Hatu Peak: From Canterbury Tales to a Tourist Den.
But the order for the Hatu Road came right from the top. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, a man given to all manner of religious ceremonies and rituals doesn’t miss his annual visit to the Hatu temple. Walking up the steep mountain was out of the question for the CM who is now pushing 79 and revered as Raja by the locals. So hence the smooth, flawless Hatu road.
Hundreds of trees were put to the axe and a road carved out for this stately pilgrimage. The recent devastation at Uttrakhund has shown what such brazen deforestation and construction can do. Hatu Road is one such bad reminder
Narkanda: Gateway to Apple Country
The true getaways in Himachal Pradesh now lie beyond its congested capital. And every year more and more tourists are using Shimla only as a night’s stopover before heading out to these greener, quieter , wilder places beyond.
Narkanda is one such small town. It is a hinterland deep in Shimla district which offers visitors not only peace but a chance to explore the beautiful apple orchard countryside.