Most Beautiful Villages of Manali | Himachal Pradesh | Sethan | Nathan & Rumsu | Hamta Valley

Summary

The script takes viewers on a journey through the snow-covered villages near Manali, India, highlighting the serene beauty and unique lifestyle of places like Sethan, known as the 'Igloo Village'. It explores the challenges of living in such remote areas, the architectural ingenuity of 'Khatkuni' houses, and the rich cultural heritage preserved in villages like Rumsu and Nathan. The narrator's solo travel experience with the Canon EOS R50 camera is also shared, showcasing its features in capturing the untouched charm of these Himalayan locales.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ The script describes the beauty of lesser-known villages near Manali, India, which are often covered in snow and offer stunning mountain views.
• ❄️ Sethan village, located just 15km from Manali, is particularly highlighted for its picturesque setting amidst the Pir Panjal mountains and the Dhauladhar peaks.
• 🏠 Sethan is a small village with only 10-12 houses, yet it is known for its heavy snowfall, which can reach up to the rooftops.
• 📸 The narrator uses a Canon EOS R50 camera to document the journey, praising its autofocus and stabilization features for solo travel photography.
• 👋 The local people of Sethan face challenges living in such a beautiful but harsh environment, including difficulties in moving around due to snow and frozen pipelines.
• 🏡 The script mentions 'Igloo Village', where igloos are a common sight due to the heavy snowfall, allowing visitors to experience staying in these unique structures.
• 🌄 The Hamta Valley, starting from Sethan, is described as a potentially heavenly path with a clear white world as far as the eye can see.
• 🏡 Rumsu village, 20 km from Manali, is portrayed as a place where time seems to have stood still, with beautiful wooden houses and traditional lifestyle preserved.
• 🐑 The villagers of Rumsu are shown engaging in traditional activities such as collecting wood for burning and grazing herds.
• 🏘️ Nathan village, near Naggar, is noted for its Khatkuni style houses, which are built to withstand earthquakes and feature beekeeping as part of their construction.
• 🐝 The Khatkuni houses are unique in that they incorporate beekeeping, with each household having a 'Mana' or 'House of Bees' as part of their home.

Q & A

What is the name of the village located 15km away from Manali?

The village's name is Sethan.

How many houses are there in Sethan village?

There are only 10-12 houses in Sethan village.

What natural feature is Sethan village famous for?

Sethan village is famous for its Igloos, earning it the name 'Igloo Village'.

What challenges do the residents of Sethan face due to the heavy snowfall?

Residents face challenges such as difficulty in moving around due to several feet of accumulated snow, and pipelines freezing with ice at night.

What camera is being used by the narrator during their travels?

The narrator is using a Canon EOS R50 camera.

What special feature of the Khatkuni houses helps them withstand earthquakes?

The Khatkuni houses are built by interlocking wood and stone, allowing each layer to move slightly and reducing the possibility of damage from earthquakes.

What is the significance of the term 'Khatkuni' in the context of the houses described?

'Khatkuni' refers to a building style where wood is used at the corners of the houses, with 'Khat' meaning 'wood' and 'Kuni' meaning 'corner'.

What is the traditional practice associated with Khatkuni houses that involves bees?

The traditional practice is beekeeping, where a 'Mana' or 'House of Bees' is incorporated during the construction of the houses.

What is the historical significance of the place known today as Manali?

Manali was earlier known as 'Dana Bazar' and served as a stopping place for traders traveling from Ladakh and Spiti to the Silk Route.

What is unique about the village of Rumsu near Manali?

Rumsu is unique for its beautiful wooden houses that are years old and its untouched culture, representing the traditional Himachali lifestyle.

What is the approximate distance of Nathan village from the small town of Naggar?

Nathan village is approximately 10 km away from Naggar.

What is the approximate height at which Nathan village is situated?

Nathan village is situated at a height of 6,000 ft.

What type of forest is located near Nathan village?

A beautiful and dense pine forest is located near Nathan village.

What is the approximate population of Nathan village?

Nathan village has an approximate population of 300 people.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ Discovering the Hidden Gem of Sethan Village

The script introduces Sethan, a picturesque village just 15km from Manali, nestled in the Pir Panjal mountains. It is a small community with only 10-12 houses, each offering stunning views of the Dhauladhar peaks. The village is covered in snow for most of the year, making it difficult to access and live in, with snow accumulations reaching up to the rooftops. Despite the harsh conditions, the village remains a beautiful destination, known as the 'Igloo Village' for its snow igloos. The script also mentions the challenges faced by the residents, including frozen pipelines and the need to shovel snow from their homes. The narrator is accompanied by a Canon EOS R50 camera during the exploration.

05:07

❄️ The Enchanting Snowfall and Rich Heritage of Manali's Villages

This paragraph describes the unexpected beauty of snowfall in Sethan village, enhancing its already breathtaking scenery. The script then transitions to the Hamta Valley, suggesting a heavenly path through its pristine white landscape. The narrator reflects on the solitary nature of traveling and the technological advantages of the Canon EOS R50 camera, which aids in capturing every moment with ease. The historical background of Manali as 'Dana Bazar' is shared, along with a visit to the traditional village of Rumsu, known for its wooden houses and vibrant community life. The paragraph concludes with interactions with locals and insights into their daily activities and the significance of local temples.

10:07

🏡 The Architectural Marvel and Cultural Depth of Himachal Villages

The script delves into the architectural style of 'Khatkuni' houses in Nathan village, which are built to withstand earthquakes by interlocking wood and stone. These houses not only showcase the resilience of traditional construction methods but also serve as beekeeping sites, with each house having a 'Mana' or 'House of Bees'. The Khatkuni style is explained as a design where wood is prominently featured at the corners, and the interlocking technique is called 'Mokdi'. The paragraph highlights the untouched culture and lifestyle of the villagers, who continue to live in harmony with their environment, reflecting the true spirit of Himachal.

15:08

🌿 Embracing the Authenticity and Timeless Charm of Himachal's Villages

The final paragraph reflects on the authenticity and untouched culture of the villages visited, emphasizing the rawness and reality that sets them apart from urban life. The narrator shares the personal impact of the journey, carrying away memories and stories that capture the essence of a true Himachali village. The contrast between the loneliness of cities and the sense of community in villages is highlighted, suggesting that the experience in these villages offers a deeper connection and a more profound understanding of the region's heritage.

Keywords

💡Manali

Manali is a popular hill station in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, known for its scenic beauty and as a gateway to other nearby villages and attractions. In the video, it serves as the starting point for exploring lesser-known villages, illustrating the contrast between the well-known and the hidden gems of the region.

💡Sethan

Sethan is a small village located 15km away from Manali, nestled in the mountains of Pir Panjal. It is depicted as a picturesque place with a heavy snowfall that offers stunning views of the Dhauladhar mountain range. The village's isolation and natural beauty are central to the video's theme of discovering hidden treasures.

💡Igloo Village

The term 'Igloo Village' refers to Sethan's unique characteristic of having numerous igloos, which are structures made from compacted snow that can be used for shelter. This highlights the extreme cold and heavy snowfall in the region, adding to the village's charm and uniqueness.

💡Canon EOS R50

The Canon EOS R50 is a camera mentioned in the script, which the narrator uses to document the journey. It symbolizes modern technology aiding in the exploration and documentation of remote, traditional places, emphasizing the ease of capturing memories in challenging conditions.

💡Hamta Valley

Hamta Valley is a location starting from Sethan village, suggesting a continuation of the scenic beauty and natural wonders beyond the immediate village. It represents the vastness and variety of landscapes in the region, contributing to the video's theme of exploration.

💡Rumsu

Rumsu is an ancient village near Manali, characterized by its traditional wooden houses and a lifestyle seemingly untouched by modernization. It exemplifies the preservation of cultural heritage and traditional living, contrasting with the development seen in Manali.

💡Khatkuni Houses

Khatkuni Houses are traditional dwellings found in the villages of Himachal Pradesh, built with a unique construction style where wood is used at the corners and interlocking techniques are employed. They are highlighted in the video for their earthquake-resistant design and cultural significance.

💡Nathan

Nathan is another village mentioned in the script, situated at a height of 6,000 ft with a dense pine forest and views of the Dhauladhar mountains. It represents the diversity of landscapes and lifestyles in the region, further emphasizing the exploration of lesser-known places.

💡Earthquake-resistant

The term 'earthquake-resistant' describes the Khatkuni houses' ability to withstand seismic activity due to their construction with interlocking wood and stone. This feature is crucial in an area prone to earthquakes, showcasing the ingenuity of traditional architecture.

💡Beekeeping

Beekeeping is a practice mentioned in the script where villagers keep bees in specially designed compartments within their Khatkuni houses. This not only provides honey but also represents a sustainable and traditional way of living that is integral to the local culture.

💡Naggar

Naggar is a small town near Manali that serves as a gateway to other beautiful villages like Rumsu. It signifies the connection between more developed areas and the traditional, untouched villages, reflecting the video's theme of discovering the authentic essence of the region.

Highlights

Several beautiful villages near Manali remain covered with snow for most of the year and offer stunning mountain views.

Sethan, a village 15km from Manali, is nestled in the mountains with only 10-12 houses and a view of Dhauladhar peaks.

The heavy snowfall in Sethan makes living conditions challenging, with snow accumulations reaching the roof of houses.

Canon EOS R50 camera supports the traveler with its features, aiding in capturing the beauty of Sethan village.

Residents of Sethan face difficulties due to snow, leading many to move to lower villages, leaving only a few.

Sethan is known as the 'Igloo Village' due to the prevalence of igloo-like structures that can be inhabited.

Unexpected snowfall enhances the beauty of Sethan, creating a picturesque scene with sun and snow coexisting.

Hamta Valley, starting from Sethan, offers a heavenly view, suggesting a path to paradise.

The traveler's solo journey is facilitated by the Canon EOS R50's autofocus and stabilization features.

Manali's history as 'Dana Bazar' highlights its past as a trading stop on the Silk Route.

Rumsu village, 20 km from Manali, preserves traditional wooden houses and a timeless lifestyle.

Nathan village, with its Khatkuni style houses, demonstrates resilience to earthquakes through unique construction.

Khatkuni houses are built with wood and stone, interlocking in a way that allows flexibility during seismic activity.

Beekeeping is practiced in Khatkuni houses, with 'Mana' or 'House of Bees' being an integral part of the construction.

The untouched culture and lifestyle of these villages provide a genuine experience of Himachal's heritage.

Naggar serves as a gateway to several traditional villages, offering a blend of old and new.

The traveler's experience in these villages is enriched by the warmth of the community and shared stories.

Transcripts

A few minutes away from Manali,

there are some beautiful villages,

you may not have even heard of.

Such nearby villages of Manali

that remain covered with feet of snow

during most of the year.

And some villages among them

appear to several hundred years old.

But you can see the

most beautiful view of these mountains

from such villages only.

And one such village,

lies just 15km away from Manali.

Its name is "Sethan".

Nestled in the mountains of Pir Panjal,

this small village,

is so small that,

there are only 10-12 houses.

And you can see this beautiful view

of the high peaks of Dhauladhar

from each and every house of this village.

It is a very beautiful place,

where I'm present, right now.

And I had no idea,

that there is such a beautiful place nearby Manali.

Like Sethan is so beautiful.

No matter where you look around

there is a view point everywhere.

It is that beautiful.

But you pay a heavy price for

residing at such a beautiful place,

which is this several feet of snow

accumulated in front of these houses.

As we say Sethan is a small village,

it has only 10-12 houses.

But the way to these

10-12 houses is so tough at this moment.

There's at least 4-5 feet of snow

all through the way.

And at some point it's way too much of snow,

It starts from the floor and reaches up to roof.

From the floor of the houses to the top of the roof,

covered in the snow.

It is that much of snow somewhere.

Canon EOS R50 is supporting me in today's travelling,

I will share the details about it later.

Right now, Let's explore the Sethan village.

Let's roam in the streets of Sethan,

and meet some people here.

As you can see there is so much of snow,

because of the same reason the people who live in these houses

shifts to the villages downwards.

Because as you can see it's so difficult to

move around here.

It is so difficult to stay at this place,

pipeline freezes with ice at night.

That's why most people shift to the villages downwards.

Most houses are locked here.

People who run hotels and homestays reside here only.

Hotels and homestays are always open.

People who are staying back,

are shoveling snow from their homes right now.

Namastey ji!(Greetings)

Are these stairs?

Yes Yes Stairs!

Ohh there is snow on the stairs.

Is this your house?

Yes, that is my home.

okay okay!

That's why I'm making stairs,

Ohh you have to build the stairs.

Yes!

Where are you from?

I'm from Delhi.

Ohh Delhi.

Yes Yes!

So, you come here to visit?

Yes, I just come here to explore.

Isn't it too much of hard work?

Yes, more the snow more the hard work.

Absolutely right.

How many feet will this snow be now?

This is at least 9 feet of snow.

Okay, so this one is 9 feet.

Although, there is only 4-5 feet of snow

Okay, 4-5 feet of snow.

But when 4-5 feet of snow falls on this high staircase,

It will become even higher.

Yes, it is completely filled.

So, you also remove it from the roof too?

No, it brushes itself off.

Okay Okay, there is a sloped roof,

so it must have fallen itself.

You please continue to do your work.

Well, there is an advantage to having so much snow.

"Igloo".

Sethan is one of the few places in India

where you can see Igloo.

And because of so many Igloos here,

this place is famous by the name of "Igloo Village".

There is so much snow here.

It is so cold here,

that an igloo-like structure can be built here,

and can stay here.

And you can even stay inside it.

So many Igloos, so many beautiful views,

Only one thing was missing,

And that wish was fulfilled by the next morning.

And it is very unexpected that

there is such good snowfall here.

It seems so beautiful.

Already it's such a beautiful place,

now it looks even more beautiful.

Light snowfall is happening, just like cotton.

Very light snowfall.

It's snowing, yet the sun is shining somewhere.

I am seeing this for the first time,

means it looks very beautiful to look at.

The sun is shining but it's still snowing.

Hamta Valley also starts from where Sethan village is.

But as you move further towards Hamta valley,

till the end of the road, looking at the views, it seems

as if perhaps the path to heaven also starts from here.

As far as the eye can see

there is only a clear white world.

In fact, even looking at it from the front,

it is difficult to believe that

I too am now a part of this beautiful scene.

This snowy world was only one side of Manali

but the other side is completely different from it.

Right now, whatever locations I'm visiting or

whatever villages I'm traveling to,

I am traveling solo.

And while travelling alone, the biggest problem for me

is to shoot myself.

Because to take the shot I have to stand in front of the

camera by placing it on a tripod.

So now who will set the focus?

How do I know that if I'm in focus or not?

But this problem has now been solved by

Canon EOS R50.

Because of its fast autofocus,

I am always in focus.

So now there is no need to worry about focus even being

away from the camera.

And one more tension has also gone away,

to keep the camera steady while shooting.

Even if I shoot a video while walking,

the video is still recorded very smoothly,

because of its stabilization feature.

Be it day or night,

because of its low-light capabilities,

l can now shoot at any time.

So now with this camera I don't miss any moment

of my solo travelling.

Before going to this nearby village of Manali,

let me tell you one special thing.

The place we know today as Manali

was earlier known as "Dana Bazar".

It was a stopping place

for the traders travelling from Ladakh and Spiti to Silk Route.

But today Manali has progressed a lot with time,

and now every modern shop and facility is available here.

But in a village just 20 km away from Manali,

time stands still.

A village made up of beautiful wooden houses

that are years older is known as "Rumsu".

And as beautiful are the "Khatkuni Houses" here

equally beautiful are the views of these high mountains

peeping from behind them.

Located at a height of 7,500 ft,

this village looks as peaceful from a distance

as it is full of energy from the inside.

Children playing and blabbering!

Namastey Ji(Greetings)!

What are you going to take in it?

It's empty.

Going to take something?

Going to get some wood.

Okay, wood.

Why wood?

Needed for burning.

Needed for winter, as it also snows here.

Yes Yes, Where do you get it from?

From the Forest. Okay, Okay.

Namastey Ji(Greetings)!

What place is this?

Temple of the deity.

There are so many of them. Yes, Yes.

Are there so many temples?

2 or 3 of them, one is this.

One is along this road,

and one is downwards, in the village.

All are these belong to different deities?

No, all belong to one.

Okay.

By roaming here for just a few minutes, I could

see every color of Himachali lifestyle & tradition.

Be it the traditional houses here or

the temples of the gods,

or some people out to graze the herds.

Namastey Ji(Greetings)!

Where are you taking these sheep to?

Jungle. Okay, Jungle

To graze them. Okay, okay.

How far away is the forest?

Way too far.

Standing here at this point, I feel as if

I have gone back who knows how many years in time

after visiting this village.

The whole vibe here, the way people are living here,

some are collecting wood from here,

some are picking up grass to graze the cows.

some are collecting wood to burn.

The entire lifestyle here, the entire way of life of this village,

all these things reminded of the old times.

And the entire village is like this.

As if it has not been touched by modernization yet.

But this place is a mixture of something new & something old

which comes 4 Km before Rumsu.

"Naggar".

Naggar is a small town located near Manali.

But this is exactly the place where many beautiful villages

like Rumsu can be visited.

And there is one such beautiful village,

just 10 km away from this place.

It's name is "Nathan".

Situated at a height of 6,000 ft,

only 300 people lives in this village.

On one side of which is a beautiful and dense pine forest

and on the other side is the

beautiful view of the mountains of Dhauladhar.

Nathan is also full of "Khatkuni" style houses like Rumsu.

But this time I tried to find out the reason

for having such a house.

Your house is also built in "Khatkuni " style?

Yes! Khatkuni.

What is this "Kathkuni" style of home? Can you tell me?

Kathkuni, you can see this stone, it is an old house

Yes, yes

It is such a design, that you will see only wood in the corner.

Yes, yes.

You won't be able to see any stone in the corner

Yes!

That's why it is called "Khatkuni"

"Khat" means "Wood" and "Kuni" means Corner.

That means wood at the corners. Yes.

You will find only wood at the corners.

So this is how you make it so high,

by just using wood and stone?

Yes, by using wood and stone.

When the houses are built, there are joints between them,

Okay.

Two pieces of wood go together

and there is a joint between them.

The joint is called "Mokdi"(local language) ,which is also

made up of wood,

used for the interlocking.

It is square in shape and has to be peeled,

it is a very laborious task.

Okay, okay.

The biggest reason for building such houses

with wood and stone is "Earthquake".

Himachal or these beautiful mountains of the

entire Himalayas that we see today

are formed because of a earthquake and

a collision between tectonic plates that has happened

millions of years ago.

In fact, even today

these Himalayan lands are not stable.

But these "Khatkuni" houses of Himachal remain

standing like this even after earthquake.

Because these houses are built by interlocking

wood and stone,

And that's the reason, each layer

of these houses can move a litttle.

And because of this reason, it reduces the possibility

of any crack or breakage due to any earthquake to zero.

And the proof of this is that

they continue to stand strong even today,

after several hundred years.

There is one another amazing thing

about these houses that they can make honey.

So, in the Khatkuni houses, they practice bee keeping.

Yes, we make it at the time of construction only.

What do we call it? Mana.

Mana means " House of Bees"

Now you can also find framed ones, it is the new method.

Yes!

So these are in all the houses here?

Yes, in each and every house.

There is a bee house in each and every households.

The things that I came to know about in these villages

perhaps I would not have known all these by living in Manali.

That's the special thing about these places.

There is a rawness, there is a reality,

an untouched culture

and all those things that make

Himachal and these villages different.

All those things are still here.

If you ever come to this side while roaming Himachal,

then I don't know about Manali and Shimla

but if you come here you will get

to feel the real air of Himachal.

Himachal's real home, their style of living,

Everything of that a real Himachali village

or a Himachali place should be, you will find here.

If you have come to Himachal then you will get to

see the Himachal at these places.

I came here alone in these villages

but I am not going alone from here,

rather many memories and many stories

are now going along with me

Come Upstairs, Let's sit comfortably.

Okay, I will come from here.

And perhaps this is the difference

between villages and cities,

where you are alone even among many people

and somewhere you are not alone even among fewer people.