A slow walk through the makers of the Himalayas. The story is the product; if something speaks to you, the maker’s own links will take you to them.
HWN does not sell anything. Purchases happen directly with the maker, through their own shop and links.
Worth a long look Uttarakhand's first Pahadi musical doll — handcrafted to represent the women of the mountains, dressed in traditional Garhwali-Kumaoni-Jaunsari attire with a back basket and head basket, singing 7 folk songs. Created by three friends so that children growing up away from the hills stay connected to their ancestral culture and language.
Worth a long look Science-backed aromatherapy products crafted with Himalayan botanicals, in collaboration with CSIR-IHBT Palampur. Soy-blend candles, alcohol-free attars, EDP perfumes, essential oils, and reed diffusers, where ancient Himalayan wisdom meets scientific rigour.
A collective platform for primary producers and subsistence farmers from Munsiari, Uttarakhand, at 7,500ft. GI-tagged Munsiari Rajma, buckwheat, handwoven Thulmas (woolen shawls) and carpets, caraway seeds, wild chives, and other high-altitude herbs. Rooted in fair trade and built on solidarity.
Worth a long look The ancient Kumaoni folk art of Aipan (white rice-paste patterns on red) brought onto nameplates, coasters, diyas, and home décor by a collective of 30 women artisans. Founded by Minakshi Khati in 2019 to revive a dying tradition, while giving women a livelihood from their homes.
Worth a long look A women-led brand from Dehradun creating garments with natural dyes and eco-printing using real flower petals — including petals from temple offerings given a second life. Sarees, dupattas, silk yardage, and stoles. 60+ women empowered, 100,000+ flowers used. Every piece is unique — no two are ever the same.
Worth a long look Namakwali was born in 2018 from the foothills of Uttarakhand. Women from across the region came together on the traditional silbatta (stone grinder) to introduce ancestral recipes of flavoured salts — garlic, ginger, herbs, choru, and classic blends — to the world.
Worth a long look Wild-harvested mountain teas straight from Dehradun: stinging nettle, rhododendron (buransh), and a variety of Kumaoni herbs, spices, and handicrafts. Brought directly from the hills, sidhe pahad se.
Worth a long look The Wool Knitters revives and sustains the timeless wool crafts of Himachal Pradesh, working closely with Gaddi shepherds and women artisans. Hand-crocheted Bhedu (sheep) brooches, yak brooches, birds, coasters, and dolls: ethical knitwear that honours traditional skills.
Founded in 1992 in Nainital, Aarohi is a rural development organisation creating cold-processed soaps with Himalayan botanicals (GI-tagged Chyura butter, apricot kernel scrub, oak charcoal, rhododendron, and more) alongside lip balms and natural fragrances. Over 30 years of supporting mountain communities.
Hand-drawn art from Keylong, deep in the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh at 3000m altitude: intricate dot mandalas, bookmarks, and traditional Soltags (good-luck tags) drawing from Buddhist and Himalayan artistic traditions. Made slowly, with intention.
Enabling Women of Kamand: a community livelihood model from Mandi, HP, co-created with IIT Mandi. Products include walnuts, pine-needle coasters, reusable bags, and locally cultivated herbs. A participatory model where over 60 rural women are partners, not just workers.
Biodegradable leaf plates (pattal) crafted from Taur (Bauhinia vahlii) and other Himalayan leaves, reviving the ancient Himachali tradition of serving Dham on natural plates. 100% compostable, sturdy enough for hot curry and rice. An initiative for community and nature health.
Rangeeli Masakali brings Pahadi culture to life through illustration: personalised wedding invitations, caricatures, custom sunboards, and digital art, each piece handcrafted with cultural detail and heart. From the hills of Uttarakhand, for every occasion.
Digitally illustrated Kumaoni calendars and e-invites, a connecting thread for those living away from home. Each month brought to life with Himalayan culture, festivals, and the warmth of pahadi life.