Bir - A newfound home.

Hi! This is my first blog when I am actually in between a travel. Currently at my favourite stop in Panjim, the Mcdonalds haha! I just come and sit here every time I come here and spend quite some time. It's a nice morning on the streets on Panjim always. Anyways tonight I have my train to Kannur, to experience Kerala's dance of God 'Theyyam'. Hopefully will be sharing a blog about it too!

Why Bir today?! Because it's been a one whole year since I went there for the very first time and I still remember it as I left it yesterday! So I thought why not help around people experience this beautiful little village (Only if you will keep it clean, ok!).

I still remember as I opened my eyes from the bus from Delhi to Bir, I was almost entering the village and could see the Dhauladhar shining white in the morning light. And then as I set foot onto this land, I found it so cute! haha. A small lane that goes straight through market, stores, cafes and what not surrounded by a ton of things to do! But me? I had zero idea about the place as I hadn't done any research. Still slowly but surely throughout my 21 days I got to know Bir in a way that's just unexplainable. I am definitely a victim of the 'Bir Syndrome' haha.

Let me set this up in a structured way (itinerary type kuch) as to help you guys to give you a gist of the place but also make you experience it in different flavours! (Although this place deserves a poetic description tbh)

For all my photography enthusiasts out there, the variety of landscapes in and around Bir are enough to keep you wondering what all to capture! With small villages of Kotli, Suja, Matru and Saten surrounding Bir and the huge Dhauladhar standing tall in the background I bet any angle will make you go wow. And if you want to breath all of this in one view do climb the Mata Maheshwari temple! It's a moderate hike across the highway once you get down Bir, locals will easily assist you with the road. Trust me and visit it during the sunset, and if you get lucky the moon and sun would shine upon you at the same time. Uff, overwhelming. Back in the centre of Bir, there's a landing site for paragliders (YES!) which offers you some of the best sunsets you will ever see in your life! If you go down the farms from there, you will also see the beautiful roofs of Tibetan settlements giving a nice foreground to you pictures. Lastly, don't forget the green stretch of tea plantations!

Let's come down to some adventures you can do while on this peaceful trip yea?

World's second highest point of Paragliding is here! At an height of almost 8000 ft you can do Paragliding which starts from Bir-Billing, flying over the jungles feeling like a bird, getting a bird's eye view of the whole plateau and landing on the landing site for a perfect sunset is an evening you need to spend. The cost for flying in 2023 was 3000/- with the go pro footage. (You can view my experience here!)

Then if you love waterfalls, don't miss the Bangoru waterfall which lies in the Bangoru valley.

A 20-25 min quick hike half of which goes through the falls and was quite a unique experience for me. I would definitely suggest a guide if you are solo as there is specifically a rock which is almost impossible to climb and get down alone! While returning you can also try bungee there. I didn't because I had my share of adventure for that day but if you feel like it just go dive into the Bangoru valley.

Lastly, the temple of Mata maheshwari as I mentioned above is a hike you can definitely add to your list as you definitely want a view which makes your mind go WHAT! after an exhausting hike. There is also a temple of Lord Shiva on the other side of the mountain and has a slight different view if you want to.

Foodies, yea I here you. Don't worry, this place has endless cafes and restaurants to definitely fulfill all of your cravings. Some of my recommendations would be Musafir for best hot chocolate, Silver linings for the best desserts, Nyingma for a mix of tibetan and fast food, Ava’s for a little south indian touch in the mountains and Northern cafe for the best sunsets. Small homely food places also offer paranthas if you want something to comfort you.

Talking about the people of Bir and their culture, I have always found Himachal a unique place to be in considering the 'boli', clothes, food and their way of living in the mountains.

I am sure you will make at least a dozen friends including the locals, tourists and business owners. I have met some amazing souls during my visit and I still am in touch with them.

Including some Tibetan people yes! Bir has Tibetan settlements with refugees residing for quite sometime now and the place has monasteries which offer us a way to experience Buddhism in a beautiful way.

Trust me and just go visit and 'stay' here, live the local experiences and make a routine out of it. You won't feel like leaving! I have seen many settlers there from the other northern states and it doesn't shock me. It's a place to be. Anyways I gotta run. I hope this helps you readers to plan and get an idea about one of my favourite visits ever!

Love you Bir. Hopefully visiting soon.