Pure organic products from Manali

Organic grass fed ghee

Our pure organic grass-fed ghee is made from the milk of local cows which are pastured in orchards and meadows. Ghee is also known as the clarified butter and used for cooking in various parts of the world. Milk is the only ingredient of our organic grass-fed ghee. Our grass-fed ghee is 100% natural and lactose-free. This ghee is obtained from the ancient Indian technique. Consuming ghee in the ideal range is very useful for our health and body.

This organic grass-fed ghee is full of all the nutritious elements and medicinal properties. Ghee is pure clarified fat delivered from milk and milk products. Chemically, ghee is the complex lipid of mixed glycerides together with a small amount of free fatty acids, phospholipids, sterols, and their ester, fat-soluble vitamins like  A, D, E and K.

Process of making organic ghee:

Indian is one of the largest milk-producing countries in the world. Among the indigenous milk products, ghee production forms the largest segment. Its economic significance to the dairy industry can be realized from the fact that more than 30% of milk produced in India is converted to ghee. In this process of making organic ghee, milk is boiled and after it cooled down the fresh layer of cream is formed above the utensils. 

This fresh cream is collected in the separate utensil and shakes it until butter is formed. Then put this butter under the flame in a separate utensil for some time and finally, you get the ghee. This is the traditional method of preparing ghee in the Himalayas and this ghee can be stored for more than 2 years.

Stock                                        Available

500 gm                                     INR 500/-

1000 gm                                   INR 800/-

Shipping and Delivery charges  Additional

***Free delivery in Manali.

Cost of pure organic grass-fed ghee:

This organic grass-fed pure ghee is collected from the local resident of Manali and hence available at very low cost as compared to other organic ghee available in the market. A half kilogram of this organic ghee is available at Rs.500/- and the cost of one kilogram of pure organic grass-fed ghee is Rs.800/-. Free delivery of this ghee is available in Manali but for other parts, delivery charges will be added as applicable.  

Health benefit of pure organic grass-fed ghee:

Full of Nutritious:

Cow ghee is full of nutrition for children, young and elderly. Daily ghee must be eaten in bread, lentils, vegetables, rice, etc. The organic grass-fed ghee is able to energize your body and increase your immunity system.

Relieve joint pain and skin disorder:

Organic cow ghee massage is helpful in reviving dead skin cells and removing toxic particles from the skin. For joints pain, body pain, cooking garlic in organic ghee, and after that massaging with ghee is a special aid and traditional ancient method of relieving from pain.

Organic ghee removes eye disorder:

Organic ghee is beneficial for eyesight and eye pain. Mix 1-2 black peppercorns powder in 1 teaspoon of ghee and eat it. After 10-15 minutes drink 1 glass of milk and it will be beneficial for your eyesight and eye pain.

Eliminate skin disorder:

The organic ghee is capable of healing skin infection, ringworm, itching, stomach irritation, pain. Organic ghee contains conjugated lanolin acid. Consuming organic ghee helps in weight control along with skin cramping. In ancient times, ghee was used a lot to cure skin disorders and stomach disorders.

Rich source of antioxidant:

Organic cow ghee has rich antioxidant properties. Continuous consumption of cow ghee is the best source to increase immunity.

Especially beneficial for women:

In female there is leucorrhoea problem, consuming cow ghee with gram and sugar candy every day is beneficial. After delivery, a quick intake of cow ghee is very helpful in fasting blood deficiency in the body and making the body energetic and powerful. Consumption of cow ghee is the best way to increase immunity. Consuming organic ghee during pregnancy is beneficial for both the mother and the baby.

Increase the memory of children’s:

Organic ghee is very helpful in making children strong and healthy. During winter season cooking garlic with ghee and massaging it on the throat, chest, and back is helpful in getting rid of phlegm quickly. Regular consumption of organic ghee is able to increase children's memory.

Cow ghee makes the skin soft and beautiful:

Massaging the face with ghee is beneficial. The organic ghee is particularly capable of making the lips cracked, chapped skin, soft, and beautiful.

Helpful in fat loss:

Many people think that after consuming cow ghee their obesity will increase. But in actual pure ghee helps to decrease body fats. Cow ghee helps to prevent weight gain, obesity, and freezing of body fat. The fats that are present in ghee have a lot of benefits. Certain fats are needed by bodies that are essential to perform vital functions such as supporting your nervous, skin, and mental health, protecting your stomach lining from the digestive acids and strengthening cell membranes. All these functions are performed by ghee. Also, the ghee fats are free of trans-fats, oxidized cholesterol, or any hydrogenated oils. This makes the fat in pure ghee healthy.

There are many, many benefits of consuming pure organic home-made ghee. If you consume pure organic home-made ghee on a regular basis, it will boost your mental as well as physical strength. This will help in keeping your body fit and fighting off illnesses and increase your immunity. 

Pure organic walnut

Pure organic honey

Pure organic green apple

Pure organic apple

Pure organic persimmon fruit

Pure organic ragi flour

Temple architecture of Himachal Pradesh

The temples in Himachal Pradesh have special architectural forms that are synchronous to the character of the hills where these are built. A Director-General of Indian Council of Cultural Relations had once remarked that a visitor to India would go to the South to see the architectural marvels of the temples there not knowing how much had he missed by not coming to Himachal Pradesh. The architecture of the temples here has a language rather dialect which goes with the surroundings, so it is excellent communication between the building and the visitor. The temple architecture of Himachal Pradesh patterns have a different style, namely:

Sutlej Valley Style:

It is a style of mandap (porch) with one or more pagoda roofs above the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum)  that correspond to Shikhar (tower) of a classical temple, usually at one end of the building but sometimes in the centre. Bhimakali temple at Sarahan (Shimla) is one such. Dr. A.M. Frencke found it, “one of the finest specimens of hill architecture the roofs are slanting and slightly concave like those of Chinese.”

Pagoda Style:

Freestanding pagoda having superimposed roofs directly over the garbh griha. The temples with pyramidal tiered roofs shape up the pagoda look. The diminishing roofs rise above the other and the top one, unlike the squarish others is round- funnel-like. Hadimba Temple (Manali), Tripurasundari temple, and Adi Brahma in Kullu are a few to be named.

Shikhar Style:

A tower-like conical formation built of stone and decorated with carvings is shikhar style of architecture. The top of the shikhar has amalaka, the circular sun-disc. All the essential elements of a Hindu temple, Mandap (porch), garbh griha (sanctum sanctorum) and Shikhar (tower); are there in such constructions. Less significant temples in Himachal Pradesh has done away with wonders. Lord Vaidyanath’s temple at Baijnath (Kangra) and The Luxmi Narayan Group of temples at Chamba are fine examples of this type. J.P. Vogel and others have delved deep into “the most famous stone temple at Bajaura as an exquisite specimen of Shikhar Style.

The solitary instance of rock-cut temple architecture reminding one of the thought-provoking remnants of Gupta-influenced ‘classical’ art that thrived in the hills is the Thakurwada at Masrur (Kangra). It has been called the earliest specimen of Shikhar design in the Himalayas.

Timber-bonded style:

Timber-bonded style with pent roof and optional verandah are some temple architecture of Himachal Pradesh. Bijli Mahadev (Kullu); Lakshana Devi at Bharmour (Chamba); Shakti Devi at Chatrari (Chamba) and Hatkoti (Shimla) are a few examples of this type of architecture. It is the most common form in the hills.

Dome style:

These are new additions to the old architecture of temples in the hills. The temples with domes-round or elongated or flat- are those of Jwalamukhi (Kangra); Bajreshwari (Kangra); Chintpurni (Una), Naina Devi (Bilaspur).

Flat roofed style:

A few examples of flat-roofed temples are Narbadeshwar at Sujanpur Tira (Hamirpur) and Ramgopal temple at Damtal (Kangra). Most of the Buddhist monasteries are also flat-roofed here.

These type of temple architecture is not found in Himachal only but in other parts of North India also. Each village in Himachal Pradesh has a deity and temple. These deities are worshipped in their idol and approached thought the pujari (priest). When invoked the deity through the pujari directs the people to perform certain acts or puja and get rid of the problems. There are lots of pilgrimage tours organized by government and travel agencies by which you can explore the beauty of hill and the temple architecture of Himachal Pradesh.

Hiking the Himalayas

Reaching the ridge of a hill or a mountain pass is a lifetime experience. The journey is quite testing but the feeling of achievement is overwhelming after hiking the Himalayas. Care, courage, and determination are required to undertake this journey. One has to climb steep mountain slopes. Air is thinner and one can have breathing problems due to lack of oxygen. Every step is a ritual. Generally, people cross in groups.

Health and fitness during hiking the Himalayas:

When trekking in the mountains you have to be your own doctor. You are the best judge on how you are feeling and if there is a problem what action should you take, either abort the trip or rest till conditions improves.

Hiking supplies during trekking:

Ideal hiking supplies to be carried which should be high calorie and there should be an optimum mixture of dry and juicy items. Biscuits, sandwiches, boiled eggs, chocolates, sweets, dry fruits, channa (gram) and gur (jaggery), and fruits that do not spoil like apples, oranges and juices are the right choice. For cooking on the campsite, the best is to carry readymade mixtures like instant porridges, noodles, soups and other dehydrated foods as these are easy to cook.

What to carry during hiking the Himalayas:

A number of items are must for all excursion trips, as these are the keys to survival in the wild. One must be clear on what is needed for the trip and what can be left. Many times trekkers pack extra things for safety, forced halt, injury, or inclement weather. However choice should be right as the extra weight becomes heavy on the back and is a hindrance on the hike. Items must be limited to those that are needed to keep one safe, dry, comfortable, and fed.

Hiking essentials:

All seasoned hikers and trekkers keep a list of essential and important hiking essential so as to avoid missing anything in hurry at the time of packing. Items needed for a trip depend on the type of terrain, kind of trail, number of days involved, time of the year, and number of persons. Below are some important hiking essentials:

• Flashlight: Handheld flashlights (torches) are important.
• Map and Compass: Carry a detailed topographical map of the area one is visiting in plastic covering. A compass is an essential tool for navigation and route finding.
• Food for an emergency: Biscuits, dry fruits such as almonds, cashew nuts, groundnuts, raisins, and chocolates are ideal as emergency food.
• Walking stick: A sturdy walking stick of proper length is essential on longer trails particularly those involving steep ascents and descents. It is of great use while crossing streams and walking on loose soil. It also helps in keeping dogs and other animals at bay.
• Extra Clothing: Extra innerwear is valuable as next to the skin layer gets soaked due to perspiration after a long strenuous climb. It is essential to get rid of this wet layer before putting on thicker insulation of the sweater or a jacket in the evening. A thick hat or woolen balaclava cap would retain much heat in the body.
• Goggles/ Sunglasses: Eyes are prone to damage by ultraviolet rays that are estimated to have fifty percent more effect on eyes at an altitude of 3050m that at sea level. On clear days the sky in the mountains is brilliant blue and sunshine and light reflecting off the snow are harmful.
• First aid kit: First aid kit should be small, compact, and wrapped in waterproof packing. It should include basic medicines, band-aids, tapes, soap, scissors, gauge pads, bandages, crapes, glucose, oral rehydration salts, etc.
• Pocket knife/ Swiss knife: Useful to cut fruits, open cans and bottles and for other purposes.
• Matchbox: An emergency supply of matchbox packed in a watertight container must be carried on all trips in addition to the lighter.
• Water bottle: Water bottles are a must as there is no water higher up in mountains in many trails or the water sources are few and far between.
• Sunburn lotion/ cream: Sunlight at high altitudes has a burning capacity far more than at sea level.
• Insect repellent: One must take precaution against insects, mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks as per requirement. Covering the body with clothes is the best practical method. In hot weather, insect repellent is a welcome replacement of clothes and there is no harm in carrying a bottle.
• Repair Kit: Small repair kit consisting of sewing kit, wire, tape, and safety pins is a good idea to carry.
• Hiking clothes: Pants, shirts, sweater, innerwear, trekking shoes, socks with an extra pair, poncho/ water-resistant windcheater, hat, and cap, gloves, rain pants are some important hiking clothes one must carry during trekking.
• Some other items: Sleeping bag with an inner, groundsheet, toiletries, camera, and whistle.
• Group items: Tent, repair kit, food, and cooking accessories, stove, fuel and accessories, pots, binoculars, altimeter.

How to deal with accidents and rescue during hiking the Himalayas:

The most common cause of accidents in trekking reported world over are: fall or slip on a rock, slip on snow or ice, falling rock, boulder, or stone. Negligence, carelessness, and casual attitude cause accidents many times. Leadership and discipline are key elements of success in rescue. It is essential to select a leader to take charge of an emergency. The leader should consider suggestions from other members of the party but his or her decisions must be accepted without arguments.

First of all, help the injured person immediately but move carefully to avoid further harm. Urgent first aid should include stopping bleeding, restoring breathing, relieving shock, immobilizing fractures. If it becomes necessary to move the victim to another spot because the accident site is too hazardous, be careful not to compound the injuries. After initial demands of safety and first aid are met the leader and the party must sit down and plan. Everything must be thought out to the very end, including what each person is to do under the circumstances. It is better to have a correct action than a swift one. Shortsightedness and the hasty decision can be more harmful and ineffective.

What to do when you are lost during hiking the Himalayas:

Getting lost can be a frightening experience. In some cases, you can reorient yourself quickly while at other times it may just be a short backtrack to find your trail. However, if you are totally lost keep following points in your mind:

• Keep your cool and do not panic.
• Take a break for food (snack) and water.
• Use your map, compass, and altimeter to locate your positions and then plot your route.
• In case of foggy weather proceed with extreme caution and use the maximum of your whistle in foggy conditions.
• Try to reach a place where you get cell phone connectivity.

Setting camp during hiking the Himalayas:

The three important things for camping are below:

• Water: Camp at a point where water is easily available. Camping too near a water source is also not recommended as wild animals come to drink water at night.
• Shelter: Like procuring water, shelter is a high priority area. Generally, find shelter in a dry protected area there is less wind like a cave or a cliff base.
• Fire: Fire has multipurpose functions. It is useful for warmth, cooking, boiling water, and signaling. Gather dry wood; make a low impact fire pit. Find a sheltered area free of wind and rain. Once you are finished douse fire with water or dirt. Scatter cold wet ashes.   

Travel tips for hiking the Himalayas:

• Mental and physical fitness is essential to undertake a trek.
• Talk to other trekkers and hikers who may give you practical insights. Go through reading material and books to know about the area where you are going.
• Choose your partners wisely. They should have skills and mental and physical conditioning similar to yours.
• Plan your route and leave it with someone. Allow for changes in the plan due to route weather conditions. Stay on established trails.
• Be prepared to abandon the trip if weather, trail, or other conditions are not safe.
• Stay within limits of yours and your partner’s skill, limits and do not take unnecessary risks.
• Take regular breaks and stay hydrated and nourished.
• Camp on established campsite wherever available. Do not camp on fragile meadows.
• Use a camp stove instead of building a fire.
• Dispose human waste away from water, trails and campsites.
• Leave flowers, rocks, and other natural features undisturbed.
• Keep wildlife healthy and self-reliant by not feeding them.
• Do not make a noise and do not litter on the trail or at the campsite. Leave areas as you found them.

Climate and trekking season:

The climate varies according to altitude and season. The temperature reaches 40 degrees in lower parts of the state during summers and below zero degrees in mountain region during winters. The trekking season for easy treks is from March to November. It also depends upon the time and amount of snowfall in winters.  

The Himalayas are a paradise for walkers, trekkers, hikers, skiers, rafters, climbers, and mountaineers. Innumerable treks originate or culminate in the beautiful hills and valleys throughout the state. Trekkers can enjoy unparalleled beauty on these trails. Most of the trails are safe and defined. Many of the mountain passes do not require technical skills or mountaineering equipment. There are countless trails that are easy even for the inexperienced.

List of some treks around Manali and its surrounding:

Dashaur Lake Trek

Manimahesh Lake Trek