H HI IM MA AC CH HA AL L T TO OU UR RI IS SA AM M

THE LAND OF NATURE

Popularly known as the Devbhumi "Land of the Gods", Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hill state in northern India nestled in western Himalayas. The state is landlocked with the Tibetan plateau to the east, Jammu and Kashmir to the north, and the Punjab to the west. However the state stands apart from its neighbours in terms of its sheer topographic diversity and breathtaking pristine natural beauty. From vast tracts of high-altitude Trans-Himalayan desert to dense green deodar forests, from apple orchards to cultivated terraces, from snow capped high Himalayan mountain ranges to snow fed lakes and gushing rivers. Brief Socio-Political History of the State The earliest known inhabitants of the region were tribals called Dasas. Later, Aryans came and they assimilated in the tribes. In the later centuries, the hill chieftains accepted suzerainty of the Mauryan empire, the Kaushans, the Guptas and Kanuaj rulers. During the Mughal period, the Rajas of the hill states made some mutually agreed arrangements which governed their relations. In the 19th century, Ranjit Singh annexed/subjugated many of the states. When the British came, they defeated Gorkhas and entered into treaties with some Rajas and annexed the kingdoms of the others. The situation largely remained the same untill 1947. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and Himachal Pradesh was formed on 15th April, 1948. On 1st November, 1966, certain areas belonging to Punjab were included in Himachal Pradesh. On 25th January, 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a full-fledged State. The State is bordered by Jammu & Kashmir on North, Punjab on West and South-West, Haryana on South, Uttar Pradesh on South-East and China on the East.

After Indian Independence, a Union Territory of Hill states was created. It primarily consituted of hill states around Shimla. On November 1, 1966 Punjab Hill areas were merged into Himachal as part of reorganization of Punjab. Himachal Pradesh became a full fledged state of the Republic of India on January 25, 1971. Himachal Pradesh has been on the path of progress since Independence. The literacy rate of the state is 63% now and is improving every decade. The population has almost stabilized at about 5 million, thanks to high literacy and effective family planning programs. Every village in the state has electricity and drinking water now. Many young men from Himachal serve the Indian Army and have played significant role in the National defense. Dharamsala has a war memorial dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives for their country. Himachal has one state university at Shimla, namely, Himachal Pradesh University. There is a Regional Engineering College (REC) at Hamirpur that has students from all over India. In addition, there is a MedicalCollege at Shimla. Himachal is literally a power house when it comes to hydro-electricity. The state has many dams that harness the hilly rivers to generate electric power. The electricity is used by farmers in Punjab, Haryana and by the industries in the northern plains.

Culture
Himachal was one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain. With the technological advancements the state has changed very rapidly. It is a multireligional, multicultural as well as multilingual state like other Indian states. Some of the most commonly spoken languages includes Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, Dogri, MandialliKangri, Gojri and Kinnauri.[30] The Hindu caste communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, Rajputs, Gujjars, Gaddis, "Girth (choudhary)," Kannets (come under RAJPUTS), Rathis and Kolis.[33] There are also tribal population in the state which mainly comprise , Kinnars,Pangawals, Sulehria, and Lahaulis.[34] The state is well known for its handicrafts. The carpets, leather works, shawls, metalware, woodwork and paintings are worth appreciating. Pashmina shawl is one of the product which is highly in demand not only in Himachal but all over the country. Himachali caps are also famous art work of the people. Extreme cold winters of Himachal necessitated wool weaving. Nearly every household in Himachal owns a pitloom. Wool is also considered as pure and is used as a ritual cloth. The well known woven object is the shawl, ranging from fine pashmina to the coarse desar. Kullu is famous for its shawls with striking patterns and vibrant colours. Local music and dance reflects the cultural identity of the state. Through their dance and music, they entreat their gods during local festivals and other special occasions. Apart from the fairs and festivals that are celebrated all over India, there are number of other fairs and festivals also that are of great significance to Himachal Pradesh. Shimla, the state capital is home to Asia's only natural Ice skating rink[35]. The day to day food of Himachalis is very similar to the rest of the north India. They too have lentil, broth, rice, vegetables and bread. Some of the specialities of Himachal include Pateer, Chouck, Bhagjery, jhoul, Patrode, Sidku, Beduan, Chutney, Madra, Khatti Dal, Khatta and Ambua.

Famous people associated with Himachal include Dalip Singh Rana, Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri (who studied here), Prem Chopra (brought up here) and Mohit Chauhan, the third Supreme Court chief-justice and former prime minister of Kashmir in 1947 Mehr Chand Mahajan, economist and former vice-president of World BankShahid Javed Burki, Bollywood actresses Preity Zinta, Kangna Ranaut, Satyananda Stokes who introduced apple in the region, writer Idries Shah, ornithologistAllan Octavian Hume (had his home here), former general of PakistanMuhammad Zia-ul-Haq and current President of AfghanistanHamid Karzai who both studied here

State Profile

Area Total Population Males Females Population Density Sex Ratio Rural Population Urban Population Scheduled Caste Population Scheduled Tribe Population Literacy Rate Male Literacy Female Literacy

55673 km2 60,77,900 30,87,940 29,89,960 109 968 54,82,319 5,95,581 15,02,171 2,44,587 77.13% 86.02% 68.08%

Districts Sub-Division Tehsils Sub-Tehsils Developmental Block Towns Panchayats Panchayat Smities Zila Parishad Urban Local Bodies Nagar Nigam Nagar Parishad Nagar Panchayats Census Villages Inhabited Villages Health Institutions Educational Institutions Motorable Roads National Highways Identified Hydroelectric Potential Potential harnessed Food grain production Vegetable production Fruit Production Per Capita Income

12 52 75 34 75 57 3,243 75 12 53 1 20 32 20,118 17,495 3,835 17,000 30,000 km 8 20,787 MW in five rivers basins i.e. (Yamuna, Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Himurja) 6353.12MW 16.69 lakh tones 9 lakh tones 6.95 lakh tones Rs. 36,783 (20062007) Expected

Social security Pension

2,37,250 Persons, Annual Expenditure: Over Rs. 60 Crore Rs. 27,380/- crore, Employment Opportunities: Over 3,37,391 80,000

Investment in Industrial Area Employment generated in Government Sector

History The erstwhile capital of the princely state of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh has a history that is colorful, fascinating and intriguing. Tour the 81 stone temples that remained mute spectators to historic events and be enamored by this Himalayan state's enchanting history. Available history records indicate that people from the Indus Valley Civilization inhabited the foothills of this fascinating state chaperoned by snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Great Indian epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata also mention the existence of this state. The mountain rivers that flow through Himachal find a mention in the Rig Veda and it is believed that Himachal was a part of the great Indian Maurya Empire in ancient times. The Pathans, Lodhis, Mughal rulers and British invaders left a considerable impact on the political and social fabric of Himachal Pradesh India. Nestled in the bosom of glorious Himalayan ranges, Himachal Pradesh is a surreal North WestIndianState that enchants you with heavenly locals and enchanting attractions. Population With a total population of 61,77, 248 (as per 2001 Census) Himachal Pradesh India sprawls on exotic hill country, peppered with dazzling natural beauty. Population in Himachal Pradesh India is distributed in a manner that you'll find a density of 93 persons per square kilometer.

Urban population in Himachal Pradesh is 9. 79 percent and rest of the people reside mostly in rural settlements. With a 85 percent male literacy and 67.4 percent female literacy rates, the population of Himachal Pradesh India indicate the growth and spread of education to remotest parts of India. Climate Climate of Himachal Pradesh India varies with varying altitudes in different parts of the state. Himachal in winters becomes freezing cold with temperatures dropping as low as the freezing point at times. Summers in Himachal Pradesh are cool or hot depending on altitudinal variations.

It is advisable to carry heavy woolens while on Himachal Pradesh tours during winter months. In fact the nights and mornings get colder as the month of October approaches. Geography Mountain rivers, lakes, valleys, meadows and towering mountains comprise the geography of Himachal Pradesh India. See all these and more on Himachal Pradesh tours with Taj Mahal India tour packages. There are 42 Himalayan peaks in Himachal Pradesh India. See the attractions of scenic valleys like Kangra, Chamba, Rohru, Satluj and Pabbar.

Tourist Spots in Himachal Pradesh

KHARA PATHAR
PABBAR VALLEY If you look for a road less traveled, if you want to experience an indefinable blend of myth and reality, fact and fiction, if ancient and towering temples, legends, charming architecture and soaring mountains excite you, if fishing and trekking set your pulse racing, if you plan your vacation in the scrutiny of picturesque hamlets, fruit-laden orchards cradled by thick words and set by swift streams, and if you want to experience a place where man and nature live on Experience the bewitching spell of Pabbar valley

Khara pathar is a place that gives expression to the phrase of 'time standing still', Kharapathar is a perfect leisure destination in the heart of nature's generous blessings to the area. Lush forests, wide views, excellent walk and hike trails and the charm of apple orchards make this a perfect leisure destination that is easily accessible by a short drive (85 km) from Shimla. . ACCESS : 85 km from Shimla, it is connected by regular Bus/Taxi services. Nearest Railway Station and Airport (108 km) is at Shimla. Distance to Rohru is 30 km, Rampur via Sungri is 110 km and Narkanda via Baggi is 95 km.

CLIMATE : In winter, the temperature can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are required. During summer, the climate is pleasant and cottons / light woolens are suggested. Kharapathar receives heavy snowfall in winter season.

PLACES OF INTEREST

HATESHWARI TEMPLECOMPLEX (1400m) : 29 Km from Kharapatthar on the right bank of the river Pabbar, the classical temples of Hatkoti, executed in the nagara style are a major attraction. The primary temple is that of Devi Durga in her form of Mahishasuramardini, the slayer of the demon Mahisha who stalked the world in the form of a buffalo - and the Devi is locally known as 'Hateshwari'. JUBBAL (1892m) : 90 km from Shimla and 20 km from Hatkoti. Once held the ruling seat of the princely state, Jubbal has superbly maintained the Palace which was designed by a French architect in the 1930 and is a remarkable mix of European and indigenous styles. GIRI GANGA : The hike to Giri Ganga (7 km) is an enjoyable one through thick deodar woods. This is the source of the river Giri Ganga (also called the Giri) that rises just below the Kuppar peak. The river pours its waters into the mighty Yamuna and there is a small shrine at the spot

ROHRU

This is small but bustling town located by the banks of river Pabbar. The valley near Rohru has a garland of attractive spots. This stretch has long been on the anglers beat after trout was introduced to the Pabbar's water in 1938-48. Raja Bajrang Bahadur Singh of Bahadri - popularly known as Raja Bhardi, was particularly fond of this region for scope for trout fishing. He developed this area as an angler's paradise. ACCESS : 115 km from Shimla. It is connected by regular Bus/Taxi services. Nearest Railway Station and Airport is at Shimla (116 km) and (148 km) respectively.

CLIMATE : In winter, the temperature can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are recommended. During summer it remain sunny and cozy.

PLACES OF INTEREST
SHIKHRUDEVTATEMPLE : This is a beautiful temple located in the heart of the town, Shikhru Devta is held in high veneration and is the sight of on annual fair which is celebrated during the month of April every year. CHIRGAON : 15 km from Rohru. Scenically enchanting, Chirgaon has a trout hatchery. Good fishing spots in the area are Seema, Mandi, Sandhsu, Tikri and Dhamari. Larot is another attractive spot near Chirgaon.This is the base for treks to Dodra - Kwar, the SanglaValley and to Sarahan via Tacklech and to Nichar. CHANSHAL : Like the resplendent crown for a noble face, the snow clad Chanshal range rises above the PabbarValley. At 4520 m the ChanshalPass remains open from May to October. The Chanshal area also has some excellent ski slopes. DODRA KWAR : The villages of Dodra and Kwar are separated by a few kilometers. Still unconnected by a motorable road, this pocket retains a pristine beauty. There are countless wild flowers and medicinal herbs, thick woods of flowering rhododendron, cedar and birch, waterfalls and fast-flowing streams. All this is set against a majestic backdrop of high peaks like the Sharangcha. The villages and their temples, are remarkable examples of local wood work skill and come packed with fascinating legends. The 45 km trek from Tikri to Kwar is via Larot, Chanshal, Gajyani-Thach, Kalapani, Dodra and Gaon Pujari, then over the Rupin stream at Gusangu, before Kwar. Other places worth seeing from Rohru are Sudash (17 km), Larot (36 km), Sungri (32 km) and Dhanwari (26 km) which is famous for trout fishing. ADVENTURE : Apart from fishing, camping and trekking , the Pabbar area is fast emerging as an adventure-sports focus, with rafting and canoeing, hang gliding and paragliding. The Chanshal slopes has been identified as excellent for heli sking.

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MANDI
The historic town of Mandi (800m) is situated along the banks of river Beas. It has long been an important commercial centre, and the sage Mandava is said to have meditated here. Mandi is renowned for its 81 temples and their enormous range of fine carving. Mandi is known as the 'Kashi of the Hills'. The town also has remains of old palaces and notable examples of colonial architecture. Mandi is the gateway to the Kullu valley and acts as a base for several exciting excursions.

ACCESS The nearest airport at Bhunter is 59 km. The broad-gauge railhead is at Pathankot at a distance of 210 km. From Pathankot the narrow gauge railway connects Joginder Nagar, 56 km from Mandi. From Chandigarh one can drive directly to Mandi via Ropar and Bilaspur, the distance is 203 km The drive takes around 5 hours. Luxury / Volvo coaches from Delhi and Shimla bound for Kullu - Manali travel via Mandi.

CLIMATE In winter, temperatures can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are required. During summer, the climate is hot and cottons are recommended.

PLACES OF INTEREST

BHOOTNATHTEMPLE : Practically synonymous with Mandi and located in its very heart, this is as old as the town itself and dates back to the 1520s. In March, the festival of Shivratri is a major event and the Bhootnath temple is its focus. For an entire week the town celebrates the arrival of hundreds of local deities on elaborately decorated palanquins. SYAMAKALITEMPLE : Also called the temple of Tarna Devi, this is high on Tarna Hill which rises above the town. Built In the 17th century by Raja Syama Sen after particularly trying times when the goddess gave him success. OTHER TEMPLES IN MANDITOWN : Within the town is a variable roll call of shrines. Apart from the emotions they evoke, they are also a wealth of classical architecture and ornate sculpture. Many of these are devoted to Lord Shiva, at the Triloknath Temple He is depicted as the lord of the three worlds,

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at the Panchvaktra He has five faces, expressing His five aspects. At the ArdhanarisvaraTemple, Lord Shiva appears in a composite form with right half as a male and the left half as a female symbolizing the male and female principles of cosmic evolution. There are several exquisite temples along the College road, and the bank of the Beas is lined with many more. At the GyarahRudraTemple, the day the famous Amarnath darshan takes place, the temple is decorated to resemble as AmarnathCave. The other places of interest within Mandi are the RaniAmritKaurPark, the DistrictLibraryBuilding and VijayKesariBridge. PANDOH : 16 km from Mandi, an earth and rock fill dam is located here. SUNDERNAGAR (1175m) : 24 km from Mandi is this attractive town where the balancing reservoir of the Beas - Sutlej link canal is located. The road has the canal on one side and lush green field on the other which makes driving along it a real pleasure. The MahamayaTemple is on top of the hill. PRASHARLAKE (92730m) : 40 km north of Mandi is this beautiful lake, with a three storied pagoda style Temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. JANJHELI (2200m) : 67 km from Mandi this is a scenic place with thick forests and springs. It is also the base of some excellent treks. SHIKARI DEVI (2850m) : 15 Km from Janjheli there is an ancient temple here and some marvelous landscapes. SHOPPING : A variety of traditional handcrafts including silver jewelry and stone carvings can be purchased at Mandi.

REWALSAR

Located on a mountain spur, an hour's drive from Mandi brings you to this jewel like lake. With water, woodland and high hills, it presents a variety of natural beauty and the spot is sacred for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. It was here that the great Indian teacher and tantric, Padmasabhava left for Tibet.

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Known to the Tibetans as Guru Rimpoche - the Precious Master. It was under Padmasambahava's influence that Mahayana Buddhism spread over Tibet. There are islands of floating reed on RewalsarLake and the spirit of Padmasabhava is said to reside in them. It is here that the sage Lomas did penance in devotion to Lord Shiva, and the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh also resided here for one month.

ACCESS Rewalsar is 24 km by road from Mandi. Taxis and buses are available at Mandi.

CLIMATE In winter, the temperature can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are required. During summer, the climate is mild and light woolens/cottons are recommended.

PLACES OF INTEREST

MONASTERIES : At opposite ends of the lake there are two Tibetans monasteries. The Bhutanese also have one. GURUDWARA : This Gurudwara was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi. It commemorates Guru Gobind Singh's visit, when he sought to evolve a common strategy with the hill rulers against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. TEMPLE : At Rewalsar there are three Hindu temples. These are dedicated to the sage Lomas, Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.
.

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KINNAUR
Kinnaur - the land of fairy tales and fantasies, has a spectacular terrain of lush green valley, orchards, vineyards, snow clad peaks and cold desert mountains. It is a border district of Himachal Pradesh. Kinnaur is also rich in flora & fauna. The culture and language is different from other parts of the state. Kinnaur, the tribal district of Himachal Pradesh, lies 250 km away from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is situated on the NH - 22 (Hindustan Tibet Road). The landscape of the area varies from lush green orchards of the scenic SanglaValley to the stark magnificence of the HangrangValley. The massive snow clad ranges that provide a regal dignity to the scene are dominated by the peak of Kinner Kailash. Kalpa is one of the biggest and beautiful villages of Kinnaur. One can enter Kinnaur district at Village Chshora and follow a straight line road constructed in vertical rock and it is a rare treat to travel on this road which is a great engineering feat.

KALPA
Situated at the height of 2758 m above the sea level and 110 km from Sarahan, Kalpa is a beautiful and main village of Kinnaur. Across the river faces the majestic mountains of the Kinner Kailash range. These are spectacular sights early in the morning as the rising sun touches the snowy peaks with crimson and golden light.

ACCESS : Nearest Airport (267 km) and Railhead (244 km) is at Shimla. The route is on NH - 22 (The Hindustan Tibet Road) which bifurcates to Kalpa from Powari. Buses and Taxis are available at Shimla and Rampur. One can also reach Kalpa via Manali - RohtangPass - KunzamPass - Kaza (400 km).

CLIMATE : In winter, the temperature can drop to below freezing point when heavy woolens are required and for summers light woolens are recommended.

PLACES OF INTEREST
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RECONG PEO (2670M) : Located 240 km from Shimla, 7 km from Powari and 13 km from Kalpa. Recong Peo is the headquarter of district Kinnaur. KOTHI : Just 3 km from Recong Peo. Kothi has a temple dedicated to the goddess Chanadika Devi. Set against a backdrop of mountains and graves of the deodar the temple has an unusual architectural style and fine sculpture. An exquisite gold image of goddess is enshrined in sanctum. SANGLAVALLEY : If a landscape had the powers of casting spells, then the Sangla valley would be a magician extraordinary. Once seen, it is a place that can never be forgotten. Even the rushing waters of the Baspa river, that flow through its 95 km length, seem to absorb some of the magic and slow down to savor its snow-frame beauty. 2 km from Sangla is the fort of Kamru (300 m) its tower like architecture resembles that of the Bhima Kali complex and this was the origin of rulers of Bushehar. Chitkul (3450 m) is the last village of the valley and beyond lies Tibet. RIBA (2745M) : Just 18 km from Powari on NH-22 is famous for its vineyards and local wine 'Angoori' made from grapes. JANGI : 26 km from Powari, the inner border is located here beyond which foreigners require permit to travel upto Tabo. From this point the famous Kinner Kailash Parikarama Trek starts touching Morang, Thangi and Kunocharang villages and entering Chitkul village in SanglaValley. PUH (2837m) : Lush green fields, orchards of apricot, almond trees and vineyards, are to be seen on route to Puh. Just 58 km from Powari along the NH-22, Puh has rest house and basic hotel facilities. NAKO (3662m) : 117 km from Kalpa. In HangrangValley is the largest village above sea level. It is also famous for NakoLake which has boating facilities in summer and during winter its frozen surface is used for ice skating. Buddhist monastery is located here. TABO (3050m) : 163 km from Kalpa and 27 km from Sando the ancient village, Tabo is situated on the left bank of river Spiti. Flanked on either side by hills, it is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries regarded by many as only next to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It is also known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Tabo is the largest monastic complex of Spiti which has since been declared a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. KAZA (3600m) : 210 km from Kalpa 47 from Tabo. The headquarters of Spiti sub-district, Kaza is on the bank of river Spiti. In earlier times, it was the capital of Nono, the chief of Spiti. It has a Buddhist Monastery and HinduTemple.

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KEY GOMPA (4116m) : 7 km from Kaza. The largest monastery in SpitiValley. Established in the 11th century, it has ancient Buddhist scrolls and paintings. Also houses the largest number of Buddhist monks and nuns. KIBBER (4205 m) : 18 km from Kaza. The highest village in the world which is connected by a motorable road and also the highest village in the world which has its own polling station during elections. KUNZAMPASS (4551m) : 76 km: One of the highest motorable passes. Goddess Kunjum keeps guard over the pass and wards of the evil.

KAZA
Situated at an altitude of 3600 meter above sea level on left bank of river Spiti is presently the headquarters of Spiti sub division. Translated, 'Spiti' means the 'middle country' - a name obviously given as a result of its ties with both India and Tibet. With freckles of green over a dry, weather-beaten face, Spiti is a cold desert where the monsoon rain never comes. It is characterised by stark beauty, narrow valleys and high mountains. A century ago, Rudyard Kipling in Kim called Spiti "a world within a world" and a "place where the gods live" - a description that holds true to the present day.

ACCESS : Nearest airports are at Kullu (Bhuntar) 250 km. and Shimla 445 km. Kaza can be approached by road from Shimla (May to October) and from Manali 200 km. via Kuzam Pass (June to October).

CLIMATE : This region is known as ColdDesert and does not receive rainfall. In winter the temperature can drop below freezing point, when heavy woolens are required. In summers the weather remains pleasant when light woolens are advised

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PLACES OF INTEREST

TABO (3050 m) : 163 km from Kalpa is the ancient village of Tabo, situated on the left bank of river Spiti. Flanked on either sides by hills, its has one of the most important Buddhist monasteries regarded by many as only next to the Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It is also known as the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Tabo is the largest monastic complex of Spiti which has since been declared a protected monument under the aegis of Archaeological Survey of India. KAZA (3600m) : 210 Km from Kalpa, 47 km from Tabo. The headquarters of Spiti sub-district, Kaza lies on the bank of river Spiti. In earlier times, it was the capital of Nono, the Chief of Spiti. It has a Buddhist Monastery and HinduTemple. KEY GOMPA (4116m) : 7 km from Kaza. The largest monastery in SpitiValley. Established in the 11th century has ancient Buddhist scrolls and paintings. It also houses large number of Buddhist monks and nuns. KIBBER (4205m) : 18 km from Kaza. The highest village in the world which is connected by motorable road and is the highest habitated village in the world which has its own polling station during elections. DHANKAR (3890m) : 24 km from Tabo, this place is famous for a Buddhist monastery. PINVALLEY : The Pin valley lies below the Kungri Glacier and has several beautiful and important monasteries. iT is called the land of Ibex and snow leopards. KUNZAMPASS (4551m) : 76 km. One of the highest motorable pass. Goddess Kunjum keeps guard over this pass and wards off evil. CHANDERTALLAKE (4270m) : 7 km from KunzamPass, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire Himalayan region. Surrounded by snow, this deep blue water lake has a circumferences of 2.5 km. River Chandra flows very close to the lake.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INDIAN AND FOREIGN TOURISTS

The Kinnaur and Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh has been opened to Indian and Foreign tourists. While going via Shimla and Rampur - Kalpa, Recong Peo and SanglaValley can be visited by Indians and

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Foreigners without any restrictions. To travel beyond Jangi in Kinnaur to Kaza in Spiti one requires an inner line permit for foreign nationals which can be obtained from the following offices:

District Sub

Magistrate

Shimla, (SDM) -

Recong Shimla,

Peo

(Kinnaur), Kalpa, in

Kullu, Nichar, Pooh

Keylong Keylong, and

(Lahaul) Udaipur Kaza.

District

Magistrate Deputy

Rampur, Office

Additional

Commissioner

The best place to get the permit is at Rampur and Recong Peo. The office of the SDM at Rampur is just opposite the Police Station in the main bazaar and the office of the District Magistrate at Recong Peo is near the bus station. The permit is free of cost and holds good for seven days. To get a permit, one must have a letter of introduction from a recognised travel agency, three passport size photos, and a photocopy of the front pages of the passport. Making several copies of the permit is suggested, as one may have to submit them at checkpoints on the way. Foreign nationals can travel with permits in a group of four or more persons. Foreign nationals cannot stay overnight between Jangi and Kaza.

Indian nationals do not require any permit to travel in this area however retaining a proof of identity is suggested

KEYLONG
Situated at an altitude of 3350 m, Keylong is the headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The region is strange, exciting, primitive mountainous and delightful. Rudyard Kipling said of the region "Surely the God live here this no place for men." The route to Lahaul takes a traveler over RohtangPass (3980 ml), Koksar (1st village of Lahaul) Sissu, Gondla and crossing the river Chandra Bhaga at Tandi

ACCESS : By road the distance is 115 km from Manali, 188 km from Kaza, 373 km from Leh, 435 km from Chandigarh and 690 km from Delhi. Heavy winter snows cut off road connectivity to the region at RohtangPass for six months from November to June. Buses, Taxis are available from Manali in season. HPTDC also plies regular coaches to Leh via Keylong during July - September. Nearest airport is Bhunter, 175 km from Keylong.

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CLIMATE : Lahaul remains cut-off from outside the world till mid June due to heavy snowfall and closing of RohtangPass. There is little or no rain in monsoons. The climate remains dry and invigorating. The days are hot and nights are extremely cold. Heavy / Light woolens are recommended.

PLACES OF INTEREST

TANDI (2573m) : 8 km, short of Keylong, on the Manali - Leh Raod, situated on the confluence of Chandra & Bhaga rivers. Last point to tank up if traveling north of Keylong as it has the last fuel station on this stretch. SISSU (3100m) : On the bank of Chandra, 15 km from Koksar, every spring and autumn wild geese and ducks halt here on their way to and from Siberia. GONDLA (3110m) : 18 km from Keylong on the right bank of river Chandra. Famous for ancient Fort. UDAIPUR (2523m) : 53 km from Keylong, home of the MrikulaDeviTemple, which is famous for wood carvings. TRILOKNATH (2660m) : 4 km from Udaipur famous for Triloknath temple. Sacred both for HIndu and Buddhist. MONASTERY'S : Lahaul is well known for its monasteries, locally called Gompas, which are great repositories of Buddhist faith and art treasures. These are Kardang - 5 km, Shasur - 3 km, Guru Ghantal 8 km, Tayul - 6 km, Gemur - 18 km SHOPPING : Shawls, Local Tweeds, Caps, Rugs, Footwear, Fresh fruit, Natural oil (olive and almond), Sliver jewellery, Pullovers, Metal craft, Woolen jackets and Bamboo products.

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THE CHURCHES

It is the last place in all India at which it is necessary for the government to be put at the expense of building a church, was what the British Governor-General of India, Lord Ellenborough ( 1842-1844) stated when the townspeople of Shimla approached him for funds to build a church.

The government finally did give a loan to be paid out of pew rents. The cornerstone of ChristChurch was placed on 9 September 1844 and the building was opened by licence for divine service on 11 October 1846, but the church was consecrated only on 10 January 1857 by Bishop Wilson of Calcutta. The lettering on the cornerstone was legible till the early twentieth century when it became indistinguishable from the masonry. The church was built of stone and brick in lime mortar by Col. J.T. Boileau with neoGothic elements and this was the first proper church in Shimla. While the spire of ChristChurch was up, it was a while before the other necessities as it were, came along. The stained glass windows over the altar and the clock were both placed in 1860. The chancel was built in 1864 and in the beginning, there were no pews and the congregation made do with rough benches or brought their own chairs along. The porch was added later and the organ was shipped in from England. Lockwood Kipling, father of the celebrated Rudyard, designed the original chancel window and had this executed by his students from the Mayo School of Art. Another gift was an elaborate screen, behind which the choir would emerge and then disappear. A young child took due note of this and asked her mother that if the church was Gods house, was the bit behind the screen his bathroom?

21

Heavy snows in 1961 caused extensive damage to the building and the pinnacles running along its length were dismantled. The structure has been repaired at various points and yet, the overall structure retains its essence and has a nave, chancel and tower. The floor has a centre aisle flanked by pews and two side aisles again flanked by pews. Today, Christ Church still tells the story of a part of the towns rich history and its pews still mark the seats of the Viceroy, the Commander-in-Chief and the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, while the fascinating memorial tablets in brass and marble sound a roll call for some who shaped what was the British Empire

The towns Catholic community built St. Michaels Cathedral in 1886 with a p artial though elegant vocabulary of the French-Gothic style. The exterior is of dressed grey stone. The floor plan follows a cruciform and the church can seat 400 persons. The interior was designed with a nave and two aisles, a vestry, a baptistery and a confessional. Over the high altar is a recently restored tapestry of glass that depicts a group of the crucifixion, while a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, presented by the people of Mexico has also been installed in the church.

Located just below the District Courts, the site for the Cathedral was selected by Viceroy of India, Lord Ripon (1880-1884) and is still called Ripon Place.

Other churches in Shimla WhileChristChurch and St. Michaels are Shimlas most prominent churches, there are other minor luminaries too. Now a library, the Church of Scotland, St. Andrews stands in bare unpretentious brick. As a concession to its Spartan facade, decorative cornerstones lie embedded in its baked-brick walls. Built by Mr. W.H. Carey in 1869, the Union Church once stood here. In 1905, this was gazetted as the Scots Kirk of Simla, and on 30 August 1914 the Viceroy, Lord Hardinge set the memorial stone that read, This Kirk was Biggit Be Godlie Men in the year Of our Lord 1914

22

. Below St. Michaels Cathedral, the Church Missionary Society ran St. Thomas for the natives. It was due to the efforts of the Rev. Edward Thomas who was a Bengali by birth, and who had served as a clerk at ChristChurch on the Ridge, that St. Thomas Church was consecrated b y Bishop French, on 9 August 1885. The Viceroy, Lord Dufferin was a part of the congregation. Built of half-round dressed stone, services at St. Thomas were held both English and Urdu.

Now in the shadow of its former glory, the All Saints Chapel lies in a corner of the sprawling estate of the former Viceregal Lodge. This is just above the main gates and is approached by a narrow path. In the towns wooded suburb of Mashobra, lies St. Crispins. The cantonment at Jutogh also has a small chapel, as do the Seventh Day Adventists in town - and similarly, many of the towns educational institutions have well maintained chapels too. This small wooden church rests in the heart of Himachals apple growing country and dates back to the time when this temperate fruit was still a century and a couple of continents away. A School was established at here in 1843 and the church built in 1872. This was run by the Moravian missionaries and the Church Missionary Society.

Subathu

The low-hills village of Subathu was among the first positions to be retained by the British during the course of the Gurkha Wars. This grew to become a fairly large military establishment. It was here that the Nasiri Battalions, or battalions of friendlies from among the Gurkhas were first raised. This is still a recruiting and training centre for Gurkhas in the Indian Army.

Subathu faces the Kuthar valley and the stream of the same name and the town was along the old road to Shimla. This was where Captain Kennedy who is credited as the first European to have built a house in Shimla was based as the Political Agent to the Hill States.

A small Roman Catholic Church was first built in Subathu while Services for the Protestant community were held in a school house. Today, apart from the small bazaar, Subathu still has a major presence of the army.

Kasauli

and

Sanawar

23

On a side road off the main highway that connects Kalka to Shimla, the little town of Kasauli lies along the heights of the first major row of hills and like many other places in these tracts, this also traces its origin to the close of the Gurkha Wars in 1815. It was by the treaty of Sagauli signed the following year that the victorious British decided to retain certain spots as military outposts and as sanitaria.

Subathu, which is close to Kasauli, but at a considerably lower level, was one such station. In 1840, Henry Lawrence was appointed as the political agent to the hill states. His base was Subathu which lies below Kasauli and lay in what was termed the malarial belt. The disease claimed the life of his daughter, Letetia and impelled the Lawrences to shift to Kasauli and its healthier climate. They built Sunnyside, the first European residence on the hill. In a row by this house, some three dozen hous es were built by other settlers - and most these still stand. Steadily, the place expanded to become a little town and cantonment. The town takes its name from the village of Kasul which has since merged with its fringes. Kasauli itself still lives in a time warp that belongs to a century now gone. The Upper and Lower Malls, and the cobbled bazaar are lined with the towns old residences - the lower Mall also has the hotels and banks. And as the roads climb, the foliage also alters. The lower section holds trees of chir pine, Himalayan oak and robust horse-chestnuts and higher up the hill, comes the majesty of the cedars. The towns colonial ambience is reinforced by gabled houses with charming facades and neat little gardens with beds of geraniums andhydrangea.

Held high by stone revetments and shaded by cedars and huge horse-chestnut trees, at Kasaulis main crossroad stands ChristChurch. This stately nineteenth century structure was church of the Anglican Communion and is now under the Church of North India. This has a cruciform floor plan and the stained glass windows over the altar depict the Crucifixion where the image of Christ is flanked by those of Joseph and Mary. This was opened for divine service on 24 July 1853 by the Chaplain Thomas John Edward Steel M.A., St. JohnsCollege, Cambridge at Evensong. This was consecrated on 8 January 1857 by Authority of the Bishop of Calcutta.

BaptistChurch At the start of the Sadar Bazaar, near the Post Office is the BaptistChurch. This small unpretentious structure was built in the 1920s.

Dagshai

24

In 1847, in sight of Kasauli, a barren hill was transferred by the Maharaja of Patiala to the British for the purposes of creating a military station or cantonment. This had five small villages named Dabbi, Bughtiala, Dagshai, Chunawag and Jawug and the place began to be called Dagshai after one of the villages. It was believed that the name came as the result of the original village being where prisoners were branded with hot irons and thus the phrase, Dagh i Shahi, or the mark of the ruler.

Under British rule, Dagshai grew to hold a substantial army presence and also had a large prison. While it was at it, Dagshai played the role of a guard parked in Shimlas periphery. Barring a limited presence of the army and a couple of schools, todays Dagshai is quite a deserted place.

The Roman Catholic Church was built soon after Dagshai became a cantonment while a school house initially served as the ProtestantChurch.

Among the other graves at Dagshai, there is that of Mary Rebecca Weston who was buried along with her unborn child in December 1909.

Some renovations were done to the cemetery in 1968 when the IInd Battalion of the Bihar Regiment was posted at Dagshai.

Chamba

Tucked in mountain folds, the town of Chamba was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of the same name and today, this is a district headquarters. In the eastern part of Himachal Pradesh, Chamba lies between the Dhaula Dhar and the Pangi ranges which are sub-systems of the Himalaya. The town is built over two large irregular plateaux and their side arms and is located on the right-bank of the river Ravi. This is an area of considerable natural beauty and is culturally rich and varied.

St.AndrewsChurch An expression of Indias secular tradition, the church at Chamba was built by its Hindu rulers at state expenses and then gifted to the towns Christian community. Much of this was in appreciation for the work done by Dr. John Hutchison, a medical doctor who also co-authored the standard work, History of the Punjab Hill States. Raja Sham Singh of Chamba had developed a great liking for Dr. Hutchinson and

25

himself set the foundation stone on 17 February 1899. The church was completed on 7 May 1905 and then presented to the people of Chamba by his successor, Raja Bhuri Singh. Built of dressed stone which was quarried at Rajpura, about ten kilometres from Chamba, the structure has lancet windows and as a low church epitomises a bare minimum of decorative devices used in Scot tish churches.

KalpaKinnaur

With just about eighty villages and no urban centre, the administrative district of Kinnaur is a sparsely populated tract and has barely a dozen persons per square kilometre. With turbulent torrents, two large rivers race through Kinnaur - the Satluj and the Spiti. Scores of fast-flowing streams feed these rivers and all their valleys are strikingly beautiful. The slopes are covered with thick woods, while the basins hold orchards, fields and picturesque hamlets. Kinnaur holds two of the world's great mountain ranges - the Zanskar and the Greater Himalaya. A chain of snow traverses the peaks, whose height varies between 5,180 m and 6,770 m. There are gaps only for passes. The district headquarters are located at Recong Peo and 13 kms away, lies the older settlement of Kalpa - with a frontal view of the majestic Kinner Kailash peak.

Dalhousie

The town of Dalhousie is built over five hills - Kathlog, Potreyn, Tehra, Bakrota and Balun. This is named after Lord Dalhousie, the controversial British Governor-General of India in the nineteenth century. By the 1860s Dalhousie was a flourishing hill-station that received a large influx of visitors from the Punjab - especially Lahore. Back in 1923, J. Hutchison in his guide to the area had categorically stated: Dalhousie and Bakloh lay claim to being two of the healthiest places in the Punjab. Practically all of Dalhousies roads are held by tall stone revetments made venerable by a variety of mosses and lichens. Just above them are shrubs and ferns and wild flowers. Then come the trees flowering rhododendrons, determined oaks, pines with turpentine scents and the cedars that have an almost indescribable majesty. The two main crossings are Subhash Chowk and next to the post office is Gandhi Chowk. Below, the wide valley tumbles down in fits and starts - with level patches for fields and houses. At the end of that long plunge, like a languid snake basking silver in the sunlight, flows the river Ravi. Dalhousie has full-pockets of colonial architecture little cottages and larger bungalows and the

26

vanguard

may

well

belong

to

its

four

churches.

St.

JohnsChurch

This church is the oldest in Dalhousie. The stone structure of St. Johns stands near the General Post Office and its solid stone walls took the place of flimsy wooden planks after the Rev. Pratt visited the place in 1863 and exhorted the Christian community to something more suitable.

St.

Francis

Church.

The Catholic church, St. Francis is on a rise above Subash Chowk and was built in 1894. This has an even tenor of dressed-stone on the facade and elaborate woodwork in rich, dark tones in the interior - and some St. Located St. in the remarkable Andrews cantonment, Patricks this was built in stained-glass windows. Church. 1903. Church.

On the road to the MilitaryHospital in the Cantonment, this church was built in 1909 and is the largest in Dalhousie.

Kangra.

The district of Kangra is the largest administrative sub-division of Himachal. Dharamsala and Palampur are its two main towns.

Dharamsala

Some half a dozen roads converge from different directions on Dharamsala, the district headquarters of Kangra and its more famous cousin, McLeodganj. The two pockets are connected through Forsythganj. While McLeodganj is named after a onetime Governor of the Punjab, Forsythganj is named after one of its Commissioners. The end result is a steady climb of human habitation up the hill which is punctuated by stretches of

27

woodland.

Church

of

St.

John

in

the

Wilderness,

Dharamsala

This church is 8 kms from Dharamsala and 1 km short of McLeodganj and lies between the suburb of Forsythganj and McLeodganj. Of dark dressed-stone, the Church of St. John in the Wilderness lies in a sheltered grove of high cedars. Like a blessing over the valley, it has a commanding location on the hillside. Within its compound, is an obelisk erected in memory of the Viceroy, Lord Elgin (1862 - 1863) by his wife Mary.

Palampur

The slopes around Palampur in the district of Kangra rise gently and agriculture has tamed some of the wilderness - but without eroding any of the beauty. And as the grand finale to a splendid performance, the curtain does not drop suddenly from the skies, but rises dramatically from the ground. In a single swoop, the wide spread of the Dhauladhar ranges bring the valley to an instant end. The town owes much of its early rise and prosperity to tea whose plantation was introduced to Kangra from a Chinese hybrid growing in Almora by Dr. Jameson, SuperintendentBotannicalGardens, North-West Frontier Province in 1849. This attracted several European tea planters and their families. Then came the cataclysmic earthquake of 1905 that levelled most of the region. This quake was also responsible for many of the graves in the area.

Church

of

St.

John

in

the

Wilderness,

Palampur

There is another church of St. John in the Wilderness in the town of Palampur which is famous for its attractive countryside and tea gardens. And in a way, speaking worlds for the churches of Himachal, their stained glass windows, miles away from where they were made and the memorials of people that died in events long forgotten, this has an unusual setting created by a rare climate and is surrounded by a clutch of warm weather poinsettias and shaded by tall Himalayan cedars that belong to the snows. This small church was rebuilt in the 1920s after it collapsed in the earthquake of 1905. The Palampur cemetery is a part of the churchyard.

MEMORIAL

IN

ST.

JAMES

CHURCH,

KANGRA.

28

MACNAGHTON. In loving memory of the Honourable Florence Mary Macnaghton who died at Bushmills Ireland on 26th January 1941. The greater part of her 39 years in India as a medical missionary was spent in the KangraValley where she was greatly beloved and affectionately known as the "Buddhimai". "In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ye have done unto me."

Memorial

to

Penelope

Chetwode

at

Khanag,

near

Ani,

Outer

Seraj

Married to Poet Laureate John Betjeman, Penelope was the daughter of Field Marshal Baron Chetwode who had served as Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. All her life, she remained in love with the Himachal hills till her death in April, 1986 at the age of seventy-six on a trek between Shimla and Kullu over the JaloriPass. Six years later, her granddaughter, Imogen Lycett Green returned to India to retrace that journey. At Khanag, with the help of Captain Padam Paddy Singh, she placed a memorial to her grandmother. This reads In memory of Penelope Valentine Hester Betjeman, writer and trav eller, born 14th February 1910, wife of John Betjeman Poet Laureate and daughter of Field Marshal Lord Chetwode, Commanderin-Chief of the Indain Army 1930-35 and of Lady Chetwode. On 11th October 1986 she died in these hills she had loved so long.

Nahan

The town of Nahan was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Sirmaur. Today, this is the headquarters of the district of the same name. At one point of time, Nahan was considered to be among the best planned towns in the country. Like a series of interlocking circles, its roads trace the low hills over which it is built. Its palaces, temples, gateways and water tanks hark back to yesteryears.

The state of Sirmaur also bore the brunt of the Gurkha invasion in the nineteenth century. When the British declared war on the Gurkhas, a column led by Major-General Gabriel Martindell attacked their stronghold at Jaitak. Four British officers were killed during the course of this campaign. They were buried at Nahan by its main tank. An obelisk was raised to mark the spot.

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Dalhousie - is a heavenly Himalayan tour destination ornate with beauty spots like Khajjiar, Satdhara springs and Kalatope. Tours to Dalhousie sets you on the gateway to the enchanting ChambaValley. A serene colonial town Dalhousie offers you a unique hill station experience with low-roof tea stalls, colonial bungalows and exotic colonial grandeur.

Chamba - With a history that dates back to the 6th century, Chamba is one of the favorite tourist spots in Himachal Pradesh India. Tour local temples and meet the warm people of Chamba valley on Himachal Pradesh tours with Taj Mahal Tourism tours. Set at an altitude of 996 meters above sea level, Chamba nestles near the enchanting foothills of Shivaliks. SeeChamudaDeviTemple, LaxmiNarayanTemple, Rang Mahal and BhuriSinghMuseum during your Chamba tours in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Dharamshala- is a great favorite with newly wed couples and quietude seekers. Enjoy nature and freshen up with lush valleys, deep gorges and majestic snow-capped peaks that never cease to enthrall in Dharamshala- i.e. counted among the star tourist spots of Himachal. Enjoy para gliding, skiing, mountaineering and fishing while on Dharamshala tours. Visit Triund, Macleodganj, Kunal Pathri and Bhagsunath apart from a host of other hill attractions with Himachal Pradesh tours.

Shimla- is the capital city of picture pretty Himachal Pradesh India. One of the earliest hill resorts developed by the British to escape the scorching Indian heat, Shimla has many tourist spots such as the Viceregal Lodge, The Mall, Annandale, ChadwickFalls, Sanjauli, Glen, Jakhoo Hill and Daranghati Sanctuary.

Manali- is a serene tour destination blessed with magnificent Himalayan peaks, breathtaking gorges and gurgling hill streams. TourSolangValley, RohtangPass, Manali Sanctuary, RahlaFalls, Keylong and Kothi on your tours to Himachal Pradesh, India.

Kushinagar- is a popular Himachal tour destination that gives you the impression of having traveled back in time to a sleepy hamlet set in the midst of exotic nature greens.

30

Pragpur- is an ethnic haven of cobbled streets that wind their way through tortuous mountain tracts with magnificent palaces and old homes located all over the place.

Solan- offers you an opportunity to enter heaven. Wild apricots and walnut trees interspersed with Chir pine forests clothe the Himalayan rages all around you. Breathe in fragrant hill air and tour attractive destinations such as the Kamru Fort, GurkhaCastles, Arki Fort and SholoniDeviTemple with Himachal Pradesh tours and Taj Mahal Tourism tour packages.

Adventure in Himachal Pradesh

PARA GLIDING

31

Just the place for an intrepid traveler - Himachal Pradesh offers excellent opportunities for adventure tourism. Experience sheer joy and thrill as you enjoy adventure activities such as mountaineering, trekking, rock climbing, mountain camping, para gliding, river rafting, hand gliding and ice skating.

Mountaineering Manali, Dhauladhar, Chandrabhaga and Pir Panjal ranges are hot favorites for mountaineering expeditions in Himachal Pradesh, India. Adventure tours to Himachal with Taj Mahal Tourism offers you ample opportunity to discover the heartbeat of majestic Himalayan ranges.

Trekking Trek past wild flower shrubs, herbs and mind-blowing natural beauty on trekking tours with Taj Mahal Tourism's Himachal Adventure tour packages. Lahaul and Spiti are popular for their exotic trekking tracks. Enjoy trekking tours to the GreatHimalayanNational Park. KulluValley is a great favorite with those who enjoy regular Himachal trekking tours. See shepherd trails, mountain hamlets and fascinating Himachal attractions on adventure trekking tours with Taj Mahal Tourism.

Rock

Climbing

Conquer imposing rocky heights on adventure rock climbing tours to Himachal Pradesh in India. Bharmour, Patalsu and Manali are hot favorites for rock climbing enthusiasts on adventure tours to Himachal, India. Join short term rock climbing courses at Jispa, Narkhanda, Dharashala and Bharmour.

Mountain

Camping

A mountain camping adventure is an absolute must for nature lovers, while on tours to Himachal Pradesh in India with Taj Mahal Tourism packages. Enjoy mountain camping at Himachal State Tourism camps at Sangla, Kalpa, Sarchu and Kaza. Special camping haunts are located near Kullu - Manali and Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Para

Gliding

The Pabbar and Kullu valleys are hotspots for para gliding enthusiasts. Bundla Dhar, close to Bilaspur is another great Paragliding destination in Himachal Pradesh, India.

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River

Rafting

The snow-fed Himalayan rivers of Himachal Pradesh invite you to come and enjoy adventure river rafting to your hearts content. Experience a glorious amalgamation of adventure, thrill, danger and fun while river rafting on Himachal adventure tours with Taj Mahal Tourism packages.

Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh

Introduction The thick forest stretches that cover the slopes of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh are home to a host of flora and fauna. In Himachal Pradesh, out of the total geographical area of 55,670 sq km, the forest area the forest area stretches up to 37,691 sq km. At present there are 32 Sanctuaries, 2 National Parks and 3 Games Reserves. With 64 species of mammals, 463 species of birds, 43 species of reptiles and 516 species of aquatic fauna teeming among over 3240 species of plants, the wildlife in Himachal Pradesh is worth its fame and unfolds an interestingly varied eco-system, for the wildlife enthusiast, the indefatigable trekker and the romantic tourist, an endless quest. The wildlife in Himachal Pradesh is concentrated in the depths of its sanctuaries and national parks.

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Wildlife In Himachal Pradesh:

Simbalbara Sanctuary :- Located in the Paonta Valley of Sirmour District, this sanctuary features beautiful dense Sal forests with grassy glades. With the Shiwalik Hills and a perrenila stream flowing inside the sanctuary, Simbalbara is absolute picturesque. The Forest Rest House here is connected by a fair weather road from Puruwala and provides a beautiful view of the valley. Goral, Sambhar and Chittal can be easily spotted here. There are walking trails inside the quiet adjoining forests. The best season to visit this sanctuary is in winter.

Kanwar Sanctuary :- Kanwar sanctuary is located in the Parbati valley of Kullu district. There is a Rest House at Kasol and the R.O. wildlife Kasol, provides information and help to visitors. Uphill walk along Garahan Nala from Kasol through dense majestic Deodar and Fir forests is thoroughly enjoyable and makes you feel like one of the comic book heroes you once pined for. This sanctuary is famed for its considerable population of Himalayan Tahr.

Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh enchants you into a glorious holiday tour with promises of enigmatic jungle secrets and Himalayan glory. Wildlife like Brown Bears, Gorals, Snow Leopards, Serows, Ibex and Bharals greet you on tours to Himachal wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Some of the important wildlife national parks in Himachal Pradesh that feature in the tourism 'must visit' list are:

Simbalbara

See a captivating wild world that bustles in the midst of thick Sal forests on the PaontaValley, Himachal Pradesh India. Animals such as Chital, Goral and Sambhar are regularly sighted in the Simbalbara forests.

PinValleyNational Park

This is a wild forest that lies high up in the Himalayan mountains. Home to wild animals like the snow leopard and Bharal, PinValleyNational Park is a great place to sight large Ibex herds.

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GreatHimalayanNational Park

Tours to GreatHimalayanNational Park with Taj Mahal Tourism tour packages shows you a wild land drenched in unmatched green beauty. Located in Kullu, The Great Himalayan Park is dotted with romantic pines and stretches of exotic alpine pastures. See attractive Himalayan birds apart from a large number of wild animals on tours to the GreatHimalayanNational Park in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Churdhar Sanctuary

Trek up the scenic ChurdharValley till you arrive at ChurdharPeak that offers breathtaking vistas. See multi-hues Monals, Himalayan animals and birds while on a trek to Churdhar Sanctuary.

Chail Sanctuary Himalayan birds, Goral, Sambhar and other enamoring wildlife are a common sight at the Chail Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Maharana Pratap Sagar Sanctuary

Transparent blue waters contrast with high Dhauladhar range peaks as you spot rare birds in the swamps of Maharana Pratap Sagar sanctuary on Himachal Wildlife Tours with Taj Mahal Tourism.

Kanawar Sanctuary

Carpeted with fir forests, Kanawar Sanctuary is a delightful place to enjoy wildlife trekking with Taj Mahal Tourism wildlife packages.

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Fairs and Festivals in Himachal Pradesh

Fairs and festivals brighten up the already glorious Himachal Pradesh landscape with age-old customs, local traditions, happiness and joy.

January - brings with it the advent of a New Year that is celebrated with great gusto in areas like Manali, Chail, Shimla and Dalhousie. The inhabitants of Lahaul, Chandra and Bhaga valleys celebrate Holda in January and later in the month the people of Himachal come together to celebrate the Moghi festival. The Republic Day near the end of the month is of course a national festival that is celebrated not only in Himachal but all over the country with enthusiasm.

February - begins with Himachal's annual Winter Carnival. The other festivals that are celebrated during February in Himachal include Basant Panchami and Baba Barbhag Singh Mela.

March - is another festival filled month. The people of Himachal celebrate festivals such as Char, Shivaratri, Holi and Balasundari Fair.

April - is that time of the year when the temples of Naina Devi, Chamunda Jwalaji and Chintapurni come alive with Navratra Celebrations.

May - is the month of Shimla Summer Festival and Dhungri Mela celebrations in Himachal Pradesh, India.

36

June - is the time when Himalayan ranges of exotic Himachal come alive with Dharamsala Summer Festival and Dalhousie Summer Festival.

July - is that time of the year when the entire ChambaValley comes alive with gaiety with Minjar Fair celebrations.

August - in Himachal brings with it a wake of traditional fairs and festivals. Himachal is enlivened with festivals such as the Kaza Fair, Kaza; Mani Mahesh Yatra, Chamba; Ladarcha Utsav, Spiti; Chintpurni Fair; Kalchakra Celebrations, Spiti; Naina Devi Fair and the Water Sports Carnival at Gobind Sagar.

September - is the time for Navratras Fai Durg festival celebrations.

October - is the time for the annual Paragliding festival in Bir and Dussera Celebrations all over Himachal, India.

November - is the month of Lavi Fair, Bodh Festival and Renuka Fair.

December - brings with it the fun of Ice -Skating Festival in Shimla and the Himalayan International Festival in Macleodganj in Himachal, India.

Fairs and Festivals

Festivals | Fairs

Festivals The people in Himachal love festivals and participate in all the local festivals and fairs with

37

great enthusiasm. Most of the fairs and festivals are connected with the various seasonal changes. There are many folklores connected with the beginning of each festivals. These fairs offer a clear glimpse into the lives, the beliefs and the popular customs of the rural life in Himachal. Each district has its own sequence of annual fairs which are connected with the historical and sociological background of that area. Festivals have an important place in the lives of the people in Himachal. On the festival day the farmers do not work in the fields and rich and poor alike celebrate these to the best of their financial abilities. If there has been a death in the family on the day of the festival, the festival is not celebrated by the other members, till a birth occurs around the same time. The Sikh festivals are celebrated largely in the cities. The tribal festivals have their own identity which is totally different from the festival celebration elsewhere. Pori festival The Pori festival of the Lahaul valley is remarkable. It is celebrated in the traditional way at the temple of Trilokinath. On this day the statue of the lord is bathed with milk and yogurt and then at about ten o' clock in the morning a crowd of people goes around the temple beating drums and blowing conchshells and bugles. A horse is also taken round the temple. It is believed that the god sits on its back and this is why the horse is drenched in sweet after the ritual. After the procession, the crowd along with the horse goes to the palace of the local ruler where the horse is given a grand welcome. The king then rides the horse and visits the fair ground which is dotted all over with small shops. On this day a butter lamp burns within the temple all day and all night long. The devotees add more butter to it as they come and accept the ritual Prasad of multi-coloured scraps of cloth with deep veneration. Dussera

38

Dussera is celebrated all over Himachal. The Ramlila plays begins a month prior to this and finish on the day of the festival. In the evening an actor dressed as Lord Rama shoots arrows at effigies of Ravana, his son Meghnad and his brother Kumbh Karna and sets them on fire. After this, crackers are lit and sweets are distributed. The Kulu Dussera is the biggest draw among festivals. It is held in October in Dhalpur maidan of Kulu. The beginning is marked by Rathyatra, in which the chief deity 'Raghunathji' is carried in a fully decorated wooden chariot. The yatra signifies the march ofRama to conquer Ravana. The famous Nainadevi fair is held in August. Some of the devotees cover the entire distance to the temple by lying prostrate each time they take a step. Fulaich In the monsoon month of Bhadrapada comes the festival of flower-watching (ukhyang) in the Kinnaur valley. This festival is also known as Fulaich and it commemorates the dead. But it is not an occasion to weep and wail. The fair opens with animal sacrifices and soon the entire village collects on a hill top and looks for the 'Ladra' flower. People serve rice wine and food to the dear departed ones on a mound of bricks. These are later distributed to the poor and the Harijans in the village. Afterwards the people of the village reassemble at the house of the 'Dhangaspa' family and garland all the family members of the clan. The villagers also welcome the team that had gone up the hills to look for flowers. Sacrifices are made into wood nymphs and at many places. Dancers perform ritual dances with ancient weapons. Holi The festival of Holi comes in the full moon day in the month of Falgun. Some women in the village offer special Puja during Holi. Small twigs of the 'Kamal' tree are painted in red and yellow and then laid out in little bamboo baskets (khartoo) along with thread, kumkum, jaggery and roasted grams. The women carry this basket and little pots of coloured water in their hands

39

and go for the Puja. This is first offered to an elderly man (Dandochh) and then the Holi is played. The next day the entire village plays Holi. The day prior to Holi, when the moon comes out, the Holi bonfire is built and set to fire. There is a scramble during this among the younger men to touch the Holi flag first. He who touch it first, is considered lucky. Special Kadah Prasad (sweet gruel) is also cooked and distributed. The Holi melas at Palampur, Ghughar, Paprola, Baijnath, Jaisinghpur and Sujanpur also have an attraction of their own. The Holi festival of Sujanpur traces its colourful history back to the glorious days of king Sansar Chand. This fair has been declared as a state festival by the Himachal government. The fair lasts for five days during which various processions of deities are taken out. Folk dances and traditional folk theater forms are also presented. Clay pots are also sold and the entire valley seems to reverberate with the joyous sounds of the traditional Holi songs.

Festivals The people in Himachal love festivals and participate in all the local festivals and fairs with great enthusiasm. Most of the fairs and festivals are connected with the various seasonal changes. There are many folklores connected with the beginning of each festivals. These fairs offer a clear glimpse into the lives, the beliefs and the popular customs of the rural life in Himachal. Each district has its own sequence of annual fairs which are connected with the historical and sociological background of that area. Festivals have an important place in the lives of the people in Himachal. On the festival day the farmers do not work in the fields and rich and poor alike celebrate these to the best of their financial abilities. If there has been a death in the family on the day of the festival, the festival is not celebrated by the other members, till a birth occurs around the same time. The Sikh festivals are celebrated largely in the cities. The tribal festivals have their own identity which is totally different from the festival celebration elsewhere. Pori festival The Pori festival of the Lahaul valley is remarkable. It is celebrated in the traditional way at

40

the temple of Trilokinath. On this day the statue of the lord is bathed with milk and yogurt and then at about ten o' clock in the morning a crowd of people goes around the temple beating drums and blowing conchshells and bugles. A horse is also taken round the temple. It is believed that the god sits on its back and this is why the horse is drenched in sweet after the ritual. After the procession, the crowd along with the horse goes to the palace of the local ruler where the horse is given a grand welcome. The king then rides the horse and visits the fair ground which is dotted all over with small shops. On this day a butter lamp burns within the temple all day and all night long. The devotees add more butter to it as they come and accept the ritual Prasad of multi-coloured scraps of cloth with deep veneration. Dussera Dussera is celebrated all over Himachal. The Ramlila plays begins a month prior to this and finish on the day of the festival. In the evening an actor dressed as Lord Rama shoots arrows at effigies of Ravana, his son Meghnad and his brother Kumbh Karna and sets them on fire. After this, crackers are lit and sweets are distributed. The Kulu Dussera is the biggest draw among festivals. It is held in October in Dhalpur maidan of Kulu. The beginning is marked by Rathyatra, in which the chief deity 'Raghunathji' is carried in a fully decorated wooden chariot. The yatra signifies the march ofRama to conquer Ravana. The famous Nainadevi fair is held in August. Some of the devotees cover the entire distance to the temple by lying prostrate each time they take a step. Fulaich In the monsoon month of Bhadrapada comes the festival of flower-watching (ukhyang) in the Kinnaur valley. This festival is also known as Fulaich and it commemorates the dead. But it is not an occasion to weep and wail. The fair opens with animal sacrifices and soon the entire village collects on a hill top and looks for the 'Ladra' flower. People serve rice wine and food to the dear departed ones on a mound of bricks. These are later distributed to the poor and the 41

Harijans in the village. Afterwards the people of the village reassemble at the house of the 'Dhangaspa' family and garland all the family members of the clan. The villagers also welcome the team that had gone up the hills to look for flowers. Sacrifices are made into wood nymphs and at many places. Dancers perform ritual dances with ancient weapons. Holi The festival of Holi comes in the full moon day in the month of Falgun. Some women in the village offer special Puja during Holi. Small twigs of the 'Kamal' tree are painted in red and yellow and then laid out in little bamboo baskets (khartoo) along with thread, kumkum, jaggery and roasted grams. The women carry this basket and little pots of coloured water in their hands and go for the Puja. This is first offered to an elderly man (Dandochh) and then the Holi is played. The next day the entire village plays Holi. The day prior to Holi, when the moon comes out, the Holi bonfire is built and set to fire. There is a scramble during this among the younger men to touch the Holi flag first. He who touch it first, is considered lucky. Special Kadah Prasad (sweet gruel) is also cooked and distributed. The Holi melas at Palampur, Ghughar, Paprola, Baijnath, Jaisinghpur and Sujanpur also have an attraction of their own. The Holi festival of Sujanpur traces its colourful history back to the glorious days of king Sansar Chand. This fair has been declared as a state festival by the Himachal government. The fair lasts for five days during which various processions of deities are taken out. Folk dances and traditional folk theater forms are also presented. Clay pots are also sold and the entire valley seems to reverberate with the joyous sounds of the traditional Holi songs.

Hotels in Himachal Pradesh

42

Check into hill retreats on tours to Himachal Pradesh, India with Taj Mahal Tourism packages for online Himachal hotels booking. Hotels all over Himachal Pradesh India offer comfortable retreats wherein you relax, freshen up and enjoy Himalayan glory in style.

Hotel Lions, Chail

Check into a world of comfort at Hotel Lions, Chail in Himachal Pradesh India. A three star hotel, Hotel Lions offers cozy accommodation and modern hotel amenities that enhance your exotic Himachal experience manifold

Address: Mihani in Chail, Himachal Pradesh, India Accessibility: 45 kilometers from Shimla

GraceHotel, Dharamsala A three star hotel, GraceHotel used to be a hill manor house that is more than 200 years old. Enjoy heritage stays at this artistically appointed hotel in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India. Address: 558, Old Chari Road, Kotwali Bazaar in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India

Accessibility: 10 kilometers from the domestic airport.

The Judge's Court, Pragpur Stay at this 300-year old historic Himalayan bungalow also known as Judge Sahab ki Kothi in the local circles. Address: Jai Bhawan, Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, India

Accessibility: 175 kilometers from the airport and railway terminal

The Cecil Oberoi Resort, Shimla

43

Located close to the famous Shimla Mall, Hotel Cecil Oberoi Resort offers breathtaking panoramas of surreal Himalayas. Address: Chaura Maidan, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

Accessibility: 21 kilometers from the airport

Shilon Resort, Shimla The Shilon Resort, Shimla is a popular 5 star hotel that serves as an enchanting leisure and business hotel offering modern facilities. Enjoy scenic vistas of sylvan pine grounds from Shilon Hotel windows and be an integral part of exquisite Himalayan beauty.

Address:

Shilon

Bagh,

Kufri-Chail

Marg,

Himachal

Pradesh,

India

Accessibility: 24 kilometers from Shimla city center

Springfield's Hotel, Shimla Sprawled on 4 acres of gloriously green Himalayan vistas, Springfield's Hotel Shimla is a well-known 4 star hotel in these parts. Address: Opposite TibetanSchool, Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, India

Accessibility: 20 kilometers from the airport

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THE HISTROY OF HIMICHAL

History
The history of the area that now constitutes Himachal Pradesh dates back to the time when the Indus valley civilisation flourished between 2250 and 1750 BCE.[10] Tribes such as the Koilis, Halis, Dagis, Dhaugris, Dasa, Khasas, Kinnars and Kirats inhabited the region from pre-histotic era. During the Vedic period, several small republics known as "Janapada" existed which were later conquered by the Gupta Empire.[11] After a brief period of supremacy by king Harshavardhana, the region was once again divided into several local powers headed by chieftains, including some Rajput principalities. These kingdoms that enjoyed a large degree of independence were devastated by Muslim invaders a number of times.[10]Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the beginning of the 10th century. Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills of the state and captured a number of forts and fought many battles.[10] Several hill states acknowledged Mughal suzerainty and paid regular tribute to the Mughals.[12]

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Sansar Chand (c.1765-1823) The Gorkhas, a martialtribe came to power in Nepal in the year 1768.[10] They consolidated their military power and began to expand their territory.[10] Gradually the Gorkhas annexed Sirmour and Shimla. With the leadership of Amar Singh Thapa, Gorkhas laid siege to Kangra. They managed to defeat Sansar Chand, the ruler of

46

kangra, in 1806 with the help of many provincial chiefs. However Gorkhas could not capture Kangra fort which came under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in 1809. After the defeat the Gorkhas began to expand towards the south of the state. However,Raja Ram Singh,Raja of Siba State re-captured the fort of Siba from the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Samvat 1846.[10] This led to the Anglo-Sikh War. They came into direct conflict with the British along the tarai belt after which the British expelled them from the provinces of the Satluj.[10] Thus the British gradually emerged as the paramount powers.[10] The revolt of 1857 or first Indian war of independence resulted due to the building up of political, social, economic, religious and military grievances against the British government.[10] People of the hill states were not as politically active as the people in other parts of the country.[10] They remained more or less inactive and so did their rulers, with the exception of Bushahr.[10] Some of them even rendered help to the British government during the revolt. Among them were the rulers of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami. The rulers of Bushars rather acted in a manner hostile to the interests of British.[10] The British territories in the hill came under British Crown after Queen Victoria's proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba, Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule.[10] During World War I, virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort both in the form of men and materials. Amongst these were the states of Kangra, Jaswan, Datarpur, Guler, Nurpur, Chamba, Suket, Mandi and Bilaspur.[10] After independence the Chief Commissioner's Province of H.P. came into being on 15 April 1948. The province comprised the hill districts around Shimla and southern hill areas of the former Punjab region. Himachal became a part C state on 26 January 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution of India. Himachal Pradesh became a Union Territory on 1 November 1956.[10] On 18 December 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25 January 1971. Thus Himachal emerged as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.[10

47

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Dal Lake

48

A summer view of Khajjiar.

Himachal is situated in the western Himalayas. Covering an area of 55,780 kilometres (34,660 mi),[4] Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state with elevation ranging from about 350 metres (1,148 ft) to 6,000 metres (19,685 ft) above the sea level.[13]

Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh. The drainage system of Himachal is composed both of rivers and glaciers. Himalayan rivers criss-cross the entire mountain chain. In fact the rivers are older than the mountain system.[14] Himachal Pradesh provides water to both the Indus and Gangesbasins.[15] The drainage systems of the region are the Chandra Bhaga or the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, the Sutlej and the Yamuna. These rivers are perennial and are fed by snow and rainfall. They are protected by an extensive cover of natural vegetation. [15]

49

There is great variation in the climatic conditions of Himachal due to extreme variation in elevation. The climate varies from hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern tracts to cold, alpine and glacial in the northern and eastern mountain ranges with more elevation.[16] The state has areas like Dharamsala that receive very heavy rainfall, as well as those like Lahaul and Spiti that are cold and almost rainless. Broadly Himachal experience three seasons; hot weather season, cold weather season and rainy season. Summer lasts from mid April till the end of June and most parts become very hot (except in alpine zone which experience mild summer) with the average temperature ranging from 28 C (82 F) to 32 C (90 F). Winter lasts from late November till mid March. Snowfall is common in alpine tracts (generally above 2,200 metres (7,218 ft) i.e. in the Higher and Trans-Himalayan region).

Flora and fauna

Main article: Wildlife of Himachal Pradesh

Asian Paradise Flycatcher in KulluDistrict of Himachal Pradesh, India.

50

According to 2003 Forest Survey of India report, legally defined forest areas constitute 66.52% of the area of Himachal Pradesh, although area under tree cover is only 25.78%.[17] Vegetation in the state is dictated by elevation and precipitation. The southern part of the state, which is at the lowest elevations, has both tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests.[17] These are represented by northwestern thorn scrub forests along the border with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and by Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests in the far southeast. Sal and shisham are found here. Rising into the hills, we find a mosaic of western Himalayan broadleaf forests and Himalayan subtropical pine forests. Various deciduous and evergreenoaks live in the broadleaf forests, while Chir pine dominates the pine forests. Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests grow near treeline, with species that include East Himalayan Fir, West Himalayan Spruce, Deodar, and Blue pine. In the uppermost elevations we find western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows in the northeast and northwestern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows in the northwest. Trees are sturdy with a vast network of roots. Alders, birches, rhododendrons and moist alpine shrubs are there as the regional vegetation. The rhododendrons can be seen along the hillsides around Shimla from March to May. The shrublands and meadows give way to rock and ice around the highest peaks. Himachal is also said to be the fruit bowl of the country with orchards scattered all over the place. Meadows and pastures are also seen clinging to steep slopes. After the winter season, the hillsides and orchards bloom with wild flowers, while gladiolas, carnations, marigolds[18], roses, chrysanthemums, tulips and lilies are carefully cultivated. The state government is gearing up to make Himachal Pradesh as the flower basket of the world. Himachal Pradesh is a well known habitat to a variety of animals. There are around 1200 bird and 359 animal species in the state.[19] This includes the leopards, ghoral, snow leopard, musk deer (the state animal) and Western Tragopan (the state bird). It has 12 major national parks and sanctuaries the largest number in the Himalayan region.

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The Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu district was created to conserve the flora and fauna of the main Himalayan range, while the Pin Valley National Park to conserve the flora and fauna of the cold desert.

Transport
Getting to Himachal
Himachal can be broadly divided by its main valley. The main ones are the Kangra valley, the Chamba valley, the Pangi valley, the Lahaul valley, the Spiti valley, the Kinnaur valley, the Parbati valley, The Giri valley and the Kullu valley. Shimla and the tract around it, dose not fall strictly in these valley divisions and lies off the waters of the river Sutlej. There are four well developed core focus zones that draw the maximum visitor or act as base camps for most of Himachal Shimla, Kullu and Manali, Dalhousie and Chamba, and Dharamshala and Palampur. In their own right they hold several draws and encompass a variety of sightseeing and adventure. They also act as pivots for a spectrum of off-beat excursions. A range of accommodation is a available in these areas modern hotels close to city centres, resorts neatly meshed with nature and heritage properties that include colonial mansions and age old forts. The budgets they accommodate are also wide shoestring, or velvet gloves.

Shimla
By Air: The airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 km from Shimla town and is connected to Delhi and Kullu. Taxi cabs are available. By Rail: Shimla is connected by a broadgauge line up to Kalka. Then a narrow gauge line takes over for Shimla and covers 96 km of track. The journey between Kalka and Shimla takes about six hours and is

52

one of the finest ways of enjoying the landscape. The quaint rail car, which runs on this stretch, takes about five hours. A luxury coach that accommodates six persons has recentely been introduced and can be attached to any train of your choice. The Shivalik Express is a deluxe train on this route. Alternative combinations By train up to Delhi (375 km), Chandigarh (120 km), or Kalka (90 km) and then by road. By Road: Shimla is connected by road to all major cities in north India. Taxi cabs for Shimla are available at Delhi, Chandigarh, Ambala and Kalka. Several state-run transport corporations including the Himachal Tourism Development Corporations ply regular and non air-conditioned buses from Delhi and Chandigarh. The Himachal Tourism Development Corporation also services the route. Private coaches (air-conditioned and non air-conditioned deluxe) are available at Delhi. Buses can also be chartered. For the resorts located away from town the connections are by road and taxis are available

Dharamshala and Palampur

By Air: The airport at Gaggal is 14 km from Dharamshala and 23 km from its twin town Mcleodganj. Palampur is 40 km away. Taxis are available. By Rail: Pathankot is the closest broadgauge railhead and is 85 km from Dharamshala and 124 km from Palampur. Taxis are available. You can opt for the narrow gauge railway for a taste of the area. Called the Kangra Valley Railway it connects Pathankot to Jogindernagar. The station feeding Dharamshala is Kangra Mandir and the one for Palampur is Maranda. By Road: Dharamshala is just off National Highway No. 20 and well linked to the region. Palampur is 38 km from Dharamshala and even independently is well linked. An interesting variation of the standard can be made by taking the train from Delhi up to Jalandhar or Una and then traveling by road. En route you can visit the shrines of Chintpurni, Jawalamukhi and Kangra. The shrine of Naina Devi is also easily accessible if you opt for the Nangal railway station. The road distance from Jalandhar to Dharamshala is 165 km along this route, and to Palampur is 198 km.

Kullu and Manali

By Air: The airport at Bhuntar is the common base that feeds these towns. This is 10 km from Kullu and 50 km from Manali. Public transport buses and taxis are available for transfer.

53

By Road: Kullu and Manali are connected by an extensive network of road with the northen region. Airconditioned and non air-conditioned deluxe coaches are run by the HRTC the HPTDC and by private sector operators. National Highway No. 21 runs through the valley and connects Chandigarh and Delhi

Dalhousie and Chamba

By Air: The closest airport is at Gaggal near Dharamshala which is 112 km (Approx) from Dalhousie and 172 km (Approx) from Chamba via Banikhet route. Taxis are available. By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Pathankot 85 km from Dalhousie and 120 km from Chamba . Taxis are available. By Road: Both Dalhousie and Chamba are well connrcted by road. Taxis and regular coaches connect the towns.

Nahan, Paonta and Renuka (Sirmaur)

By Air: The closest airport is at Chandigarh. By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Ambala and Kalka . Taxi's are available. By Road: From Ambala, Chandigarh & Kalka and Dehradoon. Regular bus service connect the towns.

Kalka-Shimla Railway Roads are the major mode of transport in the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh. The state has road network of 28,208 km (17,528 mi),[23] including eight national highways (NH) that constitute 1,234 km (767 mi).[23] Some roads get closed during winter and monsoon seasons due to snowfall and landslides. Regular bus services connect Shimla with Chandigarh, Kullu, Manali, Delhi, Mandi, Pathankot, Ambala, Chail and Dehradun. Local taxis are the major local transport here. District Hamirpur has got the highest road density in the country.[24]

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Railway track is accessible only to a few places in Himachal Pradesh. The Pathankot Jogindernagar line connects Punjab with Himachal Pradesh. The other railway tracks pass through Shimla, Solan and Una. Shimla is connected with Kalka by a narrow gauge railway line, which in turn is connected with the major cities in India. Himachal has two narrow gauge rail tracks. The Kalka-Shimla Railway track has a length of 96 kilometres. It passes through 102 tunnels and crosses 864 bridges.[25][26] There are three domestic airports in the stateShimla Airport, Bhuntar Airport serving Kullu and Manali, and Gaggal Airport serving Kangra and Dharamsala. The air routes connect the state with Delhi and Chandigarh. There are no international airports in Himachal Pradesh. Deccan, Air India, MDLR has flights from Delhi, Chandigarh to Kullu & back. Jagson Airlines has flights from Delhi to Shimla.
Tourist Information Centers with in the state:

* Near Victory Tunnel, Shimla- Phone: 0177-2654589 * Railway station, Shimla-Phone: * Bye pass road, Shimla, Phone: 0177-2832498. * The Mall, Manali- Phone: 01902-252175. * Dhalpur, KulluPhone: 01902-222349.

* BhuntarAirport, Kullu-Phone: 01902-265037 * Dharamshala (Kangra). Phone: 01892-223325. * Near Bus Stand, Dalhousie- Phone: 01899-242225.

Tourist Information Centers outside State:

* Opposite Railway Station, Pathankot (Punjab). Phone: 0186-2220316. * Inter State Bus Terminal, Sector 17, Chandigarh- Phone: 0172-2708569. * Tourist Information Centre, Kalka - Railway Station. Phone: 01733-221079. * 2H, 2nd Floor, Electronic Centre, 1A, B.A.C. Street, Kolkata- Phone: 033-22126361. * 36, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai- Phone: 022-22181123. * Tamilnadu Tourism complex, Wallajah road, Chennai- Phone: 044-25385689.

HPTDC's Marketing Offices:

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* The Mall, Shimla- Phone: 0177-2652561 / 2658302. Fax: 0177-2652557. * The Mall, Manali. Phone: 01901-253531 * 36, Chanderlok Building, Janpath, New Delhi- Phone: 011-23325320 / 23324764 * 205, SHILP-2 Near Income Tax Office, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad - Tel. +91-079-27544800 Fax 91-79-27544548 * Himachal Emporium, Ganesh Complex No. 13, S.C. Road, Bangalore- Phone: 080-22876591. Himachal Tourism Directorate Block No. 28, SDA Complex, Kasumpti, Shimla-171009 Ph:0177-2625511, 2625924, Fax: 0177-2625864 E-mail:tourismmin-hp@nic.in website:www.himachaltourism.gov.in

History
Shimla (then spelt Simla) was settled by the British shortly after the first Anglo-Gurkha war, and is located at 7116 feet in the foothills of the Himalayas. By the 1830s, Shimla had already developed as a major base for the British.[citation needed] It became the summer capital of British India in 1864, and was also the headquarters of the British army in India. Prior to construction of the railway communication with the outside world was via village cart.[1] The railway was constructed by the Delhi-Umbala-Kalka Railway Company commencing in 1898.[1] The estimated cost of Rs 86,78,500, however, the cost doubled during execution of the project.[citation needed] The 96.54 km (60 mi) line was opened for traffic November 9, 1903.[1] Because of the high capital and maintenance cost, coupled with peculiar working conditions, the Kalka-Shimla Railway was allowed to charge fares that were higher than the prevailing tariffs on other lines. However, even this was

56

not good enough to sustain the company and the Government had to purchase it on January 1, 1906 for Rs 1,71,07,748.

Ordinary local train halts at the Solan Station

In mid-August 2007, the government of Himachal Pradesh declared the railway a heritage property in preparation for its review in September.[2] For about a week starting on September 11, 2007, an expert team from UNESCO was on a visit to the railway to review and inspect the railway for possible selection as a World Heritage Site. On July 7th 2008, the Kalka-Shimla Railway was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the WorldHeritageSiteMountain Railways of India.[3] The Mountain Railways of India (including Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Nilgiri Mountain Railway) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai have already been declared as world heritage properties.[4]

57

Route

Kalka Railway Station

The Kalka-Shimla Railway was built to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British Raj, with the Indian rail system. Now, Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh and Kalka is a town in the Panchkula district of Haryana. Spectacular scenery along the whole route, and the marvels of its construction, keeps the traveler on this line spell bound. On leaving Kalka, 656 meters (2,152 ft) above sea level, the railway enters the foothills and immediately commences its climb.

Stations
The route offers a panoramic feast of the picturesque Himalayas from the Sivalik foot hills at Kalka to several important points such as Dharampur, Solan, Kandaghat, Taradevi, Barog, Salogra, Summerhill and Shimla at an altitude of 2,076 meters (6,811 ft).

58

Tunnels
The Kalka Shimla Railway runs through 103 tunnels (one is not in use; so only 102 in service). The longest tunnel is at Barog, and is named after the engineer in charge of construction. The tunnel which is 1143.61-metre-long, and passes through fissured sandstone, has an interesting and tragic story associated with its construction. Barog, the engineer in charge, committed the mistake of digging the tunnel from both ends of the hill. The ends of the tunnels could not meet due to mistake in alignment. It is said that a fine of Re 1 was laid on him by the British authorities, for wasting government money in the tunnel. The British engineer could not digest this humiliation and during a walk along with his pet dog, shot himself in sheer desperation. He killed himself near what now is the state government-run Barog Pine Wood Hotel. It is said that his dog upon seeing his master bleeding profusely ran in panic to a village, near the present Barog railway station, for help. However, by the time people reached the spot, Barog had breathed his last. His tunnel was abandoned, and a second tunnel was constructed one kilometre away under the supervision the Chief Engineer, H.S. Harrington. Harrington had the assistance of Bhalku, a man from Jhaja, near Chail, who possessed natural engineering skills and is believed to have helped the British engineers bore other tunnels on the railway. Bhalku is regarded as a local saint, and apparently received a gold medal for his role in construction of the railway. [5]

Infrastructure
The line has 864 bridges, one of which is a 18.29 metre (60 ft) plate girder span and steel truss. The others are viaducts with multi-arched galleries like the ancient Romanaqueducts. Bridge No. 493, historically known as the "Arch Gallery", situated between Kandaghat and Kanoh stations, is an arch bridge in three stages, constructed 59

with stone masonry. Bridge No. 226; between Sonwara and Dharampur is an arch gallery bridge having 5 tier galleries of multiple spans, constructed with stone masonry and bridging a deep valley surrounded by high peaks. The railway has a ruling gradient of 1 in 33 or 3%. It has 919 curves, the sharpest being 48 degrees (a radius of 37.47 m or 122.93 feet). Climbing from 656 meters (2,152 ft), the line terminates at an elevation of 2,076 meters (6,811 ft) at Shimla. The line originally used 42lb/yd (21kg/m) rail but this was later relaid to 60lb/yd (30kg/m) rail.[1]

Locomotives
The first locomotives to arrive were two class "B" 0-4-0ST from the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. These were built as 2 ft (610 mm) gauge engines, but were converted to 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge in 1901. They were not large enough for the job, and were sold in 1908. They were followed by 10 engines with a 0-4-2T wheel arrangement of a slightly larger design, introduced in 1902. These locomotives weighed 21.5 tons (21.85 tonnes) each, and had 30" (762 mm) driving wheels, and 12"x16" (304.8 mm x 406.4 mm) cylinders. They were later classified into the "B" class by the North Western State Railways. All these locomotives were constructed by the British firm of Sharp Stewart.[6] Larger locomotives were introduced in the form of a 2-6-2T, of which 30 were built with slight variations between 1904 and 1910. Built by the Hunslet and the North British Locomotive Company, these locomotives were about 35 tons (35.56 tonnes), with 30" (762 mm) drivers and 14"x16" (355.6 mm x 406.4 mm) cylinders. These locomotives, later classed K and K2 by the North Western State Railways, subsequently handled the bulk of the railways traffic during the steam era. A pair of Kitson-Meyer 26-2+2-6-2 articulated locomotives, classed TD, were supplied in 1928. They quickly fell into disfavour, as it often took all day for enough freight to be assembled to justify

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operating a goods train hauled by one of these locomotives. Shippers looking for a faster service started to turn to road transport. These 68 ton (69.09 tonnes) locomotives were soon transferred to the Kangra Valley Railway, and subsequently ended up converted to 1,000 mm (3 ft 338 in) gauge in Pakistan.[6]

Rolling stock
The railway opened using conventional four-wheel and bogie coaches. The tare weight of these coaches meant that only four of the bogie coaches could be hauled upgrade by the 2-6-2T locomotives. In an effort to increase loadings in 1908 the entire coaching stock was rebuilt as bogie coaches 33' long by 7' wide, using steel frames and bodies. To further save weight the roofs were constructed using aluminium. Savings in weight meant the locomotives could now haul six of the larger coaches, significantly expanding capacity. This was an early example of the use of steel in construction of coaches to reduce the coaches' tare.[1] Goods rolling stock was constructed on a common pressed steel underframe, 30' long and 7' wide. Both open and covered wagons were provided, the open wagons having a capacity of 19 tons and the covered wagons 17.5 tons. [1]

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Himachal Tradition and Dances

Dances of Himachal Pradesh

Dance for the Himachalis is almost as indispensable as food, water and air. No festive occasion, however small, goes without dancing. All regions have their own dances, moulded by the ecology and the physical environment. For instance, the Kinnauris of the high north have cluster formations and strong cohesive lines in their dances while the women of southern Chamba pirouette, circle and frisk around, symbolizing spring and open spaces. The movement patterns and the music cannot be dissociated from the occupations of the people.

With a medley of tribes and village communities, HP has an astonishingly large number of dances, with themes ranging from seasons and everyday life to myths and legends.

Region-Wise Dances of Himachal

Kinnaur Dance Losar Shona Chuksam :The Losar Shona Chuksam (Losar is the Tibetan New Year) is an
agricultural festival dance performed by the Kinnauris in which the movements depict all activities from sowing to reaping ogla (barley) and phaphar (a local grain).

The dance also includes innovative pieces like mime. Another dance, the Namagen, celebrates autumn.

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The dancers themselves sing while musicians play the instruments. The drum is the very life of these folk dances.

Chamba Dance Dangi :The Dangi is a lively womens dance of the Chhatrari village in Chamba.
The song is like a question-answer session between the two dancing groups. Themes vary: the conversation could be between a king and a poor girl with whom he is in love or between a trader and his customers. The dance begins with a slow tempo but gathers momentum as the dancers begin to spin. Another womens dance is the Sikri, performed during the Suhi Fair held in spring. The accompanying song tells of the beauty of flowers and the season, especially the flowering of the Marua flower.

The Singing of Legendary Love Story of Konju and Chanchalo

The Gaddi boys of Chamba often sing the legendary love story of Konju and Chanchalo. The tale goes that Konju used to brave perilous rivers and wild animals at midnight to visit his ladylove, Chanchalo. But Chanchalo fears for his life as his rivals have guns. She pleads with him to go back and so the song ends with the sad parting of the lovers who exchange a ring and a scarf: In your hand is a silk handkerchief, O, Chanchalo, and my ring is on your finger, As a token of our undying love. My lustrous black eyes, O Konju, often Admired by you, are now filled with tears and sorrows, Symbols of our hopeless love

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 Sirmaur Dance
Gee Dance : The Gee dance of Sirmaur is performed during the festival of Lohri. Singers stand in a curve with instrumentalists while individual dancers (boys or girls) rise one by one to dance to the music.

A peculiar custom related to this dance is that only girls born in the village it is being performed in can partcipate in it. Brides who may have come from other villages cannot dance it in their husbands village. They can dance the gee only in their parental village. The Rasa, another dance from Sirmaur, has a carefully thought-out pattern and lasts for a long time. The dancers form chains (pindi-bandhas) or concentric circles and the songs (mostly love stories) are in a question-answer form. A host of musicians accompany the singers, and you might sometimes find the male dancers brandishing dangras (axes).

Note: This dance is different from the Rasa dances of Braj and Manipur where the amours of Radha and Krishna are sung, though there may be some link. The Rasa of Sirmaur is an excellent example of Puranic tradition filtering to the hills and metamorphosing into a new thing altogether.

Burah Dance : Men flourish their dangras (axes) in big open movements in the Burah dance which is definitely a macho martial dance. Ballads telling of battles and legendary heroes are sung to the beat of the hulki (an hourglass-shaped drum). The Kariyala is a dance drama, more like a theatrical performance by professional artistes, while the Thoda is a dance of archery.

Kullu Dance
Naati :The Naati of Kullu is an all time favourite with the people. Dancers link
their hands and move in step to varying rhythms (there are 13 styles in all). Traditionally danced by men (wearing swirling tunics, churidaars, sashes and decorated caps) for hours on end, it has now been modified so that women can participate in it too.

Kharait, Ujagjama and Chadhgebrikar : The dances of Kullu have always been open
to new themes and forms due to foreign influences. Kharait, Ujagjama and Chadhgebrikar are martial dances of men. These are danced with swords and heralds, sometimes in a circle in a fast tempo. The songs are contemporary and the theme patriotic. The Ludi Banthde was originally a love song (of rajas perhaps) but has been substituted by happenings of today. Others like Dhili Pheti and Bashari performed

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in village melas (fairs) are pure joyous events where both men and women participate.

Lahaul-Spiti Dance

Shunto: The Shunto is danced by men to a song is in praise of Buddha. The Shaboo is danced on
festive occasions while Gafila is a dance for couples. The dance Dodra Kawar mainly revolves around agriculture. The Singhi or snow lion is a Buddhist dance performed to ensure peace and prosperity. Himachal Pradesh Music Himachal does not have a classical music or dance tradition, but the rich and varied folk traditions of yore are practiced till date. The vast repertoire of pahari (literally of the mountains) folklo re often gets translated into these songs. These ballads dwell on village romances, chivalry and the changing seasons. Theres no dearth of topics which range from the mundane to stories about fairytale kings and queens or just beautiful girls. The songs are mostly sung in chorus during fairs and festivals and are accompanied with dancing. Each line is repeated several times before passing on to the next.

MODERN HIMACHAL PRADESH

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 Government & Politics

Himachal Pradesh has 12 administrative districts and three divisions. The divisions are Shimla, Mandi and Dharamsala, while the districts are Sirmaur, Solan, Shimla, Kinnaur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Chamba. Himachal was granted full statehood in 1971. Following the Chinese takeover of Tibet, McLeodganj in Dharamsala has been the capital of the Tibetan Government in Exile. HP has a single-chamber legislative assembly with 68 seats. The state sends seven members to the Indian National Parliament three to Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and four to Lok Sabha (Lower House). The Bharatiya Janta Party came to power in 1998 under the leadership of Prem Kumar Dhumal who is the present Chief Minister.

Agriculture
The economy of HP is predominantly agricultural. Due to a wide range of agro-climatic and topographical conditions ranging from flat lands in the lower hills to the cold deserts, many different crops are grown here. Rice and wheat in the lower valleys; tomatoes and other vegetables in the middle hills; apples, plums and other fruits in the higher regions and dry fruit and potatoes in the cold deserts. Tea, ginger and mushrooms are some of the important cash crops. Due to the difficult terrain, barely 11% of the total geographical area is under cultivation. To gain more cultivable land, terrace farming is commonly practiced. At higher elevations, farming is often supplemented by the raising of livestock.

Wild olives that were once cultivated rather hap-hazardly are now being planted with the necessary know-how from Italy. The middle height districts like Mandi and Kullu are ideal for this and the state is now hoping to increase its share of olive oil in the world market to 5 million tons.

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 Industry
Due to the persistent effort of the state government, a broad-based industrial structure has slowly developed in the state. There is small-scale mining of slate, gypsum, limestone, barite, dolomite, and pyrite. The main industries include iron foundries, resin and turpentine factories, fertilizer plants, breweries and electronics plants.

Woollen garments and handicrafts make up the main small-scale industry. In fact, the annual turnover from the shawl industry alone is estimated at around six crores rupees! Spinning and weaving of wool (which is locally produced) is mainly a winter occupation when there is time to spare from the fields.

Hydroelectricity
Himachal Pradesh abounds in rivers, lakes and glaciers and is therefore extremely rich in water. A number of hydel projects have been constructed on the Satluj, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Yamuna basins. Some of the more important are the Bhakra Project, the Kot Dam Project, the Beas Satluj Link Project, the Beas Power Project and the Pong Dam.

Tourism

Well, this is where HP is far, far ahead of other states in India. Its great natural splendour explains why tourists should make a trip to this destination. Apart from good hotels and transportation, there are excellent facilities for adventure sports like trekking, rock climbing, skiing, heli-skiing, river rafting and kayaking which attract enthusiasts from all over the globe. Some of the important tourist centres are Shimla, Solan, Chail, Renuka, Kalpa, Nako, Sangla, Kullu, Manali, Baijnath, Dharamsala, Kangra, Palampur, Dalhousie, Khajjiar and Chamba.

Communications
Roads are the most important transport link in a hilly and mountainous state like HP. The state road

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network consists of four national highways and is constantly being extended. Kalka (in Haryana) and Pathankot (in Punjab) are the two nearest railway stations on the broad gauge network, if you are trying to reach Himachal. There are two exciting toy train routes, though: Pathankot-Palampur-Jogindernagar and Kalka-SolanShimla. The three airports in the state are at Shimla, Kullu and Kangra (closed these days) while two are coming up at Spiti and Banikhet (Chamba). STD and ISD facilities are available in most places, even small. The Internet too is making its presence felt at an amazing speed. There are cybercafs in Shimla, Manali and McLeodganj. Surprisingly, notwithstanding the hilly terrain, radio has penetrated to the remotest corners of the state (100% as against the national average of 96.89%)

People
Most of the people in Himachal depend on agriculture for livelihood. Many people derive their income from sheep, goats, and other cattle. Ninety percent of the people live in villages and small towns. Villages usually have terraced fileds and small two storey houses with sloping roof. The villages are mostly self-contained with a few shops to take care of basic necessities of life. Most villages have a temple, where people congregate for worship. In many parts of the Himachal the village Gods are carried on palanquins to village fairs. On Dussehra the largest congregation of village Gods takes place at Kullu.

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The folk songs of Himachal Pradesh are full of charm. They are usually based on a religious or a romantic theme. People gather in a circle in village fairs and dance to the tune of these songs. The dancing is usually spontaneous during a village fair and is symbolic of the peace and joy of the people. In general people of Himachal Pradesh are honest, truthful, gentle, and good humored.

Religion:
Most of the people in Himachal are Hindus. There is a sizable number of Buddhists who live in Himachal. Hinduism practiced in the areas of Himachal that are closer to the northern plains is very similar to the Hinduism practiced in the plains. Upper hill areas have their own distinct flavor of Hinduism. Their practice of religion combines the local legends and beliefs with the larger Hindu beliefs. The temple architecture has also been influenced by local constraints such as availability or lack of availability of certain construction materials. Most of the upper hill temples are made of wood and more similar to Pagodas in design.

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Most of the people of Himachal who live in the areas that border with China are Buddhist. There are many beautiful Buddhist temples and pagodas in Himachal.

AYURVEDIC REJUVENATION THERAPY

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AYURVEDA
Ayurveda is natural soothing & gentle. This timeless "Science of life" which goes hack in to the age of the sages which has a tranquil effect on the mind. Body & Soul. It aims to promote human happiness, health & increases the creative growth in an individual, unique personality with Ayurveda. Rediscover your own

PANCHKARMA
As the name suggests, Pancha in Sanskrit stands for Five and Karma are the therapeutic measures, therefore Panchakarma means five types of therapeutic measures. These are undertaken for the purification of the body and Ayurveda considers it necessary before the start of any other therapy. The logic being that as a cloth needs to be purified or cleaned of impurities and dust before it can be permeated with a new color, similarly the body needs to be purified before it can be permeated with new colors of youthfulness, health and vigor etc. In fact, most of the time, Panchakarma is an end in itself rather than a prelude to other therapeutic measures.

The Panchakarma therapy of Ayurveda is comprised of five basic types of advanced treatment for the evacuation of vitiated Dosha (toxic materials) from the body. One can consider this as a body de-tox program. There are so many subtypes of this therapy and different types of herbal

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THE KUMBH MELA

KUMBH MELA
Sanctity : Holiest Hindu Festival Held : Every 12 years Purpose : Taking the Holy Bath Other Host : Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad

Crowd Gather at Harki Pauri During Kumbh Mela in Haridwar

Pilgrim Destinations

Festivals

Haridwar

FACT FILE
Location :
On the Bank of Ganges in Haridwar.

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Legend : Important Rituals :

Holy Nectar of God Spilt in the Four Pious Cities. Religious Bath, Devotional Singing, Mass Feeding of Holy Men Women and Poor, Religious Assemblies.

Activities :

Cultural Programmes, Discussion Programmes, Yoga Classes, Ayurvedic Healing Classes.

Indulge In : Best Time For Aarti : Must See : Also Visit : Staying Options : Getting There :

Religious Fervency, Taking a Pious Dip in ShipraRiver, Meditation on the Banks. Evening At Dusk. Shirshasins, Who stand all 24 hours and meditate for hours standing on their heads. The Ardh Kumbh Mela Held in Haridwar Every Six Years. Haveli Hari Ganga, Sagar Ganga Resort, Hotel Classic Residency. Air - The main Airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun (52 kms). Air Deccan Connects Delhi to Dehradun, From There one can Take a Bus or Train. Rail - Haridwar is a Major Railhead Which is Well Connected to Various Cities and Towns of India. Road - When Travelling from Delhi, NH 54 Passes Through Haridwar. Other Highways Also Connects Haridwar to Delhi, Dehradun, Nainital and Other Major Cities and SmallTowns.

Kumbh Mela in Haridwar

Hundreds and thousands of Sadhus and pilgrim taking dips in the Ganges, Diyas (Mud Lauttaranchals) carrying people wishes flowing on the waters, people drenched in holiness with folded hands in front of the holy temples are some of the most common sights that one can experience during the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Shut your mind and let your heart soak in all the spirituality, that draws people to the holy land of Haridwar every 12th year. This is the largest concentration of religious gathering in the world. Take up exclusive Kumbh Mela tours to this holy city of Hardiwar, and conquer the supreme throne of Nirvana. As per the mythologies, anyone who takes the divine dip in the Ganges during Kumbh Fair, will be cured of all his

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sins

and

free

himself

from

the

cycle

of

birth-rebirth.

Kumbh Mela is held every 3 years in 4 different cities viz Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Then there is the Ardh Kumbh Mela that takes place periodically, every twelfth and sixth year in Haridwar. The upcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar is in 2010. Kumbh Mela and the Legends

The history and legend claims Kumbh Mela to be associated with Lord Indra. It is said that while serving his penance, Lord Indra dropped a few drops of the holy nectar to the four holy hosts of Kumbh Mela and hence these places gained reverence and this festival began to be held every 12 years. Astrologically, the Kumbh Mela takes place when planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.

Pilgrims Taking Ganga Dips to Cure Themselves of Their Sins

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The Spiritual Ambiance in Haridwar

The most famous ghat of Haridwar Hari ki Pauri, is where millions of people participate in this festival by taking holy dips in the Ganges. People from great distance travel on foot or buses to arrive on the holy river of Ganges. There are special arrangements and facilities offered by Uttaranchal Tourism department for the pilgrimage, special camp accommodations are set with good hygiene facilities, accessories to perform rituals and proper arrangements for bathing in hallowed waters. In the mornings trillions of people can be seen emerging on the river banks to take dips. This is followed by worshipping in the various temples. Meditating Sadhus, and saints add to the spiritual ambiance and the whole town seem to be drenched in holiness. In this unique fair, many bridges, shops and temporary dwellings are also constructed. There are various Ashrams in Haridwar where you can attend spiritual lectures delivered by the religious leaders along with meditation facilities if interested can also take up various Yoga and Ayurvedic programmes. Cultural programmes are also held in the Ashrams. The divine atmosphere in Haridwar magnetize millions and trillions of foreign attraction.

THE GANGA

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The Beginning of the Holy Journey - YamunotriTemple

FACT FILE
YAMUNOTRI Location : Altitude : Famous Temple : Other Attractions : Trekking Routes :
213 kms from Rishikesh.

3165 mts Above Sea Level. YamunotriTemple. Surya Kund Thermal Spring, Sayanachatti Scenic Beauty. Hanumanchatti to Yamunotri (13 kms). Janki Chatti to Yamunotri (8 kms).

Getting Around : Getting There :

Janak Chatti 7 kms, Hanumanchatti 13 kms. Air The Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant near Dehradun (196 kms). Rail The Nearest Railhead is at Rishikesh (213 kms) and Dehradun (172 kms) Away. Regular Trains Ply Between Rishikesh and Gangotri. Road Good Metalled Road Connect Yamunotri to all the Famous as well as SmallTowns and Cities of the State as well as Country.

GANGOTRI Location : Altitude : Famous Temple : Other Attractions :

249 kms from Rishikesh

3042 mts. Above Sea Level. GangotriTemple. Submerged Shivling Unique Attraction, Shrine of Gangotri Religious Importance.

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Trekking Routes :

Gangotri- Kedarnath Trek.

Gangotri- Nandavan-Tapovan Trek. Gangotri Kedar Tal. Gangotri Gaumukh.

Getting Around :

Uttarakashi 97 kms, Gaumukh 19 kms, Kedar Tal 18 kms, Nachiketa Tal 131 kms, Dayara Bugyal 93 kms.

Getting There :

Air The Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant near Dehradun (226 kms). Rail The Nearest Railhead is at Rishikesh (249 kms). Regular Trains Ply Between Rishikesh and Gangotri. Road Metalled Road Connect Gangotri to all the Famous as well as SmallTowns and Cities of the State as well as Country.

Yamunotri in Uttaranchal Holy Magic

Religiosity has drenched Yamunotri in every possible way. The gateway to the Char Dham yatra has plethora of attractions. At an altitude of 3,235 m. above sea level, Yamunotri is a point of paramount religious importance for Hindus and an essential pilgrimage. This pilgrimage town is also the beginning point for river Yamuna. Among the various mythical legends that have made this town an important spiritual centre in India, lies the popular temple attractions, hot water springs and the adventure of trekking that one cannot avoid, as it is the soul way of reaching this holy city in Uttaranchal. One can reach Yamunotri from Jolly Grant, 196 kms. near Dehradun. To reach is railways, tourists can choose between Rishikesh (213 kms) or Dehradun (172 kms). To reach Yamunotri via roadways can take the road to Yamunotri that diverts from Dharasu bifurcation point. From here Hanuman Chatti to Phool Chatti is 5 km by jeep, 3 km Phool Chatti to Janki Chatti on foot and 5 km from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri by trek. Buses and jeeps are available.

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The Zig Zag Way to Reach Yamunotri

Attractions that Bring Joys to All Faces

Associating Yamunotri only as a pilgrim destination is not fair as there are plethoras of tourists attractions that will keep the travellers engrossed. The most important is the Yamunotri temple that is dedicated to goddess Yamuna. Near to this temple are water tanks that are filled by hot springs and rituals are performed there. There is the Surya Kund which too is an important thermal spring, where rice and potatoes are cooked, for offerings. You cannot miss seeing the huge rock pillar, Divya Shila that you will come across before entering the Yamunotri temple.

Trek to Reach the Divine the Best Adventure Option in Yamunotri

Trekking is an inevitable adventure option in Yamunotri as it is the very means of reaching this town. Pilgrims need to indulge in 8 kms long trek from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri. There are many places around Yamunotri that too can be reached by trekking. Take up trekking route from Yamonotri to Sayanachatti along the banks of river Yamuna to enjoy panoramic views. The famous DodiTalLake which is located at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna rivers, is also just a small trek away.

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The Holiest Temple in Uttaranchal - GangotriTemple

Sip of Divinity Gangotri in Uttaranchal

There is no end to holiness in Uttaranchal and adding on more to the list is Gangotri. Be it a man's itch to appease the Gods above or to quench one's desire for adventure, Gangotri is the perfect town. The originator of the sacred Ganges is here at an altitude of 3042 mts. above sea level. The main highlight of this temple town are undoubtedly temples, various trekking trails and many excursion that will reveal unparalleled beauty.

To reach Gangotri, the nearest airport is at Dehradun, Jolly Grant (226 kms). The closest railhead is at Rishikesh (249 kms). From here on one can hire jeeps or buses to reach Gangotri.

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THE KEDARNATH
District : Uttarkashi District of Uttaranchal Location : 293 kms from Dehradun Altitude : 3584 mtrs Above Sea Level Sanctity : Holiest Destination in India

The Most Important Temple in Kedarnath - KedarnathTemple 80

FACT FILE
Also Known As : Best Time to Visit :
Abode of Shiva. May to October. The Rest Six Months it is Closed Due to Extreme Weather Conditions.

Major Attractions : Must Visit :

Char Dham Yatra, KedarnathTemple, Shrine of Adi Shankaracharya. The Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya Just Behind the KedarnathTemple. The Great Saint Breathed his Last Here.

Famous Temples : Trekking Routes :

KedarnathTemple, BhairavNathTemple. Gaurikund to Kedarnath 13 kms. Kedarnath to Ukhimath 68 kms. Vasukital and Kedarnath 6 kms.

Must Enjoy : Getting Around :

Riding on a Pony or Reaching the Top of the Town on a Palanquin. Vasuki Tal 6 kms, Devaria Tal 68 kms, Ukhimath 62 kms, Chopta 40 kms.

Important Distances : Getting There :

Dehradun 293 kms, Rishikesh 291 kms, Kotadar 327 kms. Air The nearest airport to Badrinath is Jolly Grant in Dehradun which is 293 kms from here. Rail The nearest railheads from Badrinath are at Rishikesh(221 km) and Kotadar (327 kms). Road Regular buses are available for Kedarnath from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Other Important Regions.

Kedarnath in Uttaranchal
Amidst the camouflaged Himalayas that seem to be holding nothing but snow, lies the pilgrimage town of Kedarnath. In the dramatic landscape lies one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Kedar, also known as Lord Shiva. Sharing its bank with the Mandakini river, and at an altitude of 3584 mtrs, Kedarnath is considered to be one of the holiest Hindu towns in India. The dotted temples in Kedarnath are the outcome of the various legends that engulf the whole town. Take you tours of Uttaranchal and pay homage to the pilgrimage destination of Kedarnath that is also an important junction in the Char Dham yatra. A fusion of holiness as well as adventure, is what makes this destination beyond par .

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Attractions That Add to the Piousness

When the term 'pilgrim' is associated with any town, then it become inevitable thet the main attraction in the respective place will be temples. True to the belief, Kedarnath is adorned with some of the most beautiful temple structures in Uttaranchal. The most important monument in Uttaranchal is the Kedarnath temple, consecrated to Lord Shiva. Dating back to the 8th century A.D., this temple is popular for its location among the snowy heights of the Himalayas. The only time to visit this temple is from May to October as for the next six years, the entrance to the temple is restricted due to snowy winters. Pilgrimages taking up Char Dham yatra need to bow their heads in this temple, otherwise their holy journey will be complete. In Kedaranth, there is the Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya, where this great saint breathed his last. This shrine is located just behind the Kedarnath temple.

The Trekking Route to Reach Kedarnath

Trekking A Necessary Enchant in Kedarnath

All the adventure freak have a reason to come to Kedarnath with a prayer on their lips. To reach Kedarnath, one needs to trek a 13 km long path. Though there are options of horses and palanquins, but the real fun lies in trekking on foot. Other important trekking routes are the 6 kms long trek to Vasukital and Kedarnath to Gaurikund, that takes about 4 hours.

Other Attractions the Flank this TempleTown

The views of the breath taking mountain peaks, children playing somersault on the paths that turns slippery in the mornings and evenings due to the snow, meeting people covered with heavy woolens, sipping tea to add little warmth to the body and Sadhus trying to perform their holy duties by burning oodles of wood, are some of the most 82

common sight that you will find here. To add to the more commonly known attractions are the various excursions that tourists can take up from Kedarnath. 68 kms from Kedarnath is Ukhimath which is the perfect place for a peaceful sojourn. Devaria Tal, a scenic lake is at a distance of 68 kms from here. Another highlight is the Vasuki Tal, which too is a lake attraction.

A Panoramic View of Kedarnath From a Hill

Getting to Kedarnath Ways to reach the Divine

Kedarnath which is open to all the pilgrims as well as adventures for six months in an year, is well withing reach from any part of the country. The nearest airport to reach Kedarnath will be Jolly Grant in Dehradun, some 293 kms away. There are regular flights for Dehradun from Delhi. Buses are available for further transportation. If you are planning to take up the rail routes then the nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, 221 km away. Well linked rail routes connect Kedarnath to the different part of the state as well as country. To reach Kedarnath by road, one has to indulge in 13 km long trek. However, there are provisions of horses and palanquins. Well metalled roads connect Kedarnath to Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Dehradun, Haridwar and other important hill stations in Uttaranchal.

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