Different places to travel » India

Pangot – A bird watcher’s paradise in North India

Traveller — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 18:55:06 +0000

Pangot is 15 kms away from the more popular Nainital (hill station) in Uttaranchal. Pangot is located within the Kumaon Hills, and one of the prime attractions is of forests echoing with the calls of birds. Thus, Pangot is also known as a Birdwatcher’s paradise. The drive to Pangot is through the bird habitats of Cheena peak range forests via Snow View Point and Kilbury.
There are 150 species of birds that are believed to be there in the area around Pangot, among which some of the commonly encountered birds are the Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Blue-Winged Minla, Spotted & Slaty-backed Forktail, Rufous-Bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-Bellied Niltava, Khalij Pheasant, variety of thrushes etc. The more commonly done things in Pangot are Bird watching, trekking, rappelling, fishing, horse riding, kayaking, sailing and boating, camping, dirt biking, and wildlife safaris into Corbett National Park.
Pangot is famous for bird watching and it has been popular with naturelovers, photographers and birders.You can see different kinds of migratory birds at Pangot. Birds from the upper Himalayan region fly down to the lower Himalayas to escape the harsh winter season. The numerous perennial & seasonal creeks are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna including the leopard, yellow-throated Himalayan Martins, Himalayan palm civet, Ghoral, barking deer, Sambhar etc.

Once you are in Pangot and are done with enjoying nature, some of the places to see near Pangot

• Corbett National Park: The park has 150 species of birds found in India, more than 50 mammal species including Tiger, Leopard, Bears and Elephants and more than 40 species of reptiles including the rare Gharial. It is one of the finest Wildlife reserves in India, Corbett has a distinction of been the country’s first National park. Formerly called as “Hailey national Park” it was established in 1936 in consultation with the legendary Hunter / Naturalist Jim Corbet, it was aptly renamed “Jim Corbett National Park” in 1972.

• Bhimtal: Bhimtal is a town in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a nagar panchayat in Nainital district. The town is named after Bhima, one of the Pandavas in Mahabharata. Bhimtal Lake is one of the major attractions of this town as it has an island in its centre at a distance of 91 metres from the shore.

• Jeolikot: Jeolikot is a hill station in the state of Uttarakhand on the Nainital-Haldwani Highway. It is at a distance of 17 km from Nainital. It is well known as a spot for nature lovers who are interested in butterfly watching and floriculture. The surrounding natural beauty on the backdrop of Kumaon hills is ideal for visitors. The places to see are Gateway to Kumaon’s Lake District, Binsar, Kausani, Ranikhet.

• Mukteswar: Mukteshwar is another town, famous for its Mukteswar dham.

• Bhowali: It is another beautiful town in Nainital.

• Nainital: It is a beautiful hill station.

• Sattal: Sattal is located in Kumaon lake region and as the name, are an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes. These lakes are 22 kms from Nainital. These lakes are at an altitude of 4,000 feet and are situated in Lower Himalyan Range near Bhimtal. These lakes are surrounded by oak andpine forests. This area is rich in birdlife and butterflies. Hence it is a spot for nature walks and butterfly watching. Below are the lush orchanrds in the Meheragaon valley.

• Rishikesh: Rishikesh is one of the most famous pilgrim sites. Laxman Jhula is the popular attraction of the place. Other notable places are the Swarg Ashram and Tattvaa Yogashala which are the only full-time, dedicated Ashtanga Yoga school in Rishikesh (For those of you who would like to deepen your practice, reach new levels safely, and explore the path of YOGA).

There are not too many places to eat at Pangot, except the hotels which serve homely food. There are some hotels which serve the local food – Garhwali and Kumauni cuisine. Try the amazing piping hot pahari tea along with a plate of ‘pakoras’ or ‘samosas’. To tantalize your taste buds further, you can head to Nainital, just 15 km from Pangot.

Best time to visit / climate

The best time to visit Pangot is from Mar – June and Sep – Oct
The days are nice and crisp, but the nights get cold. Great season for bird watching and mountain views. The summers are from April to June and the days are cool with pleasant nights. Good birding season to watch. The monsoons start from July to September with Cold days and nights. Good for resident birds, but not so good for tourists.

Location on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Or click or paste the URL below on your browser:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=pangot&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Pangot,+Nainital,+Uttarakhand,+India&ll=29.423974,79.427483&spn=0.00856,0.013797&z=16&iwloc=A

How to get to Pangot

From Delhi
• By Road: Drive from Delhi via Kathgodam and Nainital: 8½ hours. A marked road map is handy or research the path from some online maps site. Drive from Delhi via Ramnagar (Corbett National Park) and Kaladhungi: 7½ hours
• By Train: Overnight air-conditioned train from Old Delhi railway station (departing at 2245 hr.) to Kathgodam (arriving at 0615 hr.) and then 2 hr. drive to Pangot via Nainital. Pick-up/ drop at Kathgodam RS can be arranged through taxi with prior notice.
Overnight non air-conditioned train from Old Delhi railway station (departing at 2245 hr.) to Ramnagar, Corbett National Park (arriving at 0500 hr.) and then 2½ hr. drive to Pangot via Kaladungi.
• Pangot by Air: The nearest airport is Pantnagar. However, fights are not operational at present. Hence flying to Delhi and then coming from delhi via road or train is recommended.

Places to stay (hotels / restaurants along with website / contact numbers)

• http://www.travelmasti.com/Pangot_Resorts_Hotels.asp
• http://www.nivalink.com/junglelore/index.html
• http://www.pangot.com and http://www.pangot.com/accomdation.htm#accom
• http://www.oktatabyebye.com/hotels/hotels-in-Pangot.html
• http://www.travelmasti.com/Pangot_Resorts_Hotels.asp
• http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g580106-d615541-Reviews-Woodside_Retreat_Pangot-Rishikesh_Uttarakhand.html
• http://www.nivalink.com/junglelore/index.html

Blogs / Sites about Pangot

• http://www.pangot.com
• http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.milestones.net/pangot.html
• http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/pangot.php
• http://natureindiatour.blogspot.com/2009/11/corbett-pangot-wildlifers-dream.html
• http://www.pangot.com/index.htm#pangot
• www.junglelore.com – For birding tours
• http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/North/Uttarakhand/Pangot/

Images and photos of Pangot

• Images in Google Search
• http://www.pangot.com/gallery.htm
• http://www.oktatabyebye.com/picture-gallery/Pangot-pictures.html
• http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/North/Uttarakhand/Pangot/

Sattal located in the Kumaon lake region in North India

Traveller — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:34:06 +0000

Sattal is located in the Kumaon lake region (in Uttranchal) and as the name, is an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes. These lakes are located 22 kms from Nainital and are at an altitude of 4,000 feet, situated in the Lower Himalyan Range near Bhimtal. These lakes are surrounded by oak and pine forests. This area is rich in birdlife and butterflies. Hence it is a spot for nature walks and butterfly watching. Below are the lush orchards in the Meheragaon valley. Trekking, rappelling, biking are the different adventures one can look forward here.
The fresh water here is one of few unspoiled and unpolluted biomes in India. Lot of birds migrates here. Since it is situated in the Lower Himalayan Range, one can observe tectonic activities and uplifting of sediments. The activities are between the Tibetan plain and Indo-Gangetic plains. One can find quartzite here.
Known for its biological diversity, the region has 500 species of resident and migratory birds, 20 species of mammals and 11,000 species of moths, beetles, bugs and other insects and over 525 species of butterflies. The flora comprises of Bryophytes, orchids, rare climbing plants, ferns, lichens, fungi, medicinal herbs and shrubs. Each individual lake has its own unique Diatomindex (The Trophic Diatom Index uses the composition of freshwater diatom assemblages to assess water quality and ecological status).

The seven lakes of Sattal are
• Panna Tal or Garud Tal
• Nal-Damyanti Tal
• Purna Tal
• Sita Tal
• Ram Tal
• Laxman Tal
• Sukha Tal or Khurdariya Tal

The unique avian fauna of Sattal includes red-billed blue magpie, kingfishers, blue-throated and brown-headed barbets, lineated barbet, golden-throated barbet, crimson-fronted barbet, coppersmith Barbet plum-headed parakeet, slaty-headed Parakeet, chestnut bellied rock thrush, woodpecker, grey-capped pygmy woodpecker, brown-fronted woodpecker, stripe-breasted woodpecker, titmouse, babblers, jungle Owlet, fish eagle, pied woodpecker, brown-capped pygmy, yellow-crowned woodpecker, rufous-bellied woodpecker, crimson-breasted woodpecker, Himalayan dollarbird, leaf birds,crested kingfisher, white-throated kingfisher, pied kingfisher, common kingfisher, blue-eared kingfisher, Himalayan kingfisher, Mrs. Gould’s sunbird, green-tailed sunbird, black-throated sunbird, black-breasted sunbird, Crimson sunbird, fire-tailed sunbird, thick-billed flowerpecker, plain-leaf flowerpecker, and many more.

Fish: Sattal has many different varieties of fish. Mahseers are found here in large numbers. Labeo roha, Cirrhinus mrigala, Schizothorax richardsonii and Catla catla are some of the other fish found in the lakes.
Butterflies: Some of the butterflies found at Sattal includes Indian fritillary ,peacock panzy, blue peacock, Paris peacock, red-base Jazebel, red lacewing, yellow pansy, tawny Rajah, red Helen, large silverstripe and thousands of others.

Places to see:
Butterfly museum: There is a rich butterfly museum built by Frederic Smetacek at Jones Estate, which has over 2,500 butterfly and moth specimens and 1,100 species of insects that are found in this region.
Sattal Mission Estate and Methodist Ashram: This is a christian Ashram established by E. Stanley Jone (1884-1973). This ashram is situated on the banks of Sattal lakes, which was one a tea plantation estate. Revered Stanley Jones was a friend of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Earl Denman, who attempted Mount Everest alone and secretly with Tenzing Norgay in 1947, stayed in this Ashram for many years.
Subhash Dhara: There is a spectacular natural spring of fresh water arising out of dense oak forest west of Sattal.

Places around Sattal are
• Town of Bhimtal
• Town of Bhowali
• Naukuchia Tal (Nine-Cornered Lake)
• Ghorakhal
• Golu Devata Temple
• Nainital – 22kms
• Mukteswar-45kms
• Rajkhet
• Shimla

Sattal Festivals
The Shivaratri celebrations during February-march, Dussera during October and 5 day long celebrations, the Bageshwar Mela pilgrimage, during January are the major attractive festivals in Sattal.

Best time to visit / climate:
The best time to visit Sattal is March to June and September to December. April, May and June are summer months offering very pleasant and warm climate within a temperature range of 10°C to 27°C. During winters in December to February, the climate is very severe and the temperature reaches to 2°C and winters are accompanied by heavy snowfalls. The months July and August are the season for rainfalls.

The Shivaratri celebrations during February-March, Dussera during October and 5 day long celebrations, the Bageshwar Mela pilgrimage, during January are the major attractive festivals in Sattal.

Location on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Or click or paste the URL below on your browser:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sattal&sll=29.388756,79.552002&sspn=0.274013,0.441513&g=bhimtal&ie=UTF8&ll=29.402516,79.552002&spn=0.273976,0.441513&z=11&iwloc=A

How to get there:
• Sattal by Air: Pantnagar is the nearest airport, from where you can hire taxi to Sattal. Delhi is the nearest International airport, which is 320 km away from Sattal. Delhi airport is well connected with major cities within the country and abroad. Taxis are available from Delhi and the fare is about Rs 6500.
• Sattal by Train: Kathgodam Railway station, about 36 km away from Sattal, is the nearest railhead. Pre-paid taxi services are available from Kathgodam to Sattal which costs about Rs 750. Regular train services are available from Kathgodam to Delhi and also to other cities in India.
• Sattal by Bus: National highway 87 to reach Kathgodam, from where you will be diverted on the road to reach thisdistrict.Sattal is well connected with nearby cities like Nainital and Ramgarh in the state. Tourist and State owned bus services are available from Delhi to Sattal, covering the distance of 320 km. Bus fare is nearly about Rs 1100.

The distance chart is as below:
From and Distance
Delhi-302 km
Nainital-52 km
Almora-109 km
Kasauni-158 km
Haridwar-237 km
Rishikesh-254 km
Rajaji National Park -280 km
Dehradun-289 km
Mussoorie-314 km
Auli -317 km
http://www.mustseeindia.com/Sattal/how-to-reach gives exact train names and flight names with details of distances, timings and days when available.

Places to stay (hotels / restaurants along with website / contact numbers):
• http://www.sattalbirdinglodge.com/
? Sat Tal Birding Camp is located at 4400 feet in a small village of Bhakgtura, 4 km from Sat Tal in Nainital district.
? This deluxe has 5 tents with ensuite facility. The can has local village character overlooking a wooded valley.
? The camp is flanked by pine and oak forest. Little dip pools attracts various species of birds.
? This is an ideal base for birders, nature enthusiasts, walkers and the visitors wishing to explore Sat Tal and surrounding area.
• http://www.cleartrip.com/hotels/india/sattal/ give hotel names, addresses, price etc.,
• http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/Sattal-Overview.html gives touring offices with addresses and contact numbers.
• http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g660548-d1154424-Reviews-Country_Inn_Sattal-Nainital_Uttarakhand.html
• http://www.bharatonline.com/uttarakhand/nainital/sattal
• http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurants-g660548-Nainital_Uttarakhand.html gives numbers, names, and locations of the restaurants in Sattal.
• http://www.thetopcamp.com/camps-retreats/sattal-birding-camp.html it’s a camp that takes u in and around Sattal.

Blogs / Sites about Sattal:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sattal
• http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/Sattal-Overview.html
• http://www.mouthshut.com/product-reviews/Sattal-925042345.html

Images and photos of Sattal:

• http://www.google.co.in/images?q=Sattal&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GPCK_enIN389&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=XnlITNTmJ8WrcaqqydMM&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDcQsAQwAw
• http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/photos/Sattal-Photos.html
• http://www.oktatabyebye.com/picture-gallery/Sattal-pictures.html
• http://travel.sulekha.com/naina-devi-temple-3_sat-tal-photo-308270.htm
• http://www.tripadvisor.in/LocationPhotos-g660548-Nainital_Uttarakhand.html

Jeolikot – a beautiful hill station located in North India

Traveller — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:27:38 +0000

Jeolikot is a hill station in the state of Uttarakhand on the Nainital-Haldwani Highway. It is located at a distance of 17 km from Nainital and is well known as a spot for nature lovers who are interested in butterfly watching and floriculture. The surrounding natural beauty on the backdrop of Kumaon hills is ideal for visitors. Hindi and Kumaoni are the languages spoken by locals there. Jeolikot is at an altitude of 1219 metres. The temperatures in summer go from 15-25°C and in winter from 8-15°C, making it ideal for all seasons.
This place is known for meditation with swamis like Shri Aurobindo and swami Vivekananda spending time with real Mother Nature. The resorts, vintage English cottage, offer a perfect stay in Jeolikot. In addition, Jeolikot houses some ancient temples, a cemetery and other structures pointing to its verdant past. It has bee-keeping centres which is another attraction of the place.
The Cottage in Jeolikot situated at the greenish backdrop of Kumaon hills presents the magnificent Kumaon craftsmanship. This is a charming holiday resort which offers all comforts of an English vintage cottage. Antique carved doors, furniture and windows are special to these cottages. There is a Health centre for the butterflies and for honey, mushrooms and fruits, including strawberries and litchis.
The places nearby (located not very far) to see are
1. Gateway to Kumaon’s Lake District
2. Binsar
3. Kausani
4. Ranikhet
5. Corbett National Park.
Golfing, and trekking in the hills is therapeutic and a lot of fun. Jeolikot is a nice destination for adventurous tourists. Many trekking trails in Jeolikot offer mild to hard challenges to trekkers.

Best time to visit / climate

The best time to visit Jeolikot is July. The weather of Jeolikot is moderately cold and temperature is from 8 to 20 degree Celsius. The nature looks enchanting and suitable at this time. Since winter is chilly, snow and fog forming with monsoon showers, it’s advisable to visit in the month of July for comfort.

Location on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Or paste the URL below on your browser:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Jeolikot,+uttarakhand&sll=30.221102,79.552002&sspn=4.347183,7.064209&ie=UTF8&hq=Jeolikot,+uttarakhand&hnear=&z=6

How to get there:
• Jeolikot by Train: The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, 48 kms from Jeolikot. It takes about close to an hour to reach Jeolikot. Taxis are available at the railway station. Dehradun-Kathgodam Express (from Dehradun), Ranikhet Express (from Delhi) and Bagh express (from Howrah) are some of the convenient trains to Kathgodam.

• Jeolikot by Air: The nearest airport to Jeolikot is in Pantnagar which is about 56 km away it takes about one and a half hours to reach Jeolikot from there. The airport, however is not in operation yet. So the major international airport near Jeolikot is Delhi, which is nearly 290 km away from the city. Pre-paid taxi charges nearly Rs 4000 from Delhi to Jeolikot. New Delhi is connected to all major cities in India and abroad by Air.

• Jeolikot by Bus: There are overnight tourists buses services run by private companies are available from New Delhi to Jeolikot, which charge around Rs 800.
Buses are available from the ISBT at Ananad Vihar in New Delhi. The 9 pm deluxe bus to Nainital stops at Jeolikot. If you are driving, after the Moradabad by-pass fly-over, take the largely forested road to Bazpur, which will take you to Haldwani via Kaladungi. From Haldwani (a large town which has joined up with Kathgodam), take the Nainital route to reach Jeolikot. Most Delhi motorists prefer this route.

The distance chart from major cities is as below:
From and Distance
1. Delhi – 277 km
2. Nainital – 4 km
3. Almora – 58 km
4. Kasauni -107 km
5. Haridwar- 220 km
6. Rishikesh -237 km
7. Rajaji National Park -263 km
8. Auli -267 km
9. Dehradun -272 km
10. Mussoorie -297 km

The following website gives all the train numbers, names and timings, flight timings, names and buses timings and the road map to reach to Jeolikot: http://www.mustseeindia.com/Jeolikot/how-to-reach

Places to stay (hotels / restaurants along with website / contact numbers)

• http://www.holidayiq.com/Jeolikot-hotel-photos-Cottage,%20The-1835—m.html
• http://www.indiahotelreview.com/destination_jeolikot.htm
• http://goindia.about.com/od/wheretostay/ss/top-10-homestays-in-india_7.htm
• http://www.travelchacha.com/cities/jeolikot/
• http://www.oktatabyebye.com/hotels/hotels-in-Jeolikot.html

Blogs / Sites about Jeolikot

• http://www.travelchacha.com/cities/jeolikot/
• http://thecottagejeolikot.com/
Golfing, sailing at Naini Lake, trek down to the tiny river below the cottage, snow peak spotting from Kilbury, bird watching at Pangot, Binsar and Naukuchiatal, boat rides at Saattal and treks and hikes in the Kumaoni Himalayas are some of the things that one can do in Jeolikot.
Collecting pebbles and soaking your feet in its refreshing coolness is fun here. There is a tiny shrine under a canopy of trees, the colonial house, is an outlet for fresh honey and saplings. Going with binoculars and a bird and butterfly guide book will add to the enjoyment. In the government horticulture department one can buy fresh kiwi fruit, mushrooms, olives and strawberries and also some fresh wild flower honey.
• http://www.heritagehotelsofindia.com/india/uttaranchal/the-cottage-joelikot.html
• http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/jeolikot-excursions.php
Images and photos of Jeolikot
• http://www.google.co.in/images?q=Jeolikot+photos&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GPCK_enIN389&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=i4RITN_QKMaDcKHawe4M&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQsAQwAA
• http://www.oktatabyebye.com/Picture-Gallery/20519-jeolikot-travel-photo.html
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnobb/345784246/
• http://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/411/1156/t/2603-Isn-t-it-beautiful-0.jpg
• http://www.delhiweekendbreaks.com/images/jeolikot-hills.jpg

Bhimtal – A beautiful lake in North India

Traveller — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:52:07 +0000

Bhimtal is a town in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a nagar panchayat in Nainital district. The town is named after Bhima, one of the Pandavas in Mahabharata. It is situated at an altitude of 1370 meters above sea level. A much more famous lake location, Nainital is 22 kilometers from Bhimtal. Bhimtal Lake is one of the major attractions of this town as it has an island in its centre at a distance of 91 metres from the shore. Bhimtal is a mini district headquarters with Vikas Bhawan being the district head office. Bhimtal is an all year round tourist place but warmer in mid june. At the end of Bhimtal lake there is Victorian dam on one side and terraced flower gardens on either side.
The altitude of 1370 meters gives it a good scenic break. Kumaon hills, beautiful forests etc., add to the town’s charm. Bhimtal Lake is the real lake in the lake district of India. The Bhimtal Lake’s two most attractive features are that it beautifully supports a wide range of aquatic life and the Lake is a stop by for Trans Himalayan birds during winter. It becomes an abode to large number of migratory birds.
This perennial lake is blessed with emerald green water. The boat cruise will enhance the enjoyment of the majestic and subtle experience. There was an island restaurant in the island to help enjoy a good meal but due to the wastes left behind that used to pollute the lake. So the Nainital Lake Development Authority decided to develop an aquarium on the island. They converted the restaurant into an aquarium to prevent pollution and clean the lake. The lake is amidst the lush green Kumaon Hills. The lake is a home to a large variety of aquatic species.
A variety of fishes from countries like South Africa, Mexico and China have been kept in the aquarium that is catching tourist’s attention. Tourists get educated about the fishes, and excited to watch different species of fishes in it. Bhimtal is a haven for the adventure lovers due to the ample variety of the adventure activities offered by this place. Adventures that can be enjoyed are the activities like mountain biking, trekking along the river or mountains, camping along Pine Riviera, river crossing at Lake Bhimtal that is bestowed with an Island at the heart of the Lake, rock climbing up the dense and lush green forest and many more.

Places to see

• Mall Road: Mall road is the best place to visit for buying gifts for your friends and family members while you visit Bhimtal. It is centrally located in Bhimtal. Mall Road has many shops that offers locally made stuff like wooden crafts, paintings, carpets and many more.
• Pine Rivera: Pine Rivera is situated near a small hill and a flowing river. One can experience pleasant sound of the smooth flowing river. It offers stunning scenery of wide species of beautiful birds. It also provides the best location for camps.
• Para Gliding: For an adventurer, Bhimtal can be a best place to visit. It offers activities like paragliding. Paragliding in Bhimtal is a perfect spot for such lovely sport. Flying above the mountain and watching the beautiful forest and Bhimtal Lake while paragliding in Bhimtal is truly a life time experience.
• Trekking: Trekking through the dense jungles, triumphing the beautiful valleys, exploring the virgin verdant green forests, breathing the fresh mountain air, navigating through the mountainous terrain with compass and map, diving into the hidden mountain waterfalls and streams, setting up small camps, sleeping under bright stars, bedazzled by the beautiful views of valley, forging the new friendships with the other trekking enthusiasts and photographing the once-in-lifetime wildlife scene is what you can expect while you trek in Bhimtal.

Best time to visit / climate

The best time to visit Bhimtal is from mid of April to mid of July and from mid of September to October. Bhimtal experiences monsoon from July to September. Bhimtal weather is very alpine. It is blessed with pleasant climate throughout the year. The summers in Bhimtal are very mild and winters are cold.

Location on Google Maps

View Larger Map

Directions from Delhi to Bhimtal:

View Larger Map

How to get there

By Rail: One can reach Bhimtal via railheads through Ranikhet Express or Uttar Sampark Kranti Express.
Direction: Ranikhet Express – Enjoy an overnight journey at AC sleeper coaches from Delhi to Kathgodam. You will reach Kathgodam at 5:30 a.m. From there it is a 40 minutes journey, approximately 22kms drive to Bhimtal.
Sampark Kranti Express – It is an afternoon train from Delhi and you will arrive Kathgodam at 11 p.m. Take a taxi to Bhimtal from here.
By Air: Bhimtal doesn’t have airport facilities. Pant Nagar airport is the nearest airport around 55 km from Bhimtal. The best way to reach there is by railhead or roadways.
By Road: Bhimtal is well connected to Delhi by road. You can easily get transportation facility to reach Bhimtal via roadways. It is approximately 300 km from New Delhi.

Direction: From New Delhi to Bhimtal.
New Delhi(via NH – 24) -> Mohan Nagar(via NH – 24) -> Ghaziabad(via NH – 24) -> Babugarh(via NH – 24) -> Gajroula(via NH – 24) -> Joya(via NH – 24) -> Moradabad(via NH – 24) -> Rampur (via NH – 87) -> Bilaspur(via NH – 87) -> Rudrapur (via NH – 87) -> Lalkuan(via NH – 87) -> Haldwani(via NH – 87) -> Kathgodam(via NH – 87) – Bhimtal

One can also Visit This Place by Taxi or By Tours & Travel Lake Tour Packages.

Places to stay (hotels / restaurants along with website / contact numbers)

• http://indoexpedition.com/bhimtalhotels.html (gives details like location, price etc., of hotels in Bhimtal)
• http://www.arounddelhi.com/bhimtal.htm gives names, prices, location and contact numbers of many hotels in Bhimtal.
• http://www.bhimtalhotels.com/
• http://www.travelmasti.com/bhimtal.htm

Blogs / Sites about Bhimtal

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhimtal
Bhimtal is named after Bhima of Mahabharata. It is an ancient place. There is an old Shiva temple named Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple on the banks of Bhimtal slakes. It was built when Bhima visited the place during the vanavas of Pandavas. It is a17th century temple built by a king named Baz Bahadur of chand dynasty and the raja of Kumaon. Britishers ruled Bhimtal after the Anglo-Nepalese war. It is a tourist spot for many.
• http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Travel/bhimtal.php
• http://www.dazzlingindia.com/travel/Bhimtal-of-Nainital.html

Images and photos of Bhimtal

• http://www.google.co.in/images?q=Bhimtal&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GPCK_enIN389&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=gXlITOvXBsyPccjzlLQM&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDcQsAQwAw
• http://www.tripadvisor.in/LocationPhotos-g679051-Bhimtal_Uttarakhand.html
• http://www.oktatabyebye.com/picture-gallery/Bhimtal-pictures.html
• http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/photos/Bhimtal-Photos.html
• http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Travel/bhimtal.php
• http://members.tripod.com/image_india/Bhimtal.html

Rudraprayag – a religious town in North India, in the Himalayas

Traveller — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:05:05 +0000

Rudraprayag is a District in the State of Uttarakhand. It is a town and a nagar panchayat. It is one of the Panch prayagas (five confluences) of the point of confluence of rivers Alakanda and Mandakini. Around Rudraprayag, there are other divine rivers such as the Bhagirathi River, and the Ganga. Located some distance away is another holy town called Kedarnath which is 86 kms away from Rudraprayag.
Rudra means Lord Shiva and hence the name Rudraprayag. It has lakes and glaciers and immense enchanting natural beauty. It is a pilgrimage trip as well as getaway for many. It is 34kms away from Srinagar (Gharwal). There are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the district itself. The town is special with its scenic beauty and its location on the river banks of Alankanda and Mandakini. Devotees take dip in these rivers considering them very holy and sacred. The other two shrines that need to visit are Kedarnath and Badrinath that are around Rudraprayag.
On the holy confluence of river Alaknanda and Mandakini which is venerated as one of the five sacred confluences or the ‘Panch Prayag’ is this small pilgrim town. It is named after Rudra, an aspect of Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva appeared here as ‘Rudra’ to bless Narad Muni. Rudraprayag is of immense significance for the pilgrims of Char Dham Yatra, as it is the junction for visiting Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham.
Out of the five kedars, three of them lie in Rudraprayag district. Kedar means a natural rock formation or glacial moraine. This town is a District headquarters and its area is spread to about 1896 square kms.

Places to see in Rudrapayag

Koteshwar Temple: This is 3 kms from Rudraprayag. This is a cave temple of Lord Shiva located on the banks of river Alaknanda which comprises of idols which have been formed naturally. It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated here before going to Kedarnath. Many devotees visit the shrine during the months of August and September.

Places to see around Rudraprayag
Agatsyamuni (19 kms) As Agatsyamuni meditated here, so the name.
Guptkashi (39 kms) is a pilgrim place that has the ancient temples of Vishwanath and Ardhnareshwar. The Manikarnik Kund is the confluence of two streams of Ganga and Yamuna.
Okhimath (40 kms): It lies on the route to Kedarnath and is the winter residence of Lord Kedarnath, as well as the seat of the Rawal (head priest) of the Kedarnath temple.
Gaurikund (72 kms) is the trekking base for to Kedarnath and has a temple of Gauri (Parvati) and hot water springs.
SonPrayag is the confluence of river Basuki and Mandakani and lies on the main Kedarnath route, about 5 kms from Gaurikund. The devotees believe that by mere touch of the holy water of Son Prayag, one attains the “Baikunth Dham”.
Trijuginarayan is 12 kms from Son prayag and is believed to be the site of Lord Shiva and Parvati’s marriage. The eternal flame, around which the marriage was solemnized, still burns here.
Panch Kedar: In the valley between the rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda lay the 5 kedars. It is believed that after the battle of Mahabharta, the Pandavas came here seeking forgiveness from Lord Shiva as they were repenting for the killings. Shiva disguised himself as a bull and started to plunge underground when he was spotted by the Pandavas. No wonder, the natural rock formation that is worshipped here resembles the rump of bull. The five most sacred Shiva temples of Garhwal are called as Panch Kedar.
Kedarnath: It is situated at an altitude of 3584 metres amidst towering snowclad Himalayan peaks on the head of river Mandakini. It is 86 kms from Rudraprayag. It is an 8th centrury temple which has 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and was built by in the medieval ages by Adi Shankaracharya. The mandapa walls are adorned with idols of the five Pandavas and Draupdi.
Shankaracharya Samadhi: Behind the Kedarnath temple, Adi Shankaracharya is said to have gone into his samadhi here at an early age of 32 years after establishing four sacred Dhams.

Best time to visit / climate:
The best time to visit is the summer months from March to June. The months of September and October are also pleasant to be visited. The months from June to August should be avoided due to the monsoon season.

Location on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Directions from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag:

View Larger Map

How to get there:
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun situated at a distance of 159kms. There are daily flights from Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Rishikesh, Devprayag and Rudraprayag.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to Rudraprayag is Rishikesh railway station which is situated 140kms before Rudraprayag on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Taxis and buses are available from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag.
By Road: Rudraprayag is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand and northern states of India. Buses to Rudraprayag and Rishikesh are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and Taxis to Rudraprayag are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Srinagar etc. Rudraprayag lies on National Highway 58 from where road diverts to two major destinations Kedarnath and Badrinath.

The distance chart from major cities to Rudraprayag is as below
Delhi to Rudraprayag – 380kms
Meerut to Rudraprayag – 306kms
Rishikesh to Rudraprayag – 139kms
Haridwar to Rudraprayag – 165kms
Pauri to Rudraprayag – 64kms
Dehradun to Rudraprayag – 190kms
Mussoorie to Rudraprayag – 163kms
Devprayag to Rudraprayag – 68kms
Tehri Garhwal to Rudraprayag – 91kms
Barkot to Rudraprayag – 180kms
Uttarkashi to Rudraprayag – 165kms
Lansdowne to Rudraprayag – 142kms
Kotdwar to Rudraprayag – 166kms
Joshimath to Rudraprayag – 106kms
Chamoli to Rudraprayag – 70kms
Srinagar to Rudraprayag – 35kms
Okhimath to Rudraprayag – 37kms
Gaurikund to Rudraprayag – 66kms

Places to stay (hotels / restaurants along with website / contact numbers):

1. http://www.euttaranchal.com/hotels/hotels-in-rudraprayag.php (gives names of the hotels, fares of the hotel, price and directions to the hotel)
2. http://www.holidayiq.com/Popular-Rudraprayag-Hotels-Resorts-Reviews-Ratings-Tariff-Rates-621-7-yes-destination.html
3. http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/Rudraprayag-Know.html (gives tourist info addresses and phone numbers to contact)

Blogs / Sites about Rudraprayag

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudraprayag
• http://rudraprayag.nic.in/
History: Rudraprayag District was established on 16th September1997. The district was carved out from three adjoining districts.
Firstly, whole of Augustmuni & Ukhimath block and part of Pokhri & Karnprayag block from Chamoli District and Secondly part of Jakholi and Kirtinagar block from Tehri District and thirdly part of Khirsu block from Pauri District. It is widely known as Kedarnath Temple in the North, Madmaheshwar at east, Nagrasu at southern east and Shrinagar at extreme south. The holy Mandakini originated from Kedarnath and is the main river of the district.
• http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/Rudraprayag-Overview.html
• http://www.indiaholidaypackages.com/hill-stations-packages/rudraprayag.html
• http://www.tourisminrudraprayag.org/

Images and photos of Rudraprayag:

• http://www.google.co.in/images?q=Rudraprayag&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GPCK_enIN389&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=u11ITOORPISdcaec_c4M&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5&ved=0CDwQsAQwBA
• http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/photos/Rudraprayag-Photos.html
• http://www.tourisminrudraprayag.org/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudraprayag#Photo_gallery

Videos related to Rudraprayag:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYTU8h1Zk9s
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig9NvT1HT04

Harsil, a beautiful tourist spots on the banks of the Bhagirathi River

Traveller — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:37:21 +0000

Harsil was a remote beautiful village initially on the banks of the Bhagirathi River before it became a tourist spot for travel enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is a cantonment area too now. Harsil is filled with dense deodar slopes on either side. Harsil is a hidden jewel of Uttarakhand state which offers peace and serenity in the lap of Himalayas. It is at an elevation of 2,620mts above sea level. Harsil is situated on Uttarkasi – Gangotri Road at a distance of 72kms after Uttarkashi, and just 30 km away from Harsil, lays the Gangotri National Park, spread over 1,553 square km.
Harsil is inhabited by Bhotias. The temperature of Harsil remains pleasant during summers and chilling during winters and the region receives snowfall from December to March. The deodar forests are dense and have several apple trees around. The gushing water of Bhagirathi River with salubrious environment and serene environs makes it an enchanting travelling destination. Several adventurous trekking routes are present in the vicinity of Harsil. A holiday at Harsil is a rejuvenating experience and makes a spiritual and peaceful place for travel where you can do meditation and yoga.

Places to See in Harsil

Dharali: It is situated at a distance of 3kms from Harsil. Dharali can be reached by motorable roads.
Mukhwas Village: This village is situated only 1km from Harsil. Mukhwas is the home of Goddess Gangotri. Devotees worship at Mukhwas village during winters as the doors of the Gangotri temple remains closed due to heavy snowfall during winters.
Sattal: It can be reached by a 3km easy trek from Dharali. It is a combination of seven natural lakes just above Dharali. The group of lakes is set in a pristine environment. It is splendid and enchanting.
Gangotri: It is 100 kms from Uttarkashi. The shrine of Gangotri is at an elevation of 3200 meters above sea level. The temple is constructed by the Gorkha General, Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century. It is situated on the banks of Bhagirathi River.

Best time to visit / climate

The best time to visit Harali is summer that is from around May to July. In winter it received heavy snowfall. The snowfall is from December to March.

Location on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

How to get there

By Air: The nearest airport to Harsil is Jolly Grant Airport situated at a distance of 244kms. There are daily flights from Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport. Harsil is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Uttarkashi, Tehri and Harsil.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to Harsil is Rishikesh railway station which is situated 215kms before Harsil on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Taxis and buses are available from Rishikesh to Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi and Harsil.s
By Road: Harsil is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Harsil is situated on NH108 which connects Gangotri in Uttarkashi district.
Buses to Rishikesh, Tehri and Uttarkashi are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Delhi. Buses and Taxis to Harsil are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state like Rishikesh, Dehradun, Tehri, Barkot, Uttarkashi etc.

Path from Rishikesh to Harsil on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Distances from major cities to Harsil are as follows
Delhi to Harsil – 453kms
Meerut to Harsil – 382kms
Rishikesh to Harsil – 215kms
Gangotri to Harsil – 21kms
Haridwar to Harsil – 240kms
Pauri to Harsil – 232kms
Dehradun to Harsil – 262kms
Mussoorie to Harsil – 212kms
Devprayag to Harsil – 208kms
Tehri Garhwal to Harsil – 146kms
Joshimath to Harsil – 350kms
Srinagar to Harsil – 204kms
Kedarnath to Harsil – 316kms
Rudraprayag to Harsil – 236kms
Badrinath to Harsil – 393kms
Barkot to Harsil – 140kms
Chamba to Harsil – 157kms
Uttarkashi to Harsil – 72kms
Roorkee to Harsil – 274kms
Chakrata to Harsil – 224kms

Places to stay (hotels / restaurants along with website / contact numbers)

1. http://www.holidayiq.com/GMVN-Tourist-Bungalow-Harsil-Uttaranchal-hotel-1824.html
2. http://www.maplandia.com/india/uttar-pradesh/uttarkashi/harsil/ (give map and lists of hotels in Harsil)
3. http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotels-g1052525-Harsil_Uttarakhand-Hotels.html
4. http://www.adventure-pilgrimage-india-tours.com/harsil-hotel-reservation.html
5. Travelpod
6. http://www.euttaranchal.com/hotels/hotels-in-harsil.php
7. http://www.yatra.com/ : Whether you book luxury hotels in Harsil , Heritage hotels, 5 five star hotels in Harsil , and 4 five star hotels in Harsil or 3 star hotels in Harsil , 2 five star hotels in Harsil and Budget Hotels in Harsil , there are amazing offers and deals for all classes of hotels and resorts. They also offer discounted hotels packages in Harsil .To find cheap hotels in Harsil and make online hotel reservation booking.

Blogs / Sites about Harsil

• History of Harsil on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harsil :
Frederick E. Wilson, an adventurer, deserted the British Army just after the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 has a legend associated in Harsil. He escaped into Garhwal and met the Raja of Tehri seeking refuge. But the Raja was faithful to the British and refused to accommodate Wilson. Wilson moved into the mountains and landed him in Harsil, a remote beautiful village on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, with dense deodar slopes on either side.
There Wilson married a very beautiful pahari girl by the name of Gulabi. Then Wilson entered into a contract with a London-based company and built a fortune out of the export of skins, fur and musk. This was the time the British were building the Railways in India and there was great demand for quality wooden sleepers for the rails. Wilson cashed in on this and sent huge cut deodar trees floating down the river to the plains.
Wison later acquired a lease from the Raja, giving him a share in the profits. It is said that the revenue of the Raja of Tehri went up tenfold. With time, Raja Wilson, minted his own currency and as late as the 1930s, his coins were found with the local people. According to some historians, the timber trade had made Wilson so wealthy and powerful that the local Raja of Tehri-Garhwal was unable to protect his subjects, whom Wilson brutalised and used as slaves.
Raja Wilson seemed to have been a sort of architect and built, what is known today as Wilson’s Cottage, a huge mansion, now in ruins. He also built the Charlieville Hotel in the hill station of Mussoorie, which now houses the Government of India training institute for the Indian Administrative Service recruits.

• http://santhemant.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/10/saat-taal-trek-dharali-harsil-gangotri-road.htm
• http://www.maplandia.com/india/uttar-pradesh/uttarkashi/harsil/
• http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-city/India/Harsil/tpod.html

Images and photos of Harsil

• http://www.google.co.in/images?q=Harsil&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GPCK_enIN389&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=djZITPKtFMi9cfmVodQM&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDYQsAQwAws
• http://www.oktatabyebye.com/picture-gallery/2131-harsil-travel-photo.html
• http://www.holidayiq.com/states/photos/Uttaranchal-Heavens-calling-Photos-1318.html
• http://www.tripadvisor.in/LocationPhotos-g1052525-Harsil_Uttarakhand.html
• http://santhemant.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/10/saat-taal-trek-dharali-harsil-gangotri-road.htm
• http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-city/India/Harsil/tpod.html

Youtube videos:

Climbing the hills above Harsil from the Chardham Camp

Crazy roads going into Harsil

Harsil Valley, Mini Switzerland of India

Harsil Valley before Gangotri

Mori, a hill station located in North India

Traveller — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:53:15 +0000

Mori, is a hill station located in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located along the banks of Tons river, in the Jaunsar Bawar region. The pleasures of Mori lie in it being a mixture of both being good for relaxing and as an adventure spot. The best part of the adventure is white-water rafting on the Tons river. One can swim in the river and enjoy to your fullest but with safety. There are a few camps like Aquaterra adventures where you can enjoy. These camps allow us a glimpse into the tantalizing world of this yet unexplored Himalayan belt.
For kids these water adventures and sandy beaches of the Tons rivers are heights of enjoyment, and they can spend a large amount of time over there. Guided nature-walks and bird watching, diverse flora and fauna are part of the enchanting experience for one and all. In addition to these, Rock climbing, River rafting, Kayaking, playing cricket and volley ball and other activities await kids who come here. Tons river is an offshoot of Yamuna river, originating at Bandarpunch peak of 20,720 feet.
Outing and camping are the biggest attraction of Mori because of its scenic appeal and tons river. There is Icchhari dam, which can be reached on the Tons river. The day here begins with a wake-up call from the birds and scenic first rays of sun. There are options of cycling, rafting, trekking or just having a picnic in the shade of pine trees. The Tons Valley also boasts of the only Indian temple dedicated to Duryodhana.

Places to see in and around Mori

1. Ancient Duryodhana Temple: This beautiful wood–crafted temple is built by the Pandavas. An interesting point to note here is that whereas the Svargarohini peak in the Jaunsar Bawar region is venerated for its Pandava connection, the region’s temples are dedicated to their antagonist cousins, the Kauravas, and Karna and King Shalya.
2. Lunagad Creek: It is a small waterfall which is a half-hour walk. It is surrounded by Pine forests, with a few Gujjar huts scattered in between.
3. Netwar: Netwar is 11 Kms from Mori, and is the point of confluence of the Rupin Gad (a tributary stream) with the Tons river. There is a charming temple dedicated to Karna, an ally of Duryodhana. The Jaunsar- Bawar is probably the only region where Duryodhana, villain of the Mahabharata epic, is venerated, and it’s interesting to see Jaunsari villages having beautiful wooden temples dedicated to Duryodhana.
4. Jakhol: The Duryodhana Temple at Jakhol – at a distance of 20 km from Mori, and on the Har-ki-Dun trek route – has an actual idol of the lord (unlike other temples in the region that are devoid of an idol ) and is treated as a seat of divinity.

Mori – Best time to visit/climate

Best time to visit is April – September and particularly May is a good month to visit. The Weather is pleasant. Temperature varies from 12 to 21°C. The outdoor activities peak up during this month. May is pleasant with warm days and cool nights.

Location on Google maps

View Larger Map

Route from Mussorie to Mori:

View Larger Map

How to get there

• By Air: Jollygrant which is 175 km away from Mori and is situated in Dehradun is the nearest airport. Jollygrant airport is connected to Delhi airport. Taxi services are available from airport to Mori and it costs about Rs 3300. Delhi is the nearest international airport which is 410 km away. Delhi is well connected to all major cities in India and many cities abroad
• By road: Mori is well connected to many cities in the region by buses. Private and public buses offer services from Mori to all nearby cities. Regular frequent bus services are available from Mori to Mussoorie (139 km).
• By train: Nearest railway station is also Dehradun, which is nearly 175 km away from Mori. This station is connected to all cities in India. Taxi services are available from Dehradun to Mori, costing about Rs 3300. Convenient rail heads are Haridwar Jn.(195km) & Dehradun (175km).

Places/hotels to stay

The Three most famous Camps here provide with every thing.
• Aquaterra Adventurers
They set up a rafting camp at the confluence of the Lunagad creek with the Tons, the camp operates from mid-April to June, offers 25 well-spaced-out tents and a warm central dining area. Each tent has two beds (a third bed can be accommodated for a small child), a bedside table, two chairs and a small patio. Activities at the camp include river-rafting, rock-climbing, rappelling, nature and village walks, midnight rambles, and team-building exercises.
For more contact 011-29212641/ 2760
• Great Indian Outdoors’
Their camp, Mystic River Campsite, operates from mid-May to mid-July, and offers 25 comfortable Swiss tents, a multi-cuisine kitchen and, of course, rafting on the Tons. They also organize treks to the Ruinsara Tal.
For more contact 0124-4081500
• Himalayan River Runners’
Theirs is a self-contained campsite that tries to make the most of the great outdoors. It offers 12 tents and a range of activities, including rock-climbing, rappelling, river-crossing, still-water kayaking, waterfall treks, nature walks and bird watching.
For more, contact 011-26852602
• http://www.holidayiq.com/India-Hotels-Resorts-Vacations.html
• http://www.indiatravelnext.com/mori/hotels-in-mori.html

Blogs/sites for Mori

• http://www.oktatabyebye.com/destination-features/296-mori-restaurants-and-foods.html
• http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/manojmakadia/1/1253750691/tpod.html
• http://traveller.outlookindia.com/destination.aspx?id=248

Images of Mori, Uttarakhand

• http://www.google.co.in/images?q=Mori,uttarakhand&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=FHtATKirLsr0cNeGgJIO&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=6&ved=0CDgQsAQwBQ
• http://www.oktatabyebye.com/picture-gallery/Mori-pictures.html
• http://www.pbase.com/robcruzen/uttaranchal
• http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/mori,uttranchal

Srinagar – the Paradise on Earth – India

Traveller — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:05:33 +0000

Srinagar – has been called the “Venice of the East” or the “Kashmiri Venice.
Srinagar, in which Sri means abundance and wealth and Nagar means city. It is also the name of Goddess Laxmi. The city was founded by the King Pravarasena II over 2,000 years ago. The regional language of the people residing in this place is Kashmiri Urdu.
It is capital of Jammu and Kashmir and is in the area of Indian Kashmir. It is on the banks of Jhelum River, also called Vyath of Kashmir valley. Hindus are in majority of the population.
The city is known for its lakes, temples and houseboats. Dry fruits, Handicrafts are famous here. It is located at 34°5?23?N 74°47?24?E / 34.08972°N 74.79°E / 34.08972; 74.79 and the Highest temperature: 37 °C (99 °F); lowest ?14 °C (6.8 °F).
The city is famous for nine bridge which are old and connect the two parts of the city.
Srinagar is well known for its lakes. Amongst which are Dal lake which is known for its house boats, in which any one would want to get into as a part of adventure and thrill. Nagin Lake is another famous lake in the city. The Shalimar Gardens created by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir in 1619 are located just outside the city.
The Mughal Gardens are located in Srinagar and its close vicinity and include Chasma Shahi (the royal fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Shalimar Bagh; and the Nashim Bagh. The Tulip Gardens have been recently opened to public The gardens has rows of Tulips of different colors and shades.
Getting around Srinagar (Taxi, bus, Auto Rickshaw) is hardly an issue for there are private cars, and public means of transportation available both for the purpose of local travel. It is not possible to obtain any self-driven vehicles. Special Kashmiri boats known as Shikaras are employed for touring on the River Jhelum and in the Dal Lake.
Other than these there are many places of worship and they are Hazratbal shrine, Jama Masjid, Khangah Moulla, Kheer bhawani, Dasgeer Sahib khanyar, Bulbul Sahib shrine, Hari parbat, Zestha, Sankaracharya temple on Sulaiman Hill, Rozabal Mosque and Pather Masjid built by Noor Jahan.
The hill station and skiing resort Gulmarg is 50 km from the city. Also in this area lies the Muzzafarabad Cantonment, the main cantonment of the Indian Army in Srinagar District. The city of Srinagar is a gateway to some of the most scenic and beautiful places of the Indian subcontinent.

Migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia use wetlands in Kashmir as their transitory camps between September and October and again around spring. Most of them geese and ducks.
Best time to visit / climate: The city has warm summers from June through August which is the best time to visit Srinagar. Winters start from December-February. The city generally gets some snowfall from December to February. The climate of Srinagar may be described as a humid subtropical climatewith very warm summers

Location on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

How to get there:
• By air via the Indian Airlines which operates daily flights to Srinagar from Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu. They leave directly from Delhi, from Delhi via Jammu, and from Mumbai via New Delhi and Jammu.
• By road: It is easier by the National Highway 1-A which connects Srinagar with Jammu.

This all-weather road has several sharp inclines and hairpin bends.

Places to stay (hotels / restaurants along with website / contact numbers):
1. http://www.tripadvisor.in/SmartDeals-g297623-Srinagar_Kashmir_Jammu_and_Kashmir-Hotel-Deals.html (the best 4 and 5 star hotels with rates, location, etc.,)
2. http://pauri.nic.in/Page32.htm ( has name of hotels, contact numbers and prices)(scroll down to find it)
3. http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurants-g297623-Srinagar_Kashmir_Jammu_and_Kashmir.html (best restaurants in Srinagar)

Blogs / Sites about Srinagar (with small excerpts from these blogs):
1. History and Culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srinagar
2. The city remained on the itinerary of the Mughal ruling elite, and several Mughal emperors and their consorts had visited the city, and several Mughal gardens in and around the city indicate their close association with Srinagar.
3. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g297623-Activities-c1-Srinagar_Kashmir_Jammu_and_Kashmir.html
4. http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/india/jammuandkashmir/srinagar/history
5. Srinagar in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srinagar
6. Places to see: http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/india/jammuandkashmir/srinagar/history
Photo / Image Gallery:
• http://www.trekearth.com/search.php?phrase=Srinagar&type=&x=0&y=0
• http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/srinagar.html
• http://www.kashmirpicture.com/srinagar-pictures.asp
• http://www.kashmirpicture.com/snowfall_wallpapers.asp

Dhanaulti – a hill station in Tehri Garhwal District in Uttarakhand

Traveller — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:39:27 +0000

This beautiful location is also known as Dhanolti. It is a hill station located in Tehri Garhwal District in Uttarakhand and is 24km away from another hill station, Mussorie (It is 29kms from yet another hill station Chamba). Altitude of Dhanaulti is 2286metre. It is located in thick deodar, rhododendron, oak and alpine forests and is popular for being quiet and its tranquil atmosphere. The other specialty is its unobstructed view of snow topped Himalayas. Dhanaulti is a popular excursion for people who also come to Mussoorie, Chamba and Kanatal and is also an ideal weekend getaway, being only about eight to nine hours drive away from Delhi. The region receives snowfall during winters making it even more captivating destination. The popular trekking excursions of Dhanaulti will lead you to Surkanda Devi, Chandrabadni and Kunjapuri, the sacred three of the holy Devi Darshan triangle.

Places to see in Dhanaulti :

1. Chamba is a hill town in Himachal Pradesh which is located at a height of 1000meter and an altitude of 1,676mts above sea level. Tourists are attracted to it because of its exquisiteness and beauty. There are number of lakes around. They are Khajjiar Lake, Manimahesh Lake, Chamera Lake, Lama Dal (Lake), Gadasru Lake and Maha Kali Dal (lake).
2. New Tehri is situated 54kms from Dhanaulti and is the only planned city of Uttarakhand state. Tehri Dam is the centremost attraction of the town.
3. Barehipani falls from height of 399mts and Joranda falls from 150mts. Both these waterfalls are situated in the core of Simlipal National Park. Both these waterfalls are enchantingly beautiful and a perfect picnic spot.
4. Chanderi is famous for its sarees and royal architecture. The interesting sites of Chanderi are Koshak Mahal, Badal mahal, ancient Jain temples, Jama Masjid and Victory Arch.
5. Dashavatar Temple: It is a famous Gupta temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.It has s 3 large carved panels along the side walls – the Gajendramoksha panel, the Nar Narayan Tapasya and the Anantshayi Vishnu, depict scenes from Vaishnava mythology.
6. Deogarh is a magnificent fort of the 16th century near Pratapgarh.
7. Jain Temples are a collection of 31 Jain temples were built after the Vishnu temple. These temples are situated inside the fort of Kanali on the hills, overlooking the Betwa. This site was a Jain centre from 6th to 17th century AD.
8. Mussoorie It is another attractive hill station near Dhanaulti.
9. Kanatal is situated 15kms from Dhanaulti. Kanatal is located on Mussoorie – Chamba Road in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand state.
10. Eco park is the main attraction of Dhanulti. It has small forest of Deodar trees. There is Entry Fee of Rs 15 For Adults and Rs10 for Children.
11. Surkanda devi temple which is 8 km from Dhanaulti, on the road towards Chamba is famous for its Ganga Dasahra fair in autumn.
12. Himalayan Weavers are located on Mussoorie-Dhanaulti Road which produces hand-woven shawls, stoles, scarves and throws using only natural dyes and wool, silk and pashmina. They produce environment friendly and high quality Handlooms.
13. Aaloo Khet (Potato Farm)is a Government Potato Farm. It is also famous sunrise view point.

Best time to visit / climate:
The summer temperatures in the town, range from 31°C to 7.5°C, while winter temperatures remain between 7°C and 1°C. The best time would be to visit around March-May although you can go in other climates as well. Can be fun in winter, but be prepared for it being cold.

Location on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

How to get there :
By air : The nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport which is near Dehradun and 82 kms away. It has flights connecting to Delhi on a daily basis. From the airport, one can reach by any road transport.
By rail: The nearest railway stations to Dhanaulti are situated in Rishikesh and Dehradun. Railway station is situated 83kms from Dhanaulti and Dehradun is situated 60kms before Dhanaulti. Any major railway network connect to both Rishikesh and Dehradun railway stations.Trains to both these places are frequent.
By road: Dhanaulti is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses and Taxis to Dhanaulti are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand. Dhanaulti is situated on Mussoorie – Chamba Road
Buses to Rishikesh, Tehri, Dehradun and Mussoorie are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate.

The Distance chart is as below:
1. Delhi to Dhanaulti -323kms
2. Rishikesh to Dhanaulti- 84kms
3. Devprayag to Dhanaulti – 108kms
4. Tehri to Dhanaulti – 44kms
5. Pauri to Dhanaulti – 131kms
6. Dehradun to Dhanaulti -59kms
7. Mussoorie to Dhanaulti – 28kms
8. Chamba to Dhanaulti – 27kms
9. Barkot to Dhanaulti – 127kms
10. Uttarkashi to Dhanaulti-112kms
11. Roorkee to Dhanaulti -139kms
12. Haridwar to Dhanaulti – 107kms
13. Chakrata to Dhanaulti -106kms

Places to stay (hotels / restaurants along with website / contact numbers):
• http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/dhanaulti.php
• http://www.trails.com/list_15763_hotels-in-dhanolti.html (names, contact numbers and prices)
• http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotels-g1221549-Dhanaulti_Uttarakhand-Hotels.html

Blogs / Sites about Dhanaulti

1. Dhanaulti in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhanaulti
It is a hill station in Tehri Garhwal District in Uttarakhand. It is 24km away from another hill station, Mussorie. It is 29kms from Chamba. It is at an altitude of 2286metre. It is located in thick deodar, rhododendron, oak and alpine forests.

2. http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/dhanaulti.phps

Photo / Image Gallery:

1. http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/North/Uttarakhand/Dhanaulti/
2. http://www.tripadvisor.in/LocationPhotos-g1221549-Dhanaulti_Uttarakhand.html
3. http://travel.sulekha.com/dhanaulti-pictures.htms

Pauri Garhwal – a beautiful location in the Garhwal region, North India

Traveller — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:04:49 +0000

Pauri Garhwal is part of Uttaranchal, Uttarpradesh and in the region of Garhwal. It is famous for a panoramic view and is located at an altitude of 1814 meters. It is on the slopes of Kanloliya hills from where you can get a view of snowy Himalayan peaks. It is a town that is 106 kms from Kotdwara. One can see Himalayan ranges from the upper rigde starting from Chaukhamba to Nandaghunti Peaks.
Its whole area in square meters is about 5438. Its dense forests, picturesque valleys, stunning rivers make it an ideal tourist spot or holiday spot. It has a rich topography Pauri, with its diverse landscape, consists of the extensive pastures of Dhudatoli, rising upto 3000 meters and Kotdwara’s foothills. It has deodar, pine trees and apple trees around the areas.
The Himalayas and its view make it a place of artistic interest and a lovable tourist spot filled with thrill, adventure and also a spiritual tour. District Pauri Garhwal which is surrounded by the districts of Chamoli, Nanital, Bijnor, Haridwar, Dehradun, Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal. Pauri has different places to see in and around.
Around Pauri are Khirsu which is situated 19 kms from Pauri, and attracts people with its panoramic sight of the Central Himalayas. The ancient shrine of Ghandiyal Devta is a holy place to visit. People interested in having a picnic should go to Adwani, because of its natural beauty and thick forests with cool breeze and a perfect picnic spot.
In Pauri, there are place like Tara Kund, Dhudatoli are natural scenic spots with ethnic beauty. Tara Kund, is another place with scenic grandeur which is positioned 2,200 m above the sea level. This place has an old temple and a small lake. People come to this temple in order to celebrate the Teej Festival with a lot of enthusiasm. There is a memorial in the memory of freedom fighter Veer Chandra Singh. Located on River Malini’s bank, 14 kms away from Kotdwar, Kanva Rishi Ashram is a place which has both archaeological and historical importance. It is a popular myth that Sage Vishwamitra meditated at this location. Binsar, 114 kms from Pauri, is famous mainly due to the temple of Lord Shiva.
Khirsu (19 kms): The serene site at a height of 1,700 metres affords a fine view of the snow-clad mountains. Located nearby are oak and deodar forests and apple orchards. There is Jwalpa Devi Temple which is worth visiting. The others are Kandoliya (2 kms) dedicated to Kandoliya Devta, a folk deity, Chaukhamba Viewpoint (4 kms) which has a splendid view of Idwal valley and Chaukhamba Peak, Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev which is the 8th century Shiva temple and which has stunning views of the snow-clad peaks.
In the Garhwal Himalayas one can have 180 degree views of the Himalayas which are rare and splendid. Pauri is also a lovely place for trekking. The town’s climate is pleasant.

Best time to visit / climate:
The climate is mostly pleasant through most of the year and remains cool except in May-June. It’s best to visit just before May to experience pleasantness of the area; since in Kotdwara and the adjoining Bhabar area it is quite hot reaching high 40s Celsius during the summer.

Location on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Travel between Kotdwar and Pauri Garhwal, map on Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Route map between Rishikesh and Pauri Garhwal:

View Larger Map

How to get there:
By Air: The nearest airport for Pauri is Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun (155 kms) and 131 kms from Rishikesh, Srinagar
By Rail: Nearest rail head is Kotdwar (108 kms).
By Road: Well connected by road with important town of the region. Buses run from and to Srinagar from all the major towns in Garhwal.

The distance to Pauri by road
• From New Delhi is 295kms and approximately 5.9hours drive
• From Meerut is 252km and about 5 hours drive.
• Pauri is also well connected to Dehradun, Hardwar, Rishikesh, Kotdwar and other cities of the area.
• some distances are:
• New Tehri-Srinagar: 69 km (4 hours)
• Rudraprayag-Srinagar: 34 km (2 hours)
• Rishikesh-Srinagar via Deoprayg: 118 km (7 hours)

Places to stay (hotels / restaurants along with website):
1. www.indiahotelreview.com › India › Uttaranchal
2. http://pauri.nic.in/Page32.htm Has hotel names, contact nos. and rates)
3. http://www.tripadvisor.com
4. www.holidayiq.com › India › Uttaranchal
5. www.garhwaltourism.net/pouri.htm

Blogs / Sites about Pauri Garhwal (with small excerpts from these blogs):
1. History and Culture: http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/india/uttaranchal/history
In the Mahabharata, dated to about 1000 BC, the Pandavas, are said to have ended their life on earth by ascending the slopes of a peak in western Garhwal called Swargarohini -’Ascent to Heaven’. The epic also mentions this region as the home of the Kirata, Pulinda and Tangara tribes. Succeeding the Macedonian march across the Himalayan foothills, an imperialist tradition was instituted around 330. AD, by the Gupta’s.This was followed by the Vardhanas in the fifth century AD. The ultimate downfall of the Vardhana empire during the time of the Turkish onslaught on the plains, they were subject to change in size and power as additional waves of migration took place.
2. Pauri in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauri_Garhwal
Pauri Garhwal district was a part of the Gharwal kingdom ruled by the Pal (Shah) dynasty. He was the king of Srinagar. In 1803, Gurkhas finally succeeded in capturing Garhwal by defeating the army of King Pradyumna Shah. In 1816, the British defeated the Gurkhas and were re-established from Tehri. After independence it was known as Gharwal district and further divided into Pauri Garhwal and Chamoli districts in 1960. In 1997 an additional area was made out into a district named Rudraprayag.

• Places to see: http://www.mustseeindia.com/Pauri/attractions
o www.himalaya2000.com › Uttarakhand › Pauri
o http://pauri.nic.in/

Photo / Image Gallery:
1. http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/india/uttaranchal/srinagar_pauri_ga/lib/gallery
2. http://www.uttarakhand.ws/v/destinations/pauri-garhwal/
3. http://www.picable.com/Places/Villages/Pauri-Garhwal-4-.48815
4. http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/pauri-garhwal.html