Info of Himachal Pradesh simla kulu manali

Himachal Pradesh the land of eternal snow peaks abounds in exotic valleys, glorious green hill-slopes, snowcapped mountains, gushing streams and the hills of Himalays welcome the tourists from all over the world. In this mountain wonderland, the pace of life is measured and tranquil. Himachal Pradesh is full of hill resorts, pilgrimages, adventure sports destinations, and wildlife that attracts a wide range of tourist traffic. Today, Himachal Pradesh is one of the most important tourist destinations in India. It also has excellent trekking. Main tourist complexes are Shimla, Palampur, Dharamsala, Kulu-Manali, Chamba-Dalhousie. Temple at Bhima Kali, Sarahan, Hatkoti, Jwalajee, Chamunda Devi, Chintpurni, Renuka and Rewalsar, Deoth Siddh and Naina Devi are major attractions for pilgrims. Tourist complexes are also being set up at Keylong, Kaza, Sangla, Shoja, Kalpa, Khadrala, Kharapathar, Chindi, Bharmour, Chansal and Naggar castle. Hang-gliding competitions are held in Kangra valley. Solang Nallah slopes are getting popular for winter sports. There is an art gallery in Naggar and museums in Chamba, Shimla and Dharamasala. The beautiful tourist resort of Khajjair in Chamba district has been christened as the Switzerland of Himachal Pradesh

Simla/Shimla
How to get there:

Road: The total road length in the state was 21,935km. It has eight national highways with a length of 1, 279km.

Rail: The State has two narrow gauge railway lines connecting Pathankot with Joginder Nagar and Kalka with Shimla and one road-gauge railway line from Nangaldam to Una.

Air: The state has three airports at Bhuntar (Kulu Valley), Jubbarhatti (Shimla) and Gaggal (Kangra). In addition 35 helipads are available for operation in the state. The government has decided to construct helipads at Banjraroo, Satrundi and Khundi-Murahal in Chamba.
Shimla
Shimla, the biggest hill station of the world in the Himalayan foothills, was 'discovered' by the British in 1817, when it was just a small village. Its commanding position on the crest of a ridge, cool air and lust countryside quickly made it a favourite summer resort. By 1864, when it was declared the summer seat of the government of India, the 'Queen of Hill Stations' had become the epitome of everything British. Shimla then becomes a frost-covered silent city. Shimla's mood changes with its season. Shimla, now the state of capital of Himachal Pradesh, is busy, lively and nostalgically "English", with quaint Raj-era hotels and buildings and beautiful walks through Himalayan mountains thick with oak, deodar cedar, and pine trees.

Shimla has a pleasant climate throughout the year. The best season of the year is autumn but the early spring runs a close second. the air is freshest in these periods, the days warm and bright and the nights crisp, clear and cool. Autumn welcomes the visitors with calm equanimity and spring says it with flowers. Here winter is known as the season of 'long moon nights'.

How to get there: Shimla is connected by road and is 375 km from Delhi. It is 116 km from Chandigarh and from Kalka 89 km. The closest railhead is at Shimla near bus stand and is linked with Kalka with the toy train. Kalka is linked with many big cities through narrow gauge. The airport at Shimla is at a distance of 23km at Jubbarhati. Taxis/buses are available from these places to Shimal. Direct flghts from Delhi are available on alternate days.

Christ Church (1844 onwards)

It was designed by Col JT Boileau, consecrated in 1857 and later extended with the addition of a clock (1860) and a porch (1873). The design of the original chancel window was done by Rudyard Kipling's father the Lockwood Kipling. A Library (1910) designed by James Ransome in the Elizabethan style is at next door to the church.

The Town Hall and General Post Office

The town hall (1910) is the reminiscent of the 'Arts and Crafts style, as well as the timbered General Post Office (1866).

Viceregal Lodge (1888)

This was build for Lord Dufferin who played a prominent part in its planning and building. The designers Henry Irwin, who was the designer of famous Madras High Court (Tamil Nadu) and Mysore's Ambar Vilas Palace at Karnataka and Capt HH Cole designed it in the Elizabethan style. It includes a indoor tennis court and electric lights. The lodge also has a botanical garden and a cafe. Towards the rear is a stone terrace with a view of some major Himalayan peaks. There are streams running down from top of the hill, flowing into the Sutlej, Yamuna and Ganga. Now it remains as a Rashtrpati Niwas (The Presidents House), it houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS). The magnificent reception hall and corridors are lined from floor to ceiling with heavy teak panelling. The gate house, a chapel and the meticulously polished brass fire hydrants imported from Manchester, U.K. still remind us of its British origin.
It now houses the Institute of Advanced Studies, and is open only in some parts to the public. Open 1000 - 1630. Small entry fee to the house.

Jakhu Temple

This temple (2,455 meter) dedicated to Hanuman, the monkey god, and surrounded by monkeys is 2 Km from The Ridge near Christ Church. It is situated in the highest spot on the ridge, with excellent views. It is best to steer clear of them and keep all eatables well out of reach.

Kamna Devi Temple

This temple is 5 Km from Shimla, a 15 - 20 minutes walk from Boileauganj and build at Prosoect Hill. Tara Devi is has an another temple named as Sankat Mochan Hanuman, on the hill top, 7 Km starting from the railway station. You get a grand view of the southern side of Shimla, the undulating hills and valleys of southern Himachal and beyond to the plains of Punjab in the distance

State Museum

This museum is a collection of Himachal Pradesh's rich heritage. Museum has a good collection of archaeological artifacts, carvings, paintings and sculptures. The ground floor has a gallery with fine Pahari miniatures, a style developed under the auspices of the Kangra rulers. Closed on Monday and holidays

Manali:
Manali with its unspoilt scenic grandeur is popular as a tourist destination. Log cabins built in the thick forests here present probably the best view in the country. There is an interesting story about Manali which goes to say that Manu, the great Hindu law-giver, after the great deluge, first stepped on to earth from the celestial boat at a place in this land. The particular spot where he established his abode is the present Manali. Manali is the centre of a flourishing orchard industry.

How to get there: The airport at Bhunter is 50 km. from Manali where taxis and buses are available. The closest narrow gauge railhead is at jogindernagar, 135 km. away. The closest broad gauge railheads are Chandigarh (310 km.) and Ambala (355km.). By road the distance from Delhi to Manali is 570 km. and from Shimla the distance is 280 km.

Dhoongri Temple

The Dhoongri temple (1553) is dedicated to goddess Hidimba. Built in typical indigenous style it has a four-tier pagoda shaped roof. Build by Maharaja Bahadur Singh, the 27m high Pagoda temple has fine naturalistic wood carvings of animals and plants. Inside the temple is the small back image of the Devi. The imprinted foot prints on a black rock are believed to be the foot prints of the goddess.

There is a legend behind Hidimba. Hidimba, was the sister of the demon Tandi. Bhima of the Mahabharata fame fell in love with Hidimba. Bhima killed Tandi in battle and married Hidimba, whose spirituality, coupled with her marriage to Bhima led to her being worshipped as a goddess. Today she is seen as an incarnation of Kali. Every May a festival is celebrated in her name.

Tourist information centres

Shimla: Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation
Shimla-171001, Himachal Pradesh
Tel: - (0177)-203346, 3517.
Fax: - 203346, 4973.

H.P Tourism Development Corporation
Ritz Annexe, Shimla-171001.
Tel :- (0177)-203294
Fax :- 203434.

Himachal Tourism Information Centre, Shimla
Phone: 91-177-214311, 78302
Fax: 91-177-212591


Other HP Tourism offices
New Delhi: 91-11-3325320
Mumbai: 91-22-2181123
Kolkata: 91-33-278648
Chennai: 91-44-5385689
Manali: 91-1902-51275
Dharamshala: 91-1892-21232, 24121
Chandigarh: 91-192-708569