Important places
in Himachal Prades
Kasauli
A picturesque hill resort situated at
a height of 1902 meters and about 82 km. from Solan on Shimla
Kalka road. It offers numerous pleasant walks and treks around
it. Just four km. from here is Monkey Point, a pleasant picnic
spot which offers an excellent view of the plains and mountains.
Thirty nine km. from here is a 19th century Gurkha Fortress.
Kasauli is also a paradise for ornithologists. There is also
good accommodation available for the tourists in a variety of
Clubs, Rest Houses, etc.
Solan
Solan is situated on Shimla-Kalka road
and is famous for its breweries. The town is named after the
goddess Saloni Devi whose temple lies at the southern splendid
picnic spots and sparkling streams around it. It is also connected
by rail with Shimla and Kalka. Solan has nice places of stay
in the tourist place and the dormitory. There is also a good
Cafetaria, ‘Talk of the Town’.
Parwanoo
Enroute Kalka to Shimla, the township
of Pavwanoo is a pleasant stop over with HPTDC Shivalik Hotel.
It has a beautiful chairway linking two high hills by means
of a wire on which these chairs move.
Narkanda
Another skiing centre in Hirnachal Pradesh,
Narkanda is situated at an altitude of 2700 meters and 64 km.
from Shimla, and it is a nice solitary retreat with a magic
touch. It also offers an excellent view of the Himalayas from
its 3,300 meters high
Hattu Peak
Narkanda has a Tourist Bungalow and a
Rest House. The Tourist Bungalow offers both rooms and dormitory.
The popular sulphur springs of Tattapani are 51 km. away from
Shimla. There is a Tourist Bungalow where double rooms can be
had for reasonable rates.
Mandi
Laying on the either bank of the river
Beas at the foothills of the Shivalik range, Mandi is a gateway
to Kulu Valley. Rich in its heritage of history, culture, lore
and legend, Mandi acquired its name because all trade from Ladakh
passed on to Hoshiarpur through here. The term ‘Mandi’
as is well-known, means a busy market. But many scholars believe
that the term Mandi is derived from the name of sage Mandavvya
who performed rigorous penance in ancient times. Mandi has a
number of temples dating back to antiquity. The prominent ones
among them are Bhuthnath, Triloknath, Panchavaktra, Ardhakari
and Shyamli temples. The Shiv-Ratri festival is celebrated with
great pomp and enthusiasm.
Mandi is 202 kms. north of Chandigarh and 110 km. south Manali.
The sacred Rewalsar Lake is 24 km. beyond Mandi. The airport
at Kulu (60 km) is the nearest airport. Fifty six km. away,
Joginder Nagar, is the nearest railhead. It is also well connected
by all-weather metalled roads to many big towns of the region.
For stay, there are Tourist Lodge, its Annexe, and many other
smaller places. For reservation the Manager, Tourist Lodge,
Mandi (Tel. 575) may be contacted.
Around Mandi there are many temples and old shrines at some
distance which are the favorite spots for the devout. Rawalsar,
Sundar Nagar, Joginder Nagar. Prashar Temple, Bilaspur, Gobindsagar
are some of the prominent ad popular spots. For visiting these
shrines it is better to make Mandi as the base station and visit
these temples.
Kulu Town &
Valley
Known as the abode of gods and goddesses,
this idyllic pastoral valley is also known as the orchard of
India. A picturesque and tranquil heaven, Kulu is a famous spot
drawing heaven, Kulu is a famous spot drawing tourists from
all over the world. Apples, pears, apricots, cherries, plums
and peaches grow here in plenty. This is also the gateway to
Lahaul and Spiti, it is also rich in deodar forests, rice, barley
and wheat crops.
Kulu town, at a height of 1220 meters and with a population
over 15,000, is the district headquarters. Located on the western
banks of the river Beas, Kulu is famous for its festivals, temples
and delightful long walks. It is best known for its week long
Dussehra celebrations held in the month of October every year.
During this most colorful festival all the images of various
deities are brought down from their shrines in well-decorated
palanquins to pay homage to Raghunathji of Raghunathpurain Kulu,
Hidimba, the patron Goddess of Kulu Rajas, is brought here from
Manali on the occasion.
Reaching Kulu is not difficult now a day. The nearest airport
is Bhuntar, just 10 km. drive from Kulu. It is connected by
Vayudoot flights from Delhi and Chandigarh. Chandigarh is the
nearest rail head (270 kms). There are regular buses to Kulu
from Delhi, Shimla, Pathankot and Chandigarh. Kulu is just 40
km. from
Manali.
HPTDC has a Tourist Bungalow with double room and dormitory
accommodation. Aluminum Huts are Laos available there. For reservations
Area Manager, HPTDC Ltd. should be contacted.
Manal
40 km. from Kulu, Manali, so fascinating
in its beauty lies in snowcapped steep pinnacles cascading streams,
pine and cedar woods with its rich hiking and trekking possibilities.
Manali, the ‘Queen of Hill Resorts’, with a height
of 1830 meters is located or: the banks of meandering Beas river.
Manali is the gateway to Rohatang Pass beyond which lie the
twin valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, steeped in awe- inspiring
barred splendour. In winter the mountain slopes here turn into
perfect skiing slopes. There are man interesting shrines in
and around Manali. There is a hot spring nearby called Vashistha.
The water of these sulphur springs is very hot and is said to
possess curative qualities. The hot water of the springs is
piped into bath-houses, where one can enjoy refreshing bath
on payment.
Manali is just 40 kms. from Kulu by road. The road from Kulu
to Manali is an enchanting travel as it winds through breath-taking
snowclad peaks, terraced paddy and barley fields gradually rising.
There are daily buses from Delhi, Chandigarh, Kulu and Pathankot.
Chandigarh is usual departurd point for buses to Manali. There
are also direct buses from Shimla (247 kms.) and Dharamshala.
Apart from the state transport buses, HPTDC has a net-work of
excellent coaches for carrying the visitors to and from Shimla.
There are a number of good western style hotels, lodges, tourist
huts, bungalows and cottage to suit each and every pocket. Like
any other hill-resort, prices in Mau vary from season to season.
In summer months of May-June they soar high but in December
January, they are at the lowest.
Lahaul and Spiti
Beyond Manali at a distance of 117 km.
lie two remote Himalayan Valleys of Lahaul and Spiti. The valley
can he reached only through Rohtang Pass at a height of 3,978
meters. This Pass assumes the same significance as does the
Zoji La in Ladhakh. The whole region is stark, desolate, cold,
inhospitable and full of barren rocks, mountains, glaciers,
rugged valley and sparse vegetation in contrast to romantic
Kulu Valley. Here the Himalyas can be seen in their most wild
and awe inspiring aspects. Like Ladakh, this valley also does
not have rains as the vain-bearing clouds have no access to
these remote areas beyond high Himalayan ranges. Obviously the
valley is dry, swept by biting cold winds. In summer it becomes
cool, pleasant, inviting with its alpine flowers, barley and
wheat fields and fresh green grass. It snows heavily in winter
and then the Pass, the gateway to the valley, closes for a few
months.
Kangra Valley and
Kangra
The lovely Kangra Valley under the shadow
of towering Dhauladhar Range in the north, contains many interesting
places. Sprawling on either side ofihe river Beas, the Kangra
Valley begins near Manali and extends upto Pathankot. The Pathankot
Manali road passes through this valley and a narrow gauge railway
line from Pathankot goes as far as Joginder Nagar.
The ancient town of Kangra, the home of exquisite miniature
paintings, has not much to offer to the tourists save the Temple
of Brajeshwari Devi, which had been subjected to many plunders
on account of the fabulous wealth it possessed. Muhammad Ghazni
in 1009 plundered the shrine and carted off a fabulous treasure
of gold, silver and jewels. Again in 1360 it wa sacked by Feroz
Tughlak, but every time it recovered miraculously. In 1905 the
ancient and original temple was destroyed in an earthquake which
has now been rebuilt. There is a PWD Rest House for tourists.
Jwalamukhi
Thirty two km. south of Kangra, is famous
Hindu shrine of the Goddess Jwalamukhi. This golden roofed shrine
has natural gas escaping through acleft, burning eternally inside
the temple. Hence the name Jwalamukhi i.e. flaming visage. It
is the most famous holy shrines of the State. There is a Hotel
Jwalaji for the visitors.
Dharamshala
Ninety one km. from Pathankot and 55 km.
from Jwalamukhi Dharamshala lies on the other side of Chamba
at an altitude of 1,800 meters. It is a magnificent hill resort
with over 16,000 population and majestic Dhauladhar in the back
ground. It is the district headquarters. Besides, many pleasant
walks and picnic-spots around, Dharamshala is also a centre
of Tibetan art and culture. The Dalai Lama, the Head of Tibetan
Buddism has been living here since he fled Lhasa in 1959, following
a Chinese attack.
Dharamshala consists of two distinct parts. They both vary in
altitude and temperature. The upperpart consists of Mcleod Ganj,
Forsyth Ganj and the Cantonment. It is in Mcleod Ganj that Dalai
Lama and his followers have been rehabilitated. The lower Dharamshala
consists of college, schools, markets and administrative offices.
Dharamshala is one of the best places for studies and research
in Tibetan Buddhism, art and culture. It is full of Tibetan
style hotels, restaurants and Tibetan handicrafts and other
kinc-knacks.
Nearby Mcleod Ganj is the St. John’s Church where Lord
Elgin, Viceroy of India lies burned following his death in 1863.
Dharamshala is an excellent base for fine walks around.
HPTDC has Hotel Dhauladhar and Hotel Bhagsu there. They offer
doubles, family suits and dormitory beds. In Mcleod Ganj there
are some good hotels, rest houses and lodges which, run by the
Tibetans, are quite cheap and economical. For reservation, or
Govt. accommodation, GM, HPTDC, Dharamshala should be contacted.
Dalhousie
555 km. from Delhi and 493 km. from Shimla,
Dalhousie is another pleasant hill resort, which rightly been
called “The Health Farm of India”. This hill station
at an altitude of 2,000 meters was founded in 1850 by Lord Dalhousie
as a sanatorium. Its scenic charms quiet atmosphere, bracing
environs, pleasant walks, bright and clear sun shine, lovely
picnic spots and not so expensive prices, makes it an excellent
hill station. Dalhousie the gateway to Chamba, “the vale
of milk and honey”. The town commands a panoramic view
of the plains below in the south and the majestic snow-clad
peaks in the north.
To reach Dalhousie, Pathankot is the nearest rail head. From
here Dalhousie and Dharamshala can be reached by buses. A bus
journey to Daihousie takes about 4 hours to cover the 80 km.
distance. There are a number of good hotels, tourist Bungalows,
and rest houses suiting to every pocket.
Chamba
Fifty six km. from Dalhousie, Chamba at
an altitude of 926 meters, is perched like a little fortress
on an over hanging flat mountain shelf. Below rushes down the
turbulent Ravi. The town is in the centre of the famed Chamba
Valley of milk and honey, of gurgling stream’s interesting
temples, ruins and romantic spots for an enterprising traveller.
It is a convenient base point formany treks into the interior
of the Himalayas. The valley is dry and cold with the river
Chandrabhaga cutting its way out of the mass of chiff and boulders.
Around it, beyond the snow line, stand the towering mountains
rising one above the other.
Chamba is pleasantly warms is summers and has a nice museum
known as Bhuri Singh Museum where are housed nice miniature
painting of Kangara and Basoli Schools and a good collection
of antiques. There is a Tourist Lodge with double rooms and
dormitory beds. There are a few private hotels as well.
Paonta Sahib
This famous pilgrimage spot for the adherents
of Sikh faith is more consecrated because of it association
with the tenth Guru Gobind Singh whose weapons are also displayed
here. Over looking the river Yamuna is the Gurudwara where the
Guru composed a greater part of “Dasham Granth”.
Nearby lie many holy spots consecrated by their association
with Guru Gobind Singh. On Baisakhi day thousands of Sikhs congregate
here to pay their homage to their Gurus in the Gurudwara. There
are two Hindu Ternples dedicated to Rama and Krishna. There
‘is HPTDC’s Tourist Bur and a Rest House besides
some private hotels.
Nahan
292 km. from Delhi and at a height of 932
meters, is a pleasant place with salibrious climate round the
year. Nahan is famous for many pleasant walks around and trekking.
Nahan is well linked with most of the major towns and tourist
centers of the region. There are a number of private hotels.
Himachali portion of the north western Himalayas is a veritable
paradise for enterprising trekkers, hikers, walkers and mountaineers.
