Himachal Pradesh, India, Oral Stories from Rural India, Photographic Stories, Road to Nara Aid : Helping the Heros, Tales from Rural India
Published on 17/03/2022
Comments 43

Last Few Days of Winter from my friend Rinku’s Home, in Naggar- Himalayas: A Photo-Story

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You know I love Delhi for its years old rich history, but more often than less, it has only been a pass for me towards the mountains. I love the Himalayas more.

And in last one decade and half, I have found myself reaching to Naggar than anywhere else. It may also be how this quaint small village found me finding.

Also Read: Birdsong- the first poem i wrote after reaching Naggar

In 2007, while riding my bike from Delhi, looking for a place to stay for the night, each person i asked from directed me towards Naggar. Nagar in Hindi simply means a ‘city’, or so i thought that once i reach the city i will find a place. But the altitude kept getting higher as i rode in the night getting skeptical of ever reaching any so called ‘city’. But when I finally reached there, the first thing my senses noticed was the fragrance of Devdar trees. It was dark in the night and cricket sang the song of the moon. There were only a handful of homes around it when i found Rinku walking.

Rinku has been painting ever since i have known him. And started giving Acupressure sessions to anyone who was visiting, to earn for himself and family. I would like to state that he has the most beautiful mud-house homestay one can ever stay in on a mountain.

Rinku, my friend- while on a day hike to upper villages from Naggar


Naggar is rich in history and has been a home for some outstanding Russian and Italian Artists, who have even established a small Art school for local artists.

Last week, my old friend Rinku sent me some images of possibly the last snowfall of the season as Summers in the Indian mainland has already almost taken over.

It is also quiet strange for me to think that i have never been able to spend any time in Naggar during Winters and thus it makes it all the more lovely to share these images with you; some warmth of the last bit of snow from this year. And even ask you to please visit Rinku’s home and others when you are in India soon.

Also Read: When i fell in love in Himachal Pradesh

Main Naggar Chowk


Reaching Naggar and Where to Stay

Naggar is 560 kilometres from Delhi and one may quite possibly reach within 14 hours.

Covid has hit us one and all. Homes where I stayed in Naggar are special because it were the mothers who fed me. Living with the family, knowing them like your own creates some memories that we humans cherish most.

If anyone who is looking to find some peace, beautiful walking trails away from road-traffic, a home and home food for oneself, please do not hesitate to write to me on my e-mail.

: ँ :

Thank you.

If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road to Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste


: ँ :

I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly;

What have i learnt in a decade of travels from several years on the road, before you coarse on your own Road to Nara.


: ँ :

If you wish to contribute to my travels, or towards My School you can please do so here

And when you have something to share, or feel like saying a hello, please write to me at nara@road-to-nara.com

To visit other long-term photographic works, you can visit here.


To follow my walks through the rural Indian Subcontinent, find me at 
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

This entry was posted in: Himachal Pradesh, India, Oral Stories from Rural India, Photographic Stories, Road to Nara Aid : Helping the Heros, Tales from Rural India
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Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

43 Comments

  2. gabychops says

    This fascinating addition to the last post is special on many counts; the spectacular pictures of the Himalayas, in my view, the most divine place on earth, are the most important because many people can only see it only through these wonderful photographs, author’s own, and they are staying in memory long time after we left the page. Then there is Narayanan’s heartfelt description of the friendly people, especially his friend and his beautiful mud house.

    Narayan’s invitation to visit this place only a “fourteen-hour journey” is proof that nothing is too much trouble if the place you would reach proved to be a true paradise, and I think that without doubt, it would be.

    The poem, Narayan, wrote could be only inspired by this unique place, and like the paradise is divine in its beauty.

    Anyone who can travel should book a reservation now!
    Thank you, Narayan, for this vision of haven!

    Joanna x

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    • Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      Dear Joanna, see only 14 hours. Whenever you will be coming. It will just be a matter of day and you will be amongst the Himalayas, as you so much want to be.

      Thank you Joanna for your words. It made my evening very well. You know these lands now better than any other one. Thank you again.

      Narayan x

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  6. capost2k says

    I sincerely hope to one day take you up on your offer to make connections to visit the Indian Himalayas. This is on my bucket list, though doing Everest came off several years ago. But Anita and I would love to visit the mountains of India and Nepal before we grow too much older.
    ❤️&🙏, c.a.

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  7. Shaunelius Sterns says

    Very beautiful place. Thank you for sharing. May God continue to bless you as you travel on to wherever your spirit leads you. God bless you. Have a wonderful day, and stay safe.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      Dear Shaun, delighted to recieve your blessings. I hope they come true and I can travel as much and for the betterment of humanity.

      With gratitude
      Thank you so very much.

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    • Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      Dear Yam, there is no doubt Himalayas are the abode of charging energies, we call them by many names. You must arrive soon and whenever you do, you know whom to write.

      Thank you so much for your warm acknowledgement.

      Narayan

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  9. dreamsandexperiences says

    So beautiful 🍥…. thank you for inspiration …will definitely add it to my travel list. 🌼

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    • Narayan Tushar Kaudinya says

      Cheryl, delights me to hear from you and makes me happy that I could carry you for a little while to a legendary place such as Pushkar.

      Thank you thank you
      Narayan x

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