Himachal
Travel Guide
SHIMLA
Shimla
is the State Capital of Himachal Pradesh, with its population around 1.6 lacs
(Shimla town). It was the Summer Capital of India under the British rule. Shimla
has witnessed many important historical events, such as the famous Shimla Pact
between India & Pakistan, which was signed here. The place is also famous
for its natural beauty, architectural buildings, wooden crafts and apples
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.
KANGRA
The
Kangra valley is one of the most picturesque valley of lower Himalyas. The valley,
sheltered by the sublime Dhauladhar range, is green and luxuriant. It provides
a tremendous contrast in nature of places to be visited. Dharamshala is full
of Buddhist air whereas ancient Hindu Temples like Brajeshwari, Baijnath, Jawalamukhi
and Chamunda Devi dot the country side.
The history of Kangra valley dates back to the Vedic times more than 3500 yrs.
ago. The area was exposed to successive invasions, the last being the British
domination over the princes of the hill states. Despite the onslaughts and political
upheavels, the arts and crafts of the region continued to develop and found
lyrical expressions. Crafts like the exquisitely designed shawls and miniature
paintings of this region are internationally appreciated.
DHARAMSHALA
Dharamshala is the district hqr. of Kangra district. This is a hill station
lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 18kms. north east of Kangra
town. 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 snow
line is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamshala than at any other hill
resort and it is possible to trek to snow point after an early morning's start.
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.
LAHAUL VALLEY
Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan Valleys of H.P. lying on the Indo-Tibet
border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are unsurpassed in mountain
scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their
snow covered peaks.
Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains and massive glaciers.
The two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga which rise on either side of the Baralacha
La, flow through the narrow Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Lahaul is a land of fascinating
Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories
of ancient murals, thankas, wood carving and golden images of Padmasambhava.
The valley lies at a height of 2745 metres above sea level. Summer in this valley
is cool and pleasant with green grass and alpine flowers. There are little monsoon
in both these valleys and this enables climbers & trekkers to enjoy a long
and unbroken season in perpetual sunshine to explore the wilderness and grandeur
of the inner Himalaya. This unique feature makes Lahul-Spiti as an ideal destination
for tourists and trekkers in the month of July, August and September. Keylong
is 115 kms. from Manali and is the District Headquarters of Lahul-Spiti District.
SPITI VALLEY
Spiti is the sub division of Lahaul & Spiti district with its hqrs. at Kaza.
It is called "Little Tibet" because it has almost the same terrain,
vegetation & climate . Spiti also means "Middle Country". It lies
between Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul & Kulu. From Shimla via Kinnaur there
is a motorable road which remains open upto Kaza for 8 to 9 months. About 10kms.
ahead of Pooh, satluj enters India near Shipki la & Spiti river joins it
at Khab. The road then goes to Sumdo via Hangrang valley. From Sumdo Spiti valley
starts. The Spiti river flows fast through deep gorges at some places. The valley
is not wide but there are villages and some fields where people grow barley,
buck- wheat, peas & vegetables. It has an area of 4800 sq. kms. Some inhabitants
have adopted Budhism as there faith and Bhoti is the spoken language. The people
are simple and honest. The main Spiti valley is split into eastern and western
valleys. They are connected with Ladakh & Tibet on eastern side & Kinnaur
and Kulu on western side through high passes. UNA Una has been carved out of
Hoshiarpur district of Punjab in 1966 where the hilly areas of Punjab were transferred
to Himachal Pradesh and the whole area is warm. It has borders with Kangra Hamirpur
and Bilaspur and then acts as a gateway to these regions. Efforts are being
made to develop same places in Nangal and Bhakra areas.
SOLAN
Blessed with a pleasant climate all the year round. Solan has an old brewery
and a sprawling horticulture and forestry university. KASAULI: 77 k.m. from
Shimla and 35 k.m. from Kalka, at 1927 metres is a quaint little town that seems
to exists in a time wrap in an era that reminds one of the 19th century. Its
colonial ambience is reinforced by cobbled paths, quaint shops, gabled houses
with charming facades and scores of neat little gardens and orchards. Kasauli
is surrounded by a mixed forest of chir-pine, Himalyan oak and huge horse-chestnuts.
Its narrow roadslither up and down the hillsides and offer some magnificent
vistas. You can get vantage views from Monkey Point, 4 k.m. from the bus stand
CHAIL
43 k.m. from Shimla and with a lush green setting, this was the former 'summer
capital' of the Patiala state. At 2250 metres it has the world's highest cricket
pitch and a polo ground, the old palace.
MANDI
The historic town of Mandi (800 m) is built along the banks of the river Beas.
It has long been an important commercial centre and the sage Mandva is said
to have meditated here. This one time capital of the princely state of Mandi
is a fast developing town that still retains much of its original charm and
character. Today, it is a district headquarters. Mandi is renowned for its 81
old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving, it is often called
the 'Varanasi of the Hills'. The town has
remains of old palaces and notable examples of 'colonial' architecture.
KINNAUR
Located
in the dizzying heights of the Himalayas, with passes that remain closed for
six months linking them with the rest of the world, Kinnaur, Spiti & Lahaul
were till now a forbidden land. Only a chosen few were granted permission to
visit this secret world, officials, Moravian missionaries who settled here in
1853 and a few mountaineers. Now this area has been opened for the daring and
adventurous to discover what had been hidden from the world for centuries.From
the riotous green of the Sangla Valley filled with orchards of apricots, peaches,
chilgozas and apples to the magnificent desolation of the Hangrang Valley, Mother
Nature's portrait is an ever changing one in Kinnaur. This land lying on the
ancient trade route between India and Tibet, ringed by the majestic mountain
of the Himalayan and Dhauladhar range is the land of plenty. The gushing rivers
of Kinnaur abound in Trout-the angler's prize catch, their waters have over
the centuries chiseled beautiful gorges across this picturesque land and nurtured
one of the most unique societies on there banks. In the lush land live the descendants
of the Kinners-the demi gods of the Hindu pantheon, whose deeds have been immortalized.
SIRMAUR
Himachal Pradesh is not only the land of snow and high mountains but also has
lower hills known as Shiwalik, where too the tourists can spend their vacations,
see the wonders of nature like the big lakes, wild life parks/ sanctuaries and
the fossil parks etc. One such area is district Sirmaur, where a triangle of
3 important tourist places namely Nahan, Renuka and Paonta Sahib, have attracted
many tourists all round the year. There are many attractions available in this
triangle. One can visit these places either in the order we have explained or
first visit Renuka then Nahan and lastly Paonta Sahib from Shimla side or the
vice versa.
NAHAN
The first in the triangle is the town of Nahan 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.
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