SwapnilJirageTravelPost: Himachal Diaries- Jana

https://shindebai.home.blog/2019/02/18/himachal-diaries-jana/

6–7 minutes

A couple of years ago, my college had arranged a settlement study of a remote village in Himachal Pradesh. Our campsite was a few kilometers away from the village and it was fun because we got to stay in tents instead of hotels and try a lot of local pahadi dishes! The village of Jana is situated 25 km south of Manali. Our class was divided into groups and each group was allotted different aspects of documentation like drawing plans, sections, mapping transects, etc.

*Jana Village Signboard – Population 1367, Altitude 2200 meters*

There is no physical road to the village, the village of Jana is purely a pedestrian village. Hence, we had to climb down every morning after breakfast fully equipped with sketchbooks, pens, pads, measuring tapes and cameras! The hike was around 10 minutes but was pleasant as we walked through huge deodar (Cedrus deodara) trees which were 15-20m high and had a trunk base of about 3-5m. This also happened to be the sacred tree of Jana.

Walking through these ancient woods felt intimidating, as though they saw everything and they knew everything.

*The deodar tree has medicinal properties and the tree oil is exported worldwide.*

Apart from the deodar tree, other trees found here are the Sal tree, the salwood is high in demand but is expensive, and the Pine tree- all of these are used for timber wood.

*A rudimentary map made by the locals displaying the schools, temples, main road, pathway, stream, water taps, and cremation ground*

The houses here are situated on contours, but there is a social hierarchy to it. The Brahmins reside on the topmost contours, whereas the farmers and workers on the lower ones.
My group had to map two main horizontal transects – which meant documenting houses on the pathway running along the higher contour, and the pathway on the lower contours.

*Social hierarchy-view showing the houses on different contour levels*

To the north, a small pathway running along the contour acted as the main road and took you to the Jeevnarayan temple and upper-level houses ahead.

To the south, a stepped pathway takes you down to the lower contours.

To the east, you see houses, farms, valley, and the horizon lined with snow-topped mountain peaks- the view is breathtaking.

*From one of the higher contours looking down*

The locals believe in the power of the Jeevnarayan God and hence all new construction works and important decisions are undertaken after consulting with the Gods. The entrance doors to any religious places have a low lintel level so that you bow your head in front of God before you enter the holy sanctum.

*Jeevnarayan temple- the only intricately carved structure in the village*

*Jeevdevi temple- right across the Jeevnarayan temple but smaller and made for shorter rituals*

I really love the Himachali cap that the locals wear which is round, has some unique patterns on it and is colorful. It is usually worn for special events like marriages, sacred rituals, etc. but also to protect the head from the cold winds.

*We attend the small ritual- locals participate by playing the drums*

Once we started documenting the houses, we noticed the unique construction technique used here- the katth-kuni construction technique. The walls are made of interlocking stone and wood courses, and the roof made of slate, these materials keep the interiors warm. As the village comes under seismic zone 4, the interlocking joints keep the house intact during tremors and the slates on the roof fall down outside instead of coming crashing down inside.

*Topographical response-Katth-kuni technique of interlocking stone and wood joints*

Majority of the locals are farmers and therefore a lot of farmlands are visible on the lower levels. Vegetables like cabbage, wheat, barley, tomatoes, cauliflower, etc. are grown here, most of which is sold in Manali and other markets.

*The lower contours have fields and farmlands*

Jana has it’s own primary and middle school. Both the schools are government run. Besides this, Jana also has its own small clinic.

*Government Middle School (G.M.S.), Jana*

Every evening we returned to our campsite, ate, worked on the day’s documentation, and slept, thinking of returning to Jana again the next day.

The villagers were mostly reserved, but some approached us boldly and even helped in our documentation by giving information. On one such occasion, a villager invited us to his house for a cup of tea and showed us photos from back in the day when he was a travel guide. He had spent his entire life living in this area. This makes me think how privileged we are of traveling so much, of living in different cities, affording to pay for higher education, for an expensive lifestyle, and for what? To be happy? To be content? And here talking to the locals you realize that they’ve found happiness in this simple lifestyle. They find their joys in little things and that’s what matters.

*Me hanging out with the locals sitting on one of the house-roofs*

*The roofs are sturdy enough that you can actually climb on them- My friend and I are discussing transects*

Himachal Pradesh is filled with inspiration- the trees keep you grounded and true to your roots, whereas the mountains aspire you to aim higher and take on new challenges! It is hard to stay away from something so pure and beautiful. So make an effort to be more grateful and to find happiness in little things.

“..ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you.” – Hafiz

Stay tuned to see some sketches!

I would love your comments on this one, so feel free to interact!

Solang Valley as seen on 24th December 2014

January 11, 2015

Solang Valley is a side valley at the top of Kullu Valley and lies in between Solang village and 'Beas kund' this is about 13 kms Northwest from Manali on the way to Rohtang Pass (Which often remains closed during the winter months). This valley offers fantastic views of the snow capped peaks and glaciers all year round and in winter itself turns into a absolute white zone with snow.

The Solang valley is a favorite place for summer and winter sports like Para-gliding ( They offer Short fly, medium fly and long fly rates being US$ 25 for short US$ 50 for medium and long for US$ 100) , Skiing ( The Solang valley has a beautiful skiing slope and is home to many companies that offer skiing equipments and training courses), Horse riding, Zorbing ( A large ball holding two people inside is rolled down a 200 meters slope, nowadays this is available even in winter), Snow motor biking, Rope way.

This place is a must visit for enjoying a day out for couples or couples with children and with family. Everyone of the family will find something or the other to amuse themselves and keep themselves happily busy for the whole day, with or without snow. There are quite a few accommodation available nearby and according to me for the more adventure loving tourists, its better staying here than in Manali.

Panoramic View of Solang Valley

The Road to Solang Valley from Manali running beside the river Beas offers a beautiful view of the mountains.

This valley offers fantastic views of the snow capped peaks and glaciers all year round and in winter itself turns into a absolute white zone with snow

A view from Solang Valley during winter

Skiing ( The Solang valley has a beautiful skiing slope and is home to many companies that offer skiing equipments and training courses)

Chandradittya Banik trying his luck in Skiing

Chandradittya Banik trying to think if its ok or not to try skiing.

Sledge ride at Solang Valley

Journey From KalKa to Shimla in a TOY TRAIN

December 30, 2014

India is home to many unique and mesmerizing train rides. The ride to Shimla from Kalka in a toy train ( narrow gauge) is an unforgettable experience. Locomotives with Luxurious coaches as well as ordinary coaches make your journey from Kalka to Shimla a memory to cherish for your entire life. It draws you near to the nature at its optimum beauty. From Inside one of the more luxurious coaches you will be enjoying a journey of a life time. There are quite a few trains plying in the route, takes about 5 hours to reach Shimla.

The deluxe coaches are aesthetically designed with comfortable seating arrangements and wide chairs and huge windows allows you unhindered view of the mighty Himalaya. The train chugs through the Himalaya baring all its beauty at every bend it travels. Traveling at a leisurely speed through 102 Tunnels and numerous bridges and bends along the way will take you to a world that you have never believed existed.

There are frequent trains plying daily and tickets can be bought from any IRCTC counters or railway reservation counters spread throughout India. The price of the ticket is reasonable ( Rs. 415 or about US$ 7.00) .Tasty nutritious Breakfast is served in the morning trains and dinner in the evening trains.

There are many stations along the route but trains stops only at few of them like Barog.

List of stations along the routes are

Taksal, Gumman, Koti, Jabli, Sonwara, Dharampur, Kumarhati Dagshai,

Barog Tunnel

Barog Station

Barog ( One of the major station on the route, Breakfast is served here, the train stops here for few minutes.),

Solan, Salogra, Kandaghat, Kanoh, Kathleeghat, Shogi, Tara devi, Jutogh, Shimla.

la.

Two Little devils (L) Chandradittya Banik and Ishayu Mukherjee.

(1) View as seen from inside the toy train While travelling from Kalka to Shimla

(2) View as seen from inside the toy train While travelling from Kalka to Shimla

(3) View as seen from inside the toy train While travelling from Kalka to Shimla

(4) View as seen from inside the toy train While travelling from Kalka to Shimla

(5) View as seen from inside the toy train While travelling from Kalka to Shimla

An arch bridge as seen from the toy train while traveling from Kalka to Shimla

Barog Station

Me and my wife

Stay in Peterhoff Shimla

December 30, 2014

To make your stay memorable in Shimla one should at least stay for one day at Hotel Peterhoff. Its a heritage building with huge rooms , very well decorated dining spaces huge halls and everything that takes you back in time. Room service is excellent and the staff are courteous. Its little out side of the main mall and need a taxi service for commuting to and fro Mall , the charges are nominal Rs 500 for pick up from hotel dropping at mall and return back after 3-4 hrs.

Lord Buddha

Sightseeing from Shimla... To Kufri

December 30, 2014

Kufri and the adjoining regions of Shimla was once under the Nepal kingdom but was ceded to British Raj following a treaty known as Sugauli Treaty.

Kufri a small hill station in the district of Shimla, located around 13 Kms from Shimla is the highest point. It has several attractions for the tourists, like Himalayan wild zoo hosting species like antelopes and several types of birds. Himalayan Monal which is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh is also hosted here.

Otherwise a potato farming stretch the area turn into a skiing track during winter and sees a host of tourists and local business men turning the area akin to a picnic spot.

There are several places of interest to in and around Kufri.

1. Kufri Fun World - Home to the word's highest Go Karting tracks and offers various rides and and pools, Ideal for a memorable day out.

2. Mahasu Peak. - One, if a bit adventurous can opt for the hike to the highest peak of Kufri through heavy forests surrounding Kufri.

3. Chini Bunglow

4. Indira Tourist Park. - Provides beautiful panoramic sights to locations around.

Journey from Hotel Peterhoff towards Kufri,

ri,

Journey from Hotel Peterhoff towards Kufri,

Base from where the metaled road stops and a painful, shocking ,irritable yet fun ride to Kufri on pony back begins. Tota ram is a decent and humurous pony handler who could be contacted for hiring pony for this route.