My 30+ Days in Shahupur: A Stay in a Remote Corner of Himachal Pradesh.

- By Farin Khatoon.

As I reflect on my life in Shahupur, a remote village nestled in the heart of Himachal Pradesh, I find myself caught between the whirlwind of city life and the serenity I found in the mountains. This is not a typical travel blog where I’d tell you about fancy cafes, shopping complexes, or bustling city streets. Instead, this is the story of how I learned the true essence of life by living somewhere far removed from the noise and rush of the world.

Shahupur is not the kind of place you visit for luxury. No, here there are no posh restaurants or movie theaters, no trendy shops to wander through. What it offers, instead, is something more profound—a taste of life in its rawest, most authentic form. Imagine waking up every morning to the crisp, clean mountain air. The only sounds are the calls of birds and the rustling of trees in the wind. The world feels different here. It’s slower, calmer, and far more intentional.

I came from Delhi, where life is a constant race. Every moment is driven by the need to be somewhere, to do something, to have it all. Everything is at your doorstep—the food, the entertainment, the people. But, in Shahupur, I had to learn to adapt. To go anywhere, you had to walk up steep mountain paths. Carrying my luggage was no small feat—climbing rugged terrain became an everyday challenge. It was a struggle at times, but that’s what made the experience so different. It taught me patience. It made me appreciate the simpler things.

One of the most memorable aspects of Shahupur was the way the locals lived—close-knit, humble, and in harmony with nature. The community here wasn’t like anything I had seen before. They celebrate everything together, sharing meals, stories, and laughter like one big family. It was such a contrast to Delhi, where you can live next door to someone for years and barely exchange a word. Here, every neighbor was a friend, and every celebration felt like a collective experience.

The food, too, was unlike anything I had ever tasted. Cooked over a traditional chulah (a mud-based stove), the meals had a flavor that no fancy restaurant could replicate. The slow-cooked dishes infused with the smoke of wood and the spices of the earth were rich and comforting. The aroma of freshly cooked food, mingled with the scent of the surrounding forest, was something I can’t quite explain. It was as if every meal was a gift from nature itself.

And then there were the trees—so many trees. Mango trees, apple trees, and forests that stretched for miles. I remember plucking fruits straight from the branches, free from pesticides, full of flavor and life. The land was rich in organic produce, and eating something so pure and untouched felt like a blessing. I had never known food to taste so real.

Living in Shahupur wasn’t always easy. There were moments of struggle, moments of discomfort. But those struggles were part of the beauty. They allowed me to see life through a different lens, to appreciate the peace and simplicity of living with nature. It was a place where life wasn’t just about what you could buy or achieve—it was about being present in the moment, connecting with those around you, and embracing the natural world.

As I sit here today, still in Shahupur, I realize that I am living through a wholesome experience. This is not a life for everyone, but it has been a life-changing one for me. There’s something sacred about waking up to the sight of mountains, breathing in fresh air, and living in harmony with the land. It’s a life where you celebrate the small moments, where the simplest things—the food, the community, the mountains—bring the greatest joy.

Would I ever go back to the fast-paced life of Delhi? Maybe, but I’ll carry the lessons of Shahupur with me. Life here has taught me that the true luxury isn’t found in the latest trends or the comforts of modern living. It’s found in the peace of a quiet morning, the laughter shared with neighbors, and the beauty of nature that surrounds you.

In the mountains of Shahupur, I found not just a place, but a way of life. And it’s a way of life I’ll cherish forever.

"Progress is possible even when you choose peace over stress."