Eternal India Encyclopedia

A GREAT DESTINATION

ETERNAL INDIA encyclopedia

Places of interest : Leh Khaar Palace, Tsemo Gompa, Leh Mosque (Turko-Iranian architecture) etc. Access : Air - Srinagar; Rail - nearest rail-head is Jammu; Road -connected to Srinagar and Jammu. HIMACHAL PRADESH 9) DALHOUSIE (Alt) 2,036 m/6,678 ft. Best time : April-June & Sept.-Oct. : The gateway of the charming Chamba Valley, proverbially the valley of milk and honey, marked by snow-clad mountain peaks. Places of interest : Dain Kund, Jandhri Ghat, Kalatope, Sat Dhara Punjpulla, Khajjiar, Nurpur etc. Access : Air - links Amritsar & Jammu; Rail - nearest rail- head Pathankot; Road - connected to Pathankot. Best time : June, Sept.-Nov. : Known for its scenic beauty, Dharamsala is situ- ated amidst high pine trees, tea gardens and timber-yielding trees; an agreeable hill resort. Places of interest : Bhagsunath, Dal Lake, Dharamkot, Triund, Karei, Saint John Church, Chamunda Devi, Kangra etc. Access : Air - Amritsar; Rail - convenient rail-head is Pa- thankot; Kangra is narrow gauge railway line; Road - linked to Pathankot, Mandi, Kangra, Palampur, Hoshiarpur, Baijnath, Jwalamukhi, Chamba and Shimla. : April-June & Sept.-Oct.: In the heart of Himachal Pradesh lies the enchanting valley of Kulu, it is literally a valley of hundred temples and a thousand deities. This valley of the Gods stands on the banks of river Beas. The valley offers a peace which pervades every nook & corner. Places of Interest : Bajaura, Bijli Mahadev Temple, Kaisdhar, Manikaran, Chandra Khanni, Malana, Katrain, Nagar, Raison and many more places. Access : Air - linked to Delhi; Rail - convenient rail-head is Pathankot; Road - connections to Ambala, Jullundhar, Pa- thankot, Mandi, Chandigarh, Rupar, Bilaspur, Sundernagar & Shimla. 12) MANALI (Alt) 1,829 m/6,000 ft. Best time : April-June & Sept-Oct. : Known as “Queen of Hill Stations”; a peaceful town shaded and surrounded by pine, deodar, and hills. Veri- table show-piece of nature with its unspoilt beauty. Places of interest : Hidimba Devi Temple, Vashist Hot Sulphur Springs, Solang Valley, Kothi, Rahla Falls, Rohtang Pass, Beas Kund & twin Valleys of Lahaul and Spiti. Access : Air - Bhuntar is the nearest airport; Rail - convenient rail-head is Pathankot; Road - connected to Manali (38km) 13) PALAMPUR (Alt) 1,245 m/4,083 ft. Best time : April-June & Sept-Oct. : With a mild climate and well-laid-out tea gar- dens; a splendid base for exploring scenic and historic wonders and piligrim routes in this exquisite region. The temple of Vaijnath, built in 1804 is 15km from here.._Neghalkhand, 305m wide yawning chasm becomes roaring torrent in monsoon — a sight never to be forgotten. 10) DHARAMSALA (Alt) 1,250 m/4,100 ft. 11) KULU (Alt) 1,219 m/4,000 ft. Best time

Access : Air - Kulu; Rail - Dharamsala; Road - Kulu-Kango - 52 km from Dharamsala.

.14) JWALAMUKHI (Alt) 3,511 m/11,525 ft. Best time : April- June & Oct.-Nov. The temple built against a rocky cliff, one of the 51 seats where temples have sprung up on the fragments of the body of Sati, the consort of Shiva. The golden tower of the temple was a gift from emperor Akbar. A blue flame that symbolises the Goddess is said to be burning since time imme- morial (ascribed to natural gas emanating from the rocks). Access : Road - Kangra (30 kms), Dharamsala (56km) Best time : April-June & Sept-Oct.: Situated on the left bank of river Beas, Mandi wears an impressive appearance with mountains providing an excel- lent back- drop. The town abounds in beautiful stone-carved temples, among which Bhutnath, Triloknath, Panchvaktra and Tarna are the famous ones. Many of the temples are in ruins. The temple of Tarana Devi on the Tarana hill, carved out of rock provides an enjoyable view of the surrounding area. The Rewal- sar lake has a beautiful “floating islet” where Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs gather for worshipping. Mandi is a base for visitors to Kulu, Manali, Lahaul & Spiti, Jogindarnagar, Dhar- amsala, Kangra etc. Access : Air - nearest airport Bhuntar; Rail - nearest rail-head - Jogindarnagar (55 km) Shimla - 165 km (via Bilaspur) 16) SHIMLA (Alt) 2,206 mil,235 ft. Best time : March-June & Oct. - Nov.: Capital of Himachal Pradesh; one of the finest hill stations; while in winter other hill resorts wear a deserted look, Shimla still attracts a large number of tourists and delights them with ice-skating and skiing. Simla’s highest peak offers a panoramic view of Chadwick waterfalls. Places of interest : Annandale, Jakoo, Glen, Summer hill, Chadwick Falls, Prospect hill, Sabathu, Dagshai, Sanjauli, Kufri, Wild Flower Hall etc. Access : Air - nearest airport is Chandigarh; Rail - connected by a narrow gauge railway line with Kalka; Road - it is con- nected with all weather metalled road from the rest of India. 17) CHAIL (Alt) 2,250 m/7,380 ft. Best time : March-June & Oct.-Nov. : World’s highest cricket ground is situated here. One can view not only the Himalayan range but also the night view of Kasauli. A tiny mountain health resort which was once the summer resort of Maharaja of Patiala Places of interest : Narkanda, Hantu peak, Khadrela & Tatta Pani. Access : Air - Srinagar; Rail - nearest rail-head Kalka. 18) SOLAN (Alt) 1,493 m/4,900 ft. Best time : Throughout the year : Situated almost midway between Kalka and Shimla, on the outer ranges of the Himalayas, salubrious climate, year round resort. Places of interest : Mohan Meakin Breweries, Karol Tibba, Mateol Tibba, Kotla Nullah, Saproon springs and Happy valley. 15) MANDI (Alt) 1,829 m/6,000 ft.