Manali Sanctuary

This beautiful wild area is situated only 3 Kms away from Manali town which is a very famous tourist destination. For nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts this area offers great opportunity. Important wildlife found in the sanctuary are Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan, Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Monal,Koklash and Kalij. During winters Snow Leopard was also spotted once near Dorni area.

View of Old Manali Town

Simply Beautiful.....

To be happy, One must have a Child's Heart !

This photograph was taken during a function near Bandli Sanctuary. These girls are saving themselves from sudden rains which interrupted the programme.

Jiwa Valley of Kullu

Kandi Galu area of Great Himalayan National Park

Yesterday I visited the Jiwa valley of inner seraj area of Kullu . From the roadhead Majhan village is around 4 km and tract is covered by broad leaved forest and entire area was very calm and quiet. It appeared that nature was in hibernation mode .Trees had shed their leaves and they were sleeping, there was no bird sound to disturb them . When I reached Majhan village no body was there and it gave me a feeling that I was in early 20th centuary of the Himalayas . However above Majhan village Taxus forest was again lively with call of Monal and other birds . Earlier I had never seen pure Taxus forest ( taxus is a threatened species and its leave and bark are used for preparation of cancer drugs ) . Opposite to this area Kandi Galu area of Great Himalayan National Park was looking marvelous . After around 4 hour trekking I found another sleepy village Kunder which is surrounded by beautiful coniferous forest .

Majhan village

Beautiful Taxus forest

Kunder village

Shalinga Nag temple of Kunder village

Kullu - The Valley of God

Old temple of sage Manu in the Sainj Valley of Kullu

The Kullu valley is rightly known as “The Valley of God” .In the entire valley there are about 360 Gods and Goddesses .Every village in the valley has a deity with a temple shrine .These Gods and Goddesses are the central figures of the village societies and the social gatherings , festivals , celebrations, marriages and other social functions are usually presided over by the deity .The temples and the deities infact control the social and religious norms of the people of Kullu .These Gods are taken to other villages or for sacred ablution to a holy river /spring or to attend the famous Dashehra festival at Kullu in nicely decorated palanquins in a lively procession of men , women and children . The Gods and Goddesses in Kullu valley own their lands, and with respect to their land holding some are very rich and some are poor .The land belonging to the deity is distributed amongst different categories of people engaged in the deity’s service. The music players, priest and kardars have share of land in lieu of services to the Gods.

Tirthan Valley of Kullu

I am updating my blog after about ten days as I was very busy . Last week I visited Basleu Pass and Tung Village of Tirthan Valley. This area has historical significance because it is the shortest route between Kullu and Shimla and before the roads were constructed it was used by army and traders. Villagers of Tung village recall a historic lore that during war between the Kullu king and army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Tung Village played a very important role, people of Tung Village defeated the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and saved the king of Kullu .However later Ranjit Singh took revenge and defeated the king of Kullu and entire area was destroyed. This story is very popular and its reference often sung in folk songs of Tirthan valley area.