Vyyapaar

Manali updates

Its been more than two months now, staying in  beautiful valley of manali. Slowly uncovering the secret places around, which hardly any tourist visit. Mostly because they visit this valley for just few days, or they do plan it from some commercial tout, who is more interested in earning money rather.

And yes now a days, due to influence of internet to save money, they also plan via information gather through surfing online, but the exclusive content for tour is hard to find and not easily available. So how to find the information needed for tour to this valley, where it has different experience to offer for people of every taste and bit. We will come to that as you progress in reading, an avid reader most probably will reach to some point of gathering the right information for planing itinerary. But here is a hitch, that due to fast and busy lifestyle of city, even they might miss to unlock the hidden trails of slow life here.

Even though slow lifestyle does not mean not active. Actually its more active and lively, to understand things as they evolve in slow manner. You become more attentive to things around, which is not tought in schools.

Here, I am not saying that city lifestyle is bad or not worth to be experienced. But the prospective of exploring slow lifestyle of mountains should be kept open, as many are not aware of this way of life.

Roaming through the alleys of old manali village.

Daily walks comprises of up and down of elevation, to get groceries and basic needs of every days use. Cows are sure to greet on the way while walking. Their quality of milk and ghee is way ahead in terms of texture and taste. Its more richer than what we get in city. May be because they eat variety of herbage.

People will pay thousands of money to go in commercial gyms but will hesitate to pay for this kinda life. Naturally been active without forcefully devoting time for exercise, is the ultimate game of understanding. Fresh air with least possible noise pollution in surrounding marks the upliftment of lifestyle.

People who have explored this way of life would 💯 percent agree to what I am saying, beside people who have never imagined or been part of what silence feel like.

Morning are always slow and waking up to views with birds chirping in background.

Catching up for tea is every days ritiual with this view from balcony.

Even the kitchen gives sense of pleasure while cooking food as it offers view like this down in photo.

So basically photos are not sufficient to express 360-degree panoramic view all around. You have to personally visit the place to know the vibe of area. There are many small cafes and eateries around to visit. Often visited by people who stays in hotel, than people who prefer to stay in apartment.

When the weather is cold nothing beats to take  dip in hotwater spring at Vashisht.

Best to visit in evening when its cool air, take a dip for while, body gets completely relaxed before going to bed.

Yesterday as usual I went for a evening walk towards Goshal village, few km from old manali, but a great walk for nature lovers. As you walk on road which is on right bank of Beas river which flows downwards. Across the river you will notice four water falls on mountain where vashisht area is situated. Jogini falls been one of them. There is beautiful trail towards the waterfall. Keep walking towards goshal village, you will reach the river bed of Beas river. The road approaching the village from down side has been washed by river in monsoon season.

As I was walking and approaching the river bed, surprisingly interesting thing happened.

A lady was collecting some thing from river bed, got my curiosity towards her, about what she was doing there? I have been visiting mountains for years and I knew they have highly priced mushroom called gucchi mushroom, which I got to eat while hiking. But this time its was not mushroom, but type of saag called pani ka saag which grows wild and in water. Definitely it should have medicinal properties.

After collecting two bags of saag, she went towards her husband who was waiting at the top of river bank, I approached them to know more about. According to them, local people consume this saag, as its highly nutritional and has properties of herbs.

So after some time, started walking towards the village, small children from village welcomed me who were playing near beas river bank. They joined me for a walk talking about their activities they get involved in. After some time as we reached, I noticed a lady selling wollen socks, bought two pairs for two hundred rupees. Quality is really good and keeps warm.

Meet two more locals sitting in their traditional attire at the community get- together place, to know about goshal village. They told me that village belongs to Gautam Rishi and Vyas Rishi, name of village itself is derived from name of Gautam to Goshal.

After talking for some time, explored the village for some time.

So here is the temple of village.

After relaxing for some time, returned back to place where I am staying. If you want to take this trail, it would take you two hours from manalsu bridge old manali, to visit village and coming back to bridge. I recommend to take a walk in evening. Views from temple are worth looking at.

Next day took my bike to ride, to see more places, just ahead of goshal village you will come across this beautiful water fall.

Some more distance and you will reach shanaag village. There is a road from there which goes to Majach village, which not many tourist know about. The road is scenic with a big stream flowing towards beas river along the way. There is Shiva Mandir as you move ahead towards the village. And a café near the bridge which cross this stream.

Though its near manali this place is clean and untouched beauty. Took a tea break at this cafe, and resumed ride towards Majach village. To my surprise this village is also quite clean with no garbage, may be because less people visit this area. Here are some photos of village houses, alley, and temple there. Height of this village is 2400 meters approximately.

Kothi village

This village is 12 km from Manali via Palchan village. Few years back the road through this village leading to Rohtang Pass used to be filled with tourist. As people used to take this road to see snow towards Rohtang Pass. But now due to Atal tunnel option, they visit Lahaul side instead of taking this old route to experience snow.

The road was empty and I was enjoying the surrounding and ride. Height of kothi village is approximately 8,050 feet above sea level.

As I reached kothi village local people guided me through their village, it was windy and cold. Some bollywood movie shooting has taken place in their village.

Its small village with few houses, but very calming and quite. In one house they offered me tea to drink, as I was the only tourist there at that time. Village has deep gorge surrounding by three sides.

To reach there you have to cross a narrow bridge over the steep, rocky gorge with big stream. Where they also have adventure activity. Bunjee jumping which would cost about three to four thousand rupees.

As you leave kothi village behind and travel towards Rohtang you will come to place name  gulaba, its at 9200 feet, usually people visit this place for playing in snow, as area is safe in terms of slope gradient. This place has forest cover with coniferous trees.

You can easily spend quality time here for up to 2 hours. Drink tea, have some snacks and return back to Manali. Distance between Manali and Gulaba point is about 18km.

Feel free to contact me if you need any more information about the places around.

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