Himachal is an abode of Gods and Goddesses, land of fairs
and festivals, snow covered
mountains, holy lakes, hot
water spring, pilgrimages,
picturesque beauty and virtual
paradise for trekkers, skiers,
heli skiers and hang gliding.
Other attraction are golfing,
angling, water sports, mountain
climbing, jeep safari, tribal
people and beautiful valleys.
KULLU
VALLEY:
The most charming and beautiful Kullu valley spread out
its charm on either side of
the river Beas. The valley
runs north to south of this
river and is 80 Kms long and
about 2 Kms. At its broadest.
The valley is also famous
for its exquisitely woven
colorful hand made shawls
and Kulu caps.Kulu is a colorful
region, every part of which
has a charm of its own. In
the spring, Kulu is at its
most colorful shape. Early
March, apricot and Plum trees,
dotted among the fields, burst
into pink blossoms and wild
meddler are crowned with white
flowers.
NAGGAR:
On the left bank of the Beas, Naggar is delightfully situated
on a wooded slope and commands
an extensive view. It was
the capital of Kulu state
for about 1400 years. There
are large number of famous
temples notably Vishnu, Tripura
and Lord Krishna. Cars and
jeeps can easily go upto Naggar
castle. Roerich art gallery,
which houses the painting
of Nicholas Roerich as well
as his sculpture is less than
a Km from the castle. Naggar
is also a base for undertaking
treks to Chanderkhani pass
and to the remote valley of
Malana.
MANIKARAN:
Manikaran 45 Kms from Kulu are just 3 Kms from Kasol,
is famous for its hot springs.
Thousands of people take their
holy dip in its hot water.
The water is so hot that dal,
rice and vegetable etc. can
be boiled in it. It is also
a well know pilgrimage place
both for Hindus and Sikhs.
MANALI:
Manali is 40 Kms from Kulu valley to the north, Manali
is situated near the end of
the valley on the National
Highway leading to Leh. The
landscape is breath taking
as all around it is outlined
against the horizon. One sees
well defined snow capped peaks,
the Beas river with its clear
water meandering through between
the town on the side and on
other side are deodar and
pine trees, tiny leveled fields
and fruits orchards. It is
an excellent place for a holiday,
a favorite starting point
for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti,
Kinnaur, Chamba Leh and Zanskar
regions in Kashmir valley.
It is know as the Switzerland
of India.
HADIMBA
TEMPLE:
Manali has many attraction but the chief center of interest,
historically and archeologically
is undoubtedly the Dhoongri
Temple dedicated to the Goddess
Hadima, the wife of Bhim of
Mahabharat fame. It has a
four tiered Pagoda shaped
roof and the doorway is carved
with legendary figures and
symbols. This wooden temple
in the dense forest of magnificent
deodar is about 2.5 Kms from
the city. It is a pleasant
stroll to the temple which
was built in 1553 A.D. There
is major festival here in
May.
VASHIST SPRINGS:
Vashist, a little village located on the left bank of
Beas river towards Rohtang
pass is worth a visit. It
is renowned for its hot springs
and temples. Nearby is the
pyramidal stone temple dedicated
to Vashist Muni and Lord Ram
temple is also there.
Natural hot sulphur
springs with two separate
bathing tanks for gents and
ladies are always full with
tourists.
SOLANG
VALLEY:
13 Kms is a splendid valley between Solang village and
Beas Kund. Solang valley offers
the view of the glaciers and
snow capped mountains and
Peaks. It has some fine ski
slopes and the Mountaineering
institute has installed a
small ski lift for training
purpose.
ROHTANG
PASS:
Rohtang pass is 51 Kms from Manali on highway to Keylong/Leh.
It affords a wide Panorama
of mountain scenery which
is very spectacular. The pass
is open from June to October
each year although trekkers
,can cross it earlier. It
is the gateway to Lahaul Spiti,
Pangi and Leh valley. There
is a beautiful sight of glaciers,
peaks and Chandra river down
in the Lahaul valley
LAHAUL VALLEY:
Lahaul is marked by a central mass of almost uniformly
high mountains and massive
glaciers. The two rivers Chandra
and Bhaga which rise on either
side of the Baralacha La,
flow through the Chandra and
Bhaga narrow valleys. Lahaul
is also a facinating areas
for Buddhist art and culture.
The monasteries of Lahaul
are rich repositories of ancient
murals, thankas, wood carving
and golden images of Padmasambhava.
The valley lies at a height
2745 meters above sea level.
Summer in this valley is cool
and pleasant with green grass
and alpine flowers. Lahaul
is very difficult and mountainous
areas which remains cut off
for 4-5 months from
the rest of the world. Lahaul
Spiti is enclosed by high
mountain ranges from all sides
which make the access a difficult
and sometimes impossible.
SPITI
VALLEY:
Spiti is the e sub division of Lahaul and Spiti district
with its headquarter at Kaza.
It is called “ little
Tibet” because it has
almost the same terrain, vegetation
and climate. Spiti also means
“ middle country”.
It lies between Tibet, Ladakh,
Kinnaur, Lahu\aul and Kulu.
The sight of mountains in
Spiti is unique. The Spiti
river is flowing fast through
deep georges at some places.
The valley is not wide but
there are villages and some
fields where people grow barley,
buck wheat, peas and vegetables.
KARDONG
MONASTERY:
It
is about 5 Kms from Keylong
across Bhaga river. It is
believed to be built in 12th
century. Monastery has a big
library of Kangyur and Tangyur
volumes of Buddhist scriptures
in Bhoti. Kardong village
was once the capital of Lahaul.
KYE
MONASTERY:
It
is situated 12 Ks north of
Kaza and serving the western
population of Spiti. It is
the oldest and biggest monastery
of the valley and located
at 4116 M above . Houses are
beautiful scriptures and painting
of Budha and other Goddesses.
Lamas practice dance, sing
and play on pipes and horns.
Many lamas get religious training
here. It has murals and books
of high value.
DANKAR
MONASTERY:
It
is situated about 25 Kms east
of Kaza and serving eastern
part of central Spiti. Dhankar
is a big village and erstwhile
capital of Spiti king. On
top of a hill there is a fort
which used to be the prison
in olden times. The monastery
has about 100 Lamas and is
in possession of Buddhist
scriptures in Bhoti language.
It has relics in the shape
of paintings and sculptures.
TABO MONASTERY:
It
is another big gompa for serving
the population of eastern
side. It is 10th
century old and is located
50 Kms from Kaza. It is a
famous Gompa next to Tholing
Gompa in Tibet. It has about
60 Lamas and big collection
of scriptures, wall paintings
etc. Murals of this Gompa
have a great similarity to
that of Ajanta paintings.
KAZA:
Kaza is sub divisional headquarter of Spiti valley. It
is situated at the
foot of the steep ridges
on the left bank of
Spiti river. Once it was the
headquarter of the Nono, the
chief of Spiti. It has all
modern facilities and is connected
by road with Manali and Shimla
except in the winter months.
KIBBER:
It
is locally known as Khyipur,
one of the highest villages
in the world at an altitude
of 4205 Mtrs. Above the sea
level in a narrow valley surrounded
by mountains from all sides..
Gette village, at a short
distance away from Kaza, is
the highest in the world with
a height of 4270 Mtrs.
DHARAMSHALA:
Dharamshal is the district headquarter of the Knagra District.
It is a hill station lying
on the spur of the Dhauladhar
range about 18 Kms north east
of Kangra town. The station
is well wooded with oak and
conifer trees and snow capped
mountains enfold three sides
of the town while the valley
stretches in front. It is
divided into two distinct
parts. Lower Dharamshala has
the civic and business area
with courts and Kotwali Bazar
and Upper Dharamshal composed
of places with names which
bear witness to its history
like McLeod Ganj and Forsythe
Ganje. Since 1960, when it
became a temporary headquarter
of His Holiness The Dalai
Lama, Dharamshala has risen
to International fame as “
The Little Lhasa in India”.
KANGRA VALLEY:
The
Kangra valley is one of the
most picturesque of the lower
Himalaya. The valley, sheltered
by the
sublime Dhauladhar
range, is green and luxuriant.
It provides a tremendous contrast
in nature of places to be
visited. The history of Kangra
valley dates back to Vedic
times more than 3500 years
ago. The area was exposed
to successive invasions, the
last being the British domination
over the native princes of
the hill states. Crafts like
weaving of exquisitely designed
shawls and the miniature paintings
of this region are internationally
appreciated.
CHAMBA:
Chamba is one of the most beautiful districts of Himachal
Pradesh. From tourist point
of view, it has many attraction
for all type of visitors young,
old and religious minded.
It has hill station like Dalhousie,
Kajjiar and Bharmaur, most
sacred lake with ancient temple
and Chamba Kailesh mountain
in Manimahesh. It is home
of Gaddi Tribe (shephards)
who till this date maintain
their age old customs and
distinct identity. It is,
therefor also know the valley
of milk and honey.
DALHOUSIE:
Dalhousie as its name indicates, has been named after
its founder the Viceroy of
India Lord Dalhousie. Situated
at 2039 M in the outer slopes
of Dhauladhar range with its
natural beauty and quit surroundings,
is the best holiday resort.
At the foot of the main spurs
of the Dhauladhat it has been
built upon and around five
hills namely Balun, Kathlong,
Potreyn, Tehra and Bakrota
with their heights vary between
1525 M to 2378 M covered with
a thick forest of oak, conifers
and a large variety of other
trees and shrubs.
SHIMLA:
Shimla is one of the most known and frequently visited
hill station of India. It
was the summer capital of
India during the pre independence
era and now is the capital
of Himachal Pradesh. A place
of tourist attraction, Shimla
was born out of the storms
and turmoils of the Gorkha
wars in the early 19th
century, as a result of which
the British installed themselves
in Shimla in 1891. Shimla
still preserves the regal
splendour of bygone days and
people from all over India
and abroad some here to experience
a bit of its past, enjoy the
beauty of its green slopes
covered with firs, oaks, pines
and take back with them more
than a little of its present.
The town is spread over a
12 Kms ridge. Shimla is perhaps
one of its biggest hill station
of the world at its height
of 2205 Mtrs.
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