The mainstream mob is kinda knocking down the authenticity of the valley culture in DHARAMSHALA, but fear not because a little snag down the former place — & you'll fall in the circuit of pine forests. Making the destination even more famous is Sunny Deol & Ameesha Patel, because the biggest summer movie GADAR 2 was recently shot in PALAMPUR. Adjoining the DHAULADHAR peaks at the airport will also take your breath away. The mountains wouldn't end there — type any location on your GPS & continue to delight yourself with the snow capped ranges.
Our chauffeur didn't mind taking a short-cut, and what an alternative route! For a moment, felt like we are in the grasslands. You reach midway & what do you see? A shocking detail: so called religious leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's vacation home in the midst of praire.
Looking beyond it, the dominant vegetation continues. Farmers, animals grazing were all seen there. Be that as it may be, the main attraction was almost there — a Norwegian themed boutique resort waiting for us! Let us narrate to you a small anecdote about this homely hotel named Araiya that is truly a weekend retreat. Facade made of pebbled roads inside of it, typical Norwegian architecture and located at one side of the evergreen KANGRA valley.
For almost a day, we couldn't stop absorbing the stream flowing from the mountain & snow all over the peaks! Yes, you can see all of this because the scenic view from your mezzanine will allow you to. No chomping on that regular chicken tikkas, or basic curries — instead the executive chef was on his toes handing over a HIMACHALI DHAM to us. Asking oneself what's it? Well, that lavish community feast with innumerable regional delicacies bedazzled us so much.
"Sepu ki wadi", "missi roti" , "siddu" & "spicy guava drink" had our hearts. So after an impressive community feasting by Norwood that's actually inspired by KASHMIRI WAZWAN — oh yes it's the right time to mention Kashmiris now because wallah wallah. It was difficult to believe the attachment of pahadis with kashmiris. The simplicity, their honesty : the Kashmiris in the suburbs of palampur were intricately weaving not just their clothing texture but cultural textures in the heart of Himachalis. The best way to know more on this, we indulged into it! Found a german immigrant, but a kashmiri from ethnicity named Mr. Rafiq — so educated that his culture was reflecting in the way he was speaking to us. The untouched simplicity couldn't touch the notions where hate is selling across the nation. He narrated stories of his fraternity & what we observed by ourselves brought a feel good factor in us too.
Additionally, some of the kashmiri peace lovers are going and finding everyday accounts of love with pahadis, & foreigners. Or, count us in! Carrying over in this short staycation to the norwood heights resort where Sunanda Shetty, Amrita Arora Ladakh like celebrities also observed the rapidly developing town. Other than, there are number less cultures blending all in the same valley — we were so pleased to see that. Honestly, it really is having some grand temples that even have a awesome sights around it.
If you visit CHAMUNDA DEVI TEMPLE, spiritual awakening is bound to come and look at the scenic view around it. At the hilltop, with a river stream connecting it to an another temple and donkeys grazing: with mythology you will continue to see so much of grandeur around. Or if we speak of BAIJNATH TEMPLE that's built in NAGARA style for that we have a story to unfold. Raining heavily, walking barefoot in running cold water and when you see the entailing sight of Mahadev with dark clouds and precipitating rainfall, a sight to behold. This was about the temples, the Tibetan culture is more dominant. As soon as we reached a Tibetan Monastery — the way they have preserved their art is something to see.
Their monks taught us self-sustainence, a talented master over there gave us their ancestral knowledge and the craftspersons were making a community of their own. Couldn't hold ourselves back, ran straight into a an exclusive Tibetan restaurant & in a moment, started bogarting on dumplings, spicy stew, laping & Tibetan chowmein. Mouth-watering! Continuing our splendor of their art — Dalai Lama as their trustee, we saw some Thangka paintings and gold statue making! Our fascination with Buddhism was increasing so much, the frescoes on the walls of temples were something else to see.
This fascination will go on, let's get back to our Norwegian architecture and a pleasant stay near the tea gardens. Absolute mocktails were waiting for us — the mixologist's twists on classics really did a splash! And, when you sidle up to their bar you'll rediscover the health of detox drinks by the infinity pool. What a view! And, a vocalist and guitarist singing your favourite tunes to you. Was enjoying a second wind! Say cheers, gazing up at the constellations in the clear skies of Palampur, where the moonlight was actually kissing the snow-capped peak over the valley slopes.
When the chef curated a choclate praline hazelnut especially in the room, did the thing for us. Frankly, the proposal was to chance on wellness and we finally did so. The yoga session made us feel joyful, & even more enthusiastic in four degree Celsius — can you imagine? The flute meditation session that was included for us by the retreat retracted so much of concentration, calmness, inner silence, relieved tad bit of our stress. And then they offered us our choice of spa: the traditional chinese healing massage worked on the reflex points on the feet. Excellent healing!
Through pressure point techniques, the masseuse stimulated to help improve our immune system which was so needed. Universally, it has emerged as our most favorite destination now and there are many special touches around the town. The lush green valleys of Baner Khand will always be unforgettable.