FORTS

The Kangra Fort is the largest in Himachal and its external battlements cover a length of about 4 km . There are remains of large forts at Kamlah, Nurpur, Haripur, Nadaun, Sujanpur Tira, Bahadurpur, Ghumarwin, Fatehpur, Kot Kehlur, Ratanpur, Sariun and Mangarh.

Taragarh, near Palampur is the property of the former rulers of Jammu and Kashmir, which today is a hotel.At the hill station of Dalhousie, Jandrighat and Silverton are hotels with an aura of the past. At Pragpur in Kangra, an old Haveli makes for an interesting stay.

At Nalagarh and Arki in the Solan District, the old palaces renowned for their wall paintings have been converted into hotels that are also on the `Heritage’ list. At Mandi is the Rajmahal Hotel.

As the hills climb, the architectural styles alter. Here, mostly every little village and its cluster of huts has a high gabled temple standing out like a slate-roofed mushroom.The temple complex of Bhimkali at Sarahan, the Naggar Castle (now a hotel), the Kamru Fort in Kinnaur and the Gondla Tower near Keylong belong to this genre.

Western and imperial influences came pouring in when the British began building their chain of hill stations and cantonments. Viceregal Lodge (now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study), the colosal neo-Gothic Town Hall, the District Courts, the imperial civil Secretariat at Gorton Castle, Ellerslie (now the secretariat of the Himachal Government), Barnes Court (the Raj Bhawan today) and the library on the Ridge in Shimla, all speak of the Victorian Gothic.

The houses of Himachal were composed in European style and their structural elements were vernacular. Chapslee, Woodville and the Springfield in Shimla are heritage hotels today. The palace at Chail modelled on Georgian forms is also a beautiful resort. The palaces at Jubbal and Nahan built in Mughal and colonial style are also of special interest.

Himachal offers several forts and princely residences high on hilltops, that speak of sanguinary past. Also there are temples, churches and monastries. There are age old villages and houses that merge in pastoral perfection with the landscape.

TEMPLES

Himachal was known since the earliest of times as “devabhoomi", the abode of the gods.Most of the temples have legends dating back to centuries. Several of them are important places of pilgrimage and each year, attract thousands of devotees from all over the country.

CHAMBA DISTRICT

Lakshmi Narayan Temple - are of great archaeological importance. In this complex, there are five other main temples namely, Radha Krishna, Chandra Sekhara Mahadev,Gaurishankara, Tryambakeshwara and Laxmi Damodara, built in Nagar style.Other temples around Chamba town include, those dedicated to Hari Rai, Champavati, Bansigopal, Ram Chandra, Bajreshwari, Chamunda, Narsingh and Yogi Charpat Nath.
Chaurasi Temples - consist of the main temples of Lakshmi Devi, Ganesh, Manimahesh and Narsing in Bharmaur.

Chattrari Temple - Dedicated to Shakti, this temple houses a sanctuary and a colonnade that preserve early examples of carved wood work.There are also attendant figurines and a brass image of Shiva.
Katasan Devi Temple A popular place of pilgrimage, the temple has a beautiful view of the Chamba Valley. (30 kms)

KANGRA DISTRICT

Chamunda Devi Temple Just km from Chaugan is the temple dedicated to the goddess Chamunda Devi. The temple is embellished with fine wood carving.

Kunal Pathari - A rock temple to the local goddess is not far from the Kotwali Bazaar. (3 km)
Brajeshwari Devi Temple - Once filled with a legendary fortune in diamonds and pearls, the temple was ravaged by foreign invaders and destroyed in 1905 by an earthquake. It has since been restored to its pristine glory continues to be a busy place of pilgrimage.
Jwalamukhi - The shrine to goddess Devi at Jwalamukhi is an important place of pilgrimage. Here at the temple with its gilded dome, an eternally burning flame, issuing from a hollow in the rock, is considered the manifestation of the goddess. (30 km)
Baijnath - The 12th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a befitting monument in the memory of Ravana’s having offered his head as many as ten times to his Guru, Vaidyanath Shiva, as per legends inscribed here.

MANDI DISTRICT

Rewalsar - Around a natural lake with a floating island are a Shiva temple - the Lomesh Rishi Temple, Guru Govind Singh’s gurdwara and a Buddhist monastry founded by the Guru Padmasambhava. A spot that is revered by people of three faiths.
Pashara Temple - Situated at a height of 4,250 metres above the town of Pandoh, this pagoda style temple houses a wooden image of Prashara Rishi.

KULLU DISTRICT

Hadimba Devi Temple - Built in Pagoda style, the temple is charecterised by its 24m high tower. It’s sanctuary is built over a rocky crevice covered by a large rock that is worshipped as a manifestation of Durga. The divinity is popularly worshipped throughout the region. During festivals the goddess is even transported to Kullu to visit the god Raghunatha.
Bijli Mahadev - An unusal temple dedicated to Shiva - the lord of lightning, is located on a height overlooking the Kullu and Parvati valleys. A 60ft staff above the temple attracts divine blessings in the form of lightning and breaks the stone linga in the sanctum.
Basheshwar Mahadev Temple -is 15 km. from Kullu in Bajaura. It is a site famous for its stone carvings.

SHIMLA DISTRICT

Jakhoo Temple - A temple dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman, whose form is much in evidence. This is a spot that interests the tourists a great deal. The children enjoy throwing biscuits and grams to the chattering monkey folks dwelling here in great number.
Bhimkali Temple - A marvelous example of hill architecture, the temple complex at Sarahan is set against the incredibly beautiful backdrop of high ranges and forested slopes. Built in a combination of the Hindu and Buddhist styles, it was a temple of the Bushair rulers of Rampur.
Hatkoti - Situated along Pabbar River, 104km from Shimla, the temple dedicated to Durga and Shiva.

BILASPUR DISTRICT

Shri Naina Devi - On a hill, close to Bilaspur and Kiratpur(34km), is the famous shrine of Naina Devi. Naina devi is where Sati’s eyes are supposed to have fallen. A colourful fair, the Shravana Astami Mela is held here in July-August.

UNA DISTRICT

Chintpurni- is about 75km from the town of Una and 100 km from Jalandhar dedicated to Bhagwati Chinmastika or Chintpurni - the goddess who grants all wishes.

SIRMOUR DISTRICT

Parshuram Temple - The temple dedicated to the Goddess Renuka, wife of Rishi Jamadagni and mother of Parshurama, stands near the picturesque Renuka Lake.
Trilokpur - About 25 km from Nurpur, at the confluence of the Bohar and Bhali streams, is another sacred spot popular with the pilgrims of different religions. A Hindu Temple, a Buddhist Monastry, a Gurudwara and a Mosque are all situated at the same place.

HAMIRPUR DISTRICT

Baba Balak Nath Temple - A cave temple located in Deothsidh, in the Dhaulagiri Hills of Hamirpur, is a noted place of pilgrimage. People come here to seek the blessings of Baba Balak Nath whose image is located in the cave. Silhouted against dark green ranges in the Shivalik hills, about 2130 metres above sea level rests the queen of hills, Shimla,also referred to as Mount Olympus in the later days. A region rich in tradition and natural beauty, Shimla and its environs make for a lovely and varied stay full of surprises that characterise Himachal.

Visitors to this place treasure their own images of this beautiful city. Many come here to escape from the scorching heat of the plains, or wind up their way to its suburbs, or simply to admire the splendid views. It is a city for the fun lovers, for the ardent admirers of nature and also ideal for the honeymooners which remains unashamedly romantic through every changing season.

As a holiday choice Shimla can hold its own against most competition. The biggest hillstation of the world at one time, Shimla still retains the glories of its perennial splendour. It boasts scenic variety which ranges from the green meadows of asphodel, of hyacinth and celandine, to carmine rhododendron trees surrounded by solemn forests of deodar and towering pine. The air is pine scented. The pace is slow.

This capital of Himachal Pradesh bears an ineffaceable marks of its original creation by the British who used to seek refuge here from the oppressive heat of the plains. A place of peace and pleasure now, Shimla came into existence in 1819, after the Gurkha War, when a thickly wooded spot, then known for the temple of goddess `Shyamala’ was discovered. Its climate commanded itself to British officers on leave and remained a summer village of tents for about three years. It was only in the year 1822 that Captain Kennedy constructed the first double storey building here known as the Kennedy House. Lord Amherst, the first Governor General who visited Shimla, in 1827 stayed at the Kennedy House. It was during Lord William Bentinck’s time that Shimla was truly acquired by the Government of India. The old Dak Bungalow of Shimla was demolished to provide a site for the Bentinck Castle, which is today the famous Grand Hotel. Soon Shimla became the summer capital of the British Indian Government. Lord Bentinck’s successor Lord Auckland, chose a residence on the northern eastern spur of the Shimla range which was known as the Auckland House. The Auckland House, one of the oldest houses of Shimla, was a scenario of brilliant balls and theatricals.

The summer exodus of the officials from the plains, however, ended after 1947. Shimla continued to serve as a temporary capital of the east Punjab until the new city of Chandigarh was completed. It has remained the capital of Himachal Pradesh ever since 1966.

Sprawling along a twelve kilometer long crescent shaped ridge, Shimla offers its visitors a wealth of places of beauty, cultural distinct and interest. It straddles a steep ridge, with settlements sloping down on both sides. Winding roads criss - cross the hillsides, which are ideal for leisurely walks. Shimla today is a charming town, with an almost palpable British presence manifested in the buildings like the Christ Church, the Viceregal Lodge, the famous Scandal Point and many cottages.

Places of Interest in and Around Shimla

The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. People walk up and down the Mall slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone. The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall.

Christ Church: Situated on the Ridge is Christ Church, which is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.

Jakhu Hill: 2 kms. from Shimla, at a height of 8000 ft, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. At the top of the Hill, is an old temple of Hanuman, which is also the home of countless playful monkeys waiting to be fed by all visitors.

Shimla State Museum: The Museum, which was opened in 1974, has tried to project hill-out and the cultural wealth of the state. There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region.

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies: This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, which was built in 1884-88 during the British times. It has spacious gardens and is ringed by beautiful pine trees. All is calm and serene just the right atmosphere for a student of literature or politics.

Summer Hill: Situated at a distance of 5 kms. from the Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill at a height of 6,500 ft. on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Mahatma Gandhi lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.

Annandale: Developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is 2-4 kms. from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a favourite spot for cricket, picnics and the princely game of polo.

Tara Devi: 11kms. from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides. At a height of 6,070 ft. Tara Devi is an ideal place for a person wanting peace and some rest.

Sankat Mochan: A popular Hanuman temple is located here. We get an excellent view of Shimla from the temple. It can be reached by car or on foot.

Mashobra: 13 kms. away from Shimla, Mashobra has several excellent picnic spots. Mashobra is the site of the annual Sipi fair in June. The nearest rest house is at Craignano which is 3 kms. from Mashobra, and is a beautiful holiday resort.

Kufri: 16 kms. from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft. Kufri is the winter sports capital. During winter, visitors have the facility for skiing. The skiing season is at its best during January and February. Equipment for sking is available from HPTDC winter sports club at Kufri. Apart from skiing, Kufri is a lovely picnic spot with a beautiful view of the hills around and the snowy peaks. There is also a zoo that delights children.

Naldehra: 22 kms. from Shimla and surrounded by beautiful deodar trees. Naldehra has a well kept nine-hole golf-course. It is a lovely, popular picnic spot. The annual Sipi fair in June is held in Naldehra.

Chail: Chail is a little mountainous heaven 45 kms. from Shimla. It was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala before Independence. The forests near Chail have many species of birds and deer. Chail is known for its cricket pitch, which is the highest cricket ground in the world.