Chamba

Introduction and Histroy :The quintessential town of Chamba is located on the banks of river Ravi, north-western part of Himachal Pradesh in India. Chamba blossomed as the ancient capital of the Pahari Rajas. It was named after King Sahil Varman’s daughter Champavati who is also a patron deity of this place. Steeped in nearly 1000 years of rich history and with beautiful intricately carved temples standing as a testament to the past glory, the town has a lot to offer for pilgrims and sightseers alike. The temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and exhibit Shikhara style architecture. But what really sets the hill station Chamba apart is the fact that it isn’t quite tourist-thronged as the other hill stations. As every other town in the bosom of Himachal Pradesh, Chamba is covered with lush deciduous forests, sprinkling waterfalls and sprawling green town squares (Chowgan) with a wide variety of flora and fauna to boast about.

What To See :Akhand Chandi Palace, Bhuri Singh Museum that hosts a wide variety of ancient and traditional Chamba artifacts. The Hari Rai and Lakshmi Narayan temples dating back to the 10th century are wonderfully ornate in architecture. Chamunda Devi temple and many others with a unique story are also worth visiting. Also visit the 100 years old Church here. Dayanand Math founded by Swami Sarvanand Maharaja of Punjab is a spiritual place to visit.Visit the sacred Manimahesh Lake where thousands have a holy dip around Janamashtami. April to September is the best time to visit.

Things to do : Chamba is definitely a trekking paradise. One can go trekking from Chamba through Bhaderwah to Kashmir, through the Sach Pass into Pangi Valley and to other peaks in the Dhauladhar, Peerpanjal and Lashkar mountain ranges. World famed Chamba rumals embroidery and chappal along with exquisite pahari paintings make shopping an enriching experience.

Accomodations :Various low and medium budget hotels are available with prices ranging between 500 and 2000 rupees per day. Besides, hill resorts and spas are fast becoming popular. Also Himachal Tourism and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam have deluxe rooms in town.

Mode Of Transport :The nearest airport is at Kangra (180 Kilometers) from where there are regular flights to Delhi and Shimla. The nearest railway station is at Pathankot (122 Kilometers) which in turns, is connected with Jammu, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. Dalhousie is 50 Kilometers away. Chamba is also well connected to many other major cities and there are regular buses to many cities like Pathankot, Delhi, Dharamshala, Chandigarh, Jammu etc. Within Chamba, travelers can hire taxis or choose to travel in buses and minibuses.

Related links:• Official website: http://www.hpchamba.nic.in
See also (Nearby places): Dalhousie, Khajjiar, Banikhet and Shimla.

Kangra

Introduction and history: Kangra town is a picturesque spot in the confluence of Bener and Majhi streams, overlooking the Ban Ganga torrent, in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh. In ancient times, this historic town, then called Nagarkot, had witnessed several invasions and political upheavals. The ruined Kangra Fort stands testimony to its glorious past. The region is also known for its ancient temples. Kangra was the ancient capital of the erstwhile rulers of Chand dynasty, but faced a series of invasions by Mahmud of Ghazni in AD 1009 and Feroz Shah Tughlaq in AD 1309. It was under the reign of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch that Kangra witnessed an upsurge in miniature paintings. Although a severe earthquake in 1905 destroyed most of the palace buildings, you can still see some of the paintings and murals on its walls.

What to see and when to go: There are many temples to visits such as Behna Mahadev, Brajeshwari Temple, Brijraj Behari Temple, Masrur Temple, Shiva Temple and Siddhanatha Temple. Kangra fort and Sujanpur forst are a must watch to understand the history of Kangra. The ideal time to visit Dharamshala is from the months of May to October.

Things to do: Kangra gives opportunity to become a wild-life lover by exploring the virgin jungles around that. One can visit the Pong Lake sanctuary and other nature parks at Kufri, Manali and Gopalpur.

Accommodation: There are lot of hotels available depending on the budget. The hotels are spread well across the valley and one can suite themselves as per his own preferred style of accommodation.

Mode of transport: Kangra airport is 7 Kilometres away and has got straight flights from Delhi. Nearest railhead at Pathankot is 86 Kilometres away and one is situated at Mukarian is 30 Kilometres. Kangra Valley express is a narrow gauge train, starting from Pathankot and continues to Bajinath. Kangra is well connected by road with Dharamsala, which is 18 Kilometres away. Tourists can hire taxis at reasonable cost from the major intersection of the city.

Related links:

• Official web site: www.hpkangra.nic.in

See also (nearby places): Macleodganj, Chamunda, Haripur, Dharamshala, Bhagsunath, Jawalamukhi, Nadaun, Una, Bilaspur, Rohtang Pass, Keylang, Manali, Kullu Valley, Pragpur.

Leh

Introduction and history: Situated at a height of 3505 meters, Leh, the capital of Ladakh is towards the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir. During the olden days, Leh was an important stopover on trade routes along the Indus Valley between Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west and ultimately between India and China. In the 17th century, King Sengge Namgyal, who ruled Ladakh, shifted his court from Shey to Leh. Leh became the regional capital and very soon the town blossomed into one of the busiest markets on the Silk Route. Besides its history, Leh, today, is a favourite hiking locale and is known for some of the best hikes in the country. Its colourful gompas (meditation halls) have attracted the devout Buddhists from all over the world.

What to see and when to go: Leh is full of interest and dominated by the semi-ruined Royal Palace. The old town is a maze of narrow streets, temples and bazaars and is a great place to explore. Attending Leh festival in June/July is the most enthralling experience for tourists. This is ideal to visit during the summer months from June to September.

Things to do: Leh Palace is an imposing palace towering over Leh town - it’s also a nine storey high empty shell - but a beautiful one. It was built in the 16th century by King Singe Namgyal and it still belongs to the royal family, who doesn’t live there anyway. The Palace, often locked, has a museum with some tangkhas and paintings. However this is not what makes your visit worthwhile: the highlight is the view you get over Leh town - which is particularly suggestive at dusk. The lane that leads you up there starts from Main Bazaar - just ask around for its precise starting point.

Accommodation: There are lot of hotels available depending on the budget. The hotels are spread well across the city and one can suite themselves as per one’s preferred style of accommodation.

Hotel Shambha-La ***
Leh Ladakh
Leh - 194101
Phone : +91 -1982-52067, 52607

Pangong Hotel
Chulung, Leh 194101 Ladakh, India
Phone - 91+1982+254655, 253123
Fax - 91+1982+252414

(From April to October)
Hotel Shambhala
Leh - 194 101,
Ladakh (India).
Ph : 0091-1982-251100, 253500
Mobile : 0941917 7900,
09419179769
09810035145

Mode of transport: Multiple domestic operates regular scheduled flights to Leh from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Srinagar. The 434 kilometres Srinagar-Leh road, which remains open for traffic from early June to November is the main land route to Ladakh. It is recommended to hire taxis for local transport for tourists.

Related links:
• Official Website: http://leh.nic.in

See also (nearby places): Spituk Gompa, Thikse gompa, Stakna, Stok gompa, Lamayuru monastery, Likir monastery, Phyang gompa, Bagso gompa, Chernry gompa, Mulbekh gompa, Thak Thog gompa and the town of Choglamsar, the Matho gompa, Alchi Gompa, Palace Monastery of Shey Gompa, statue of Maitreya Buddha , Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Bara Lachha Pass , Zanskar Range, Upshi .

Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh

Introduction and history: Located approximately 18 km from town of Leh, Thiksey monastery is one of the masterpiece of monasteries at Ladakh region. Thiksey monastery was initially built at Stakmo by Sherab Stangpo of Stod. However, Spon Paldan Sherab, the nephew of Sherab Zangpo, reconstructed the monastery in the year 1430 AD. The new monastery was sited on a hilltop, to the north of Indus River. Thiksey is one of the finest examples of Ladakhi architecture. This Gompa is situated on the top of the hill and forms part of Gelukpa order of Buddhism.

What to see and when to go: Thiksey Gompa serves as the residence of approximately eighty monks. It has been served, for quite a long time, by the successive reincarnations of the Skyabsje Khanpo Rinpoche. The monastery also plays the host to Gustor ritual, organized from the 17th to 19th day of the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar. Sacred dances also form a part of this ritual, which takes place on an annual basis.

Things to do: Apart from visiting Thiksey Monastery, one can enjoy hot water springs at Panamik. The last destination travelers are permitted to travel in Nubra valley, are believed to have certain medicinal qualities that cure a number of ailments.

Accommodation: Leh offers many kinds of accommodation to suit almost every pocket and preference. Most of the hotels are family-run establishments and, therefore, service is more personalized than professional.

Mode of transport: The nearest Airport is Leh. For road travelers, National Highway 1D will take you to Leh. It takes close to 7 hours from Kargil, which forms part of 1D (Srinagar–Kargil-Leh).

Related links:
• Website: http://www.thiksey.com/

See also (nearby places): Hemis Gompa, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Sankar gompa, Shanti Stupa, Likir Monastery, Cave Monastery , Zongkhul Monastery , Shey Palace, Pangong Lake, Tsomiriri lake, Korzok Village, The Samtaling Gompa, Nubra Valley, Alchi Gompa, Lamayuru Monastery, Spituk Monastery, Leh City.

Ladakh Zanskar

Introduction and history: Zanskar, meaning copper star in Tibetan, is a high altitude semi-desert lying on the Northern flank of the Great Himalayan Range. At about 20 Kms. south-east of Rangdum stands the Pazila watershed; and across lies Zanskar. The top is 4401 meters from sea level, is a picturesque table land adorned with two small alpine lakes and surrounded by snow covered peaks. As the Zanskar road tapers down the steep slopes of the watershed to the head of the Stod Valley, the majestic ‘Drang-Drung’ glacier looms into full view. A long and winding river of ice and snow, it is perhaps the largest glacier in Ladakh, outside the Siachen formation. It is from the cliff-like snout of this extensive glacier that the Stod or Doda River, the main tributary of River Zanskar, rises.

What to see and when to go: Trekking is the apex attraction and is considered as one of the lifetime experience. Owing to the altitudes the Zanskar valley is accessible only during from June to mid of October. The winter months are too harsh for travel in Zanskar. An astonishing fact is that in the winter months the water of the River Zanskar freezes and becomes the Chador road.

Things to do: Apart from trekking, adventure seekers have river rafting from Serchu to Nyimu via Padam. The fort of Zoravar Singh at Panikhar and Gelugpa monastery are the must visit to know the importance of the religion in the lives of the inhabitants of Zanskar.

Accommodation: Plan well ahead before visiting Zanskar as the not much accommodation is available. Tourist complex, private hotels and camping places at Padum and dormitory at Karsha are the only available options and their prince starts from 800 rupees per day.

Mode of transport: The nearest road is 240 km long Kargil-Padum road, which remains opened from around mid July to early November. B-class buses operate thrice, weekly, from Kargil. However groups can charter A-Class or even Super-Deluxe buses also.

Related links:
• Tourist information: www.jktourism.org

See also (nearby places): Castle at Zangla, cave monastery in Zongkhu, the monastery of Stongdey, Panikhar and Panzella pass.

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