Nupur’s first creation, Mustard House, began as a simple travelers’ homestay in Dharamkot. Today, it has blossomed into two serene retreats in Dharamkot and Naddi, celebrated for their warm Himachali hospitality, authentic cuisine, and immersive cultural experiences. Without relying on booking platforms, the homestays have built a reputation for excellence, earning consistent 5/5 guest ratings. Solo women travelers, families, and international guests alike describe Mustard House as one of the safest and most soulful homestays in the region.

But even as Mustard House grew, Nupur’s vision stretched further. Her real dream was not just to host travelers, but to empower the local women whose lives intersected with her own.

A Pickle, A Partnership, A Purpose

The seed of Mustard Women was planted one afternoon when Nupur met a local widow in the fields. The woman, weathered by hardship but rich in spirit, invited her to share a meal. On the table was a homemade pickle tangy, rich, unforgettable. Yet it was the woman’s story that left the deeper mark: a struggle for independence, for dignity, for the chance to stand on her own feet.

“There was no pity in that moment,” Nupur recalls. “Only compassion, and a recognition of her strength.”

She encouraged the woman to make more pickles. Using her marketing background,

Nupur bottled them, placed them in local cafés, and ensured that every rupee earned went back to the woman. Soon, she could afford her children’s education and buy essentials with pride.

Word spread. More women came forward each with her own recipes, stories, and hopes. Farmers too joined the movement, supplying organic ginger, garlic, and chilies at fair prices, bypassing middlemen. What began as a small act of compassion became Mustard Women: a collective where women preserve Himachal’s culinary heritage while reclaiming their independence, one jar at a time.

More Than Food

The pickles and chutneys made by Mustard Women are no ordinary condiments. Handcrafted with all-natural ingredients, low oil, and minimal salt, they carry the taste of Himachal’s kitchens and the strength of its women. For widows and

women in need, they are not just recipes they are livelihoods. Each jar sold is a step toward dignity, self-reliance, and hope.

Nupur explains, “These jars don’t just carry flavors, they carry stories. They carry resilience.”

The Road Ahead

As Mustard Women gains recognition across India and beyond, Nupur’s vision continues to expand. She dreams of building a production hub to scale the initiative, providing employment to even more women. Alongside, she envisions growing Mustard House into a franchise chain, offering travelers worldwide a taste of Himachali culture steeped in authenticity.

Yet at the heart of it all, her mission remains simple: to blend purpose with passion, and commerce with compassion.

A Legacy in the Making

A chef, traveler, writer, and clinical hypnotherapist, Nupur Kohli embodies resilience and reinvention. Her life’s second act is not defined by personal gain but by collective growth. In the Himalayas, she is crafting a legacy one where women rise together, heritage is celebrated, and the humble mustard seed becomes a symbol of change.

As the sun dips behind the Dhauladhar range, the story of Mustard Women continues to unfold, jar by jar. And in every bite of tangy pickle lies not just a taste of Himachal, but a reminder of what courage, compassion, and vision can create.