By: VIVIDHADITYA
I read a report in the newspaper today that the tiny fruit chilgoza was under threat. I’d till now thought that chilgoza was a home-grown tree. My little Googling threw up results that it was a fruit of a pine native to the higher reaches of Himalayas.
Popularaly known as ‘neoza‘ in the hills, this [...]

Him Vani recently wrote an email to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh suggesting a few tips to promote tourism in the state. Following is our letter, followed by the reply from his office. As of date, we haven’t received any mail from The Secretary, Tourism. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that they develop some [...]

By: SAROJ THAKUR

The call of the Deoth Sidhdh by (Photo: Saroj Thakur)
High atop the hillock, the temple stands erect, filling the hearts with devotion and piety - that search for renewal of faith. It was a hot sultry day when we decided to visit the famous Baba Balaknath Temple. We all were a little restless [...]

By: ANUPMA V CHANDRA
“Where there is a will there is a way”. This is something we all have heard time and again but very few of us practice it. In the Sheel village of Himachal Pradesh, women have changed the face of their village and their lives through sheer hard work and determination. [...]

By: SAROJ THAKUR

“This is the last Pashmina shawl that I am giving to you” said my Ma, lovingly handing me a shawl whose thread she herself had spun. It was a beauty. I was suddenly choked with emotions to realise the kind of hard work that must have gone into spinning the Pashmina wool and [...]

Courtesy: PR DEPTT, HP GOVT

(Photo: PR Deptt, HP Govt)
The roadsides of all the highways passing through Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh with the launching of a plantation drive to various places of historic and tourists interest would leave one with a pleasant surprise. The endless rows of plants dotted on the roadsides of all the [...]

By: HEMA D
First thing first. Non-Himachalis, cannot buy land in Himachal. Sorry friends, who thought or were very happy that the Himachal government recently, opened up land in the state to outsiders, would be for a rude shock that the government hasn’t. But, there is still hope as you can buy a flat. But, I [...]

By: VIVIDHADITYA
It seemed as if I’d been waiting for this news. No it is not a happy news, but a sad one. My RSS Reader highlighted that about 3500 cattle-head and around 20 shepherds were trapped in Dinchhina village in Kinnaur district after a glacier broke in the alpine pastures, 50-km from Rekong Peo.

By: VIVIDHADITYA

The temple of Mahishasur Mardini with the Golden Kalash (Photo: Vividhaditya)
Amidst the paddy filelds, surrounded by towering mountains and a jolly, gurgling Pabbar flowing by, the Hatkoti temple, adorned by the peaceful Mahishasur Mardini stands tall. Filled with devotion, the heart beats faster as the bus approaches the temple. The first view of the [...]

By: SUREKHA DHALETA
In the phase today when traditional institutions, customs, values and beliefs are changing at a very fast pace, some reflections on Himachal. Though most of these are not worth boasting of…