|
. |
|
|
HILLSTATIONS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
|
Bharmaur, Chamba
|
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.
|
Chail, Shimla
|
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.
|
Dalhousie
|
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.
|
Dharamsala
|
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
|
Kasauli
|
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.
|
Kufri
|
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.
|
Kullu
|
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.
|
Lahul-Spiti-Kinnaur
|
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.
|
Manali
|
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.
|
Shimla
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|