Shimla

 

The state, with many a snow-bound Himalayan peak, has some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country. It also has some very popular holiday resorts which are easily accessible.

 

          Apart from sight-seeing, it offers immense scope for trekking, skiing and rafting. Shivalik, Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal are the major mountain ranges in the state. Tibba, Indrasan, Kullu Pumori, Leo Pargial, Menthosa, Mulkila, Papsura, White Sail are some of the peaks which rise above 6000 mts. And there are mighty rivers like Beas, Ravi, Sutlej and Chandra in which white water rafting is a a rage with youngsters.

 

          There are awesome glaciers and enchanting lakes, snow-capped peaks and lush-green valleys. Clean and peaceful, Himachal has good roads and communication facilities.

 

 

 

 

          There are in the segment several historically and mythologically important places. The Shivalik mountains here are indescribably picturesque. The Jagannath temple, Bala Sundari temple and Shivalik Forest Park are important places of tourist interest in Nahan. Parashuram Tal, in Renuka, is profiled like a sleeping lady. There is a wildlife sanctuary around the lake which has boating facility. Paonta Sahib, a gurudwara dedicated to the tenth Sikh guru Govind Singh, is situated on the bank of the Yamuna.

 

HOW TO REACH: The nearest airports are at Chandigarh, Dehra Dun and Shimla. Ambala rail station is 100 km from Nahan. Dehra Dun station is 65 km from Paonta. Both the stations connect Delhi. Delhi to Renuka by road is 350 km.

 

 

 

          At 2130 mts, Shimla was the summer Capital of the British India. On account of its climate and accessibility, it is one of the most popular hill resorts in the country. The Mall, with its colonial architecture and shops, Lower bazaar, the Ridge, Lakkar bazaar, Tibetan bazaar, the former Viceregal Lodge now housing the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Prospect Hill, the famous Glen, Chadwick Falls, Summer Hill, Jakhoo hill are some of the spots of tourist interest in Shimla. Christ Church and St Michael's cathedral are two important landmarks. Kamna Devi on Prospect hill, Jakhoo temple, Tara Devi and the famous Kali Bari draw a lot of Hindu pilgrims.

 

           Chall, 43 km from Shimla, has the world's highest cricket pitch and polo ground. Kasauli, 77 km from Shimla and 35 km from Kalka, situated at an altitude of 1927 mts, has quaint ambience of a colonial past. Hatkoti is 104 from Shimla. It has some ancient temples. This is the place where the gods are said to gave fought among themselves. Narkanda is 64 km from Shimla (2700 mts). It has slopes for skiing for both beginners as well as regulars.

 

 

CLIMATE: Max temp in summer is 30 deg C, min in winter minus 4 deg C.

 

CLOTHING: Heavy woollen in winter. Shopping: Carpets, shawls and leather goods are main items of tourist attraction. Shimla is also famous for jewellery since ancient times.

 

 

 

(Delhi-Shimla-Mandi-Rewalsar-Kullu-Manali-Rohtang-Naggar-Manikaran-Delhi)

 

Kullu

Manali

Rohtang Pass

Kullu

 

          A district headquarters, Mandi (800) is a commercial centre on the banks of the Beas. With its old stone temples, it is called the Varanasi of the Hills. There are remains of old palaces and colonial architecture. Mandi is the gateway to Kullu valley. The nearest airport is Bhuntar, 59 km. Rail connects it to Pathankot, Joginder Nagar and Shimla. Chandigarh to Mandi via Ropar and Bilaspur is 203 km by road. Mandi to Pathankot is 210 km. During winter temp falls below zero. In summer it is rather hot. Mandi has a host of old temples. The most famous is Bhootnath temple. Located on a mountain, Rewalsar is very picturesque. The place is sacred for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. It was the seat of Padmasambhava, the Tibetans' guru Rimpoche. Kullu valley is the base for several trekking routes such as Chanderkhani pass to Malana, Jalori pass/Bashleo pass to Shimla and Piati pass to Sarahan. Kullu presents an intertwining set of enchanting valleys.

 

Places around Kullu: A nearby place of tourist interest is the Bijli Mahadev temple, 14 km away. The shivlinga here is frequently damaged by lightning which is conducted down by a long pole nearby. Every time the linga is put together with butter. The Basheshwar Mahadev temple in Bajaura, 15 km, is famous for its stone-carvings. Manikaran, 45 km, has hot sulphur springs, at 1737 mts. It is close to the Parvati river, sacred for Hindus and Sikhs. Trekking starts here for Pulga, Khirganga and Mantalai. The route goes up to Pin Parvati pass, at 4802 mts and enters Sutlej valley. Naggar is 23 km from Kullu. A gallery here contains the paintings of the famous Russian artist Nicholas Roerich.

 

 

 

 

 

(Delhi-Chintpurni-Jwalamukhi-Kangra-Dalhousie-Khajjiar-Chamba-Dharamsala-

Chamundi-Palampur-Joginder Nagar-Delhi)

 

          It was at Jwalamukhi that, as the legend says, Adishakti, known as Sati or Parvati, was born out of flames when the trinity prayed to the superpower for help. She grew up in the house of Prajapathi Daksha and later became the consort of Lord Shiva. Pandavas built the first temple here. Ashtabhuja temple, one km away, is an ancient place of worship. Chaumukha, 22 km, is a Shiva temple with a four-faced image.

 

         Panj Teerth and Mahakaleshwar, 9 km, are two sacred places situated on the banks of the Beas. Palampur (1249 mts) is a major station in Kangra valley. The region has several tea gardens. Kangra tea is world famous. The famous Kangra fort is 27 km away. Palampur is 545 km from Delhi. Baijnath, 15 km away from Palamur, has a temple where Shiva is worshipped as Vaidyanath, the lord of physicians. It is a famous pilgrim centre. Ravana is said to have worshipped Shiva for immortality here. Palampur has some good trekking routes.

 

        The nearest airports are Gaggi in Kangra and Bhuntar near Kullu.

 

          Joginder Nagar offers facilities for trekking and fishing. Macchiyal is a sacred lake dedicated to Machendru Devta. The Bassi power house area is a good picnic spot. There is a trout breeding centre at the reservoir of the power project. Across Uhl is Nargu wildlife sanctuary. Trekking, hang-gliding and para-gliding facilities are available in Barot which is also the best place for angling in Himachal Pradesh

 

 

A Tourist Guide

 

     Seasons: Winter Dec to Mar temp minus 5 deg C to 25 deg C in valleys, minus 5 deg C to 15 deg C in hills; Summer Apr-Jun 15 deg C to 35 deg C in valleys, 10 deg C to 20 deg C in hills; Monsoon: Jul 15 to Sep temp 15 deg C to 30 deg C in valleys, 10 deg C to 25 deg C on hills; Autumn: Sep-Nov temp 10 deg C to 30 deg C in valleys, 5 deg C to 25 deg C on hills.

 

    

 

     Trekking Routes: Rohru-Chanshal-Dodrakwar-Rupin-Sangla; Sangla-Badrinath; Jalori pass; Chandrakhani pass; Kullu-Manali-Chandratal-Manali-Parvati valley-Dharamsala-Triund-Chaamba-Bharmour-Manimahesh-Chamba-Killar-Sachi pass; Bharmour-Baijnath; Bharmour-Lahaul; Chandratal; Barashigri glacier;

Kinnaur-Kailash-Bhaba-Pin valley.

 

     Skiing (Jan-Mar): Solang Nalla (Manali), Narkanda and Rohtang pass

 

     Ice Skating (Jan-Mar): Shimla

 

     Heli Skiing (Jan-Mar): Manali

 

     River Rafting: Rivers: Sutlej, Beas and Chenab; Locations: Shamshi (Kullu), Tattapani, Rampur and Jispa (Lahaul)

Para Gliding and Hang Gliding: Bir, Manali, Bilaspur and Rohru

 

     Lake Sports: Gobindsagar (Bilaspur), Pongdam (Kangra)

 

     Fishing: Rohru, Sangla, Saini, Katrain, Barot (trout)

 

     Wildlife: Great Himalayan national park, Parvati valley, Kullu, Pin valley

national park, Spiti, Renuka sanctuary, Pongdam sanctuary, Sarahan, Kufri,

Gopalpur zoo

 

     Rivers: Beas, Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, Yamuna, Pabbar, Giri, Parvati, Baspa

Lakes: Prashar, Khajjiar, Renuka, Giobundsagar, Dal, Pongdam, Pandoh,

Manimahesh, Brighu, Chandratal.

 

 

    Temples: Jwalamukhi, Chamunda, Brajeshwari, Chintpurni, Baijnath,

Laxminarayan, Chaurasi, Chhatrari Taranadevi, Rewalsar, Raghunath,

Bijlimahadev, Dhungri, Bhimakali, Hatkoti, Jakhoo, Sankatmoc-han, Kalibari,

Nainadevi, Baba Balak Nath, Deothsidh.

 

    Monasteries: Dharamsala, Key, Dhankar, Tabo, Nako, Pooh, Kanam, Jangi, Murang, Ribba, Reckongpeo

 

     Sikh pilgrim centres: Paonta Sahib, Rewalsar, Manikaran

 

     Churches: Christ church at Kasauli, Christ Church at Shimla, St Johns'

Church at Mecleodgang, St Francis at Dalhousie

 

     Fairs: Winter carnival, Manali - Feb; Mandi Shivratri, Ladarcha fair, Spiti - Jul; Minjar fair, Chamba, Manimahesh fair, Bharmour; Tribal festival, Keylong -Aug; Phulech festival of flowers, Kinnaur - Sep;

Kullu Dussehra - Oct; Lavi fair, Rampur - Nov;

Renuka fair - Nov; Ice Skating carnival - Dec

 

     Heritage monuments: Kangra fort, Taragarh, Rampur, Nalagah, Arki and Jubbal palaces, Bhimakali temple, Naggar castle, Kamru fort, Gondla fort, Lahaul, Viceregal lodge, Christ Church, Chapslee, Woodvilla palace, Chail palace