Munsiyari - Snow Yoga, Mindfulness & Cozy Cottage Experience in the Himalayas

As a Yoga aficianado, I keep experimenting with not just postures, but once in a while go for a change to destinations that truly has an impact upon your overall Yogic mindset.

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As a Yoga aficianado, I keep experimenting with not just postures, but once in a while go for a change to destinations that truly has an impact upon your overall Yogic mindset.

Off late, the phenomenon of Snow Yoga has gained popularity in Scandinavia. So, with expert advise and logistical support from my native Kumaoni friend Chandan Singh Koranga, I set out on a week long visit to Munsiyari - a picture perfect hill station in India’s Uttarakhand.

Why Munsiyari:

This quaint hill station in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand isn’t your usual touristy hill station; sans the crass commercialisation of the tourism phenomenon prevailing in most other Indian hill station.

This places oozes with the raw energy of the Himalayas - so very essential if you are into Yoga. The powdery Panchachuli peak, dense forest cover and possibilities of glacial treks are enough of an invitation to all those Yoga practicioners who yearn for that high octane Yogic experience.

We coincided our visit to Munsiyari on the last leg of January; biting cold, harsh weather, snow everywhere……

Chandan booked a Botiya homestay for us. BTW, Bhotiya’s are the native indegenous tribes.Traditional Botiya houses are mostly built of stone and wood, very sustainable and environment friendly - ideal for Yoga vacations.

A couple of days into my Snow Yoga immmerssion at Munsiyari, and I could feel paradigm changes - increased awareness, improved balance and a sense of satiety. No place for brainfog here!

Bhotiya Wooden Architecture:

The native Botiyas are particularly adept in building eco- friendly houses using the locally available Deodar timber and layers of thick stone walls for insulation that protects them from the harsh weather conditions.

The homestay we stayed in was the very epitome of vernacular design and perfectly in sync with “Climate Adaptability”. I for one kept marvelling on the intricate wood carvings - motifs that were hand crafted and beautifully embossed on the walls.

The homestay that I and Chandan stayed had a ground floor that was exclusively mrant for livestock, while the upper floor was the actual living area.

It is a wonder how these Botiya tribal people of Munsiyari build climate resistant houses using their centuries old knowledge of craftsmanship, passed on for generations together - the warmth is so very palable once you are inside!

Although the traditional Botiya houses face the onslaught of modernity, yet, they are a never-say-die breed who have shown great resilience in preserving the last vestiges of their indegenous architecture.

Snow Yoga:

The biting cold of snow clad Musiyari in the peak of was a very grounding experience - the best part is that it kind of warms up your muscular system snd readies you for the day’s adventure.

The first two days, we kept things light - venturing to Madkot Hot Springs and soft treks to Khaliya top. The former is believed to cure Rheumatism and artheritic pains!

Spiritual Munsiyari:

I grew up listening to stories and legends of the Nanda Devi Temple from my grandparents, and today, I couldn’t believe, I would be face-to-face with the deity herself - the all compassionate Nanda Devi!

This temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess Nanda Devi, the guardian deity of the Kumaon Himalayas. Like many other devotees, I offered my prayers to the godess for fulfilling my lifetime’s desire for a “Darshan” and also seeking her blessings for safe passage to the higher Himalayas.

To compliment our early morning Snow Yoga, on Day - 4 we made it a point to visit the Kalika Pass, which is all of 2700m, traversing along a 10 Kms. trail to be face to face with the Shakti temple.

This small temple, dedicated to mother goddess Kali is considered to be a very holy temple. The idols of Kali, Shivaling and Lord Ganesha inside the premises offers a spiritual aura that words fail to describe - “ Peace that Passeth Understanding”. Local folklore has it that the temple drives away negative vibes and restores tranquility in the hearts of the devotees.

As our bodies adjusted with Munsiyari’s extreme temperature, on Day - 5 we undertook a strenous 30 Kms. trek all the way to Chiplakot Bugyal - essentially an Alpine meadow (3500m).

Here, the atmosphere is rarefied and serene. The proximity to Chiplakund (Chipla Lake) - a much venerated high-altitude lake and surreal views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks makes it a trek of a lifetime.

We pitched our tents for an overnight halt and the following day the Sun God “Surya” blessed us with bright sunshine, thereby allowing us with the freedom to venture to the meadows - Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, where we dated with a bewildering array of avian species - the iconic Himalayan Monal, Eagles, Pheasants, Nuthatches……

Heritage Preservation :

Wooden Villas and Chalets offer an aesthetic charm which is timeless. They radiate harmony and are remarkably sustainable. In fact occupants of wooden houses have a lower carbon footprint than occupants of non-wooden ones. And, here is hoping that Uttarakhand Tourism will be a beacon of hope in India’s pursuit towards becoming a “Net Zero” country.

Places in the high Himalayas, like Munsiyari, must be preserved, both eologically and culturally.

The indegnous Bhotiya vernacular architecture should be protected and encouraged, so that the fusion of the old and the new school of architecture blends harmoniously with the Himalayan terrain. This will bring about a paradigm change in perceptions, particularly on the hospitality landscape, which has its share of hindrances.

It all depends on how focussed one is towards realizing the ultimate goal. Thanks to the state government’s unwavering support and friendly disposition towards Wood Villa entrepreneurs, Uttarakhand’s hilltops are on the verge of showcasing the beauty of the Himalayas in all its grandeur.

Wrapping Up:

Austria’s rugged and exclusive Alpine environ has with time evolved marvellously with the quintessential agenda of harnessing the local vernacular architectural grandeur of Old Austria with that of the New. Many of the hüttens in Austria employ local carpenters to create outstanding mountain huts that has become the cynosure of mountain aficionados worldwide.

Drawing inspiration from the Austrian/European Alpine log huts and chalets, Uttarakhand has been on the radar of hoteliers for some time now and with a pro-active government offering incentives to investors, there has never been a better time for investments in the state’s burgeoning hospitality landscape.