'Solan' blessed with natural beauty

Solan is a beautiful hill station of Himachal Pradesh, it is named after the Goddess Soloni Devi.This hill station is a perfect destination where you can enjoy your holidays. Solan is popularly known as “mushroom city of India". It is a largest producer of beer and quality whisky. It's Dyer-Meakin Brewery is well known brewery in the world.


Solan city was established by British, it is a place where Pandavas lived during their 'Agyatvas' period. Main Tourist Attractions of Solan Hill station are Shoiloni Devi Temple, Jatoli Shiv Temple and Bon Monastery. The monastery is situated 12 kms from Solan, it is the second largest Monastry in the world after Tibet. A beautiful picnic spot called Giri Picnic is located amongst the cool waters of Giri.


A must visit place is Karol Tibba, an ideal place for nature lovers. At the height of 1,600 km, Barog is located, it is place where you can enjoy the wonderful views around. There is a toy train ride specially for children. The surrounding areas of Solan are rich in tomatoes, ginger, peas and beans. Solan hill station is blessed with natural beauty, its exotic views will make you spellbound.

Chamba Hill station

Hill stations are there to rejuvenate us, they give us a new energy to live, just imagine the cool breeze around. It will definitely fill you with a new enthusiasm and you will get back to your work with utmost delight in your heart, a beautiful hill station is waiting for you called Chamba in the lap of Himachal pradesh, this natural beauty is located at an altitude of 926m, it is 56 km away from Dalhousie
through Khajjiar.


Chamba has got its place between the ranges of Shivalik ranges, and it has got the gift of beautiful temples it was found by Raja Varman, he gave the name Chamba after his daughter Champavati..Here you will the temples that are embedded with fantastic architecture, and really it is very difficult to find the architectural beauty anywhere else, its Indian sculptures are very popular.

Chamba Hill station is a must visit place, being there you should visit Laxmi Narayan Temple, there are six temples three are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and another three are for Lord Shiva.Then comes to Brajeshwari Devi Temple dedicated to goddess Durga , Chamunda Devi Temple is dedicated to goddess Chamunda, from here you can have a beautiful view of Chamba valley.

Sui Mata Temple dedicated to Sui Mata, main gateway of Chamba Gandhi Gate. A museum that is very rich in its culture called Bhuri Singh Museum, Dalhousie is 42 km from Chamba and it is famous for its public schools.If you love trekking then you can have it with three well-defined snow ranges named Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal and Laskar.

Kasol- A paradise in Himachal

Kasol, A paradise, sets in the centre of one of the very attractive place- The Himachal Pradesh. A very small town ,situated on the bank of Parbati river where one can walk in half an hour and touch the two ends of the place. The destination is 45 kms from Manikaran, a hot water spring and a Gurudwara .

On the very first sight of this place, anyone can simply roam through Kasol, but it is only after spending and investing time in exploring the place, one can realize how beautiful and serene place it is . The place can leave anyone in awe with its picture perfect view. The place has a balanced population between local Himachalis and foreign settlers, especially the Israelis.



In this delightful hill station , you can come across the forests of pines that border the village. One can also indulge in walking down the forests, climb the hills, trek to Manikaran through the rocky and streamy paths, enough to take only one foot at a time, The site of camping is very next to the river, which is icy cold, and the other is located higher up through the maze of roses.

Again when the palate is hungry, one can enjoy the options of pancakes and apple pies from the German Bakery in the village, of course the Indian dhaba is an unbeatable cuisine with stuffed aloo paranthas and hot chai, literally sniffing in the delicious aromas.

Kasol is very well known fro trout fishing , if one has the license , he or she can spend cool lazy afternoons fishing here. The green grass and clean white sand makes it a beautiful place. Kasol can be explored on foot and it is really a paradise for the wanderers.



Another quick gateway is Chhalal , is another pretty village 20 kms from Kasol .

One can reach Kasol though Bhuntar, 30 kms away or through Kullu which is 42 kms away. There are many local buses and taxi available to this place.

Dalhousie Heaven in India

Dalhousie is situated in the western side of Himachal Pradesh. This is a small hill station in 14km covered with five hills Tehra, Kathlog, Bakrota Balun, and Potreyn. Dalhouise is the one such place which is getting popular among home and foreign tourist. Dalhousie is found by Lord Dalhousie in the year 1850 when the Britisher had captured five hill from the ruler of Chamba. Dhauladar is best best for relaxing and rejuvenate physically and spiritually. These hill are covered with oak tress, rhododendron, pine and deoder trees.



Places near Dalhousie to visit

Panchpula- Panchpula is the beautiful place, surrounded of beauty of nature,gurgling with refreshing water, belived that it contain medicated properties. There is monument erected at Panchpula where many streams meet at one place. This momument is build in the remberence of great revolutionary Sardar Ajit Singh.

St. Andrew Church- This Church is commonly known as Scotland Church, it was build in the year 1903 by Protestant Christians. This beautiful chruch is 1 km away from Dalhousie and till now this chruch is maintain condition.



St.Patrick's Church- St. Patrick Church is situated nearly 2 km from the main city, this Church is the largest Church among all, it has a capacity of 300 people in the main hall. It is beautifully work with glass and intricate stone.


Laxmi Naryan Temple- This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it was build 150 years ago. It is beautifully designed, temple is located 200 mtrs from the city.

Shivkul- Shivkul is a ashram of VimlaThakur, renowned religious philosopher of Gujarat. From Shivkul you can enjoy the scene of Pir Panjal Hills connecting with Jammu & Kashmir. There you can enjoy the awesome scenery of nature and if you want spend time yourself that is the best in Dalhousie with peace and calm.

Except December and January you can visit Dalhousie because during December and January it is very chilly breeze will freeze you, but now a days you will find tourists whole year to enjoy moments of life.

Mount Abu - Rajasthan

Mount Abu is the only hill station of Rajasthan. Mount Abu is present amidst the rocks on a 1,220-m granite table mountain at the far southwestern end of the Aravalli hills. It is built around a lake and is surrounded by forested hills.The famous place derives its name from Arbuda, a serpent who descended to the spot to rescue Shivji’s bull, Nandi.

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Besides having all the features of a pleasant hill area, Mount Abu is also well known for the famous Dilwara temples and many more archaeological remains. There are interesting treks and picnic spots, romantic royal retreats of the various erstwhile families of bygone Rajputana and some relics of the Raj period.

The scenic landscapes include gigantic blocks of rocks in weird shapes, an array of coniferous trees, flowering shrubs, lovely lakes and the cool climate much in contrast to the otherwise arid environment of the state.

Prime Attractions of Mount AbuGovt. Museum - Mount Abu. The museum was set up in 1962 within the premises of Raj Bhawan to preserve the archaeological wealth of the region.

Mandakini Kund
The watersupply for Achalgarh fort and a sculpture of Parmar Daravarsh are situated close to the Achaleswar Mahadev temple.




Nakki Talav
This holiday centre of Mount Abu, is virtually in the heart of the town. This sparkling blue artificial lake is said to have been gauged from the earth by the gods, using their fingernails ('nakh' means nail). Nearby is the 14th century Raghunath Temple. On the western edge of the town centre, Nakki Lake Road circles the entire lake. Rowing boats are available for hire from the jetty by Gandhi Park.

Dilwara Temples
This complex consisting of five marble Jain temples is one of the finest in Rajasthan, worth braving the queues and ferocious guards. These beautifully carved temples built between 11th & 13th century AD are sheer elegance in marble, dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras.

The Vimal Vasahi Temple is the oldest of these, dedicated to the first Tirthankara. Built in 1031 AD (by Vimal Shah- a merchant and representative of the then Gujarat ruler), it is a superb example of temple architecture.




Gaumukh Temple
Dedicated to Rama, this small temple (the cow’s mouth) is centered on a spring gushing from the mouth of a marble cow. In the Hindu creation myth, the world is formed by a cow, licking salt; the source of the Ganges has the same name. This is said to be the site of the ancient 'Agnikund' fire rituals. It is 4 kms south of Mount Abu.

Summer Festival
The Summer Festival is held every year in the month of Aashadh (June) in Mt.Abu. The steep rocks, tranquil lakes, picturesque locations and the pleasant climate of Mount Abu make it an ideal location for the festival.

Various Points in Mount Abu
Several points around the edge of the plateau offer spectacular views across the plains. The best are Honeymoon Point (Anadra Point) and Sunset Point, where hundred of people gather to watch the sunset every evening in a carnival atmosphere of pony rides and souvenir sellers.

Achalgarh
An impressive fort with some beautiful Jain temples enclosed within. Among the noteworthy temples are Achaleswar Mahadev temple (1412 AD) and Kantinath Jain temple (1513 AD). The latter has a gold plated image. The fort was built in the 14th century AD by Rana Kumbha and is approachable by a motorable road. An impressive fort with some beautiful Jain temples enclosed within. Among the noteworthy temples are Achaleswar Mahadev temple (1412 AD) and Kantinath Jain temple (1513 AD).

The fort was built in the 14th century AD by Rana Kumbha and is approachable by road.

Adhar Devi Temple
This ancient temple dedicated to the serpent goddess, Arbuda, is carved out of a huge rock.. Arbuda is the patron of the town, who formed the mountain in order to save the sacred cow, Nandi from drowning in an abyss. The black-painted marble idol, riding a solid gold tiger, is claimed to be about 5,000 years old. Open and free access during daylight hours.




Guru Shikhar
The highest peak on the Mount Abu (1722 metres above the sea level) allows a bird’s eye view of the idyllic surroundings of Mt. Abu. A small shaivite shrine and a temple of Dattatreya standing on the Shikhar are worth a visit.


Trevors Tank
Named after the British engineer, who constructed it, Trevors tank is a delight for birdwatchers with densely wooded hills that are a haven to pigeons, peacocks and partridges.

How to Get There - Mount Abu
By Air
The nearest airport to Mount Abu is Maharana Pratap Udaipur Airport, Dabok (Udaipur) 207-km. One can hire a taxi to get to Mount Abu.

By Rail
The nearest railway station is Abu Road (29-km) situated on Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Ajmer-Jaipur-Delhi route. From Abu Road one can take a taxi, jeep or bus to Mount Abu.

By Road
Ahmedabad is 222-km via Palanpur. Jodhpur is 235-km via Sirohi and Pali. Udaipur is 156-km via Pidwara. (Journey on this route is advisable only during the day). Jaipur is 509-km via Pali-Ajmer. It is connected to all the major towns in northern and western India

Local Transport
Taxis are available for local transportation within the city.

Shopping - Mount Abu
Where to Shop
Curios in marble, sandalwood and sandstone can be bought from the shops around Nakki Lake. Kota saris, bangles and linen with Sanganeri prints are also available. For Rajasthani Handicrafts there is Rajasthali, Rajasthan Government Handicrafts Emporium and Khadi Bhandar.

Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh

Khajjiar, located at an altitude of 1960 m above sea-level, is often called the Switzerland of India, with its rolling meadows, majestic deodars, bubbly streams, and the sheer opulence of its natural beauty. The snow - line appears above its lush woods, and at the very centre of this divine glade, is a lake fed by countless streams that criss - cross the area.

Also called as 'Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh', it has been aptly described by Hutchinson as - "Khajjiar is a forest glade of great beauty, 6,400 feet above sea level".

Khajjiar's is located between Dalhousie and Chamba. It is a major landmark is a 12th century, golden - domed temple dedicated to Khajjinag, which houses huge, life size wooden images of the 5 Pandava brothers.

Khajjiar that is located in the north-western part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is perched at an altitude of 1951 m above sea level. Khajjiar is 22 km from Dalhousie and 24 km from Chamba.

History of Khajjiar

The local Rajput rulers ruled Chamba valley in the 6th century ad and made it their capital city. This region became the part of the Mughal Empire in the medieval period and later came under various Sikh kingdoms. Finally, it was taken over by the British. It became a part
of the state of Himachal Pradesh when it came into being on April 15, 1948.

Places to Visit

The Lake Set in the rolling green turf is a small lake. One gets out of the car to go to the lake but the ground seems to give way. The earth is 'spongy' due to dense growth of weed called 'vacha' over which dust has formed a thick layer of earth.
Khajinag Temple

Khajjiar, known as one of the most charming spots in the Himalayas, derives its name from its ancient, golden-domed temple of Khajinag. The 12th-century Khajinag temple is a small shrine dedicated to the local Goddess or the Devi. This temple is also known as the Golden Devi temple, as it is adorned with a golden dome and spire. Pilgrims visiting the Chamba valley often come to this temple.

Nine Hole Golf course

A nine-hole golf course is an added attraction at Khajjiar.
Climate of Khajjiar

The climate of Khajjiar is alpine Summers (April-June) are mild and winters (November February) are cold and bitter. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.

The best time to visit Khajjiar is between March and June

Nearby Sight-seeing Places

Chamba
The town of Chamba is 24 km from Khajjiar. Chamba is located in a picturesque valley, amongst the Shivalik ranges and is famous for its medieval temples.
Dalhousie
The hill station of Dalhousie is 22 km from Khajjiar and is a popular
summer retreat set amongst the lower Himalayan ranges.

To reach Khajjiar, follow the following routes-
By air

The nearest airport is at Gaggal, in Kangra ( 180 km ).
By Train

The nearest railhead is at Pathankot ( 120 km ).
By Road

Khajjiar is connected by road, and is 26 km from Delhi and 24 km from Chamba.

The quiet and tranquil place of Khajjar is located in Himachal Pradesh, near Chamba and Dalhousie. The place serves as the perfect travel destination for those travelers who want some respite from maddening crowd of cities.

Kufri Small Delight of HP

Kufri is a small hill station in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh state in India.

Location

It is located 13 km from the state capital Shimla on the National Highway No.22. Kufri has a Himalayan Wild Life Zoo which hosts rare Antelopes, Felines and Birds including Himalayan Monal, the state bird of Himachal Pradesh. During winter a meandering path through the potato plantations turns into a popular Ski track.

History

The region around Shimla including Kufri was once a part of the Kingdom of Nepal until the area was ceded to the British Raj as part of the Sugauli Treaty. This region remained obscure from the rest of the world until the British 'discovered' it in 1819.

Places of interest

Among the famous sight-seeing places are mentioned here.

Mahasu Peak

One can hike through thick forest around Kufri to the Mahasu Peak- the highest peak in Kufri.

Indira Tourist Park

The Indira Tourist Park is near the Himalayan Nature Park and provides panoramic view of the locations around.

The best time to visit is April to June & November to February.

Chail Hill Station

Chail is honeymooners paradise, a hill station of Himachal Pradesh.



It is situated at a height of 2,250 m above the sea level. Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala, when was facing an exile from Shimla, he decided to create his own summer capital, which was Chail.

Chail was perfect sometime in history and so it is now - it was surrounded by a thick cover of majestic, soaring deodars, Simla was just 45 kms away, and most significantly, the hill of Chail was decidedly higher than the then British-controlled Shimla.

The picturesque hill station is located amidst scented forests of chir pine and gigantic deodars. Chail is built on three hills, the palace is on Rajgarh Hill, the Residency Snow occupied by British resident is on Pandhewa Hill and on the third hill Sadh Tiba where Chail is situated. Overlooking Satluj Valley, Shimla and Kasauli are also visible at night from here.

Chail has the highest cricket ground in the world, well-kept and well maintained lush green ground is surrounded by massive deodar and pine trees. On the other side of the town are situated the massive Himalayan ranges spectacularly gleaming in the sun and snow-covered every thing under it.

Chail has a natural air-conditioned weather and the tourist find this place to be suitable to visit all throughout the year. Even during the summer the temperature doesn't rise to much, the autumn in all its colors is really fascinating. During autumn, the fields and the forests are covered with a cloak of russet and gold and in winter it is nothing less than a paradise. The weather conditions are so perfect that even in the winter when there is snow fall there is an unusual featured warmth present avoiding the inconvenience of the people. Sight seeing in Chail

Chail Sanctuary

Chail is always splurging with numerous tourists. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife.Chail sanctuary was notified on 21st March, 1976 near Chail Town in District Shimla and covers an area of 10,854.36 hectares.

Palace Hotel

The little 'hill station' of Chail came into being when Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala was banished from Shimla, the 'summer capital' of British India, after a dalliance with the
Commander-in-Chief's daughter in the late 19th century.

Cricket Ground

Surrounded by gigantic deodar and well maintained Chail Cricket ground is the highest cricket ground in the world. Built in 1893, this cricket pitch located at the height of 2,144m is also used as polo ground.

Maharaja's Palace

The magnificent Rajgarh palace, with elaborate furnishings, built in 1891. With comfortable log huts and cottages, dense forests and serene walks, sprawling lawns, a childrens park, a `lovers hill', and sports facilities, Chail is a resort in the real sense of the term.

Sidh Baba Ka Mandir

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh had originally intended this to be the site of his palace, and had even started building it, but as is believed, a 'sidh', saintly person appeared in the Maharaja's dream, and declared that this was the place where he had meditated. Consequently, Bhupinder Singh shifted his venue and built a temple on the spot.

On the outskirts of Chail there are other good places to visit like Kufri, another hill-station and Sadhupul, a picnic spot.

Kangra - A Valley to Watch

Kangra Valley is located in the western province of the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is 18 km south of Dharamshala and is one of the prettiest valleys of Himachal with its lush green terraces & orchards, overlooking a gushing stream - the Banganga.

Kangra valley routes out near Mandi, runs north, then bends west and extends to Shahpur near Pathankot.

The valley, sheltered by the sublime Dhauladhar range, is green and luxuriant. The area around Kangra is known for its old temples and serene surroundings and as a centre of the arts. Despite the onslaughts and political upheavels, the arts and crafts of the region continued to develop and found lyrical expressions. Crafts like the exquisitely designed shawls and miniature paintings of this region are internationally appreciated.

There are several tea gardens dedicated to the production of both green and black tea. The people of the valley are well built and are known for their dedicated services to the nation as soldiers. Kangra Valley, is an ideal place for adventure and sports activities like mountaineering, trekking, rock climbing and fishing , it is this valley which witness annually Hang-gliding rally.

Topography of the region allows existence of many peaks between 3500 m to 5000 m in Dhauladhar ranges. Most of the treks are operational from May to October. Pilgrims flock to Kangra in the month of April for the Navratra celebrations, and in September-October, before the Dussehra festival, to pay their homage to Goddess Durga at the Vajreshwari (Kangra Devi) temple.


Weather

The weather in Kangra is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences south-west monsoon rains in July-September. The Kangra region receives the second highest rainfall per annum. The best time to visit Kangra is between March and June.
Places to Visit in Kangra

There are many a attractions in the green picturseque valley to pay a visit. These include Brajeshwari Devi Temple, Kangra Fort, Maharana Pratap Sagar, Kangra Art Museum, Masroor, Dharamshala , Jwalamukhi Temple, Pong Dam Sanctuary.

Kangra Fort

This ruined historical structure, Nagar Kot is located 2.5 km south of the town, perched on a high windswept ridge. One can enjoy the panoramic view of the surroundings, which includes the confluence of Manjhi and Baner rivers from its top.

Maharana Pratap Sagar Dam
Named in honour of the great patriot Maharana Pratap (1572-97 AD), over the river Beas, the Pong dam was completed in 1976. Its reservoir covers an area of about 45,000 hectares at maximum possible flooding.The level varies every season and averages around 30,000
hectares. Over 200 villages with a population of over 85000 people lie along the wetland. The lake is well served by a network of roads.
Kangra Art Museum

This museum has miniature paintings from the Kangra school of art, which flourished in the Kangra valley during the 17th century, it also has elaborately embroidered costumes of Kangra people, woodcarvings and tribal jewellery

Jwalamukhi Temple

The famous temple of Jwalamukhi is 30kms. from Kangra and 56 kms from Dharamshala. Dedicated to the "GODDESS OF LIGHT", the temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in northern India. There is no idol of any kind the flame is considered as a manifestation of the goddess. An eternally burning and shining blue flame emanates from the rock sanctum and is fed by the priests with the offerings of devotees. The golden tower (dome) of the temple was a gift from the Emperor Akbar.

Masroor

Known for its monolithic rock temples, Masroor is 15kms. south of Kangra. There are 15 rock cut temples in Indo-Aryan style and richly carved. The temples partly ruined now are profusely decorated with sculptural ornamentations , conceived in the same manner as the great temple of Kailash at Elora in Maharastra with which they bear a striking resemblance. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita.

Pong Dam Sanctuary

Pong Dam Sanctuary, the lake, created by damming the Beas River in 1976, lies in Kangra District on the border with Punjab State. The area under this Sanctuary is 32,270ha using digitised maps. The lake level fluctuates between 335m and 436m. All land above 440m within a 5km radius of the lake (an area of about 20,000ha) is notified as a buffer zone. Pong Dam Sanctuary lies between the outer Siwaliks and Daula Dhar, Pong Dam is the largest standing water body in Himachal Pradesh and covers about 7,000ha at its maximum extent. It includes
one permanent island (Ransar) and several others that are periodically connected to the shore. Five perennial streams flow south-west into the reservoir, namely Bul Khad, Dehr Kad, Dehri Kad, Gaj Khad and Baner Kad. Conditions are monsoonal, with hot humid summers and cool,
dry winters.
Brajeshwari Devi Temple

Just outside the town is the temple dedicated to Brajeshwari Devi. It was completely devastated in 1905 by an earthquake and then was rebuilt in 1920. A large number of devotees gather in the temple premises during various Hindu festivals.


To reach Kangra that is 170 km from Chandigarh, 110 km from Amritsar, 55 km. from headquarters at Dharamshala, the closest railway stations are at Mukerian 30 km, and Pathankot at 32 km. The closest airport is Gaggal 40 k.m.

Hill Station Dharamsala

Dharamsala is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, famed for its large Tibetan community centered around the Dalai Lama.

The Tibetan Buddhist roots of Dharamsala stretch back into the 8th century. "Dharamsala" literally means an "inn attached to a temple", and it was so until the district headquarters in Kangra became too crowded and the British moved two of their regiments in the late 1840s
to what is now Dharamsala.

This over the years grew to be district headquarters of Kangra, and the very location is now known as the Police Lines.

Currently, it is a very popular hang-out for foreigners and students of Buddhism. Indeed, it is now perhaps a little too popular - many would say the town (esp. McLeod Ganj) is little more than a backpacker ghetto. Don't come here expecting calm and tranquillity.
Tsuglagkhang Complex, Temple Road. This is the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet, and it has a large meditation hall containing some beautiful statues and thangkas, as well as a Kalachakra temple with beautiful murals. It is the monastery of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, and is located just in front of his residence. On the basement level of the complex you will also find the Namgyal Cafe, which is run as a work-training center for Tibetan youth
with daringly fusionesque if often unremarkable food, but great atmosphere in the evenings.

Tibet Museum
Small but interesting museum on the history of Tibet and its people.

Tibetan Library, near the Tibetan Government in Exile, with a small but interesting museum.

Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA). Stages performances of traditional Tibetan dance, music, and theatre.

Palampur, 50 km from Dharamsala. Famous for its tea gardens. The best Kangra tea is available at the Agricultural University at Palampur.

Visit the 17th Karmapa at his temporary residence at the Gyuto Tantric University in the town of Sidhbari near McLeod Ganj.

Bhagsu Waterfall, 3 km from Dharamsala.
An easy walk down Bhagsu Road through the village of the same name, then 1 km up to the waterfall itself. Despite a sign advising visitors not to venture further, the path to the waterfall is in reasonable shape, except for the final 50 meters which are distinctly dodgy,
especially in slippery weather.

If you are in for a brisk walk, climb the hill beyond Dharamkot to Triund with a beautiful view of the first peaks of the "real" Himalayas, and a wide view over the plains at its feet. As the peak is over 3000 meters, make sure to wear good shoes, carry water (some food if you like) and an extra vest or coat. At the top, even in summer, the weather can change from hot and sunny into a small snowstorm very quickly. Every year some tourists get themselves into serious trouble
this way, wearing only sandals and a T-shirt.If you want to warm up before the Triund trak, try the trek to Guna temple ( 5 km one way, through jungle and quite a climb, but you will see nature at it's best)

Dal Lake, 4 km from Dharamsala (past Naddi). Fairly well signposted, this thoroughly anticlimactic sacred pond is the color and texture of its yellow lentil namesake. Don't bother.

Newly upgraded Gaggal Airport (IATA: DHM) in Kangra, 10 km away, has flights from Delhi.The main bus terminal is in Lower Dharamsala, but some public HRTC buses to Delhi and Pathankot go all the way to the main square of McLeod Ganj.The nearest broad gauge railhead is at Pathankot and the neighboring small station of Chakki Bank, a comfortable overnight journey from Delhi. A taxi from Pathankot to McLeod Ganj takes about 3 hours.

Kullu-Manali-Hill Station of HP

The lush Kullu Valley is the most picturesque of Himalayan valleys that is spread on both sides of the Beas River. The valley runs north to south of this river and is 80km long and about 2km at its broadest. Manali is 40Kms from Kullu at an altitude of 2050metres, famous for its canopy of Deodar trees that surrounds it.



Manali has been a popular destination for honeymooners, trekkers, mountaineers, rafters, skiers and adventure freaks and anyone who wishes to escape the heat & dust of the plains to breathe the crystal clear air of the Himalayas and enjoy the spectacle of unlimited greenery.

A tour to Himachal Pradesh is incomplete without a tour to Kullu-Manali.

Manali literally means the 'Home of Manu'. Manu, the mythological character who survived when the world was drowned in floods. He then came to Manali and recreated human life. Thus, the area of Manali is sacred and Hindus treat the temples over here as pilgrimage.

Surrounded by towering peaks at an arm length, Manali's major asset is its proximity to the snowline. It is a flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers.

Manali, with its mountaineering institute, is a popular base for trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing in winter. Interesting routes into the surrounding valleys, over the high passes, are provided with tourist huts and rest houses for trekking enthusiasts

Now, the question is how to reach Kullu-Manali?

By Air :- The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, 10km from Kullu. Indian Airlines, Trans Bharat Aviation and Jagson flights operate flights between Kullu Delhi & Shimla.

By Rail :- Nearest convenient railheads are Kalka, Chandigarh and Pathankot from where Kullu can be reached by road.

By Road :- Kulu is well connected by road with Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Shimla, Dehradun, Pathankot, Dharamsala & Dalhousie and other cities in Himachal and outside. Regular direct buses ply between these stations. Deluxe, semi-deluxe and air conditioned buses during are available during tourist season.

Local Transport :- Local buses operate between Kullu-Manali and Manikaran regularly. Taxis are also available. On a tour to Kullu-Manali you can avail local transport for sightseeing purposes.

Tourist Attractions in Kullu-Manali
The tourist attractions in Kullu-Manali are numerous. The Hirimba Temple, Vashisht Ashram, Rotang Pass, Manikaran are some of them. On a tour to Kullu-Manali you also have the option for undertaking weekend excursions. On weekend getaways from Kullu-Manali you can travel to Shimla, Kalpa, Kaza, Kannaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and so on.


The mountain state of Himachal Pradesh is particularly famous for springing beautiful intoxicating visual surprises on a traveler at every turn of the road. The Kullu district is not an exception either. The colorful Himachal Pradesh offers plenty of options for weekend getaways from Kullu-Manali.

Lahaul-Spiti - the twin districts of Lahaul-Spiti is a major weekend getaways from Kullu-Manali. Lahaul plateau is very dry and cold surrounded by high mountains on all sides. It has a vast number of glaciers, the ‘Bara Shingri’ being the biggest of them. The district of Spiti, with its headquarters at Kaza is also called ‘Little Tibet’. Kalpa - a small town located in the Sutlej River Valley, above Recong Peo in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, Kalpa is inhabited by the Kinnauri people and famous for its apple orchards. Apples are a major cash-crop for the region. The local inhabitants mostly follow a combo of Hinduism and Buddhism, and many temples in Kalpa are dedicated to both Hindu and Buddhist gods & godesses.

More Weekend Getaways from Kullu-Manali include Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kinnaur and Almora.

The equally colorful people, an old traditional culture portrayed in its rock cut cobwebbed temples and of course, a spicy, indigenous cuisine makes the eating out in Kulu-Manali real fun.

Eating Out in Kullu Manali-
The colorful people that reside these heights are equally colorful and of a creative sort, which accounts for the wide array of handicrafts and artefacts that find their place in the shop windows in this region that are notorious for baffling tourists with their beauty and variety.There are quite a few places to shop for handicrafts and local curios in Manali. The colorful Tibetan Bazaar at the extreme south end of Manali sells Kullu shawls, caps, woolens, and Tibetan souvenirs that include thangkas (Buddhist paintings on cloth), silver and turquoise jewellery, and music cassettes.

Government owned Charitable Trust Tibetan Handicrafts, or any of the cooperatives run by local women, such as Kullu/Kashmir Shawl Emporium are authentic shopping outlets. Bhutico is good for shawls, and so is the Himachal Handicrafts on Circuit House Road.



Adventure Sports
Skiing in Manali: Near Manali, there are some slopes, which have been rated the best for skiing in the world. The Solang Nullah, Patalsu, Kothi, Marhi and Rohtang slopes are very good for skiing in the winters as well as in summers. In fact Patalsu and Rohtang slopes are the only places where one can do summer skiing. The slopes are being further developed to accommodate more trainees and tourists.

The national level skiing competition is held on the slopes of Solang Nullah and the winter carnival is organised at Manali. The place has immense potential to offer some world-class ski slopes and they are being developed on the same lines. There are private organisations that provide training as well as equipment for skiing. The Mountaineering Institute has put up a small ski lift at Solang Nullah.

Rafting in Manali:


White Water Rafting The Beas river flowing through Kullu valley is suitable for not only white water rafting but is ideal for canoeing and kayaking too. The Beas River from the Manaki to Jhiri near Bajaura in Kullu district has become very popular among the lovers of river rafting and many competitions have been organised in the same. The trip starts from Mohal and covers a total distance 10-kms. The season normally starts from May to mid-June and rest depends on the arrival of monsoon. The various clubs provide the basic equipment required for the water sports.

Paragliding in Manali:
Paragliding is a combination of hang gliding and parachuting. In parachuting one has to jump from an aircraft whereas in paragliding one has to run down hill. The slopes of Solang Nullah provide just the right kind of slopes for paragliding during summers. There are organisations, which offer packages for paragliding. One can hire equipment from the private organisations in Manali and around.


Around Manali, tourist attractions include the following

Hadimba Temple

Beas Kund


Further ahead is the Beas Kund. The tiny roundish igloo like stone hut shelters the Beas Kund, the very source of the holy river Beas. Water flows at the source of the river likfe a spring, so clear and icy cold that it almost numbs the fingers. All around is the rocky terrain with very little vegetation. A few mules graze around while all and sundry try to brave the wind on a clear sunny day.

Rohtang Pass (13-kms):
Situated about 50-km from Manali town, at an altitude of 4,111m on the highway to Keylong, is the Rohtang Pass. There is a beautiful Dasohar Lake left of the Pass. The Pass, which provides the only access to the Lahaul Valley, is open from June to November each year. Snowfall is, however, unpredictable and blizzards can close the Pass even during this period. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. A few km away from the pass is the Sonapani glacier and, slightly to the left are the twin peaks of Gaypan-jagged pyramid of rock, snow streaked and snow crowned.

The Best Time To Visit the place - April To June & September To October.

Indian Hill Stations

India is the perfect tourist destination when it comes natural beauty. The picturesque Indian hill stations are among top hill stations of world.

Himalayas, the planet's highest mountains, which now abut India in the north and the north-east are filled with river-borne sediment, now forms the Indo-Gangetic Plain.To the west of this plain, and cut off from it by the Aravalli Range, lies the Thar Desert.The original Indian plate now survives as peninsular India, the oldest and geologically most stable part of India, and extending as far north as the Satpura and Vindhya ranges in central India. These parallel ranges run from the Arabian Sea coast in Gujarat in the west to the coal-rich Chota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand in the east.To their south, the remaining peninsular landmass, the Deccan Plateau, is flanked on the left and right by the coastal ranges, Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats respectively.

This geographical alignment gives rise to many a hill stations of India.

Hill stations of Kashmir susch as Srinagar, gulmarg, sonmarg are among most beautiful hill stations of India and world. Hill stations of Himachal pradesh like kullu manali, dalhousie, chamba, solan, shimla are equally beautiful.

These Hill stations providing a retreat from the heat and dust of the plains. The snow clad peaks and the cool hill stations on the foothills of these hills provide respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. We can divide these hill stations on the directional basis.

North-India Hill Stations

Badrinath Hill Station,Chail Hill Station,Gangotri Hill Station,Khajjiar Hill Station,Kullu Hill Station,Manali Hill Station,Mount Abu Hill Station,Mussoorie Hill Station,Nainital Hill Station,Shimla Hill Station,Sonamarg Hill Station.South-India Hill Stations
Anantagiri Hill Station,Coonoor Hill Station,Devikulam Hill Station,Horsley Hill Station,Idukki Hill Station,Kodaikanal Hill Station,Munnar Hill Station,Nandi Hill Station,Ooty Hill Station,Peermade Hill Station.Seven Hills of Tirumala are among the famed ones worldwide.

Eastern Hill Stations of India
Darjeeling Hill Station,Kalimpong Hill Station,Mirik Hill Station,Shillong Hill Station and Tawang Hill Station


Western Hill Stations of India

Khandala Hill Station,Lonavala Hill Station,Mahabaleshwar Hill Station,Matheran Hill Station,Panchgani Hill Station,Panhala Hill Station,Saputara Hill Station.