Chota Kailash: 7 Fascinating Facts About Dalash

A small village, Dalash, also known as Chota Kailash in Outer Seraj, Kullu, boasts a rich culture, diverse dress, and many cultural festivals throughout the year. This Village is one of the best apple belts of Kullu Valley; every single family has an Apple Orchard and huge farming land for multiple crops and work. Local people also keep multiple animals like(Cow, Sheep, Dog, Ox, Goat, etc)for their livelihood and farming work.

Dieties

Himachal Pradesh is the land of the Gods. The main deities of Dalash are God Jageshwar Mahadev, Bhudha Mahadev (also known as Khodu Dev), Kui Kanda Naag Dev, and Mata Kusumbha Bhawani. There are many other deities, but the villagers and Seraj Valley people usually gather and celebrate some festivals for the above deities.

History

As per locals and old people, the name Dalash was taken from Dwash or Dwadash and Chota Kailash because many years back, some yogis and a brahman family established a small temple of God Shiv and put twelve Shiv lingas and some meditation rooms for yogis. Due to which the locals called the area Dwadash(Twelve) Lingas.

Dalash is in the middle of many scenic trek routes and a huge mountain.

Where is Dalash Chota Kailash?

Country: INDIA

Continent: Asia

State: Himachal Pradesh

District: Kullu

City: Aani

Bus Station: Aani

Railway Station: Shimla Station(120)

Airport: Jubbarhati Shimla(140km)/ Bhuntar Kullu (130km)

Currency: INR Rupees

Languages: Hindi, Pahari, Punjabi, English

Ambulance: 108

Police: 100

Note:- Do not dispose of Plastic wrappers and water bottles underway. Keep them with you and dispose of them in a proper dustbin.

How to reach Dalash Chota Kailash?

By AIR: We have two options. We can either take flights towards the nearest airport of Shimla Town, which is Jubbarhati Airport, only 22km from Shimla town and 140km approx from Dalash Village.

The other option is Bhuntar Airport, Kullu, which is 130km approx from Dalash Village.

The best option is to get flights up to Chandigarh Airport because you will get limited flights towards Jubbarhati Airport, as well as Bhuntar Airport. So, try to avoid a hectic journey, and choose Chandigarh Airport. Then afterwards, hire a Cab/Taxi to Dalash.

Chandigarh Airport to Shimla – 120km approx. A journey of a minimum of 03 hrs by road.

Shimla to Dalash – 120 km approx. A journey of a minimum of 04 hrs by road.

By Train: You can book your train up to Shimla Railway Station, which is 2km from the town. The broad-gauge trains will take you to Kalka Station, and thereafter, you have to board the toy train, narrow-gauge railway to Shimla.

Now, from Shimla, you can hire a cab/taxi or Local buses. Sharing cabs and Rental Bikes are also available.

By Road: Book a Volvo ticket for an overnight journey from Delhi ( Majnu ka Tilla) Volvo Station to Shimla.

Now, the same from Chandigarh, an overnight Volvo journey to Shimla.

Either you can book a Cab/Taxi or rent a Cab or Bike for the whole journey. Local, Long-route buses are also available with limited stops.

What is the best time to visit Dalash Village?

We can visit Dalash Chota Kailash any time of the year due to its road connectivity through Shimla and Kullu as well. If you want to explore the Valley, then summertime is my favourite; otherwise, you can explore the whole Valley in any season except the rainy season, because you have to face many difficulties like road blocks, damaged and bad road conditions because of the heavy rain, and the Apple season, crowded with vehicles.

If you are interested in cultural programs or heritage culture fests, then you have to wait until August, or you can contact local hotels and rest houses for the perfect timings and dates.

What are the best places near Dalash?

It’s a dream destination for hikers and peace lovers. There are so many small hikes, picnic spots, and some of the best heights of the God’s temple. Some unexplored treks and small day hikes for religious people and pilgrims are as follows:

Koffar Dhar Dalash Chota Kailash

One of the nearest picnic spots, a small hike can easily take you to kuffar dhar, where you will find some best places to explore, like a mountain height (Maai Tilru), Maa ka Tila, covered with huge pine trees and dense forest. A lake that is now used as a playground by the locals in summer. It came back into shape, filled with water in the rainy season. A government rest house in the middle of the jungle in a peaceful environment.

Sirigarh Kandagai

A hilltop in the Outer Siraj Valley in Dalash chota Kailash, where you will see the remains of the ancient fort and a chowki to see 360 degrees, and there is a small heritage temple of god Ganesh, where you can go by a small hike. This hill is also used by telecom and TV towers for providing the best signal to the Outer Sirajee. You will literally see the full valley from this top, and you hardly see any people there. This peak is hiked by some nearby villagers, pujari, and some fun lovers, but in the festive season, you will see a huge crowd on the peak.

Kandagai, Kathla, Kui Kanda

Small Villages in the hills are surrounded by deodar and pine trees. You can explore the local area, culture, and heritage, as well as some houses built in a Kath Kuni style, which is considered the oldest and best architecture of the Himalayas. There is also a small hike towards Kui Kanda, which starts from Kandagai and then proceeds from Kathla to Kui Kanda. Alternatively, you can choose the Shepherd’s Route or the Pilgrim’s Route to Kui Kanda, which starts from the cricket ground and the government guest house of Kandagai, and then returns to Kandagai through the forest route of Kathla Village.

Kui Kanda

The birthplace and temple of Naag Devta (Kui Kanda Naag), the deity of Outer Siraj, also known as the rain god of Kullu, where locals usually travel to devote their passions, spirituality, and show gratitude towards the deity, the Naag Devta. This is the best place for treks, small hikes, and camping.

Nonu Kanda

If you want to travel further, then you can hike forward towards Nonu Kanda, another high altitude peak and scenic area towards the Temple. Only local brahmins and the local people travel there with their deity for meditation and to regain their strength and power.

Sreolsar Lake

A trek route towards Jalori Pass and Sreolsar Lake. A shepherd route is also a sacred route for the deity as well as the followers. Every villager goes there once for the transition or well-being of their cattle and family, and also to experience the divine presence of goddess Naag Mata.

Where to Stay in Dalash Chota Kailash?

You can stay in government rest houses, homestays, and you can also set up your own camp in the open areas, and also be aware of bears and leopards. If you want to experience local cuisine and try to understand their culture, then I must say you have to ask local villagers for a night’s stay and look for a homestay. You can take back many stories, as well as many traditional aspects, and a comfort zone that guides you through the village lifestyle and their traditional living and beliefs.

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