Tourist Places

Kully is a heavenly valley that is considered to be one of the best destinations for tourists. The hill station is marked with the splendid River Beas as well as a series of attractions such as Bijli Mahadev Temple, Jagannathi Devi Temple, various wildlife sanctuaries, Raghunath Temple, etc.

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.

Rohtang Pass (3979 m) is 51kms. from Manali on highway to Keylong/Leh. It offers a panorama and spectacular mountain view. The pass is open from June to October each year although trekkers can cross it earlier. It is a gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley just as Zojila pass is a gatway to Ladakh. There are a beautiful sight of glaciers, peaks and Chandra river flows down in the Lahaul valley. Slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Geypan. During summer(mid June to October) regular buses ply between Manali-Keylong/Darcha, Udaipur, Spiti and Leh. Rohtang Pass is best visitable between May/June to October/November.

Kasauli is filled with the natural serenity, lush greenery and bunches of flowers. People visiting Kasauli can enjoy the chance of exploring the tourist places of Himachal Pradesh such as Monkey Point, Dharampur, Dagshai, Sabathu, Sanawar, etc., that take you amidst the tranquility and beauty of Nature. One just can't remain bereaved of exploring it.

Shimla is one of the best refuges during vacations and a perfect destination for honeymoon. Dotted with various tourist attractions, Shimla appeals to your fancy with its Mall Road, Kali Bari Temple, Christ Church, Summer Hill, Shimla Ridge, etc. The place is a wonderful abode for nature lovers who feel like exploring all the tourist places in Himachal Pradesh.

Dalhouse appears to be extremely charming due to the existence of Kathlog, Balun, Porteyn, Moti Tibba and Bakrota hills. The hill station is ideal for honeymooners, who can explore it by visiting the spots such as the Laxmi Narayan Temple, Satdhara Springs, various churches, picnic spot named as Dalhousie Panchpula, Kalatop, etc.

Dalhouse appears to be extremely charming due to the existence of Kathlog, Balun, Porteyn, Moti Tibba and Bakrota hills. The hill station is ideal for honeymooners, who can explore it by visiting the spots such as the Laxmi Narayan Temple, Satdhara Springs, various churches, picnic spot named as Dalhousie Panchpula, Kalatop, etc.

Chamba's charm is gets enriched with the lively River Ravi and Chamba's art, culture, museums, temples as well as natural attractions are more than enough to let you glued to it. One can behold the arresting Dhgauladhar Ranges or can visit the Chaurasi Temple Complex or the famous Champavati Temple.

In the month of August/September the annual famous JATRA of Manimahesh commences from Laxmi-Narayana Temple in Chamba. The CHHARI is taken to the sacred lake of Manimahesh, which is one of the chief tirthas in the district. Off late people from north India and beyond have started visiting this sacred lake. The lake is situated at the height of 13,500 feet above sea level and at the base of Manimahesh Kailsah peak (18,564 feet), 92 km from Chamba, where pilgrims take holy dip. Manimahesh Kailash is a virgin peak. In 1968 an Indo-Japanese team led by Nandini Patel made an unsuccessful attempt to scale the peak. The devout attribute the failure to the divine prowesses of the holy mountain. On the margin of the lake is a small marble Shivaling called CHAUMUKHA.

Dharamshala is one of the popular hill station located in the Kangra district, Himachal known for its wonderful surroundings which have amidst pine trees, tea gardens with the snow covered mountains. It's home to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. The word "Dharamshala" means, an inn which is attached to a temple. Dharamshala's history has been greatly influenced by both Hinduism and Buddhism. Several monasteries were built in the 8th century by the Tibetan immigrants. The Hindu inhabitants of the region are the Gaddis who worship lord Shiva and Mata Durga. Dharamshala was developed as mostly a summer retreat for the British and their troops, who had seized control of the town in 1848.

McLeodGunj (at the height of nearly 1,800 metres) and surrounding areas are known as Upper Dharamsala. McLeodgunj is nine kilometers by bus route and four kilometres by taxi route up the hill from Kotwali Bazaar.While inhabitants of Lower Dharamsala are almost all Indians, McLeod Gunj is primarily a Tibetan area. McLeod Gunj is surrounded by pine, Himalayan oak, rhododendron and deodar forests. The main crops grown by local Indians in the valleys below McLeod Gunj are rice, wheat and tea. Today, streams of Tibetan refugees from all over the world flock to McLeod Gunj to receive blessings and teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

As a result of the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and one hundred thousand Tibetans fled to India and Nepal. Among the original refugees were 55 monks from Namgyal Monastery. After His Holiness the Dalai Lama was granted asylum in the Northern Indian town of Dharamsala, Namgyal Monastery was re-established very nearby the new residence of His Holiness. To this day, nearly fifty years later, the Tibetan religious, artistic and intellectual traditions are being preserved and maintained through the cooperative effort of the Dalai Lama and the Namgyal monks..

Bhagsunath is an attractive tourist spot, well known waterfall and a small shrine that lies at the end of an easy walk from Macleodganj bazaar. It is 11 km from Dharamshala. It has fresh-water springs, slate quarries, a small yet beautiful waterfall and an ancient temple. A popular picnic spot as well. The place got its name from the ancient temple known as Bhagsunath temple at the heart of the region. The temple attracts many devotees and the local people admire the idol adorning the temple having great healing powers. Bhagsunath waterfall is 0.5km from the temple. It is an enchanting location close to the nature.

The torrential Banganga river deep in the valley forming a formidable sheer and the Kangra Fort lurking atop the flat mountain range is a scene that one encounters on nearing Kangra town when you drive from Shimla-Mataur national highway. A feeling of awe mixed with joy pervades you as you look back in time. The Kangra Fort is approximately 3 kilometer from the town and is also known as Nagarkot. The fort is historically significant; its massive size, and the beauty of its structure lend it an added charm. At the entrance is a museum containing some valuable old photographs of the fort prior to the devastating earthquake of 1905 and some exquisite stone sculptures, carvings, idols and other artifacts.

The town of Palampur (1219 m) is situated in a idyllic valley priding itself with tea gardens, and hills covered with pine trees. The place enjoys a year-round pleasant climate and the pine scented air is said to have curative properties. The scenery presents a sublime and beautiful contrast- the valleys presents a picture of rural innocence and repose, while the hills are majestic. Overlooking this town are the majestic Dhauladhars, whose tops remain covered with snow for most of the year.

This particularly beautiful ancient Shiv temple at Baijnath is 16 km from Palampur, on the Pathankot-Mandi national highway . Built of stone in the 9th century AD in the shikhara style, it is a fine blend of sculpture and architecture. The temple is easily accessible from both Palampur and Kangra. The linga enshrined in its sanctum is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country. Every year during the Shivratri fair, pilgrims decend on Baijnath for the colourful fair and festivities.

Kinnaur enchants you with vineyards, valleys, orchards, snow covered mountain and their peaks, as well as various fruits such as apples, apricots, pine nuts, almonds, etc. Rivers such as Spiti, Baspa and Satluj add to the richness of Kinnaur and make it serene.

Chail, an awesome hill station in Himachal bewitches you with its temples, palaces, natural beauty and landscape and a number of tourist attractions such as the renowned Chail Cricket Ground, the highest cricket ground in the world, Sidh Baba Ka Mandir, Maharaja's Palace, Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.