‘Doors of Himachal Bhawan open to all Himachalis… no concession to anyone’
According to the rate list displayed at the reception counter, the per-day rent for a room is Rs 1,200 for Himachalis, irrespective of their VIP or non-VIP status. For non-Himachalis, the rent is Rs 2,000.
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“Doors are open to all Himachalis, but no concession is given to anyone,” says Ravinder Thakur, who has been working there since 2021. (Express File Photo)Last year, Saurabh Thakur, a pradhan from Una in Himachal Pradesh, needed funds to build two pathways in his village. He decided to approach Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur and travelled to Delhi. During his visit, he stayed at Himachal Bhawan for the first time and fell in love with the place.
“I stayed for three days. The walls are adorned with photos of all the chief ministers of our state and prominent tourist spots in Himachal. Volvo buses of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation also operate from here. It felt so nice to see Himachali culture represented in the national capital,” he says.
HRTC’s Volvo buses do operate from Himachal Bhawan, but only for one destination. “Buses run from here to Shimla in the morning and at night. For other destinations, one has to go to ISBT,” says Ravinder Thakur, the front office in charge of Himachal Bhawan.
Busy making arrangements for the arrival of the Deputy Chief Minister and Advocate General, he says, “They are expected tonight. VIP movement is a regular occurrence here.” “Doors are open to all Himachalis, but no concession is given to anyone,” says Ravinder, who has been working here since 2021.
According to the rate list displayed at the reception counter, the per-day rent for a room is Rs 1,200 for Himachalis, irrespective of their VIP or non-VIP status. For non-Himachalis, the rent is Rs 2,000.
Delhi Police’s Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sanjay Sharma, who is a Himachali, is a regular visitor. “The food here is good, especially the non-veg,” he says.
The restaurant on the first floor offers a veg Himachali thali priced at Rs 220, which includes rice, roti, missi roti, kheru, sepu vadi, chana madra, raita, dal, palda, and meetha. The non-veg Himachali thali costs Rs 250 and includes lacha parantha, chicken anardana, raita, and meetha. “The veg Himachali thali is quite popular. Around 20-30 thalis are ordered daily by both Himachalis and non-Himachalis,” says Vijay Thakur, who handles billing at the restaurant. On the ground floor, a space is reserved for sales and exhibitions. “Sales go on throughout the year, but we deal in routine items, not Himachali products,” says a man at the counter, requesting anonymity. He is from Uttarakhand and has been working here for the past 10 years.
The food receives praise, but does the place truly reflect the essence of Himachal Pradesh? “At Andhra Bhawan, we experience Andhra food. Similarly, Himachal Bhawan offers Himachali cuisine, but the experience could be more immersive,” says Reeva Sood, a Himachal Pradesh native and agro-entrepreneur based in Delhi.
“When one enters the building, Himachali folk music should play to transport visitors to the hill state. Himachali artefacts should be prominently displayed in the reception area,” she suggests. “Even incorporating slate roofing, a distinct feature of Himachali architecture, somewhere in the design would make a difference.”
The cancellation of room bookings due to VIP visits is a cause for concern. “Once, I had a hearing at the National Green Tribunal and was staying at Himachal Bhawan. I had a booking for three to four days, but I was asked to vacate because then CM Virbhadra Singh, and the Industries Minister, Mukesh Agnihotri, required rooms for their teams,” recalls an advocate from Shimla.
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