VISIT ANDRETTA & TRY YOUR HANDS ON POTTERY
Experience India's oldest working studio pottery. It excels in A1 quality handmade pottery with special SLIP DESIGNING technique which is an art of getting colours out of the clay itself. Upon arriving at our studio, apart from buying our products from our showroom, one can also try hands on pottery & our potters will teach / help you make a basic shape on wheel.
OUR PRODUCTS ARE
All natural terracotta clay
Fired at 1080 degree Celsius
Microwave & oven proof
Lead free glazing
45 mins : History, Process, Hands on Experience : Rs. 650
15 mins: Hands on Experience : Rs. 150
ABOUT ANDRETTA
Andretta village is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern Himachal Pradesh. It is 12 km from the town of Palampur; Dharamshala to Palampur is 38 km. From Chandigarh, Palampur is 260 km/6 hours and from Amritsar it is 229 km/5 hours.
GETTING THERE
Air
Direct flights operate between Delhi and Gaggal airport, Dharamshala. From Dharamshala airport, Andretta is 45 km/2 hours by taxi.
Rail
The nearest broad gauge railway station is Pathankot, 114 km from Palampur. From Pathankot, a narrow gauge ‘toy train’ takes 7 hours to Maranda station, 2 km from Palampur. Taxis are available from both stations.
Road
From Palampur to Andretta, a bus or a taxi ride takes 30 minutes. Buses are scarce and routes change due to the weather and road conditions. From Delhi to Palampur, (via Chandigarh), daily overnight Volvo buses (private and government) are available. HRTC has daily buses from Chandigarh to Palampur.
SEASONS
Andretta and Palampur enjoy pleasant weather most of the year. In summer, (April-May) temperatures are between 25°-35°C. July and August see heavy rainfall. Winter temperatures can dip to -2°C. Wild button roses are in full bloom from March to May.
STAY
Mirage Boutique Himalayan Homestay, Andretta A boutique hotel just down the road from Andretta Pottery is another option www.mirageandretta.com
Wah Tea Estate
A lodge hotel, 15 mins drive from Andretta Pottery is another option https://www.wahtea.com
THINGS TO DO IN ANDRETTA
Norah Richard’s Home and Norah Centre for the Arts
Visitors can stop by to view Norah Richard’s restored home. Students of acting from Panjab University perform in the open-air theatre here every year on her birthday, on October 29. Visitors are welcome to attend the performance. The Norah Centre for the Arts, situated a little further away, is another cultural space used by artists to brainstorm, create, and be inspired.
Andretta Pottery and Craft Society
Travellers to the area, who don’t have the time to learn pottery, can make a day visit to Andretta Pottery to interact with Mini and the students and get a brief idea about the art.
The Terracotta Museum
Attached to Andretta Pottery is a small museum started by Mini’s father, the famous potter Sardar Gurcharan Singh. It houses a collection of work of local artisan potters as well as samples from around the world. It contains a unique collection of high quality of Terracotta Kangra Pottery.
Sobha Singh Art Gallery
The famous painter and sculptor Sobha Singh lived in Andretta for 38 years. This well-kept gallery is filled with his works, most notably his iconic portraiture of the Sikh gurus and the painting of the Punjabi love legend of Sohni-Mahiwal that propelled him to fame. Prints of many of his works, and books on his art are available here.
The Craft Shop
This shop in Andretta sells pottery (mostly tableware) made at Andretta Pottery. It also sells Himachali shawls, handicrafts, pickles, juices and herbal medicines.
Outdoor Pursuits
There is plenty of opportunity for hikes, walks, treks and bird watching in the area.
THINGS TO DO AROUND ANDRETTA
Palampur
Just 12 km from Andretta, Palampur is picturesquely located overlooking the Dhauladhar range. It is famous for its tea plantations and old temples and is ideal for a few days of R&R. In particular, the centuries-old Bundlamata Temple and Chamundadevi Temple are noteworthy. Since it is surrounded by pine forests and tea estates, the mountain air has a refreshing fragrance, all the year round.
Baijnath
The famous 12th century Shiv temple of Baijnath is 16 km from Palampur.
Bir and Billing
These towns are recommended for paragliding. International contests take place here in May. In Bir, one can also visit the Deer Park Institute, a monastery converted into a learning centre. Private and government buses frequently ply the 28 km distance from Palampur to Bir. Billing is another 14 km uphill from bir through dense forest.
McLeod Ganj (Upper Dharamshala)
The centre of pilgrimage for Tibetans, this vibrant town can be accessed from (lower) Dharamsala and is approximately 60 km from Palampur. Most famously, it is the home of the Dalai Lama, and a place where Tibetan culture is preserved in exile. Mountain walks, temples, cultural institutes and great dining options make this a destination in its own right. Private and government buses run between Palampur and Dharamshala bus stands. Shared cabs are available for the trip to McLeod Ganj where you can shop for Tibetian souvenirs. Day
cabs are another option.
The Norbulingka Institute
This institute and cultural centre, in a former Buddhist monastery, allows visitors to observe and interact with Tibetan artists making thangka paintings, tapestries, furniture and artefacts. A store sells these artefacts. The Japanese garden café is perfect for tea and the attached Norling Guest House is a superb stay option. It is approximately 48 km from Palampur (www.norbulingka.org)