Poovar is like a natural wonder where different water bodies such as Lake, River, Sea and Beach meet the land. A rare find in Kerala, the southern state of India. Poovar fits the definition of an unspoiled and unexplored place, enveloped by serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea, with a bonus of a dream golden sand beach. The historical importance of Poovar lies in its strong ties with the legendary King of the erstwhile Princely State of Travancore, the great Marthanda Varma Maharaja.

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How to reach ?
Nearest Airport – Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) International Airport : (travel time – 45 minutes by road.
Nearest railway station Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) – (travel time – 45 minutes by road).

Poovar Beach, near the Kovalam Beach, separates the River Neyyar from the sea. Poovar is basically a fishing village, and interestingly, the only way to reach Poovar is through water approach. Known for its pristine and virginal beauty, Poovar Beach is visited by those who love solitude. There are not too many beach activities or water sports on this beach because of the fishing population and emphasis on fishing. Those who love angling as a sport would like the place.
Poovar is truly a window into paradise. Time stopped a few decades ago bowing to the sheer beauty of Poovar. The tranquility of Poovar is punctuated by the sound of waves and the birds. The area is abundant in well-preserved local flora, with hundreds of species of spices, exotic flowers, complete with banana and coconut groves. You can go out with a camera, fitted with a nice zoom lens, and enjoy some spectacular shots of nature.
Poovar offers several possibilities. Cruise to a neighbouring fishing village in 2 minutes. Alter course, and visit a centuries old martial arts village. Kerala is the birthplace of a unique martial art form. The traditional lifestyles here provide the experience of a natural museum.
The Poovar beach separates the river from the sea and is quite breathtaking. Because of the active fishing population the beach is not really used as a sunbathing spot or for swimming as the currents are quite strong.

Poovar weather:
Poovar lies on the southern coast of Kerala, close to the major tourist resort of Kovalam. Like other regions of India, Kerala enjoys a tropical climate with plenty of sunshine, with the peaceful beach resort of Poovar seeing high temperatures all-year round. The best time to visit Poovar is during the dry winter season, from November to February.

Holidays in Poovar – Stay in a unique floating cottage
The beach at Poovar is covered with golden sands and backed by coconut and palm trees, enjoying an unspoilt atmosphere and an abundance of natural beauty. Banana groves, exotic flowers and spices add to the scenery and create an exotic environment. Poovar is home to a couple of hotels along the river estuary and on the beach offering modern and comfortable facilities, as well as the Ayurvedic health centres, found throughout Kerala. A must-see in Poovar is the serene and isolated Poovar Island Resort, accessible only by boat from the jetty, offering the unparalleled experience of staying in a floating cottage, which bobs gently up and down in the Arabian Sea. These cottages are

Things To Do In Poovar :
- Beach (and it is spectacular). The tranquil beach resort is the ideal spot for relaxation, in a setting of golden sand backed by coconut and palm trees. The exotic setting is enhanced by lush vegetation and tropical flowers, and the picturesque fishing village boasts an unspoilt charm. Swimming and snorkelling are the main activities on the beach.
- Waterways. Located on the famous Kerala backwaters, Poovar offers many trips along the canals and rivers, providing a fascinating insight into local life. Excursions range from basic canoe trips to luxury houseboat cruises, with the many water-taxis a unique way to get around. These can give a great feeling on gently coasting on the water, relaxing, with a book in one’s hand.
- Ayurvedic Treatments. With Kerala being the home of Ayurvedic medicine, Poovar offers plenty of opportunity to try age-old treatments that soothe the mind, body and soul, with the tranquil ambience enhancing the relaxing atmosphere found here.
- Cuisine. Enjoying the delicious Kerala cuisine is one of the pleasures of a holiday in Poovar, with plenty of places to try the many different spicy dishes, from street snacks to leisurely meals. With affordable prices and an array of varying flavours, dining out is a treat, and especially good for vegetarians. And of course, enjoying sea food is great.
- Shopping. Poovar’s weekly market offers a taste of local produce and offers an array of hand-made goods and crafts, which make ideal gifts and souvenirs.
- Floating Island. Visit the luxurious Poovar Island Resort and enjoy a tranquil stay in one of their unique floating cottages, or a drink or a meal in the restaurant for a one-of-a-kind experience.
- Day Trips. Head out on a crocodile watching expedition, enjoy a sunrise cruise to watch the fishermen, or a romantic sunset cruise for two. Make the trip to the city of Thiruvananthapuram for a taste of bustling life in Kerala.

PLACES TO STAY IN POOVAR :
- Poovar Island Resort (link)
The Poovar Island Resort Thiruvananthapuram belongs to the Sarovar Park Plaza hotel chain. It offers you the very best in luxury and hospitality. Traditional Keralian architecture has been used to construct the cottages. The cottages though traditional in outlook is replete with all modern facilities. Set amidst the verdant green of coconut plantation and overlooking the cobalt blue sea, Poovar Island Resort Thiruvananthapuram, is an ideal place to spend your weekend.
The floating cottages are connected to the main area by a bridge. They are constructed out of hollow light weight hulks. Traditional materials have been used to accentuate the heritage value of the resorts.
- Estuary Island (link)
It is nestled in Poovar Island and offers 46 rooms which show off premium comforts and plush settings. The rooms are categorized as Estuary Suites, Estuary View Suites and Estuary Garden suites – all of which are aesthetically furnished with attractive wood furniture, spacious lounge areas, king sized beds, attached washrooms and baths, and private balconies. Enjoy the tranquility of a beach resort without compromising on the world class amenities.
- Isola De Coco (link)
It is blessed with some of the finest natural bounties, it provides you with the best of comforts. No visit to Kerala would be complete without a reverie stint with this enchanting resort. There are 46 well furnished rooms with fine decor, which are last words in opulence. The ensuited rooms are categorized into Suites, Heritage Rooms and Standard Rooms, complete with private balconies, which offer great views.

External articles / blogs:

1. Wanderlust (link to article):

Poovar Estuary Island resort has an island with a beach and the Arabian Sea beyond, an estuary giving way to a lake and subsequently, the Poovaru (river). There is a vantage point upfront with recliners from where all of them form part of one panoramic view. The island is sandy for the most part (land reclaimed and silted) and looks over to the lake on one side, the sea on the other. There are boats that ferry people from the resort to the island and the boat-jetty is operational 24 hours if prior notice is given.

2. A wandering mind (link to article). Lots of photos in this article.

Poovar is a small island about 30 Kms from Trivandrum, where the backwaters merge with the Arabian Sea. The river Neyyar also empties into the sea here, and thus, at Poovar Beach near the island, one can see the remarkable sight of river, sea, beach, backwaters, as well as lakes (formed at intervals due to the flow of water), all converging at the estuary.

3. Travel and Places (link to article):
4. Holiday Spa Resports (link to article):

Situated on the midst of south-west coast of Arabian Sea, the beautiful land of Kerala, Poovar Island Resort owns a sense of natural beauty in itself, where it has been widespread around 30 acres along with 60 cottages, which looks like that nature itself is creating a true landscape. And not only has this, the secluded beauty of golden sandy beaches where long palm trees surrounds it, made this place a true paradise. That is the reason why the count of tourist visiting Poovar Island Resort of Kerala is increasing year by year.

5. Anoop’s weblog (link to article). Plenty of photos on this blog.

Poovar is a small coastal village in the Trivandrum district of Kerala state, south India. This village is almost at the southern tip of Trivandrum and there is not much distance from here to the Kerala – Tamilnadu border. This village has a beautiful beach which attracts tourists. There are also some good tourist resorts. Poovar was a trading center of timber, sandlewood, ivory and spices. It is believed that the trading ships of King Solomon landed in a port called ‘Ophir’, which is figured out as Poovar.

6. Travel to India Guide (link to article):

Poovar island is 30km from Trivandrum and 12km south of kovalam. Nearest airport and railway station is in trivandrum…Through road if you travel from Trivandrum in the early morning you can avoid the traffic and reach the boat jetty in 45-mts….A 15-minute scenic boat ride through the backwaters takes you to the resorts around the island.

7. Vacation Tour (link to article):

In the southwest coast of India, Arabic sandwiched between the sea and the majestic mountains of the Western Ghats, is a narrow strip of the beautiful countryside. A great country, famous for its natural beauty breathtaking. The lush green country of the name of Kerala, the country of God. ” Poovar Island Resort, http://www. poovarislandresort. com, has a large number of unique habitats. A total of 54 bungalows in a 25 hectares. Charming country cottages, country inns 54, built in typical Kerala architecture, which extends over the island, lined with coconut Haine traditional atmosphere combined with state-of-the-art facilities.

8. Wanderlogue (link to article):

The resort offers stay in either a land cottage, which lies beyond the reception and swimming pool, or a floating cottage – on the backwaters. The floating units are constructed on hollow light weight concrete hulls. They are air-conditioned and fully equipped with all modern amenities.

9. Jaggu’s Blog (link to article):

We had reservations for a floating cottage, which are built on a hollow concrete base and tethered to the shoreline. However, as these cottages were shutdown in the weeks prior to our arrival due to high tides and wind, they were not ready for occupation when we arrived. They put us up in a regular room, with a hammock in the balcony for a couple of days before we shifted to the floating cottage. In hindsight, that was a good break, as I was not very impressed with the cottage, which had quite a shabby feel to it. In contrast, the rooms were extremely impressive, spacious and neat.

10. Rising of a photographer (link to article). Lots of photos in this article.

This stunning location has been successful in attracting many tourists over the years. This charming beach is considered as one of the leading tourists spots in Kerala. Poovar Beach is a place where life goes on as it did hundred years ago

11. Lightning strikes everyday (link to article):

The place is already so beautiful that you feel you are part of some dream sequence. On top of it everywhere you see, there are couples holding hands and walking slowly, couples sitting near the swimming pool and nuzzling each other like newly born kittens. Things are almost in slow motion and where ever you see, couples are walking in slow motion looking dreamily into each others eyes.

12. Scene India (link to article):

Poovar was a trading center of timber, sandlewood, ivory and spices. It is believed that the trading ships of King Solomon landed in a port called ‘Ophir’, which is figured out as Poovar.

Photo / Picture Gallery:

1. Poovar Estuary on Webshots.com (link)
2. Poovar Photos on sulekha (link)
3. Poovar Photos at trekearth.com (link)
4. Poovar Photos on oktatabyebye.com (link)
5. Photo Gallery at royj.net (link)

Videos of Poovar on Youtube:

Poovar Resort (link)

Poovar Island Resort (link)

Fridays Place, Ecolodge homestay, Poovar Island (link)

Poovar Island Resort, TVM (link)

Poovar Island Resort (link)

Poovar (link)

Situated in the southwestern part of Karnataka near Mysore and Mangalore, Coorg is located on the Western Ghats. Dotted with beautiful coffee and green tea plantations (covering the view as far as one can see in some places), alluring nature trails and splendid waterfalls, it’s a place good enough to be visited again and again. Nestling at a height, the climate in Coorg throughout the year is perfect. In recent years, the advent of sports and leisure activities such as trekking, river rafting, and angling have added to the charm of Coorg.

Coorg / Medikeri on Google Maps

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Coorg experiences a moderate climate, where winters are cool and pleasant having a temperature of about 10-20 degree Celsius. In the normally colder months of December through February the minimum temperature may go down to 9 degree Celsius. Summers are only slightly warm at 25-35 degrees Celsius. In the monsoons the rainfall is really heavy. Coorg is literally a place that you can go the year round.
Easily one of the most attractive regions in India, Coorg or Kodagu is an enchanting expanse of natural tourist spot that nestles amid the hills and valleys of the picturesque Western Ghats.
Popularly referred as the Scotland of India, Coorg is a dream destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The misty wooded mountains and valleys, huge cardamom jungles and numerous coffee plantations located in Coorg cast an everlasting spell on your mind, making people come back again and again to this beautiful place. The warm hospitality of the people of Coorg would make your stay truly memorable.

History of Coorg:
Prior to the annexation of Coorg by the British in 1834, Coorg had been ruled by Lingayat Rajas since 1600. A prince of Ikkeri family in Shimoga district, assumed the role of a Lingayat priest and established himself at Haleri, to the north of Madikeri, the capital of Coorg. Over a period of time, he assumed the throne of Coorg and his heirs ruled Coorg for the next two centuries.
Coorg has a fascinating history and one of the interesting aspects of its colorful past was the fact that Queen Victoria of England was the godmother of a Coorg princess! The British finally annexed Coorg in 1834 by removing the last ruler, Chikka Veerarajendra, the last Raja of Coorg. He was taken by the British to Vellore in Tamil Nadu, and then to Varanasi in 1835. Eventually the king, with two of his wives and his favorite daughter Gowramma sailed to England in 1852 where he died in London in 1859. Queen Victoria was the godmother of princess Gowramma, being present during Gowramma’s baptism by the Archbishop of Canterbury on June 30, 1852, and the princess was given the name Victoria Gowramma.
So much for royal history ! With its misty mountains and dense forests, Coorg seemed like a little corner of England to the British (actually, it must have also reminded them of Scotland). They left behind a legacy, in the form of coffee plantation. The well laid coffee plantations in Coorg account for almost half of Karnataka’s coffee production. And Karnataka continues to be India’s largest producer of coffee. Other reminders of the colonial past are the spacious estate bungalows, many of which still have British names and the meandering roads that wind through the district.

Places around to see:

Madikeri Fort: Built in the 19th century, the majestic Madhekiri fort is located in the heart of the quaint hill station Madikeri (also the district headquarters). This historic Fort houses a chapel, a temple, a prison and a small museum. The fort affords a panoramic views of Madhikeri town that is stunning and worth a visit.

Omkareshwara Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Omkareshwara temple was built by Lingaraja in 1820 AD. The architecture of the temple reveals a beautiful amalgamation of Islamic and Gothic architecture. It is said that the temple was built by Lingarajendra to save himself from the spirit of a Brahmin, whom he had killed for his personal reasons. He brought a Shivalinga from Kashi and consecrated it here and named it Omkareshwara.
Some of the interesting items in the temple that are worth noticing are: The gold leaf inscription atop, accessed through a narrow flight of interesting steps that were used by the king to survey his Kingdom, the fishes in the pond which leap in symphony to gobble food offered to them, etc. The annual ‘Teppothasava’ or “Boat Festival” is a memorable event.

Abbey Falls: The roaring Abbey falls (about 10 kms from Madikeri) are surrounded by the lush green coffee plantations and is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Coorg. From a distance, the silent forest comes alive with the sweet chirping of birds and the gurgling of the Abbey falls, with the volume getting louder as you get closer. It is easily accessible by road, with an added advantage; the main road leads upto it through picturesque coffee gardens. The best time to visit Abbey falls is around November when the falls are overflowing after monsoons.

Raja’s Seat: Enjoy the unexplored beauty of Coorg from the favorite spot of the kings. Raja’s seat offers spectacular views of the misty hills, green paddy fields and serpentine rivers. These hill ranges, clad in green, rising high seem to play with silken clouds of myriad hues, and this is the that you get from Raja’s Seat, literally meaning the “Seat of the king.” It is here that the kings of Madikeri enjoyed nature and unforgettable sunsets.

Cauvery: Lifeline of the south, Cauvery bubbles up from Talacauvery and reaches ground level at Bhagamandala, 39 kms to the west of Medikeri. One of the seven major rivers of India, Cauvery is the ‘ Dakshina Ganga’ or ‘ Ganga of the south’.

Bhagamandala: It is a shrine of Bhagandeshwara. It is here the Cauvery merges in joyous and divine form with the rivers Kannike and Sujyothi to form a ‘Triveni Sangama’. The Bhangandeshwara Temple built in Kerala style on the bank of the Sangama.

Nagarahole National Park: One of the well-maintained game sanctuaries in the country is located closeby, 100kms from Madikeri, 64 kms from Virajpet & 94 kms from Mysore via Hunsur & Murkal. Nagarhole National Park was set up in the year 1955 and covers an area of 575 sq km. Main attractions of the park are tigers. The density of tigers in the park is quite impressive. The best time to visit the park is early winters when the climate is very pleasant.
It has many animals forming part of the overall wildlife, with Gaur, Chital, Sambhar & Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, Langur, Crocodile and over a hundred species of birds and the elusive cats – the Leop is home to herds of Elephant, ard and the Tiger.

Nalkunadu Palace: Built in 1792 AD by Dodda Veerarajendra, this beautiful palace is close to Tadiyendamol. To get here, you have to travel 32 kms from Madikeri through Napoklu and Kakkabbe. Buses too, are available.

Iruppu Falls: 48 kms from Virajpet on the banks of the pristine Lakshmanatirtha River, which seems to descend in joyous leaps, to salute the Shiva Temple believed to have been consecrated by Lord Rama himself. A wonderful getaway spot, on the way to Kutta from Gonikoppal.

Nisargadhama- Harangi: An island surrounded by the Cauvery river, Nisargadhama is a picturesque picnic sport that offers elephant rides, deer prancing about and boat rides. There are well equipped, thatched cottages, 3 kms from Kushalnagar.

Talakaveri / Talacauvery: River Kaveri which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated at a place that is called Talakaveri (head of Cauvery) in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level. This place is marked by a tirtha kundike or Brahma kundike (small spring/pond) from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away. It is about 48 kms from Madikeri.
There is a shrine near the kundike and a big tank in front of it where devotees baths before offering prayers. There are 2 temples, a Shiva temple and with a rare and ancient Shiva Linga, and another temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple has a holy Ashwantha tree where, according to legend, the Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh gave darshan to sage Agastya.

Dubare: This is mainly an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department, at the edge of Dubare forest, on the bank of river Kaveri, on the Kushalnagar – Siddapur road. Elephants are captured here with the help of tamed elephants and local tribals – the Kurbas – and is held captive for upto 6 months in large teak wood cages.
The tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the day and in the evenings they come down to the river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts. Afterwards the mahout obliges eager tourists for free elephant rides within the camp. In the evenings, all the elephants are offered a special treat of ladoos made of ragi and jaggery, each no smaller than a cannon ball!

Valanoor: Valanoor, 30 kms.from Mercara, is part of the back waters of river Cauvery and is one of the most beautiful Angling sites in Karnataka. Types of fish include Golden-Masheer, Maral and Mapp. Licence / permit can be arranged by local tourist agents.

Bhagamandala: When the river Cauvery flows downhill, it is joined by two more tributaries – Kanake and Sujyoti. The spot where all three converte (the Cauvery, the Kanika and the Sujyothi) is called Bhagamandala. The temple here, built in Kerala style, has smaller shrines dedicated to various gods. It is about 40 kms from Madikeri.
The nearby Buddhist refugee camps at Bylakuppe offer prayerful silence in expansive halls with beautiful 40 feet high idols of the Buddha and Padmasambhava, his disciple.

Besides these places, if you have good walking shoes, then you are in for some luck; because Coorg is a trekker’s paradise. One can enjoy trekking up and down the hills, through coffee and pepper plantations, alongside the graceful Cauvery and myriad little streams. Coorg has many verdant trekking routes in the midst of forests and hills, and it’s best to go in the months from October to February. Some of the known trails are in the hills of Brahmagiri, where you could trek your way to the Irrupa Falls. You could also consider trekking to Pushpagiri, the second higest peak of Kodagu and Tadiandamol (the highest peak).

Besides trekking, you can practice few swings on the green top golf course; Avid golffers can tee off at the 9-hole course of Virajpet, or you can just sit by the river and try your luck in angling. Around Coorg, there are many Buddhist circuits as well that will keep you interested for long.

Adventure sports in Coorg: Madikeri in Coorg is a popular destination for white water river rafting. Experience the thrill of feeling the spray in your face as you plunge through the rapids of a rushing river, on a white water river rafting tour

White Water Rafting: There are few good camps around Coorg that offer rafting down the Cauvery river. For some fast paced action, visit the Upper Barapole River to the south of Coorg in Brahmagiri. The best time for rafting is from mid-June to mid-September.

Where to stay (Hotels and Bungalows):

Hotel Coorg International, Madikeri.
Hotel Rajdarshan, Madikeri.
Orange Country Resort, Siddapura.
Hotel Chitra, Madikeri.
Capital Village, Madikeri.
Alath-Cad Holiday Home
Maurya Valley View
Hill Town Hotel
East End Hotel
Golden Mist Plantation and Resorts
Club Mahindra Kodagu Valley
Kannika International
Polaycad Bungalow
Honey Valley Estate
Veerabhoomi Resorts
Bethel Home Stay
Kadkani River Resort
Shanti Estate
Honey Pot Homes
Rainforest Retreat
Jade Hills
Ramcad Estate
Hotel Crystal Court

How to get to Coorg:

By Air: There are regular flights to Bangalore from Delhi and other cities. From Bangalore, you can take a bus. The other option is to take a flight to Mangalore. It is at a distance of 136 km from Coorg. From Mangalore, you can take a bus or you can hire a taxi. The drive is approx 3 hrs.

By Rail: Mysore (114 kms) is the nearest railway station to Coorg. It has well connected rail services to all-important destinations in India. Since Mysore and Mangalore are around the same distance away, you can choose either of them to travel to Coorg.

By Road: A good network of roads connect Coorg from Mysore (120 kms), Bangalore (260 kms) and Mangalore (136 kms)

Additional articles / sites:

Coorgtourism (link)
Coorgyatra (link)
Coorg Map (link)
Bike trip in quite some detail (link)
Small blog on travel to Coorg (link)
Trip to Medikeri (with some photos)
Pavitra’s trip to Medikeri (link)

Photos from Fickr
View from Medikeri, King’s cottage

One of the picturesque hill stations of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is located at a distance of 40 km from Kullu and 521 km from state capital of India, Delhi. One of the preferred tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh, Manali offers an excellent opportunity for adventurous sports activities like trekking, mountaineering and river rafting. Apart from the these, tourists can travel to Manali to witness century old temples and monasteries like Hadimba temple, Manu temple and the Gadhan Thekchhokling monastery. The small town was the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and, from there, over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin.
While planning a tour to Manali, keep in mind the climatic condition of the region, an ideal time for the tour would be mid-May to June and September to November. Monsoon months are to be avoided because of fear of landslides.
Manali derived its name from Manavalaya i.e. the abode of Manu. According to myth, Manu the divine law-giver, was the only survivor of the Mahajal Pralay – the great flood – and is said to have fathered the human race. The valley of gods, as the Kullu valley has come to be known, is perhaps the most delightful region in the western Himalayas. The ancient Hindus regarded it as the furthest limit of human habitation – Kulantapitha, and its original name finds mention in the epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as Vishnu Purana. The actual myth is:
One day, Vaivasvata, the seventh incarnation of Manu found a tiny fish in his bathing water. The fish told him to look after it with devotion for one day it would do him a great service. Manu cared for the fish till it grew huge and he released it into the sea. The the fish warned Manu of an impending deluge when the entire world would be submerged and bade him to build a boat that could save humanity. When the flood came. Vaivasvata and the Seven Sages were towed to safety by Matsya the fish (regarded as the first avatara of Lord Vishnu).

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* Kothi – This is a quiet but picturesque spot, at the foot of the Rohtang pass, 12 km away Manali town, situated on the Lahaul-Spiti Leh Highway. It offers a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks and glaciers and an awe inspiring gorge below Kothi, where for more than a kilometre the river Beas flows through a deep gorge, almost a subterranean passage, 30 metres or more in depth, and the cliffs which flank both sides of the canyon are a favourite haunt for rock pigeons.
* Van Vihar: This is just off the Mall with pathways between towering deodhars and also leads to a boating pond.
* Tibetan Market and Mall: The Tibetan Market is an interesting cluster of shops. Nice to browse around for knick knacks, handicrafts and imported goods. Located on the Mall. The Mall also has other shops selling local handicrafts and clothes. It also has some good restaurants. Buses, taxis and autos are easily available from the Mall for local sightseeing or excursions.
* Rohtang Pass – Situated at an altitude of 3979 mtrs above sea level and 51 kms outside Manali is the mighty Rohtang Pass – the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti valley. Open for just about four months a year, it affords a wide panoramic view of the mountains. Here one sees the majesty of the mountains at its height and splendour. At the top of the pass the air seems to glitter against the snow as you look down over herringboned ridges into the Lahaul valley. There is the beautiful Dashohar Lake left of the pass. A few km away from the pass is the Sonapani glacier and slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Gaypan-jagged pyramid of rock, snow streaked and snow crowned peaks.
* Solang Valley – 13 kms outside Manali is the Solang Valley, offering spectacular views of the snow-clad mountains and the glaciers all around. Solang is the venue for paragliding and the annual skiing courses. The plateau is frequently used for holding camps by trekking enthusiasts.
* Rahla Falls: 2 km from Kothi. Here the river Beas hurtles down from a height of about 50 metres. Charming spot for picnics.
* Manali Sanctuary: A bridle path from the Manali log huts goes past the Dhoongri Temple and wanders into the dense deodar, kail, horse chestnut, walnut and maple forest that form a part of this sanctuary. Camping overnight in tents at Lambadug or Galiani Thatch is possible. You can see various animals such as Musk deer, monal and brown bear over here.
* Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa : Close to Tibetan Monastery, Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa is another tourist spot which was constructed in 1969. The Lakhang or the shrine hall of the monastery was built by the contributions of local people. The Gadhan Takechokling Gumfa has the idol of Shakyamuni.
* Jagatsukh Temple – About 6 km from Manali is the famous Shiva Temple in “shikara” style and nearby is the old and interesting Devi Sharvali Temple.
* Roerich Art Gallery – In Naggar, the museum, houses a collection of the paintings by the Russian artist. It is located in a grove of deodhars and has lovely views all around. Naggar is very serene and picturesque.
* Hadimba Temple – Also known as the Doongri Temple, this four-tiered pagoda-like wooden temple stands in a clearing amid tall and stately deodar trees and has beautiful carvings on its ornamental door. Dedicated to Hadimba, the wife of Bhim, this temple is the venue for an annual fair held during May. Built in 1553 and with a superbly crafted four tiered pagoda roof. It is famous for its exquisitely carved doorway.
* Vashist Spring – Across the Beas river, about 3 km away from Manali, at an altitude of 1,982 meters (6,200 feet), are the natural sulphur springs. There are old temples dedicated to the sage Vashishth and to Lord Rama. The village itself is perched on a steep hillside across the river Beas.
* Tibetan Monastery – These are new and colorful (3 of them). A pleasant place to visit. Two are located in the town and one at Aleo on the left bank of Beas river.
* Beas Kund – The tiny roundish igloo like stone hut shelters the Beas Kund, the very source of the holy river Beas. Water flows at the source of the river likfe a spring, so clear and icy cold that it almost numbs the fingers. All around is the rocky terrain with very little vegetation. The great rishi, Vyas performed “Tapa” here during the Mahabharat times.
* Manikaran: 85 km from Manali and 45 km from Kullu, lies in the Parvati Valley, the holy pilgrimage place of Manikaran. Here icy cold waters of the Parvati river co-exists with boiling water side-by-side. The hot water springs are reputed for their healing properties.
* Triloknath: Located in the Pattan Valley, its an important pilgrimage centre. Noted for its temple dedicated to six armed statue of Avalokiteshwara Bodhisattva.
* Arjun Gufa (Arjun Cave): 4kms. from Manali towards Naggar, the cave is situated near Prini village 1km. above the road where Arjun had meditated. This is good 1/2 a day excursion with a beautiful view of the striking mountains.
* Nehru Kund: 5 kms. on National Highway to Leh,a natural spring of cold clear water named after Pt. Jwahar Lal Nehru, who used to drink water from this spring during his stay in Manali. This spring is believed to originate from the Bhrigu lake situated high-up in the mountains.

Things to do: Manali is famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking.

Skiing: 13 km from Manali, Solang Valley has good skiing slopes equipped with an excellent lift. A splendid valley between Manali and Kothi, it also offers views of the glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. Season: January – March. Gulaba slopes also provide good skiing. Facilities for skiing are available at Solang Nullah (January-March) and Rohtang La (during summer). The Mountaineering Institute at Solang Nullah is a good training institute.

Trekking: There are several good hikes from Manali. The 12 km hike up the western banks of the Beas to the Solang Valley is noteworthy. Lama Dugh meadow is a 6 km hike up to the Manalsu Nala, west of Manali town. Another great trek is from Solang Valley to Dhundhi onto Dussar Lake and terminating at Manali (a good 5 day trek)

Whitewater River Rafting: Many organized adventure companies organise rafting along the River Beas between the stretch from Manali to Aut. The points where the rafting trips start from are Raison and Mohal. Season: May to mid June.

Angling and Fishing: River Beas is said to abound with trout and salmon.

Paragliding – Organized by the local adventure companies in the summers in Solang Valley.

How to get there:
By Air: Manali has no airport of its own. The nearest one Bhuntas is around 10 km south of Kullu town and about 50 km from Manali.
By Train: Chandigarh, about 280 km away and Joginder Nagar, about 200 km away.
By Road: Manali is well connected by road to Delhi through NH-21 which goes on to Leh and is the world’s highest motorable road.

Places to stay:
Good reference article (link)
Span Resorts: Phone : (01902) 240138, 240538
Manali Resort
Holiday Inn: Tel.: 01902-52563, 53312
Manali Heights: PH no: 01902-252621-252061
Apple Country: Phone: +91 – 1902 254187 – 89
Banon Resorts: Tel: +91-1902-253026, 252490, 253994
Lords Regency
Orchard Greens
Sun Park
Ankit Palace
Beas View
Evergreen
Snow Crest Manor
Manu Allaya (Ambassador Resorts): Tel.: 01902 – 252235 – 38 Fax: 252173
Quality Inn River Country
Hotel Honeymoon Inn
Hotel Sagar Resort
Hotel Shingar regency: Tel:+91 1902 252251-52
Hotel Lord’s Regency
Glacior Resorts
Hotel Evergreen
Snow Valley Resorts (link)
Hotel Vintage
Hotel Mountain Top
Hotel Sunpark
Club Mahindra: Tel : (01902) 254181 / 82/ 83
Highland Park, Manali: Phone: 01902 256501/02/03
Vacred Manali Resorts
Hotel Manali Ashok
Piccadily Hotel
Sagar Resort
Kanishka Hotel
Hotel Chandramukhi
Glacier Resorts
Hotel Regent Centre Point

Other articles:
Some good photos (link)
Book a luxury bus (link)
Blog 1
Sandeepinlife blog (link)

Palampur is the tea capital of northwest India. Palampur is set on the rising slopes of Kangra Valley before they merge with the Dhauladhar ranges. Countless streams and brooks criss-crosses the landscape and in their intricate mesh, hold tea gardens and rice paddies. The town has derived its name from the local word “pulum’, meaning lots of water. Palampur was a part of the local Sikh kingdom and later on came under the British rule. This hill station is not only known for its numerous tea gardens and paddy fields but it also known for its colonial architecture and temples. Palampur and places around it are popular for adventure sports like hang-gliding and trekking. The place is an example of a beautiful location not yet spoilt by tourists. Some time here is good for relaxing and stress-relieving.

Map to Palampur:

Things to do:

Trekking: Several trek routes lead out of Palampur, and given the close presence of the Dhauladhar Mountains, many of these treks are over the mountains and towards the town of Chamba. Treks of 5-8 days duration are viable from May to October. Some of the interesting treks from Palampur include Palampur to Holi over the Shingar pass, Palampur to Dharamsala via Indrahar Pass and Baijnath to Manali over the Thamsar pass.
Hang/Paragliding: Near Palampur, you have both Bir and Billing. Bir is twenty-eight kilometers from Palampur and has numerous Buddhist monuments and is famous for its Tibetan handicrafts (and is also one of the main landing points for the hang-gliders and para-gliders). The town of Billing, which is 42 km from Palampur and 14 km from Bir, is an important launching point for hang-gliding.
Fishing: There are ample opportunities for the angler between 1st March to 1st June and 1st September to end of October for Mahaseer fishing in and around Dehra Gopipur, Nadaun and Pong Dam.

Places to see:

Neughal Khad: Close to the Bundelmata temple, there is a 300-metre-wide chasm through which the Neugal stream flows and is a great view.
Andretta: The charming village, spread below the thickly wooded hill and sprawling plains of the Kangra Valley was once the home of the famous painter Sardar Sobha Singh. Now Andretta is a centre for various artistic activities such as pottery and is just 13-km away from Palampur.
Shobha Singh’s Art Gallery: It is situated in Andhretta which is 13 km. from town.
The Factory: At the very start of town the tea factory of the co-operative society, offers an insight to the processing of Kangra tea.
Baijnath: Noted for it’s ancient temple, which was built in 804 A.D. and dedicated to Shiva Vaidyanatha. The linga enshrined in its sanctum is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the country. Every year during the Shivratri fair, thousands of pilgrims descend on Baijnath for the colourful fair and festivities. It is 16-km from Palampur and 56-km from Dharamsala. It is a must see if you are coming to Palampur.
Bir and Billing: Sheltered by the mountains and surrounded by tea gardens, Bir serves as a landing ground for hang & Para gliders as well as known for it’s Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan handicrafts. One of the best aero-sports sites in the world, Billing is 14-km from Bir. The mountain ranges set like an amphitheatre, offer opportunities for high altitude and cross-country flying for more than 200-km.
Chamunda Devi: The famous temple dedicated to the goddess Chamunda is 25-kms away from Plampur and Yatri Niwas here provides an excellent accommodation for the visitors. The temple is a place that attracts a huge number of devotees, especially during religious festivities.
Gopalpur: Situated 13-km away from the town, Gopalpur consists of a mini zoo.
Tea Factory: The cooperative society tea factory provides an insight to the processing of Kangra Tea, and you can also see the various tea gardens, and drive on the road through the tea gardens. With less traffic, it is a very calming influence.
Temple of Bundelmata: Walk through tea gardens and open fields or drive to reach this temple built about five centuries ago.
Al-Hilal: A few kilometers from the city of Palampur is Al-Hilal, a place of unparalleled charm. During the conquests of Kangra by Maharaja Renjit Singh, this place was a military bastion.
Neugal Khad: ( 2 km. from town.) Neugal Khad provides a fine view of the Dhauladhar range. It is roaring in the rainy season and gurgling all the year round. Himachal Tourism cafe provides food and a fine view from its restaurant.
Kangra Fort (27 km): The most important fort of the region, it is enclosed by high ramparts and its walls have a circumference of approximately 4 km. It was built about 1,000 years ago on the confluence of the Banganga and Manjhi rivers. Its various gates, shrines end remains of the old palaces are noteworthy.
Sujanpur Tira: 42 km from Palampur situated on the banks of foaming Beas, the historical town Sujanpur Tira (Tira mean palace) was built by Raja Sandra Chand, who had ascended to the throne when only ten years of age. The Tira Palace was the winter residence of Sansar Chand and the Alampur palace on the other side of the Beas was his summer resort.

Where to Stay:
Hotel T-Bud is run by the HTPDC at Palampur.
One of the most luxurious places to stay in the region in is the Taragarh Palace, 8-km to the east of Baijnath (this is a luxury hotel).
Silver Oak Mountain Resort
Sai Gardens
Country Cottage
Pops Hotel

How to get here:

By Road: The Himachal Road Transport Corporation is running its buses covering the whole state.
By Rail: Nearest broad gauge railhead is Pathankot 95 km from Kangra. A narrow gauge railway line between Pathankot and Jogindernagar passes through Kangra. Nearest railhead is at a distance of 5 km. from town.
By Air: Nearest airport is Gaggal airport located 50 km. from Palampur.

Kullu is the capital town of the Kullu District, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is located on the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu Valley about ten kilometres north of the airport at Bhuntar. Kullu is more famous when twinned along with Manali to form the Kullu-Manali tourist destination.

Historical information: Kullu was once known as Kulanthpitha – `the end of the habitable world`. The earliest recorded information of this area goes back to 1st century AD, when this valley began to be inhabited. In the medieval period, Kullu and the area around it was ruled by a number of local rulers. The Kullu valley was isolated from other parts of the country for many centuries until it came under British rule. Kullu got its first motorable access only after Independence. The long centuries of seclusion have however allowed the area to retain a considerable measure of its traditional charm.

The town of Kullu has been a centre of faith. Raja Jagat Singh in 17th century installed here an idol of Lord Raghunathji brought from Ayodhya. He positioned the idol on his throne as a mark of his penance, which became the presiding deity of the Kullu valley. Kullu is known for the multihued Dussehra festival. To pay homage to the reigning deity, Raghunathji, decorated palanquins and processions convey Gods and Goddesses from temples all over the valley to Kullu.

A nature’s paradise on earth, Kullu is often described as the ‘Silver valley’ of Himachal Pradesh, which is located at a distance of 40 km from Manali and 570 km from state capital of India, Delhi. Located in between Dhauladhar Ranges and Pir Pamjal Ranges of Indian Himalaya, Kullu is one of the famous holiday destinations of Himachal Pradesh. Kullu attracts huge number of tourists every year as a beautiful vacation and tour. As a part of this, the Travel & Tourism Department of Himachal Pradesh offers various kinds of tour & travel packages to the tourist that covers major attractions of Kullu like Bijli Mahadev temple, Raghunath Temple, wild life sanctuary and hot springs. Further, over a period of time, Kullu has become the center of many adventure activities like trekking, mountaineering and river-rafting that can be performed in the vicinity of Kullu valley.

The weather in Kullu is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters are cold (November – February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September. In winter, the temperature gets quite low and heavy woolens are required. Summer is much more pleasant, and cottons are recommended.

Places to see near Kullu:

Raghunath Temple: In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu wanted to atone for a sin committed by him, and for this purpose, he sent a senior courtier to Ayodhya for a statue of Lord Raghunath – Lord Rama. This temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh to house the image and is now very famous, attracting many many devotees.

Bijli Mahadev Temple: This temple is much known for its 20-meter high rod that occasionally draws lightning, which shatters the ‘Shivalinga’ and lit the building. Using only butter as bonding agent, the ‘linga’ is then carefully pieced together by the temple authority. Mythological explanation of the myth about lightning and the lingam (link)

Shoja: At 2692 m, this is a vantage point for a complete panorama of the Kullu area – snow peaks and valleys, meadows and forests, rivers and streams.

Basheshwar Mahadev Temple, Bajaura: This temple is renowned for its intricate stone carvings.

Deo Tibba: As per mythology, Arjuna performed Tapa at this temple under the guidance of Maharashi Vyas to get the powerful Pasupata Astra from Indra. Also known as Indralika, Deo Tibba is 2,953 metres (9,687 ft.) high.

Jagatsukh: Situated on the left bank, between Nagar and Manali, Jagatsukh is the most ancient Kullu capital. The small shrine of Gaurishankar and the larger chalet-roofed temple to the goddess Sandhya Devi is there.

Naggar: For 1400 years this was the capital of Kullu. Its 16th century stone and wood castle is now a hotel run by Himachal Tourism. Here, a gallery houses the paintings of the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich. Naggar also has other old shrines.

Other Attractions

Kullu Dussehra: When Dussehra celebrations come to an end in the rest of the country, they begin at Kullu. Over 600 local deities come to pay homage to Lord Raghunath. This is a time when the valley is at its colourful best.

The river Beas offers excellent opportunities for white water rafting.

Fishing and Adventure: The Kullu valley has numerous places for trout fishing. These include Katrain, Raison, Kasol and Naggar, then along the river Tirthan near Larji, in the Sainj Valley and in the Hurla khud. Angling & Fishing in Kullu:

Raison – This place by the banks of the Beas-and on the Kullu-Manali Highway is the ideal spot for adventure and holiday. Himachal Tourism runs a camping site here.

Kasol: Kasol is an idyllic holiday destination. Kasol comprise a glade by the banks of the river Parvati. This place is famous for trout fishing.

Bathad: Bathad lies at a distance of 67-kilometer. Bathad is a charming location, approachable by road from Kullu. It is famous for pastimes such as trout fishing, hunting, and beautiful sites.

Katrain: Katrain falls on the midpoint of Kullu-Manali road. Katrain is very famous for bee keeping and trout fishing.

Banjar: At an altitude of 1,534m (5,000 ft.) Banjar is famous for its panoramic beauty and trout fishing in river Tirtham. It is about 58-km from Kullu.

Largi: 34-km south of Kulu via Aut, Largi is a small hamlet. Largi offers the best trout fishing and scenic beauty in the valley.

More adventure

Kullu Valley is known all over the World for Heliskiing.This sport has been conveniently arranged near Bhrigu peaks in the Hamta pass and Solang Nala too is another convenient place for the furtherance of this high on-adrenaline-sport. River Beas and its thunderous gushes are also perfect places for river rafting in certain stretches.

Trekking in Kullu

The valley is the nucleus of several trek routes. Some major ones are over the Chanderkhani Pass to Malana and Pin Parbati Pass to Sarahan. The Jalora Pass lies 5-km beyond Shoja and gives access to the outer Seraj region of the Kullu Valley. From Chamba to Udaipur (Lahaul) over Sach Pass, can be completed by trekkers within a day span of nine or ten days.

How to reach Kullu:

By Air: The airport at Bhuntar is 10 km from Kullu, where taxis and buses are available.

By Road: By road, the distance from Delhi via Mandi is 530 km and from Shimla this is 240 km. From Delhi and Shimla, luxury buses ply to Kullu. The main bus stand is by river in the northern area of the town.

By Rail: The closest narrow guage railhead is at Jogindemagar, 95 km from Kullu.

Places to stay:
Snowcrest Manor
Hotel Sangam
Hotel Vaishali
Whispering Rocks Resort
Chevron Valley View
Apple Valley Resort
Adventure Resort Raison
Poornima Guest House
Sheetal Hotel
Nest Hotel
Silvermoon Hotel
Snow Princess Hotel
Sunbeam Hotel
Shobla International
Evergreen Hotel
Kullu Valley Hotel
Forest Rest House
Classic Hotel
Hotel Kanishka
Span Resort

Other articles:
Beautiful photo (link)
More photos (link)
Interesting article on the Kullu shawl (link)

Dharamsala is a charming little hill station town located in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, developed in the nineteenth century by the British. Dharamsala literally means the Holy Refuge, as it is the place where a large number of Tibetan people migrated here after the annexation of Tibet by China in 1959. Since then it became a major spiritual centre for Tibetan people and the Buddhist community. Its a salubrious climate with a magnificent backdrop of the Dhauladhar ranges makes it one of the popular hill stations in India.
Dharamshala is the district hqr. of Kangra district. This is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 18kms. north east of Kangra town. The hill station is heavily wooded with oak and conifer trees with snow capped mountains enfolding three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snow line is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamshala than at any other hill resort and it is possible to trek to snow point after an early morning’s start. Dharamsala is surrounded by deodhar forests and provides a superb view of the great granite mountains that almost cover the town.
It is divided into two distinct parts. Lower Dharamshala has civil offices and business establishments with courts, and Kotwali Bazar. Upper Dharamshala compose of places with names which bear witness to its history like McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj. Since 1960, when it became a temporary hqrs. of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has risen to international fame as “The Little Lhasa in India”.

View Larger Map

Things to do:
Trekking: An easy trek is from Dharamsala, via Bhagsunath (11 km) to Triund (9 km, 2,800 m) and back to Dharmshala (17 km). A one day extension at Triund opens possibilities of a climb upto the meadows. To add more challenge to this trek is a week-long trek crossing the Dhauladhar range over the 4,300 m high Indrahar pass into Chamba district.
Shorter walks are a 2 kms long walk to Bhagsung – 3 kms to Dharamkot – 8 kms to Triund – 5 kms to Snow Line of Ilaqa Got.
Hang-gliding: Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh is an attractive site for hang gliding. The hilly environs with wide landscapes provide an ideal opportunities for hang gliding specially as the thermal updrafts in the area are conducive.
Learning the Ancient Art of Yoga and Meditation in the Various Centres located 12 kms from Dharamshala. Several meditation centres have mushroomed here due to the calm and scenic location. For Yoga lessons, head for the Iyengar Himalayan Yoga center.
Fishing: In the river Beas between Nadaun and the Pong Dam. Get your angling gears ready as here you can bask a chance to fish for Mahaseer.

Places to visit:
Macleodganj – It is main place for Tibetan settlement and the residence for Dalai Lama. It is popular for its colourful Tibetan bazaars and delicious cuisines showing all aspects of Tibetan culture. It also has the school of Tibetan studies and an Institute of Performing Art. It is now one of the major centre for Tibetan Culture.
Namgyal Monastery – This was founded by the third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso in 1575 and later called the Namgyal monastery or the victorious monastery. It is now an important centre for Tibetan studies in Dharamsala. It contains large gilded bronzes of Buddha, Avalokitesvara and Padmasam-bhava.
The Kangra Art Museum – It has a large collection of miniature paintings from the Kangra School of Art. It also has a collection of jewellery, woodcarving objects and traditional embroidered Kangra costumes.
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives – Located at the central administrative compound of the southern end of McLeod Ganj, the library has a good collection of original Tibetan manuscripts including some ancient texts and photographs.
Norbuligka: Dedicated towards the preservation of Tibetan arts and crafts in a centre that asks you to spend time over there. Set in the style of a Japenese garden, Norbulingka has a temple, souvenir shop and Losel Dolls Museum and a beautiful cafe, Norling. There are also metal and wood workshops where you can see people indulged in crafting.
St. John’s Church (8 kms): This Gothic style church has attractive stained glass windows. Lord Elgin, one of the few viceroys of British occupied India, to die in office, is buried here, according to his last wish, as it reminded him of his beloved native Scotland.
Triund: At the foot of the Dhaula Dhar is Triund which is an 8 km trek.
Bhagsunath Falls: At a distance of 11kms. from the market complex of Dharamshala, Bhagsunag can be approached by road. There is an old temple, and a fresh water spring. Further about 2kms. are the beautiful Bhagsunag water falls.
War Memorial (2 kms): Set amidst beautiful surroundings, this memorial is built near the entry point to Dharamshala and is dedicated to Himachali war heroes
Dal Lake: The lake lies amidst hills and stately fir trees 11kms. from Lower Dharamshala and is connected by a motorable road. It is the starting point of excursions and trekking and is located next to the Tibetan Children’s village.
Jwalamukhi Temple: Dedicated to the “Goddess Of Light”, the temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in northern India. There is no idol of any kind as the flame is considered as a manifestation of the goddess. An eternally burning and shining blue flame emanates from the rock sanctum and is fed by the priests with the offerings of devotees.
Trilokpur: situated 41 kms. from Dharamshala and can be approached by road. The natural cave temple of Trilokpur contains stalactites and stalagamites and is dedicated to Shiva.
Geludpa Monastery: Adjoins the Dalai Lama’s monastery. Here you should see the giant statue of Buddha, Thankas and other ritual and consecrated subjects.
Chamunda Devi Temple (15 km): Not so far from the town is the famous temple with the majestic Dhaulandhars as a backdrop. It is an enchanting spot with glorious views of the mountains, the Baner Khud, Pathiar and Lahala forests.
Palampur (35 km): Palampur is a hilly town and a municipal council in Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Palampur is famous for its picturesque and snow clad mountains and tea gardens.
Pong Wild life Sanctuary (Kangra): Around 65 km from Dharamshala in the Kangra district, the Pong Lake Sanctuary makes for a good visit if you are interested in seeing animals like Nilgai, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Buar, Clawless Otter and Leapord. The lake is a huge drawer of Siberian Ducks during the winter season. The sanctuary covers an area of 9675 sq km and is best visited during the period of October to February.
Dehra Gopipur: Situated on the bank of the Beas; one can use Dehra as a base for different fishing areas like Pong Dam Pattan, kurn and Nadaun. There are PWD & Forest rest houses for a night stay and one can also visit the famous temple of Chintpurni from here.
Masroor: Known for its monolithic rock temples, Masroor is 15kms. south of Kangra. There are 15 rock cut temples in Indo-Aryan style and richly carved. The temples partly ruined now are profusely decorated with sculptural ornamentations , conceived in the same manner as the great temple of Kailash at Elora in Maharastra with which they bear a striking resemblance. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
Andretta: Situated just 13-kms away from Palampur, lies this dwelling place of artist S.Sobha Singh. It houses a gallery of some of his major works and a pottery center.
Dharamkot: (14 km. from) It is situated on the crest of a hill. This favourite picnic spot affords a panoramic view of the kangra valley and the Dhauladhar ranges. One can reach Dharamkot by a simple trek from Bhagsu. Various small restaurant type of shops are situated in the path for a quick relaxation and bevarages.
Baijnath (15 km): At a distance of 16 km from Palampur, Baijnath is a pilgrimage centres of the Hindus in Kangra Distt. Here one finds the oldest existing Shiva temple in the country, believed to have been originally built by the Pandavas close to the Binwa Khad.

How to get there:
Air: Gaggal Airport is the nearest one at a distance of 13 km.
Rail – The nearest railhead is at Pathankot, which is connected to all the major north Indian cities
Road – The hill station is well connected to all parts of Himachal Pradesh by a good motorable road network. The NH1 links it with Pathankot and Jalandhar.

Places to stay:
Anupam Resort,
Nishad Resort,
Grace Cottage,
Snow Hermitage Resorts,
Asia Health Resort
Surya Resorts
Dev Cottages
Natraj Holiday Resorts
Udeechee Huts
Hotel Akashdeep (link)
Club Mahindra Resorts
Spring Valley Resort
White Haven Estate
Glenmoor Cottages

The legend says that the Lake comprises of Renukaji’s embodiment, the wife of sage Jamadagini and the mother of Parshurama (one of the ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu). In the vicinity of the Renuka Lake, there exists another Lake named as Parshurama Lake. Both the Lakes have temples built around them with the main temple being dedicated to goddess Renuka. The eighteen century old temple of Renukaji is an important pilgrimage center and every year thousands of tourists throng to the lake and visit the sacred temple. According to a local legend, when the evil Sahasarjuna killed sage Jamadagini and attempted to abduct the latter’s wife, Renuka, she threw herself into these waters. The gods brought her back to life, and consequently, this lake is considered to be her embodiment. Shaped like a sleeping woman, the lake is the largest in the entire state and has a circumference of 3214m. This placid stretch of water is fed by underground springs and the surrounding hills are padded by lush forests that support a large variety of plant and animal life.
Located at the base of the Renuka Lake is the Parashurama Tal, a massive pool embodying, it is believed, Parashurama, who desired to spend eternity at his mother’s feet. Mother and son are reunited every year at the great Renuka Fair, held on banks of the lake, in the month of November. The original temple of Renukaji, is said to have been built overnight by a contingent of Gurkhas in the early 19th century.
The lake is 123 k.m. from Parwanoo, 60 k.m. from Paonta Sahib and 45 k.m. from Nahan.

Places to see:
Jamu Peak: Just above the revered lake, is the Jamu Peak, where Rishi Jamadagini is believed to have meditated. There is a temple at the spot, which offers a fantastic bird’s eyeview of the surroundings.
Lion Safari: Directly adjacent to the zoo is the Lion Safari, a large enclosure. An armoured van is the preferred means of observing these big cats, from a close range.
Mini Zoo (2 km): You can boat across the lake or drive to this zoo, which has Asiatic lions, spotted deer, lion tailed macaques, ‘Nilgai’ Methuen, barking deer and Himalayan black bears.
Jataun (5 km): The dam of the Giri Hydel Project is here and angling for Mahaseer (river carp) may be done.
Paonta Sahib: The famous gurudwara of Poanta Sahib is at a distance of 60 km from Renuka on the banks of the river Yamuna.
Choordhar :- Dominating the entire landscape of fields, forests and ravines is the Choordhar peak, which rises to 3,647 metres above sea level and is a trekking treat from Nahan walks. Approached by way of Dadahu, Sangarh, Bhawai, Gandhuri and Nahura it is a 50 km. trek. A less taxing journey is by taxi or car to Nahura and thereafter a walk of 16 km. The climb is difficult but rewarding.
Gayatri Temple : On the left bank of the Renuka lake there are three Ashrams run by Sadhus and these have inns to accommodate pilgrims visiting this sacred lake. Gayatri temple has a 1.60 meter high Panch Mukhi Ma Gayatri marble statue, marble idols of Ganpati, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Indra have also been installed here. This temple is dedicated to Sri Ma Gayatri the mother of Vedas, the treasure of Hindu wisdom.

ACCOMMODATION: A wide range of accommodation is available in Renuka to suit different budgets. Dadahu (2 k.m.) has hotels, PWD and forest rest houses.

The HPTDC has hotel Renuka ji near by. The Renuka rests on the bank of this sacred and breath taking beautiful lake. It commands a panoramic view of the lake with just a road dividing its terraced gardens from the waters. The original wing is in the colonial style and the recently constructed one has all modern facilities.
ADDRESS: The Renuka, Renukaji, Distt. Sirmour (H.P.) -173022. Tel: (01702) – 267339.

Getting there:
By Rail: The railheads at Pathankot, Ambala, Dehradun, and Chandigarh cater to the rail transport to Renuka.
By Air: one can reach Renuka by air from Chandigarh and Dehradun. There is the airport at Gagal near Dharamshala also.
By Road: Tourists can get taxis and buses from Renukaji to all the major places of Himachal Pradesh and India.

An article about visiting Renukaji (link to article)