and you will be amazed to see the confluence of
Parvati and Beas River from the top, don’t forget to capture it through your lens to keep it as a
memoir forever. Offer your prayers at the Bijli Mahadev temple. Some puja articles are available
inside the temple without any additional cost. Photography is not restricted anywhere in the place.
Camp at Bijli Mahadev for a night and enjoy nature to the fullest.

DAY 3: Trek to your base or you can also take a taxi from Bijli Mahadev for Manali or Kullu

IMPORTANT NOTE

Carry your camping equipments if you want to stay in Bijli Mahadev for more than a day. Small local
shops can provide you with refreshments during the trek . Make sure to trek during the day time as
it can be a bit dangerous during night. There can be minor injuries while trekking like bruises, knee
or arm sprain, etc, so keep first aid handy. The ridge along the temple is prone to lightning. Hence
during thunderstorms, stay below tree-line, keep away from tall trees and avoid height ground.
There are few restaurants here that can provide good Chinese food like Momos etc. As the trek is
not very easy and involves climbing etc, it is advisable for people who can’t trek to take another
route from Naggar to Bijli Mahadev, which is motorable. From this route you can reach the temple
directly.

SEASON: April – November end
MAX. ALTITUDE: 3600m
HIGH PASSES: Chanderkhani Pass (3600m)
TREK GRADIENT: Easy to moderate.
WEATHER: because of its altitude, the weather is unpredictable. The best time to visit Bijli Mahadev is
during summer as it is pleasant and not very cold. During winters and rainy seasons, the weather is
cold and the road becomes slippery, which makes trekking difficult.

Solang Valley

earthlystays — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:24:43 +0000

Situated approximately 62 kilometers from Bhuntar and about 3 hours drive from Kasol lies the snow-laden Adventure Zone of Solang Valley
Sitting pretty at an altitude of 8500 ft. This is an ideal place to visit with family and friends, to enjoy in snow, and get the first-hand feed of the adventure activities
The road from Kullu to Solang is being widened, and it’s advisable to take the East Bank routes this is much better maintained and has lesser traffic as well. David also be some patches on your way that you would even be able to accelerate at 60 km/hour. Once you are about to enter Solang Valley you would be stopped at the police post to get the pollution certificate checked and then you’re all set to be surrounded by snow capped peaks.
Once you reach Solang Nahla you would be pleasantly surprised to see so many tourists and this long line of food stalls, chai vendors and corn sellers. Car parking can be bit of a hassle but that’s the last hurdle between you and all that fun that I wish you as Solang Nahla.Ice skating, snow tubing, snow bikes and Slay rides are all available there. And don’t miss the cable cars which would get you to the best possible view of the entire Valley. So what are you waiting for? Open your calendar and check for the next long weekend to have a galla time in Solang Valley.

A Hidden Gem: Prashar Lake

earthlystays — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:08:44 +0000

“A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is the earth’s eye; looking into
which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next to the shore
are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills and cliffs around are its
overhanging brows.” – David Henry Thoreau.
Abutted by the imposing Dhauladhar ranges in Kullu Valley is a pristine blue-water lake called
Prashar. Located at a height of 2730 m above sea level, and surrounded by tall cedar trees having
stunning silence, this prepossessing lake is a glee to the eye and food for the soul. A trek to Prashar
Lake follows a charming trail through a reserved forest, small rivulets and scenic pasture-lands. It an
Odyssey that offers a breathtaking 180 degree view of the Dhauladhar, Pir Pinjal and Kinnaur
mountain ranges. The true beauty of the road to Prashar Lake is revealed in Winters when the
traveller in left enthralled by its charm. Bedecked with endless snow and fully snow capped peaks
while facing the Beas River, makes one feel closest to heaven.
There are times when you just want to go for a hike for a few hours in the mountains and not trek
for countless tiring hours to reach your destination. There are times when you can’t take a holiday
from work and would like to experience camping during the weekend, or maybe you aren’t so
comfortable hiking or camping at all but want to spend time in solitude surrounded by a chain of
Himalayan Peaks and on the lap of MOTHER NATURE. Prashar Lake is such a ‘hike’ which can be
wrapped up within a weekend without compromising on the sheer beauty and richness that
Himalayas has to offer.

DESCRIPTION:
Prashar Lake is located at a height of 2730m above sea level and is 40 km away from the town of
Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Prashar Lake is also a symbol of natural beauty which is overlooked by
snow-draped peaks and is situated on the highest place of Mandi district. The Sage Prashar is
supposed to have meditated at the bank of this lake and the lake houses three-tiered Pagoda style
temple built up of a single Deodar tree dedicated to him. This pagoda style temple located close to
the lake is a fine example of Himalayan architecture and style and is a must visit for its mesmerising
simplicity.
Away from the chaos and hullabaloo of daily life and usual tourist spots, the lake is a much needed,
desirable change. One can spend a whole day simply relaxing under the blue skies over looking the
deep blue waters of the lake, at this place that serves as the EPITOME OF SPIRITUALITY,
TRANQUILITY AND BREATHTAKING VIEWS.

EXPLORE:
For a die-hard nature lover, giving a miss to the natural majesty of Himachal Pradesh is an uphill
task. Travellers coming to Himachal Pradesh always have an interesting experience to boast. The
magnificent forts, shrines, monasteries-all beckon you to have a look at the rich historical and
cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh. It would be hard to ignore the exquisite valleys, mountains,
wildlife destinations, springs and lakes as well. The captivating Himachal Pradesh Lakes form a much

valued target for tourists coming here. Out of the several Himachal Lakes, Prashar Lake is one of the
favourite amongst the tourists.
The lake is located at a comfortable altitude of just over 9,000 feet and makes for a perfect weekend
trek with its proximity and good road connectivity with cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun. The
best way to explore this paradisiacal land is by taking a trek from Baggi Village to Prashar lake. One
can get the spectacular views of the Dhauladhar, Pirpinjal and Kinnaur peaks during the trek. As the
lake is surrounded by small hillocks you need to walk 500 meters to reach the top and can have the
first glimpse of the Lake and the temple. There is a small restaurant here that serves very simple
food consisting of plain Rice , Rajma, Dal and pickle for lunch. There is also a guesthouse of the
Forest department for which prior booking is required. Camping here is a very good option too. As
you climb further up from Prashar Lake, the views keep getting better and better. Nothing beats a
weekend snow trek!

CONCLUSION:
For a perfect weekend getaway amidst nature, Prashar Lake in Himachal is a great option. Famous
for its serene, tranquil and virgin landscape, this area has too much for the delight of nature lovers
and adventure enthusiasts. Prashar lake is truly the hidden gem of Mandi region, that must be
explored.
For any group packages or further info please feel free to visit our website www.triptokasol.com or
call +91-9990-99-2220

Exploring the Unseen Kasol, obviously apart from Tosh and Chalal

earthlystays — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 16:49:00 +0000

I am not writing this blog after a 2 or 3-day trip to Kasol but after a stay of 5 yrs in the valley. Parvati Valley is Home and the people here are like an extended family, and best of buddies.
I meet so many people coming from all corners of the country and everyone falling in love with this place however what disappoints me is the fact that nobody knows the real meaning of spending time and finding your true self in this Valley, everyone who comes here is just in a hurry to spend one night in Tosh one in Chalal one in Kheerganga and just head back. This has become like the fixed route map of all the people coming here.
Has it ever occurred to anyone that a place as big as Parvati Valley and just 3-4 places to visit??? When my friends from Delhi plan a trip, I advise them to go anywhere, visit any village of Parvati Valley apart from Tosh and Chalal. Please don’t take me wrong. I don’t have any personal grudge towards these villages, but honestly, there is nothing to see here apart from a few newly made guest houses and shady cafes. If you wish to see the actual Himachali style of living, the real good culture, and architecture, then visit places like Suma Ropa, Katagla, Pulga, Baladhi, Patla, or Matuera. All these villages are very close to Kasol and if you ask any taxi driver or local, they would tell you about these villages definitely with the smile on their face
I’ll give you a small brief of a few:-

Suma Ropa:- Located 4kms before Kasol and adjacent to the forest and Parvati river this place is famous for having the only Trout Fish farm in the entire valley and also a source of the purest natural mineral water (Baouli) There are a lot of camping sites and homestays situated here.

Pulga:- You can get down at Bershaini and it’s just a 30-40 minute trek to this beautiful village with so many hundred-year-old wooden houses and the most amazing view of the valley. There are a lot of small cafes here as well.

Katagla: You can skip Chalal and head for Katagla, you would need to get down at Jai Nahla which is three kilometers before the Kasol market and from there it’s just a 10-minute walk also you can walk straight to Kasol from here it’s a very nice Riverside trek.

Patla : You would need to get down at Jari, which also is the starting point for the Malana trek from there you can ask anybody the way it is just a 15-minute walk. Patla is famous in the entire Valley for the best plums and apples. There are many Apple and plum orchards and also not to miss are the famous Kathkuni houses which are the epitome of Himachali architecture.

Baladhi: Get down at Jari and you would need to walk for 20 minutes through many apple orchards and a small forest patch to reach this beautiful Riverside village Baladhi. You would also need to cross a wooden bridge over the Parvati River. There are a lot of Nepalese families settled here and their homemade rice beer is definitely worth a shot. Few accommodation options and a riverside cafe are now here as well.