Incredible Himachal | Old Himachal | Shimla

The sacred grooves of Dodra-Kawar

2010-05-25T16:30:00.007+05:30

A view of the Dodra village

The social and cultural aspects of Himachal Pradesh – known as Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods) – clearly demonstrate the reverence that people of the state have for the local deities. If we try to draw the historical relation of temples and deities on social norms, we find a very strong correlation between the two. People may dare to break the law of local rulers but dared not to challenge the authority of the local deities. This was one of the major reasons that ensured low crime and better social order in the society.

In our religion and culture there is a lot of emphasis on forests and their conservation. The local deities have also contributed to the conservation of forests and wildlife in a significant manner. There are still a number of sacred grooves in the Dodra village that is in the Rohru tehsil of Shimla district, bordering Uttaranchal. The local deity – Jakh Devta has a sacred groove wherein it is forbidden to fell a tree and to hunt a wild animal. As per the local belief anyone indulging in hunting and felling trees would have to face the wrath of the deity. The total area of the sacred groove is about 300 ha. Because of the strict conservation measures by the deity and the local people, the area has a rich biodiversity in terms of fauna and flora. As the area is very remote and tough, the people in the area consume a lot of meat and also practice animal sacrifice to appease their deities.

A local resident of Dodra village

The people in this area are largely agriculturalists, horticulturalists and goat/sheep rearers. Bears cause a lot of damage to sheep and goat in the area. One can easily view some of the wild animals like Monal, Western Tragopan, Musk deer, Ghoral etc in these forests. Western Tragopan here is considered as the ‘King of Birds’. According to one old man from the village, this bird has a unique habit of taking a bath early in the morning and then only goes out in search of food.

The vegetation in the lower altitude of Dodra Kawar valley comprises of broad leaf trees and conifers are found in higher altitudes. However, the Chanshal top has only pastures and is devoid of trees, as the area is above the tree line. Out of the total geographical area 36,697 ha of Dodra-Kawar, about 35,178 ha comprises of forests, of which 3,767 ha is DPF (demarcated protected forests) and 31,411 ha forest area falls under UPF (undemarcated protected forests). The forest area in this region is about 95 per cent. Limited population, lack of road facilities and slow rate of development are factors that are responsible for forest conservation in this area. Some forests in this area are considered as amongst the best forests in the state. Moru is the most favoured tree species in the area, as they have multiple uses in terms of fodder, fuel-wood. In addition to this, other tree species found in the area are Kimmu, Himbrane, Moldane, Pabun, Kunish, Safeda, etc. and there is a rich undergrowth in the form of shrubs and bushes that are indicative of a good forest type.

JUNE 15, 2009, will go down as a red letter day in the history of Himachal Pradesh in general and for the people of Dodra Kawar in Rohru tehsil of Shimla district in particular. This is the day the centuries-old landlocked area of Dodra Kawar was finally connected with the rest of the world with the Larot-Kawar road.

The 61km Larot-Kawar road passes through the world famous Chancel Pass at a height of 12,600ft and is a part of the Rohru-Chirgaon-Larot-Dodra Kawar road which stretches to a length of 92km. The road up to Kawar had already been constructed a few years back. The construction of the Larot to Kawar portion proved to be a difficult task due to hard terrain and difficult geographical conditions.

The people of Dodra, Jiskun, Jhakha Pandhar, Kiterwari Dhanerwari and Chaidhar villages with a population of over 5,600 will benefit considerably from the construction of the Larot-Kanwar road. Till the construction of this road, people had to cover a long distance on foot from the Rohru side or the Uttranchal side. The distance from the Rohru side was greater and the shortest route by foot was from Uttranchal - a distance of 20km. Though the State Government has constructed the road in its territory, it is also vigorously negotiating with the Uttranchal Government to construct the road in their territory at the earliest.

The construction of the road to Kawar would revolutionise the economy, and will allow people to take their products to the market with greater ease. Earlier, the people of the area had to carry their necessities of life on mule. In earlier years, the State Government used to transport essential commodities by helicopter, but transportation of products was a problem.

Since the construction of the Larot-Kanwar road, the priority of the government is the construction of link roads to Jiskun 8km, Jhakha (6km) and Kiterwari (2.9km),. The road connectivity to Dodra-Kawar will also open new vistas for tourism development in the State in general and Rohru, Dodra Kawar areas in particular. This area, which so far remained unexposed due to a lack of road links, is known for its natural grandeur and world-class slopes in Chancel Pass. Tourism activities will also give a big boost to the local economy.

Circle Shimla Forest Circle.

Ecotourism center(Start-up area) Rohru.

Name of circuit Rohru circuit.

Rest houses involved Log hut Mandli FRHs Kashdhar Larot, Dodra, Kawar Jiskoon Jakha.

Remarks Potential for horse riding, ornithology, wild life viewing, skiing (Chanshil Peak), fishing, treks and trail hikes. River rafting in River Pabbar. Potential camp sites at Gazian Thach, Jakha and Tangan Khai.

Negi Home Stay, Jaskoon-Dodra Kawar.

Address: Prop. Sh. Narender Singh Negi, village Jaskoon, P.O. Jakha, Tehsil Rohru, Distt. Shimla.

Location: 60 km from Rohru.

No. of rooms: Three rooms.

Tariff per day: Rs 300/- per day.

Places of tourists interest: Rohru, Dodra-Kawar, Chanshal valley for trekking also.

Approach: By road from Shimla via Rohru.
Contact Person: Anup Ranta (+91 98170 49501)

Contact Person: Anup Ranta (+91 98170 49501) For all information like Tracks, Tourist Guides, Transportation and Stay.

For more details please contact: Anup Ranta or email me or through phone. : )

LAKE LAMA DAL "HIMALAYAN GLORY"

2010-04-23T12:56:00.011+05:30

LAKE LAMA DAL

Lama Dal (Lake) ( almost 4000 metres above mean sea level )

At the altitude of 12,000 feet, thirty miles east of Chamba proper near the historic Balaini pass, lie a group of seven tarns . The last and seventh in series constitutes the main Lama Dal. This tarn is the largest in this group and also throughout the district. It has an approximate circumference of one and half miles. Its depth and water content remains not estimated. For the reason of its being largest it is known as a Lamba Dal (long lake); however, this is pronounced as Lama Dal by the local people. There is small Shiva temple at the lake. The main lake serves the purpose of a sacred place for the surrounding villages. Held sacred to Lord Shiva, this lake lies amidst bare rock.

Location: 45 km from Chamba town, Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh. It is 20 km from Dainkund (Dayankund).
Altitude: 3,960m above sea level.
Lake Type: High Altitude Lake.
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva.
Best time to visit Chamba Valley: The ideal time to visit Chamba Valley is Mid-May to Mid-October.
How to reach Chamba Valley:

By Air : The nearest airport is at Gaggal in Kangra valley, 180 km from Chamba.
By Rail : Chamba town is 122-km from Pathankot, the nearest broad gauge rail head, which is linked by direct trains to Amritsar, Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta.
By Road : Well connected by road.

For more details please contact: Anup Ranta or email me or through phone. : )

CHANSHAL VALLEY (ROHRU, SHIMLA) THE GREAT HIMALAYS "Grab The Prestine Beauty"

2010-04-04T13:56:00.016+05:30

"What’s this life so full of care, when we have no time to stand and stare? Forests, rivers, beaches, valleys, the atmosphere, and everything of nature that surrounds life! Has this busy life let us spare time to relish what nature has to offer? Amazing is nature and its beauty in abundance. From the mountain ranges of the Himalayas to the peninsula tip of Kanya Kumari, India’s natural richness needs no introduction. Take a peek of serene beauty below!"

Chanshal Pass: 180 kilometers from Shimla, links Dodra Kwar and Chirgaon (Rohru) in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The pass sits atop the Chanshal Peak, which at 4520 meters (slightly higher than Rohtang Pass, Manali)is the highest peak in the Shimla district. The pass remains open from May to October and is covered with snow for the rest of the year.

Location:
The Chanshal pass is 180 kilometers from Shimla. It is accessible by road from May to October. chanshal is a mountain range which cut dodra-kawar vally from rohru area. some of its peaks are about 17000 ft.can be reached by road at chanshal pass.

Ski Slopes:
The Chanshal valley has been identified as a potential destination for ski sports. Extending in length from 2 to 12 kilometers, the Chanshal slopes are considered ideal for skiing. The Government of Himachal Pradesh has proposed to construct a ski resort in the area.

Elevation: 4,520 m (14,829 ft)

Traversed by: Seasonal Road between Chirgaon (Rohru) and Dodra Kwar.

Himalayas:

Himachal takes its name from the Himalayas. Himachal literally means 'Land of snowy mountains'. Himalayas, the great mountain system extends almost 2,500 Km., from North-West to South-East and width of Himalayas is between 250 to 300 Km. The Himalayas are one of the youngest among the mountain system in India and these are believed to be 40 millions years old. The Himalayasare also the highest mountain system in the world.

There are three zones in the Himalayas :
1. Western Himalayas ( Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh )
2. Central Himalayas ( Hill Districts of Uttar Pradesh )
3. Eastern Himalayas ( Sangrila Range and Brahmaputra Watershed )

For ease, the territory of Himachal Pradesh can be divided into three zones :
1. The outer Himalayas
2. The inner Himalayas
3. The greater Himalayas

Himalayas in Himachal :

1. The Outer Himalayas :- The altitude of this zone ranges from 350 meters (1050 feet) to 1500 meters (4500 feet) above mean sea level. This range of outer (lower) Himalayas is well known as 'Shivalik Hills' (also known as Manak Parbat in ancient times). Shivalik literally means 'tresses of the Shiva'. It covers the lower hills of district Kangra, Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur and lower parts of Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur districts. The famous places in this zone are Paonta valley, Nahan tehsil, Pachhad and Renuka tehsils of Sirmaur districts, Balh valley and Jogindernagar area of Mandi district, Kangra, Dharamshala, Palampur and Dehra of district Kangra, Dalhousie, Bhattiyat, Churah and Chamba tehsil of Chamba district. The annual rainfall in this zone varies from 1500 mm to 1800 mm. The climate and soil of this zone is suitable for the cultivation of maize, wheat, sugarcane, ginger, citrus fruits and table potatoes.

2. The Inner Himalayas :- The altitude of this zone varies from 1500 meters (4500 feet) to 4500 meters (13,500 feet) above mean sea level. The Himalayas in this zone show a gradual elevation towards the Dhauladhar (Dhauladhar means White Peak) and Pir Panjal Ranges. Areas in this zone are tehsil Pachad (upper areas), District Sirmour, Karsog and Chachiote tehsils of Mandi district, the upper areas of district Kangra and Palampur tehsil of Kangra district, upper hills of District Shimla (capital of Himachal Pradesh) and upper parts of tehsil Churah of Chamba district. there is a very high peak of Choordhar (3,647 meters or 10,941 feet) to the south of Shimla. The positional rise of the Himalayas is constant to the North of Satluj. The longitudinal valleys in Himachal Pradesh divide the series of parallel ranges but there is also an exception as the Kullu valley runs transverse to the main alightment. the Himalayas continue to rise from plain areas to the Hilly areas. The climate and soil in this zone is suitable to temperature fruits and seed potatoes. Dhauladhar branch of the great Himalayas starts from the near Badrinath (in U.P.) and (just like a fairy tale to me spoken by the great Himalayas) it is intercepted by the river Satluj at Rampur-Bushahar, by the river Beas at Larji and by the river Ravi at the south-west of Chamba. In Bara-Banghal, the northern side of Dhauladhar strikes against the southern side of the Pir-Panjal range at twisty montain of Bara-Banghal. In Dhauladhar range fall the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. Dhauladhar is like a sweet twist of the great Himalayas. There is a sudden rise in Dhauladhar mountains of 3,600 meters or 10,800 feet above the Kangra valley. Pir-Panjal is the largest range of the lower Himalayas and it separates itself from the Himalayas near the bank of SatlujBeas and Ravi on the one side and the river Chenab on the other side. Pir-Panjal range makes a turn towards the Dhauladhar range near Bara-Banghal that is the source of the river Ravi.

3. The Greater Himalayas :- The altitude of this zone ranges from 4500 meters (13,500 feet) to the highest points of the great Himalayas in different areas. The Great Himalayan range rivers along the Eastern boundary. The Satluj river divides it and separates the Spiti's (Lahaul-Spiti) drainage from Beas. Area in this zone are district Kinnaur, tehsil Pangi of Chamba district and some areas of Lahaul and Spiti. The normal rainfall in this zone is low. The climate in this zone is not cold in summer and of semi-arctic nature in winter. The soil is thick and supports variable fertility. The climate in this zone is very suitable for cultivation of dry fruits. Rainfall in this zone is low but Snowfall is very heavy. Snowfall in this zone starts in the mid of October-November to March-April. Snowfall is so heavy and geographical conditions are so odd that during the period of snowfall, the whole region remains cut off from the rest of the world. ( Loss of not having any kind of underground tunnel is clearly visible. Well ! let's see what happens in coming years. Hope that government would find a way out of this problem.) During the period of snowfall in this zone, the quality of life suffers and life looks very isolated. The famous Zanskar Range is also found in this part of the Himalayas which is Eastern most range. This range acts like a big wall by separating Spity and Kinnaur from Tibet. Zanskar Range has a number of very high peak points rising over 6,500 meters (19,500 feet). The highest among its peaks is Shilla which is 7,025 meters (21,075 feet) high. The second one is Riwo-Phargyul which is 6,791 meters (20,373 feet) high.

Contact Person: Anup Ranta (+91 98170 49501) For all information like Tracks, Tourist Guides, Transportation and Stay.

For more details please contact: Anup Ranta or email me or through phone. : )

My Village My Destiny-Lachhog- Chopal- Nerwa- Shimla- Himachal Pradesh

2010-01-14T14:46:00.005+05:30

Lachhog is a place in Chaupal where RANTA’s (RAJPUT’s) live. This place is 18 km away from Nerwa.

Nerwa is a town in the Chaupal of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is around 120 km (75 mi). from Shimla and 26 km (16 mi) from Chaupal and lies on the border of Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh. It is situated by a small river known by the name Shalvi.

Chopal or Chaupal located in Shimla District, is at an altitude of 2328 m above sea level. Surrounded by forest of deodar trees and with snow clad peaks forming the backdrop, the town of Chopal is dotted with wood and slate houses. It is one of the starting points of the trek to the Churdhar peak. An old temple dedicated to Lankra Bir (Bhairon) is above Chopal. Sarain, a nearby place, houses the Bijjat Temple. Chopal is about 100 km southeast of Shimla. Chaupal is located at 30°57′N 77°35′E / 30.95°N 77.58°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 2350;metres (7710 feet).

Demographics: As of 2005 India census,[2] Chaupal had a population of 6786. Males constitute 58% of the population and females 42%. Chaupal has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 80% and female literacy of 73%. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. It is very famous for the production of high quality apples which are exported from India to many countries. It is also famous for tourism.There are many apple growing Balts near Chaupal such as Bamta, Rinjat, Khaddar, Matal, Chanju(Chopal), Throach,kashah, Poria, Rushlah, Dewat, Shilikyan, Shantha, Maraog, Jhina, Sarain and so on. The town of Chaupal is surrounded by forest of Deodar trees .The snow clad peaks form the backdrop of the town enhances the beauty of Chaupal. The town is dotted with the wood and slate houses.The town is among the most important starting point for the tourist who like to trek to the Churdhar Peak. Among the other attractive places of the town of Chaupal,there is an old temple that is Lankra Vir.The Temple is situated above the town of Chaupal.There is another famous temple in Sarain named the Bijjat Temple. Sarain is a place located near the town of Chaupal. For reaching Chaupal one has travel for a distance of 110 km from Shimla.

Education
• D.A.V CENTENATRY PUBLIC SCHOOL Chaupal.
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL Chaupal.
• GOVT. DEGREE COLLEGE Nerwa (CHAUPAL).
• HIMALAYAN PUBLIC SCHOOL Nerwa (CHAUPAL).
• SANSKRIT COLLEGE Sarain (CHAUPAL).
• BHARAT PUBLIC SCHOOL Chaupal.
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL Nerwa (CHAUPAL).
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL Kupvi (CHAUPAL).
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL sarain (CHAUPAL).
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL Throch (CHAUPAL).
• LIVING PUBLIC SCHOOL Chaupal.
• ANAND MARAG PUBLIC SCHOOL Chaupal.
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL Maraog (CHAUPAL).
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL Kiran (CHAUPAL).
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL Sari (CHAUPAL).
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL Nanhaar (CHAUPAL).
• Govt. Sr.Sec.school BAMTA,LANI(Chopal)
• Govt.middle Sr.Sec.school GHURLA(Chopal)
• Govt. primary school kashah(Chopal)
• GOVT.SR.SC.SCHOOL POURIA(CHOPAL)

Climate: In winter, the temperature can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are required. During summer, the climate is pleasant and cottons/light woolens are suggested. Churdhar receives heavy snowfall in winter season.
• Temp in Winnter:−10 °C (14.0 °F) to 18 °C (64 °F)
• Temp in Summer:20 °C (68 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F)

Famous Temples of Chaupal
• Shirgul Devta Mandir Chaupal
• Lankara Vir Devta Mandir Chaupal
• Naag Devta Mandir Maatal(Maraog)
• Shirgul Devta Mandir Churdhar
• Bijjat Devta Mandir Sarain
• Mahasu Devta Mandir Tharoch
• Pidi Mata Mandir Jhina
• Rehatna Devta Mandir Jabna(Jhina)
• Kadasan Mata Mandir Shapda (Nanhar)
• Doam Devta Mandir Bhot (Jhina)
• Diundreshvari Mata Mandir Diunder (Nanhar)
• Shirgul Devta Mandir Jodna

Famous Tourist Places:
• JHINA
• SARAIN
• THAROCH
• CHURDHAR
• KUPVI
• CHAUPAL(CHOPAL)
• MAROAG (Richest village of Asia).
• BAMTA, KASHAH (kashah is a small villa but have much beautiful place & lso a rich village)"
• "POURIA" (LACHHOG)

Posted By:

Anup Ranta
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For more details please contact: Anup Ranta or email me or through phone. : )