HIMACHAL PRADESH TOURISM

Travel Destinations of India - Himachal Pradesh

 

Himachal Pradesh   Himachal Pradesh is totally a mountain state and a delight for the visitors, particularly during the summer season when people flock to this tiny hill station to escape the scorching heat of the plains. It came into being in its present form with the partition of the Punjab into Punjab and Haryana in 1966. High points of Himachal are as follows. The winding roads and high passes link its high mountains and valleys. While the picturesque valleys of Kullu and Kangra are a blend of colors. In marked contrast the stark and barren terrain of Lahaul and Spiti have a stunning lunar and scape like beauty.     Shimla In the days before independence, Shimla was the most important British hill station, and in the summer season became the summer capital. The British in 1819A.D first discovered Shimla, but it was not until 1822 A.D that the first permanent house was erected and not until many years later that Shimla became the summer capital. The name Shimla is derived from the Himalayan Goddess Shamla a synonym of Kali. Area: 18 sq. km., Altitude: 2,213 meters, Climate: (deg C)--Summer- Max.27, Min.14.5, Winter- Max.16.5, Min.5.2,Clothing: Summer - Light woollens, winter - Heavy woolens, Best Season: April to Mid-July, Mid-September to Mid-November, Languages spoken: Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English. Places Of Interest: Jakhoo Hill, Glen, Summer Hill, Chadwick Falls, Zoo, Navbahar, Sanket Mochen, Tara Devi Temple, Institute of Advance Studies, Aviary at Old Raj Bhavan, Tibetan Monastery, Dhengu Mata Temple. Excursions: Naldhera- 23 kms, Tattapani- 43 kms, Wildflower Hall-13 kms, Mashobra- 13 kms, Craignano-16 kms, Fruit Research Station- 08 kms, Kufri- 16 kms, Indira Holiday Home- 18 kms, Chail- 43 kms, Barog- 55 kms, Kasauli– 77 kms, Kiarighat - 23 kms, Solan- 48 kms, Bon Monastery Uohghat- 61 kms, Fagu - 22 kms, Narkanda- 64 kms, Kotgarh- 82 kms. Reach - By Air: Nearest airport is Kullu- 23 kms. By Rail: Nearest railhead is Kalka- 90 kms. By Road: Chandigarh- 117 kms, Kullu- 220 kms, Manali- 260 kms, Delhi- 343 kms, Pathankot- 380 kms, Ambala- 151 kms, Chail- 43 kms, Dehradun- 240 kms etc.           Dalhousie Dalhousie is named after the British Governor – General of the 19th century Lord Dalhousie. The town’s height varies between 1525m and 2378m and is surrounded by varied vegetation. Dalhousie has charming colonial architecture, including some beautiful churches. The spectacular snow-covered Dhauladhar Mountains are also visible from this enchanting town.   Area: 13 sq. km. Altitude: 2036 meters, Climate: (deg C)-Summer - Max 23.5, Min 15.5, Winter - Max 10, Min 1, Clothing: Summer - Light woollens, Winter - Heavy woolens, Best season: April to November, Languages spoken: Pahari, Hindi, English. Places Of Interest: Panjpulla, Subhash Baoli & Jandri Ghat, The Round, Dainkund, Khajjiar, Kalatop Wild Life Sanctuary. Excursions: Kugti Wild Life Sanctuary- 35 kms, Tundah Wild Life Sanctuary- 45 kms. Reach - By Air: Nearest airport is Amritsar- 118 kms & Jammu- 188 kms. By Rail: Nearest railhead is Pathankot- 80 kms. By Road: Amritsar- 188 kms, Jalandhar- 192 kms, Pathankot- 80 kms, Chamba- 56 kms, Manali- 402 kms, Delhi- 563 kms, Chandigarh- 352 kms, Dharamshala- 143 kms, Khajjiar- 27 kms, Jammu-188 kms.           Chamba Chamba, the land of antiquity, art and scenic beauty, is a wonder in itself for every visitor. Situated at the height of 996 m. above sea level on the south bank of the Ravi River, the ancient Pahari capital was founded in 920 A.D. by Raja Sahil Verma, who named it after his favourite daughter Champavati. Chamba valley is noted for the magnificence of it's scenery-touching the fringe of the Shivaliks and having three well-defined snowy ranges, the Dauladhar, constituting the outer Himalayas, the Pir Panjal or the mid Himalayas, and the Zanskar range or the inner Himalayas. . Area: 2.4 sq. km., Altitude: 926 meters, Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max. 39, Min. 8, Winter- Max. 10, Min. 1.1, Clothing: Summer- Light woollens, Winter- Heavy woollens, Best Season: April to Mid July and Mid September to December, Languages Spoken: Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English. Places Of Interest: Lakshman Narayan Temple, Chamunda Temple, Katasan Devi Temple, Bhuj Sing Museum, Chaugan. Excursions: Chirmaya Topovan- 10 kms, Dal Lake- 11 kms, Dharamkot- 11 kms, Triund -17 kms, Kareri- 22 kms, Kangra- 18 kms, Jwalamukhi- 56 kms, Nadaun- 10 kms, Chintpurni- 80 kms, Masroor- 40 kms, Trilokpur- 41 kms, Nurpur- 66 kms, Sujanpur Tira- 80 kms, Chamunda Devi Temple- 15 kms, Palampur- 35 kms, Pong Wild life Sanctuary. Reach - By Air: Nearest airport is Amritsar -200 kms. By Rail: Pathankot -90 kms is connected to major cities in India. By Road: Chandigarh- 239 kms, Delhi- 514 kms, Dalhousie- 143 kms, Jammu-197 kms, Kangra- 18 kms, Kullu- 214 kms, Manali -253 kms, Palampur- 35 kms, Shimla- 322 kms.           Dharamshala Set against the backdrop of the dramatic Dhauladhar Mountains, Dharamshala is perched on the high slopes in upper reaches of Kangra Valley. It is charming town with elegant bungalows nestling in thick coniferous forests. Dharamshala is also the home of Dalai Lama, spiritual head of Buddhists. Little Lhasa is an enchanting world where spinning prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony. Area: 28.81 sq. km., Altitude: Between 1250 meters and 1982 meters, Climate: (deg C)-Summer - Max.33, Min.22, Winter - Max.15, Min. 0, Clothing: Summer - Light woollens, Winter - Heavy woolens, Best Season: April to June and September to November, Languages Spoken: Pahari ,Hindi. Places Of Interest: MC leodganj , Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute, Bhagsunath, St. John's Church , Kunal Pathri, War Memorial. Excursions: Chirmaya Topovan- 10 kms, Dal Lake- 11 kms, Dharamkot- 11 kms, Triund -17 kms, Kareri- 22 kms, Kangra- 18 kms, Jwalamukhi- 56 kms, Nadaun- 10 kms, Chintpurni- 80 kms, Masroor- 40 kms, Trilokpur- 41 kms, Nurpur- 66 kms, Sujanpur Tira- 80 kms, Chamunda Devi Temple- 15 kms, Palampur- 35 kms, Pong Wild life Sanctuary. Reach - By Air: Nearest airport is Amritsar -200 kms. By Rail: Pathankot -90 kms is connected to major cities in India. By Road: Chandigarh- 239 kms, Delhi- 514 kms, Dalhousie- 143 kms, Jammu-197 kms, Kangra- 18 kms, Kullu- 214 kms, Manali -253 kms, Palampur- 35 kms, Shimla- 322 kms.           Kullu Valley Kullu was once known as Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled 'Silver Valley'. The 'Silver Valley' has nature's treasures that lie carelessly scattered as flowers on the high meadows. The Valley of Gods, as the Kullu Valley has come to be known, if perhaps the most delightful region in the Western Himalayas. Situated on the banks of the river Beas, Kullu, the headquarters of the district, serves as a nerve centre of the valley and is the starting place for a number of treks. Area: 6.68 sq. km., Altitude: 1,219 meters, Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max. 30.8, Min. 18.8, Winter- Max. 16.4, Min. 5.2, Rainfall: 102 cms, Clothing: Summer- Light woollens, Winter- Heavy woolens, Best Season: Mid-March to Mid-November. Reach - By Air: Nearest airport is Bhuntar -50 kms. By Rail: Nearest railhead is Chandigarh -272 kms. By Road: Ambala -606 kms, Chandigarh -556 kms, Delhi -798 kms, Pathankot -278 kms, Shimla -240 kms, Manali -40 kms, Palampur -164 kms, Rohtang Pass -91 kms, Dharamshala -213 kms, Dalhousie -334 kms, Jogindarnagar -166 kms.                       Kinnaur, Spiti, Lahaul Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan valleys of Himachal Pradesh lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are incomparable in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks. Kinnaur is one of the most scenic but less known districts of Pradesh Located on the Indo-Tibetan border, it is surrounded by Tibet to the east, Garhwal Himalayas to the south, Spiti valley to the north and Kullu to the west. The Satluj River, which rises on the southern slopes of Kailash Parbat near Mansarovar in Tibet, flows through the Kinnaur valley. Places of Interest & Excursions: At Kinnaur: Bhabha Nagar, Nichar , Sangla Valley, Poari, Recong, Kalpa, Kothi, Ribba, Moorang, Pooh, Nako, Tashigang Gompa, Tilasangh Monastery. At Spiti: As Kullu is the valley of Gods we can say Spiti is the valley of Monasteries. Monasteries like Tabo, Gulling, Dhankar and Kee are located in this valley. Sumdo, Schichiling, Attergu, Kaza, Losar, Kunzam Pass. At Lahaul: Batal, Bara Singri Glacier, Koksar, Gondhla, Tandi, Bara Lacha Pass, Udaipur, Trilokinath Temple, Suraj Tal, Sarchu, Lake Chandra Tal, and some Monasteries viz. Kardang, Shashur, Tayl, Guru Ghantal. Reach - Kinnaur By Air: Nearest airport is Shimla is- 224 kms. By Rail: Nearest railhead is Kalka- 314 kms. By Road: Shimla- 224 kms, Rampur- 108 kms, Pooh- 94 kms, Wangtu- 34 kms, Narkanda- 160 kms, Chakrata- 248 kms, Kufri- 210 kms, Sarahan- 77 kms, Tashigang- 116 kms, Shipki La- 126 kms. Lahaul & Spiti By Air: Kullu and Shimla are the nearest two airports. By Rail: Shimla and Pathankot are nearest railheads. By Road: Kullu-158 kms, Manali-118 kms, Pathankot-436 kms, Jogindarnagar- 284 kms, Rahla-102 kms, Rohtang- 67 kms, Khoksar- 46 kms, Gondhla-18 kms, Udaipur- 48 kms.   A Portuguese explorer, Afonso de Albuquerque sailed up the river Mandovi, defeated the Bijapuri army and rode into the capital triumphantly bearing a Portuguese Standard in one hand, and a Gold Crucifix in the other. A curious blending of cultures took place, affecting every sphere of Goa life, from religion to architecture, cuisine to art. The chapter of Goa's history ended 451 years later when Goa ceased to be a Portuguese colony, and became a part of the Indian Union. Parasailing, yachting, windsurfing, and deep sea diving are some of the more popular water sports, facilities for which are available. 451 years of Portuguese rule has imbued Goa’s towns and villages with a unique culture. Whitewashed chapels and churches that dot the landscape are surrounded by sleepy villages and rice fields.     Panji   Panji -the capital of Goa feels like a sleepy Portuguese town. Set along the southern bank of Mandovi River, it provides linkage to Old Goa and the beaches. Every nook and corner of the city reflects to its Portuguese heritage with broad avenues spilling into cobbled squares, grand public buildings, and old houses with overhanging balconies and numerous bars and cafes. Margao, an important town, have private houses and government buildings that date back to Portuguese times. Se Cathedral with its Iberian exterior, Bom Jesus that enshrines the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier and the starkly beautiful Convent of Saint Monica are some of the collection of Goa’s largest Churches. Mapusa, a market town, comes alive every Friday with a quaint pavement bazar. Altitude : Sea level to 1022 mts, Climate:(deg C)-Summer- Max. 33, Min. 26; Winter- Max. 31, Min. 20, Rainfall: June to September (350 cms), Best Season: October to May (Peak season December to February). Excursions: From Panaji: Dona Paula Bay- 7 kms, Old Goa-10 kms with its Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Archaeological Museum and other churches, Mangueshi Temple- 22 kms, Shantadura Temple- 33 kms, Calangute-16 kms, and Baga Beach-18 kms.   From Mapusa: Beaches of Calangute- 8 kms, Baga-10 kms, Arambol/Harmal- 31 kms, Anjuna- 8 kms, Vagator- 9 kms & Mandrem- 30 kms, Temples of Shri Dutta & Shri Vithal at Sanguelim- 25 kms, Temple of Sapta Koteshwar at Narve- 24 kms and Temple of Kalikadevi at Kansarpal-14 kms, Church of Mae de deus at Saligao-10 kms, Church at Monte de Guiri- 2 kms, Mayem Lake- 21 kms, Arvalem Waterfalls- 29 kms, Terekhol Fort- 30 kms.   From Margao: Beaches of Colva- 6 kms, Benaulim- 8 kms, Majorda- 8 kms, Varca- 10 kms, Cavelossim-15 kms, Mobor-18 kms, Betul-16 kms, Agonda- 40 kms and Palolem-47 kms, Cabo de Rama- 21 kms, Ranchol Seminary- 8 kms, Shree Damodar Temple at Zambaulim- 22 kms and Shree Shantadurga Temple at Fatorda-18 kms, Cotigao Wild Life Sanctuary- 33 kms, Dudhsagar Waterfalls- 59 kms by train.   From Vasco: Margao Harbour-3 kms, Bogmalo Beach- 9 kms, St.Jacinto Island- 7 kms Velsao Beach- 10 km, Kesarval Springs- 15 km & Pilar Seminary- 19 km.   From Ponda: Bondla wildlife, Molem wildlife etc, Temple or Tambdi Surla- 70 kms dating back to the 12th century in Sanguem. Mayem Lake- 35 km from Panaji, the Molem Wildlife Sanctuary is en route to Belgaum.   Reach - By Air: Goa (Dabolim Airport) is well connected with major towns. By Rail: Nearest railhead is Vasco-da-Gama and Margoa. By Road: Bangalore- 598 kms, Belgaum-157 kms, Bombay- 594 kms, Gokarn-154 kms, Hospet- 315 kms, Hubli-184 kms, Hubli-184 kms, Karwar-103 kms, Kolhapur- 246 kms, Malwan-150 kms, Mangalore- 371 kms, Mysore- 696 kms, Pune- 458 kms, Ratnagiri- 263 kms, Vengurla-73 kms etc.

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