There are many, many quaint villages in the Himalayas, and how we wish we could visit as many of them as possible before they get commercially exploited and lose their charm and innocence.
Nashala is one such quaint Himalayan village. Towards the right of Naggar Haveli, a winding 5km road around the hills, and through pine forests lies this gorgeous village, where most of the homes are still traditional in architecture. This sleepy agrarian village was the perfect spot for us to spend a day hanging around, photographing. Stay was in Manali, and all meals at Naggar Castle. Katrain could also be a good place to stay with delicious home cooked meals in your own tree house!
Dhaba on the way to Manali on the Chandigarh – Manali Highway.The road to Manali is terrible, with construction everywhere. So bad, that I now fear driving to Manali. It was like this earlier last year, and so about 4 years ago.
The crowded markets of Katrain on the road to Manali.The delicious Kaphal berries (Myrica esculenta), which grow wild in the forests of the Himalayas. I dint have the heart of eating them, leaving them for the forest wild life.From our hotel in Manali, with a funny name Shobla International, but pretty decent log rooms, and decent food.The city of Manali is fast becoming over congested and just like any other city in the plains. Gone are the charms of a hill station.The Naggar Castle, an old Heritage Hotel, is supposed to have been built around the early 17th Century. It has perhaps the best meals in Manali.We spot a cute house through the woods in Nashala.We come closer to discover such a gorgeous home.The trail leading to the village.Another house with its own grain ripening for harvest.Traditional homes with the backdrop of the Himalayas.The sleepy village retains its beautiful traditional architecture.Another Nashala House with stone tiled roof and wooden walls.Beautiful snow capped mountains are visible everywhere.Beautiful first floor balconies like these are quite common place in NashalaThe traditional architecture of logs of Deodar alternating with Himalayan stone seems to be a very good idea.The Nashala Village TempleMost houses store hay, as almost everyone owns cattle.Lovely alternating wood and stone and balconies above.A narrow lane leading to other houses in the village.Wildflowers flourish and blossom everywhere here.Many people in the village own small hand looms and weave their own stoles and shawls.Gorgeous alleys in the village. Who wouldnt want to live here?These stone tiles shine with a metallic sheen in the sun, as it plays hide and seek amidst clouds.Laundry. As urbanisation slowly creeps in, wood and stone has been replaced with brick and mortar, and notice new age clothes give way to traditional dresses.Lavendar and red. Brick and mortar.More traditional houses in Nashala.This is one of the larger homes, perhaps belonging to someone higher up in the wealth ladder. The house is painted with modern colours.
[box type=”success” width=”100%” ]To visit Nashala, one can stay in Kullu, Naggar or Manali. It’s closer to Naggar. The Nagali Castle is a gorgeous place to visit , plus has the best meals around that area.[/box]
41 thoughts on “Nashala : A Tiny Village In The Mountains of Himachal Pradesh”
Interesting.. Nice read. Manali is now becoming more crowded. My last visit wasn’t a very good 1.
I did just for the taste 🙂 but I felt bad eating them because they are from the forest and not the farm. Don’t like the idea of stealing food meant for wildlife…
Hi! Nashala doesn’t have a stay option, but it’s barely 5km or so from Naggar Haveli/Castle. There are plenty of stay options at Naggar. The Naggar Haveli also has awesome food.
I have never been to Himanchal and I am just adding on places to my Himanchal Trip list! Nagar Haveli is on my list and guess so is Nashala now specially because of its raw appeal. Lovely pics 🙂
Wow, I love Kaphals. It can be found only at Himalayas and Uttrakhand Jungles in summer season. Its taste is amazing, little sour and sweet. You can use salt with it to make it more tasty.
I have visited Himachal Pradesh but never heard the beauty about Nashala village but when after reading your post then i want to go there once more. Thanks for sharing an amazing experience of Himachal Pradesh.
Nice post about the small village of Himalaya, I have never visited the small places like this but after read your blog I just want to try explore these places…
I visited Nashala village in August 2021 while I was on my way to Jana waterfall. However, I couldn’t reach the waterfall. The way you have captured the village has left me in awe. I didn’t get to explore this village that much.
Interesting.. Nice read. Manali is now becoming more crowded. My last visit wasn’t a very good 1.
I know, we didn’t enjoy Manali either. It’s crowded and dirty now.
Such a rustic and lovely place… the pictures are beautiful and the berries look yummy… 🙂 you didn’t try them I read, but are they edible?
I did just for the taste 🙂 but I felt bad eating them because they are from the forest and not the farm. Don’t like the idea of stealing food meant for wildlife…
A serene place for sure.Love the pictures.Berries look so sweet.
Cheers,
Sriram & Krithiga
Thanks Sri Kri!
Wow.. such a beauty.. thanks for sharing these spectacular pics
Nice photos.
Lovely pics ; Stunning Landscape and it is indeed bliss to be around !! I hope Himachal Calls me soon.
Thanks Pooja! Am sure you will get the call soon 🙂
your photos got good depth to it.
And I am craving for the mountains again. Great pictures. Loved these traditional houses.
Superb photo essay!
Great pics and lovely place! Thanks for sharing.
Is there a place to stay right there in Nashala itself? Or would you suggest to keep the visit only for a day and stay elsewhere, as you did?
Hi! Nashala doesn’t have a stay option, but it’s barely 5km or so from Naggar Haveli/Castle. There are plenty of stay options at Naggar. The Naggar Haveli also has awesome food.
Very nice and informative post. Loved the photographs :).. Specially got to know about such beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Pamela…
I have never been to Himanchal and I am just adding on places to my Himanchal Trip list! Nagar Haveli is on my list and guess so is Nashala now specially because of its raw appeal. Lovely pics 🙂
Thanks Vaisakhi! Nashala is worth a trip. And if you are in the region, do visit the Nicolai Roerich museum.
Wow, I love Kaphals. It can be found only at Himalayas and Uttrakhand Jungles in summer season. Its taste is amazing, little sour and sweet. You can use salt with it to make it more tasty.
beautiful 🙂
Wow! Such amazing clicks!! You should have tried those berries, they taste yumm! 😀
Hi Bushra! I did ultimately try those berries, but I would rather leave them alone in the forests for the birds…
Lovely shots. Even I am planning for a short trip to Manali & Spiti 🙂
Cheers
how far is nashala from kasol or tosh?
beautiful pictures
Himachal is purely a beautiful place. I have been to Kasol, Tosh and I always feel like going back.
Awesome clicks,
I have visited Himachal Pradesh but never heard the beauty about Nashala village but when after reading your post then i want to go there once more. Thanks for sharing an amazing experience of Himachal Pradesh.
Amazing post ever, I ever read… By the way, I love to visit in small villages because that shows the real liveliness of peoples…
Thanks for sharing the amazing knowledge about Nashala Village and pics are so adorable which reflects the liveliness of peoples.
I have visited Himachal but never heard about Nashala Village…But after Seen Pics, I really want to visit this place……
Nice post about the small village of Himalaya, I have never visited the small places like this but after read your blog I just want to try explore these places…
wow nice post i like to visit kashmir and himachal also ladakh this year thanks for sharing
lovely pictures thanks for sharing
Great to see countryside images
The Himalayan countryside is always fascinating
I have been to Himachal Pradesh a few years ago. Beautiful state i must say
Thanks For sharing nice post and images are so beautiful.
Commenting again.
I visited Nashala village in August 2021 while I was on my way to Jana waterfall. However, I couldn’t reach the waterfall. The way you have captured the village has left me in awe. I didn’t get to explore this village that much.
And commenting again. I spent a week at Treehouse owned by Kluas near Nashala village and that’ where I witnessed my life’s first snowfall.