By the way

Zipping past on the highway on your way to Shimla,it’s hard not to miss this colourful patch. Many a tourist and back-packing travellers have stopped at these quaint crockery shops lining a 100 metre small stretch on the Kalka-Parwanoo road. On offer are eye-catching,hand-painted crockery made from ceramics,Plaster of paris,stone and marble. The first shop sprung up nearly 15 years ago and since the demand for these products picked up,today there are eight back-to-back shops offering everything from coffee mugs,tea sets,dinner sets,vases,pickle containers to tissue paper stands. Available in various designs,shapes and for various needs,the crockery is priced at pocket-friendly prices,starting at Rs 10. The stock,according to one of the shopkeepers,comes from Khurja in Uttar Pradesh,a major manufacturing town for ceramic items as well as Makrana in Rajasthan and Delhi. The speciality of Kalka town — pestle and mortar — is also on offer. The major buyers are hoteliers,who buy items in a large quantity and we are told The Taj,Chandigarh is one customer. It seems after Khurja,the largest variety and sale of these products takes place on this unnoticeable road. Take a breather here on your next trip up the hills.