There are many ways to explore Tirthan Valley. You can book a leisure hotel, go backpacking with friends, or even choose to stay in luxurious accommodation. But if you are looking for an authentic experience, wherein you can live like a local and interact with not just people but also the place; make your way towards ‘The Happy Host’ in Tirthan Valley, near Shringi Rishi Temple, via Banjar town.
“
Khud pe daya karna band karo, aur khud se pyar karna sikho.
”
Made for:
A quaint wooden-structure, situated between the mountains of pine trees, apple orchards, near Shringi Rishi Temple, “The Happy Host” makes a lovely space to relax and feel home. Get away from the concrete jungle and enjoy the solitude here with your loved ones or spend some “Me” time, and return back to your abode rejuvenated.
About the property:
Run by Devashish, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur, The Happy Host is a cosy nest, perched in between the mountains, just about 6 kms away from the main Banjar town and 6 kms away from the main Jibhi town. The location of the guest house makes it a great base to explore the Great Himalayn National Park - a UNESCO world heritage site.
The guest house offers 5 private rooms with mountain views of the Tirthan Valley. Each of the rooms has a double bed, en-suite bathroom with hot shower, and private balcony.
There is also a common area with desi bonfire, seating arrangements to sit and relax during the stay. The common area offers great views of the sunset across the Tirthan Valley. Bicycles are available at the property for guests to explore nearby areas.
“
Jitna bhi try karo,
kuch na kuch to chhootega hi.
Isliye yahi, isi pal ka maza lete hai
”
Cost:
The price for each room starts from about INR 2000, per night. This includes breakfast and laundry. Additional charges for other meals.
Food:
The guest house serves both Continental and Indian breakfast, however the onsite restaurant, which is managed by Devashish, primarily offers local Indian food, which is absolutely delicious. You can request for customisation, as per your palate, and staff will be happy to help you.
“
Maine kaha tha na…
Kuch waqt do, sab thik ho jayega.
”
Best time to visit:
Though all seasons has their own versions. But still the best time to visit the mesmerising valley of Tirthan is between March and June, which is the Spring/Summer season. Whether you want to visit ‘Chehni Kothi Fort’, Jibhi Waterfall, Jalori Pass, Raghupur Fort or the orchards, the calm and soothing weather makes the experience better and brighter.
The Winter season, between November and February, also could be an excellent time to visit the valley, especially for those who are looking for a location that receives snowfall and can handle icy conditions. The Monsoon season begins in June/July and lasts till August. The region gets moderate to heavy rainfall and turns into a beautiful location but is not quite convenient for the explorers as the visibility decreases substantially.
What to do there:
Jalori Pass, Jibhi Waterfall, Raghupur Fort and Chehni Kothi Fort are the primary attractions for travelers visiting the area. You can go for a trek to Serolsar Lake to exploring the beautiful naturally formed lake. The guest house also offers GHNP tour.
In addition to this, you can explore the area around the guest house on bicycle and interact with local villagers for a more grounded experience. Each evening you can witness the sunset from the guest house itself while you sip on your evening cup of tea.
“
Waha us pahad k hawa me ek nasha sa tha…
aur wo nasha ishq tha.
”
How to get there:
The Happy Host based near Shringi Rishi Temple is 6 kms away from Banjar town, wherein bus and taxi stations are located. And 25 kms away from Aut tunnel, wherein you will have to drop off while coming from Delhi. The guest house offers a private pickup and drop from Aut tunnel.
By Air: The closest airport to the guest house is Bhuntar.
