Things To Do In Narkanda, Thanedar, Himachal Pradesh

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Narkanda, Thanedar is a small town a little ahead of Shimla India – at the heart of Apple Country. It is a favorite tourist spot in Himachal Pradesh. For people who want to get beyond Shimla but not get into the tough terrains of Spiti Valley. In fact, it is pretty much a part of Shimla Tourism as it falls in the district. It can be easily done as a day trip from Shimla, though I would recommend you stay there for at least a couple of days.

Table of Contents

Hand made map of Shimla India
Handmade map of Shimla

Things to do in Narkanda, Himachal

Here is my small guide for things to do in and around this place.

Hatu Peak, Narkanda

Hatu Peak near Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh
Hatu Peak

The Hatu Peak is situated at a height of 3352 meters. Narrow winding roads leading to it take you through the dense forests of tall deodar trees. The steep valleys can charm you and at the same time scare you. Roadtrip to Hatu is a very steep ride and you will feel it at every turn that you take on your way up. Once you reach the top, just hope for a clear day so that you can see the Shrikhand Mahadev range of the Himalayas.

I was there on a cloudy day, and we almost parked in the middle of the clouds with visibility below 2-3 meters. This peak and its view are so popular that Himachal Tourism has named its HPTDC hotel in Narkanda Hatu. Even if you miss the view, the drive itself is worth exploring. If you like Adventure Trips, hike up Hatu Peak. Check the weather while heading for a tourist spot in this region.

Hatu Mata Mandir

Hatu Mata Mandir, Narkanda
Hatu Mata Mandir

Right on the peak like most peaks and high points in India, stands the Hatu Mata Mandir. The Mandir is built in a typical Himachal style with alternating bands of stone and wood. Legend is that this temple was built at a place where Draupadi fell and died when Pandavas were on their last journey towards heaven.

Carved wooden panels of Hatu Mata Temple
Carved wooden panels of the temple

All around the temple, you can see exquisitely carved wooden panels telling you stories of epics Ramayana and Mahabharata like a scene depicting Bharat Milap from Ramayana.

Bharat Milap panel at Hatu Mata Temple, Narkanda, Shimla India
Bharat Milap panel at Hatu Mata Temple

Other panels have auspicious symbols associated with Hinduism carved on them like the Swastika. The temple as it stands today is relatively new but in hills, they need to be rebuilt every few years, as I discovered in the journey through its various temples like Bhimakali in Sarahan or Kalika Devi in Kalpa.

Tani Jhubbar Lake near Narkanda

Lake Tani Jhubbar near Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh
Lake Tani Jhubbar landscape view

Tani Jhubbar – the sing-song name excited me even when everyone said this is not the best lake Himachal Pradesh has to offer. On our way back from Hatu Peak, we took a small detour to reach Tani Jhubbar Lake – a small artificial lake standing at the edge of Nag Devta Temple. Temple is just a small room with a simple idol and a slanted stone roof on top. Tani Jhubbar Lake has tall deodar trees all around its oval shape. It is a pleasure to take a leisurely walk around the lake and see the reflection of trees piercing through the non-existent depths of the lake.

Tani Jhubbar is a popular picnic spot for the local Himachalis and a perfect place to enjoy the weather here. We could see families coming up with their picnic baskets.

St Mary’s Church at Kotgarh

St Mary's Church, Kotgarh, Himachal Pradesh
St Mary’s Church, Kotgarh, Himachal Pradesh

The St Mary’s Church at Kotgarh is one of the oldest churches in North India. It was built way back in 1872 by London’s Church Missionary Society. Kotgarh is not too far from either Narkanda or Thanedar, on the old Hindustan-Tibet road. What makes it enchanting today is the simplest possible exteriors in pale yellow color that still have the contours of a church with a hint of gothic architecture and a bell tower proudly hanging on top.

The simple wooden benches and the stained glass panel at the altar and the windows in the interiors complete the aura.

Interiors of St Mary's Church, Kotgarh
Interiors of St Mary’s Church, Kotgarh

Now what I saw for the first time at St Mary’s Church at Kotgarh was a bible in Hindi. A hand-drawn map of the region was also very interesting. Incidentally, I was there on Sunday morning when the mass was on and I met a family that had come from Chandigarh for the naming ceremony of their child. Empty benches did point out the fact that the Christian population in this area is very low. There is a school next to the church that is as old as the church.

Thanedar

Valley view of Thanedar
Valley view of Thanedar

The word Thanedar that I thought to be Thanedhar as in the policeman actually comes from Thandi Dhar or the cold wind that blows here. This is the hotbed of apple plantations. Pass through just about any place or any street here you would see Apple. There are buildings like Paramjyoti Vedic Aryan Temple with Sanskrit verses written all over its walls.

Walls of Paramjyoti Temple, Thanedar
Walls of Paramjyoti Temple, Thanedar

It reminds you of Satyanand Stokes who brought the apple revolution to this region and changed its destiny for a long time to come. There is a guest house dedicated to him with a bust of Stokes overlooking the River Sutlej. The sunset view from this place is worth staying back for. Even the valley view from Banjara Orchard Retreat, Thanedar where we stayed was something that would stay with me forever – the deep valleys all laden with the weight of almost-ripe apples.

Read my detailed story on Himachal Apple – Apple Out to Prosperity, Story of Himachal Apple

Identify local fruits and flowers

Handful of fruits from Thanedar
A handful of fruits from Thanedar, Shimla

This region of Shimla district around Narkanda, Thanedar, and Kotgarh is full of vegetation. If you happen to go around July when the trees are full of Apples, you would be tempted to pluck them and eat them. If your eyes can look beyond apples, you would see many fruits like various types of apricots, peaches, almonds, and berries. You will also find dry fruits, not yet dried and still green on their respective trees. I think the fruits of Himachal Pradesh deserve a full-fledged post sometime soon.

Fuschia Flower at Thanedar
Fuchsia Flower

You would also see many flowers like this bright and vibrant Fuchsia flower that looks like an eardrop to me.

Recommend you to read the following Travel Blog on Himachal Tourism attractions, this Travel Blogger has visited.

First Thoughts on Himachal Odyssey

Eternity stops to see Kinner Kailash at Kalpa

Chandratal – Blue lake of Lahaul-Spiti valley

Dhankar – Monastery, Fort & a village in Spiti valley

Rampur Bushahr and its Padam Palace

18 COMMENTS

  1. I am jealous of you…. U wandering around such beautiful places… As well as write also so beautifully.
    However Kindly help me to suggest some places which can be visited by 9march onwards for 10days…

    • I was there just before the peak Apple season. I could see apples all around but could not pluck and eat them, though I ate hell lot of other fruits in Himachal, most of which we do not get in rest of India.

  2. This place is called the USA of H.P. i.e. the Upper Shimla area. I love being there because its my hometown and the places you visited are just Awesome. You skipped one thing, the huge Shilaru hockey ground which is going to become the International hockey ground in the coming years.

  3. Lovely Blog.
    I am planning for Himachal Trip in March End 2020.
    As an off beat destination, I am confused between BAROT and THANEDAR.
    Please suggest, which place is better for views.
    Thanks
    Sunil

  4. This town experiences a pleasant weather throughout the year so if you really want a peaceful and pleasant stay without any hassle and too much crowd, Narkanda is best option for you. I have been there several times as its my native place. And you can even enjoy various adventure activities like trekking etc.

    Thanks Anuradha for such a nice Blog.

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