HILL STATIONS IN INDIA

BEAUTIFUL HILL STATIONS IN INDIA

1)Tourist Attractions in Auli

The small hill station of Auli in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand is fast becoming one of the major tourist attractions in North India. It is already being hailed as the best skiing slope in Asia , and one of the best in the world. Winter sports are becoming increasingly popular in this ski resort. The area also offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri. The major tourist attraction in Auli is surely its skiing slopes. The slopes reach up to a height of 9000 feet above sea level, and the oak and deodar forests offer just the kind of resistance to wind that is required in a perfect skiing slope. There are other interesting tourist attractions in and around Auli. The Gurso Bugyal is a vast meadow spread among forests of Oak and other trees. The Chattrakund, is located just a kilometer away from here. It is the location of a small sweet water lake by the same name. Saildhar Tapovan is the location of many hot water springs. The place is situated on the Joshimath road, about 15 kilometers from Auli. Chenab Lake , Vanshinarayan Kalpeshwar, and Bhavishya Badri, are some of the nearby places of interest. Joshimath is the nearest town and has historic significance. It is home to one of the four centers of learning, or pithas established by Guru Adi Shankaracharya in India. A long ropeway, (4.15 kilometers) connects Joshimath and Auli and is one of the longest ropeways in India. Badrinath and Hemkunda Sahib are the other two famous pilgrimage centers located near Auli. Pithoragarh is an important tourist destination as it is known as the gateway to the Himalayas. The pilgrims to the famous Kailasa Manas Sarovar Lake have to pass through Pithoragarh. Baijnath temple in Bageswar is believed to have been built by the Pandavas. Almora is an important town with its historical significance and many quaint temples. The Rudreshwar Mahadev temple is dedicated to Lord Shivga and is a major tourist attraction in Almora. The town is also known as the cultural center of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand. The valley of flowers is a world famous nature retreat known for the colorful flowers that blossom there during spring. Many Fairs and festivals are also included among the tourist attractions in Auli. The winter games are held here during February and March and are becoming increasingly popular among tourists. 2)DALHOUSIE    Dalhousie, located in the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hill station. The city established during the 1850’s during the period of British rule in India is located on the Western side of the Dhauladhar Peak of the Himalayas. The city is the gateway to the Chamba Hill State, which has a rich cultural background with history dating back to the 7th Century AD. The rulers during that period were great patrons of art and architecture and patronized many craftsmen from Northern part of India who took refuge in the city. The art and sculptures of those craftsmen are still in extant through the bronze images and temple architectures that they carved. Touristplacesinindia.com offers you complete guidance on all that you want to know about Dalhousie. The city is built on and around five hills surrounded by beautiful landscape of the snow capped peaks. Some of the important places to visit in Dalhousie include the Kalatop Khajjiar Trail, seven springs of Satdara, Stream at Punjpula, Jandrighat Palace, and the Chamera Dam Trail. One can also visit the Chamba Valley to have a look at the Laxminarayan Temples built between the 11th and the 12th Century AD. This Chamba valley is also famous for the Minjar Fair, which is held every year in the month of August. Between 1894 and 1910 AD, the British constructed a number of Churches in Dalhousie. Important among them include the St. John’s Church, St. Francis Church, St. Andrew's Church, and the St. Patrick's Church. Area 13 square km Altitude 400 - 1200 meter above the sea level Languages spoken Pahari, Hindi and English Best Season May to September STD Code 01899 Weather: Warm Weather: May and June Cold Weather: March, April, October and November Very Cold: December, January and February Monsoon: July, August and September Temperature: Summer: Max 23.5°C and Min 15.5°C Winters: Max 10°C, Min 1°C There are large numbers of Luxury and Budget hotels in Dalhousie which provides accommodation in the city to the tourists. Some of them are Hotel Bhandari Palace, Binny Guest House, Dalhousie Club Hotel, Hotel Chanakya, Deluxe Lodge, and Moonlight Hotel. The city has also a very good transportation network with the nearest airport and Railway Station at Pathankot in North Punjab and is only 190 km from Dalhousie. Besides, luxury bus services are also available to Dalhousie from other cities in India.  3)DEHRADUN Dehradun is the Capital of the North Indian state of Uttarakhand which was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in the year 2000. The city is also the headquarters of the Dehradun district. The scenic beauty of the city has been captivating generations of tourists and settlers ever since the first group of Sikh wanderers camped in these valleys after being banished by the mughul emperor Aurangzeb to the wilderness. Touristplacesinindia offers complete information about Dehradun including its history and tourist attractions. History – The area has been ruled by many groups over the centuries. The Katyuris of Garhwal ruled here for a long time to be followed by the Sikhs and the Mughuls. The area went under the control of the Gurkhas after that. Following the war between the Gurkhas and the British, the treaty of Sugauli was signed in 1816 and the area came under British control. Location –  The city is located in the Doon valley in the north west of the state. The valley is situated between the Himalayas in the North and the Shivalik hills to the South. The two pious rivers Ganga and Yamuna flank Dehradun on the eastern and western sides respectively. FACT FILE Area 37.17 sq. km Population 270,159 Altitude 695 metres Languages spoken Hindi and English Best Time to Visit November-December and April-July STD code 0135 Climate and Clothing - The entire region has a very pleasant climate, precisely the reason for the tremendous popularity as a summer retreat since the British period. The summer temperatures range between 16 °C to 40°C. Temperatures during winter range between 23 °C to 5 °C. November to December is the best time to experience the beauty of the snow clad mountains, while the summer months in this valley are an ideal way to beat the heat of the rest of India. Tourist attractions in Dehradun –  There are many interesting places to visit in Deharadun. The city and its surroundings have many places of religious importance associated with history and legend. Tapovan and Tapkeshwar temple are two religious places associated with the great Indian epic, Mahabharata. The former is believed to be the location of the ashram of Dronacharya , the legendary arms teacher of the Pandavas. Laxman Siddh temple, Maldevta , Santhla devi and Pointa Sahib are some of the other important religious places in and around Dehradun. Robbers cave and Dakpathar are scenic spots from where tourists can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding mountains and valleys. From Dehradun , tourists can visit Rishikesh, Hardwar , Auli, Mussoorie and other tourist destinations in Uttarakhand. There are many reputed schools, academic institutions and research centers in Dehradun. Some of these are – Forest Research Institute Indian Military Academy IMA , estd 1932 Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited Wildlife Institute of India Zoological Survey of India Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH) Instrument Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) Botanical Survey Of India Dehradun is famous for a special variety of rice popularly known as Dehradun rice. The district is home to many famous schools including the Army school and the Doon school. 4) MANALI Manali is a hill station, situated at the northern end of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. During summers, this place becomes the ideal getaway for tourists from India and abroad to get relief from intense heat of the plains. The tranquil atmosphere of Manali has always attracted the tourists and they come here in large numbers to beat the heat. Manali is also known for being a destination for trekking. From here you can go to places like Lahul, Spiti, Ladakh, Leh, Kinnaur and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. The snow capped mountains and the lovely Beas River are the major tourist attractions of Manali. Travel to Manali also incorporates shopping of the local products found there. You can bring these as mementos for your near and dear ones back home. Almost all the markets of Manali are located in the downtown area and some are at the corner of the Mall Road. If you want to purchase clothes and accessories, the best place to try out these are at Vashist and Old Manali. You will also find plenty of handicraft shops both at Vashist and Manali. Some of the main markets of Manali which you can visit during your Manali tours are the Thai Market, Dragon Shopping Complex, Tibetan Market, Lama Underground Shopping Complex, Shangrilla Shopping Complex and the Snow Lion Underground Market. Facts & Figures State Himachal Pradesh District Kullu Area (Approx.) 6.68 Sq. km. Languages English, Hindi, Himachali Best Time to Visit April to July and October to February to enjoy the winters and snow sports. Long Distance Code: +91-1902 Manali is very well connected by roads and excellent bus services are offered here. Along with the HPTDC, there are also plenty of buses operated by the private operators and the road transport corporations. Manali does not have its own airport but that does not pose as a hurdle as the nearest airport is at Bhuntas located at a distance of 10kms from here. The winters here at Manali are very chilly and the temperatures go below freezing point. Heavy woolens are a must during this season. Although the summers are mild, but even then you should use light woolen clothes. The peak season for travel to Manali is between May and October. But if you want to enjoy the snow, you can travel during winter months. 5) OOTY Ooty is known as the queen of hills in South India. Known for its fascinating scenic beauty, excellent climate, tea plantations, fruit orchards, exotic ambience, placid lakes and lofty mountains, the hill resort attracts tourist from all over the world. The beautiful hill resort is cuddled in a natural arena formed by Snowdown hill, Elk hill, Doddabetta and Club hill. The best thing about Ooty is its fantastic climate, which makes it an ideal summer vacation site. Touristplacesinindia.com has all the information you need about Ooty tourism. Ooty is located about 535 kilometers from Chennai, 89 kilometers from Coimbatore, 155 kilometers from Mysore and 2812 kilometers from Kochi. Situated at an altitude of 2623 meters, Ooty covers approximately 36 square kilometers. The total population of Ooty is about 81763. Fast Facts Area 36 Sq. Kms Population 87,763 Altitude 2,240 meters. Summer Max. 25°C, Min. 10°C Winter Max. 21°C, Min. 5°C Rainfall 121cms Best Season April to June and September to November Languages Badaga, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and English Clothing Heavy Woolen in winter/ Light Woolen in summer Time 5.30 GMT STD Code 0423 ISD Code +91 Tourist attractions in Ooty: Botanical garden: The place is home to some rare species of cactus, pteridophytes and succulents. The garden forms an excellent picnic spot. Thread garden: The place has an amazing collection of flowers. The amazing fact about these flowers is that they are made of thread. Arronmore Palace: Built by the king of Jothpore, this palace is grandeur personified. Awnandale palace: it was built by the king of Jothpore. Kalhatty water falls: the place is an ideal place for mountain trekking. Ketti valley: The valley is the second largest in the world. Climate and Clothing The climate is best during the summers. Winters are quite cold. Cotton clothing and light woolens are required during the summers while heavy woolens are a must during the winters. The most favorable climate to visit Ooty is during the month of April, June, September, October and November. Some advise for the tourists: Always book your tours from an authorized travel agency. Keep photo copies of your records like identity proof and passport. Do not give your original documents to anyone. It is better to book your travel guide from a recognized agent. Try and travel in a group if you are traveling to the place for the first time. Respect the customs of the natives. Dirtying the environment is a strict no-no.     6) KODAIKANAL Talking about Kodaikanal, we first need to tell you that it is a wonderful hill station with breathtaking scenic beauty and much desired charm. Some of the important information about Kodaikanal are discussed below: FAST FACTS Area 21.83 sq km Population 27,423 Altitude 2343 m above sea level STD Code 04542 Languages Tamil, English LOCATION Kodaikanal is nestled in the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills, in the Western Ghats, 120 km from Madurai at 2133 m above sea level. The name literally means ‘gift of the forest’ in Tamil HISTORY The early history of Kodaikanal dates back to 14th century AD when occupants of Palani foothills flew to Kodai to escape the invasion of Tipu Sultan and dominance of the plains. Lieutenant B. S. Ward, an inspector, was the first ever European to come to Kodaikanal in the year 1821 with a view to develop a hygienic and sanitized place around Madurai in order to save the missionaries working in southern Tamil Nadu from the scorching heat and sporadic epidemic diseases. The place was easily reachable from Madurai and it enjoyed a pleasant climate and eventually gained popularity among the immigrants. In 1834, the Madurai Collector built a small bungalow at Devadanapatti. By the second part of the 19th century, churches and other colonial structures started coming up in and around Kodaikanal. The Union Church built in 1895, La Providence, Church for Anglicans in 1860, and many bungalows were among them. The lake at Kodaikanal was formed in 1863 by Sir Vere Hendry Levinge, who was the collector of Madurai during that time. He later retired and settled in Kodaikanal. He also brought the first boat to the lake and began a boating club here. In the year 1875 Kodaikanal saw its first steam engine. A railway line from Chennai was extended to Tirunelveli (598 km) and a station was built at Ammainayakkanur. This station was subsequently renamed as Kodai Road and served several tourists who visit Kodaikanal. The Kodaikanal main town is about 80 km by road from Kodai Road Station. In the early part of the 20th century, some Indian upper class members traveled to this place, bought property, and added different colors to the place. Today, Kodaikanal is a wonderful hill station often visited by people from all over the country and the world.  7) GANGTOK Gangtok is located in the North Eastern part of India in the lower Himalayas in the state of Sikkim. The city is situated at an altitude of about 1780 m above the sea level and enjoys a mild temperate climate throughout the year. Integration of different cultures in the region makes this place a heaven on earth. The city has a large number of tourist attractions which draw people from all around the world to this wonderful city of India. We at Touristplacesinindia.com provide you with complete information on all that you want to know about Gangtok, the Capital of Sikkim. Fast Facts Area : 954 sq km. Climate : Tropical, temperate and alpine climate Maximum temperature : 16.6°C Minimum temperature : 10°C Literacy rate : 82% There are many places of tourist interest in and around the city of Gangtok. Important among them include the Enchey Monastery, Permanent flower show in the white hall close to the white memorial hall, Do-Drul Chorten stupa, Handloom and Handicrafts centre, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Saramsa Garden, Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden, Tashi View Point, Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre and the Ganesh Tok. Othhers include the Pemayangtse Monastery, Sanga-Choling Monastery, Khecheopalri Lake, Tashiding Monastery, Phodong Monastery, Phensang Monastery, Singhik – the place which offers the closest and most spectacular view of Kanchanjunga, Chungthang, Lachung, Yumthang, Guru-Dongmar Lake, Temi Tea Garden and the Menam Hill. Gangtok has a well developed transportation network. The city is well accessible by road from the airport and the railway station. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra near Siliguri. This airport is connected with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at Kolkata by regular flight services. From the airport one can hire private cars to reach Gangtok. The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri which is connected by regular train services from Kolkata. Gangtok, the Capital city of Sikkim provides a wide range of accommodation which ranges from Deluxe and Luxury hotels to budget and economy hotels. Some of the hotels which provide accommodation in Gangtok include the Hotel Nor Khill, Royal Plaza, Golden Heights, Silk route Residency, Hotel Golden Pagoda, The Sikkim Continental, Hotel New Castle, Cherry Guest House, Hotel Crystal Palace, and Hotel Central to name a few. These hotels in Gangtok provide the most comfortable accommodation and dining facilities and promise a hassle free stay in the city.