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HILLSTATIONS
OF HIMACHAL PRADESH |
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Bharmaur, Chamba
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Bharmaur, a home to the semi nomadic Gaddis, the
shepherds of this area, situated in Chamba district of Himachal
Pradesh at an altitude of 2,195 m. It is the base for the famed
Manimahesh Yatra and for various marvelous treks in the region.
It is a fascinating little town surrounded by high ranges, it's
ancient temples endow it with the aura of a hallowed place. Himachal
Tourism tents are available at Bharmaur and there is also a Tourist
Rest House.
Bharmaur, 65 km away from Chamba & 80 km from Dharamsala. The way
from Chamba is along an attractive hill road that follows the river
for much of it's route. During the yatra days, the Himachal Pradesh
Road Transport Corporation (HPRTC) provides special bus services
between Chamba and Bharmaur. Chamba is 56 km drive from Dalhousie.
Dalhousie is well linked by road with public and private transport.
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Chail, Shimla
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To add to the beauty of Shimla, Chail is 43 kms
away and 86 kms from Kalka via Khandaghat along with the picturesque
Sadhupul village and with a lush green setting, with the pride of
the former summer capital of the Patiala state. At 2,250 mts it
has the world's highest cricket pitch which is now mainly used by
local schoolboys and polo ground. A steep road up from the bazaar
leads one to the small gurudwara and to the military school, surrounded
by Himalayan oaks. The old Palace, now a hotel, and the rich deodar
forests are added attractions.
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Dalhousie
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This hill station spreads over five low level hills
at the western edge of the Dhauladhar range, just east of the Ravi
river. Dalhousie is situated in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh
at an height of 2,039 mts. It's population size is 8,600. It receives
an annual rainfall of 214 cm. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development
Corporation's (HPTDC) hotels, private hotels, cottages, guest houses,
PWD & Forest rest houses provide a variety of accommodation in and
around the town, in all ranges. There is quality restaurant at Gandhi
Chowk, Milan, Metro and Moti Mahal in Subhash Chowk, which offers
Indian, Continental and some Chinese food. For more authentic fare
there is a small Tibetan restaurant, The Snow Lion, behind the Dalhousie
cinema on the footpath which leads from the bus stand to the Mall.
There are no buildings of great interest but a number of pleasant
walks over the five hills.
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Dharamsala
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Dharamsala, spiritual place situated between 1,250
m and 2,000 m altitude in Himachal Pradesh, divided into two parts,
Dharamsala is the lower section, three km (10 km by road) away from
it's higher settlement, McLeodganj, which is 500 m above. It is
home the home of his holiness Dalai Lama, spiritual head of the
Buddhists, who is now quartered at McLeodganj. Also known as `Little
Lhasa', it is an enchanting world where spinning prayer wheels and
fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal
harmony. It is a beautiful town set amidst forests of pine. It is
a hill station with a difference- for the several separate areas
of the town are located at the different levels up a spur of the
Dhauladhar range- the "white mountains". Dharamsala is a hill station
with great variations not only in levels and temperature but also
in character. Temperature varies between 35 degree Celsius in summer
to zero degree in winter.The place is pleasant in summer and cold
in winter.
Suggested clothing - cotton and tropical in summer, heavy woolens
and jackets in winter. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's
(HPTDC) hotels and other private hotels and guest houses, PWD and
Forest Rest Houses are available in and around the place. It's population
size is 8,600. It receives annual rainfall of 2,900-3,800 mm, mostly
in June-September
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Kasauli
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1,927 metres above sea level, is the first hill
station one sees as one approaches Shimla hills. Easily recognisable
by a huge television tower, it runs along the first high ridge of
the Himalayan foothills. It is 77 kms from Shimla, 15kms from Dharampur,
64 km from Chandigarh and 35 kms from Kalka. The colonial ambiance
of the town is reinforced by cobbled paths, tiny shops, gabled houses
with magnificent facades and scores of neat little gardens and orchards.
Kasauli is encircled by a mixed forest of Chir pine, Himalayan Oak
and huge horse-chestnut.
It's narrow roads slither up and down the hillsides and offer some
interesting vistas. Even at the peak of summer, Kasuali cannot be
called crowded. The Upper and Lower Mall are the two main roads
which run along the length of Kasuali, bordered by Chir pine, horse
chestnuts, Himalayan Oaks and the odd juniper. Traffic is restricted
on these roads which helps to keep Kausali one of the quietest hill
stations. A number of Tibetan stalls offer bargain woolens of the
best quality. A arts center has also been set up at Ivy Cottage
by a nephew of the celebrated Indian artist, Amrita Sher-Gill. The
center organises occasional seminars and exhibitions.
A vantage position for the views is Monkey point, 4 kms from the
bus stand. Close by is Subathu, whose old fort is a major attraction.
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Kufri
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Kufri is just 16 kms from Shimla, at the height
of 2,633 mts. It is famous for it's ski slopes, and panoramic views
where deep valleys and forests rise towards the lofty Himalayas.
Through thick cedar woods one can walk up to the Mahasu Peak, or
visit the little zoo. At Kufri, National Snow Statue Competition
is held in the month of January. From Kufri, a fascinating drive
leads on to Chail. 6 kms from Kufri, along the Hindustan-Tibet road,
is Fagu. It presents breathtaking scenery.
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Kullu
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Kullu (also known as Kulu) is the district headquarters
of the same name in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated
at an altitude of 1,219 m. It's population size is 14,500. Kullu
is located along the west bank of the Beas river. The town is divided
into three parts. In the South is the Dhalpur Maidan, a large grassy
area where the Dussehra festival takes place. On the edge of the
maiden are the tourist office and one of the two bus stations in
Kullu. From the Dhalpur bazaar the main road crosses the Sarvari
river. Across the Sarvari is the Adhara bazaar. On the hill above
is the tranquil Sultanpur, where Raja Jagat Singh built his capital
in the 17th century.
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Lahul-Spiti-Kinnaur
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Lahul and Spiti lies north of the Himalayan axis
in a rain shadow area. The area gets little rain and the region
is dry and, for the most part, barren. Kinnaur is a transition zone
between the forested valleys of west and dry Tibetan region of east.
Upper Lahul comprises the Bhaga and Chandra valleys, Lower Lahul
is the region below the confluence of Chenab river. Keylong is the
main town in the Lahul and Spiti region.
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Manali
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Manali is situated at an altitude of 1,829 m in
Himachal Pradesh. It is the main tourist destination of the Kullu
Valley. Suggested clothing - heavy/light woolens in winter & summer.
It receives an annual rainfall of 1,780 mm. In summer Manali is
packed with Pahari speaking Kullus, Lahaulis, Nepali labourers,
Tibetan refugees and foreign and Indian tourists. Apple growing
has been the mainstay of the local economy. Manali is the center
of a flourished orchard industry. A host of small shops, restaurants
and small hotels provide the necessities of daily life. Every year
more hotels are opened in and around Manali.
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Shimla
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Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is the most popular and established hill station of Northern India. It is situated at an altitude of 2,130 m. in winter to in summer. It has a wide range of accommodation and all tourist facilities. Shimla is pleasant in summer and cold in winter. October and November are exceptionally pleasant, December-February is cold and there are snowfalls. March-April is pleasant but the weather can be quite changeable, storms are not infrequent and the air can feel very chill. It's population size is 119,000. There are many hotels, suiting all pockets. |
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