Tourist Attraction In Shimla

Shimla is perhaps the most picturesque town that you would come across on your tour of north India. During the British era, Shimla was the summer retreat and was renowned as the “Queen of the Hills”. Its topography is characterized by undulating hills, lush green valleys, garrulous rivers, dense woods and a pleasant climate that makes it an ideal getaway from the din and rush of the plains. The old world charm still comes to life here as it is dotted with a number of colonial buildings and churches that also accentuate the exquisiteness of this town. Besides, you will also encounter several tourist attractions in Shimla that are worth catching a glimpse

How to get there : 

The airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 km away. Shimla is connected to Kalka by an enhancing narrow gauge railway line - wherer even a quiant rail-car plys. By road, Chandigarh is 117 km, Manali is 219 km, Chail is 45 km and Delhi is at a distance of 370 km. From Delhi, the driving time is about eight hours. From Delhi, Manali and Chandigarh, luxury coaches and taxis ply to Shimla.

Himachal State Museum & Library:
This museum is indisputably one of the prime tourist attractions in Shimla and remains open to the public except on Mondays and public holidays. This museum houses a fine collection of antique sculptures, paintings, coins, photos and other items not only from the state but also outside it. You will also find a library here which houses several historical books and manuscripts.

Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens: 
Also famous as “Rashtrapati Niwas”, it is a spectacular building located on the Observatory Hills and was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. Its construction was accomplished in the year 1888 and every brick for the building was carried by mules according to the sources. The massive six-story building is surrounded by well manicured gardens and lawns.

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies:
Located in the Viceregal Lodge, it was constructed in the year 1888. The kind of architecture is English Renaissance with stonework of the walling in light blue limestone and the wrought stonework being done in sandstone in a stunning light gray shade. The grounds are open to the public only on Sunday and you need a ticket in order to enter.

The Ridge:
This place is an open space in the heart of town and offers outstanding views of the distant mountain ranges. The two prominent landmarks of Shimla, the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church and the new Tudor Library building are the other attractions located here.






The Mall:
It is the key shopping centre of Shimla with restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices, tourist offices and most of town’s highlights. The place becomes breathtakingly romantic in the evening offering wonderful views of the lit up city below. You can laze around around the Mall and spend some intimate moments with close ones. It is the most significant among the tourist attractions in Shimla.
Summer Hill:
It is a scenic spot located near Shimla at an altitude of 1,283 meters and is much visited by the tourists. The legendary Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi during his sojourn in Shimla spent some time in the elegant Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur located here.

Glen:
It is a charming picnic spot and is a 4 km walk through the dense woods located at a height of 1, 830 meters. You can also go for picnic at this spot since it is completely secluded and tranquil.

Tara Devi Temple:
Among the various places to visit in Shimla, this temple occupies a crucial place and is also of great importance for the pilgrims. It is located on top of a hill facing Shimla and commands panoramic vistas of Shimla. It is also an ideal picnic spot surrounded by thick forest of oak and rhododendron.

Places tobe visited in Manali

Monasteries


Manali also houses three Tibetan monasteries, that have been built recently. There are three recently built Tibetan monasteries at Manali.




The Manali Gompa

A new Monastery built in the 1960's it is an important gathering place for buddhists from Lalaul, Spiti, kinnaur, Ladakh, Nepal and Tibet.The Gompa is famous for its wall paintings, Chortens and a large statue of Lord Buddha.






Vashisht (3 kms)

Three kms from Manali is the village of Vashisht, which is renowned for its hot sulphur springs. The village is also the site of some old temples, dedicated to the great sage Vashisht, and to Lord Rama. The Himachal Tourism sulphur baths are just beyond these shrines.





Jagatsukh (6 kms)

The one time capital of Kullu. Here are old temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and to Sandhya Gayatri. The Arjun caves are just ahead.







Kothi, (15 Kms)

Bottom of Rohtang Pass Kothi (12km) is a picturesque village and has a thrilling view of the deep gorge through which the beas swiftly races. , an idyllic village, which boasts of a superb view of the deep gorge, and the Beas river rushing through it. Sixteen kms from Manali, at an altitude of 2500 m are the magnificent Easy to get to (except the walk!) The slopes above Kothi are a steep one-hour walk up from the road, but there are excellent thermals coming off the rocks and it is a favourite of the local eagles. Plenty of bottom landing in the fields around Kothi village.
Solang Valley (14 kms)

Solang Nullah is in a side valley at the top of the Kullu valley. It is the site of Manali’s ski school and, once the snow has gone, all the local paragliding 'schools'. Phatru is a steep, rocky face above Solang Nullah, facing roughly east. Take-off is about one hour’s climb above the ski school. There is no top landing, but good bottom landing near the school or in the fields above Solang village on the opposite side of the river. From 10am until 1pm or so there are many excellent thermal sources. In the afternoon the sun is often hidden by cloud forming on the higher mountains behind and it can get rough as soon as it is out of direct sun. In a picturesque setting this has good ski sloped and picnic spots. HPTDC organises ski packages during winter. Around 14 kms from Manali, is the Solang valley, that boasts of the glacier nearest to the resort. Replete with terrific picnic - spots, the amazing ski slopes here are full of hectic activity, come January - February.

Naggar

Nagar, a lovely village set on a hill sourrounded by forests, was the capita of kullu in the 16th century and the monuments in the region are witness to its glorious past. The Naggar Castle, a stone and wood structure built by Raja Sidh singh over 500 years ago, has been converted in to a heritage hotel. The gracefully built castle has a temple in the courtyard and also houses a small museum.

The temple of the area, such as the grey sandstone Gauri Shankar Temple of Shiva that lies close to the Castle, the chatar Bhuj Temple, Tripura Sundri Devi Temple, the Jagti Patt Temple, with its triangular slab of stone, strewn with rose petals and rupee notes and the Murlidhar Temple, are worth a visit. The paintings and Photographs of the late Nicholas Roerich are exhibited in the Nicholas Roerich Gallery. He was an artist, Writer, Photographer, Archelogist, Explorer and mystic. Inside the Museum, one can see the beds, librery, settees, writing tables, toiletries, and samovars of the Roerich family.

The Urswati Himalyan Folk Museum near by is another place to visit. while in the area, a trip to Gardhak Chuli is recommended for the spectacular view it provides of the valley on one side and the imposing, snow clad peaks on the other.This upper Beas region is surrounded by glaciers on three sides. The Chandekhani Pass at 12200 feet leads to the legendary Malana Valley and is easily accessible from here.

Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass, 51 kms from Manali. Located at a height of 3980 m, the Pass once served as a crucial trade route, and still remains the gateway to the districts of Lahaul and Spiti.The Pass is open from June to November each year, and provides wonderful views of the entire surroundings. Just beyond the Pass is the Sonapani Glacier and the twin peak of Gaypan. The Beas Kund, the source of the Beas river, a holy site for Hindus, as the sage Vyas is said to have meditated at this spot, is also accessible from the Rohtang Pass.
Manu Temple (2 kms)

This is dedicated to the sage Manu. Just near the Hadimba temple flows the Manalsu River, that culminates in the main Beas river. Across the Manalsu river is the original village of Manali, that houses the ancient temple of the sage Manu. Manali itself is named after Manu, who is said to have dwelt here.

Places to be visited in Manali

Rahalla Falls

Beyond which is the Rohtang Pass, 51 kms from Manali. Located at a height of 3980 m, the Pass once served as a crucial trade route, and still remains the gateway to the districts of Lahaul and Spiti.The Pass is open from June to November each year, and provides wonderful views of the entire surroundings. Just beyond the Pass is the Sonapani Glacier and the twin peak of Gaypan. The Beas Kund, the source of the Beas river, a holy site for Hindus, as the sage Vyas is said to have meditated at this spot, is also accessible from the Rohtang Pass. Rani Nullah, below Rohtang Pass. Height 3700m. Rani Nullah is shortly before the Rohtang Pass into Lahaul, at about 55km from Manali. The take-off area itself is not great as there are sharp stones to snag your lines on, but even if there is no lift it offers great 'sled-ride' flying, especially for beginners. There is a vast landing field at the truckstop at Marhi about 400m below take-off, though be warned that at over 10,000ft a HUGE flare is needed on landing - you come in like an express train! If you have reasonable height above Marhi it is a 10km sled-ride down to other landing fields at Kothi at the foot of the pass.

Places to be visited in Manali

 

Hadimba Temple (1 km)

Hadimba Temple Manali: This temple, with a finely wrought four - tiered pagoda roof, dating back to 1553, is built around a natural cave, which enshrines the footprints of the goddess Hadimba. Hadimba was the wife of Bhima, one of the five great Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata, and later became the patron goddess of the Kullu royal family. Hadimba or Dhungiri temple in Manali is one of the most important temples in the region. This four story wooden temple is located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar. From the name of the forest parkland this temple derives its name. This temple was erected in 1553 and is dedicated to Goddess Hadimba. The temple has some intricate wooden carvings which depicts mythological characters and motifs of animals & cosmic dancers. Every year in May a major festival is organized here. This place is a popular picnic spot among the tourists.

Manali

Area : 5.12 sq km


Population : 2,500(approx.)



Famous as the "valley of the Gods", Manali is an important hill station of northern india. It is the destination of thousands of tourists every year. Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect haven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. Besides offering quite a few places for sightseeing, Manali is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking.


Places to see :

The most visited site in Manali is the Hidimba or Dhungri Temple. Dated 1533, this temple is dedicated to the local deity Hidimba, wife of the Pandava prince, Bhim. The temple is noted for its four-storeyed pagoda and exquisite wooden carvings. A major festival is held here in the month of May.


Manali also attracts tourists with its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. The Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, built in 1969, is most famous. The monastery is maintained by donations from the local community and through the sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop. The smaller and more modern Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa stands nearer the bazaar, in a garden blooming with sunflowers. The Museum of Traditional Himachal Culture, near the Hidimba temple, is worth a visit.


How to reach :

» By Air - The nearest airport is Bhuntar, 52 km south of Manali. There are flights to Delhi via Shimla.

» By Rail - The closest narrow-gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar, 135 km away. The closest broad-gauge railheads are Chandigarh (310 km) and Ambala (355 km).

» By Road - Manali is well connected by road. By road, the distance from Delhi via Mandi is 585 km, and from Shimla the distance is 270 km.

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Tourist Places in India

India is one of the best amazing destinations for vacations that offer different blends that praise each one of us flavor. The history of India goes back no less than 5,000-year, making it one of the most cultured and fascinating tourist destinations throughout the world. The scenic hills stations, old deserts, the valleys of Himachal, North-east's rain forests, the most cultured and inviting regions of Rajasthan, the exclusive beaches of Goa, and last but not the least, the royal wildlife sanctuaries in India and its vibrant uniquene and natural traits making this dream land as the discoverable destination among all tourist. Near about all cities and places of India have some or the other attractions to invite tourists.