Are you planning to escape the heatwave but are not sure of where to head? Then we have a surprise for you!

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Tucked away in Himachal Pradesh, the place is a Himalayan hideaway. Named after the Tirthan River that cuts through it, Tirthan Valley is the place to be this summer.

Here are 10 reasons why everyone should visit the place at least once in their life.

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1. A Riverside Retreat With the Tirthan River cutting through the valley, the place becomes a quaint destination to enjoy clean river water. Villages like Gushaini and Nagini sit alongside the river, serving as a perfect getaway for nature lovers.

2. A place where mountains kiss the clouds Imagine this – sprawling alpine meadows and dense coniferous forests overlooking huge mountains touching the clouds. You can also enjoy bird watching in the area.

3. Serolsar Lake After a trek of 6 km from the Jalori Pass, you reach the breathtaking Serolsar lake. Surrounded by ice-covered high peaks, the serene lake reflects the blue of the sky. You can camp here at the lake’s shore overnight and stargaze with your friends. There is also a temple of Goddess Buddhi Nagin, the mother of the 60 Nag Devtas of Himachali folklore, who is believed to reside in the Serolsar lake.

4. Rustic Riverside Homes Tirthan Valley is also a great place to enjoy the traditional Himachali homes along the river. The gorgeous wooden building of ‘Raju’s Guesthouse’ in Gushaini is a must-visit tourist attraction.

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5. Hidden Waterfalls An uphill hike from the Rolla village will reward you with a view to behold. A tiny jewel of a waterfall is hidden in the forested valley. A longer hike north will take you to Shilt, a shepherd hut with a stunning view, whereas to the south lies Khorli Pohi, the breeding area of the iridescent Monal bird, which is accessible only by permission.

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6. Pristine Parashar Lake Another gem of a lake in the valley is the Parashar Lake. There is also a 14th-century three-storey temple, dedicated to Rishi Parashar who meditated in the area to explore. If you love stargazing you can also camp the night near the lake’s shore.

7. Shringi Rishi Temple The Shringi Rishi Temple has a beautiful statue of Rishi Shringi and intricate wood carvings that depict the 24 different births of God. A highly-revered temple of the eighteen Gods of Kullu valley, the gods are the chiefs of the three hundred and eighty-four minor deities of the valley.

8. A fisherman’s paradise If you love fishing, then River Tirthan is the place to be. The government has declared the river as an angling reserve and does not allow any hydro projects to maintain its biodiversity.

9.  Old World Charm of Chehni Kothi A 1,500-year-old castle built with stone slabs and wooden beams, the Chehni Kothi was once the residence of Rana Dhadhia, the erstwhile king of Kullu. Built in traditional architecture of the area, it is the tallest free-standing structure in the entire Western Himalayan region.

10.  Mesmerising Meadows Shangarh is a hidden treasure about 50 km from Tirthan. You will have to travel through the quaint villages of Larji, Sainj, Neuli and Ropa to reach the meadows. Legend has it that it was made by the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata epic who chose this site to build a stairway to heaven.

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