Tosh, Parvati Valley - Fall off the map

So, the same day we came down from Rashol, we made plans to go to Tosh. Our bodies were sore for sure, but for what I had heard about the place, I just couldn’t wait to get there. So, after taking a bus from Kasol to Barsheni which is the last stop on the bus route to Parvati Valley, we walked for around 90 minutes, crossed a bridge and then rubbed our eyes and pinched ourselves to check if we’re dreaming.

We were in a place full of greenery, encircled by snow-capped mountain peaks on almost all the sides. To add to how cold it already was, it started drizzling. (Yes, one can never trust the mountain weather) We went looking for a place and put up at this really fancy place called ‘Pink Floyd’.

It gets dark at Tosh really early, and I don’t think anyone can survive there at nights without a heater. I used a candle while sitting out, star gazing.  :/

Fun Fact: This speck of a settlement doesn’t feature on any tourist maps or bus routes. Entertainment options are few; what you do get is pure, unadulterated acres of green, snowy peaks on the horizon and streams snaking their way alongside you. The Tosh River running through the valley below hums, whooshes and roars at will, breaking the silence so common to these parts. No connectivity, low electricity, limited accessibility—if you’re in Tosh, you’ve fallen off the map!

The occupation of the people here is mainly farming and animal husbandry. Hashish is grown here in plenty; it is their main source of income. There is a beautiful temple of Jamdagni Rishi at the centre of the village that has a long verandah from where you can see the snow caped mountains. But it was shut. It is apparently only open from January to February.

Tosh is an almost isolated small village at a height of 2700 M with around 650 people, there is no body seen outside after sunset – Pin drop silence.  So, we spend the night at the warm Pink Floyd Restaurant playing cards and shared ghost stories. The owners contributed too. We finally decided to go to our respective rooms and doze off.

We left for the breathtaking Kheerganga the next day.