Himachal : Cultural tourism is relatively a new concept but getting vast attention from globe trotters and tourists. Cultural tourism focuses on music, dance forms, artistic works, dialects, cuisines, and many other aspects mainly traditional and specific to the region. If we consider Himachal Pradesh, one of the most popular hilly states of India located in the North-Western part of the country, there are several cultural aspects popular among tourists. Art forms, clothes, festivals, songs, and fairs.
This part of the country has several unique cuisines that could also be a part of cultural tourism here. These cuisines are intact for hundreds of years and very much prevalent in rural Himachal Pradesh.Patande, Siddu, Sepu-Vadi, Kaddu-Ka-Khatta, etc. Still, there are dozens of traditional cuisines of Himachal Pradesh that have not received any attention from national and international tourists to this state as they are not directly associated with the food business of the state. It’s seen that local cuisines are not directly associated with the tourism business of the state, especially the local restaurants, dhabas, and hotels where most of the national and international tourists prefer to stay or eat do not prepare these dishes. As far as, culture is concerned, local cuisines are an integral part of it.
Today, cultural tourism is considered an important part of the tourism business in Himachal Pradesh. Local cuisines of the state require proper marketing in all major tourism destinations like Dharamshala, Shimla, Manali, and Chamba. Local cuisines need tremendous attention in small towns and villages as well because with the course of time the local population is also forgetting the true essence of these cuisines. If local people keep their trading intact then only tourists will be able to experience diverse traditional aspects of a region. This initiative is primarily the responsibility of the Himachal tourism department. It’ll not only make local cuisines available in all popular tourist destinations of the state but also local restaurants, dhabas, and hotels. The cuisine of the state is famous for its high nutrient content and the Dhaam is its best example. A plate full of rice, rajma, curd and jaggery, the Dhaam is commonly served in festivals. A trip to Himachal is incomplete without feasting on the Tudkiya Bhath, the authentic pulao of this state. Traditionally, Himachali cuisine is dominated by red meat and wheat bread. Thick and rich gravy, with aromatic spices, is used in abundance as the base of many dishes. Dham is the traditional food served in marriages or other functions. Siddu, Patrode, Cheele and Babru are the authentic snack dishes of the state.
The cuisine of Himachal Pradesh has wide range of uniqueness and variability in traditional food. Himachali cuisine has potential to attract tourist over the globe, to provide them a unique taste and a culinary bliss.
So next time whenever you travel to this state try the local cuisine to relish the different flavors of the Himachali Food.