DINDIYALI, HOMESTAY AND CAFE DEHRADUN.....TASTE OF AUTHENTIC GARHWALI CUISINE

    I read it somewhere, no matter which part of hills you live , nearest  picnic spot is just 30 minutes near.And it holds true as we drive from dehradun towards the outskirts.  Gastronomical delights awaits as you enter this small homestay adorned with the traditional pahadi interiors and artifacts . 'Dindiyali' as the name suggests a touch of garhwali   , is tucked away in the forests of village Siron,  20kms from  dehradun .It offers the guests a glimpse of uttarakhand culture alongwith unforgettable garhwali/kumaoni cusine .

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

                              

   

As you drive towards the airport on the thano road, a left turn from the main road cuts into the village of siron .The narrow route to dindiyali passes through dense forests on one side and the village of siron nestled below the mountains on other side. The forest side is safely cordoned with electric wires by the forest department as the thano forest region is an elephant corridor .The property has been modestly designed resembling a pahadi house with simple lodgings and dining area in the garden. Keeping the unique cultural heritage of  uttarakhand 's garhwal and kumaon region as the theme,  owner has incorporated the its elements  in the interiors and outer space .It is tastefully embellished in vibrant colours of  traditional paintings and pahadi  household utility items . Taking a cue from rajasthani hospitality , the beautiful staff  dressed in local attire and ornaments welcomes you inside by putting a tika on forehead. 

                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                             

However the highlight of Dindiyali is undoubtedly its  cuisine. The menu delightfully offers a range of dishes and beverages .Here ,you can have a taste of local juices of buransh and kafal , made from extracts of flowers and berries found in hills.We ordered the pahadi thali which was a delicious blend of selective uttarakhandi dishes such as the chensu(made of urad dal),chakrata ki rajma, mandwe ki roti(ragi) ,bhang ki chutney (hemp seeds) , laal chawal(himalayan red rice grown in uttarkashi region), sweet rice, aloo ke gutke.In addition to food,the service and hospitality of the management is equally good.

 

                                                                                                                                 

 

                                                   

A small corner in the cafe has also been dedicated for sale of  the local pulses, juices, spices etc and so we were happy to purchase 'arsa', a popular sweet made in uttarakhand of canesugar, mustard oil and rice. The homestay also consists of few cosy rooms  giving a feel of pahadi warmth but since it only has common washrooms , it is preferably suited to the solo traveller searching for a night stay far from the city.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                        Dindiyali 'is a pleasant getaway for spending a day of excursion away from the crowded tourists spots .Surrounded by hills and forests, a perfect destination to dive into the local cusine and day exploration around the village .In the wake of increasing commercialisation of small towns when urban fast food joints and multichain restaurants are taking over dining   , this place is a successful attempt in reviving the fading regional culture of uttarakhand through its cusine and connecting the present generation to the  forgotten aromas and tastes of their pahadi  grandma 's kitchen. 

After a satisfying outing of the day ,we drove back to dehradun to a yet another gruelling week of work however relishing   dindiyali 's  lipsmacking pahadi flavors .