I've been meaning to write a review about this place, ever since i experienced the sheer beauty and peace that it has to offer. So greatly has the phantasmagoria of the mountains, the river, the rocks, the cottages etched itself in me, that i literally never wanted to leave. It started with the great reviews on tripadvisor....and since ours was a week long trip to dalhousie khajjiar and dharamshala, i thought of giving this place a try, albeit for one night. I was both glad and sad about that choice...glad coz we did make it here...and boy was it worth it! and sad coz we couldnt stay longer.
Starting off with what strikes you the most....the warm, cosy, homely feel that the beautiful family (and i mean this literally and figuratively.....coz they are stunning people...especially the hostess....Mrs. Jamwal) brings to the place. The whole set up is very tasteful, close to nature and just the thing you need to unwind. All the elements you look for in a holiday....the mountains, the river, hammocks, swings, a comfy room...this place is a one stop shop. I categorically remember the evening spent lazily lounging around the hammock, just staring into the nothingness of the mountains above...until it was dark and dim lights began to flicker from the cottages....THAT was something! I really got me thinking....what precisely do we city bums get out of life??? Life was right here! It crackled, murmured, moaned and dispersed, all in a flash.
And then, there was the FOOD! We had not expected such a mouth watering display of local delicacies... It was an authentic affair....with some really amazing dishes prepared by the hosts (a special vote of thanks to auntyji for the lovely khamiri puris and the kasrod ka achaar.... it was my personal favourite). Mrs. Jamwal made for excellent company at the dinner table, walking us through the local customs and her life there, as we saw it...
The room reminded me of my own bedroom back home...clean and very homely. The interiors were almost entirely handpicked by Mr. Jamwal, who, we learnt, is an extremely creative person. Kudos to his marvelous effforts, that we have a place like this....
A stone's throw away is the river, gushing its way through the rocky landscapes below...making for a soothing sight. We enjoyed chilling alongside the river, in the evening. The locals are friendly, beautiful and very interesting. i particularly enjoyed observing how they went about their routine, their peculiar, rustic ways.
The climate was the icing on the cake.... although it was quite sunny on the day we reached, it rained early the next day, magically transforming the weather into just the kind that one looks forward too... it was cool and breezy....totally awesome!
Glady (i am afraid i am misspelling the name), the pet dog is so cute and friendly...! He loves cuddling, jumping at you....and the works! the rabbits, the ducks and the caged smaller birds make for an endearing sight too!
All in all, this is an experience you do not want to miss... We left with a heavy heart, promising Mr. Jamwal and ourselves, that we would be coming back soon...and this time...for a longer duration, so that we may take in the entirety of what the place has to offer. According to Mr. Jamwal, there are some excellent trekking options and scenic spots nearby, that would make for great outings.
We are definitely going back there. Soon! :)