Shimla Travelogue

04/04/2026

Heaven

27/02/2026

In the quiet hills of Shimla, under the soft glow of dim light, tonight’s meal is cooking slowly on a mitti ka chulha… 🌙🔥
No rush, no noise — just the warmth of firewood, the aroma of simple food, and the soul of a true Pahadi rasoi.
Here, food is not just cooked… it is felt, shared, and lived.
Life tastes different in the mountains. ❤️🌿
Shimla Hills

16/01/2026

They say when the dhol beats and the
shehnai sings, the mountains come alive.
Bishu, a festival born centuries ago, when our
ancestors danced to thank the earth for its harvest.
It was never just a celebration... it was a promise to
stay connected to our roots, to our land, to each
other.
Even today, when thousands gather, and the
rhythm fills the valley, it feels the same
The same joy. The same spirit. The same Himachal
Because nothing beats the sound of dhol and
shehnai-nothing ever will❤️

09/12/2025

witnessed a moment that generations before us only prayed for. After centuries of separation and decades of conflict, Gudaru Devta and Dhonlu Devta finally stood together once again. The atmosphere that day felt sacred—like time itself had paused to honour this reunion. That Shaant Yagya wasn’t just a ceremony; it was the healing of an old wound, the return of long-lost harmony, and a blessing that may not come again for the next 50 years. I may never witness such a divine moment again in my lifetime, but the memory of this sacred reunion will stay in my heart forever.

19/11/2025

In her quiet steps lies the rhythm of the hills; in her tired eyes shines the wisdom of generations. She is the poetry the mountains wrote long before we learned to read

22/10/2025

Hidden among the cedar-clad hills of Himachal Pradesh, the serene region of Chaupal comes alive once every year with the divine rhythm of devotion, music, and tradition — the Khilla Festival (खिल्ला पर्व).
This ancient celebration, held in villages like Batewari and Devt Panchayat, is more than a local fair — it’s a living symbol of unity between the people and their Devtas (local deities).
During Khilla, villagers gather in colorful attire as the devta’s palanquin (palki) is carried with chants, dhols, and trumpets echoing through the valleys. The air fills with divine energy — blending faith, joy, and centuries-old Himachali culture.
Elders narrate tales of valor and divine blessings, while the younger generation joins in dance, prayer, and festive games that strengthen community bonds.
The word “Khilla” itself represents a sacred tradition — often tied to rituals of offering, symbolic contests of brotherhood, and renewal of faith in the village deity. Every family, whether near or far, returns home to be part of this sacred occasion.
As the sun sets behind the misty ridges of Chaupal, the glow of temple lamps, the sound of the dhol, and the scent of incense create a magical harmony — reminding everyone that culture isn’t just remembered here, it’s lived.
✨ “Khilla isn’t just a festival — it’s the heartbeat of Chaupal, where devotion meets the mountains, and tradition breathes in every prayer.” ✨

12/10/2025

What you see above is the summit of the highest point in the district of .
It was a cloudy day and an expectedly scenic hike of 6km to the summit turned out to be not as much fun as we had thought. In retrospect, we could have gotten much more done in that time!
Nonetheless, trekking up to peak gave us a rewarding view of both sides of the valley.
Fun fact: the person who did the carvings on the temple was a Buddhist so the artwork consisted of depictions of both and gods.
The trek up was quite exhausting so we didn’t have the energy to shoot much, as most of time went trekking the steep slopes that were 12km in total.
We spoke with the pandit of the as well, who told us about the significance of this spot. For that you’ll need to watch the YouTube video. Link in bio.
All in all a tiring day at ...

08/05/2024

01/11/2023

THERE are a few instances in life when one sincerely feels that events conspired to make things happen. One such instance is the story of the restoration of the Gaiety Theatre in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, a saga that unfolded over several years.

The famous English architect Henry H. Irwin designed the original Gaiety building and theatre complex in the Gothic style. It was completed in May 1887 at a cost of Rs.3.23 lakh, an extravagant sum at the time, but seemed jinxed from the start. Numerous problems appeared within a few years of its completion. The nexus between the Public Works Department (PWD) and contractors seems to have been active back then as well, as subsequent inquiries revealed that inferior quality local stones had been used instead of the Kalka-cut stones specified in the tender document. By 1911, 24 years after the theatre opened, things came to such a pass that the authorities were left with no option but to declare the building unsafe and demolish its top three storeys. A temporary tin roof was put in place, which protected the building until as late as 2003 when the restoration work begans

17/11/2022

Lavi fair of Rampur is the most important fair of the district and state. It is a commercial fair held on the 25th of Kartika (November). It is said that the fair was related to the signing of trade treaty between the erstwhile Bushahr State and Tibet.. The shepherds of Kinnaur migrate to warmer places before the on set of winter and on their way they halt at Rampur. The woollen goods,dry fruits and medicinal herbs brought by them are purchased by the people and the traders of the plains and foodgrains,clothes and utensils are sold. It is a very old fair and entirely related to the sale and purchase of goods. ‘Natti’ dances and cultural shows are the main attractions....

30/08/2022

I always wanted to capture my beautiful hometown on the canvas and this was my first attempt .