DISTRICTS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
Himachal Pradesh has 12 districts in all.
CHAMBA: bowl shaped town, Chamba was found in
920 A.D. by Raja Sahib Verma. It draws its name from Raja’s favorite daughter,
Champavati and is perched on a plateau with gushing river waters of Ravi below.
SPOTS TO SEE
1.Chaugan: A big ground with lush green grass carpet.
2. Hari Rai Temple: An 11th Century structure
with Bronze idol of Chaturmurti – the four armed Vishnu.
3. Sarol: A picnic spot.
4. Laxmi Narayan Temple:
- Dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.
- Built around 8th Century.
5.Collection of fine miniatures from Kangra, Basholi and
Chamba Schools of painting. There are also murals and paintings from Rang Mahal
Palace, which was damaged by fire.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature:
Around 37degrees in summer.
Season: April-
July
September-October
Altitude: 996 mts.
Clothing: Light woolens in summer
Heavy woolens in winter
KULLU
Serenely set by the winding banks of river BEAS. It
continues to offer calm and placid atmosphere with the background music of
gushing river waters. Weather here is very enchanting from April to June.
A weeklong Dussehra celebration in October is
a major attraction of this district of Himachal Pradesh.
SPOTS TO SEE
1.Bijli Mahadev:
·
11km away from Kullu.
·
A Shiv temple where the Shivling inside the
temple is shattered into pieces by
lightning practically every year. The pieces are assembled together and
put into its original form with the
help of butter.
2. Saryolsar lake:
·
Can be approached by crossing Jalori pass via
Banjar.
·
People consider it auspicious to visit this lake
on 20th Bhadon.
3. Banjar:
·
Situated on the bank of Jirthan River.
·
58 km from Kullu via Aut on way to Jalori pass.
4. Shoja:
·
11km from Banjar.
·
National Himalayan Park.
5. Manikaran:
·
45km from Kullu
·
Hot water springs of Parvati valley
·
Ramchandraji temple and the Gurudwara.
6. Khirganga:
·
48km from Kullu.
·
A picnic spot.
7. Akhara
Bazaar:
Main shopping center presenting
Kullu caps, Shawls, Pattus, Godmas, Puhlas, Namdas etc.
8.Raghunathji temple
GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature: 33.8 deg C – 14deg C in summer
16 deg C – 1 deg C in winter
Altitude: 1219 mts.
Season: April – June
September – November
Clothing: Cottons in summer
Heavy
woolens in winter.
KINNAUR
Truly tribal district of H.P. is situated at a distance of
250 km. From Shimla on N.H 22. The entire district has a number of valleys
varying in altitudes from 1000mts to 4000mts.
SPOTS TO SEE
- Braham valley: picturesque valley, rich in flora and fauna. Famous for Sanjay Vidyut Power Project.
- Karchham: The confluence of Sutlej &Baspa Rivers marks the location of Karchham at a height of 1899 mts. On Hindustan-Tibet Road.
- Sangla: 18 kms from Karchham.
- Kumru fort: An impressively built temple dedicated to the goddess Kali.
- Rakchham: On the right bank of River Baspa.
At 2900 mts
- Reckong Peo: 240 kms. From Shimla at height of 2758 mt. It is the headquarter of district Kinnaur.
- Ribba: T 2745 mts on N.H.-22, is full of vineyards, famous for a local brand wine-Angoori.
- Namgia; Village closest to Indo-China border.
- Tashigang Gompa
- Hangrang valley: Nako is the largest village of this valley.
- Chitkul: 26kms from Sangla
- Kothi: 3kms from Reckong Peo has atemple of goddess Chandika Devi.
- Kalpa: Main village of the district.
- Puh: 58kms from Powarialong N.H.22, Puh has modern facilities for comfortable stay.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature:
cold with temp.0deg C in winters
Altitude:
2000mts or more.
Season: June-
October
Clothing: Heavy
woolens.
SOLAN
“Mushroom City” of India, Solan is situated between Kalka
and Shimla.
SPOTS TO SEE:
Barog: Barog is 37km from Kalka and 5km from Solan; it was
an important stop on the railway line in the early part of the century.
Chail: The idyllic resort, set amidst scented forests of
pine, deodar. It overlooks the Sutlej valley.
Kasauli: A little town with dainty English cottages set in
gardens spilling with flowers, pretty paths and quaint old-fashioned shops.
Parmanoo: Parwanoo is an upcoming township and gateway to
Himachal Pradesh via Kalka touching the boundaries of Haryana.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Altitude: 1,350km.
Temperature: Temperature ranges between 10degC-39degC.
Best time for visiting: April to June, September to
November.
Clothing: Light woolens in summer and heavy woolens.
SIRMOUR: This southeastern corner of the state
is noted for its places of pilgrimage and for the legends that surround them.
SPOTS TO SEE:
Renuka: A sacred lake set among green hills, a temple
dedicated to the immortal Renuka and her son Parsuram-Tirlokpur Temple, a
wildlife sanctuary and a Lion Safari- Suket, make Renuka 45km from Nahan.
Poanta Sahib: Located in the foothills, on the banks of the
river Yamuna, along the Nahan Dehradun road.
Rajgarh: Just 30km from Solan, Rajgarh blessed with
considerable with considerable natural beauty is an unspoilt retreat set amidst
apple orchards.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Altitude: 932mt
Temperature: Cold in winter, warm in summer.
MANDI: Flanked by the Shivalik ranges the
thickly inhabited town of Mandi is scattered on both the sides of the river
Beas. Its name is related to to “Mandav Rishi”.
SPOTS TO SEE:
Rewalsar lake and Kunti sar lake: An uphill drive of
25km,surrounded by temples, a gurudwara and a monastery.
Prashar lake: Sacred lake visited for special benevolence on
Bhadon by the locals and attracts tourist for a quiet on the other hillside of
the town.
Barot: A nice picnic spot situated at a distance of 33km
from Mandi on Mandi-Pathankot highway. It is also very famous for trout fishing
and a Ropeway that attracts the tourist.
Kamru nag Lake: Resting resort for trekkers at a height of
10,000ft from the sea level on Mandi –Karog road.
Shekari Devi Temple: Tranquility for the trekkers at a
height of 12,000ft, from the sea level.
Sundernagar: Beautifully fertile valley receives the tired
traveler with open arms at a distance on the National highway. Waters of two
giant rivers-Beas and Satluj have been wedded here.
Tattapani: Resting deep in a scenic valley and surrounded by
hills, it is also famous for hot springs.
Chindi: This little hamlet in an apple growing area, it is
also famous for its small temples.
BILASPUR: This monition is situated on
the bank of “Gobind Sagar Lake” at an altitude of 673mt from the sea level.
Bilaspur is one of the hottest places in Himachal Pradesh. The fury of the
river Satluj has been tamed by an engineering feat and a new township has
sprung up just above the sunken temples, which occasionally raise their tops to
remind man of their underwater existence.
APPROACH:
Road: Deluxe buses &Ordinary buses ply from Chandigarh
to Bilasdpur via Kiratpur on way to Manali crossing Mandi and Kullu.It can also
be approached by bus or by a taxi from Shimla via Darlaghat
HAMIRPUR: Hamirpur is situated at a
height of 927mt. Midway between Shimla to Dharamshala via Bilaspur –Ghumarwin
these districts headquarter can boast rich cultural heritage.
SPOTS TO SEE:
Deot Sidh Baba Balak nath: Situated in the border of
Hamirpur and Bilaspur this has been an important place of worship from times
immemorial. It s approachable by road.
Sujanpur Tihra: At a distance of 25km from Hamirpur the
historical Mandir is situated on the banks of the river Beas.
APPROACH:
Good road s from Kirtapur via Bilaspur –Ghagas- Ghurmarwin
and from Shimla via Bilaspur –Ghurmarwin have a large number of buses plying
regularly from all places within the state as well as from Delhi and important
towns from Punjab and Haryana.
LAHAUL&SPITI: The high Rohtang Pass
(3,980mt), at the top of the Kullu valley, very near to Manali, is the main
entry point to the stark splendour of Lahaul- a part of the district
Lahaul-Spiti.
Lahaul with its
curious mix of Buudhism and Hinduism has fine gompas (monasteries) and temples.
The gompas, repositories of Lahaul’s rich store of Buddhist art and culture,
are the focus of the social activity and festivity.
SPOTS TO SEE:
Keylong: Keylong is situated 3,350mt is located in the heart
of Lahaul. This town is blessed with greenery; planted along watercourses, make
a patch of brilliant colour against the bare hills.
Ardang: The largest monastery in the area, filled with
paintings ancient weapons, musical instruments and large life-size statues of
Buddha are its rich treasures.
Gondla: On the right bank of the river Chandra, the tall
imposing structure up on a hill, is also a fortification. (18km)
Udaipur: Located in upper Lahaul, (59km from Keylong), in
the Pattan valley, Udaipur is the starting point for a umber of exciting treks
to Chamba-Kistwar and Padam.It also has camping sites.
Suraj Tal:One of the high altitude lakes in this area, Suraj
Tal is 65km from Keylong. This emerald lake is the source of River Bhaga.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Altitude: 3,350mts.
Climate: Dry and very cold.
Season: June to October.
Clothing: Heavy woolen.
UNA: UNA is at a distance of 67km from
Chandigarh (by road) via RoparNangal was raised to the level of district
headquarter in 1972.
SPOTS TO SEE:
Chintpurni Mandir: At a motorable distance of 33km from Una
on road to Dharamshala via Mubarakpur, this temple is perched at a height of
976mt.
Dera Baba Barbhag Singh: This religious spot at a distance
of 4 km from Una is situated on Nehri war marg. This Dera has about 80 rooms,
which can be used for stay by the pilgrims without any cost.
SHIMLA: Formerly summer capital of India.Shimla
derives its name from Shymla- the Goddess-whose temple is situated in the
thickly wooded hilly region of Jakhoo.Shimla is situated in the lower spurs of
the North-west Himalayas at a height of 2205mt.Shimla has the “Mall” which is a
major tourist attraction not only for its natural beauty but also for the
shopping it provides for all sections of tourists. Shimla also does hold great
heritage buildings with their significant vibrant history’s each of their own
kind.
SPOTS TO SEE:
The Mall: An attractive shopping area to answer the needs
and likes of every person visiting the Mall, catering to the latest trends in
the market, the old world charm. It caters to the taste buds of different
tongues serving standards of different class and taste.
Gaiety Theatre: Located strategically in the center of the
Mall this Heritage building is more than 100 years old. The auditorium with
perfect accoustics, it has a capacity of 240 seats including five boxes for
VIP’s. Attached to the theatre is the club known as the Amateur dramatic Club
(ADC) meant exclusively for members.
Christ Church: Just above the Mall is a vast Ridge that
provides visitors of all categories an area for relaxation and entertainment
through all seasons; it is the second oldest church in North –India.
Jakoo temple: Worshippers of Hanuman &the routine
tourists find the Jakoo temple of 3,438mt,offering a very panoramic view.
Viceroy’s Lodge: It has now been converted into the Indian
Institute of advanced study.
Kufri: At a distance of 16km from Shimla the place is a
favorites haunt of picnickers. The forest department has also set up a mini
zoo.
Chail: 45km from Shimla via Kandaghat or Kufri the place
boasts of the highest cricket ground in the world
Naldehra: A one-hour drive from Shimla and you reach a lush
green Golf course having a cozy restaurant with Beer bar. Enroute one can visit
Craignanoo for holiday in solitude.
Tatapani: The place at a distance of 50km from Shimla is
famous for hot water springs on the banks of Sutlej River and a Shiva cave.
Hatkoti:Interested in fishing-one has to go down 104km to
the famous Hatkoti temple-get your wishes granted by the Goddess and catch some
Trout in the river flowing by the temple.
Narkanda: Narkanda is famous place for snow skiing and
trekking. Mountaineering Institute.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Altitude: 2,130mt(7000ft.) above sea level.
Temperature: Ranging from sub zero in extreme winter
to 32degC in top summer.
Best time for visiting: Throughout the year. Rains-
Mid June to Mid August.
Cool weather, clear skies, mid August, September.
October: Snow fall- Anytime from December to February.
Distance from Shimla:
Narkanda 68km
Delhi 369km
Chandigarh 119km
Manali 280km
Dharamshala 235km
Chamba 396km
KANGRA
Kangra town is 18 km from Dharamshala. This was the first
seat of Raja Sansar Chand2 (1775-1823).
One of the ancient capital of powerful hill state – fort of
Nagarkot stands as a mute witness to the ravages of conquerors from Mahmood of
Ghazni to the emperor Jehangir, and the disastrous earthquake of 1905. The
place is now called “purana kangra”. 2km away from the bus stand is the temple
diedicated to goddess Bajreshwari Devi.Known for its legendry wealth it was
invaded in 1009 AD by Mahmud of Ghazni who departed with King’s ransom in gold,
silver and jewels. Earthquake of 1905 destroyed it completely. Rebuilt in the
present form in 1920,it continues to be a busy place of pilgrimage. Old Jain
temple and Gupt Ganga are other attractions in the town. Jayanti Devi temple is
7 km and Kangra Mandir railway station 3 km from the main bus stand.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Climate:
In winter the temperature can drop to freezing point when
heavy woolens are required. During summer the climate is mild. Light woolens/
cottons are recommended.
Temperature:
Maximum 38 degree C in June; Minimum 0degree C in January.
Annual Rainfall:
Varies between 290 cm to 380 cm.
S.T.D code 01892
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