Staying at The Rustic Jibhi

I was staying at a cozy place called The Rustic Jibhi — a backpackers’ hostel and café tucked away in the middle of nature. It’s peaceful, surrounded by pine trees, and has that warm, homely vibe that makes you feel like you belong.

The people were lovely, the food was comforting, and every morning felt like waking up in a postcard. If you’re ever in Jibhi and want a stay that’s calm, beautiful, and full of good energy, I’d definitely recommend The Rustic Jibhi.

The Plan: Bahu Temple

One sunny afternoon, a group of us from the hostel decided to visit Bahu Temple, a beautiful wooden temple in Bahu village, around 9 km from Jibhi. Most of us didn’t know each other, but there was this feeling that something fun was about to happen.

We hopped into a car, started chatting with our driver bhaiya, played a game of Contact to break the ice, and laughed about everything — even about road tax! The road was narrow and steep, but the views were something else — huge mountains, deep valleys, and the kind of fresh air that makes you want to take long, deep breaths.

The Forest Trail

We reached Bahu Lake, where the road ended and our trail began. We got out of the car and started walking through a forest that looked straight out of a movie.

Tall trees stood like giants around us, and pinecones were scattered everywhere, some shaped like little wooden flowers.

The whole place felt magical.

We were surrounded by nature, glaciers shining in the distance, and silence that somehow made us talk more. Somewhere along that walk, we all stopped feeling like strangers — we became a little group, walking the same path, enjoying the same adventure.

The Twist: Hailstorm!

And then, just like that, the weather changed. The sun disappeared, clouds rolled in, and suddenly we were in the middle of a hailstorm!

Big ice balls started falling from the sky, and we had nowhere to hide. We laughed, shouted, and ran through the forest, trying to protect ourselves with our hands. It was cold, crazy, and somehow… really fun.

Luckily, we found a small closed shop and rushed under its tin roof. We stood there, huddled together, catching hailstones, joking around, and feeling like kids again.

Meeting Dadi

While we were waiting for the hail to stop, an elderly woman — we called her dadi — came running toward the same shelter. She was walking back from Bahu village and joined us with a smile.

Even though we were cold and wet, that moment under the roof — with new friends and a dadi who told us stories — felt really special.

Reaching Bahu Temple

After the hail turned into light rain, we continued on our trail.

And then, we saw it: Bahu Temple.

It was old, wooden, and beautifully carved, standing peacefully in the middle of greenery. Cows and sheep grazed nearby like they had all the time in the world. Everything felt quiet, soft, and calm.

I didn’t feel like moving anymore. I just sat there.

A Moment to Remember

Nearby, a man was playing the flute — slow, gentle music that filled the air. I sat beside him, closed my eyes, and just let it all in.

The cold breeze, the smell of the forest, the sound of the flute… it felt like the whole world had paused. I wasn’t thinking about anything. I was just there — present, still, peaceful.

And that moment… it healed something inside me.

If You Ever Visit

If you’re ever planning to go to Himachal, make sure to explore Jibhi and stay at The Rustic Jibhi. It’s more than just a place to sleep — it’s a feeling, a vibe, a memory you’ll carry long after you’ve left.

One of such places is Chehni — a little village nestled in Kullu Valley, straight out of a children’s storybook. Unlike most people, I don’t really believe that the magic of Himachal Pradesh lies within the majestic mountains, or the breathtaking views at the end of an exhausting trek. The magic is in the villages, where you can walk for hours, observing daily lives around you — lives intertwined with hardships and joy.

What makes Chehni stand out from all the other villages in the valley is Chehni Kothi, a twelve stories high tower, sticking out like an odd thumb compared to the little wooden houses — the staple of Himachali villages. With a temple inside, Chehni Kothi can be seen from far away, almost challenging the prowess of the mountains reigning right behind it.

How to reach Chehni Kothi?

From The Rustic, Jibhi, it took me half an hour by cab to reach the spot where we decided to leave our vehicle, near the gate of Shringa Rishi temple, marked by a board. After walking for half an hour or so on a motorable path — we reached a point where we had to climb a steep pathway for 15 minutes, which was a shortcut. That is when we saw the tower for the first time.

However, there are different ways to reach the village. The path is accessible to vehicles when there is no rain or snow, or you can choose to walk like we did. I would heavily recommend the second option, because the views would blow you away, and the sunset is gorgeous.

The best time to visit is in the summer months, when the green would overwhelm your senses and the lush apple orchards around the village would be in full bloom.

Why visit Chehni Kothi?

Apart from the architecture — the village is worth a visit solely because of the serenity it offers. You can take a walk through the colorful little wooden houses, and watch the locals go on with their daily lives.

There is a small cafe run by a lovely woman which offers snacks like maggi, tea, coffee, siddu and so on — and the village has been created around the temple like Saturn and its rings. If you are lucky, you would catch a glimpse of the kids playing cricket in the empty space near the temple and they would let you play with them.

History of Chehni Kothi

Nobody really knows the origin of this tower — but locals believe it was constructed by Raja Bahadur Singh, the reigning ruler in the 17th century. That makes the tower around 350 years old, but folklore even call it 500 or 1500 years old.

Maybe the true beauty lies in the wondering, because regardless of the actual age — the architecture of Chehni Kothi is a marvel. Constructed just with stones and wood, without any use of cement or nails, it is just a symbol of the Himachali culture — survival in adversity. The tower is said to survive the 1905 earthquake which killed more than 20,000 people — speculatively losing a few stories, perhaps.

A visit to Chehni Kothi is perfect for a little day trip from Jibhi, and a must see if you are an architecture and history enthusiast.

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