Narkanda: Your New Weekend Destination
Snow Covered Narkanda by Outlook India A beautiful town in the lap of nature, Narkanda is a small village in Himachal Pradesh, located about 65 kms from Shimla. A place which is mostly skipped by a number of people, it offers a scenic view and a calming experience for anyone who chooses to visit. In the past few years, towns like Shimla and Manali have been bombarded with tourists, even though we are happy for the people as the business is growing. But sometimes, we all just need some kind of peace and that is not possible when there’s a lot of people around. I mean, haven’t we all dreamt about living in a small, cozy cottage in the lap of nature away from all the hustle- bustle of the city, traffic and people, even if it’s just for a weekend. Narkanda is that cozy place for you. While being a small village, it doesn’t have a lot of tourist destinations but it definitely has some of the most beautiful picturesque views that you’ll fall in love with. So, read on to find out what to see and what to eat in Narkanda and have a relaxed vacation. Places to check out: Hatu Peak Hatu Temple Bheem Chulha Jor Bagh Sutlej View Point Tani Jubbar Lake Mahamaya Temple at Kacheri Kotgarh Stokes Farm St. Mary’s Church 1. Hatu Peak Hatu Peak by Holidify One of the biggest tourist attractions of Narkanda is Hatu Peak which is the highest point not only in Narkanda but in the entire Shimla district. The Peak is situated at a height of 3400 meters and is surrounded by a dense forest of trees like conifers, oaks and maples. Even though the forest has a variety of trees, it is mostly known for its apple orchards. The trek to the top of the Peak stretches for 7km and has been a very popular trekking spot for many. The trek trail is also a very beautiful trail as the stop overs offer you some picturesque locations. The Hatu Peak was of great strategic importance for the rulers of the erstwhile hill states because of its commanding position and was accepted as a boundary between the states. In the early 19th century, the Peak was captured by the Gorkhas and a fort was established at the top of it. The Gorkhas were later dismissed from the Hatu heights. Best Time to Visit: The best time to go to the top of Hatu Peak is from April to September, but it is advised to skip the trek during the rainy season due to the slippery path. 2. Hatu Temple Hatu Mata Temple by The Apple Crest When you reach the top of Hatu Peak, you see the Hatu Mata Temple. The Temple is dedicated to Hatu Mata, the Goddess of the Narkanda region, as well as the Narkanda Tribe. According to a local belief, the temple is said to be that of Mandodari, wife of Ravna. Mandodari, apart from being the wife of Ravna, was also one of the Panchakanya. It is also believed that Draupadi breathed her last after she fell from the mountain while on her way to heaven. The picturesque temple is built in the Pagoda style of architecture, which is a very typical Himachali style with bands of wood and stone. The temple has exquisite wooden carvings depicting stories from the Hindu scriptures. One can also see the influence of Buddhism from certain carvings of dragons and other auspicious symbols. While the temple is open throughout the year, people visit the Haku Mata Temple in large numbers on the first Sunday of the Jyeshta month, i.e., or during the Gemini period/ mid- May to mid-June. Best Time to Visit: The best time to go to the top of the Hatu Mata Temple is from April to September, but it is advised to skip during the rainy season as the path leading to the temple can be slippery and dangerous. 3. Bheem Chulha Bheem Chulha by BCMTouring Just near the Hatu Mata Temple is Bheem Chulha. It is believed that during the one-year period of the Agyaat Vaas, the Pandavas arrived at the court of King Virata of Matsyadesh and lived there in incognito mode, taking up various duties in the King’s court. Arjuna became a eunuch and tutored dance and music to the King’s daughter, Dharmaraja became the King’s administration counsellor, Nakul became the caretaker of the horses and other animals of the King’s army, Sahdev took care of the cattle of the palace, Draupadi became queen’s maid and Bheem took up the duty of the cook. It was at this time that Bheem used the place as his chulha or a fireplace where he used to cook food. Bheem Chulha is a pair of hearthstones that are still found near the Hatu Mata Temple. Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Bheem Chulha is from April to September, but it is advised to skip during the rainy season as the path leading to the temple can be slippery and dangerous. 4. Jor Bagh Jor Bagh by TripAdvisor A picture-perfect place, which is also an ideal campsite, Jor Bagh is a beautiful meadow which also offers a soothing view of the great Himalayas. The Bagh is about an hour’s trek away from the Hatu Mata Temple and has views of the majestic mountains, trees like deodar, blue pine, oak and spruce. The trek to Jor Bagh is through a dense forest, which is a beauty on its own, but one needs to be very cautious as the trail is quite dense, making it very easy to lose your way. You can just sit back and relax while watching the beautiful scenery that Jor Bagh offers. Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Jor Bagh is from April to September, but it is advised to skip during the
