Imran and his horse, all set for Amarnath Yatra, Kashmir, India
With calves as strong as steel, Imran claimed he had the best horse for hire at the Amarnath yatra. Read more about Imran at People of the valley: Kashmir
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Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
A fairy tale – was our first impression of Chatpal. A wooden cottage. A gushing stream next to it. Air so clean and fresh, it felt almost – unnatural! There are no “tourist points” to sit on a horse and see, in Chatpal. Getting lost in nature, or within oneself is the star attraction of Chatpal.
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Mother and daughters, Thimran, India
Ravijaan, Gausijan and their mother Mahajibin from the village of Thimran in Shangus district of Kashmir, India. Never having seen people with a camera pass through their village, they got curious and were bold enough to initiate a conversation. There was a wedding in the village the previous day, so the lady had put mehendi (henna) on her hands. She was delighted to have a picture taken of her hennaed hands.
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
A Gujjar woman from Chatpal, Kashmir, India
We met her on a day trek through the forest near Chatpal. We had stepped out without any food and were extremely hungry when we spotted their hut among a huge herd of sheep. She was unwell that day. She and her husband were heading out to the nearest medical center, 10km away. The entire journey both ways would be on foot. She gave us a hot cup of the traditional namkeen chai (salted tea) and apologised for not being able to offer anything more because of their rush!
Father-daughter duo in Chatpal, Kashmir, India
We met this Gujjar family while walking up a hilly trail in Chatpal. We took a few of their family portraits. He then made a request for one special picture – a photo with his youngest daughter. No prizes for guessing who his favourite family member was. Fathers and daughters everywhere really do share a special bond! Read more of the life in Kashmir at People of the valley: Kashmir
Gujjars the nomadic tribe, India
For some baffling reason, we skipped breakfast and set out for a day trek without any supplies. Obviously, very soon, hunger struck. By then, we were beyond the villages and there were only these Gujjar settlements around. Our guide approached them, and they invited us over for tea. The woman was unwell; they were leaving to see the doctor, around 10km away. All by foot. And yet, they gave us some hot namkeen chai – salty tea. And apologised for the rush and not being able to serve us anything more!! Read more stories of such warm hospitality at Friendly families from our travels in Himalayas
Charcoal fired hot basket known as Kangdi at Chatpal in Kashmir, India
That's how the Kashmiris keep themselves warm. They wear a woolen coat called "firan" and carry this basket called "kangdi" with hot coal in it. The firan is loose enough for the kangdi to fit inside around the stomach or the back. In the freezing cold, this is an extremely effective personal heater. Not very safe, though.
Boys playing in Chatpal, Kashmir, India
In the midst of the pine and fir trees of Chatpal, with a stream flowing by, surrounded by the Himalayas, this is a playground of a privileged few. No wonder then, their games are so simple! Shabbir and Younis were playing a game of chasing a metal ring down a slope. One whose ring didn't fall off was the winner of this game.
Boys from Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Shabbir, Younis and Rauf were the brothers we met in Chatpal. We watched them play an exciting game of racing their metal rings down a slope. We spent a long time with them. They jumped off high rocks. Posed for photos. And reminded us to get the photos the next time we visit, before saying their goodbyes.
Rauf from Chatpal, Kashmir, India
This is Rauf from a small village called Chitergul in Kashmir. On a rainy day in June, we met him and his brothers outside our tourist bungalow in Chatpal. He had come to play by the stream along with his elder brothers. While they played some competitive games, Rauf was just running around, trying to emulate his elder brothers. Read more of the life in Kashmir at People of the valley: Kashmir
Shepherd from Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Bakarwal is what shepherds are called locally in Kashmir. Chatpal is a beautiful little village nestled in the a valley surrounded by the Himalayas on all sides. Its a heaven for grazing of the cattle and the sheep flock. We met in the evening. He was returning from his daily routine of taking his flock out to graze. He was waiting for one little calf to return from the mountains. They way he spoke of his flock, it almost felt like they were people, not sheep! Read more of the life in Kashmir at People of the valley: Kashmir.
Rauf from Chatpal, Kashmir, India
This is Rauf from a small village called Chitergul in Kashmir. On a rainy day in June, we met him and his brothers outside our tourist bungalow in Chatpal. He had come to play by the stream along with his elder brothers. While they played some competitive games, Rauf was just running around, trying to emulate his elder brothers.
Bridge to Thimran, Kashmir, India
A fairy tale – was our first impression of Chatpal. A wooden cottage. A gushing stream next to it. Air so clean and fresh, it felt almost – unnatural! There are no “tourist points” to sit on a horse and see, in Chatpal. Getting lost in nature, or within oneself is the star attraction of Chatpal.
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Chatpal, Kashmir, India
Landscapes of Chatpal in Kashmir, India
A fairy tale – was our first impression of Chatpal. A wooden cottage. A gushing stream next to it. Air so clean and fresh, it felt almost – unnatural! There are no “tourist points” to sit on a horse and see, in Chatpal. Getting lost in nature, or within oneself is the star attraction of Chatpal. Read more on Chatpal at Chatpal, an offbeat gem hidden in Kashmir.
Aharbal waterfall, Kashmir, India
A passageway along the gushing river makes for an exciting approach to this thrilling waterfall.
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