1>AULI
Auli is a comparatively recent addition to the tourist map of India. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand among snow capped mountains, this small town is fast becoming one of the major tourist attractions of Uttarakhand. The main attraction of Auli is skiing. It is considered by many to be the best skiing slope found in Asia. Skiing in India is catching up as a popular winter sport. The vast snow-capped landscape and the perfect slopes flanked by oak and coniferous forests make Auli an ideal destination for skiing enthusiasts. November to March is usually the skiing season in Auli.
The landscape of Auli is a visual treat with the Nanda Devi peak standing tall amongst the mountains facing the snowy slopes. The Hathigauri, Neelkanth, Comet and Eravath mountains present a spectacular panoramic view from Auli. The area offers splendid trekking routes to adventure lovers. A ropeway from Joshimath to Auli is one of the longest in India, extending to 4.15 kilometers. Auli is also the venue for the National Winter games in the months of February and March. Among the other interesting aspects of Auli is the grazing land spread over 6 kilomteres, known as Byugal in the local language. A large number of colorful flowers blossom during the monsoon.
The population of Auli in Uttarakhand is composed of Tibetans belonging to the Bhotiya ethnic group. Hinduism is the chief religion practiced here.
There are many scenic and interesting spots around Auli. Joshimath, also called Jyotirmath is the site of one of the four religious centers established by the Hindu religious saint Adi Shankara. Badrinath, and Hemkunda sahib are among the famous religious centers located close to Auli. The valley of flowers is known for the colorful flowers that blossom there.
Pithoragarh is another important tourist destination near Auli. Pilgrims to Kailash Manasarovar trek through this scenic town. The town of Bageshwar has many historic temples including the Baijnath temple, believed to have been built by the Pandavas. Almora is another important district near Auli. It is famous for many old temples.
Auli is attracting an increasing number of adventure lovers and vacationers each year. Thanks to the promotional efforts of the state Government, this little hill station is already a major contributor to tourism in Uttarakhand.
Touristplacesinindia.com offers all inclusive tour packages for Auli and other places in India.
2>Dalhousie
Dalhousie is a beautiful hill station in the state on Himachal Pradesh. The city was established in the year 1854 during the British rule in India and is situated on and around five hills. Located on the Western side of the Dhauladhar mountain range of the Himalayas, the city is the gateway to the ancient Chamba Hill State. We at Touristplacesinindia.com offers you complete guidance on all that you want to know about the beautiful
city of Dalhousie.
The city is situated about 6000 ft above the sea
level and has a large number of destinations which attracts tourists from all around the World. The hill region in which the city stands is a repository of ancient Hindu culture and is bounded by temples all around.
Dalhousie is the home to many temples and Churches. The temples in the Chamba region dates back to the 7th Century AD. The rulers of Chamba were great patrons of art which is depicted in the architectures of these temples. Craftsmen from remote areas of Northern India, who used to take shelter in this region during the medieval Indian Historical period, were patronized by the rulers of this region. The bronze idols made by these craftsmen are still extant in the temples of the region. Some of the important temples in the region include the Lakshminarian Temple, Hari Rai Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Lakshna Devi and Shakti Devi Temples, Mindal Vasni Temple, Temple of Purthi, and the Mani-Mahesh Temple. The Minjar fair, which is one of the most awaited festivals every year in the Chamba Valley, is held each year in the month of August. Thousands of tribal people and tourists assemble here on the occasion of this festival.
The British rule in this region also experienced development of a large number of Churches Between 1894 and 1909 AD, there were about four churches made in this region, St. John’s Church being the oldest one. Other Churches include the St. Francis Church, St. Andrew’s Church, and the St. Patrick’s Church. There is also an elite convent residential school at Dalhousie, which was built in 1910 exclusively for girls.
The city has a good transportation system with railways, roads and air traffic services. Pathankot in North Punjab has the nearest Airport and the railway station. Besides, there are private car and luxury bus services to ferry travelers from one part of the city to the other.
3>Darjeeling
Darjeeling is also called ‘Queen of the hills’. This famous hill station in the state of West Bengal in India is one of the highlights of Indian tourism and West Bengal tourism benefits significantly from the vast number of Indian and international tourists that visits Darjeeling every year. The town is also the capital of the Darjeeling district which is the northernmost district of West Bengal bordering Nepal. The town offers fantastic vacations in summer as well as winter. The view of the Himalayas, particularly the magnificent view of the Kanchenjungha is one of the major attractions of Darjeeling. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, popularly known as the toy train, has become the symbol of Darjeeling
Major tourist attractions in Darjeeling
Every nook and corner of Darjeeling fascinates the tourist. The mall, the sloping streets, the beautiful colonial buildings, the pines, temples, monasteries and even the whistling toy train combine to make Darjeeling one of the best hill stations in India. The major tourist spots in Darjeeling are-
Darjeeling Mall
The mall is one of the most popular places in Darjeeling. It is the center of tourist activities in the town and most of the hotels are clustered around the mall. The mall is also the location of the taxi stands from where tourists can hire taxis to the sites in and around Darjeeling. Many shops including old bookshops and curio stores are a major draw in the mall. The first site to welcome tourists at the mall is the local people offering pony rides and photographers clicking pictures of people as they ride the ponies. People tired from walking can take a break and sit on the many benches placed in the mall and sip the excellent tea sold by local tea vendors. There are many restaurants, cafes, and ice cream parlors around the mall. Early morning and evenings are the best time to stroll in the mall.
Ghoom Monastery
Ghoom is the last destination of the famous Darjeeling toy train. Located six kilomerters from Darjeeling, Ghoom is home to the famous Ghoom monastery at an altitude of 2407 meters. The main attraction of the monastery is the 4.5 meter statue of Maitreya Buddha.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
This institute is an interesting tourist spot offering information about mountain climbing and the history of mountaineering in the region. Mountaineering gears are on display here along with rare pictures related to Mt Everest and other important mountain expeditions. The institute was established in1954 after the successful conquest of Mt Everest, and offers training in mountaineering and rock climbing.
Bhutia Busti
This beautiful monastery situated on CR Das road was transferred in 1879 from its original location on the observatory hill. The monastery has an interesting library that contains many old Buddhist texts and scrolls.
Observatory Hill
This place is a popular point from where tourists can get a magnificent view of the entire region and Mt Kanchenjunga on a clear, sunny day.
There are many other tourist attractions in Darjeeling. These include the famous tiger hill, Dhirdham temple, Lebong race course, and the handicrafts museum. Kalimpong, Takdah, Mirik, Lava, Lolegaon and Sandakphu are some of the important tourist spots near Darjeeling. A tour of Darjeeling offers wonderful opportunities for shopping and many adventure activities.
Touristplacesinindia.com offers all inclusive information about Darjeeling and other tourist places in India.
4>Dehradun
This scenic city nestled in the Doon valley is the capital of Uttarakhand , the northern state of India previously known as Uttaranchal. Dehradun is one of the famous tourist destinations in Uttaranchal and attracts a large number of tourists every year.
Location:
Dehradun is flanked by the Himalayas in the North, the Shivalik range in the south, the Yamuna river to its west and the Ganges to its east. The city is located in the North western side of the state and adjoins the districts of Uttarkashi, Pauri Garhwal, Hardwar, Nahan (Himachal Pradesh) and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh).
History:
Dehra is a variation of the word dera which means camp, or a temporary abode. A group of Sikhs led by Ram Rai on being ordered by the Mughul emperor Aurangzeb to retire to the forests had pitched temporary tents in this area. Dun is the name of the valley and the word means low land at the foot of a mountain.
The district is part of the Garhwal Himalayan region previously known as Kedar Khand. This region has been under the reigns of many ruling lines including the Katyuris, Gurkhas, Sikhs, Mughuls and the British. The British gained control of the region as a consequence of the treaty of Sugauli signed after the war with Gurkhas in 1816.
Tourist attractions in Dehradun:
Dehradun is a popular tourist spot and a tour to Dehradun includes visits to the many tourist attractions in the city as well as the many tourist spots near Dehradun. The tourist attractions in Dehradun include many academic institutions and research institutes besides many sites of religious important and natural beauty. The major tourist attractions in Dehradun are –
Tapovan :– it is believed to be the location of the ashram of guru Dronacharya , a character of the great Indian epic, Mahabharata.
Robber’s cave :– it is a famous view point and a scenic spot situated outside the city.
Tapkeshwar Temple :– an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is believed to be associated with the Mahabharata.
Dakpatthar :– it is a popular spot offering splendid views of the Doon valley.
Central Braille Press :- this is the largest producer of Braille text books in India.
Maldevta, Sahasradhara, Lacchiwala, Santhla Devi, laxman Sidh temple and Malsi deer park are some other tourist spots in and around Dehradun. The hill station of Mussorie is 36 kilometers from the city. The famous Sikh pilgrimage center, Pointa Sahib is situated nearby on the banks of Yamuna. Hardwar and Rishikesh are the other two major tourist destinations in Uttarakhand enar Dehradun.
5> Gangtok
Gangtok is the capital city Sikkim, the second smallest state of India. Famous for its many important monasteries, and for the picturesque views of the Himalayas, Gangtok is one of the important hill-station of the country. In Gangtok you can see a smooth blend of both tradition and modernity. Located at an altitude of 1547 m above sea level, Gangtok houses some of the important Buddhist religious sites too. The existence of the peaceful Chortens or Stupas, old monasteries and the un-spoilt natural beauty of Gangtok offers you a truly unique traveling experience
Gangtok in Sikkim is well connected by roads, rail and air transport. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra in West Bengal. There are helicopter services from Bagdogra to Sikkim. The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, which is connected by regular trains from different cities in India. One can easily reach Gangtok by road from the airport and the railway station. The city is connected with West Bengal by all weather roads which connect Siliguri and Kalimpong in West Bengal with Sikkim.
There are a large number of tourist attractions in Gangtok. They include the Government Institute of Cottage Industry, Enchey Monastery, Ridge Park, Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology, Do-Drul Chorten stupa, Deer Park, White Hall, Tashi View Point, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Himalayan Zoological Park and the Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre. One can also have excursions to nearby places around the city like the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center, Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden, Saramsa Garden or the Ipecac garden, Water garden, Changu lake, Nathula Pass, and the Menmecho Lake.
The city of Gangtok is also famous for having wide varieties of flora and fauna. The main vegetation in the forests of Gangtok consists of Oak, Katus, and Kimbu. One can visit the sanctuaries in and around Gangtok in Sikkim like the Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. One can visit these sanctuaries between the months of March and May and again between September and November.
Touristplacesinindia.com is an international travel site and a repository of useful information about Gangtok and on other related information about the city.
6>Khandala
An ideal place to unwind on the weekends far from the hustle bustle of everyday din, Khandala is one of the major hill stations in India in the state of Maharashtra. Nestled at an altitude of 625 meters, it sits pretty on the western slopes of the Sahyadri mountain range. Gifted with abundant natural beauty, Khandala offers beautiful green environs and draws the interest of travelers from far and wide.
A small but beautiful hill station, the town of Khandala provides a spectacular view of the lush green hilly surroundings. If you are tired of the daily work and toil, you can drive down a distance of 101 kms from the busy city of Mumbai to soak a few moments’ peace and pleasure. It has several trekking trails around it which is a delight for the adventure lovers.
Earlier, Khandala was a part of the terrain of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Later it eventually went to the power of the British. Khandala is positioned at the top end of the Bhor Ghat on the roadway between the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan plain. The Ghat serves an extensive amount of both road and rail traffic. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the main connection between the main cities of Mumbai and Pune, cuts through Khandala.
Located barely 5 km from Khandala is the other famous hill station of Lonavala which also has the similar picturesque landscape as that of Khandala. There are plenty of lakes around Khandala like the Tugauli Lake, Lonavala Lake and Bhushi Lake. Also the Walvan Dam located here is worth visiting.
Karla and Bhaja Caves, situated amid the hills 16 km away from Khandala, are fine places to visit. These rock-cut cave temples which date back to as early as 2nd century BC and are amongst the oldest and excellent instances of Buddhist rock-cut temple art in India adhere to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. Amruntanjan point is another tourist interest that impresses its visitors to the core.
7>Kullu
Capital town of the Kullu District, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, the hill station of Kullu is located along the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu Valley at around 10km northwards of the airport at Bhuntar. Sprawled amid the fascinating Kullu valley, it has the mighty Himalayas for its backdrop. The several temples and the yearly Dussehra festival attract huge number of tourists both in the form of devotees as well as sheer travelers.
Kullu gives you major options of tourism as there are numerous tourist attractions in Kullu and around the town as well. The scenic beauty of the place will prove to be the main attraction on your tour to Kullu. Set amid the lower base of the Himalayas, this small town offers breathtaking views of valleys like Ani, Manikaran, Korpan, Lug, Banjar, Garsa, several apple orchards, and the imposing Himalayan ranges all of which go on to create a captivating atmosphere for the tourists.
Kullu is well-known for its temples and festivals. The main tourist interest of Kullu is the Raghunath Temple, devoted to Lord Ram, who is one of the important deities of the Hindus in general and the patron deity of the whole Kullu valley. It was built by Raja Jagat Singh, the former ruler of Kullu, in 1660 to amend for his sins. He got an idol of Lord Ram from Ayodhya and established it within the premises of this temple. Jagannathi Devi Temple or the Bekhli temple is at a distance of 3 km from Kullu and is sited in the village of Bekhli. It is a steep 1½ hour ascent to the temple, but it provides a wonderful view of Kullu which is worth the climb.
Among the festivals celebrated widely in Kullu are Malani, Phalguni, Shahri Jatra and Birshu. Kullu Valley, also referred to as the “Valley of Gods”, is renowned for the seven day festival of Dussehra, a festivity of the mythological Lord Rama’s victory over the evil king Ravana.
Kullu is also a major hub of Himalayan Adventure Sports activities. Kullu Valley is recognized all over the world for Heliskiing. This sport is generally arranged near Bhrigu peaks in the Hamta pass. Solang Nala is also another convenient venue for the sport. You can enjoy the thrill of river rafting through the rough waters of River Beas.
Other places of tourist interest in the region include Manikaran and Vashisht village near Manali (hot water springs) at 40 km north of Kullu. Malana, Kaish-Dhaar in Lug Valley, Bijli Mahadev, Bhekhli and Bajaura are dotted with the famous temples of the area. Towards the north lies the eminent town of Manali, which leads onto the Lahaul and Spiti Valley through the Rohtang pass.
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8>Ooty
Ooty is popularly known as the queen of hill stations. It is officially known as Udhagamandalam and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Tamilnadu. With its scenic beauty and brilliant climate, Ooty forms a perfect summer getaway. Nestled in the lap of the Nilgiris, the hill resort presents excellent views of the mountain ranges. The Nilgiri range is a beautiful mountain range that is a part of the western ghat. It is older than the Himalayas.
Ooty tourism forms a major part of tourism of the Nilgiri region. Ooty is famous for its tea. Lofty mountains, dense forest, expansive grasslands and miles of tea estates greet tourists almost everywhere in Ooty. The tea and tourism festival is one of the major tourist attractions in Ooty.
Ooty has its origin dating back to 1817 during the British rule. The region is full of sky scrapping mountains and as you climb higher you actually travel through clouds lingering on the edge of the mountains. Traveling through the hair-pin bend roads is another experience altogether. Lakes, mountains, palaces, hills, water falls, gardens, you name it and you have it here. The place is an ideal tourist spot where you can loose yourself to fishing, loitering, sightseeing, playing golf and tennis.
Some of the major tourist sites in Ooty are the Cairn hills, the Dodda Betta peak, the Tiger hills, the Arronmore Palace, the Awnandale palace, the botanical garden, the thread garden, the boat house lake, the Ketti Valley view, the rose garden, the Kandal cross shrine, the Kalhatty water falls, the Ooty museum and the Mudumalai wild life sanctuary.
Ooty is easily accessible by railways. Trains connect Coimbatore with almost all the major cities in India. From Coimbatore you get Nilgiri mountain trains popularly known as toy trains, till Ooty. The hill resort is around 535 kilometers away from Chennai. Ooty has good road systems that connect it to the rest of the country. There are regular bus services from Bangalore, Tirupati, Mysore, Coimbatore and many other nearby places. The nearest airport is in Coimbatore.
Being a major tourist spot, Ooty provides world class accommodation facilities. Hotels in the hill resort can be categorized into luxury hotels, budget hotels, resorts, lodges and inns. All major tour packages of Ooty include accommodation facilities.
9>Mahabaleshwar
Nestled in the lush valleys of the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar is a perfect getaway for spending some quality time away from the din and rush of the city. It is located in the Statara district of the state of Maharashtra and the British used it as the summer capital of Bombay to escape from the scorching heat of the plains. In the present days, Mahabaleshwar is a popular tourist spot and also a pilgrimage site. The Mahabaleshwar temple, from which the place has got its name, is much revered by the Hindu pilgrims who drop in from the far corners of the state.With a pleasant climate and many things to watch, your trip to Mahabaleshwar will certainly be a memorable one.
The tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar are many in number and make sure that you have ample time in hand if you want to explore this spectacular hill station in entirety. On your travel to Mahabaleshwar you will come across several important places such as Mount Malcolm, Catholic Church, Mahabaleshwar Club, Morarji Castle and Pratapgad Fort. There are also several scenic points in Mahabaleshwar that you just cannot afford to miss out and they are Lodwick Point, Elphinstone Point, Wilson Point, Helen’s Point, Badington Point and Carnac Point.
Mahabaleshwar is also home to some remarkable temples and you will come across Krishna and Mahabaleshwar temple here. There is also a black stone, which is a little distance from the other temples and holds a venerated place among the locals and the pilgrim tourists frequenting this place. Mahabaleshwar has a fine network of motorable roads and you can enjoy a scenic ride of the most fascinating landscape in and around the place. Besides, an excursion from Mahabaleshwar would take you to Panchgani which is a picturesque spot offering breathtaking natural beauty. Dotted by the casuarinas and silver oak groves, it is an ideal base for indulging in the trekking and hiking activities. The region is also known for many fruit processing units. Strawberry farming is one of the most widespread occupations of the local villagers here. You can step into any of the strawberry farms you pass by while on your drive or trek, and have a look at the farmers picking fresh strawberries from the gardens.
For the tourists there excellent lodging options are available in the bungalows and cottages, apart from a large number of luxury and budget hotels. The accommodations are elegantly furnished and you can relax and expect the homely services here. Fountain Hotel, Brightland Holiday Village, Hotel Anarkali, Hotel Dreamland, Hotel Panorama and Strawberry Country Resort are a few of the notable hotels here. Mahabaleshwar is accessible by the air, rail and road transport. The nearest airport and railway station is Pune and Mahabaleshwar can be reached by road transport quite conveniently from Pune.
10>Shimla
Shimla is a captivating hill station and also the capital city of the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is also lovingly referred to as the “Queen of the Hill Stations” owing to its unparalleled natural beauty. The entire town of Shimla is replete with forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak and experiences pleasing summers and cold, snowy winters. Besides, it is also highly acclaimed for its buildings styled in tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture evocative of the colonial era. It was the most sought-after summer getaways and the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj in India as well.
Shimla also ranks high among the tourist destinations of North India and is visited by hordes of tourists all the year round. There are lots of tourist attractions in Shimla that you can come across during your tour and some of them to mention are Himachal State Museum & Library, Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens, Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, The Ridge, The Mall, Summer Hill, Glenn and Taradevi Temple. Tourism in Shimla also involves various adventure activities such as skating, trekking, fishing, ice skating and camping.
The old world charm can be apparently felt in its old colonial buildings and several beautiful structures. Shimla has been endowed with all the natural bounties and has a beautiful location, surrounded by green hills and snow clad peaks. If you are looking for a break from the usual chores, then you can surely visit this place as it is ideal for those who want some peace of mind and privacy amidst a scenic locale.
Shimla has fine lodging options for the tourists dropping in here for spending vacations. There are ample hotels warranting a great stay to the guests and could be classified into the various categories such as heritage hotels, four star hotels and three star hotels. Besides, you can also choose from a number of other hotels that are located in Shimla and make for ideal options for enjoying the stay to the fullest.
Choose from any category of the hotels and expect the best in terms of service and hospitality.
Shimla is also well-connected by air, rail and road transport and you can reach here from any major destination of India. Shimla has its own airport but for long distance journey, Delhi and Chandigarh would be good options. Shimla is linked with Kalka which is connected with all the major destinations of India. The road transport is also commendable and one can reach here by the motorable network of the national highways from the key destinations of North India such as Chandigarh, Mandi and Delhi.
