Naggar also has an ancient Krishna temple, which is 5,000 years old on the top of the mountain peak
The Himalayas with their awe-inspiring beauty and majestic peaks, have been a source of inspiration for artists throughout history. How could it be any different for me? My first stint with serious mountains was about nine years back and ever since have been visiting places in the region twice a year. My ‘put up’ place is always Naggar, a small village located in Kullu district. It attracts me because of Nicholas Roerich, a renowned Russian painter, who made this place his home after traveling the whole world. He founded a Research Institute Urusvati – studying art, culture and flora-fauna of the Himalayas and their medicinal values. He painted about 7000 paintings dedicated to the Great Mountains and collected numerous artefacts, writings and sculptures of Lahauli-Tibetan origin.
I found this place while researching for my Senior Research Fellowship thesis, where I was partly dedicating a whole section to his life and style of work. This town has become my ‘second home’ away from the capital. This place has historical attractions like Naggar Castle, which is a Heritage hotel now. Beautiful cafes and restaurants with amazing world-class cousines throng this small place. It also has an ancient Krishna temple, which is 5000 years old on the top of the mountain peak. The trek itself to the temple is a beautiful experience – paths alongside apple orchids, village homes, tricky ascends! Also, a beautiful visual of wooden carving and engraving is the Tripura Sundari Temple, dedicated to the goddess Shakti, this time happened to witness the prayers and seeing the Goddess chariot being prepared for the visit to other temples in the village. This was a rare site.
It is a heaven for peace-seekers, writers, poets and intuitive painters like me. This place totally rejuvenates me and adds volumes and richness to my art! Another important reason is to interact and mingle with fellow Russian visitors and friends residing there. My decades of stay in Russia and missing the language and lifestyle satiates here – at Naggar! I have held numerous shows and been part of international seminars here. This can be called a small Russian citadel of art and culture! People from Germany, France, Israel and other countries come and practice yoga, art and spiritualism – Maharishi Nicholas Roerich is celebrated by locals and foreigners alike.
This time the visit was to attend the 115th Birth Anniversary of Devika Rani Roerich, the first lady of Indian Cinema, wife and muse of Dr. Svetoslav Roerich at the Roerich Memorial Trust Also a three-day long International Art Exhibition of Paintings and Prints “Expressions23” at the Modern Art Gallery in IRMT, which I was a part of showing artists from India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Italy, Greece and Spain. This beautiful place inspires us to paint, trek and reflect upon ourselves and life! Visiting Roerich Samadhi and becoming one with Nature is an emotion, which cannot be described in words but can only be felt!
Harsh Inder Loomba is a senior Fellow, a visual artist and a scholar
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