Sirmaur is the South-Eastern district of Himachal, mostly untouched by the commercial development. The district Headquarters - Nahan is a rather quiet place as well. Agriculture is the primary source of income and Sirmaur grows thousands of tons of fruits every year. Rajgarh in Sirmaur is famously known as the Peach Bowl & Peach Valley.
River Giri divides the Sirmour district into two parts and it's many smaller tributaries makes the land fertile. In the picture above you can see farmers washing their Ginger Crop in the river Giri.
Sirmour was an independent kingdom in India, founded in about 1090 by Raja Rasaloo of Jaisalmer, one of whose ancestors was named Sirmour. The reason I planned my trip in this direction is because I am looking for easier alternatives to the 'Beyond Shimla' hilly drives that I am in love with.
Travel directions from Delhi: Drive up to Karnal on NH1 and from there on you have three options.
1. If you are Express-way lover, drive upto Ambala and on the Ambala-Chandigarh Expressway you can take a turn (Right) to climb on NH-72 and drive towards Narayan Garh.
2. If you would like to have a small-town feel to your drive and want to drive at a relaxed pace - take a U-Turn right after the Karnal (Neelokheri) Toll and climb on to State Highway 7. Join the SH 4 after a few kilometers and then climb on to NH 72 after about 70 odd kilometers.
3. Or you can take a turn after Shahbad Markanda and climb on to SH 31 which joins the NH 73 from Saha (a small industrial town) and then get on to the NH 72 near Baragarh.
If you would opt for the second or third route you'd see a lot of agricultural land and breathe fresh air!
The drive up to Kala-Amb is relatively surprise free. From Kala Amb onwards you start getting the feel of climbing on to hills and just after a few kilometers as you move towards Nahan the forests start thickening up.
A few kilometers after Nahan on State Highway 2, you have to take a (right) turn on to Major District Road 1 (MDR-1) which takes you towards the small town of Dadahu.
MDR1 (Major District Road 1, Renuka)
When I traveled (Mid-October '13) the MDR1 was under construction and large part of it was a dusty track only.
However, the 35 Kilometers of MDR1 were full of Natural Beauty
Clear blue skies and great variety of Mountain Flora
And this location is known as Igloo Point, I guess:
The narrow tracks add to the Thrill..
River Giri divides the Sirmaur valley..
There is a wonderful waterfall on way, couldn't capture it completely because of the brimming sunshine:
Ensure that you are on Track:
Drive through the lovely curves
Sit by the sides of Giri for a while
Take rest at the Renuka by HPTDC:
Visit the nearby Zoo, to see... Hundreds of Wild Bats:
An old and tired Lion.. waiting and growling for food
Lush Greenery
Some spectacular views
Couple of Big Turtles and Many fish, in the lake Renuka
A wild cow breed called Mithun
A small Lake with many fishes
An amazing water-fall
And the house that you would love to live ... your retired life
Another journey ends with a dream to go for many more... Maybe Kinnaur, maybe Lahul & Spiti.
River Giri divides the Sirmour district into two parts and it's many smaller tributaries makes the land fertile. In the picture above you can see farmers washing their Ginger Crop in the river Giri.
Sirmour was an independent kingdom in India, founded in about 1090 by Raja Rasaloo of Jaisalmer, one of whose ancestors was named Sirmour. The reason I planned my trip in this direction is because I am looking for easier alternatives to the 'Beyond Shimla' hilly drives that I am in love with.
Travel directions from Delhi: Drive up to Karnal on NH1 and from there on you have three options.
1. If you are Express-way lover, drive upto Ambala and on the Ambala-Chandigarh Expressway you can take a turn (Right) to climb on NH-72 and drive towards Narayan Garh.
2. If you would like to have a small-town feel to your drive and want to drive at a relaxed pace - take a U-Turn right after the Karnal (Neelokheri) Toll and climb on to State Highway 7. Join the SH 4 after a few kilometers and then climb on to NH 72 after about 70 odd kilometers.
3. Or you can take a turn after Shahbad Markanda and climb on to SH 31 which joins the NH 73 from Saha (a small industrial town) and then get on to the NH 72 near Baragarh.
The drive up to Kala-Amb is relatively surprise free. From Kala Amb onwards you start getting the feel of climbing on to hills and just after a few kilometers as you move towards Nahan the forests start thickening up.
A few kilometers after Nahan on State Highway 2, you have to take a (right) turn on to Major District Road 1 (MDR-1) which takes you towards the small town of Dadahu.
MDR1 (Major District Road 1, Renuka)
When I traveled (Mid-October '13) the MDR1 was under construction and large part of it was a dusty track only.
However, the 35 Kilometers of MDR1 were full of Natural Beauty
Clear blue skies and great variety of Mountain Flora
And this location is known as Igloo Point, I guess:
The narrow tracks add to the Thrill..
River Giri divides the Sirmaur valley..
There is a wonderful waterfall on way, couldn't capture it completely because of the brimming sunshine:
Ensure that you are on Track:
Drive through the lovely curves
Sit by the sides of Giri for a while
Take rest at the Renuka by HPTDC:
Visit the nearby Zoo, to see... Hundreds of Wild Bats:
An old and tired Lion.. waiting and growling for food
Lush Greenery
Some spectacular views
Couple of Big Turtles and Many fish, in the lake Renuka
A wild cow breed called Mithun
A small Lake with many fishes
An amazing water-fall
And the house that you would love to live ... your retired life
Another journey ends with a dream to go for many more... Maybe Kinnaur, maybe Lahul & Spiti.
