About the book

Orchids of Dharamshala is a pictorial guide to the wild orchids found in Dharamshala town and the surrounding Dhauladhar hills. It is the result of over five years of exploration and documentation.

This book aims to be part of the evidence of the rich natural heritage of the Kangra valley. The fragile eco-systems that have supported orchids and other native forms of plant and insect life in these hills are increasingly at risk due to environmental changes and loss of habitat brought about by unchecked growth.

All of the 28 orchid species found in the region are richly illustrated with detailed photographs to describe their complex anatomy.

Whether you are a student of botany or simply keen to identify the orchids encountered on your hike, this guide will be a useful companion.

Preview

  • 🔎

  • 🔎

  • 🔎

  • 🔎

  • 🔎

  • 🔎

  • 🔎

  • 🔎

From the Foreword

I am so delighted with Ashwini Bhatia’s book on the orchids of the Dharamshala area. I know exactly what he means when he says he was unmoved at first, and nearly walked right past his first orchid. “It was an unremarkable plant. Or so it seemed to someone uninitiated like me.”

And then he goes down on his knees... and something wonderful starts to happen.

The result is this beautiful and inspirational book. I don’t know if Ashwini realizes that he stands in a long line of plantspeople who have contributed so much to what we know about plants and their habitats.
Pradip Krishen, author of Trees of Delhi and Jungle Trees of Central India

Buy online now

The first printing run of Orchids of Dharamshala is now complete, and a limited number of signed copies are available for online orders. We're offering a special price of Rs. 1000 till 31st October 2025 and free shipping to addresses within India.

From November, we shall be reverting to the book's list price, Rs. 1200 - shipping in India will continue to remain complimentary. For other orders (e.g. institutional or custom), please contact us over email. At present, we are unable to ship internationally.

For NEFT or IMPS transactions, please use the following account details:
• Name: The Mythe Guild Trust
• Number: 2221238138789632
• Type: Current Account
• Bank: AU Small Finance Bank
• Branch: The Mall, Shimla
• IFSC: AUBL0002381

Please attach a screenshot of your online payment, when filling out the form via the "order now" button below, to help us track and validate the order.

Orchids of Dharamshala shall also be available soon at select bookstores across India.

Connect with us on Instagram

Join us as we celebrate orchids, exploring the Dhauladhars and lower Dharamshala's hills.

We look forward to interacting with enthusiasts of ecological heritage via @OrchidsOfDharamshala.

Meet the Author

Ashwini Bhatia writes and photographs for the Associated Press in Dharamshala, where he also runs a small cafe, Moonpeak Deli. Over the years, he has walked the surrounding hills keenly observing birds, butterflies, dragonflies, spiders and other local wildlife.

As an amateur botanist he has documented more than 500 species of flowering plants growing wild in the region. Orchids of Dharamshala is his first book.

Ashwini is currently working on a set of slim volumes on local trees of the Kangra valley. He can be reached at orchidsofdharamshala@gmail.com.

About the publisher

The Mythe Guild is a non profit trust devoted to the conservation of art, culture and ecology in the lower Himalayas. Our work seeks to explore natural history, folklore, craftsmanship, community and material culture through creative practice.

Based at The Mythe Estate in Shimla's Upper Kaithu, they can be reached at trust@themythe.org.