Vayu Kutir

Vayu Kutir is located 200m from the Mubarakpur - Dharamshala highway and is well connected by ordinary and luxury buses to Dharamshala and Palampur. We provide free courtesy pickup and drop to the local bus stand. For those arriving by rail or air at Chandigarh / Amritsar we arrange pickups at very competitive prices.

Paragliding at Bir Billing A favorite activity of Vayu Kutir visitors is Paragliding at Bir Billing, which is 100 kms - around 3 hrs by road or Kangra valley heritage railway - from Vayu Kutir. A school along the road short of Palampur The journey is scenic via Kangra, Palampur, & Baijnath - three of the most beautiful Kangra valley towns. There are several scenic spots along the way, including a colorful school short of Palampur (above) and a hydel project past Baijnath (below). A hydel power project past Baijnath Bir, the landing point for gliders, is in Kangra district close to the border with Mandi districts..  Those not up to the thrill of a soaring in the sky like an eagle for 20-30 min can vicariously enjoy the activity watching gliders land at Bir. Bir and the surrounding valley in Mandi and Kangra districts If you are up to the thrill, you can book a glider ride for Rs 2,500/-. A pickup vehicle will drive you to Billing the launch point of the...

The Kangra Fort, 30-km from Vayu Kutir, is the largest fort in the Himalayas and probably the oldest dated fort in India. It was built by Rajput rulers of Katoch dynasty which traces its origins to the ancient Trigarta Kingdom, mentioned in the Mahabharata epic. The Fort is strategically located on rocky high ground at the confluence of the Banganga and Majhi rivers (Beas river tributaries). A narrow road, usually in a shocking state of disrepair, allows access to the fort from the Dharamshala highway. The rivers surround the fort from three sides. The fourth side (left) physically links the fort to Old Kangra town. From its commanding height, the fort overlooks the  Kangra valley with the boulder conglomerate on which it's built serving as natural fortification. The 4-km long wall that rises to 700-ft above the river bed secures the fort. The current entrance to the fort, built during the period when Kangra was ruled by the Sikhs, is known as (Surp...

A 3-km trail that starts from Vayu Kutir in Diyara village and takes you through the adjacent forest down into a shallow valley over a mountain stream and then up a hill side to the next village, Swara, is ideal for morning and evening walks. The forest trail (Left) starting from Vayu Kutir Almost the entire trail runs along two alternating mountain streams. Crossing the first stream To start with, the trail goes along the stream that skirts the high ground on which our village is located. Climbing up after crossing the first stream Through out the trail, the gradients are gentle, but the path is stony mandating rugged footwear. Regaining high ground After crossing the stream, as you climb up to regain height the trail circles the high ground on which Swara is perched and you get to see a much larger stream / khad. The trail along the stream that skirts Swara Along the trail, there is solitude but not silence. Besides the sound of burbling of th...

The view from the South river bank in end April 2019. Dehra town is on the North bank. Dehra bridge on river Beas is visible at the far end of the river. Beas river is about 3-400 m down-hill from Vayu Kutir along a road through the forest. Riverside walks along the river are a highly recommended activity for guests. Vayu Kutir as seen from the bank of Beas river The months of April and May, when river Beas is fed largely by melting snow, are perhaps the best for river walks for Vayu Kutir guests. The current is moderate, water levels low, and the river water blue and pristine. During rainy season, strong flow and catchment area floods  cause silt several meters in depth to be deposited along the river banks. By March end, eroded by wind, the layered silt recedes away from the river bank clearing an area for walking on sand & river stones. From June till September, first because of pre-monsoon storms and later due to monsoon rains in the catchment area, r...

Masroor rock-cut temple. The central shrine is referred to as Thakurdwara The Masroor rock-cut temple is a delightful 1-hr 15-min (35-km) drive from Vayu Kutir going first along the Mubarkpur - Dharamshala national highway (NH) towards Dharamshala and then turning westward at Ranital on to the NH going to Pathankot. The Pathankot highway drive is very scenic - it takes you through pine forests and vast stretches of farmland interspersed with small hills. According to legend, the temple dates back to the time of the Pandavas. It consists of a Sanctum Sanctorum, vestibule, assembly hall and an entrance porch. The central shrine, locally referred to as Thakurdwara, was carved as a cave in the rock. The exteriors along with the doorways were embellished with highly ornamental carvings. The temple is believed to be devoted to Lord Shiva. The sanctum enshrines idols of Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, accompanied by his pious wife and virtuous brother Lakshmana. The temple is on...

Bassi wetland near Vayu Kutir February 2019. Photo by a guest We recommend that our long stay guests visit Bassi wetland on the banks of Pong reservoir about 17-km from Vayu Kutir. Bar-headed geese flying at Bassi. December 14, 2018 If you love tranquility and nature, you can spend hours lazing in the acres of flat land which slopes ever so gently into the blue waters of the Pong reservoir, watching horses and cattle graze on the grass stubble, grass land birds frolic and feed, water fowl noisily feed on fish and grass roots, King fishers, River terns, and Gulls dive into the lake and fly away with fish in their beaks, empty fishing boats tied along the bank bob with the gentle waves breaking on river rocks, and far away in deep waters, fishermen tending to their nets. Streak-throated swallows at Bassi wetland There are 3-4 Wooly-neck storks resident in the area. On a clear day, the majestic Dhauladhars serve as a fitting back drop. Bassi wetland near Vay...