BEST OF HIMACHAL IN 9 DAYS : SHIMLA (2N) - MANALI (3N) - DHARAMSHALA (2N) - DALHOUSIE (1N)

At a distance of 7 km from Shimla Railway Station and 7 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Jakhu Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Hindu deity Hanuman. It is situated on Jakhu Hill and is one of the prime places to visit in Shimla. It is situated at an altitude of 2455m and is also the highest peak in Shimla.

According to mythology, a deadly arrow injured Lord Rama's brother Lakshmana when he was fighting the battle with the demon king Ravana. In order to save his life, when lord Hanuman was moving towards Himalayas to get Sanjeevani herb. Upon reaching the Himalayas, Hanuman couldn't make out as to which herb was the Sanjeevani. So he dug up the entire mountain and flew back to where Lakshmana was lying injured.

After Lakshmana was cured, Hanuman went back to place the mountain in its original site. He rested on top of the Jakhu hill for some time. It is said that the top of the hill got flattened due to Hanuman's weight! The .....

At a distance of 16 km from Shimla Railway Station and 5.6 km from Fagu, Kufri is a small hill station in Shimla district, positioned at an elevation of 2,510 m on the National Highway 22. Kufri is quite famous for the popular ski resort. It is one of the best places for skiing in Shimla and also one of the top adventure site and skiing destinations in India. Kufri is also one of the best places to experience the Tourism in Himachal.

Kufri derives its name from 'Kufr' which means lake. It is especially popular among trekkers and it is a popular place for adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh. The British discovered it in 1819. As Shimla gained importance, Kufri also began to be recognized as an important place to visit near Shimla.

Kufri is known for its pleasant climate and picturesque beauty. It is popular for its trekking and hiking trails. Kufri is also renowned for other adventures .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 3 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Vice Regal Lodge also known as Rashtrapati Niwas is located on the Observatory Hills of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. The lodge is one the best places to visit in Shimla city. It was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy of India Lord Dufferin.

The Vice Regal Lodge was designed by British architect Henry Irwin and built in the Jacobethan style during the regime of Lord Dufferin. Its construction was started in 1880 and completed in 1888. Only the local woods like pine and cedar were used to construct this marvel. Vice Regal Lodge is the only building of Shimla that occupies an entire hill by itself. The building now serves as the center for the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS).

The entrance opening to South leads one to the reception hall which stands adorned by a splendid fireplace and a grand spiraling staircase. The building .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 1.3 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Christ Church Shimla is the second oldest church in North India. The majestic appearance of the church and its stunning location makes it one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

The church was designed in neo-gothic style in 1844 by J.T. Boileau but it was consecrated after 1857. The Christ Church is situated on The Ridge where is stands out as one of the prominent landmarks of Shimla. Colonel Dumbleton in 1860 donated the giant round clock that adorns the front facial of the church. The porch was added to the structure in 1873. It started as a shrine to serve the Anglican British community in Shimla and hence is considered as one of the most visited places of worship in the country's most celebrated hill town. It is governed under the diocese of Amritsar belonging to the Churches of North India.

The interior of the church is plain except for the five stained glass windows adorning the .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 1.2 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, The Ridge is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla. It is among the most visited Shimla tourist places. The Ridge is situated along the Mall Road which is the famous shopping center of Shimla.

Several major places of Shimla like Lakkar Bazaar, Mall, Scandal Point, Jakhu Hill, etc. are connected through the Ridge. The movement of vehicles is strictly prohibited here. The Ridge in Shimla always remains crowded with hundreds of people. Tourists from all over the country visit this awesome place for the view of the sunset.

The Ridge at Shimla also provides the tourists a view of the age old Christ Church built in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture as well as the new Tudor library. The statue of YS Parmar who is the founder of Himachal Pradesh and of Mrs. Indira Gandhi have been erected at this place.
The Ridge is famous for the various government functions and fairs that are .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 2 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Mall Road is the main street in Shimla. Located at the heart of the town, the Mall Road is one of the busiest commercial areas of Shimla. The Mall extends from Barnes court in the eastern side to Vice Regal Lodge in the western side. Shopping in Mall Road is one of the top things to do in Shimla.

Built by the British during the colonial rule in India, the Mall Road was constructed keeping in mind the traffic on this route. Entry of vehicles was banned though cycle rickshaws were allowed. It has been built in a very strategic and planned way. The Mall road is located a level below the ridge. The offices of Municipal Corporation, fire service and police headquarters are located here.

The Mall Road also has all major hotels, restaurants and recreation centers of Shimla. The Mall road is full of shops that sell woolen clothes, branded clothes, handicraft .....

At a distance of 2 km from Manali Bus Stand, Hidimbi Devi Temple also known as the Dhungri Temple is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi. Located in the middle of dense forest Called Dhungri Van Vihar and from the name of the forest only the temple drives its name. Hidimbi Devi Temple is of the top places to visit in Manali which was built in 1553 by Raja Bahadur Singh.

The temple is dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, sister of Hidimba and wife of Bhima, one of the Pandavas from Mahabharata epic. According to the legend, the Pandavas stayed in Himachal during their exile. One of the brothers Bhima fell in love with Hidimbi, the sister of the ruler Hidimba. Bhima and Hidimbi had a son but when Bhima and the Pandavas returned from exile she stayed back and performance penance and attained the status of goddess.

The Hidimbi Devi temple is 24 meters tall and consists of three square roofs with timber tiles, surmounted by a cone-shaped fourth roof that is covered in brass. .....

At a distance of 3 km from Manali Bus Stand, Manu Temple dedicated to the Indian sage Manu is located at old Manali. Manali is named after the sage Manu who was the creator of human race on earth according to mythology and it is believed that he meditated here. This is supposed to be the only temple of Manu in India. Manu Temple is one of the best Manali tourist places.

Travellers can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and river Beas from the temple. Lying in the congested locality of old Manali, the temple is often visited by the tourists who arrive from different parts of the world.

Manu Temple was built in pagoda style of architecture. The temple was rebuilt in the year 1992, when the vaulted ceiling and marble floors were added. One can find various artifacts along with the idols of gods and goddesses in different postures in this temple.

To reach the temple, one has to walk through the slippery stone .....

At a distance of 3.5 km from Manali Bus Stand, Vashist Temple in Manali is dedicated to sage Vashisht, the Kula guru of Lord Rama in the village Vashisht across the River Beas. It is among the most famous places to visit in Manali.

The village of Vashisht was named after Rishi Vashisht one of the seven sages of Hindu. According to the legend, Rishi Vashisht was left depressed on finding out that his children had been killed by Vishwamitra. Rishi Vashisht tried to commit suicide by jumping into a river but the river refused to kill him. He then started a new life in the village here. The river which took the rishi to the village was named Vipasha, meaning freedom from bondage. The Vipasha River is now known as the Beas River.

The Vashisht temple is believed to be more than 4000 years old. Inside the temple there is a black stone image of the Rishi wearing dhoti. The Vashist temple is decorated with excellent and beautiful carvings .....

At a distance of 4 Km from Vashisht Temple and 7.5 Km from Manali Bus Stand, Jogini or Jogni Falls is a beautiful waterfall situated near Vashisht Village in Himachal Pradesh. The fall is formed by a stream which is merged in to Beas River in the downstream. The waterfall can be reached by trekking from Vashisht Temple. It is among popular places to visit in Manali and also one of the famous Places to visit in Himachal.

Jogini Falls is situated on the Northern edge of Vashisht Village & mark the village boundary. The waterfall cascades down from a height of around 150 feet through multiple levels. There is a small pool at the base formed by the fall and visitors can take a plunge in the water and spend some time. The flow of the water is heaving in monsoons and suggested not to adventure into the water during this time. Jogini mata temple is at the base of the waterfall. It is a sacred site to the surrounding villages. The locals bring .....

At a distance of 750 m from Manali Bus Stand, The Van Vihar is a municipal garden situated in front of the Tibetan market on the Mall Road, Manali.

The Van Vihar Park is beautifully adorned by deodar trees and is a perfect place to spend memorable time with loved ones. A number of locals and tourists visit the park to relax and get the fresh breeze of the Deodar trees.

The main attraction of the park is the beautiful man-made lake situated in the middle of the woods. Tourists can enjoy boating in the lake. There are also lot of swings for the children as well as couples in the park. The River Beas runs nearby the park. Visit the park in the evening and you will get a chance to enjoy the stunningly beautiful view of sun setting against the glorious backdrop of the majestic mountains.

Timings: 8 am - 7 pm in summer and 8 am - 5 pm in winter.

Entry Fee: Rs 5 per person, Boating Charge - Rs 30/ Person for 15 mins.

At a distance of 12 km from Manali Bus Stand, 2.5 km from Solang Village and 8 km from Burwa, Solang Valley locally known as Solang is one of the most famous tourist places in Manali and it is a well known Tourist places in Himachal for skiing, mountaineering and trekking activities.

Solang Valley is situated between Solang village and Beas Kund. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding snowcapped mountains and glaciers. It lies at a height of 8500 ft above the sea level and covered with green dense forests.

Solang Valley has fine ski slopes. The Mountaineering Institute of Manali has installed a ski lift for training purpose. The Directorate of Mountaineering & Allied Sports in Manali also organizes basic, advance and intermediate level courses in skiing.

The winter skiing festival is organized in Solang Valley. Skiing and Paragliding are two main activities are organized here. In winter, the valley becomes a skiing .....

At a distance of 13.5 km from Manali Bus Stand, 8 km from Gulaba Village, The Kothi Village is located along the route to Rohtang Pass from Manali on Leh - Manali Highway.

Kothi is situated at the foothills of Rohtang pass and lies at an altitude of 2500 m. This splendid village offers a magnificent view of snow capped mountains and glaciers and of the Beas River that flows through a very deep and narrow gorge at this point.

Kothi village is one of the most scenic places to be visited in Manali. The beautiful valley view is worth watching. A number of movies have been shot at this location. Kothi is an ideal site for nature lovers, poets and painters. Kothi is also known as Koshtampi and has a temple of Goddess Shuwang Chandika, a local deity. Kothi used to be a camping site when Rohtang pass had to be climbed on foot. In recent times, the place can be accessed through jeep, bus and pony rides.

Though the village can be visited throughout the year, the most appropriate .....

At a distance of 21.5 km from Manali Bus Stand, 8 km from Kothi Village and 13.5 km from Marhi, the village of Gulaba is situated on the way to Rohtang Pass on Leh - Manali Highway. Gulaba is among popular places of sightseeing in Manali.

Gulaba is located at an altitude of 4000 m. It is named after Raja Gulab Singh of Kashmir who camped here while he was invading China through this area. Covered with snow from November to February, it is the next best alternative for skiing when Rohtang Pass is closed because of snowfall in winter. The view of the majestic snow capped mountains, the swirling Beas River and the small grasslands simply add charm to the area.

Gulaba has been famous for skiing and other adventure sports. Besides skiing, one can also get involved in exploring the beauty of the region through Paragliding. Gulaba has numerous high peaks from where one can have a full view of the scenic location. During the end of February or early March, the Manali-Rohtang road .....

At a distance of 29 km from Manali Bus Stand, 23 km from Rohtang Pass and 15.5 km from Kothi Village, Rahala Falls is a waterfall located on the way to Rohtang Pass from Manali. It is one of the best waterfalls in Himachal state.

Rahala Waterfall is a magnificent waterfall located on Leh - Manali Highway. This fall is situated at an altitude of 2501 m. It is generally believed to be the outcome of melting of glaciers and so the water of this fall is extremely cold.

Rahala Waterfalls is situated in a very pristine area surrounded with dense growth of silver birch and deodar. The area around the Rahala Waterfalls is absolutely marvelous and the location also allows a picture perfect view of the snowcapped Himalayas.

The best time to visit this gorgeous fall is from March to October when maximum water gorges down the rocks. Owing to its mesmerizing beauty, this waterfall has emerged as one of the most frequented tourist attractions .....

At a distance of 20 km from Manali Bus Stand and 22 km from the Kullu Bus Stand, The Naggar Castle is a famous castle located in Naggar. It is one of the best places to visit in Manali. The Castle overlooks the Kullu Valley. From the castle one could see the far off snow-covered peaks, the delightful Beas valley below and the lush green hill sides dotted with apple orchards.

The Naggar Castle is a magnificent historical structure. The castle was built by Raja Sidhi Singh in 1460 AD in an impressive combination of European and Himalayan architecture. The castle has traditional architecture called Kathkooni, which uses a combination of stones and wooden beams.

The Naggar Castle was used as a Royal residence and state head quarter until the British took over the whole Kangra and Kullu from Sikh's in 1846. Raja Gyan Singh sold it to the first assistant commissioner, Major Hay for a Gun. The northern wing of the castle was later converted .....

At a distance of 10 km from Kullu Bus stand, 12 km from Naggar and 31 km from Manali, Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery is located in Kais village of Kullu District. It is also known as Kais Monastery.

This monastery was inaugurated during the month of May in the year 2005 by the great Noble laureate and his Holiness Dalai Lama. This Monastery is located near the left bank of Beas River. The picturesque view of the valleys which are surrounding the place make it an appealing destination.

The monastery gives a magical look and it has been strongly dedicated to Dalai Lama. The Dhakpo Monastery systemized with the traditional reasoning and scriptures of the master and disciple, the great pioneers of Buddha Dharma. The monastery serves as a boarding school and university for the study of Buddhist philosophy. This monastery houses several Tibetan monks. This Monastery has a huge prayer hall with a huge Buddha statue.

Every year in the month of August His Highness Dhakpo Rinpochhe .....

At a distance of 0.5 km from Kullu Bus stand, Raghunathji Temple is situated in Sultanpur. Lord Raghunathji is the chief deity of Kullu region. This temple is situated at an elevation of 2050 m and offers amazing views of the surrounding region.

Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temple was built in the 17th century by Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu. The idol is said to be the same which was used by Lord Rama himself at the time of Ashwamedha Yagna and was brought from Tretnath temple of Ayodhya.

The pagoda-style temple is a beautiful example of Pahari architecture. The main deity of the temple is Lord Rama whose image is enshrined at the main prayer room in the temple. The temple is made of white marble and contains a beautiful vimana. The prime attraction of this temple is the idol of Lord Rama in his chariot. The temple is also known for its white pillars which are adorned with beautiful intricate engravings.

According to the folklore, Raja Jagat Singh was held responsible .....

At a distance of 3 km from Dharamshala and 6 km from McLeod Ganj, Namgyalma Stupa is an old Buddhist structure situated at Uparli Barol.

Namgyalma Stupa is a dome-shaped construction that contains the remains of Buddha, which the Tibetans consider to be a sacred place of worship. It holds a huge shrine of Sakyamuni Buddha. The Namgyalma Stupa was constructed in the remembrance of the Tibetan soldiers who fought for the freedom of Tibet. This structure is similar in design to the structure built during the 3rd century BC by King Ashoka.

The Namgyalma Stupa is carved from sandstone and is made with a vision of being long-lasting. It is a belief among Tibetans that anything that falls on the Namgyalma Stupa gets purified. Some believe that rain water falling on the Stupa is blessed. It is also believed that a visit to the Namgyalma Stupa cleanses any bad karma that exists in the soul. The Stupa is surrounded by a number of prayer wheels. Tibetans who visit the Stupa for worship .....

At a distance of 2 km from McLeod Ganj Bus Stand and 4 km from Dharamshala, Tsuglagkhang Monastery is the most important Buddhist Monastery situated in McLeod Ganj suburb of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

Tsuglag Khang, also known as Dalai Lama's Temple complex, is the home for His Holiness Dalai Lama. It is among the world renowned religious centers and is thronged by Buddhist pilgrims throughout the year. Tsuglagkhang Monastery is beautifully built structure. This is more like a temple along with being a residential complex for His Holiness and his followers.

The complex houses the Photang (Dalai Lama's residence), Tibet Museum, Tsuglagkhang Temple, and Namgyal Gompa. The monastery deals with training of monks for rituals associated with holy shrine, whereas the temple is a chief place of worship. A beautifully decorated statue of Lord Buddha along with beautiful statues of Padmasambhava and Avalokiteshvara are housed .....

At a distance of 200 m from McLeod Ganj Bus Stand and 9 km from Dharamshala, Tsechokling Gompa, also known as Tse Chok Ling Gompa is a religious monument constructed on a steep hillside in McLeod Ganj.

Tsechokling Gompa is amongst the popular monasteries in the region and is highly regarded for its cultural significance. This peaceful Gompa was built in 1987 to replicate the original Dip Tse Chok Ling Gompa in Tibet, destroyed in the Revolution. Home to a small order of Gelukpa monks, the prayer hall enshrines a statue of Sakyamuni in a magnificent jeweled headdress.

The monks who lived in the Gompa made two huge drums covered in goatskin and painted beautifully. The Gompa is famous for the fine Mandalas.

At a distance of 1 km from McLeod Ganj and 8 km from Dharamshala, St. John Church, also known as St. John In The Wilderness, is an Anglican church situated at Forsyth Ganj on the way to McLeod Ganj amidst beautiful deodar trees.

The church was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and was constructed in 1852. The Church is a historic monument and one of the oldest churches in the region. It is built in Neo-Gothic architectural style and features Belgian stained-glass windows that were donated by Lady Elgin, wife of Lord Elgin.

The church was built with grey stone and is one of the few buildings still in existence in the town from the British era. The British style of architecture is extremely evident in the edifice of the church, with elegant wood of the altar and the brass handles of the oil lamps. These lamps have now been replaced with electric lamps. In 1905 an earthquake destroyed the bell tower of this church. A new bell was built in 1915, which was brought from England. .....

At a distance of 2 km from McLeod Ganj Bus Stand & 6 km from Dharamshala, Bhagsu Nag Temple also known as Bhagsunath Temple is one of the popular ancient temples located in McLeod Ganj. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the local deity Bhagsu Nag.

Bhagsu Nag Mandir is an ancient temple believed to have been built by King Bhagsu from Rajasthan. The present Bhagsu Nag temple was constructed by 1st Gurkha Rifles in early 19th century and worshipped majorly by 14 Gurkha platoon villages in Dharamshala. Adjacent to the temple building are a series of pools where Buddhist monks and visitors enjoy baths. An annual fair is conducted in the month of September at this temple which attracts tourist from the entire region.

This temple is situated on the way to Bhagsunag Waterfall.

At a distance of 3 km from McLeod Ganj & 7 km from Dharamshala, Bhagsunag Falls, also known as Bhagsu Falls, is an beautiful waterfall situated at Bhagsu village behind Bhagsunath Temple near McLeod Ganj in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

Cascading down from a height of 20 m, this is a mid-size waterfall. During monsoon, this waterfall turns beautiful alongside a mountain that features slate graffiti. This area is covered with snowfall during winters. Tourists love to swim across the cold water which gives the pleasant and refreshing experience. Trekking is also good and much enjoyable option here.

The Bhagsu village is a popular picnic spot and also home to the famous Bhagsunath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is a famous tourist attraction and also an important place for Hindu pilgrims. Reaching this waterfall needs some hard work as visitors need to climb the hill halfway to reach the waterfall. There is a nice cafeteria next to the falls and the area serves as .....

At a distance of 21 km from Dalhousie and 20 km from Chamba, Khajjiar is a beautiful hill station located in the Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh. Often known as the Switzerland of India, it is situated at an altitude of 1,951 m in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges of the Western Himalayas and is part of the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary. It is a popular getaway for adventure sports in Himachal state and also one of the top Himachal tourist places.

Khajjiar was a part of the erstwhile state of the Rajput rulers of Chamba. It served as the capital of Chamba rulers. Thereafter, it was taken over by the Mughals, from which the rule passed over to various Sikh kingdoms. Subsequently, it was taken over by the British.

Khajjiar is a picturesque spot with an emerald saucer shaped meadow amidst a dense forest which has a lake with a floating island at its center and a temple with a golden spire. Khajjiar Lake is a small lake covering .....