Travel Diaries (brief and concise)

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, 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...

Chaupal, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The information I am giving here is based on my 5 months stay in this town during my search of buying an Apple Orchard. Introduction Lush Green Hills of Chaupal Chopal or Chaupal is a small hilly town and Tehsil head center in Shimla District. It is surrounded by deodar forest and its about 3 hours or 65kms from Theog, Shimla. The road is recently metaled and all weather. It is one of the most beautiful roads to drive. The lush green valleys view and the road leads through one of the oldest and thick forests of Asia. Devdar, kail, fir spruce and ban trees are in plenty in forests of Chaupal. This place is also famous for its apple production and produce import quality apples. The best thing about Chopal apart from its rich flora and fauna is its weather which is just like Canada. It is sweet and pleasant during summers and chilled snowy weather in winters. This town has a population of around 8000 people. As it is Tehsil head c...