Himachal Pradesh apart from being blessed with breathtaking natural beauty, is also a tasteful blend of exquisite Pahari cuisine that gives any traveller more than just one reason to fall in love with this beautiful mountains dotted state. Himachali or Pahari cuisine has a unique aroma and flavour to it due to the usage of a lot of yoghurt and cardamom and cooking on slow flame. One can clearly see that the Himachali dishes have a lot of influence of Punjabi and Tibetan style of food.

The availability of vegetables is a challenge in the hilly and cold terrain of Himachal Pradesh hence, most of the traditional dishes are either non-vegetarian, make use of different types of lentils in them or both. The use of varied spices like chillies, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric and coriander powder is common and make the food rich and spicy; very much to the delight of the tourists that flock to this part of the country almost all year long. The Pahari folk also use a lot of dairy products, especially buttermilk, curd and ghee to make their food even more delectable.

There are a lot of restaurants all over Himachal Pradesh which serve authentic Pahari food for you to enjoy and imprint on your minds. So, if you are planning to go to the land of the majestic Himalayas for your next vacations, you should definitely give a try to these amazing dishes from Himachal Pradesh.

1. Dham

No festivities of Himachal are considered complete without Dham. It is a dish prepared by the Brahmins of the regions of Chamba by cooking red kidney beans (rajma), green lentils (moong daal) and rice in curd. It is served teamed with mash daal, boor ki kari and sweet and sour sauce made from tamarind and jaggery (gur). It is traditionally served on plates made out of leaves.

2. Mittha

Mittha as the name suggests is a local dessert of Himachal Pradesh. It is prepared with sweetened rice mixed with a generous helping of raisins and other dry fruits.

3. Sidu

Sidu is a local bread made from wheat flour. The flour is kneaded and set aside for some hours for the yeast to settle and the dough to rise. This dough is put on direct flame of bonfire to be par-cooked and then later steamed to complete the cooking. This distinct bread is usually enjoyed with ghee or butter alone or can be savoured with mutton or daal as well.

4. Babru

Babru is like a Himachali variation of the popular kachoris. It is made by stuffing soaked and ground black gram daal paste to kneaded dough patties. These patties are then rolled and deep fried and served with tamarind chutney.

5. Chana Madra

Madra is a form of yoghurt and chickpea flour based gravy popular in pahar cuisine. Chana Madra is one such dish made with kabuli chane or white chickeas cooked in the gravy seasoned with assorted spices, ginger, garlic and onions.

6. Auriya Kaddoo or Kadoo Ka Khatta

The name itself brings a tangy taste in our mouths. Khatta is indeed a very sumptuous dish made with pumpkin cooked in a spicy and tangy madra gravy and dried raw mango powder or amchoor along with other spices. Other popular vegetable preparations of the region are Sepu Vadi and Gucchi Mattar

7. Chha Gosht

Another of Himachali delicacy, Chha Gosht is a dish that is made with marinated lamb meat cooked in a gravy of gram flour, yoghurt and spices such as cardamom, red chilli powder, coriander powder, bay leaf, asafoetida and ginger-garlic paste.

8. Mash Daal

Mash daal or kali daal is made with split black lentils or ma ki daal. It is soaked overnight, pressure cooked and then simmered in a heavy bottomed pan along with thinly sliced onions, ginger, garlic and spices shallow fried in hot mustard oil to give the comforting mash daal.

9. Patande

A popular breakfast dish of Sirmour district, Patande can rightly be called as Indian pancakes. Ladle full of smooth batter made from wheat flour, milk and sugar are poured on a ghee laden hot griddle and a thin pancakes like those resembling dosa(s) are cooked to make sweet and yummy Patande.

10. Kullu Trout

This fish delicacy made with marinated trout shallow fried in mustard oil with spices is a much loved dish of the Kullu region. Cooked in minimal spices, the dish brings out the natural flavours of the delicious trout.

11. Akotri

Akotri is a typical delicacy of the Northern Hills. It is a type of cake made with buckwheat mixed with wheat that is usually prepared on occasions of festivities.

12. Tudkiya Bhath

A type of pulao, Tudkiya Bhath is made with rice cooked with lentils, potatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and yoghurt and spiced with bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, red chilli powder etc. This spicy rice dish is usually served with mash daal.

13. Bhey

A unique dish made from the lotus stems, it is truly a scrumptious. The stems are thinly sliced, washed and boiled then stir fried with onion, ginger-garlic paste, gram flour, cayenne pepper and other spices that renders the dish a distinct taste and texture.

Top 16 Temples In Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh, is known for its breathtaking sights, hill stations, and its grand temples. The state is full of magnificent temples and diverse cultural history. The land of gods, with its beautiful temples tells a fascinating story. If you want to have a spiritual awakening, this is the best destination.With a rich mythological history and grandeur, temples in Himachal Pradesh are a story waiting to unfold. With pilgrims flocking around the temples, these entail sights that behold beauty. Here’s a curated list of the best temples in Himachal Pradesh that possess stories waiting to be told. Let us take you one step closer to your spiritual awakening.

1. Baba Balak Nath Temple

emple itself is quite beautiful

An ancient Temple and caves located in the Dhaulagiri range of the Himachal. Situated in the village chakmoh near Kasauli, this temple is an enchanting site for pilgrims. This temple is thronged by tourists during the Navratri when the devotees travel Myles to worship the Babaji. The temple is an architectural wonder and is carved out of a beautiful hill. It is said to be the residing spot for baba Balak Nath. Babaji was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and all his pilgrims fast on every Sunday for their faith.

The famous legend states that couples who are unable to bear children upon Babaji are blessed with a baby. Women pilgrims are prohibited from entering the cave and worship deity from outside the cave. Babaji is offered rota, which is sweet bread made of jaggery and wheat. This is counted among the famous temples in Himachal Pradesh.

Timings: 5 AM to 8 PM
Best time to visit: Sundays are the auspicious days of Babaji, and pilgrims usually flock to the temple on Sundays.
Address: Deotsidh Rd, Shahtalai, Himachal Pradesh 176039

2. Chamunda Devi Temple

Chamunda_Devi_Temple_

The beautiful holy shrine of Devi chamunda, which is a form of forest Durga, is located in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh. It’s a beautiful temple always filled with Hindu pilgrims who worship Devi chamunda. The mythology behind this temple contains an old story of goddess chamunda who killed two demons, shumbh, and nishumbh. The temple is constructed on the same spot where the goddess ended the evil. Surrounded by the Himachal valleys and hills, this place is your go-to place for spiritual awakening.

Timings: 6:00 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Best time to visit: The nine holy days of Navratri are the best time to worship and bask in the blessings of Devi.
Address: Chamunda, Padar, Himachal Pradesh 176052

3. Sankat Mochan Temple

Hanuman Temple Varanasi

Located in the beautiful valley of Shimla, Sankat Mochan temple is the heavenly abode of Lord Hanuman. Created by Baba Neeb Karori Ji, these temples are a significant tourist attraction of Himalayas. It has many small temples of Lord Rama, Lord Shiva, and Lord Hanuman. The temple also distributes langar every Sunday. This is listed amongst the most famous temples in Himachal Pradesh.

Timings: 6:30 am – 8:00 pm and 7:00 am – 6:30 pm
Best time to visit: Visit at the time of “pratah aarti” at 5 am and the beautiful sandhya aarti at 8:30 pm
Address: Sankat Mochan, Bagh, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171010

4. Jakhoo Temple

jakhoo temple shimla

The most famous tourist attraction of Shimla, Jakhoo temple, is a magical and mythological wonder. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Located at the height of 2455 m above the sea level, this temple has stunning views of Shivalik. The story behind the temple is that Lord Hanuman rested here when he flew to collect the Sanjeevani Booti for Lakshmana.

The word jakhoo comes from the name of sage Yakoo, who built this temple. A majestic ropeway with panoramic views will take you to the temple. This temple has the world’s largest statue of Lord Hanuman. The temple is a home for hundreds of monkeys.

Timings: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Best time to visit: Visit at the time of Dussehra when the Hindus celebrate the killing of Ravana
Address: Jakhu Temple Park, Jakhu, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001

5. Hadimba Temple

Devi Temple View

Nestled between the snow-covered mountain peaks of Manali Hidimba temple is a stunning rendition of Goddess Hadimba, who was the wife of Bhima and mother of ghatotkach. She possessed supernatural powers after her severe penance. Temple is built entirely out of wood and wooden carvings. The carved walls tell a story of eras bygone.

Timings: 8:00AM -6:00 PM
Best time to visit: During the Dhungri festival. Enjoy the local festivities and the Kullu Natto dance and processions.
Address: Hadimba Temple Rd, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131

6. Narvadeshwar Temple

The 200-year-old architectural wonder Narvadeshwar Temple is a sight to behold. The temple, with its rich cultural history, has magnificent paintings adorning its walls. It was built by Maharani Prasanni Devi in a traditional bhitti architecture. The murals tell the stories of epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Visit temples in Himachal Pradesh and bask in the culture shower of different eras of ancient Indian history.

Timings: 8:00AM -6:00 PM
Best time to visit: During the Kullu festivities
Address: SH 39, Sujanpur Tira, Himachal Pradesh 176110

7. Tara Devi Temple

Situated between the lofty scenic Himalayas, Tara Devi temple is dedicated to the goddess of stars. It was dedicated to the goddess Tara who visited Himachal from Bengal. Her idol is made of a blend of eight elements called the “Ashtadhatu.” The peaceful backdrop and the serene, tranquil air is your go-to place for peace and spiritual retreat. This is one of the historical temples in Himachal Pradesh.

Timings:7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Best time to visit: During the Navratri and Ashtami when processions are held
Address: NH.22, Kachi Ghati, Bagh, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001

8. Maa Sharvari Temple

This temple is devoted to Maa Sharvari and considered to be quite an important and one of the famous temples in Himachal Pradesh. It is believed that the goddess was an incarnation of Goddess Durga and visited by many devotees to seek blessings. Located at a distance of 5 kms away from Manali by the bank of river Beas, this temple can be visited by hiring a cab. The goddess is believed to be worshipped by the Kullu kings.

Location: 5 Kms away from the main market
Best Time To Visit: During the festival of Dussehra
Timings: 5AM-12PM, 4PM-9PM

9. Vashisht Temple

This is one of the temples in Himachal Pradesh which is known for having a natural hot spring or sulphur springs. It is dedicated to sage Vashisht who once came here and meditated. They have a separate bathing zone for both men and women and people flock down here to take a bath in the boiling water which has healing properties. Another fascinating thing about this temple is that it is 4000 years old.

Location: Near Manali, Vashist, Himachal Pradesh 175135
Best Time To Visit: During the winter season to enjoy a bath in the warm water
Timings: 7AM-9PM (For bath – 7PM-1PM and 2PM-9PM)

10. Naina Devi Ji

This is considered to be one of the important temples located in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Located at a distance of 70 kms from Bilaspur, this place is often crowded by devotees who come from far and wide. The Naina Devi is considered to be the incarnation of the Goddess Durga and according to the legends Lord Vishnu cut Maa Durga (Sati) in 50 pieces to pacify Shiva and her eyes fell here. This temple was built by Raja Bir Chand in the 8th century.

Location: Matrianchal Bhawan, Himachal Pradesh, 174310
Best Time To Visit: April – October
Timings: 5AM-9PM

11. Vyas Gufa

This is one of the oldest temples located in Bilaspur which is famous among the pilgrims who plan to visit every year. According to the legends, at this Sage Vyas meditated for many years and later wrote the epic Mahabharata. Located alongside the River Satluj, this place lies between the old and new town of Bilaspur. Situated at a height of 610 meters above sea level, this place has its own importance.

Location: Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Timings: NA

12. Baba Balak Nath Temple

This is one of the famous temples located in Himachal Pradesh which is actually a cave temple carved out of a rock. The entry of the females is restricted inside the temple, but the place grabs its attention during the Holi Festival when a fair is organized.

Location: Deotsidh Rd, Sidh Baba Balaknath Mandir Complex, Deotsidh, Himachal Pradesh 176039
Best Time To Visit: October-April
Timings: 5AM-8PM

13. Bhootnath Temple

This is one of the famous temples in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh which is devoted to Lord Shiva. The place is seen to be in its full glory during the Mahashivratri fair which is celebrated here with grandeur. Visitors flock here from all over the world to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the temple was built by Raja Ajber Sen in 1527.

Location: Baghpur – Falaida Rd, Bagpur Khurd, Haryana 121102
Best Time To Visit: During the Mahashivratri
Timings: 8AM-11PM

14. Jwala Devi Temple

Jwala Devi temple is situated at the Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh and known for being one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in India. Located at the Jwalamukhi village in Kangra, this temple is believed to be the place where the tongue of Sati has fallen. According to the legends said by the locals a shepherd first saw a raging fire on top of the hill and told the king. Later the king went and saw Goddess Jwala Devi and later decided to build a temple.

Location: Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October-February
Timings: 5AM-12PM, 4PM-8PM

15. Chintpurni Temple

This is another in the list of Shaktipeeth where the Goddess Chinnamastika is worshipped by the locals and the devotees. It is said that the goddess is headless as she beheaded and offered the blood to her two companions. The goddess is also considered to be a symbol of sacrifice as she can do anything for the people she loved. Located at the Una district, this temple is believed to be where people flock to get their wishes fulfilled.

Location: Vpo chintpurni, teh Amb, Moien, Chintpurni, Himachal Pradesh 177110
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Timings: 4AM-10PM

16. Bhimakali Temple

This is another Shaktipeetha temple which is situated at the Saharan town in Himachal Pradesh. Built with wood, one can enjoy the amazing view of the snow-clad mountains in the backdrop. As per the legends, the ear of Goddess Sati fell here and later a temple was built over it. The thing to admire here is to witness the intricate wood carvings and also the view surrounding the place which is extravagant and worth witnessing.

Location: Sarahan, Himachal Pradesh 172102
Best Time To Visit: October-March
Timings: 6AM-5:30PM

Wikipedia

Monday, August 31, 2020

Traditional and famous dishes of Himachal Pradesh