14 Attractions in Himachal Pradesh

If you like anything and everything about snow, you may be inspired by the meaning of the word Himachal. ‘The land of snows,’ the meaning, is adequate to give you an idea of what to expect here. Himachal is located in the western Himalayas. Surrounded by majestic mountains, out of which some still challenge mankind to conquer them, the beauty of the land is beyond imagination. Shimla, one of the most captivating hill stations, is the capital of the state. Given below are the top 14 attractions in Himachal Pradesh.

1. Kullu

Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is one of the most frequented tourist destinations. Often heard along with the name Manali, yet another famous tourist spot, Kullu is situated on the banks of Beas River. It was earlier called as Kulanthpitha, meaning ‘The end of the habitable world’. Awe-inspiring, right? Kullu valley is also known as the ‘Valley of Gods’.

Here are some leading destinations in the magical land.

• Basheshwar Mahadev Temple
• Sultanpur Palace
• Parvati Valley
• Raison
• Raghunathji Temple
• Bijli Mahadev Temple
• Shoja
• Karrain
• Bathad
• Jagatsukh

The attractions in Kullu are more. Trekking, mountaineering, angling, skiing, white water rafting and para gliding are some of the adventurous sports available here.

2. Manali

Located at an altitude of 6726 feet, Manali offers splendid views of the snow-capped mountains. The land is not just a feast to your visual senses; it also offers you the chance to ascertain your fitness level with the sporting facilities here. Given below are some top destinations in Manali for you to enjoy and bring out the adventurer in you.

• River Beas
• Rohtang Pass
• Solang Valley
• Jogini Waterfall
• Beas Kund
• Hadimba Temple
• Jana Falls
• Van Vihar National Park
• Pin Valley National Park
• Rahala Falls
• Himvalley Manali

3. Shimla

The enchanting beauty of Shimla made British declare the land as their summer capital. The colonial influence is still evident in the city. The hill station offers spectacular views of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges. With lakes and rich greenery around, Simla welcomes tourists round the year, of course, if you don’t mind the ‘below zero’ temperature in winter. Here are the leading destinations in Simla.

• Jakhoo Hill
• Shimla State Museum
• The Ridge
• Summer Hill
• Daranghati Sanctuary
• Indian Institute of Advanced Study
• Naldehra and Shaily Peak
• Chadwick Falls
• Kufri
• Christ Church
• Annandale
• Wild Flower Hall

4. Chamba

The spectacular beauty of Chamba has made this place dear to nature lovers. Located on the banks of River Ravi and at an altitude of over 900 meters above sea level, Chamba makes an excellent holiday retreat. Here are some important destinations in Chamba.

• Khajjiar Lake
• Chamera Lake
• Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bhuri Singh Museum
• Rang Mahal
• Maharaja’s Palace
• Akhand Chandi Palace
• Manimahesh Lake
• Chamba Central Park
• Church of Scotland

5. Dharamshala

Dharamshala is famously referred to, has snow-clad mountains on three sides and valley on one side. The mountains being over 4000 m height, you can have an excellent view of them from every viewpoint. Pine trees and tree gardens along with snow covered mountains render magic to the air. Here are some top attractions in Dharamshala.

• Triund
• Dal Lake
• Dharamkot
• Bhagsu Waterfall
• Bhagsunag Temple
• Masroor Rock Cut Temple
• Church of St. John
• Tea Garden

6. Dalhousie

Retaining not only the colonial looks but also the name, Dalhousie, was named after Lord Dalhousie, who was the British governor in the 19th century. This hill station is spread across five hills. The varying altitudes of the land have a wide range of vegetation including pine, oak and deodar. Here are the leading attractions in Dalhousie.

• Dainkund Peak
• Panchpula
• Ganji Pahari
• Sach Pass
• Garam Sadak
• Subash Baoli
• Bakrota Hills
• Katalope
• Khajiar

7. Kangra

One of the scenic valleys in Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, is not just rich in nature but also in history and culture. It has a rich past, which could be gauged by the fact that its name is mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. This picturesque valley has some of the beautiful attractions to offer.

• Kangra Fort
• Nadaun
• MaharanaPratap Sagar Lake
• Taragarh Palace
• Gopalpur Nature Park
• Nurpur
• Indrahar Pass
• Tatwani Hot Spring
• Kareri Lake
• Chamukha Mandir
• Bikleshwar Temple

8. Kasauli

Kasauli is situated at an altitude of 1927 meters and like a few other places in Himachal Pradesh, reflects the influence of colonial rule. The views from here are spectacular. The serenity of the place is enchanting. Here are some top attractions in Kasauli.

• Monkey Point
• Sunset Point
• Christ Church
• Dagshai
• St. Patrick’s Church
• Gurkha Fort
• Central Research Institute
• The Mall

9. Hamirpur

Being in the lower elevation, Hamirpur is warmer. The altitudes vary from near flat lands to higher levels of land that reach up to the heights of cliffs. The hilly ranges here offer great scope for trekking. The land is said to be the most literate district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Given below are some of the tourist attractions in Hamirpur.

• Deotsidh Temple
• Sujanpur Tihra
• Awah Devi Temple

10. Parwanoo

Parwanoo, surrounded by hills is yet another beautiful hill station in the land. The town, surrounded by lush greenery, lies near the border of Haryana and hence, it is a convenient location from where you could visit many tourist attractions nearby. Here are some of the tourist attractions in and around Parwanoo.

• Kalka
• Pinjore
• Mughal Gardens
• Fruit Orchards
• Gurudwara Nada Sahib
• Cactus Garden
• Timber Trail

11. Solan

Solan, famously called ‘The mushroom city of India’, is a beautiful city located amidst scenic snow-clad mountains and forests. Mushroom farming being very extensive here, the land is named thus. It is a great place for trekking and it is heaven for those who love to feel oneness with nature. Here are the top attractions in Solan.

• Barog
• Subathu
• Chail
• Jatoli
• Rajgarh
• Kuthar Fort
• Majathal Sanctuary
• Arki
• Nalagarh

12. Pragpur

At an altitude of 2000 feet, Pragpur, the first heritage village in India, offers spectacular views of Kangra Valley. Everything about Pragpur is interesting; natural beauty, rich culture, historical importance, friendly climate, beautiful greenery, easy access and anything you would consider when you travel to a place. Leading destinations in Pragpur include:

• Chamba Pattan
• The Taal
• The Judge’s Court
• Jwalamukhi Temple

Apart from visits to these places, you can indulge yourself in trekking, bird watching and fishing.

13. Sirmaur

Sirmaur is located on the south-eastern part of the state. The district is famous for its peach, which is from Rajgarh region, famously called the Peach Bowl. Fossils aging 85 million years have been found here. Every one of the destinations here is important and interesting.

• Shivalik Fossil Park
• Churdhar Peak
• Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mini Zoo
• Nahan
• Jaganath Temple
• Trilokpur Temple
• Daula Kuan

14. Una

At an elevation of 1210 feet, the hottest district in the state, Una, is referred to as the Gateway to Himalayas. The land seems an exception in Himachal Pradesh, where most of the cities are in the hilly region. If you intend to visit the place in summer, you need to have cotton clothes to make your stay comfortable. Here are the destinations in Una.

• Amb
• Bharwain
• Pong Dam
• Gobind Sagar Lake
• Kutlehar Forts
• Bramhauti Temple
• Chintpurni Temple
• Bangana
• Dera Baba Barbhag Singh
• Dhunsar Mahadev Temple

Those who have visited Himachal Pradesh would agree with me if I were to say that words can do no justice to the exquisite beauty of the land. I have tried to give information on the tourist destinations not as a traveler, as I am sure any attempt to describe the beauty of the land is equal to scaling even a small mountain without adequate training and experience. http://www.himalayantravelouge.com