A unique Photo Journey to Bada Bhagal and Chhota Bhagal Regions of Himachal Pardesh - By Sanjeev Sharma !!!

After a wonderful Photo Journey of week-long snowfall in Shimla, here is another Photo Journey by Sanjeev Sharma. Most of these photographs are clicked with Phone Camera or point-n-shoot digital cameras and tell a brilliant story about a very different & isolated place of Himachal Pradesh. Let's take off from Shimla in Helicopter and move towards Bhagal region to have an amazing Photo Journey from least explored Himachal, India...

Sanjeev being a Senior correspondent in Himachal Pradesh gets some opportunities to explore some of the places in Himachal, where top politicians never thought of visiting in past. Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, current Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, thought of visiting Bhagal regions of the state to know how exactly those people live without much connectivity with other parts of the world. Above Photograph shows Sanjeev on extreme left, Dhumal(CM, Himachal) next to him and few more officers of Himachal Pradesh Government.

Here is a photograph inside the government chopper, which is probably only way to reach the place to avoid the long path which may take days to reach the place. This time, whole crew is going to Bada Bhangal with Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal...Sanjeev had posted this photograph on Facebook with caption - 'for historic voyage to most beautiful as well as underscored area of Himachal Pradesh'

On reaching the marvelous place, we met lot of humble people of Bada Bhagal. Here is a photograph on the shores of ravi river with Bada Bhangal village in backdrops... We are sure that you might have noticed unique styled dressing of these people. Since this region is not very well connected and  very cold, these dresses are still preferred by folks of Bada Bhangal. Silver Jewellery is still preferred over Gold Jewellery, Siver is considered as very auspicious as per some of the old mythologies. There may be some other economical or geographical reasons associated, about which we are not aware of.

Here is another Photograph of Mr. Sanjeev Sharma with Bhangal beauties in Chhota Bhangal region.


This was probably first time, when any Chief Minister thought of visiting the place. Most of the Bhagal folks don't contribute much to Democracy of Himachal Pradesh or our country. Since this is an isolated area, most of the folks avoid their duties in this region. Even if they reach, folks in Bhagal are not very much aware or interested in selecting a representative. IF elections are in Winters, no one will be there in Bhagal Villages of Himachal Pradesh.

Here is a photograph of Bada Bhangal Village in Himachal Pradesh, India. 


Mr. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh visited Bhagal region an did some promises to provide more infrastructure to this region, so that they and their cattle can live a better life. Usually these people are wealthy as each family is owner of hundreds of cattle and farms... At the same, we want to know more about their routine life which can help in better understanding the way they think and how it make them different from rest of the world.

Kids of Bada Bhangal performing in traditional styled Folk-Dance with amazing dresses with lots of colors, woolens and local productions...'Dhudu Nachya Jattan o Khalari bo...'

'Chehre ki jhurriyon main jeevan ka saransh...the bhangaloo ladies..' - A Caption by Sanjeev Sharma, while he shared this photograph on Facebook. A Lovely photograph of old lady from Bhagal region of Himachal Pradesh. She has both sides of nose pierced, which is rare. Although many folks in urban region do such things but this is one of the old traditions of Bhagal Region. Although new generation of Bhagal has left this one. Even this lady is wearing relatively very small sized jewellery, as old ornaments used to cover both sides of the nose.

Cute children of Bhagal Region of Himachal Pradesh with lovely smile on their faces, when they are dressed up for performances in front of Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh - Mr. Prem Kumar Dhumal.

While reading more about Bhagal region of Himachal Pradesh, we found that it's also popular destination among trekkers and Adventure Lovers because this region is considered as virgin mountains of Himachal Pradesh. While at the same time, this reason is problematic for residents of Bhagal region.

The alpine terrains between the Kullu Valley/Manali and Dharamshala is one of the most spectacular and little known regions of the West Himalaya. Trails crossing verdant meadows (with excellent campsites) and traversing snow bound passes to access secluded Hindu villages and remote shepherd encampments are the key attractions of this unique trek. This is a trek for the 'Himalayan hand', with an opportunity to absorb unrivalled views of the Pir Panjal, Bara Bhangal and Dhar Dhaula Dhar ranges before descending to the Kangra Valley and Dharamshala -the seat of the 14th Dalai Lama and his Tibetan government in exile. (Check out following link to know more about Trekking Opportunities in this region - http://www.trekkinginindia.com/trekking-in-himachal/bara_bhangal_trek.html)

Most of the shepherd communities live in Bhagal Region, who leave this place during winters and go away with their cattle to lower Himachal Regions. They keep everything back in their homes and make sure that all the stuff is better packed to keep them safe from Storms, Snow, rains and other weather related calamities. Since these regions are not well connected with other parts of the state, they have move on feet and some of the old folks, who can't walk need to remain there. Which is one of the sad part of Bhagali folks. 

Although Government has made sure that basic facilities are available in these regions, but service providers (employees) don't prefer to come to these regions. E.g.- Region has schools, dispensaries but it's hard to get good teachers or doctors in this region. There are very few Bhagal folks, who are educated enough to get jobs in these schools and Dispensaries.

Here Sanjeev is trying their traditional Music Instrument...

In Bhagal Region, when folks come back  during beginning of summers they stop at the distance of 5-10 kilometers from their village. One person from the group go inside the Village to check the conditions of the houses, people who were living there during winters. At times, they get a news that some of them have died and whole group enter into the village with their tears and cry. All things are settled as a group and they continue their life of summers at home and again start the journey during beginning of Winters. 

It's really strange to know about the typical life of folks from Bhagal region of Himachal Pradesh. Finally a question comes in mind that what is the motivation for these people, so that they keep traveling to fight with weather conditions and lose the joy of their lives. Their children rarely get education. Only few of them complete Graduation etc. Anyways, this is how Bhagal continues to relive every year with very strange traditions, which are completely different from rest of the world.

Thanks a Lot Sanjeev for sharing so much about this region of Himachal Pradesh, India !!!

As a trekker, you can see more details about Bhagal Treks at - http://www.trekhimachal.com/newsite/places/bada-bhangal