Himachal Pradesh: Dharamkot village known as mini Israel, now a high-end destination

DHARAMSHALA: Dharamkot village known as mini Israel of Himachal Pradesh is the only village of state with a Jewish community center – Chabad house. This was famous for dim lit restaurants and cheap homestays. But now it has turned host to five-star hotels, the first of its kind property in lower part of the state.
Hayatt hotels corporation is going to open its first high-end resort in this area by this month.“We are going to open the doors of Hayatt resorts in Dharamkot area by mid-November,” confirmed Utsa Majumder, General Manager at the property.
Till now, Dharamkot is known as second home for Israeli tourists coming to India.
Most of the restaurants here serve Israeli dishes. Residents say that tourism in this village was not developed by government but by the vision of the Israeli people.
Hebrew is written on sign boards at narrow streets here.
Most of the houses here run their home stays and have rented out their rooms. Village originally belongs to the Gaddi people (Shepherd community of state).
With tattooed and pierced bodies, Isralei people every year mark ceremonies here to celebrate Jewish New Year known as Rosh-Hashana.
Special dishes like Apple with honey, dishes made of Fish head and pomegranate were made during this event. Flafal, Shakshuka and Hummus with Pitta are some special Israeli dishes in menus of restaurants here.
Israelis have explored this village in 1990’s and started visiting here in routines which gave a culture shock to this village which originally belongs to the ‘Gaddi’ tribe of Himachal Pradesh.