Parvati Valley is a hidden Himalayan heaven that attracts tourists interested in adventure holidays
BY POONAM GUPTA
Parvati Valley is a region of Himachal Pradesh that has nothing to do with other hill stations; it is an experience of India’s cultural and geographical landscape and responsible tourism.
Most visitors going to Bhuntar airport use the convenient Kullu-Manali route while those who dare to get to Parvati Valley open the door to seventh heaven for the nature lovers – a place, which will give you authentic experiences that you won’t find in many other corners of the world.
Having a strong Israeli connection, a magical geography, and being one of the places that produces some of the finest quality cannabis known to man, many from across the world have put Parvati Valley on the map as a cult tourist destination.
To most people the valley is a discovery but that does not make people avoid it since it offers adventure and relaxation. While it mainly focuses on the scenic aspects, it is also about people’s lives in the area – traditional and frequently ecological – plus the laid-back atmosphere the land emanates.
Originally, Parvati Valley has become popular for Israeli tourists with many coming to India after they complete their compulsory army service. It has created a very strong cultural relationship bond that has spread throughout the valley especially in Kasol, refer to as the ‘Mini Israel of India’.
Cooking and food in Israel is a huge part of the valley as are its trekking trails and the abundance of greens. Hebrew inscriptions and signs, together with the Israeli music, the layout of cafes and some forms of food make up an authentic and diverse environment that is hardly felt in any other region of India.
For this stimulating trip, people mostly set off from Bhuntar; this is a small town which has the advantage of having an airport that introduces visitors to the valley.
Thus, out of all the travelers, only a fifth proceed towards Parvati Valley; the rest go to Kullu-Manali circuit. The people who opt for offbeat, a 14 hours drive from Delhi or a two hours flight with a four hours drive brings an altogether different world closer, from the vibrant town of Kasol to the tranquil Tosh, Kheerganga and Malana.
The areas of Parvati Valley are surrounded by the amazing villages and among them there is nothing more amazing than Malana village. Being a Pong geographical area Malana still follows old traditions and uses its unique language; it has separate constitution and does not allow the cultural difference in this area to be wiped out by floods of tourists.
Here, time goes slow, with people in this locality practising farming, tourism and most notably Malana Cream which is a species of marijuana that has received a lot of attention internationally.
Waichin Valley is another pretty valley, situated in a little more secluded area and perfect for trekking without company of other people. Both places serve as wonderful example of the way how the valley has managed to keep balance of nature and traditions where traditions themselves still remain the same as in the centuries ago.
The café culture specifically in the region of Parvati Valley, Kasol now has its reputation. As majority of such cafés originates from Israel; they serve food as well as an Israeli culture. Some must-visit spots include:
Jim Morrison Café: A plethora of artwork inspired by psychedelic culture, concerts, and performances, multiple types of cuisine, including foreign foods make this café perfect for guests to have a good time.
Pink Floyd Café: Well-known for its colourful furniture and groove setting, it is a snack bar with a view of the valley.
Riverview Café: Living up to its name, it provides beautiful vistas of the Parvati river apart from good food and great coffee.
Moon Dance Café: Bohemian in style, this café will contain all that one can hope for, be it German croissants and the like, or might even contain the Israeli delights.
They are not just lunch points – they are an intrinsic part of Parvati experience: good time to grab good food and a warm conversation after a tiring trek, good food after few hours of exploring the valley.
Speaking about the café culture, it would be impossible to ignore the ‘Magical Brownies’ which are relatively well-known cannabis-infused desserts easily purchased in cafés of the region. These brownies are part of the valley’s vibe to cannabis culture where people from the region and visitors take in hash-flavoured foods.
It is worthy of note though that these are tasty treats that contain a rather strong effect and should best be consumed in moderation.
Parvati Valley is like a heaven for all the adventure-loving tourists. Rampur is best known as a starting point for treks; the most famous of them is Kheerganga Trek; tourists happily meet hot springs after the climbing to the top.
While there’s the thrilling treacherous trail through the Pin Parvati Pass, there’s even the serene picturesque trail through the Sar Pass for every adventurer. If anyone wants to remain closer to the ground, then the river rafting in the Parvati river is a great and full of fun process passing through some of the beautiful terrains over there.
Other attractions include Manikaran in the valley well famous for their hot springs having religious and curative importance. It has got its own legends which attribute the formation of these springs to divine factors making Manikaran an important centre of pilgrimage for Sikhs and Hindus.
Tourists can take a bath in these hot gushing water streams believed to have healing powers to ailments, but this is not all, visitors are able to enjoy the rituals associated with this site.
The most favoured time of the year to visit Parvati Valley is from March to June and from October to November when the climate is excellent for trekking and enjoying the outdoor. The winter season is very extreme relative to other seasons as the weather is biting cold most of the time and travelling and trekking is really very difficult for the common man.
Those planning to explore the valleys should ensure that they have all the necessary features of trekking such as strong shoes for the terrain, warm cloth and light bags respectively. Due to the erratic nature of mobile telephone networks, particularly in the rural areas such as Tosh and Kheerganga, travellers are advised to download maps and plan their travel before setting off.
From the hectic café life to the special Israeli touch and over to scenic beauty and thrilling hikes this little-known gem in the Himalayas will not disappoint. Whether it’s a search for inner space, an adventurous getaway or a simply looking for some time off the busy life, the Parvati Valley is there to embrace travellers with its pristine beauty as well as wide options to engage in.
Picture yourself taking chai overlooking a river, sitting in a small café surrounded by mountains and forests, blanketed with snow. At this time, one will understand that, amidst its scenic beauty, Parvati Valley is as much a geographical location as it is a mindset.
