7 kms before Munsyari is a village Darkot. Everyone in the village makes woolens. Pic that you see is of local lady making a Pashmina Shawl. Raw wool comes from Tibet. She sells
other products as well. Giving names and nos of local ladies in case you want to place orders, would help their economic progress and u would get good stuff at a reasonable price. Lady
is Damyanti Pangti 0561 222257.
Sweaters and caps made from Angora or Rabbit wool is one of the specialties of this village. Virtually every house that we went to had rabbits. U see one such house. Angora products
keep u very warm. Loved the caps knitted by local ladies cost Rs 250/ each.
After the wool is removed from rabbit body it is cleaned and treated. Next the wool is made into thread by using the machine that u see in this picture. Munsyari means place with snow. It is the
point from where one takes treks to Milan Glacier etc.
When u enter village this is the first home on yr right. Left of pic is Mrs Gangadevi with her with 2 daughter-in-laws and grandchildren. Got them to wear thus showcase their products. Left
lady wears ladies sweater n muffler, child wears angora cap. Lady on right has long n short sleeve sweater and muffler. To contact her call 9410182855.
Home of Geeta Pangti. Purpose of pic is to show you her home entrance. Looks very nice. They have all usual consumer durables found in urban areas. By subscribing to a cell phone
dongle they get internet connectivity. BSNL yet to provide broadband to village.
Close up of Geeta Pangti with shawl made by her. Very good saleswoman n jovial too. Her nos 05961 222234 or 9411306800. She made good friends with my driver so the next time he
to Darkot would get her a customer. Local ladies knit woolens effortlessly, could be looking after baby n knitting.
Virtually every house has a Dish Antennae mostly Tata Sky. In this pic u see a dish, village home and chillies being dried. All co exist. Found people very happy and content. Home
has a roof i.e. covered with stone. U see close up in next pic.
Entrance to home. Note the woodwork. Were told that home is over 150 years old. Owner Basanti Devi Pangti also sells woolens. Her nos is 05961 222265. Nice lady.
This pic is of a former ITBP jawan and wife in their home. It is the last house in the village, few people come so far due to steep descent and climb. They usually sell their products to the
ladies whose homes are at village entrance. He breeds atleast 6-8 rabbits.
Village ladies invariably sell their products to a small co-operative in Munsyari called Saras whose board u see in the pic. Shop has wide range of products. Buy Angora products. In Oct 12
cap costs Rs 250, angora long sleeve sweater Rs 3,000/. Have products of local wool also. Mufflers, socks bhi hai. If u are buying long sleeve sweaters made out of local wool
please check they have no holes.
In the shop complex is a training centre where local women are trained on how to weave carpets. If you are buying woollen from the village buy from one home bec u can then ask for a volume
discount. If you want to contact the Saras shop for bulk orders call Neha Pangti 9456371471.
Pic enroute from Darkot to Munsyari. There was a Mela (fair) going on. Could hear some talks on water conservation and sanitation. Munsyari is a lovely place with the best ever view of
Panchchuli Peaks. Spend two days. Stay at Pandey Lodge opp bus stand. Clean, functional rooms with good view. hotelpandeylodge@gmail.com. In Oct cost Rs 750/ for double room.
Opp Pandey hotel is a husband wife duo who run a small rest. Super food. Hubby dark, wife very fair is way to spot. Rest name in Bengali only so could not read name.