Day: February 12, 2018

Visit Best Place of Chitkul in Himachal Pradesh

Visit Best Place of Chitkul in Himachal Pradesh The last inhabited village close to the Indo-Tibet Border on the old India-Tibet road, Chitkul in Kinnaur district at an elevation of 3,450 meters boasts off a rich traditional atmosphere. Dotted with approximately 150 slate and wooden plank rooftop houses in the lap of the jaw-breaking mountainscape, the village is mostly inhabited by various tribal settlements. On your trip to Chitkul you can visit the 500 years old Mathi Devi Temple, which is a typical example of the Himachali architecture built in wood and stone with intricate carvings; Chitkul Fort, which is a three storied architecture with a combination of wood and stone; and the nearby Buddhist temple. Some other villages that you can visit from Chitkul are Nichar , Wangtu , Karcham , Rakcham, Reckong-Peo , Puh , and Kibber. The Jalori Pass trek from Narkanda is one of the popular treks in Himachal Pradesh that passes through Chitkul and thus making the remote village one of the popular stopovers for trekkers. The drive from Sangla to Chitkul is an absolute treat for nature lovers, especially the last 10 km after crossing the nomadic village of Rakcham which marks the half way point between Sangla and Chitkul. The bumpy road along the valley is extremely beautiful, with the Baspa River dividing the snow clad Himalayan peaks on the left, the apple orchids and wooden houses made with either Bhog Phattar (slate) or wooden plank roofs on the right. The former locals claim protects the houses from earthquakes and lighting bolts. Chitkul at first glance will give you a feeling of time travel, way back into the past. The village has no cell phone coverage, no market, no ATM but a couple of home-run shops selling basic necessities. The main attraction in Chitkul is the wooden houses and the temple complex in the village. The Goddess of Chitkul is believed to be very powerful and is the only non-Buddhist deity to which respect must be paid by the Parikrama pilgrims. It is believed that the local deity is related to the deity of Gangotri and till date the locals carry the deity to Gangotri on foot over high mountain passes. Walking is the best way to get around the village, which is more like a small maze with various lanes which all lead to the temple complex of Goddess Mathi which is situated at the centre of the village. Travellers who are interested in street photography will surely love strolling around the village. While walking around the village, one will surely bump into numerous friendly locals who will greet you with a broad smile and try making some small talk by asking you a few general questions. The main occupation of the villagers is either animal husbandry or farming. Chitkul produces one of the best variety potatoes in the entire country, nearly all of which are used in producing packaged chips. Chitkul has two village schools, the primary school is located within the village and the secondary school is situated on the banks of the River Baspa. Considering the extreme remoteness of the place, the village has very good supply of electricity. While in Chitkul, travellers can be one with nature by either chilling on the banks of the river Baspa or by hiking into the woods around the village. Before venturing into the woods for a hike it is advisable to take local advice since there is also a possibility of getting lost in

Best Place of Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh

Best Place of Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh Delhousie Town was named after Lord Dalhousie, who was the British Governor-General in India while establishing this place as a summer retreat. The Dalhousie is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, established in 1854 by the British Empire‘s government in British India as a summer retreat for its troops and officials after annexation of Sikh Empire Punjab.It is built on and around five hills, Kathalagh, Potreyn, Terah, Bakrota and Bhangora.[2] Located on the western edge of the Dhauladharmountain range of the Himalayas, it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Dalhousie is situated between 6,000 and 9,000 feet (2,700 m) above sea level. It was established on the land of a Sikh Empire Punjab after annexed by British. Dalhousie remains the part of Punjab until 1966. But it was trimmed from Punjab by controversial Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The best time to visit is in the summer, and the peak tourist season is from May to September. Scottish and Victorian architecture are prevalent in the bungalows and churches in the town.Dalhousie is a gateway to the ancient Chamba Hill State, now Chamba District of the state of Himachal Pradesh of India. This hill region is a repository of ancient Hindu culture, art, temples, and handicrafts preserved under the longest-running single dynasty since the mid-6th century. Chamba is the hub of this culture. Bharmour, the ancient capital of this kingdom, is home to the Gaddi and Gujjar tribes. It has 84 ancient temples dating from the 7th–10th centuries AD. Dalhousie, one of the favourite among most tourists travelling to Himanchal Pradesh is famously known for its mesmerizing natural beauty and its old world charm. This hill station was one of the most favourite summer destinations of the ruling Britishers and this is truly reflected in the majestic Victorian style mansions in this region. Situated far from the buzzing cities in the country, this quaint town transports you to a pollution-free environment in the lap of nature. Dalhousie is known for its scenic beauty has a number mountains and river streams that tourists must visit. Among them the most famous are Panch Pulla, Satdhara Falls and the Daikund peak.

Best Place of Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh

Best Place of Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh Often referred to as ‘mini-Switzerland of India’, Khajjiar is a small town near Dalhousie which provides tourists a unique combination of forests, lakes and pastures. The mesmerising beauty of this place has greatly influenced and inspired many kingdoms throughout the years, including the Rajputs and Mughals. Located at an altitude of 6,500 feet, the natural beauty and picturesque landscape of this place are bound to leave an everlasting impression on a tourist. Khajjiar is known for its nine-hole golf-course which is nestled in the midst of lush greenery and a breathtaking landscape. Khajjiar is a small plateau which also has a small lake which is one of the most favored tourist spots in this town. Khajjiar is surrounded by green meadows and dense forests and it is also known for its beautiful temples. This region also attracts adventure seekers and has a lot of options in adventure sports like paragliding, horse riding, zorbing, trekking etc. Khajjiar is a must visit place for everyone coming to Dalhousie and its nearby regions. However, the way to Khajjiar can be closed sometimes during winters because of heavy snowfall. The best entertainment in Khajjiar is to walk around the lake or to go for long walks in the thick pine forests. Children enjoy this place because of the freedom of movement and the sloped terrain which permits them to roll down to the lake without getting hurt. Another attraction is horse riding. Khajjiar Lake is a small lake, surrounded by saucer-shaped lush green meadow and a floating island. The dense growth of weed called vacha has made its earth spongy. Now the banks stand covered by a thick layer of earth, formed by the years of dust settling down on the weeds.A little away from the lake is the temple of Khajji Nag belonging to the 12th century AD made by the king of chamba Preeti Singh . The temple has a golden dome and due to which it is also known as ‘Golden Devi Temple’. In the mandapa of the temple one can see the images of the Pandavas and the defeated Kaurvas hanging from the roof of the circumambulatory path. The sanctum of the temple has been beautifully carved from wood. This temple is dedicated to snake worship and there are some snake idols inside. The temple also has idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Hadimba.

Best Tour Attraction of Manali

Best Tour Attraction of Manali Situated at a height of 6260 feet above sea level, Manali is one of the most popular, beautiful and awe-inspiring hill stations in this country. A valley located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Manali overwhelms its visitors by flowering apple trees and adventurous snow covered roads. Surrounded by majestic hills and woody forests, the quaint charm of Manali has captured the world’s attention and has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. The pristine River Beas flows right through the town, creating a mesmerising and spellbinding landscape. Nestled at one end of the Kullu Valley, Manali is a popular hill station with attractions such as the Rohtang Pass and Solang Valleynearby. Rohtang Pass is covered with snow throughout the year and is a good experience in itself. This is the ideal place for tourists looking to unwind and rejuvenate in the lap of nature, for there is no place in the country more vibrant and charming as Manali. This town also has a multitude of options for tourists looking for adventurous activities like trekking, paragliding, skiing, zorbing, white water rafting etc. Besides adventurous activities, Manali also has a lot of temples which all tourists and devotees love to visit including the Raghunath temple and Jagannathi Devith Temple being one of the important ones. Hadimba Temple, a 14th-century temple is famous for its wooden architecture and for its religious values. Manali is also used as the base town for the Manali-Leh highway and Leh is around 479 km from here. Lahaul and Spiti district can also be accessed from here during the summers using the same highway. According to mythology, one day, Varvasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing water. The fish told him to look after it with devotion as one day it would do him a great service. The seventh Manu cared for the fish till the day it grew so huge that he released it into the sea. Before departing, the fish warned Manu of an impending deluge when the entire world would be submerged and bade him to build a sea worthy ark. When the flood came, Varvasvata and seven sages were towed to safety by Matsya, the fish which is regarded as first avatar of Lord Vishnu. As the water subsided the seventh Manu’s ark came to the rest on a hill side and the place was named Manali (2,050 m) after him.As the flood slowly dried, here arose a place of breath-taking natural beauty which was only appropriate at Manali that life began again. Today this legendary cradle of all human kind is a prime holiday destination.

Shimla in Himachal pradesh

Shimla Probably the most popular hill station in northern India, Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh famous for its Mall road, the Ridge, toy train etc. among honeymooners and families alike. Situated at a height of 2200 m, Shimla is one of the most eminent tourist destination in the country. Set amidst beautiful hills and mystical woods, Shimla is one of most aesthetically planned cities in India. An erstwhile summer capital of British India, this town’s captivating natural beauty, and the atmosphere are bound to leave any tourist overwhelmed. The well-knit roads, impeccable cleanliness, and an efficient administration make for a perfect combination for any tourist destination in the world. This town has colonial-style buildings alongside the historic temples and the amalgamation of the worlds leaves everyone visiting this region spellbound. Within this city, one must visit the Mall Road, The Ridge, Institute of Advanced Studies and Jakhu Temple. Shimla is also used as a base to cover other nearby places like Chail, Kufri, Naldehra, Mashobra, Tattapani and Narkanda. The toy train to Shimla from Kalka passes through beautiful hills and valleys and is one of the most beautiful train routes in the world. The British empire may have ceased to exit, but its echo lingers on in Shimla (2205m). As the Summer Capital of the British in India, Shimla was the country’s focus for the better part of every year and now, is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. Today, it has well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions making it one of India’s most popular hill resort. Situated in the lower ranges of the Himalayan mountains, it is surrounded by pine deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. Towards the north lie the snow-covered high-ranges, while the valleys breathe whispering streams and swaying fields. Within the town are host of splendid colonial edifices, quaint cottages and charming walks. Shimla offers a variety of shopping, sport and entertainment activities

Manikaran Gurudwara in Himachal pradesh

Manikaran Gurudwara in Himachal pradesh Manikaran is located in the Parvati Valley along the banks of river Parvati, northeast of Bhuntar in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 1760 m and is located about 40 km from Bhuntar.This small town attracts tourists visiting Manali and Kullu to its hot springs and piligrim centres.An experimental Geothermal Energy plant has also been set up here. Manikaran is a pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Sikhs. The Hindus believe that Manu recreated human life in Manikaran after the flood, making it a sacred area. It has many Temples and a Gurudwara. There are temples of Lord Rama, Krishna, and Vishnu. The area is well-known for its natural hot-water springs and its beautiful landscape. According to a legend, when Lord Shiva and his better half Parvati were walking in the valley, Parvati dropped one of her earrings. The jewel was seized by Shesha-Nag, the serpent deity, who then disappeared into the earth with it. Shesha-Nag only surrendered the jewel when Shiva performed the cosmic dance, the “Tandava” and shot the jewel up through the water. Apparently, it is said that jewels continued to be thrown up in the waters at Manikaran until the earthquake of 1905. According to Sikhs, during third Udasi, Guru Nanak Dev ji came to this place in 1574 Bikrami with his disciples Bhai Bala & Bhai Mardana. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was with Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana in Manikaran region and Bhai Mardana felt hungry and they had no food. Guru Nanak sent his good Friend Bhai Mardana to collect food for langar (the Community Kitchen). Many people donated flour (atta) to make Roti (bread). The one problem was that there was no fire to cook the food. Guru Nanak Asked Mardana to lift a stone and Bhai Mardana then lifted a rock and a hot spring(hot water) appeared. As directed by Guru Nanak Dev ji, Mardana put the rolled chappatis in the spring to his despair the chappatis sank. Guru Nanak then told him to pray to god saying that if his chappatis float back then he would donate one chappati in the name of God. When he prayed all the chappatis started floating duly baked. Guru Nanak Dev Ji said that anyone who donates in the name of God, his or her drowned items float back.