“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”—KHARAPATHAR-A road less traveled by.

The long wait due to road construction-on our way to Kharapathar

The view from our balcony-HPTDC rest house at KharapatharThe Giriganga

The small market place at Kharapathar

The Giriganga Resort amidst apple orchards

The most comfortable stay at Kharapathar

Many of us wish to travel to secluded places which will offer us a captivating view of the nature along with a comfortable stay, but most of the times, options are not known to us.

We can suggest you to this picturesque hamlet with soaring mountains and fruit laden apple orchards, where time remains standstill and you can be with yourself---KHARAPATHAR in Himachal Pradesh- a breathtaking beauty in the Pabbar valley. After you pass through Shimla, take the NH-22 route and reach Theog, enroute Kufri and Fagu.From Theog, take the right hand road and after experiencing a very bumpy ride on the broken road you will reach the dream destination-Kharapathar (85 Kms from Shimla)—the land of utter silence—only the melody of the birds in the far and near conifers enraptures the entire atmosphere. Blended with myth and reality and charming architectural legendary temples, this tiny place has many more things to offer—only you need to be within yourself.

Kharapathar is uniquely a leisure destination with green valleys, lush forests, tall mountains, swift streams, apple orchards and a heavenly bliss. From here you can drive 29 Kms towards Rohru on the right bank of the Pabbar river to watch the classical temples of Hatkoti built in ancient nagara style—Hateshwari temple complex. One can also travel 7 Kms through thick Deodar forests either walking or by car to the Giriganga temple.

HPTDC provides an excellent stay in their GiriGanga Resort which may be the only option for accommodation here; the other may be a PWD bunglow which we haven’t seen. Within a stone’s throw from the Tourist resort there is a small market place with a handful of shops where the local people flock in the afternoon-the only mode of entertainment in the whole area.Inside the market place there is a temple where a stone stands erect which is worshipped by the people here –khara pathar—may be the name has been derived from there.

So Friends,

If you want a road less traveled by where you can re-discover your Soul and experience peace within, then Kharapathar is your only option.

The overcast sky in the Pabbar Valley

On our way to Hatkoti from Kharapathar

The bright colored roofs of the local cottages in the Valley

Very colorful,yet very soothing

We were the only tourists on the deserted road to Rohru

Himachali Beauty

The apples are in their nascent stage

The Pabbar river being utilised for generating Hydroelectricity
Rohru

hru

Tranquility prevails

The sighnage

The entrance to Hateswari Mata Temple-Hatkoti

God's abode on nature's lap

The Hateswari Temple in Hatkoti,29 kms from Kharapathar

Built in old Nagara style the temple is worth visiting

The road beside the temple leading to the river

Apple orchards

The Giriganga resort

Giriganga Temple complex

Dense pine forests surround the Giriganga temple complex

The view from the top

Eerie silence