Imagine walking through a trail amidst hills, trees, and waterfalls away from the maddening crowd. What makes your walk more soothing is the music mix of chirp, buzz, and squeak, the earthy smell of woods, and a comforting breeze. This is where all my senses awaken and I felt a different level of satisfaction and fulfillment. Do you wish to visit a place like this? Believe me, this place very much exists in this world. You will find many places like this in the lower and upper Himalayas. But today I will share my experience about a small hamlet in Kullu Valley, Himachal. This place is called Naggar. I have been there twice. My last visit was prolonged for 15 days. During my stay, I noticed that the locals were so well-behaved and so humble to each other. I used to go to a sweet shop just opposite my stay to have some snacks in the evening or tea while going for morning walks. The shop owner always says Namaste with a big smile on his face, even when I am not buying anything from him. His gesture to all was the same, not only for customers. This loving and humble gesture of locals made this place near to my heart.
Location:
Naggar is situated on the left bank of the river Beas at an altitude of 1800 meters and approximately 22 kilometers away from Manali Mall Road. This is an ancient town of Himachal. You can reach Manali by road and from there you can take a cab or catch a bus to Naggar.
History of the place:
Once, Naggar used to be the capital of Kullu until Raja Jagat Singh transferred it to Sultanpur. Around 500 years ago Raja Sidh Singh made a castle in Naggar. In 1978, it was taken over by Himachal Pradesh Tourism and turned into a heritage hotel.
A Russian Painter and archeologist Nicholas Roerich came here and settled in Naggar after the evolution of 1917. As a public figure, Nicholas had many guests and visitors from across the globe and that’s how more and more people knew about Naggar. Later his son founded an Art Gallery and Museum to showcase his work and culture of Kullu. In many ways, Nicholas was responsible for the development of Naggar.
What to explore:
- Naggar Castle
The first thing that strikes our mind by the name Naggar is the Naggar Castle, which is a popular shooting ground for Bollywood now. A small castle made with stones and wood. It has got several sections and balconies. You will get some mesmerizing views of Kullu Valley from the castle. So, it must be on your list. I would love to spend my whole day sitting on the open terrace of the castle and enjoying the breathtaking view of the valley and the snowcapped mountains.
- Nicholas Roerich Gallery
Next on the list should be the museum and the art gallery of Nicholas Roerich. His artwork and archaeological work are on display here. You will also find the articles used by the painter and his family.
- Tripura Sundari Temple and Gauri Shankar
These two temples are near to the Castle. Like other temples of Himachal Pradesh, these temples are examples of typical Himachali-style architecture.
- Jana Falls
This is a famous waterfall among all tourists. It is situated in a small village called Jana which is approximately 12 km away from Naggar.
- Sujla Falls
This is another waterfall 5km away from Naggar. This is a small waterfall but what makes it extraordinary is the surrounding dense pine forest and the serenity of the place. You have to trek 1km through the woods to reach the waterfall site. Due to the thin and hurdled trail, many tourists skip to visit this place. But this is rather a blessing for people like me who enjoy serenity. While walking through the woods, it felt like a different planet. I started feeling that my regular urban life hassles were just nightmares and that the peaceful green world was the only reality. Feelings like this are rare in typical tourist places.
Stay and Food:
As Naggar is a small town, there are limited options compared to Manali. But that does not mean you will have trouble finding good stay and food. There are a lot of homestays and hotels available for stay. They also provide food options. Apart from these few basic food stalls and exotic cafes, are there to make your experience sumptuous. Most of the locals of Naggar are vegetarian, so local food stalls will serve vegetarian food. I have been to a few cafes in Naggar, that serve river fish and chicken dishes.
My Stay experience:
I have been to Naggar twice and stayed at the same place. Even if I visit Naggar in the future, I would prefer to stay at the same place called Mali’s Apple Lodge. The neat spacious rooms also have spectacular views of the valley and the mountains on the other side of it. Apart from this they also have common areas and balconies. This is a homestay and a home away from home for me. The hospitality of the host was way higher than expected. They are so humble and warm; you will feel like one of them, as soon as you get there. Please note that it is not a paid promotion. I would thank Abhishek for always being there for us and taking care of all our requirements during our stay. He arranged sightseeing for us and guided us on all the other tours we took. If you are lucky enough then you might get to taste the homemade food at Mali’s Apple Lodge. Aunty (Abhishek’s mother) cooks delicious vegetarian meals. Oh, I forgot to mention that they have a kitchen garden alongside their Apple and cherry garden on the property itself.
Conclusion:
If you want to spend some time or go for a long vacation and leave chaotic urban life behind, then you can consider staying in Naggar for a few days to taste a peaceful life. A place where not only the weather, but all the people are cool too.
