Know About 7 Beautiful Things You Can Collect on Your Trip to Himachal Pradesh Without Spending Much!
Souvenirs are reminded of our travels, something to show for where we have been, something we can use to look back and reminisce about the fantastic experience we had during our holiday. I like to collect unique things when I'm traveling and would like to share few things which even you can collect from Himachal Pradesh without digging a hole in your pocket.
Woolen Clothes: Himachal is famous for its woolen markets. You can get a wide range of shawls, sweaters, jackets, gloves, etc. at a very reasonable cost. One of the famous woolen items is Pattu shawls. Pattu shawls are a specialty of the Kullu valley and are made in geometric patterns. Handmade shawls are little costlier and machine made is easily available in the range of Rs 100 to Rs 500. The best thing you can get on Manali streets are customized woolen knitted gloves, within an hour they will knit the gloves of your favorite color at a cheap price of Rs. 200 to 300.I bought one for myself also. You can also buy small, colourful woolen scarfs which will go with your Indian or western outfits.
When you will visit Himachal, you would attract by colourful woolen cap worn by locals. These caps are the crown of Himachali people. When I was buying this cap, the Shopkeeper told me the designs of the caps represent the area. In front of cap a beautiful woven colour patched is attached which is separately woven on small looms and remaining part is made of woolen yarn which keep their head warm in winters. It will cost around Rs. 100 to 300. Don't forget to bring one.
Handmade Wooden Items: Himachal is the one of those areas in India where wood has played a significant role as a structural material. Some of the castles are so beautiful wooden crafted, one of them is Naggar castle. Once my best friend bough beautiful Shimla wooden landscape wooden frame for me. In Manali and Shimla markets you can easily get small wooden crafted items in the range of Rs. 50 to Rs. 500, which are best to present your friends and families. If you are lucky enough, you would even find pine tree fruit on roads. They are so beautiful; you can keep it as decoration in your living room and memory of your trip.
Precious Stones: When you travel to Himachal Pradesh you must add visit waterfalls in your itinerary few of them are Jogini waterfall, Bhagsu water fall, Aghanjar Mahadev Temple waterfall, etc. Have you ever noticed small colorful stones by the riverside and waterfall? You can take them as your memories of that place. Due to force of water, these stones become smooth and shine over the period of time, which makes them very attractive. Collecting stones with the memories tied in them is one of my favorite hobbies.
Magnets: You will get an N number of magnets in shape of Himachal map, Shimla, Manali, etc. I chose magnets because I wanted a souvenir, we could collect that would usually be available and inexpensive. I have bought it from Shimla and Manali. My favorite thing about collecting magnets is that each one tells a story, so whenever I see them in my wardrobe it reminds me of my enduring trip with my friends.
Prayer Flags: The colorful prayer flags have very deep meaning. The reason why they are putting high above the roof and in the mountains, is so that they flutter in the wind. It is said that they emit positive spiritual vibrations and that the prayers are carried by the wind like silent prayer. You can easily get a wide variety of prayer flags in Himachal Pradesh from smallest to biggest. It will cost you from Rs. 50 to Rs 500. Getting prayer flags as a gift from someone and not buying them is how you should acquire a prayer flag.
Postcards: Personally, I collect postcards, which I love doing. Postcards are a fun way to keep in touch with loved ones back home, let them know where you are and what you're doing. I love receiving postcards from my friends' travels. It's like getting a small glimpse into their time away - a snapshot of their trip (due to the size of postcards' writing area). One can't much in it, but it's the thought behind the postcard that matters. It's a tangible reminder that you were thinking of even when you and the postcard's sender were apart and that they wanted to share a small piece of their trip with you. If you have experienced it yet, do it ones you will love it and even the receiver will be amazed to receive it. The best place to write a postcard from Himachal is Manali or Shimla. There are few options to convert your pictures in to post cards online.
Pictures in Traditional Clothes: Best Memories are bringing back home pictures in Himachali traditional clothes. You can have fun of taking pictures in that beautiful Himachali outfit. These photographers can be easily found at all famous tourist places. I got my such pictures at Khajjiar. It will cost you Rs 50 per picture, but I think memories are priceless, so do teen pictures toh le hi lena.
P.S - We can buy many things when we travel to new places, importance is what we would like to preserve for a lifetime, buy something which will make your lips smile whenever you see it. I would recommend rather collect memories than things, as I always say in my posts make friends, travel to new places, capture happy faces, as nothing will go with you except your feelings being happy.