Know Where We Source - Sneak Peek of Harsil, a Himalayan Village

Harsil, a small yet serene Himalayan village is a thing of beauty. When you plan a trip to Uttarakhand and areas proximate to it, make it a point to spend a day in Harsil, the land of breathtaking beauty, the highest number of lakes, glacier-fed rivers, snow-clad mountains, warm people and delicious food. Harsil is more than just a tourist spot, it is home to the unrivaled Harsil Rajma, which can singularly nourish the entire body. 

Pack your bags, and let’s go on a virtual tour to Harsil right now. 

The Mesmerizing Beauty of Harsil

Did you know that Harsil is known as the Mini Switzerland of India? The village is situated at an altitude of 7,860 feet above sea level and offers incredible views of the marvelous mountains and the valleys. The Bhagirathi River’s pristine water gushes down to meet and irrigate the fields that dot the Himalayan valleys. Given the altitude, the weather is always cool, with intense rainfall during December and January months. 

Most villagers migrate temporarily from Harsil and nearby villages to those down under, to escape from the heavy rains and snowfall. Since the people here know the weather patterns and the landscape like the back of their palms, they build their houses and entire lifestyle in tandem with Nature. Houses are mostly high-rise, made of wood. 

A walk around the Harsil village can deeply recharge you. We say that with conviction because the place is simply picturesque. Nestled between the wintry abode, the evergreen valley and crystal-clear rivers, the whole village reverberates with the heartwarming sound of Ganga and Bhagirathi flowing through them. 

Benevolent, Warm-Hearted Harsil Farmers

The village folk in Harsil are simple, amiable and warm people who are delighted to see guests or tourists. They have a lot of amazing stories to share, given their exciting daily routine amidst the mountains. The farmers are mostly women who juggle home and farm work and take care of the crops like their own children. 

The major occupations here at Harsil are agriculture (naturally), closely followed by sheep rearing (they make cozy, comfy sweaters as well), potato, apple and Rajma cultivation. Many varieties of Rajma are grown in the Himalayan valleys, but the most nutritious of them all is the Harsil Rajma. 

How is Harsil Rajma Cultivated?

The first step is to make the soil ready. The farmers plough the soil and loosen it, to make way for sowing. When the soil is just right, Rajma seeds are sown in plenty. As they grow, right before the seedlings lift their green shoots above the soil, farmers ensure to bring in dozens of bamboo canes and plant them beside the seedlings. Rajma crops are climbers, they need support to grow well.  

The fields are then irrigated regularly, taking cognizance of the weather, rainfall patterns and soil conditions. Naturally, owing to the high altitude, the air carries moisture in it, which keeps the growing crops well-fed. The soil is also abundantly blessed with nutrients, minerals and rock deposits that boost the growth of the Harsil Rajma. As the crops grow, farmers pluck out weeds from the fields, by hand.

Once the Harsil Rajma crops are near maturity, farmers examine each crop for their health. Upon maturity, they are plucked carefully, without disturbing the ecological balance of the place. The freshly harvested Harsil Rajma is shade-dried and sun-dried to get rid of moisture and preserved safely, for consumption and sale. 

Our farmers gather these cleaned, sun-dried Harsil Rajma beans, pack them securely and send them to our facility at Dehradun, from where we dispatch them to your doorstep.

Typical Lunch Menu After a Long Work Day at Harsil

Now that we witnessed how our farmers toil in the fields, let’s go over our farmers' favorite mid-day meals. Here are lip-smacking dishes you need to try anytime you’re in Harsil. If you can’t wait to try them, we have linked the ingredients for you to buy, cook and experience the flavor of Harsil from the comfort of your home. 

Common favorites are Poori prepared with wheat flour and stuffed with Harsil Rajma. This dish is paired with Chaunsa made with green soybeans. Throw in a few spoons of spicy chutney made with Himalayan Chillies and leaves of the apple tree. You’d be amazed to know the next dish served: ‘Mand Jhol’. The water used to boil rice is taken, buttermilk is added and it’s garnished with tempered Himalayan Jakhiya. Mix Mand Jhol with cooked chawal and lose yourself in its taste.

You can feel the taste get down to your taste buds and touch your soul! Not kidding, try it. 

Valley Culture’s Affinity to Harsil

We, at Valley Culture, visited Harsil, built a rapport with the hard-working farmers, and studied their farming techniques, crops and fields to bring fresh, homegrown produce to your table. Grab the finest Harsil Rajma to make our traditional dishes, or go creative with contemporary recipes. Consuming Rajma 3-4 times a week can give you enormous health benefits, for a long, happy, disease-free life.