Parvati Valley

Heading south in Himachal Pradesh we took a left in the Kullu Valley and headed east up the Paravati Valley.  

Fertile forests and clear creeks far from the pollution of the planes. 

Great Granddaddy Rhododendron

Plenty of wandering to be had. 

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

There are thousands of gods within Hindu belief--little shrines like this for local deities are everywhere. 

Traditional architecture of the valley.  

Homemade Beehives

Set below craggy peaks, Kasol is the epicenter of the backpacker scene in the valley. 

The valley has long been home to Hindus who primarily worshiped Lord Shiva, a deity who offered escape from the suffering of worldly existence through constant intoxication. In this region the choice intoxicant is charas--its abundance and freedom of consumption has attracted a strange neo-hippie culture to Kasol.

Charas smoking is assumed to be permitted unless stated.  

     It's a scene of overindulgence with little heart--I found it a bit off putting. 

Tourism in Kasol is heavily dominated by Israelis, earning it the nickname little Israel. 

Our go-to momo man!

We landed in this home-stay which ran us a whopping 250 rupees ($5 dollars) a night for a 3 person room!   

The roads in the region have to be seen to believe---carved into the solid rock of the steep hillsides they sometimes just give way to the turbid waters below. 

 

The hot spring bath up valley in Manikaran, a revered pilgrim destination.  

 Manikaran

The valley is full of Sadhus, devoted holy men of a sub-sect of Hinduism that worship Lord Shiva.