Kinnaur- Apple Valley of Himachal Pradesh
Kinnaur is known as the apple valley of HImachal Pradesh because Himachali apples grown here are of superior quality. Apart from providing a longer shelf life Kinnauri apples thanks to its thick skin they are also revered for being juicy and sweet
Kinnaur is one of the 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh, and is known for its breathtaking valleys, beautiful meadows, lush green forests, and serpentine routes that people love to explore in a bid to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure road trip.
Apart from these Kinnaur is also famous for its apples the reason why it is also known as the "Apple Valley of Himachal Pradesh".
Kinnaur shares its border with Tibet on the eastern side and the Garhwal Himalayas fall to its south. It is no secret that Kinnaur is famous for its splendid apple orchards, its thick forests of deodar trees, snow-capped mountains, and cavernous ravines. But aside from these Kinnaur is also famous for its rich culture which is what makes the region a true hidden gem.
Culture Of Kinnaur
The most unique facet of Kinnaur's culture is the perfect amalgamation of Hinduism and Buddhism as seen in the realm of religion where a Hindu Temple and a Buddhist monastery both exist in undisturbed harmony, such is the extent of cultural intermingling witnessed in this region of Himachal Pradesh.
The uniqueness of the Kinnauri culture can also be seen in its architecture again heavily influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism. Most of the buildings in Kinnaur are made with deodar wood which is then intricately carved, a sight that is unique to the Kinnaur region.
The people of Kinnaur, known as Kinnauris are tribal people that have existed in the region since ancient times. The Kinnauris have their own unique identity and in order to showcase that they like to wear a green-colored cap along with elaborate shawls. What sets them apart from the other pahadi tribes is that they speak a unique Tibetan-Burman dialect.
Apple Valley of Himachal Pradesh
Although there are a lot of regions in Himachal Pradesh that produce apples of superior quality, however, the quality of Himachali apples produced in the Kinnaur region is considered to be the best.
Kinnauri apples are known for their thick skin which gives them a long shelf life, they are naturally sweet and succulent. Apples in this region are cultivated at an altitude surpassing 15,000 feet. The most notable belts in Kinnaur where apples are grown are Chango, Sangla, Pooh, Nichar, and Kalpa.
When it comes to the total production of apples in Kinnaur, the region alone accounts for about 7% of Himachal Pradesh's total yield which is equivalent to 2.2 million boxes.
Part of why Kinnauri apples are considered the best Himachali apples is the fact that the tribal people of Kinnaur have been using the same traditional techniques to grow apples that they have been using since time immemorial. The most notable technique that is unique to Kinnaur is their irrigation system known as Khul.
As you pass by the many terraced farms in Kinnaur you will come across this form of irrigation system. The system involves digging a number of ditches used to preserve the water that comes from springs and rivers which are then used to water the fields.
Kinnaur's vast orchards of fruits such as apples, pears, plums, apricots, etc. are all watered through the Khul irrigation system.
The Kinnaur region is rightfully known as the apple valley of Himachal Pradesh as the apples from this region are sustainable and produced using traditional cultivating techniques unique to the region. The result is that you get fresh Kinnauri apples that are crisp, sweet, juicy, and thick-skinned which makes them ideal for storing for a long time.