Tag Archives: kullu valley

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories: The Gift of Valley

Kullu Manali is the most famous and favorite holiday spot among tourists or travelers to Himachal. The Kullu valley’s natural beauty binds one with its peace and aura. The views, temples, parks, trek, apple orchards, snow-capped mountains in the valley are picturesque and represent a true picture of tranquillity. Apart from this one can experience and be part of the handicraft paradise too. Yes! I am talking about BHUTTICO Kullu shawls and accessories.

Bhuttico Kullu Shwals & Accessories - gift of Kullu valley

What is Bhuttico?

Bhuttico stands for Bhutti weavers Cooperative Society Ltd of Kullu. It was set up in 1944 in the remote village of beautiful Himalayas by 12 weavers from Bhutti village. Bhuttico cooperative society is the one cooperation with its own weaving shed and housing colony. The colony is equipped with all facilities for its workers and the workplace provides the best benefits to its workers including pension, gratuity.

Bhuttico Kullu Store
Source – www. http://wikimapia.org/

The Bhuttico cooperation has more than 700 weavers on its rolls.  It  maintains all the quality parameters while manufacturing and testing. Bhuttico stores are present both nationally and internationally and they sell their  product under the name and trademark of Bhuttico.

This society is an inspiration; as it focuses on weaver’s welfare along with safeguarding the local artistic craft.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories

There is an extensive range of neutral as well as colorful handmade and loom weaved Bhuttico garments. The first one and most famous is-

Kullu shawls & Stoles

The variety of shawls at Bhuttico store ranged from traditional Kullvi to modern designs. They were available in Pashmina, angora, merino and local sheep wool. The pure Pashmina shawls were in light shades ranging from Rs. 4500 – Rs 6000; whereas all other varieties of Kullu shawls and stoles were available in bright, dark, light colors as well as embroidered patterns. The price ranged from Rs. 600 – Rs 1500. I personally liked the stoles for their colors, designs, and material. They were soft, light as well as warm and I ended up buying 4 -5 pieces.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawl Variety
Bhuttico Kullu Shawls

Kullu Doru & Pattu

These are the local traditional Himachali dresses awesomely colorful. Tourists often get themselves dressed in these for pictures.

Kullu Caps, gloves & woolen socks 

Kullu caps is the another attraction. The variety include Kullvi, Lahauli, Kinnauri, and Malana. I could make out the slight difference in all these caps categories but all of them were super colorful and warm. The price for all caps ranged from Rs 200 –Rs 350/-. The woolen socks and gloves too available were colorful, handmade and loom weaved. The price for these ranged from Rs 150 – Rs 200 (I am not joking).

Bhuttico Kullu Woolen Caps, gloves

Kullu Ties, Mufflers & Scarves

The ties available at Kullu Bhuttico showroom were in a solid color, wool material, and self-prints. The other option was in typical Kullvi design. On average, the price ranged between Rs 200 – Rs 350/-. Mufflers for men and scarves for women also were also available in different varieties of wool and designs. The price for these scarves and mufflers varied from Rs 200 – Rs 1000/.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls
My Bhuttico Collection

Kullu Pullas

Pullas are the grass slippers used by Himachali women in Kitchen. The base is made with the fiber procured from the bark of a bush called cannabis (Bhang) and the upper part with goat hair which is further decorated with colorful threads. They are considered to be warm and comfortable. I loved them and brought these. Price for the same ranges from Rs 100 – 150/-.

Kullu Pullas
Source – http://www.bhutticoshawl.com/

Sleeveless Nehru Jacket & Woolen Shirts

The other garments included sleeveless Nehru jacket and woolen shirts available in different sizes and colors. The pure wool fabric for stitching can also be brought and I brought a piece for a shirt.

Handbags

The other small but awesome collection was of handbags and clutches in wool fabric and Himachali patti designs. This simple clutch with any attire will give it is a fashion blend and the price for same ranged from Rs 500 – 1000/-.

Bhuttico Kullu Accessories
Source – www.bhutticoshawl.com

Where to Shop Bhuttico Kullu Shawls and accessories

Bhuttico Kullu garments and accessories can be purchased both from online and offline stores. There are in total 31 offline stores and the majority of them are in Himachal. For online shopping, one can buy here.

What to consider before shopping Kullu Shawls and accessories

To purchase authentic Bhuttico Kullu products, check the “Handloom mark” as well as the GI patent tag. Check these marks here in the picture.

Bhuttico Kullu Shawl Trademark
Source: http://farbound.net/

So, it is worth treating yourself, your friends and relatives with these warm gifts from Kullu valley.

From Kullu Manali, you can head for the most adventurous road trips. Check the itinerary for Leh Ladakh road trip and Lahaul Spiti road trip.

Spiti Valley, in photos, which made me mad for Travel

The “Spiti” means the middle land; that lies between India and Tibet.

The Spiti Valley journey brings you close to never ending landscapes, ancient world monasteries, gushing wide rivers, crystal clear blue lakes, snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and clear blue skies. In the valley, each carved mountain, treacherous roads, and innocent villagers have their own story to tell. The travelers like us (me and Tashi) get mesmerized to become a storyteller, photographer and travel blogger.

The famous story writer Joseph Rudyard Kipling said: “Spiti Valley is a land of god and this place is no place for men. Here the mountains peaks are high enough from the feet and silence has beaten this place” – I completely agree, there is no human/vehicular noise, no pollution, no over development, no industrialization. How silent and ethereal the place is Only wind and water sing their own songs.

The Spiti Valley has its own crazy aura which binds you to sit quietly and get lost in nature. You start planning to stay back,  instead of going. Here in few pictures from our lens, I will describe how the beauty of this “Land of God” turned us to a passionate photographer and travel blogger.

Journey to Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Our journey started from Rohtang Pass, also known as Pass of the Corpses. This pass connects Kullu valley with the Lahaul and Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh.

Journey started from rohtang pass for Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

We were heading towards Chandratal Lake but each mountain on the way stopped me for a click. I wonder how beautiful each peak is carved naturally. The mountains call me to reach the heights and explore the most unexplored paths.

Heading to Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

Before reaching the mesmerizing Lake of the moon, on the way, there are so many crazy valleys. Each valley is covered in hues of golden sand, rocky mountains peaks covered in snow, glaciers, and river flowing in the center of the valley. Such views make me think nothing  else is more beautiful than this place.

on the way to chandratal lake, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

The complete semi-arid dessert, Spiti valley is a world in itself. There are hardly any humans. The wind, water, and nature have  written their own stories on each wall.

In semi arid dessert, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

The valleys are so wide and mountains peaks are so high; that I and this huge vehicle; Mahindra – Scorpio seems to be like ants in this panoramic view.

In the Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Driving just next to the river bed, and again mountains have changed their colors. I wish I could count the color hues of mountains in this valley.

At the river bed in Spiti valley, himachal pradesh

Here comes this master place for which the whole journey started. The Chandratal Lake, located at an altitude of 14,100 feet where each mountain changes its color every hour. It is so clean, so quiet and so beautiful. We spent here one day and night. For details check my blog post on Chandratal click here.

At Chandratal lake, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

The best view- I could spot so many yaks grazing together (Check those black dots)

Yaks grazing in spiti valley at Himachal Pradesh

The Kunzum pass located at 15,600 feet is a high mountain pass that connects Kullu Valley and Lahaul valley to the Spiti valley. The fluttering prayer flags have Buddhist mantras and prayers displayed on them produce a spiritual vibration that is activated and carried by the wind across the countryside. Here the wind was at full speed and check my Scorpio has turned gray from Black.

Kunzum Pass, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

The Gateway to Spiti valley (Where Gram Panchayat of Losar village welcomes you)

Gateway to Spiti Valley at Losar Village, Himachal Pradesh

My next stop was at Kaza the capital of Spiti Valley. The Hotel Deyzor, Kaza is an awesome property, where this wonderful caption and calligraphy pulled me to click. Hotel Deyzor represents a true spirit of Spiti Valley for any traveler with a comfortable stay & good Dining Menu. The way in which it has been constructed at such a remote location is really applaudable.

Hotel Deyzor, Kaza, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

 

Next day we started our journey from lush green Dhankar village; an abode in heaven. Dhankar is the old capital of Spiti and lies between Kaza and Tabo. It is built at an altitude of 12,774 feet.  The village seems as a spur or bluff which stands out into the main valley and ends in a precipice.

Dhankar Village, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Ahead Kaza, we stopped at Tabo. The  Tabo Monastery lies at the bottom of the valley, unlike the other monasteries perched on the top. The monastery offers you a stay at a mere amount of Rs 500 per person. The rooms have mud lining on the walls and ceiling and are super cozy and comfortable.

Tabo monastery, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Oh! Not to be missed! On the way, there is 550 years old mummy of Saint Sangha Tenzin in sitting position at Gue Village. The locals believe that she gave up her life while meditating.

Gue Village, Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

Heading towards Kinnaur Valley, at Khab there is a confluence of two rivers –the Satluj and Spiti River. Check whole scene is so picturesque.

Confluence of river Spiti and Satluj at Khab in Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh

Last but not the least; when roads were that adventurous and nature had so much to show, we got transformed to a writer, poet, travel blogger, storyteller, and photographer.

We say travel to this terrain, even you will explore and get to know more about yourself.