Pahadi Houses

One of the most endearing feature that I look out for while travelling in the Himalayas is the Houses and Dwelling Units. From the Dhoks of the Bakarwal nomads to the Pahadi style Forts and Palace of the erstwhile Hill Rajas. So in a recent drive through some of the lesser known parts of the Pir Panjals and the Himalayas I tried to document Photographically the different kinds of Architecture used all along the Chenab River.

Starting from Basohli in the Kathua District of J&K through Bani, Sarthal, Bhaderwah, Salooni, Chamba, Kishtwar, Gulabgarh, Killar, Udaipur and Keylong . All the places where the pics were taken are places which get some amount of Snow in the Winters and we cut across belts of Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist Villages as Culture is also something which effects the Architecture.

Lowang, Kathua District, Jammu and Kashmir

Lowang is a Village in the upper reaches of Samba District between Bani and Sarthal. The vast majority of the population of the Village is Muslim and from the Bhaderwah side and just like Bhaderwah there is a distinct Kashmiri look to the Houses.

Bhaderwah Town, Doda District, Jammu and Kashmir

The Town of Bhaderwah with its typical Bi-Slanted Tin Roofed Houses very similar to the ones in Kashmir. We also single slanted Tin roofed Houses which though uncommon in Kashmir are prevalent in the Doda District and Kishtwar Districts. Note the absence of Slate stone topped Roofs common in Himachal Pradesh.

A Village outside of Bhaderwah as we come down the Chattargala Pass from the Chamba side.

Another Village outside of Bhaderwah as we come down the Chattargala Pass from the Chamba side, again with Tin Roofed Houses iboth single and double style.

Thati, Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh

Village houses on the Chamba side with Slate Roofs. This is a very distinct difference between the thatched Houses in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir generally.

Chingam, Kishtwar District, Jammu and Kashmir

Old style Village Houses on the way from Chatroo in Kishtwar towards sinthan Pass which connects it to Kashmir. These are probably temporary dwellings for the summertime from people who live at a lower altitude.

A Village near Chatroo with slanted tinned Roof houses and a new under construction Temple building.

A typical Village on the way to the Sinthan Pass.

The last Village of Kishtwar before hitting the Sinthan Pass and getting into Kashmir. Here also you can see a single slanted Roof which is very uncommon in Kashmir.

Paddar, Kishtwar District, Jammu and Kashmir

A typical Village in the Paddar Valley along the Bhut Nallah. Some are new style houses while there still exist traditional Flat roofed Houses seen in the Trans-Himalayan regions. Zanskar is just across the Omasi La from here which still takes a couple of days. The Ladakhis called this region Paldar and the higher reaches have Buddhist Villages populated by people who came from Zanskar. These Village even have Yaks.

Close up of the Village above with flat Roofed Houses and a few typical Paddar-Pangi style slant Roof houses. These Flat roofed Houses are characterized by the use of Wooden beams as there are abundant Forest resources available in these Valleys.

A mix of modern style Houses with slanting Roofs and traditional Houses with Flat roofs.

The main center of Padar Valley, the Town of Gulabgarh and across the Chenab the Village of Atholi. Most of the houses are of the modern style quite similar to the style of Houses in Kishtwar.

An old style flat roofed house painted in bright colors in the Paddar Valley.

A typical Village in the Paddar Valley along the Bhut Nallah. Some are new style houses while there still exist traditional Flat roofed Houses seen in the Trans-Himalayan regions. Zanskar is just across the Omasi La from here which still takes a couple of days. The Ladakhis called this region Paldar and the higher reaches have Buddhist Villages populated by people who came from Zanskar. These Village even have Yaks.

Interestingly in many Villages in Paddar Valley modern type structures are being built on top of existing old style flat roofed Houses.

More examples of more modern Houses built over existing old style Houses.

Pangi, Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh

The Houses in the Pangi Valley are exactly the same as the Houses in the neighboring Paddar Valley and they share many other Cultural similarities/

Lahaul, Lahaul Spiti District, Himachal Pradesh

A Village between Lahaul and Pangi Valleys.

Somewhere between the Pangi and the Lahaul Valleys. Flat roofed Houses similar to the ones in Pangi and Paddar being progressively replaced by Tin - roofed Houses.

A Village perched on top of a Hill near Udaipur in Lahaul Valley.

A Village in Lahaul on the way to Zanskar via the Shinku La

Same Village as above but closer pic. Most houses are traditional flat roofed as across most of the Himalayas but newer structures have slanted tin roofs