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Talking Dolls

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  This is a story about an incident which happened with my friend who lives in Mumbai. He went to Pushkar Mela in Rajasthan, which is famous for its traditional display of culture, handicrafts and dances. He went there with his girlfriend and was strolling the small market area selling various old and antique things pertaining to Rajasthan culture and lifestyle. There he saw a shop where an old lady with wrinkled face was selling traditional Rajasthani dolls. The old lady called for him as he appeared to be non-native of Rajasthan due to his appearance and clothes. He went to her shop and looked around, which was stacked with different kind of colorful dolls. He said that he is not sure of buying the dolls, and he doesn't know what to do with them, but the old lady insisted him to buy something from her as she is very poor and have not sold anything for the past few days. Furthermore, he felt pity and selected a pair of Rajasthani Doll in which one was a mustache man and other one ...

Churdhar Trek, Himachal Pradesh

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Churdhar Trek One of the most beautiful and naturally satisfying trek in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. Trek starting point at Sarahan It is one of the most mesmerizing and spiritually satisfying trek outside the main Himalayan range. The peak is at the height of 3655 m and the view from the top will leave you spellbound. The Churdhar peak has been named after deity Shri Shirgual Maharaj or Chureshwar Maharaj who used to live here in ancient times. The trek leads through dense forest, meadows and finally to the peak. On a clear day, one can see Sirkhand Mahadev, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Shimla, Chail, and Kinner Kailash. Chur-Dhar is also known as Churi-Chandni Dhar i.e. Bangles of snow ridge. In 1834, George Everest who was the surveyor general of India under British Raj made several astronomical studies from Churdhar. He calculated height and distance is many peaks in the upper Himalayan region from Churdhar. Mount Everest is named after George Everest. This trek...

Thanedar and Kotgarh, Himachal Pradesh

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Thanedar and Kotgarh, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh My search of buying an apple orchard brought me to the birthplace of apples in India from the remote corners of the state. Introduction Thanedar Apple Orchards Thanedar is a pleasantly old-fashioned little hamlet in Himachal Pradesh, located around the pleasing apple orchards in Shimla district. It is situated at a height of 7,250 ft from the above sea level and famed as the fruit bowl of Himachal Pradesh. Thanedar is the oldest apple countryside in the state. It is here, Samuel Stokes (later known as Satyanand Stokes), a social worker from Philadelphia, planted the first apple seed in 1916 and the legacy of apples in India started growing. Samuel stokes is incorporated in Thanedar. One can still see the apple orchard that he planted there. Thanedar’s apples are used in preparing the most delicious wines, jam, and pickles.  Kotgarh Welcome to Kotgarh Kotgarh , the apple bowl of India is just 4 kms fro...

Tharoch Village, Himachal Pradesh

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Tharoch Village, Tehsil Nerwa, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh Introduction Here, I am giving information about a princely and remote village named "Tharoch" on the basis of my experience as I went there to buy an apple orchard. Tharoch Village Founded in the 15th century. Also known as Tiroch or Taroch. Originally titled Ranas up to the occupation by the Gurkhas, and Thakurs from 1815 to 1929 is a very small and remote hilly village in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is an apple village and dominated by Brahmin and Rajput community. This was one of the princely village of earlier times. Rana Kishan Singh was Tharoch's 1st Rana. Now it is under Tehsil of Nerwa. Tharoch village have population of around 5000 and there are several other villages around Tharoch but those are only accessible on foot. The area of the village is 223 sqKms. The Tharoch village is 18kms from Nerwa town which is on bank of Shalvi river. The villagers of Thoroch usually visit...