Tourism

Amritsar

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:51:00 +0000

Tourist Attractions in Amritsar

Amritsar the holy city of Sikh religion is situated in a state of Punjab in India. The Golden Temple is the cradle of Amritsar with the city growing around it nurtured by its divine sanctity. The major attractions of the Amritsar are Golden temple; it is famous for its full golden dome and it is one of the most sacred pilgrim places for Sikhs. Durgiana Temple; it is not a traditional Hindu temple architecture but it also have great respect like golden temple. Jallian Wala Bagh; it had played an important role in Indian freedom struggle, in April 13, 1919 2000 Indians killed when during a peaceful gathering police did open fair in innocent people under the command of Gen Michael O” Dyer. Wagah Boarder; is an international boarder between India and Pakistan. The pomp and pageantry of the Beating Retreat and the Change of Guard within handshaking distance of the Indian and Pakistani forces makes for a most charming spectacle.

Golden Temple in Amritsar India

Tarn Taran Amritsar in India

Allahabad

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Fri, 28 May 2010 05:56:00 +0000

One of the oldest cities of the world Allahabad is situated at the bank of Ganga River and the famous Sangam point of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati Rives meet among each other. At a span of every twelve year city host Maha Kumbh Mela (a largest religious gathering of Hindus) and Ardh Kumbh Mela in every six year. Except Sangam other tourist attractions in Allahabad are Allahabad Fort, Patalpuri Temple and Akshaya Vat, Anand Bhawan, Swaraj Bhawan, Khusrau Bagh, Hanuman Mandir, Allahabad Museum and other nearby places. Allahabad is very well connected to the other part of the country. The nearest airports are Varanasi (147 km) Lucknow (210 km). Allahabad is situated on the Delhi-Calcutta route and can be reached from any part of India by rail or bus. The hotel accommodation facilities are very comfortable and city houses all categories of hotels from luxury hotels to budget hotels.

The spiritual and religious city of India Allahabad is well known for the meeting point of three holy rivers Ganga, Yanuma and mythical Saraswati. This point is called Sangam and it is the sacred pilgrimages of Allahabad. The world biggest fair Kumbha Mela anf Ardh Kumbha Mela held at every twelve and six years, respectively in Allahabad. During kumbha mela lakhs of pious and hindu pilgrims take bath in the sacred Sangam to gain merits. Due to its religious importance and historical relevance Allahabad is one of the popular tourist destinations in India. The St. Cathedral, Ram Lalla, Holy Trinity church, Jamuna Church, the old public library, Allahabad Museum and Ranipur wildlife Sanctuary are some important tourist attractions of Allahabad. Allahabad is very well connected to the other parts of country through train and bus services. The nearest airport is Lucknow. Best time to visit Allahabad is between September to March.

Allahabad University in Allahabad India

Allahabad Fort in Allahabad India

Anand Bhawan in Allahabad India

Ajmer

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Mon, 24 May 2010 06:53:00 +0000

Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan built the city of Ajmer in the seventh Century. Till the 12th Century, this city remained the main center of the Chauhan dynasty. Thereafter, the city was taken over by Mohammed Ghauri. Afterwards, Ajmer served as the abode of the Mughal emperors also. Later, the Scindias ruled over the city in the 19th Century, before handing it over to the British. Read on this Ajmer City Guide to further explore this holy city:

The city of Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan, India lies to the south west of Jaipur. Ajmer travel & tourism is mostly famous as a pilgrimage. Both Hindus as well as Muslims look upon this city with great reverence. The most famous pilgrim center in the city is the Dargah (memorial) of the great Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti. He came from Persia and spent his whole life to improve the lives of the destitute and downtrodden communities.

Another thing the city is famous for is its esteemed and highly impressive Mayo College, exclusively for boys. The school was set up by the British, during their rule over India. Other attractions of the city include the massive Taragarh Fort, Adhai-Din Ka Jhonpra (an old mosque built in 2.5 days only), the picturesque Ana Sagar Lake, etc. Ajmer also serves as the station for those visiting Pushkar housing the only temple of Lord Brahma in India. In brief, we can say that Ajmer is a city rich in culture and tradition.

Government Museum in Ajmer India

Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer India

Adhai din ka jhonpra in Ajmer India

Tourist Attraction in Ahmedabad

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Thu, 20 May 2010 10:51:00 +0000

Ahmedabad the capital city of Indian state Gujarat is sixth largest city in India. The historical city divided into old and new Ahmedabad. The city is basically a political and business hub of Gujarat state and popular for chemical and textile industry. It is well planned city with many tourist attraction and some of them are Gandhi Aashram, Sidi Sayed Mosque, Bhadra Fort, Akshardham Temple, Science City, Vaishnodevi Temple, Amar dham, ISKCON temple, Kankaria Lake, Kamla Nehru Zoo Kankaria Lake, Law Garden, Jama Masjid, Sidi Saiyad's Mosque, Bhadra Fort and Teen Darwaja, Sabarmati Ashram, IMAX Theater, Guru Gobind Dham, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Hussain-Doshi's Gufa and many more. The city is well connected to other parts of the country via plane, rail and buses and many important cities of other countries are well connected through aviation services. The lodging facilities, transport services and security measures are very well managed and one of the most popular and safe tourist cities of India.

One of the major industrial cities of India, Ahmedabad is also a popular tourist destination due to its cultural diversity and many famous tourist attractions. The Ahmedabad is located in western Indian state of Gujarat. Known as the 'Manchester of the East', Ahmedabad is the textile city of India. The textiles from Ahmedabad are in good demand world over. Sabarmati Ashram, Jama Masjid , Rani Rupmati Masjid, Huthising Temple, Calico Museum and market area are major attractions of Ahmedabad. For traveling Ahmedabad summer season is not suitable because that time temperature rises up to 45 C. so the best time to visit Ahmedabad is between August to March. Ahmedabad is prominently located in the map of the country there are regular flights to Ahmedabad to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Goa. Trains are also available to Ahmadabad from most of the major parts of India and places within a Gujarat state are properly connected through road network.

Mosque of Sidi Sayid in Ahmedabad India

Hathee Singh Jain Temple in Ahmedabad India

Teen Darwaza in Ahmedabad India

Agra

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Thu, 20 May 2010 10:43:00 +0000

Tourist Attraction in Agra

Agra, an Indian city is well known for famous monument Taj Mahal, which is among the modern seven wonders of the earth. Only due to Taj Mahal Agra is the single most famous tourist destination of India. The Agra city is situated on the west bank of holy river Yamuna and only 204 kilometers from the India’s national capital, New Delhi. The historical city Agra was established by the Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital city, later he shifted his capital to the Delhi. But the grandson of Akbar, Sahajahan again established Agra as Cpital city of India and built a symbol of love, Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. In the late 16th and early 17th century many architectural monuments built in Agra and some of them are Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, Radha Swami Samadhi, Agra Fort and Jahan Gir Mahal. These are the main reasons which make Agra a potential tourist destination in the map of world tourism.

One of the modern wonders of the world Taj Mahal is located in Agra city and that’s why it is a one of the most visited tourist destinations of the world. Apart from the Taj Mahal, Agra also has a various other tourist attractions in its kitty. To see the symbol of love Taj Mahal is a life time experience, the Red Ford stand with a pride and still show its Grandness, Panch Mahal resemble the Mugal era royalty, Jama Masjid, Radha Swami Samadhi and Jahan Gir Mahal are other mind boggling attractions of Agra City. Agra is very near to the National capital only 204 kilometers. The other popular places near the Agra are Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur, Haridwar and Dehradun, these places are only six to seven hour distance. Agra also provides world class lodging facilities to their guests. There are one can find Five Star Accommodation to Two Star accommodation.

Taj Mahal in Agra in India

Jama Masjid in Agra India

Agra Fort in Agra India

Jahan Gir Mahal in Agra India

A Temple That Tells Where Great Fortune Lies

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Sun, 09 May 2010 11:42:00 +0000

If fortune telling is your cup of tea, the Sze Ya Temple is your best bet! The Sze Ya Temple has a very interesting architecture whereby it is build at an awkward angle along a narrow alley off Lebuh Pudu. It’s believed that this position is determined by the principles of good feng shui practice which will bring good will and health to its occupants.

Aside from its attractive architecture feature, the Sze Ya temple is rich in history as it is one of the oldest Taoist temple in Kuala Lumpur. The temple was founded in 1864 by Yap Ah Loy, the third Kapitan China of Kuala Lumpur. Kapaitan China literally means head of the Chinese. As a philanthropist himself and his vast fortune, Yap Ah Loy funded the construction of the temple single-handedly.

To commemorate Yap Ah Loy contribution to the construction of the temple, a statue of Loy has been installed on the left of the main altar. On the right, images of patron deities Si Sze Ya and Sin Sze Ya is beautifully crafted on the wall. Other interesting features of the temple worth taking a look are the interior is filled with elaborate carvings and the smell of burning incense permeate throughout the entire temple. The entrance is magnificently decorated with two fierce lions which are common feature in Chinese and Taoist temples. The role of the lions are believed to be the guardians of the temple.

If you believe in fortune telling, then you have come to the right place at Sze Ya temple. For an extra charge, visitors can have their fortunes told inside the temple by a Taoist. All in all, Sze Ya temple is a place worth visiting in view of its history and some interesting features of the building. Although the temple is over 100 years of age, it has been beautifully restored and renovated but its original faces are kept intact.

The temple is located at Lebuh Pudu and is accessible through Light Rail Transits. You can stop at the Pasar Seni LRT station and from there it takes only about 10 to 15 minutes of walk to the temple.

Sze Ya Temple, Kuala Lumpur

The Temple of the Chan Family malaysia

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Sun, 09 May 2010 11:33:00 +0000

Chan See Shu Yuen Temple is a finest example of southern Chinese architecture in Malaysia. The temple is built between 1897 and 1906 and some of its magnificent features are pottery-tiled roof and gables as well as specially crafted ceramics depicting mythological scenes . Several pillars supporting the temple bear images of warriors battling lions and mythical creatures. The edges of the temple are blue ceramic vases while standing on either side of the main entrance are shrines to the female and male guardians of the doorway. The smell of incense burning permeate throughout the temple.

The temple was originally built as a clan association, representing families bearing the related names of Chan, Chen, or Tan and is dedicated to the family ancestor. The clan founders are depicted at the central altar of the temple. You can also see some of the deceased black and white pictures of the clan members above the altar on the right and left of the temple. Some of these pictures look hand drawn and it look kind of freaky as the image is extremely real life.

If you are bearing the surname of Chan, Chen or Tan, you probably can find out more about the history of your ancestor at this temple. The temple is located on Petaling Street. As such, you can visit the temple during the day. When the night comes, you can head out to the Petaling Streets. The temple can be accessed from the Pasar Seni LRT station which takes about 10 to 20 minutes of walk.

Chan See Shu Yuen Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Sun, 09 May 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. It’s the nation biggest city with a population of 1.5 million people. Kuala Lumpur is considered a relatively young city which have transformed from a humble town in the 1850s to a financial powerhouse today. Aside from its modernity which encompasses magnificent skyscrapers, sophisticated restaurant and colorful nightlife, Kuala Lumpur also possess a rich cultural heritage that is revealed in its colonial architecture, temples and mosques as well as its various ethnic backgrounds.

As its name implies, Kuala Lumpur literally means muddy confluence in Malay. The name is derived from its location at the point where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet. History reveals the city was established in the Klang Valley in 1857 which the city back then was a ramshackle trading post for the booming tin mining industry. At that period of time, Kuala Lumpur was constantly plagued by floods, fires and civil wars.

The early population of Kuala Lumpur was mainly Chinese miners and traders who were mostly governed by a Kapitan China or headman. One of the famous Kapitan China was Yap Ah Loy. His popularity was mainly due to his contribution to the early city’s growth.

As industry boom began in 1880 after the British took control of Kuala Lumpur, the city was made the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States in 1896. The city was soon seeing a large influx of population made up of various ethnic backgrounds. In 1999, Putrajaya became the new administrative capital but Kuala Lumpur remains the country financial and commercial hub.

Even though Kuala Lumpur has been developed into a sophisticated and modern city now, its rich history can be traced back in the 19th-century architecture of the old colonial district and in neighboring Chinatown. The Chinatown is especially attractive with its incense-filled temples and chatter-filled coffee shops. Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisines are the most popular in Kuala Lumpur and can be easily found in places such as Kampung Baru, Little India and Chow Kit. As Kuala Lumpur is rich with culture and history, the modern city is witnessing a blend of the old with the new.

Kuala Lumpur can be best explored at several areas such as the Golden Triangle where it’s the hub of the city nightlife, while the Petronas Twin Towers dominate the business district of KLCC in the northeast. Besides, the tranquil Lake Gardens at the southwest are a perfect escape from the urban clutter. Moreover, you can see Kuala Lumpur’s old colonial core at Merdeka Square which is dominated by elegant colonial buildings.

Kuala Lumpur City Centre Travel Map

Getting To Kuala Lumpur
The state-of-the-art Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the main gateway into the country and services over 45 international airlines. KL is situated about 55km from the airport. A non-stop 28-minute ride on the KLIA Ekspres will connect visitors to the KL Sentral Station in the city.

KL is also easily accessible from Port Klang, the country’s largest seaport. An excellent road and rail network links KL to various parts of the country, including Thailand, the northern neighbor, and Singapore to the south.

Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:17:00 +0000

God's Own Country.

Kerala is a land of great natural beauty situated in South India. Kerala is synonmus with azure backwaters, Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, ayurvedic health holidays and wonderful art forms. The state enjoys a unique topography that makes it a magnetic tourist destination. Kerala is considered an advanced state as there is hundred percent literacy. Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters.

Climate In Kerala:

» Winter The winter season sets in during the month of December and continues till end of February. During this season comparatively there is less rainfall especially in the northern parts of the state.

» Summer Winter is followed by the summer season. Its tarts in February and continues till May. Temperature is very high during this period. Occasional showers with Lightning is a characteristic of this season. Kottayam receives the highest rainfall during this season.

Reach:

» By Air: Connected to Bombay, Madras, Cochin, Delhi & Colombo.

» By Rail: Connected to Calcutta and other important cities.

» By Road: Calicut- 448 kms, Cochin- 223 kms, Kanyakumari- 87 kms, Madurai- 417 kms, Periyar- 272 kms, Ponmudi- 61 kms, Quilon- 73 kms, Varkala- 55 kms.

Kerala, located on the Southwestern tip of India, enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Asia. Fondly referred to as ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala was selected by the National Geographic Traveller as one of the 50 destinations of a lifetime and one of the thirteen paradises in the world.

An equable climate, serene beaches, tranquil stretches of backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife are the major attractions of this land. A unique advantage of Kerala is that most of the destinations here are just two to four hour drive from the other.

Classical art forms, colourful festivals, unique cuisine are some of the cultural marvels that await travellers. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine and Panchakarma, the rejuvenation therapy in Ayurveda have also helped Kerala to gain a pan-global reputation as a top of the line destination.

And in Kerala, the season never ends, thanks to the year-long moderate climate and numerous festivals and events.

Leh Ladakh

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:25:00 +0000

Leh

Leh - Fast Facts

Population :15000

Languages :Ladakhi, Purig, Tibetan, Hindi, English

Best time to visit :May to October

STD Code :01982

Leh is one of the most beautiful and easily reachable destinations in Leh Ladakh. Famous for its barren beauty and Buddhist monasteries, Leh is a wonderful destination for adventure lovers. Leh offers some magnificent trekking trails that take one to a number of scenic spots. Leh is not only about adventure sports but the beautiful town also has a number of tourist attractions like Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace. Leh is the headquarters of Ladakh and is located in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Tourist places in and around Leh

Leh situated at an altitude of about 3,505 metres above sea level has a number of tourist places that one can visit. Shanti Stupa, though a recent addition to Leh's tourist attractions, is a fine monument that was built by Ladakhis in association with Japanese. The Shanti Stupa in Leh has relics of the Buddha and most people visit the stupa on their tour to Leh. Shanti Stupa has another beautiful side to it besides being associated with the Buddha. Shanti Stupa is also a wonderful place to capture the beauty of the Leh valley. The place offers stunning view of the Leh valley.

Leh Palace is another beautiful attraction in Leh. Many people compare Leh Palace with the Potala in Lhasa, Tibet. Leh Palace was built in the 17th century and was once the residence of the royal family of Leh. Namgyal Hill is another tourist attraction just above the palace that one can visit.

The monasteries in Leh make other popular tourist attractions. But the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa is one monastery that's worth mentioning. The Gompa is believed to built in 1430 and houses a huge image of the Buddha. The other two popular monasteries that you can visit include Sankar Gompa and Alchi Gompa.

Maldives Resort and Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:16:00 +0000

Maldives Resort and Islands

The resorts in the Maldives are separate entities with their own amenities occupying whole islands. This provides the visitors the perfect opportunity to spend their holidays in a secluded place far from any maddening crowds.

All resorts have their own electricity, fresh drinking water and waste disposal facilities. Enjoy your stay in Maldives resorts with lush vegetation, pure white beaches and the azure blue lagoons typical of the Maldives.

Accommodation

The accommodation in the resorts varies from island to island. Some resorts may provide only thatched huts while others have air-conditioned rooms with satellite television. It is common that most resorts have some diverse accommodation to offer to suit the tastes of the visitors. All rooms have bathrooms and some resorts have them without roofs to give a feel of the traditional Maldivian gifili. Some resorts even have small gardens in such open-air bathrooms.

Food

The food is as diverse as the accommodation. If the resort rates do not include the food then you ca dine in a good restaurant in the resort. Most resorts have more than one. These restaurants cater to tastes ranging from Oriental, Indian, Middle Eastern and Continental. Usually separate bars are found, with most resorts providing mini bars in the rooms. Coffee shops are an additional facility found in many resorts when you need a light snack or a drink.

Activities

The activities offered by different resorts also vary. However, generally Maldivian resorts cater to the needs of tourists with different tastes. For the relaxation and comfort of the sandy white beaches, one would not have to go far. Most islands have beaches close to the rooms. They are unpolluted and provide a panoramic view of the crystal clear lagoons that beckon you. These untouched beaches are the perfect place for you to practice the art of doing nothing. If the desire to take a dip is too over whelming, do not hesitate. The turquoise lagoons and the blue sea will definitely have a soothing effect on you.

Diving and Snorkeling

But the surprises are hidden under the surface. Don a mask and a pair of fins and you will get a glimpse of the treasures. But a meresnorkeling experience may not be what you really need. The deep is even better. The Maldives provides breathtaking underwater scenes. Divers can play along with rainbow coloured fish and caress the corals that make the Maldives a diver's fulfilled fantasy. Most resorts have dive schools and from where you can obtain the necessary equipment. They also offer diving trips with the assistance of qualified instructors.

Sports

For the sports enthusiasts a range of activities are offered including windsurfing, catamaran sailing, and water-skiing. Or if you prefer to have an exciting time on the island, table tennis, volleyball and tennis are for you. Once again, the facilities differ from one resort to the other.

Excursions

The resorts can also arrange excursions like visiting uninhabited islands, fishing trips, night fishing, visiting inhabited islands to see the lifestyle of the local people and even a visit to the capital island Malé.

However, daily temperature ranges from around 31 degrees Celsius in daytime to 23 degrees Celsius in nighttime. The mean daily maximum temperature for Central parts (Hulhule) of the Maldives is 30.5 degrees Celsius and minimum temperature is 25.7 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, mean daily maximum and minimum temperature for South (Gan) is 30.9 and 24.5 degree Celsius, respectively. Furthermore, mean daily maximum and minimum temperature for North (Hanimaadhoo) is 30.7 and 25.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Maldives Culture

The culture of the Maldives is influenced by different visitors who arrived in Maldives throughout the times. We can see Indian, Sri Lankan, Arabian, Persian, Indonesian, Malaysian, and African cultural traits. The Maldives is located at an important crossroad in the Indian Ocean and the visitors have left their marks. However, acting as a melting point the Maldives assimilated these influences and has created a unique cultural identity.

Ethnic groups : South Indians, Sinhalese, Arab South Indians, Arabs.

Location : Southwest of Sri Lanka, on the equator and 500km (300 miles) southwest of the southern tip of India and consists of about 1190 low-lying coral islands, of which only 200 are inhabited.

Geography : 1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Stretches 820 kilometres north to south and 120 kilometres east to west. 202 are inhabited, 87 are exclusive resort islands.

Continent : Asia

Capital city : Male

Population : 350,000

Languages : Dhivehi and English.

Religion : Sunni Muslim

Area : 298 sq km (115 sq miles).

Famous for : Beaches, top dive locations in the world where professional dive training is given to the beginners, beautiful reefs.

Major cities : Kulhudhuffushi, Malé, Naifaru, Thinadhoo

Clothing : Dress is generally casual. T-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable. In addition swimming gear and a light pullover. Sun glasses and a wide brimmed beach hat as well as enough sun cream with a high protection factor should not be included

Major events : Most holidays are based on the Islamic lunar calendar and the dates vary from year to year. Ramadan (known locally as rorda mas) the Islamic month of fasting. Kuda Id the Prophet's Birthday.

Fixed holiday dates include : National Day, the first day of the third month of the lunar calendar); Victory Day( 3 November) and Republic Day (which commemorates the current republic, founded on 11 November 1968).

Things to Buy : Stamps, colorful island fabrics, local crafts made using lacquerwork and weaving. The woven mats known as kuna, with elegant geometric designs, black-coral jewelry, items made from turtle shell.

Things to do : Scuba diving, Diving, Snorkeling and Windsurfing.

Cuisine : Fish, garudhya (tuna soup), spicy curry and rice are the stable food of most of the population. Other dishes : pasta normally modified with a flavour of tuna, other meats and chicken

Arunachal Pradesh

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:23:00 +0000

Arunachal Pradesh - Fast Facts

Area :110 sq km

Altitude :750 m above sea level

Population :16,545

Languages :Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, and local dialects

Religion :Hindus (56.62%), Others (43.38%)

Annual Mean Rainfall :365 mm

Maximum Temperature: 27.50°C

Minimum Temperature: 13.50°C

STD Code 03781

Arunachal Pradesh-Tourist Places in and around Itanagar

There are numerous tourist attractions in the beautiful Itanagar. One of the major tourist attractions is the Ita Fort, built in the 14th century, which gives the city its name. Another place that is a major landmark of the city is the Buddha Vihar, which as the name suggests is a Buddhist shrine. The temple with its yellow roof is located on a hill, amidst lush green gardens. The Hill on which this temple stands, offers a spectacular view of the city below. Another major tourists attraction of Itanagar, is the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum. The Musuem has many interesting objects such as weapons, traditional textiles/fabrics, woodcarvings and musical instruments. This is a great place for tourists because it gives them a better insight into the traditions, culture and crafts of the tribes that belong to Itanagar.

For outdoor lovers, Itanagar is a delightful place. They can enjoy picnics and strolls at Ganaga Lake or the Gyakar Sinvi. Some other places for the nature lovers are the Itanagar Sanctuary and the Polo Park. An exotic kind of Orchids can be seen growing by the side of Kameng River Tipi. One can also take a look at the Governor's office residence.

There are many places of interest close to Itanagar, for instance the Namdhapa National Park, which boasts of snow leopards and clouded leopards among other animals. Another tourist attraction is Bomdila. People come here to look at the scenic beauty, crafts center and beautiful monasteries. A few other places that can be visited are, Malinithan, Tawang, Hill town of Rupa on Tenga River among many others that are close to Itanagar.

Arunachal Pradesh-Things to keep in mind:

One needs to carry restricted area permit to enter the Indian state of Arunchal Pradesh. So, if you are planning to take a tour of Itanagar, you must collect the restricted area permit too. This permit can be received from the Indian embassies abroad, all the Foreign Regional Registration Offices in India, Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi or Home Commissioner.

A few other things to keep in mind while touring Itanagar are:

No individual tourist is allowed to visit the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

The group of tourists touring Arunachal Pradesh can visit the places in the tourist circuits only After obtaining the permit the tourists cannot stay in Arunachal Pradesh for more than ten days.

All tourists have to pay fifty US dollars as an entry fee.

Adventure Tours of India offers adventure tour booking and adventure tour packages for Arunachal Pradesh. To book a tour, or for more information, please fill up the form below.

Nahan

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 13:34:00 +0000

Nahan

Nahan is situated on an isolated ridge in the Shiwalik hills, overlooking greenfields. Nahan is a well laid-out picturesque town, known for its cleanliness and dust free streets. Saint and princes are linked with the origin of Nahan. The city was founded as a capital by Raja Karan Prakash in 1621. Another version recalls a saint who lived with a companionable Nahar on the site where the Nahan palace now stands "Nahar" means a Lion and probably the town takes its name from this saint. Nahan situated at an altitude of 932 meters, is a good base for visits to the surrounding areas viz. Renuka, Paonta Sahib, Trilokpur temple and the Suketi Fossil Park. It has a pleasant climate throughout the year and is watered by man made lake and decorated with temples and gardens. It is the headquarter of Sirmaur district.

Lytton Memorial, Nahan

There gently level walks; Villa Round, Military Round and Hospital Round are evocative of the city's past. The hub of Nahan's activities is Chaugan, Bikram Bagh and Khadar-Ka-Bagh. Gift shops, Rosin & Turpine factory and local temples are among the other major attractions. Nahan celebrates Bawan Dwadshi towards the end of the monsoon when fifty two idols of local gods are carried in procession to Jagannath temple where they are floated ceremoniously in a pool and are restored at midnight to their niches. In the heart of Nahan town is Rani Tal, where a large temple and a tank from the days of ex-rulers of Sirmaur State can be seen. Ducks and Cranes are seen playing in the Ranital Tank, and Ranital Garden further adds to the charm.

General Information

Altitude: 932 meters

Area: 2825 sq km

Population: 4.58 lakh

Temperature: Max. 38°C Min. 6°C

Clothing: Cotton clothes in Summer and light woolens in winter.

Language: Hindi, Punjabi, English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade.

Approach

Rail: The nearest railway stations are Ambala, Chandigarh and Kalka which are connected by a regular bus service.

Road: Nahan is approachable from many directions by road

1. via Dehradun (Uttrakhand) through Paonta Sahib
2. via Kala-Amb from Haryana and
3. via Solan from Shimla ( H.P.)

There are regular bus services linking it to the other towns like Manali, Delhi and Haridwar.

Distances from Nahan

Places to visit	Km
Dhaula kuan	20
Giri Nagar	27
Paonta Sahib	45
Renuka	38
Suketi Fossil Park	21
Balasundri temple, Trilokpur	23
Rajgarh valley	40

Renuka lake is situated at a height of 672 m and lies in Sirmour district. It is 123 km from Parwanoo, 60 km from Paonta Sahib via Sataun and 38 km from Nahan via Dadahu. With a circumference of 3214m, Renukaji is the largest natural lake in Himachal. Shaped like the profile of a reclining woman, this is regarded as the embodiment of the goddess Renuka. Near the lake's feet is another lake held sacred by Hindus, and is associated to a legend surrounding her son, the legendary sage Parshurama. Both have temples built around them and the main temple dedicated to Goddess Renuka is regarded to have been built overnight in 18th century. The lake lies in a long valley and surrounding slopes are covered with thick woods. The lake is full of colourful fish and other acquatic animals. The lake is surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary and a few other temples. Boating facility is available at the lake.

Accomodation: The HPTDC has hotel Renuka ji just by the side of the lake. Two km away is a small town Dadahu which has some low-budget private hotels, along with PWD and Forest rest houses.

Tourists enjoying boating in Renuka Lake

Rajgarh

Popularly known as the Peach valley, Rajgarh is a lush green valley in Sirmaur district. Rajgarh has two sub-divisions namely, Rajgarh and Sarahan, which is also a beautiful valley of Sirmaur. Rajgarh is a place of great natural beauty and is about 40 km from Solan. One can camp and trek in the valley. At Rajgarh, rest house of PWD and Forest Department are available for staying, besides private hotels and guest houses.

The people of this valley are dynamic and hardworking. They are religious and worshippers of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. The local Shaya temple of Lord Shirgul has a mammoth following. According to a legend, Lord Shirgul had first come to Shaya village and later settled in Churdhar Mountain at height of 12,000 feet.

The famous Baru Sahib Gurdwara also lies in this valley and is worth a visit. It is 29 km from Rajgarh and is situated beyond Kheri, a picturesque spot on the banks of a tributary of the Giri River.

Habban Valley: It is an enchanting destination and the area has thick pine fir, kail, baan and deodar forests besides orchards of apples and peaches. The climate is pleasant round the year and in winter, Habban occasionally has snow. Habban is about 70 km from Solan via Yashwant Nagar and Rajgarh.

Haripurdhar: Haripurdhar is about two hour journey from Rajgarh and is famous for the temple of Bhangyani Devi, a god sister of Lord Shirgul, the principal deity whose seat is at Churdhar. For staying PWD rest house (3 sets) and newly constructed trekkers hut is available, besides the Sarai in the temple.

Nohradhar: On way to Haripurdhar from Rajgarh, Nohradhar is one hour journey and is a base for trekking to Churdhar. There are many trek routes in the valley to Churdhar, like-Sailpaw-Dokhta-Churdhar (7 km), Haripurdhar-Churdhar (17 km), Nohradhar-Churdhar (14 km), Sarahan-Churdhar (7 km), Habban-Churdhar (15 km). For staying rest house of PWD (3 sets), IPH (2 sets) and some Guest houses are available.

Paonta Sahib is a sacred town built in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. The road passes through Sataun and follows the Giri River along the beautiful scenery. Situated on the banks of Yamuna River, Paonta Sahib is a bustling township with growing industries. It is one of the important holy places for the Sikhs. It retains tangible memories of Guru Gobind Singh in the form of his weapons and a majestic Gurudwara. It recalls his presence even in the name of the city which is derived from Paonta meaning "foot", either because he set foot on this place or, according to an alternate story, he lost an ornament which he wore on his foot called "Paonta" while bathing in the Yamuna river.

There is a legend in this town that surrounds the ruins of this old capital of a princely state. Sirmouri Tal, not very far from Paonta Sahib was destroyed by the curse of a court dancer when the the ruler went back on an oath to give half of this kingdom in case she crossed a narrow gorge on a rope. This, she did but the wily ruler the offered her the entire kingdom if she could dance her way back. She started back but as she was half way across, he cut the rope hurling the helpless girl into the stream. Floods followed which swept away the city, the ruler and the royal house, as a result of dancer's curse. Vishawkarma temple and few other Hindu temples are also located in Paonta Sahib. The water of river Yamuna is being dammed down stream of Paonta which will soon have a water reservoir where water sports will be organised.

Approach
Road: Paonta Sahib is easily approachable from Nahan (45 km) and there is regular bus service connecting the places. One can also come from other routes by bus or car/taxi from Dehra Dun (45 km), Haridwar (117 km) and Shimla (180 km).

Accomodation
There is adequate accommodation in Paonta Sahib. visitors can stay at the HPTDC Hotel Yamuna, PWD Rest House, SFDA Bhawan, Paonta Sahib gurudwara, Mata Bala Sundri Sarai and in some private lodges and hotels.

Distances from Paonta Sahib

Places to visit Km

Gurudwara

Kafota 42

Khoodri Dak Pathar 25

Old temples

Sahastra Dhara 25

Dominating the entire landscape of fields, forests and ravines is the Churdhar peak, which rises to 3647 meters and is a trekkers’ treat from Nahan and Renuka. Approached by way of Dadahu, Sangrah, Bhawal, Gandhuri and Nauhra, it is a 50 km trek. A less taxing journey is by taxi or car to Nauhra and thereafter a walk of 16 km. The climb is difficult but rewarding. The peak offers a fine view of the Gangetic plains and the Satluj river in south, and Badrinath towards the north, a well known Hindu pilgrimage. Also seen are the hills of Chakrata and Shimla from the top. An alternative route to Choordhar is through Rajgarh, an orchard country.

Manali

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 13:23:00 +0000

Manali

Just 40 kms away from Kullu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Bara Bhangal (Kangra), and Zanskar ranges. From temples to antiquity, to picturesque sight-seeing spots and adventure activities, Manali is a popular resort for all seasons and for all travellers.

Approach

Rail: Nearest convenient rail head are at Chandigarh and Pathankot. Manali can be reached from road from these stations.

Road: Manali is well connected by road with Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Dharamsala and Chamba/Dalhousie. Regular buses ply between these stations. It is connected with Leh during July to October.

Map of places to visit in Manali

Distances from Manali


Places to visit	Km
Arjun Gufa	4
Club house	2
Hidimba Devi temple	2.5
Jagatsukh	6
Kothi	12
Manu temple	3
Mountaineering Institute	3
Nehru kund	5
Rahala water falls	16
Rohtang pass	51
Solang valley	13
Tibetan monasteries
Vashisht hot water springs and temples	3

The National Park with an area of 754 sq. km. is located in Kullu District and has the representative area of temperate and alpine forests of Himachal. It has some the virgin coniferous forests of the State. Vast areas of alpine pastures and glaciers cap this park. This area has many important wildlife species of Western Himalayas, like Musk deer, Brown bear, Goral, Thar, Leopard, Snow leopard, Bharal, Serow, Monal, Kalij, Koklas, Cheer, Tragopan, Snow cock etc. Trekking of Rakti-Sar, origin of Sainj river and camping in alpine pastures is unforgettable. Similar is the trekking route to Tirath the origin of Tirthan river. Visitors can contact Director, Great Himalayan National Park at Shamshi or Range Officer wildlife at Sainj or Range Officer Wild Life at Sai Ropa (Banjar) for assistance and guidance. Camping equipment and guides are provided by the Forests Department.

For more details, visit Great Himalayan National Park website

Campsite inside Great Himalayan National Park
Manali has many attractions but the chief centre of interest, historically and archeologically, is undoubtedly the DHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess Hidimba, the Bhim of Mahabharat fame. It has four-tiered Pagoda shaped roof and the doorway is carved with legendary figures and symbols. This temple located amidst wooden forest of deodar is about 2.5 kms. from the tourist office. It is a pleasant experience to stroll in the temple complex which was built in 1533 A.D. A large festival is held here in May.

Kullu

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:04:00 +0000

Kullu

The most charming and beautiful Kulu valley spreads out its charm on either side of river Beas. The valley runs north to south of this river and is 80kms. long and about 2kms. at its broadest. Yet with awe inspiring glens and mossy meadows encircled by the rushing streams and meandering brooks, flung east & west, a fairly wide area is open to the tourists, the trekkers, the mountaineers, the artists and to anyone who wishes to escape the heat & dust of the plains to breathe the exhilarating air of the Himalaya and enjoy the spectacle of the variegated mountain scenery. The valley is also famous for its exquisitely woven colourful hand made shawls and kullu caps.

Kullu Dussera

General information:

Area: 5,503 sq.kms

Population: 381,571

Altitude:1230 m (Kullu)

Climate: Pleasant temperature in summer and cold below 0 C with heavy snow fall in winter

Visiting season: March to June for relaxation and visiting the places of sight seeing and enjoy short and long excursions as well as climbing and river rafting

Rainy season: July and August

Autumn: September to November for trekking, climbing, sight seeing and river rafting

Winter: December to February- snow-skiing and heli-skiing in Manali and above

Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade

Clothing:Cotton and tropical in summer and heavy woollen in winter

Approach:

Air: Kullu is connected by Indian Airlines and Air Deccan with Delhi. The airport is at Bhuntar, 10kms. from Kullu.

Rail: Nearest convenient rail heads are Kiratpur and Chandigarh on Broad Gauge and Jogindernagar on Narrow Gauge from where Kullu can be reached by road.

Road: Kulu is well connected by road with Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Shimla, Dehradun, Pathankot, Dharamsala & Dalhousie etc. Regular direct buses ply between these stations including deluxe, semi-deluxe and air conditioned buses during tourist season.

Local transport Local buses operate between Kullu-Manali and Manikaran regularly. Taxis are also available.

Distances from Kullu


Places to visit	Km
Bajaura	15
Banjar	58
Bijli Mahadev Temple	10
Camping site Raison	16
Kasol	42
Katrain	20
Larji	34
Malana
Manikaran	45
Naggar	25
Raghunathji Temple	1
Vaishno Devi Temple	4

Little ahead of the beautiful Chanderkhani Pass lies the village Malana which is famous for the temple of Jamlu and its distinct, social and cultural life. Malana is considered to be the oldest democracy in the world. It would be worth while to visit this village to study the style and social system prevalent there

Hamirpur

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 08:43:00 +0000

Hamirpur

This is another area situated at lower elevation and comparatively warmer but has some hilly ranges covered with Pine forests. These hills can be developed for trekking and camping during winter months. This district was made in 1972 by carving it out from the Kangra district. It is well connected by roads from all sides and thus can be promoted as a tourist destination by developing some historical and religious places. At present the known attractions are Deot-Sidh, Temple of Sujanpur Tihra and Nadaun. Hamirpur town is the Headquarter of this District, which lies on Shimla-Dharamshala road.

A view of Sujanpur Fort

General information

Area: 1118 sq. km

Population: 4.12 lakh

Clothing: Cotton clothes in Summer and light woollen in winter.

Language Hindi, Punjabi, English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade.

Approach

Rail: The nearest broad gauge railway station is Una and nearest narrow gauge railway station is Ranital (Pathankot-Joginder Nagar railway line) and is connected by regular bus service.

Road: Hamirpur is approachable by road from Shimla, Chandigarh and Pathankot.

Distances from Hamirpur


Places to visit	Km
Awa Devi	25
Deotsidh temple	45
Nadaun	27
Sujanpur Tihra	24
Kangra	75
Una	82

Deotsidh Temple

The cave temple of Baba Balak Nath is thronged by devotees all the year round. It is situated on the Dhaulgiri hills on the border of Bilaspur and Hamirpur (40 Kms from Bilaspur and 45 Kms from Hamirpur) and is well connected by roads from all sides. During Navratras, there is a continuous stream of visitors to receive blessings of the Baba and Government makes arrangements for stay in tented colonies and provides water, toilets and other essential services. Additional accommodation and installation of rope way to Shahtalai is expected to attract more tourists. Shahtalai associated with legends of the saint is about 5 km from Deotsidh. En-route Deotsidh, one can enjoy pleasing sights of Bhakra Dam as well as of Shri Naina Devi temple complex. Nangal, the gateway to Bhakra dam is about 100 km from Hamirpur.

Deotsidh Temple Complex
24 km from Hamirpur town and close to the district border of Kangra is the fort of Sujanpur. This place was the capital of Katoch Dynasty and the old fort is worth visiting. Popularly known alongwith its twin title 'Tira', this fort was built by Raja Abhaya Chand of Kangra in 1758. In the early 19th century this was the home of the famous Raja Sansar Chand - renownded patron of the Kangra school of miniature paintings. The fort has a Barahdari Hall', where Sansar Chand used to hold court, some shrines and excellent wall paintings.

Remanants of Sujanpur Fort

There is a huge ground, where the annual Holi fair is held for 3-4 days, besides being used for sport activities. A Sainik school is also located here. It is also a religious centre. Narbadeshwar, Gauri Shankar and Murli Manohar are the three well known temples in the town. By the waters of the river Beas, the town has a charming setting and the river stretch offers good angling opportunities. This place is suitable for other adventure sports as well, such as angling, rafting and trekking.

Sujanpur Ground

Dharamshala

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:52:00 +0000

Dharamshala

This is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 17 kms north- east of Kangra town. This hill station is wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow capped mountains enfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snowline is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamshala than at any other hill resort and it is possible to make a day's trek to a snow-point after an early morning's start. Dharamshala is also the headquarter of the Kangra district.

Naddi Village near Dharamshala

In 1905, tragedy struck Dharamshala when an earthquake levelled it completely. After its reconstruction, Dharamshala flourished as a quiet health resort. It is divided into two distinct parts. Lower Dharamshala has civil offices and business establishments with courts. Kotwali bazar and Upper Dharamshala comprise of places with names which bear witness to its history like McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj. 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". Mcleodganj is 9 km from Dharamshala.

In and around Dharamshala, one can visit the Kangra Art museum at Kotwali bazar, War memorial, Kunal Pathri temple and tea gardens on way to Kunal Pathri. There is also a beautiful Cricket stadium in the city facing mighty Dhauladhar.

General information

Languages Spoken: Hindi, Punjabi, English and Pahari are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade

Shopping centres: Kotwali Bazar, a general shopping area, and McLeod Ganj for Tibetan handicrafts

Area: 5739 sq. km

Population: 13.39 lakh

Altitude: Between 1250 m to 1550 m (Dharamshala)

Temperature: Max. 38 C in June; Min. 0 C in Jan.

Annual rainfall: Varies between 290 cm to 380 cm second highest rainfall in the country.

Best season: January to June; September to December. July-August is rainy season.

Clothing

Winter: Heavy Woollens
Summer: Light Woollens and tropical

Approach

Air: The nearest airport at Gaggal is 14 km away after which it is accessible by road.

Rail: Pathankot is the nearest broad gauge railway terminal to Dharamshala. From Pathankot there is a narrow gauge railway line up to Kangra (94 km) and from here Dharamshala is 17 km by road.

Road: Direct and regular bus service from Delhi (520 km), Chandigarh (250 km), Jammu (210 km), Shimla (238 km), Chamba (192 km) and Manali (265 km).

Distances from Dharamshala


Places to visit	Km
Baijnath Shiv temple	54
Bhagsunag falls	11
Dal lake	12
Dehra Gopipur	52
Dharamkot	11
Jawalamukhi temple	54
Kareri	22
Kunal pathari	03
Masroor	42
Nurpur	66
St. John's Church	08
Trilokpur	41
Triund	16
War memorial	03

Bilaspur

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:44:00 +0000

Bilaspur

Formerly the seat of the ruler of the State is now submerged in the Gobind Sagar,it was situated on the south east side of the Satluj. Bilaspur Township is situated just above the old town of Bilaspur at an height of 670 m. above sea level. The new Bilaspur Township can be truely described as the first planned hill town of the country. The pleasure of a visit will be enhanced manifold when a motor launch is preferred as the means of travel, gliding through cool and enchanting waters of the lake.The Nalwari or annual cattle fair is held at Bilaspur for four or five days in March / April, the occasion is marked by wrestling and other amusements. Cattle are brought from Nalagarh and neighboring parts of Punjab.

General information

Area: 1167 sq. km

Population: 3.40 Lakh

Clothing: Cotton clothes in Summer and light woollen in winter.

Language: Hindi, Punjabi, English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade.

Approach

Rail:The nearest broad gauge railway station is at Kiratpur Sahib and nearest narrow gauge railway station is at Shimla, which are connected by regular bus services.

Road: Bilaspur is approachable by road from Shimla and Chandigarh.

Distances from Bilaspur


Places to visit	Km
Bahadurpur fort	40
Bhakra dam	75
Markandeya	20
Deotsidh temple	40
Nainda devi temple	60
Sariun fort	58
Swarghat	40
Tiun fort	55

Chamba

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:41:00 +0000

Chamba

The town of Chamba, the district headquarter of Chamba district is situated in the western Himalayas between north latitudes 32°10' and 33°13' and east longitudes 75°45' and 77°33'. The town stands on a plateau on the right bank of the Ravi river valley between Dhauladhar and Zanskar ranges south of the inner Himalayas. This town was founded by Raja Sahil Varman when he conquered the lower Rani valley from the petty chiefs called Ranas and Thakurs in the beginning of 10th Century. It seems the original name of the town was Champa as mentioned in Kalhan's Rajtarangani. In the bansauli or genealogical rolls of the Chamba Rajas a reference occurs of place which was adorned with highly fragrant Champaka trees and guarded by Goddess Champavati or more popularly known as Chameshni. The temple was built by Sahil Varman in the honour of his daughter Champavati who is worshipped as a goddess in Chamba. Champavati temple became the family temple of the ruling family.

General information

Area: 6528 sq. km

Population 4.60 lakh

Season: The best tourist season to visit Chamba is round the year. Adventure tourists may like to undertake winter trekking from November to March when the higher reaches of the district are snow clad and access to most of the villages is on foot.

Climate: The climate of Chamba in general is tempreate with well defined seasons. However, there may be variations because of micro-climatic systems depending upon altitude and mountain aspect. The winters last from December to February. March and April generally remain cool and dry but snowfall does occur at higher elevations during these months. The temperature begins to rise rapidly from the middle of April till last week of June or first week of July when monsoon breaks-in. Monsoon continues till the end of August or mid September. During the monsoon, the weather remains misty, humid and cloudy. October and November are comparatively dry but cold. The maximum temperature in Chamba town in summers is 38°C and the minimum in winter is 0°C.

Approach: Chamba is approximately 52 kms from Dalhousie. The distance is reduced by 6 kms. via Upper Barkota and Khajjiar road. Bus and taxi service is available from Chamba to Pathankot, Delhi, Dharamsala, Shimla, Chandigarh, Jammu and most of the Punjab cities along the national highway.

Distances from Chamba


Places to visit	Km
Akhand Chandi Palace	1
Bhuri Singh Museum	0
Bhamaur	65
Champavati temple	0
Chamunda Devi Temple	3
Chaugan	0
Dalhousie	52
Hari Rai Temple	0
Kilar (Pangi Valley HQ)	173
Laxmi Narayan Temple	0
Manimahesh	100
Rang Mahal	1
Saho	20
Sui Mata Temple	2
Vajreshwari temple	1

Chail

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:38:00 +0000

Chail

Chail was the summer capital of the former princely state of Patiala. It came into being in the late nineteenth century when it’s handsome and dashing Maharaja Bhupender Singh was banished from Shimla, the summer capital of British India for a dalliance with the British Commander –in-Chief’s daughter. Smarting at this insult, Bhupender Singh began exploring the neighbouring hills with a single guiding force – to find a hill that was within sight of Shimla but higher. The little village of Chail seemed perfect. Shimla lay within direct vision, and most important, Chail was higher than the British controlled Shimla town. Large tracts of the land here already belonged to him. This had been given to his ancestors for services rendered during the Gurkha wars which had come to an end in 1815-16. A site was selected and the Maharaja began building his summer palace. But an ill omen seemed to hang over the construction area. Local legend has it that the moment anything was built, it would collapse over night. Dozens of snakes would appear from nowhere and attack the labourers. Then Bhupinder Singh had a dream. A sage appeared before him and declared that the site the Maharaja had chosen was where he had meditated till he was taken by the earth, and his peace should not be disturbed. The Maharaja had the sage’s blessing to build on any other spot. Bhupinder Singh moved to another site and at the original spot – which is about a kilometre from the Palace Hotel – he had a temple built to the sage. Here the stone embodiment of the sage may still be seen along with the iron tongs and trident. The shrine is known as the Sidh Baba Ka Mandir and is revered by many who claim that the sage has the power to grant boons. Meanwhile Bhupinder Singh had another site levelled out and a splended mansion was built and sumptuously furnished. And at 2226 m, a good hundered meters above Shimla’s average height, Bhupinder Singh’s summer capital was prepared to taken on the British one at equal terms.

Chail Palace Hotel

In 1972 the property set in about 75 acres of land – including peripheral cottages, woods, sport and recreation facilities and even an orchard – passed into the hands of Himachal Tourism. This is now the Palace Hotel – a full- fledged destination resort. This retains the grandeur of its princely past and a large elegant lawn, complete with pavilion and fountain, adjoins the Hotel. Chail’s famous cricket ground was built in 1893 after leveling out the top of a hill. This stands at 2444.4 m and is perhaps the highest cricket pitch and the polo ground in the world. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was an avid cricketer and the teams that have played here include the MCC. Bhupinder Singh was not averse to a spot of fun in cricket too. This once included a match with all the players dressed as women; the Maharaja took the crease in a nun’s black habit sporting and equally black beard. Several easy walks can be done in and around Chail. The small wild life sanctuary has a variety of wild life that includes the ghoral, kakkar, sambhar, red jungle fowl, and the khalij and cheer pheasents. There are Machan-like sighting posts near ‘Blossom’ at Khariun and on the blade pate of the prosaically named Roda Tibba. Fishing is possible on the Gaura river 29 km from Chail and there are several trek routes that lead out of the resort, including the one to the Choor Chandni mountain which is visible from Chail and poetically translates as “The Mountain Of The Silver Bangles”. Chail is 86 km from Kalka via Kandaghat and 45 km from Shimla via Kufri.

Dalhousie

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:30:00 +0000

Dalhousie

Dalhousie (2036 m) is a hill station full of colonial charm that holds lingering echoes of the Raj. Spread out over the five hills (Kathlog, Potreys, Tehra, Bakrota and Balun) the town is named after the 19th century British Governer General Lord Dalhousie. It was popular with the British Army personnel in 1860's. The town’s varying altitude shades it with a variety of vegetation that includes stately grooves of pines, deodars, oaks and flowering rhododendrowns. Rich in colonial architecture, the town preserves some beautiful churches. St. John church is the oldest one built in 1863, St. Francis was built in 1894, St. Andrew in 1903 and St. Patric in 1909.

View of Panchpula, Dalhousie

There are also magnificent views of Chamba valley and the mighty Dhauladhar range with its awe-inspiring snow covered peaks filling an entire horizon. By road Dalhousie is about 550 km from Delhi, 52 km from Chamba via Banikhet and 43 km via Khajjiar and the nearest railhead at Pathankot is 85 km away.
In & around Dalhousie the visitable places are:

Subash Baoli: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose spent a large portion of 1937 contemplating here. A nice secluded place.

Panjpulla: It means five bridges. It is a picturesque spot with water flowing under the five small bridges. A samadhi of Sardar Ajit Singh, uncle of Bhagat Singh, adds to its importance. A small fresh water spring Satdhara is close by.

Bakrota hills: Visit for a brisk walk round the hills and have a view of snow clad peaks. It is 5 km from Dalhousie.

Kalatope: It is a picnic spot and a wild life sanctury, 10 km from Dalhousie and offers a fine view of the countryside.

Bara Pathar: It is 4 km from Dalhousie enroute Kalatope. In village Ahla here, there is atemple of Bhulwani Mata.

Dainkund: It is 10 km from Dalhousie. On a clear day this tall peak (2745 m) affords a birds eye-view of the hills, verdant valleys and the Beas, Ravi and Chenab rivers threading their silvery passage down to the plains.

Distances from Dalhousie


Places to visit	Km
Banikhet	7
Bharmour	117
Chhatrari	95
Kalatop	10
Khajiar	23
Kynance	5
Mani Mahesh	152
Norwood Paradham	5
Panchpula	3
St. Andrews Church	1
St. Francis Church	1
St. Johns Church	2
St. Patricks Church	2
Subhash Baoli	1

Shimla

noreply@blogger.com (Paliwala) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:12:00 +0000

Shimla

Height: Most of the town lies between 2,100 m and 2,300 m

Languages spoken: Hindi. Also English, Punjabi and Pahari.

Religion: Mostly Hindu. Also Sikh, Muslim and Christian

Medical Facilities: Good

Telecommunications: Worldwide links by the net, telephone and fax, code: 0177

With all its intricacies, history seems to have been the mortar for every brick and stone that has built Shimla. As the summer capital of British India for well over a century it was the seat of one of the most powerful governments in the world. From its cedar-shaded heights, one fifth of the human race was ruled and the decisions made those decades ago affect our lives to the present day.

The town of Shimla rose in the nineteenth century when the Gurkha Wars came to an end in 1815-16 and the victorious British decided to retain certain pockets as military outposts and sanitaria. In 1822 the most rigorous of dandies and the greatest of sticklers for form Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy, Political Agent to the Hill States directed that a house be built for him at the village whose name is variously reported as Sheyamalaya Shumlah, Shimlu and Shemlah. Kennedy House led the vanguard of the hundred-odd houses that were to scatter themselves by 1841 over every level or gently inclining space. Lured by the climate and terrain scores of European invalids began moving to the station and the only stipulation of the local chief who owned the land was that no tree be cut or cattle slaughtered.

In 1864 the Viceroy, John Lawrence anointed Shimla – then spelt Simla, as the summer capital of British India. With Lawrence came the Viceroy Council, the Imperial Secretariat, representatives of the Indian princes and foreign envoys. As the town grew to become the workshop of the Empire, an awed visitor observed, every pigeonhole cradled an embryo of a war or death. Despite the fact that up to the time of Indian independence in 1947, Shimla officially remained only the summer capital, yet the Government spent more time in these hills than at the actual capital Calcutta and later New Delhi. As the bearer of the Viceregal sceptre this tiny pocket became the cynosure of British Empire. Imperial grandeur, and all the panoply and trappings of power came along for the ride. And there was a popular local saying that went, “You cannot sleep the nights in Simla for the sound of grinding axes”. A social whirl of parties, gymkhanas, balls, fancy fairs and affaires du Coeur ensured that a heady mixture of scandal and intrigue constantly wafted through the town.

Quite inevitably the freedom movement had a close connection with Shimla. Ornithologist and former Civil Servant, Allan Octavian Hume created the Indian National Congress which spearheaded the struggle while living in the town. Stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, C. Rajagopalachari, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and Maulana Azad regularly visited Shimla. Major events that took place in the town were the Simla Conference in 1942, the deliberations of the Cabinet on and finally the decision to partition India.

And while the British Empire may have ceased to exist, its echoes linger on in the architecture and ambience of this hill resort. The elements of nostalgia may be strong but Shimla also has a youthful vigour in its pace. Its easy accessibility and several other attractions have made it one of India’s most popular hill resorts. There are many unforgettable walks, day-excursions by the dozen, a variety of convenient shopping and entertainment museums, and ice-skating in winter. Shimla is the base or the unwinding point for numerous exhilarating routes to the state interior.
Today the town is distinctive for its variety of architecture. It has one of the rare surviving urban forests, made all the more unique, for its species are temperate to alpine ones in what is otherwise a tropical zone. And then Shimla’s famous Mall offers one of the longest stretches of pedestrian shopping in the world.

Within and around Shimla, the public and private sector offer an enormous range of accommodation that range from modern to heritage hotels. Like satellites placed around the centre, there are many resorts in Shimla’s periphery that are full-fledged destinations in their own right. These are located at Mashobra, Naldehra, Kufri, Shilon Bagh and Chail. En route by road from Kalka there are Parwanoo, Dharampur and Kasauli.

Map of tourist spots around Shimla

Plan Your Sightseeing

If you are fond of walking, Shimla will unfold parts that remain hidden to vehicles. Combinations by car and then on foot are possible in several areas. It is suggested that you take a direction for the day and cover the places of interest.

The area around the Institute of Advanced Study has several walks. Combine these with visit to the State Museum and expand if you will towards Kamna Devi.

Tara Devi and Sankat Mochan can be linked with a short train ride to Tara Devi station. The Himalayan Queen that leaves Shimla at 10.15 am is recommended.

Jakhoo can be combined with a stroll and shopping on the Mall and in Lakkar Bazaar. The Lower Bazaar that runs parallel to the Mall at a lower level has the flavour of a typical Indian market place. Trinkets that can be purchased here include silver jewellery. You can also walk towards Chotta Shimla and Raj Bhavan the residence of the state Governor. The recently created rooms of Himachal Darshan offer a glimpse of the various district in the state. Jakhoo has several paths that criss-cross the hill a good walk is along the old Five Benches Road near the microwaves link tower. The Bharari spur also has many walks that can be done in a few hours or carried over the day

Special Interest

Nature

Some routes offer a greater variety of Shimla trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns. If you are lucky some bird species can also be sighted. Some suggested places are:

The Glen, and the narrow forest trail that runs above it and loops around Summer Hill. The Bharari spur. Towards the villages of Kamina and Pabo. Trek route down from Kamina to Tattapani.

Colonial Architecture

Most of Shimla has diverse colonial forms culled from all over Europe.

English Renaissance: With a castle-like appearance is the former Viceregal Lodge which is now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. This is surrounded by assorted cottages.

English Home Counties Marketplace: The Mall

Neo-Gothic: Gorton Castle now the office of the Accountant General and formerly the Imperial Civil Secretariat; the Secretariat of the Himachal Government at Ellerslie; and the Gaiety Theatre on the Mall

Norman- Baronial: District Courts.

Swiss- Bavarian chalets: The Chalet Day School and Cedar Lodge (Punjab Government Rest House).

Tudor: The Library on the Ridge and Barnes Court

Churches: Christ Church, St. Andrew and the deconsecrated churches of St. Andrew’s (now, the Evening College) All Saints Chapel 9nearthe gates of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study).

Cemeteries: Adjoining Oakover, the residence of the Chief Minister of Himachal has the oldest one. The largest ‘old-one’ is below St. Edward’s school and is approached via the Potato Research Station. The one at Sanjauli also dates back to colonial times and is still in use.
Others: Yarrows, various schools and college and cottages all over town.

Shopping

Handicrafts. Shawls and tweeds. Fruit juice and jams. Honey. Quality woollens. Silver jewellery. Rare books and etchings. Contemporary pahari miniature paintings. Metalware. Rugs and carpets. Handmade footwear. Wooden items like walking sticks.

Planning a Week in the Shimla Sector

A week’s time will give you a healthy sampler of Shimla. Dividing your time between the town and suburbs is suggested. You can also divide your stay between the town and the peripheral region. A good time to do the walks are the mornings. A visit to the Mall is the ideal plan for the evenings. When visiting the suburbs plan for most of the day. In season, an appropriate activity like activity – like ice-skating can be pursued. Let your hotel or an approved travel agent help you plan your itinerary – those few minutes will add a great deal to your stay.

Distances from Shimla


Places to visit	Km
Chadwick Falls	7
Chindi	94
Craignano	18
Fagu	22
Hatkoti	109
Indian Institute of Advanced Study	4
Jakhoo Temple	2.5
Jubbal	90
Kharapathhar	85
Kotgarh	82
Mashobra	12
Naldehra	23
Narkanda	65
Prospect Hill	5
Rampur	130
Recong Peo	231
Sankat Mochan	7
Sarahan	171
State Museum	3
Summer Hill	7
Tara Devi	11
Tattapani	53


Places to visit	Km
Gurudwara
Kafota	42
Khoodri Dak Pathar	25
Old temples
Sahastra Dhara	25

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