HERITAGE, PLACES & TOURISM

THINGS OF INTEREST IN UPPER SHIMLA

MAHASU JATAR.
This fair is celebrated at a place about 65 Kms from Shimla-Kotkhai road near Mahasu village on the 3rd Tuesday in the month of May for two days. The fair is a very old one and is held in front of the Durga Devi temple by a large gathering who throng the place from the neighboring areas. It is believed that a Rana of Badoli lived in Chakroth near Mahasu. He had built Durga temple there. After the abolition of his jagir the Rana left the village and the villagers of Mahasu constructed a temple of Durga in their own village and to commemorate the occasion they started the fair. ‘Natti’ dances and folk songs are performed. Archery game is the main attraction of entertainment. At the end of the fair a goat is sacrificed.

AS MY FRIEND VIKAS CHAUHAN CONTRIBUTED SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MAHASU FAIR

As per local stories ” Thakur of badoli and his family died leaving no heir to the throne…people say that wrath of mother goddess was the main cause behind his demise….Later this thakurai was annexed by the british and later bought by state of balsan from the british for Rs 8000/-….. rana of balsan appointed his wazir GHORU, a rajput from kadharan village, as the administrator of the entire badoli region. Later on his descendents who came to be known as the GHARAIK family were the administrators of this region and the wazir family of balsan.It was Gharaiks and the Rana of Balsan who started MAHASU JATAR in respect of the mother Durga., not the rana of badoli.

THANKS! VIKAS I HAVE MENTIONED YOUR NAME & MATERIAL YOU SHARED WITH ME. SHALL APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD DO SAME IN FUTURE ALSO.

HATKOTI DEVI TEMPLE

A set of tourism avenues could be heritage tourism.It offer great views Hatkoti, at an altitude of 1,100 m, is a scenic village on the banks of Pabbar River in Shimla (104 km away). Sanctified with a number of temples, it derived its name from Goddess Hateshwari, who is believed to be the embodiment of Lord Shiva.Hatkoti Devi can be projected on the lines of Vaishno Devi.

Durga Mata

KUPPAR

This is one such place which gives spectacular views all around.KUPPAR holds both historical & heritage significance making it worth a visit. Giri River which makes the land so fertile carries a legend with it.The popular belief is that the river that slashed out of kuppar peak when a saintly man walloped the earth with brace of holy pincers in a time of drought.

A holy place also know as Giri ganga

Some truly Picturesque locations all around with clean air, also well connected to road.The place is good & can be projected on the lines of proposed Himalayan Sky Village in Manali attracting both national & international Tourist.

JUBBAL:
A well know small beautiful hill town, it is famous for its apple orchards and the Jubbal Palace.The place is associated with a history royal family.Rana Karam Chand (1835-1877) was the first Raja of Jubbal.This lovely locale on the banks of Pabbar river offers a panoramic view of nature.This former domicile of the Jubbal royal family is mostly renowned for its startling palace that reflects an aesthetic beauty and kingly poise.

Jubbal Palace

JUBBAL PALACE

TREKKING & CAMP LOCATIONS:

The area shared by Kotkhai, Jubbal & Rohru is one of richest in terms of economy, education, life style & hospitality.Aptly called as the most peaceful and flourishing area of Himachal. To boast of a tranquil environment of lovely orchards of precious fruits, which enhance its unbelievable beauty. Fabulously embellished by finest apple orchards Kotkhai represents the horticulture facade of this hilly state.

KOTKHAI :

At lofty point of 5,774 feet, this place is all set to enthrall its visitors with the eye catching vision of a splendid mansion of the erstwhile royal family.Spectacular scenery of light and shade that is what KOTKHAI apple orchards offers to its visitors.This delightful locale is speckled in its predominance in the traveler’s itinerary.Its vast cover of lush greenery and the apple orchards provides it with an enthralling appearance.The back bone of Himachal’s Apple industry, KOTKHAI surrounded with fine quality apple orchards and thick woods forests all around.

Palace of Rana of Kotkhai

KHARA PATHHAR

As the name suggests, this scenic location in Shimla, derives it name from a colossal boulder. This egg shaped boulder at a towering height of 8770 feet, makes Khara Pathar a hot spot of the tourists. Apart from this natural wonder this picturesque spot is also famous for its slopes. The magnificence of the lustrous greenery is further added by the presence of majestic mountain peaks.A nice location, Khara Pathhar is bestowed with tremendous trails and excellent walk ways. Khara Pathhar would be a perfect holiday spot.

Some spectaculat views all around

ROHRU :

Rohru would provide something unique to all those who love to feel the imperceptible mix of fable and reality. Its lovely temples with imposing designs, fishing and trekking routes, towering mountain peaks, picturesque environs, dense woods and fleet of streams are indeed a marvelous sceneries that one should experience at least once in a lifetime.

Beautiful Rohru

CHIRGAON

Famous for trout fishing, Chirgaon village lies in Rohru taluk of Shimla District and the town of Rohru is 15 km northeast. Some of the great spots for fishing in the area are Seema, Mandi, Sandhsu, Tikri and Dhamari. Larot, nearby, is a base for trekking to Dodra kwar, Bapsa Valley ( Sangla), and the Pabber Valley.

Don’t go out of the route avoid Hatu and Tattapani,one can stay at Khara Pathhar , very good location and maintained or if intended to pay more then stay at Jubbal Palace.Visit Giri river source if you stay at Khara Pathhar or Jubbal or Kotkhai, beautiful and highest in the surrounding area.One can also take Narkanda- Hatu-SUngri-Rohru route, Stay at SUngri.

CHANDER NAHAN LAKE:

Chandra Nahan Lake is situated near to the chansal peak gains much significance since Prabhar River originates from this perennial source of water. At an elevation of 4260 meters this lake presents an unbelievably mesmerizing spectacles to the visitors.This dazzling spot where one can spent much time would be an unforgettable experience.

CHANSAL PEAKS

To be in the midst of this splendid surroundings one would be dare enough to take the risk of a serious treks. Though the trekking path is very difficult, it is quite rewarding and most of the tourists would embark a trek to enjoy this stunning extravaganza of nature.One can find snow around the year here.

On the way to Chanshal