Narghota
Narghota is a small village located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Located in the geographical coordinates of 32.1 North and 76.2 East, Narghota is a beautiful village surrounded by lush tea gardens and coniferous forests. The population of Narghota is only as big as its size. It is occupied by about 700 people, with equal counts of men and women folk. The people of Narghota belong to the Rajput kin and are considered to be extremely friendly and loving people because of their hospitality. The village of Narghota went through a major devastation and was literally wiped out in 1905 when an earthquake hit the nearby Dharamshala; however, over the years the village has been rebuilt and is a popular tourist spot. Narghota used to be an unexplored territory until recently.
The Narghota village is about an hour’s drive from Dharamshala, and the drive is nothing but a pleasing one. With the path flanked by tea gardens and blossoming coniferous trees, it is a wonderful spectacle and also a treat to the eyes. There are some breathtaking views to be enjoyed during the drive and would a great backdrop for picture postcards. It is also a heart-warming change for people who come here from the bustling metro for a vacation, far away from car horns, smoke and traffic. Narghota boasts of being one of the cleanest villages in relation to pollution. The most important rationale behind this is the fact that the city of Dharamshala has not been able to extend its foot into the village. With the presence of dense forests and rich patches of tea, the possibility of construction of buildings is minimal. This has been a boon in disguise for the village making it pollution free. The people of Narghota have been able to pride themselves on being able to breathe the purest form of oxygen.
The nearest railway station from Narghota is located at Chakki Bank at a place called Pathankot. Pathankot is sited at about 3 hours from Dharamshala. This station is well connected to other parts of Northern India. The nearest airport is at Gaggla, which is at roughly 15 kms from Dharamshala. If you are planning to take a bus, the best bet would be to take one from Delhi. It is about a 14 hour journey and is pretty enjoyable due to the sites you get to see on the way. There are also buses from places like Dehradun, Chandigarh, Shimla and Manali as well as other parts of North India. In short, in order to get to Narghota, you would have to first touchdown at Dharamshala. Taxis and cars-for-hire are easily available for a trip to Narghota from here. If you plan to stay for a few days, there are plenty of options for hotels. Hotels are very reasonably priced and are available in the city of Dharamshala itself. Most hotels overlook the valley and is a magnificent from the balconies of most hotels. Some of the premier hotels at Dharamshala are Hotel Eagle Nest, Hotel Spring Valley, Hotel White Heaven, etc. however, these are not all. You could check for others as well depending on your likes.
For people who have been planning for a vacation, Narghota is a wonderful option. It is guaranteed to be a quiet and very peaceful place with some of the most beautiful sights. It would definitely clear up your mind and you would return with a harmony like you would get nowhere else. It is also an assurance that you would come back refreshed and up for your next challenge.