Home
Hotels in Himanchal Pradesh / Tour packages
TOUR PACKAGES
Indian Tours
wildlife Tours
advneture tours
Honey moon tours
INDIAN STATES
Andaman Islands
Uttaranchal
Andhra Pradesh
Assam
Bihar
Chandigarh
Delhi
Goa
Gujarat
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu Kashmir
Kerala
Maharashtra
Orissa
Pondicherry
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Karnataka
Punjab
Nagaland
General Information:
Himachal Pradesh is approachable by air, rail and road.
Airports : Shimla, Kullu, Dharamsala
Indian Airlines, Archana Airways, Modi Luft and Jagsons. Airways operate regular flights to
Himachal Pradesh.Delhi - Chandigarh - Kullu
Delhi - Shimla
Delhi - Shimla - Kullu
Delhi - Chandigarh - Dharamsala
Rail Heads in Himachal Pradesh :
Kalka
Pathankot
Una
Kalka – Shimla. Pathankot- Joginder Nagar (Narrow Gauge)
Major Rail Heads in Surrounding States :
Kiratpur
Jagadhri
Dehradun
Pathankot
State of Himachal Pradesh is well connected through an efficient road network.
DATA PROFILE OF HIMACHAL
Area- 55673 sq. kms.
Location - Between 30° - 22' - 4" to 33° - 12' - 40" North latitude 75°-47' - 55" to 79° - 04' - 22" East latitude
Height - Ranging between 350 mtrs. to 6075 mtrs. from mean sea level.Climate - (a)
Temperature : Varies from 40° C in plains during summer - 20° C in the Alpine Zone during winters.
(b) Rainfall varies from 152 cms to 178 cms in outer
Himalayas.Population - Total 60,70,305 persons - 2001 Census ;
Male, 50.8% Female 49.2%;
Decennial Growth rate 17.4% Density - 109 per sq.
kms.
Labour Force - (2001 Census) 49.3% of total population main workers
Minimum wages Rs. 75/- per day.
Industry - 196 medium and large scale units with investment of about Rs.2378
crores. 30,176 small scale units with an investment of about Rs. 710 crores.Total employment 1.60 lac people.
Mineral - Mainly limestone (light grade), quartzite, brass, sand, gold, pyrites, copper, rock salt, slates, natural oil, gas & mica, barytes and gypsum.
Transport :
(a) Rail : Narrow gauge length 200 kms.
? Shimla to Kalka.? Joginder Nagar to Pathankot? Broad gauge line connecting Nangal-Talwara passing through Una district is under
construction.(b)
Road : Total length - About 23,544 Kms. connects all district headquarters , sub divisions and blocks.
National Highways - Eight National Highways having length of 1235 Kms pass through the State. These National Highways are NH-1A,NH- 20,NH-21, NH-21A, NH- 22, NH-70, NH-72 & NH-88.
Clifftop Club: Auli
Rs. 12,999/-
3 nights / 4 days
Tour Packages for Uttaranchal
Hotels/Resorts in Agra
Hotels/Resorts in Goa
Hotels/Resorts in
Kerala
Hotels/Resorts in Delhi
Hotels/Resorts in
Banglore
Hotels/Resorts in
Chandigarh
Hotels/Resorts in Chennai
Hotels/Resorts in
Mumbai
Hotels/ Resorts in Kolkota |
Himachal Pradesh is wrapped in snow most of the time. Many parts of the
Himachal Pradesh have a distinctly Austrian look with conifer-clad mountains, chalet-like huts with overhanging balconies and serene blue valleys watered by snow-fed streams. Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is still very much a Raj township in appearance and atmosphere.
Himachal Pradesh stores numerous wonderful hill stations, which are particularly cool in summers. Shimla, Dalhousie, Kullu, Kasauli, Manali, Chail and Kufri are a few of the hill Stations which offer breathtaking
scenery in
Himachal Pradesh. Dharmasala, where the Dalai Lama lives, is another important centre on the tourist map. The foremost shrine in Kangra town is the Brajeshwari Devi temple. 30-km from Kangra is Jwalamukhi, one of the most revered temples in northern India. The Kangra Museum has an impressive art collection.
Capital of Himanchal Pradesh :
Built in the mid-eighteenth century, Shimla was highly popular among the British royalty after it was named the 'Summer Capital of India'. The Parliament used to move up to the hills to get a break from the hot Indian summers. The town is a picturesque place dotted with charming bungalows and shops made of stone. A perfect setting for romance or to go on a idle
holiday in
Himachal Pradesh. The best way to see Shimla is to pick up a tour book, which tells a small history of the buildings and churches.
History of Himanchal Pradesh :
Aryan groups filtered into the more productive valleys of
Himachal Pradesh during the Vedic Period. Later, the Mauryans, Guptas and the Mughals sought to exercise varying degrees of control over trade and pilgrimage routes into
Himachal Pradesh area and between India and Tibet. Lahul and Spiti was controlled by Ladakh from the decline of the Mughal Empire (about the mid-18th century) until the early 1840s, when it briefly came under Sikh rule. British domination followed the Anglo-Sikh Wars and continued, directly or indirectly, for the next 100 years. In 1948, it was constituted as an administrative unit comprising 30 princely states.
The People of Himanchal Pradesh:
Himachalis lead a simple and quiet life, tending their orchards, fields and flocks. The population
of
Himachal Pradesh is composed of a variety of distinctive hill tribes: Gadis, Gujaris, Kinnauris, Lahulis, Pangwalis, and Rajputs. Hindi (the official state language) and Pahari are the principal languages. Himachal Pradesh is the least urbanized state in India; the urban population accounts for less than 10 per cent of the total. The simple people of Himachal Pradesh still hold their gods in awe.
Culture of Himanchal Pradesh:
Keeping alive their rich highland identity, they remain immersed in the annual rounds of fairs and festivals full of music, song and
dance in
Himachal Pradesh. The Shimla hills, the Kullu valley (including the town of Manali), and Dalhousie are tourist attractions. Skiing, golfing, fishing, trekking, and mountaineering are activities for which Himachal Pradesh is ideally suited.
Occupation in Himanchal Pradesh :
Most people in Himachal Pradesh earn their keep by agriculture, pastoralism, horticulture, and forestry. The state's main industrial products are agricultural implements, turpentine, and resin at Nahan, television sets, fertilizer, beer, and liquor at Solan, cement at Rajban, processed fruit at Parwanoo, and electronics near Shimla. Thousands of artisan-based, small-scale industrial units are also in
operation in
Himachal Pradesh.
Handicrafts in Himanchal Pradesh :
Exquisitely designed shawls of Kinnaur, the distinctive woollen caps of Kullu, and the embroidered handkerchiefs of Chamba are some of the very attractive examples of local
weaving in
Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is also known for its Kangra Valley School of Paintings.
Climate in Himanchal Pradesh :
Himachal Pradesh can be divided into two regions: the Southern part, which is almost as hot as the plains and the northern region having a temperate summer and a winter with extreme cold and heavy snowfall. The rainfall is around 180 cms. Best time to visit
Himachal Pradesh is during the months Mid-May to Mid-October.
Festivals in Himanchal Pradesh :
Shivratri festival in Mandi in Feb/March; Sul Mata festival in Chamba in March; Kangra Valley Tea Festival in April; Shimla Summer Festival in May; Kulu Dussehra, which begins when festivities in the rest of the country have ended in October; Renuka Fair, held on the banks of Renuka lake in November.
Main attraction of
Himanchal
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.
APPROACH
AIR:
Kullu is connected by Indian Airlines, Trans Bharat Aviation and Jagson
flights with Delhi & Shimla. The airport is at Bhuntar, 10kms. from
Kulu.
RAIL:
Nearest convenient rail heads are Kalka, Chandigarh and Pathankot on
Broad 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.
WHAT TO SEE
BIJLI MAHADEV
SHRINE (2460 m): 10kms. from Kulu across the
Beas river, Bijli Mahadev temple is one of the striking temples in the
temples strewn district. It can be reached by a tough but rewarding
climb of 10 kms. trek. From the temple a panoramic view of Kulu &
Paravati valleys can be seen. A 60 feet high staff of Bijli Mahadev
temple glistens like a silver needle in the sun. in this temple of
lightening it is said, the tall staff attracts the divine blessings in
the form of lightening. The rest of the story can be heard from the
priest, which is un-believable but true.
RAGHUNATHJI
TEMPLE: 1 km. from Dhalpur, Raghunathji is the
principal deity of the valley.
VAISHNO
DEVI TEMPLE: At a distance of 4kms. from Dhalpur,
a small cave enshrines an image of Goddess Vaishno Devi.
CAMPING
SIGHT RAISON (1433 m): 16kms. away from Kulu, the
sight is ideal for spending a quite holiday in solitary splendor and for
holding youth camps. There are a large number of orchards in this part of
the valley. HPTDC has log cabins for comfortable stay.
KATRAIN
(1463 m): The central and the widest part of the
valley, Katrain is 20kms. from Kulu on way to Manali. Apple orchards and
trout hatchery lend charm and prominence to the place. It is also famous for
bee keeping and Govt. trout farm at Patilkulh. Sufficient accommodation is
availablein Hotels of HPTDC.
NAGGAR
(1760 m): On the left bank of the Beas, Naggar is
delightfully situated on a wooded slope and commands an extensive view. It
was the capital of erstwhile Kulu state for about 1400 years. There are
large number of famous temples notably Vishnu, Tripura Sundari & Lord
Krishana. Cars and jeeps easily go upto the Naggar castle. Roerich art
gallery which houses the paintings of Nicholas Roerich as well as his
sculptures , is less than a km. from the Castle. Naggar is also a base for
undertaking treks to Chanderkhani Pass and to remote valley of Malana.
KASOL (1640
m): Situated on the bank of Paravati river, Kasol
makes a good holiday destination. 42kms. from Kulu, charmingly located on an
open space which slopes down to the broad expanse of clear white sand at the
Parvati river. The place is well known for trout fishing.
MANIKARAN
(1700 m): Manikaran, 45kms. from Kulu and just
3kms. from Kasol, is famous for its hot springs. Thousands of people take a
holy dip in hot waters here. The water is so hot that dal, rice &
vegetables etc. can be cooked in it. It is also a well known pilgrimage
place for both Hindus & Sikhs. Ramchandra and Shivaji temples besides a
Gurudwara are there. According to an old legend, Manikaran is connected with
Lord Shiva and his divine consort, Parvati, who lost her ear rings here,
which gave birth to hot waters on the bank of Parvati river. Hearing this
religious myth from the priests will be more rewarding and interesting.
Ample accomodation in the temples and Gurudwara, is available for night stay
besides the HPTDC hotel.
MALANA
(2652 m): 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.
BAJAURA:
15kms. short of Kulu , Bajaura is on the main road where BASHESHWAR
MAHADEV temple is situated about 200 m from the village in a plain
between the main road and the Beas river. It is believed to have been
built in the mid 8th century.
LARJI
(957 m): South of Kulu, Larji 34kms. away is
a small hamlet providing excellent spot for trout fishing. The PWD
rest house is located in a stunning position between the foaming
torrents of the river Sainj & Tirthan, before they join the Beas.
The place is patronized mostly by anglers.
BANJAR
(1524 m): At a distance of 58 kms. south of
Kulu, Banjar is an excellent spot for trout fishing in the waters of
river Tirthan.
MANALI
40 kms. away from
Kulu 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, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar
regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as the SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.
APPROACH
RAIL: Nearest
convenient rail head are 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.
WHAT TO SEE
HADIMBA
TEMPLE: Manali has many
attractions but the chief centre of interest, historically and
archeologically, is undoubtedly the DHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess
Hadimba, 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.
MANU
TEMPLE: 3 kms. from the main bazar in old Manali
lies the temple of MANU RISHI. It is believed that this is the only temple
of Manu in India, who was the creator of human race on the earth.
CLUB HOUSE:
2 kms. from the town, club house has indoor games facilities which has been
located on the left bank of Manalsu Nallah. There are some picnic spots near
it.
TIBETAN
MONASTERIES: There are 3 newly constructed
colorful monasteries, where visitors can buy carpets and other Tibetan
handicrafts. Two are located in the town and one at Aleo on the left bank of
Beas river.
MOUNTAINEERING
INSTITUTE: Located 3 kms. on the left bank of
river Beas towards Kulu. This Institute organises basic & advance
training courses, in trekking, mountaineering, skiing and water sports.
Skiing and trekking equipments can be hired from here by booking in advance.
Tourists can visit an interesting showroom here.
VASHIST HOT
WATER SPRINGS AND TEMPLE (3 Kms): Vashist, a small
village located on the left bank of river Beas towards Rohtang pass is worth
a visit. It is renowned for its hot springs and temples. Nearby is the
pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashist Muni. There is another Temple of
Lord Ram here. Natural hot sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks
for gents and ladies are always full of tourists. Turkish style showers
fitted baths have also been built nearby. Hot water from the nearby spring
is provided for bathing.
NEHRU KUND:
5 kms. on National Highway to Leh,a natural spring of cold clear water named
after Pt. Jwahar Lal Nehru, who used to drink water from this spring during
his stay in Manali. This spring is believed to originate from the Bhrigu
lake situated high-up in the mountains.
SOLANG VALLEY:
13 kms. is a splendid valley between Solang village and Beas Kund. Solang
valley offers the view of glaciers and snow capped mountains and peaks. It
has fine ski slopes. The Mountaineering Institute has installed a ski lift
for training purpose. Located here is a hut and guest house of the
Mountaineering and Allied sports Institute, Manali. Now a few hotels have
also come up. The winter skiing festival is organised here. Training in
skiing is imparted at this place.
KOTHI: Situated
on the road to Rohtang pass, a picturesque spot, Kothi is 12kms. from Manali.
A PWD rest house is situated on a ridge overlooking a narrow valley with a
very good view of mountains and valleys. Large number of films (movies) have
been picturised at this place and is the ideal resting resorts of poets,
writers and the lovers of peaceful environs.
RAHALA
WATER FALLS: 16 kms. on way to Rohtang pass. If
one goes to Marhi on foot from Kothi from the old road, the sight of the
falls is fascinating. It is a good picnic spot as well.
ROHTANG PASS (3979
m): Rohtang pass 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.
ARJUN
GUFA(CAVE): 4kms. from Manali towards Naggar, the
cave is situated near Prini village 1km. above the road where Arjun had
meditated. This is good 1/2 a day excursion with charming view of the
brilliant mountains.
JAGATSUKH:
6 Kms. from Manali located on the left bank on Beas on the road to Naggar.
The place is famous for very old temples of Lord Shiva and Sandhya Gayatri
in Shikhara style, these are worth a visit.
|
