Places to See
in Himachal
Chail
Popularly known as Sylvan Gateway. The hotel porch faces Shimla and at night
its lights are visible. From another side its lights are visible. From another
side one can gaze at the highest peak of the region, the Choor Chandni, Kandaghat
and valleys, covered with ferns and forests, are visible. A Georgian mansion
with spectacular views, Chail Palace which is now a hotel was built as a summer
retreat by the flamboyant Maharaja of Patiala in the late 19th century. Stroll
through thick cedar forests including the game sanctuary which has a variety
of deer and pheasants. At 2444m check out the world's highest cricket pitch
and polo ground.
Adventure Activities:
The more adventurous can go angling at Gaura or take one of the trek routes
from the resort. Chail has a flavour of bygone Regal Era.
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Chamba
Chamba town (915) stands on the Right Bank of the river Ravi. As a former princely
state, it is one of the oldest in the country and dates back to the sixth century.
It is well known for its splendid architecture and as the base for numerous
excursions. It is also a district headquarters.
Climate :
In winter, the temperature can drop to freezing point when heavy woolens are
required. The summer tempetaure are mild and light wollens/cottons are recommended.
Getting there :
Chamba is connected by road and is 580 km from Delhi. It is 24 km from Khajjiar
and from Delhousie via Khajjar, the distance is 56 km. the closet railhead
is at Pathankot, 118 km away. The Airport at gaggal in kangra is at a distance
of 170 km. Texi/buses are available from these places.
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Chamunda Devi
Chronicles in the Durga Sapt Shati the story goes that on the orders of Shamb
and Nishamb two demons tried to harras the goddess Ambika. Enraged Ambika knitted
emerged. After a great battle the goddess Kali slew the two demons, Chanda and
Munda. Delighted by Kali achievement Ambika declared that she would now be worshipped
here as chamunda a combination of the demons names. Chamunda Devi temple is
at a height of 100m.
Climate :
In winter the temperature can get white cold when woolens are equipped. It
is hot summer and cottons are recommended.
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Chinpurni
Sati's feet at Chinpurni (940m) and the devout come here to leave their worries
and pray for boons. The legend goes that the temple came into being after the
goddess revealed herself to Mayi Dass, an ardent devotee. The temple is built
around the Devi's pind. Her image depicts her without a head for it is said
that he cut it off to assuge the blood thirst of her companions, and hence the
name, chinmastika Devi the Goddess without a head.
Getting there :
The closest railhead is at Hoshiarpur in Punjab 42 km away. From jwalamukhi
the distance is 35km. Taxis and buses are available at both places.
Climate :
In winter, the climate is cold when woolens are required. It is hot in summer
and cottons recommended.
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Dalhousie
Dalhousie Standing at the foot of the spectacular Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas,
is the popular hill station of Dalhousie, that covers an area of around 14 sq.km,
and is sprawled over five hills Kathlog, Portreyn, Moti Tibba (formerly known
as Tehra), Bakrota and Balun. A resort that still exudes an old worldly charm,
Dalhousie has retained much of the British Raj style.
It has been named after the famous British Governor - General, Lord Dalhousie.
The lush cover of vegetation that adorns the town comprises of towering pines,
deodars, oaks, and the beautiful rhododendron plants. Dalhousie also houses
many fine specimens of colonial architecture especially, its old churches.
The views that the resort has to offer are alone, worth a visit - to the
north, one can gaze at the majestic mountains of the Dhauladhar range, that
culminate in the Pir Panjal mountains of Kashmir, to the south, the plains
of Punjab are discernible. Far below, the beautiful river Ravi can be sighted
meandering its way through the plains.
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Dharamshala
Dharamsala popularly known as the Scotland of India, is one of the 80 hill stations
established by the British between 1815 and 1847 and has one of the most spectacular
settings for a hill station is closest to the perennial snowline and is built
along a spur of the Dhaula Dhar range. The town varies in height from 1250 meters
at the bazaar to 1768 metres at McLeodganj. Dharamsala is surrounded by deodar
forests and provides a superb view of the great granite mountains that almost
over chang the town.
About 10 kms. away from Dharamsala is McLeodganj which has a strong Tibetan
influence. Monks in deep red are a common sight in this town and it is the headquarters
of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama settled here after his flight across the Himalayas
following the Chinese invasion of Tibet in oct. 1959 The Tibetan community has
tended to take over the hospitality business and provide cheap and clean hotels
and small friendly restaurants, The following words might help you in having
an exchange in Tibetan
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Kangra
Seventeen kms from Dharamsala and over-looking the gushing torrent of the Banganga
river,lies the ancient town of Kangra. The town steeped in romance has a rich
historical past. Kangra became a Mughal province, Shah Jahan captured it for
his father,Emperor Jehangir. In the 18th century Raja Sansar Chand Katoch II
recaptured the fort from the Mughals and extended the boundaries of Kangra into
the Chamba and Kullu valleys. The flory of the valley is brought out in the
invaluable and delicate Kangra painting that the Raja commissioned to express
his love for a comely Gaddi maiden and the beautiful land she dwelled in. Under
Raja Sansar Chand II the region prospered.
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Kullu
Kullu was once known as Kulanthapitha end of the habitable world. Beyond rose
the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas and by the banks of the shining
river Beas, lay the fabled Silver valley. Kullu got its first motorable access
only after independence. The long centuries of seclusion have however allowed
the area to retain a considerable measures of its traditional charm. Here is
the core of an intricate web of numerous valleys each of which is a visual delight
and seems more than the other. The silver valley has nature treasures that lie
carelessly scattered as flowers on the high meadows. This wealth nestles by
every tree in the splendid forests, it bursts forth in the blooms and in fruit
of every orchard. Here are riches which can not be measured and echo down the
ages with the words of every myth and pleasure in every step you take in these
enchanted valleys and is every gurgle you here in the clear mountain streams.
Getting there :
The airport at Bhuntar is 10km from Kullu, where taxis and buses are available.
The closest narrow gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar 95km from shimla this
is 240km. from Delhi and Shimla luxury buses ply to Kullu.
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Manali
One day Varvasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu found a tiny fish in his
bathing water. The fish told him to look after it with devotion for one day
it would do him a great service. The seventh Manu carded for the fish till day
it grew so huge that he released it into the sea. Before departing the fish
warned Manu of an impending deluge when the entire world would be submerged
and bade him to build a sea worthy ark. When the flood came, Varvasvata and
seven sages were towed to safety by Matsya the fish is regarded as first avatara
of Lord Visnu. As the water subsided the seventh Manu's ark came to the rest
of a hillside and the place was named Manali (2050m) after him.
As the earth slowly dried, here across a place of breath taking natural beauty
which was only appropriate for it was at Manali that life began again. Today
this legendary cradle of all human kind is a prime holiday destination. There
are high mountain surrounded by silent snows and deep boulder strew gorges.
There are thick forest full of cool breezes and bird songs. There are fields
of wild flowers small picturesque and fruit laden orchards.
Getting there :
The airport at Bhunter is 50 km from Manali where taxis and buses are available.
The closest narrow gauge railhead is at jogindernagar, 135 km away. The closest
broad gauge rail heads are Chandigarh (310 km) and Ambala (355 km). By road
the distance from Delhi via Mandi is 570 km, and from Shimla the distance
is 280 km. From Shimla, Chandigarh and Delhi, Himachal Tourism plies luxury
buses to Manali.
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Shimla

The
british empire may have ceased to exist, but its echoes linger, on in Shimla
(22050. As the summer capital of the British in India, this was the country
focus for the better part of every and now, it is state capital of Himachal
Prdesh today it has well developed facilities easy accessibility and numerous
attractions make it one of India's most popular hill resort. Placed in the lower
ranges of the Himalaya mountains, it is surrounded by pine,deodar, oak and rhododendrom
forest. Towards the north lie the now-covered high ranges while the valleys
breathe whispering streams and swaying fields. Within the town are host of splendid
colonial edifices quaint cottages and charming and walks. Shimla holds a variety
of shopping ,sport and entertainment.
Situated in the north-west Himalayas, Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
Spread across 12 kms along a ridge that overlooks terraced hillsides and cultivations,
Shimla is magnificently robed in dense forests of oak and pine, fur and rhododendron,
and it is best to travel here on the slow train from Kalka. Shimla also is a
convenient base for variety of adventure sports such as Skiing, Trekking, Fishing
and Golfing etc.
Getting there :
The airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23km away. Shimla is connected to Kalka by
an enchanting narrow gauge railway line- where even a quaint rail-car plys.
By road, Chandigarh is 117 km Manali is 280km,chali is 45km and Delhi is at
a distance of 370km. From Delhi, the driving time is about eight hours from
Delhi, Manali and Chandigarh, luxry coaches and taxis ply to shimla.