Chail is a prefect destination for those, who wish to take a break from a hectic day to day routine and the traffic within a city one residing in.
A drive to Chail is scenic, winding around the gorgeous valleys of Kandaghat, past forests thick with foliage and fruit laden orchards. Along the entire journey, you are aware that Chail stands apart from other Himachal hill stations in its majesty and location. When you finally reach Chail, you are rewarded with a spectacular view of the Himalayas. The twinkling lights of Shimla and Kasauli are clearly visible and Chail overlooks the Satluj Valley. Chail lies at a height of 2,250 metres above the sea level and serves as a perfect destination for honeymooners
History:
Chail was the summer capital of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. In 1891, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala incurred the wrath of Lord Kitchener and was sent to exile. He was banned to enter into the summer capital of the British Raj, Shimla. Thus, to avenge the dishonour Maharaja Bhupinder Singh decided to build a better summer capital. The little village of Chail is perfect and is well surrounded by magnificent deodar forests. The architecturally magnificent palace of Maharaja is now used as a tourist hotel.
How to reach:Nestled amidst the lush green mountain ranges of Himachal Pradesh, Chail is one of the preferred destinations amidst for the usual tourists and also for the honeymooners. The reason for this mainly comprises of the romantic ambience offered by the natural beauty and salubrious weather of the hill resort. On top of that, even reaching the place presents no problem at all, mainly because of the fact that Chail is well connected with all the major cities of India. The road distance of Chail from Chandigarh is 115 kms. In the following lines, we will tell you more about ‘how to reach Chail’.
Getting there: Chail is 115 km from Chandigarh , via Kalka.The drive to Chail from Shimla is 43 km via Kufri and 61 km via Kandaghat. The toy train from Kalka to Kandaghat takes 5 hours and chugs through picturesque hills and tunnels. There are buses and tourist taxis to Chail from Chandigarh, Kalka, Shimla and Kandaghat.
By AirLocated at the distance of 45 kilometer from Chail, Jubbarhati Airport of Shimla becomes the nearest airport from the city. From there, one can find frequent flights to Delhi and Chandigarh. The next nearest airport from Chail is that of Chandigarh, from where one can opt for either taxis or regular buses for traveling to Chail. By RailKalka, located at the distance of 86 kilometers, forms the nearest railhead to reach Chail. It is well connected with almost all the key cities of India. Another option left with travelers is the next-nearest Chandigarh railway station, which has regular trains from the rest of the country. From Chandigarh, one can easily find taxis as well as buses for Chail. By Road Kandaghat, located at the distance of 29 kilometer from Chail, is the nearest road link from Chail. There are not direct buses from Chandigarh for reaching the hill station. However, you can take a bus till Kandaghat and from there, hire a local taxi. Another option is Shimla, get down at Shimla and from Shimla, take a regular bus or a taxi for Chail.
Weather of Chail:Chail has a natural air conditioned weather and the tourist find this place to be suitable to visit all throughout the year. Even during the summer the temperature doesn't rise to much, the autumn in all its colours is really fascinating. During autumn the fields and the forests are covered with a cloak of russet and gold, in winter it is nothing less than a paradise. The weather conditions are so perfect that even in the winter when there is snow fall there is an unusual featured warmth present avoiding the inconvenience of the people.
Best time: Chail is beautiful in summer when the days are warm and the nights cool. The best time to come here is from April to early July and again from September to November when the monsoons are done. The winters are cold and see snow. Carry light woollens and cotton outfits for summer and heavy woollens and snow protection for winter.
Places to visit:
Chail SanctuaryChail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife. Chail sanctuary was notified on 21st March 1976 near Chail Town in District Shimla and covers an area of 10,854.36 hectares. Palace HotelThe little 'hill station' of Chail came into being when Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala was banished from Shimla, the 'summer capital' of British India, after a dalliance with the Commander-in-Chief's daughter in the late 19th century. Accommodation: The brightest star on the Chail horizon is the luxurious Chail Palace Hotel maintained by HPTDC. Tariffs range from Rs 1500 for a regular double room to Rs 6000 for the Maharaja suite. There are other moderate and budget hotels, motels and tourist lodges as well as deluxe Swiss tents and camps. Its best to book in advance during season.
Cricket GroundSurrounded by gigantic deodar and well maintained Chail Cricket ground is the highest cricket ground in the world. Built in 1893, this cricket pitch located at the height of 2,144m is also used as polo ground. Maharaja's PalaceThe magnificent Rajgarh palace, with elaborate furnishings, built in 1891. With comfortable log huts and cottages, dense forests and serene walks, sprawling lawns, a childrens park, a `lovers hill', and sports facilities, Chail is a resort in the real sense of the term. Sidh Baba Ka MandirMaharaja Bhupinder Singh had originally intended this to be the site of his palace, and had even started building it, but as is believed, a 'sidh', saintly person appeared in the Maharaja's dream, and declared that this was the place where he had meditated. Consequently, Bhupinder Singh shifted his venue and built a temple on the spot.
Wildlife:
The Chail Sanctuary has "Choral", "Kakkar, "Sambhar" (Deer variety), red jungle fowl and "Khalij" and "Cheer" pheasants. Machan-like sighting posts have been built near a place called blossom and at Khariun. The deodar and oak forests and grasslands around the town are part of the sanctuary. One can see sambhar, ghoral and cheer pheasants at Blossom and Jhaja - where there are pheasant breeding centers. Barking deer and khalij pheasant are often spotted at dusk and dawn in the sanctuary. Treks from Chail to Gaura and Chail to Jhaja are popular.
Nearby places:
KufriA long and enjoyable drive through lush forests and quaint villages takes one to the small but thoroughly popular hill station of Kufri. Its main attractions are the Nature Park, and the exciting trek that leads to the divine Mahasu peak.SadhupulHalfway between Kandaghat and Chail is the tiny village of Sadhupul, and the bridge over the Ashwani stream, a popular picnic - spot.
Where to Stay:
Chail has some good stay options for the visitors. Accommodation options vary in Chail from luxurious hotels such as HPTDC's Palace Hotel to budget hotels, cottages and tourist lodges, which are available at reasonable prices.
Jungle Livinn, Chail
Address V & P.O. JanedghatShimla Hills,Chail – Kufri RoadChail12 luxury Swiss tents with all modern amenities including an attached tiled bathroom with 24 hours hot and cold shower. Every cottage has it’s own unique view of the valley, natural light from dawn to dusk, wooden ceiling.
Boparai Camping Site, Chail, Himachal Pradesh Chail
Chail Palace:
Built in 1891, the Maharaja's palace is set in approximately 75 acres and has a truly regal setting with spectacular views. A wide variety of cottages, suites and rooms with different tariffs can accommodate every visitor who wishes to savor this majestic hill station.
ADDRESS: The Palace, Chail Distt. Solan (H.P.)-173217. Tel: (01792) - 248141, 248143 Fax: (01792) - 248140.Email: palace@hptdc.in
Facilities:
The suites, rooms and cottages are sumptuously furnished with ornate and antique furniture and wall to wall carpeting with fire place. The bathrooms are luxurious with bath tubs provided. There is a provision of Satellite Television.
Firewood or room heaters provided. Gift shop, Parking within premises, Taxi on demand. Doctor on call, Safe deposit facility, Bar and Restaurant serving Indian, Chinese, Continental and Himachali cuisine, Conference facility for 70 person, Children's Park, Billiards, Lawn Tennis.
Showing posts with label VACATIONS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VACATIONS. Show all posts
Friday, June 12, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Weekend Gateway-SHIMLA
Known as “The Summer Refuge”, Shimla was formerly the capital of the British India and has a picturesque location conferred with the nature’s bounty that makes it quite distinctive from the rest of the hill stations of north India.
Everything in this quaint town has a unique appeal and never fails to impress even the most demanding tourists. Before embarking on a tour, information about Shimla is certainly going to be of immense help that would make for a rewarding travel experience.
Shimla is perhaps the most picturesque town that you would come across on your tour of north India. During the British era, Shimla was the summer retreat and was renowned as the “Queen of the Hills”. Its topography is characterized by undulating hills, lush green valleys, garrulous rivers, dense woods and a pleasant climate that makes it an ideal getaway from the din and rush of the plains. Besides, you will also encounter several tourist attractions in Shimla that are worth catching a glimpse.
History:
The history of Shimla dates back to the 19th century when it was founded by the British in the year 1819 after the Gurkha war. During that period, it was most popular for the temple of Hindu Goddess Shyamala Devi. In 1822, the first British summer home was constructed by Scottish civil servant Charles Pratt Kennedy. Shimla became the summer capital of the British Raj during the latter half of the 19th century and the soldiers of the British army, merchants and civil servants dropped in here to get relief from the scorching heat of the plains. A remarkable event took place in the history of Shimla when the Kalka-Shimla railway line was constructed in the year 1906 that significantly added to its quick accessibility and it gained immense popularity. Apart from this, Shimla was declared as capital of the undivided state of Punjab in the year 1871 and remained so until Chandigarh (the present-day capital of Punjab) was given the status of the region’s capital. Himachal Pradesh got separated from undivided Punjab in the year 1971 with Shimla becoming its capital. You will come across several British structures in Shimla such as the Viceregal lodge, Auckland House, Gorton Castle, Peterhoff house, and Gaiety Theatre that are the reminders of the colonial times.
When to go:
Best Season, Climate and Clothing
The summer season in Shimla starts from April and lasts till June, with maximum temperature of 28° C and a minimum temperature of 15° C. For the summer season, light woolens/cottons are recommended.Winter season lasts from November to February and the temperature rises to a maximum of 8° C and a low of 0° C or even lower. For the winters, heavy woolens are essential.
How to reach:
Transportation and Access to Shimla by Air:
You can reach Shimla by air which is the most convenient and rapid mode of transport. Shimla has its own airport that offers connections for Delhi and Kullu. However, Chandigarh is the best option. It is well connected with Delhi by many domestic flights, and is the gateway to Shimla.
Transportation and Access to Shimla by Rail:
Reaching Shimla by rail is also very convenient as Kalka is the nearest major railhead which is connected with Shimla on the meter gauge. Further, Kalka is well-connected with the other main cities of India on the broad gauge line. Shivalik Express ( Kalka – Shimla toy train) is the luxury Deluxe Train that links Shimla with Kalka.
Transportation and Access to Shimla by Road:
Access to Shimla by road is made possible by the well-maintained and efficient network of roadways, National Highway 22 that links the town with Chandigarh. The transport system within the town is also good and bus or private vehicles can be used to travel from one part of the town to another. A journey by road takes about 3 hours.
Where to visit:
Himachal State Museum and Library: This museum is indisputably one of the prime tourist attractions in Shimla and remains open to the public except on Mondays and public holidays. This museum houses a fine collection of antique sculptures, paintings, coins, photos and other items not only from the state but also outside it. You will also find a library here which houses several historical books and manuscripts. Viceregal Lodge and Botanical Gardens: Also famous as “Rashtrapati Niwas”, it is a spectacular building located on the Observatory Hills and was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. Its construction was accomplished in the year 1888 and every brick for the building was carried by mules according to the sources. The massive six-story building is surrounded by well manicured gardens and lawns.
Indian Institute of Advanced Studies: Located in the Viceregal Lodge, it was constructed in the year 1888. The kind of architecture is English Renaissance with stonework of the walling in light blue limestone and the wrought stonework being done in sandstone in a stunning light gray shade. The grounds are open to the public only on Sunday and you need a ticket in order to enter. The Ridge: This place is an open space in the heart of town and offers outstanding views of the distant mountain ranges. The two prominent landmarks of Shimla, the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church and the new Tudor Library building are the other attractions located here. The Mall: It is the key shopping centre of Shimla with restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices, tourist offices and most of town’s highlights. The place becomes breathtakingly romantic in the evening offering wonderful views of the lit up city below. You can laze around the Mall and spend some intimate moments with close ones. It is the most significant among the tourist attractions in Shimla. Summer Hill: It is a scenic spot located near Shimla at an altitude of 1,283 meters and is much visited by the tourists. The legendary Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi during his sojourn in Shimla spent some time in the elegant Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur located here. Glen:It is a charming picnic spot and is a 4 km walk through the dense woods located at a height of 1, 830 meters. You can also go for picnic at this spot since it is completely secluded and tranquil. Tara Devi Temple: Among the various places to visit in Shimla, this temple occupies a crucial place and is also of great importance for the pilgrims. It is located on top of a hill facing Shimla and commands panoramic vistas of Shimla. It is also an ideal picnic spot surrounded by thick forest of oak and rhododendron.
Kufri:
India's one of the best holiday paradise Kufri in Shimla is beautifully tucked on an altitude of 2,622 meter. The place is a tourist hotspot for its awesome scenic and sports activities.
You have to cover a 16 km distance from Shimla to reach Kufri. Kufri is believed to be a heaven for the tourists as the place is endowed with rippling fountains, splashing rivers, mountains, peaks draped with snow.
Getting To Kufri in Shimla: It is better to harbor on Shimla first and then you can avail of a hired car or a bus to reach Kufri. You have to ascend around 16 km towards east from Shimla. Kufri is a regular stop for Himachal Pradesh Tourism Buses and other buses that travel between Shimla and Narkanda or up to Rampur (via Fagu). A Taxi ride will take less than an hour to reach Kufri from Shimla.
Hotels:
Among the Shimla hotels, the five and four star hotels also occupy a reputed position and they are popular for their facilities and services matching the international standards.
Radisson Hotel Shimla Address :Good Wood Estate, Lower BharariShimla-171001 India Accommodation at Radisson Shimla : Radisson Hotel offers 59 well-appointed rooms with scenic valley views. These are categorized into 47 Deluxe Rooms, 4 Executive Suites and 8 Deluxe Suites. All the rooms have mini-bar, dialup modem, electronic safes, satellite television and tea/coffee making facilities.Restaurants : Cafe Valley Vue Restaurant: Garden restaurant overlooking magnificent mountain ranges.Pulse Terrace Bar: Serves a selection of wines and spirits.Shilon Resort
Address :Kufri-Chail Road, Shilon Bagh, P.O. Munda GhatShimla-170001 India Accommodation at Shilon Resort Shimla : Shilon Resort at Shimla offers 50 cottages divided into Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Family Room and Duplex Family Suites. All the rooms at Shilon Resort open up to a balcony that offers spectacular views of the scenery around. Every room has an attached bathroom with 24 hours water supply (hot and cold both), color television, telephone with STD/ISD service and 24 hours room service.Restaurants : Rain Shelter: Tea Lounge. More Please: Multi-cuisine Restaurant. Downing Street: Bar. Restaurant Terrace: Indian.
Wildflower Hall
Address :Chharabra, MashobraShimla-171012 India Accommodation at Hotel Wildflower Hall Shimla : Wildflower Hall has 87 rooms and suites which are lavishly appointed and are reminiscent of the untold luxury, style and grandeur pioneered here by the British. These are categorized as Delxue Rooms, Executive Suites and Lord Kitchener Suites. The Lord Kitchener Suite comes with a sitting room and two guest rooms. From marble bathrooms to living rooms with fire place, the rooms have a colonial vintage flavor that allures the tourists.Restaurants : The Restaurant is a multicuisine restaurant, Lutyens, serves regional cuisine while Periwinkle, the children's restaurant, serves pizzas and popcorn as well as entertainment for children. There is one bar called The Cavalry Bar.
Hotel Asia The Dawn
Address :Tara DeviShimla-171010 India Accessibility : Shimla Airport : 18 KM, Shimla Railway Station : 3 KM, Shimla Bus Stand : 4 KMAccommodation at Hotel Asia The Dawn Shimla : The hotel offers 41 spacious and exclusively decorated rooms including 3 suites. All the rooms are well equipped with all the modern amenities like CCTV, attached bath, telephone, wall- to-wall carpeting and room service. Those who like to mix business with pleasure; there is a large Banquet hall with a capacity of over 100 seats. Equipped with the latest audio-video equipment, it is ideal for conferences and meetings.
Hotel PineviewAddress: Mythe EstateShimla-171003 India Accessibility: Shimla Airport: 20 KM, Shimla Railway Station: 0.5 KM, Shimla Bus Stand: 0.5 KMAccommodation at Hotel Pineview Shimla : Hotel Pine View Shimla consists of 35 well-decorated rooms including 5 suites. The rooms are equipped with all the modern day necessities including color TV with satellite channels, attached bathrooms and room service. Pine View Hotel of Shimla takes good care of its guests ease and has different packages for different budgets.Restaurants: It has one multi-cuisine restaurant.
Everything in this quaint town has a unique appeal and never fails to impress even the most demanding tourists. Before embarking on a tour, information about Shimla is certainly going to be of immense help that would make for a rewarding travel experience.
Shimla is perhaps the most picturesque town that you would come across on your tour of north India. During the British era, Shimla was the summer retreat and was renowned as the “Queen of the Hills”. Its topography is characterized by undulating hills, lush green valleys, garrulous rivers, dense woods and a pleasant climate that makes it an ideal getaway from the din and rush of the plains. Besides, you will also encounter several tourist attractions in Shimla that are worth catching a glimpse.
History:
The history of Shimla dates back to the 19th century when it was founded by the British in the year 1819 after the Gurkha war. During that period, it was most popular for the temple of Hindu Goddess Shyamala Devi. In 1822, the first British summer home was constructed by Scottish civil servant Charles Pratt Kennedy. Shimla became the summer capital of the British Raj during the latter half of the 19th century and the soldiers of the British army, merchants and civil servants dropped in here to get relief from the scorching heat of the plains. A remarkable event took place in the history of Shimla when the Kalka-Shimla railway line was constructed in the year 1906 that significantly added to its quick accessibility and it gained immense popularity. Apart from this, Shimla was declared as capital of the undivided state of Punjab in the year 1871 and remained so until Chandigarh (the present-day capital of Punjab) was given the status of the region’s capital. Himachal Pradesh got separated from undivided Punjab in the year 1971 with Shimla becoming its capital. You will come across several British structures in Shimla such as the Viceregal lodge, Auckland House, Gorton Castle, Peterhoff house, and Gaiety Theatre that are the reminders of the colonial times.
When to go:
Best Season, Climate and Clothing
The summer season in Shimla starts from April and lasts till June, with maximum temperature of 28° C and a minimum temperature of 15° C. For the summer season, light woolens/cottons are recommended.Winter season lasts from November to February and the temperature rises to a maximum of 8° C and a low of 0° C or even lower. For the winters, heavy woolens are essential.
How to reach:
Transportation and Access to Shimla by Air:
You can reach Shimla by air which is the most convenient and rapid mode of transport. Shimla has its own airport that offers connections for Delhi and Kullu. However, Chandigarh is the best option. It is well connected with Delhi by many domestic flights, and is the gateway to Shimla.
Transportation and Access to Shimla by Rail:
Reaching Shimla by rail is also very convenient as Kalka is the nearest major railhead which is connected with Shimla on the meter gauge. Further, Kalka is well-connected with the other main cities of India on the broad gauge line. Shivalik Express ( Kalka – Shimla toy train) is the luxury Deluxe Train that links Shimla with Kalka.
Transportation and Access to Shimla by Road:
Access to Shimla by road is made possible by the well-maintained and efficient network of roadways, National Highway 22 that links the town with Chandigarh. The transport system within the town is also good and bus or private vehicles can be used to travel from one part of the town to another. A journey by road takes about 3 hours.
Where to visit:
Himachal State Museum and Library: This museum is indisputably one of the prime tourist attractions in Shimla and remains open to the public except on Mondays and public holidays. This museum houses a fine collection of antique sculptures, paintings, coins, photos and other items not only from the state but also outside it. You will also find a library here which houses several historical books and manuscripts. Viceregal Lodge and Botanical Gardens: Also famous as “Rashtrapati Niwas”, it is a spectacular building located on the Observatory Hills and was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. Its construction was accomplished in the year 1888 and every brick for the building was carried by mules according to the sources. The massive six-story building is surrounded by well manicured gardens and lawns.
Indian Institute of Advanced Studies: Located in the Viceregal Lodge, it was constructed in the year 1888. The kind of architecture is English Renaissance with stonework of the walling in light blue limestone and the wrought stonework being done in sandstone in a stunning light gray shade. The grounds are open to the public only on Sunday and you need a ticket in order to enter. The Ridge: This place is an open space in the heart of town and offers outstanding views of the distant mountain ranges. The two prominent landmarks of Shimla, the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church and the new Tudor Library building are the other attractions located here. The Mall: It is the key shopping centre of Shimla with restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices, tourist offices and most of town’s highlights. The place becomes breathtakingly romantic in the evening offering wonderful views of the lit up city below. You can laze around the Mall and spend some intimate moments with close ones. It is the most significant among the tourist attractions in Shimla. Summer Hill: It is a scenic spot located near Shimla at an altitude of 1,283 meters and is much visited by the tourists. The legendary Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi during his sojourn in Shimla spent some time in the elegant Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur located here. Glen:It is a charming picnic spot and is a 4 km walk through the dense woods located at a height of 1, 830 meters. You can also go for picnic at this spot since it is completely secluded and tranquil. Tara Devi Temple: Among the various places to visit in Shimla, this temple occupies a crucial place and is also of great importance for the pilgrims. It is located on top of a hill facing Shimla and commands panoramic vistas of Shimla. It is also an ideal picnic spot surrounded by thick forest of oak and rhododendron.
Kufri:
India's one of the best holiday paradise Kufri in Shimla is beautifully tucked on an altitude of 2,622 meter. The place is a tourist hotspot for its awesome scenic and sports activities.
You have to cover a 16 km distance from Shimla to reach Kufri. Kufri is believed to be a heaven for the tourists as the place is endowed with rippling fountains, splashing rivers, mountains, peaks draped with snow.
Getting To Kufri in Shimla: It is better to harbor on Shimla first and then you can avail of a hired car or a bus to reach Kufri. You have to ascend around 16 km towards east from Shimla. Kufri is a regular stop for Himachal Pradesh Tourism Buses and other buses that travel between Shimla and Narkanda or up to Rampur (via Fagu). A Taxi ride will take less than an hour to reach Kufri from Shimla.
Hotels:
Among the Shimla hotels, the five and four star hotels also occupy a reputed position and they are popular for their facilities and services matching the international standards.
Radisson Hotel Shimla Address :Good Wood Estate, Lower BharariShimla-171001 India Accommodation at Radisson Shimla : Radisson Hotel offers 59 well-appointed rooms with scenic valley views. These are categorized into 47 Deluxe Rooms, 4 Executive Suites and 8 Deluxe Suites. All the rooms have mini-bar, dialup modem, electronic safes, satellite television and tea/coffee making facilities.Restaurants : Cafe Valley Vue Restaurant: Garden restaurant overlooking magnificent mountain ranges.Pulse Terrace Bar: Serves a selection of wines and spirits.Shilon Resort
Address :Kufri-Chail Road, Shilon Bagh, P.O. Munda GhatShimla-170001 India Accommodation at Shilon Resort Shimla : Shilon Resort at Shimla offers 50 cottages divided into Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Family Room and Duplex Family Suites. All the rooms at Shilon Resort open up to a balcony that offers spectacular views of the scenery around. Every room has an attached bathroom with 24 hours water supply (hot and cold both), color television, telephone with STD/ISD service and 24 hours room service.Restaurants : Rain Shelter: Tea Lounge. More Please: Multi-cuisine Restaurant. Downing Street: Bar. Restaurant Terrace: Indian.
Wildflower Hall
Address :Chharabra, MashobraShimla-171012 India Accommodation at Hotel Wildflower Hall Shimla : Wildflower Hall has 87 rooms and suites which are lavishly appointed and are reminiscent of the untold luxury, style and grandeur pioneered here by the British. These are categorized as Delxue Rooms, Executive Suites and Lord Kitchener Suites. The Lord Kitchener Suite comes with a sitting room and two guest rooms. From marble bathrooms to living rooms with fire place, the rooms have a colonial vintage flavor that allures the tourists.Restaurants : The Restaurant is a multicuisine restaurant, Lutyens, serves regional cuisine while Periwinkle, the children's restaurant, serves pizzas and popcorn as well as entertainment for children. There is one bar called The Cavalry Bar.
Hotel Asia The Dawn
Address :Tara DeviShimla-171010 India Accessibility : Shimla Airport : 18 KM, Shimla Railway Station : 3 KM, Shimla Bus Stand : 4 KMAccommodation at Hotel Asia The Dawn Shimla : The hotel offers 41 spacious and exclusively decorated rooms including 3 suites. All the rooms are well equipped with all the modern amenities like CCTV, attached bath, telephone, wall- to-wall carpeting and room service. Those who like to mix business with pleasure; there is a large Banquet hall with a capacity of over 100 seats. Equipped with the latest audio-video equipment, it is ideal for conferences and meetings.
Hotel PineviewAddress: Mythe EstateShimla-171003 India Accessibility: Shimla Airport: 20 KM, Shimla Railway Station: 0.5 KM, Shimla Bus Stand: 0.5 KMAccommodation at Hotel Pineview Shimla : Hotel Pine View Shimla consists of 35 well-decorated rooms including 5 suites. The rooms are equipped with all the modern day necessities including color TV with satellite channels, attached bathrooms and room service. Pine View Hotel of Shimla takes good care of its guests ease and has different packages for different budgets.Restaurants: It has one multi-cuisine restaurant.
Monday, April 6, 2009
NANDED witnessed largest religious gathering
NANDED witnessed largest religious gathering
Nanded in Maharashtra witnessed one of history's largest religious gatherings as more than 40 million Sikh devotees are expected during the celebrations of the Gurta Gaddi.
The tercentenary event was held to commemorate long cherished history of Sikhs and to reaffirm, rejoice and rejuvenate the global Sikh community. This event involved the remembrance of the 300th year of the consecration of holy book of the Sikhs – Guru Granth Sahib as the eternally steady master – Guru - of entire Sikh community by Guru Gobind Singh. The event lasted for 8 days.
The celebrations began on Simran Diwas, 15th November 2007, when the devotees across the world meditated, participated and celebrated together. For 15 minutes, devotees everywhere recited the Mool Mantra together. On the same day, commenced the Jagriti Yatra, a journey of faith from Nanded to the world. A rath carrying the puratan hand written Bir of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji & Shastars of Guru Gobind Singh Ji & other shaheed Singhs started it's journey. Jagriti Yatra has covered almost 200 cities in India and culminated on 10th August in Nanded amongst great devotion.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil had too became a part of the history, visiting Nanded town to participate in the tercentenary celebrations of Gurta Gaddi on October 30 and November 3 respectively.
Official sources said the Prime Minister and the President visited the Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara besides attending the ‘samagam’ or convention at the samagam hall during their brief stay.
About NANDED:
Nanded is a place with great historical significance. Situated in Marathwada region of Maharashtra on the north bank of Godavari, it is famous for Sikh Gurudwaras. Nanded is a very old town, the history of which is traced down to the Puranic days. In Puranic period, Pandavas traveled through Nanded district while Nandas ruled over Nanded through ages. The last guru of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh visited the city in 1708 and decided to settle here until he breathed his last. Sri Guru Gobind Singh proclaimed himself the last Guru – the spiritual leader- and established the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru after his demise. A monument has been constructed at place where the last Guru breathed his last. Around 1835, Maharaja Ranjit Singh constructed a beautiful Gurudwara at Nanded which features an imposing golden dome with intricate carvings and spectacularly beautiful artwork. This Gurudwara is known as Shri Huzur Abchalnagar Sachkhand Gurudwara. Considering its occurrence in 100 years, the Gurta Gaddi celebration was deemed with high importance for Sikh Community. An estimated 30 to 40 lakh Sikh devotees were gathered in Nanded from around the globe to commemorate 300 years of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – 300 saal guru de naal (reliving 300 years with the Guru).
The year 2008 had certainly gone down in the pages of history as a golden year for the Sikh community. The eternal Guru (Akal purkh) celebration took place on October 30, 2008 while the heavenly journey (Parlokgaman) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh was organised on November 3, 2008, while the revolution of devotion that started with the Jagriti Yatra had touched and replenished millions of lives during the historical 'Shatabdi Samagam' from 29th October to 4th November.
Due to expected massive influx of tourists to the Nanded town, large scale infrastructure preparations concerning accommodation, transport, utilities, and Gurudwara development was taken care of. Maharashtra Government in advanced had earmarked a budget of Rs. 817 crore to create infrastructure facilities for pilgrims. The central government was contributed to it. The entire Gurudwara complex was redesigned with modern amenities to accommodate at least 40,000 devotees in its prikrama. Close to the Gurudwara, a complex called the Guru Granth Sahib Bhavan was constructed to spread the message of the last Guru with the help of various traditional modern media. This complex can now accommodate 4000 devotees.
Arrangements for Devotees: Free stay at several camp-sites was arranged for millions of devotees expected to visit Nanded for the celebrations. These modern camp-sites had all necessary facilities like medical, electricity, langar halls, wash areas and parking. From September 20th, special trains to Nanded were being run from all over the country.
The Hazur Sahib Gurdwara with the golden dome and intricate art work, was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh between 1830 and 1835. Nanded also has 10 other gurdwaras that have historical importance for Sikhs. The Nagina Ghat, Bandh Ghat, Maltekdi, Heera Ghat, Mata Saheb, Shikar Ghat, Sangat Sahib, Ratangarh, Gobind Bagh and Damdama Sahib (Basmat) are located in the vicinity of Nanded. The Nanaksar, Langar Sahib and Bhajangarh Sahib were later additions to the list of pilgrim sites.
Nanded in Maharashtra witnessed one of history's largest religious gatherings as more than 40 million Sikh devotees are expected during the celebrations of the Gurta Gaddi.
The tercentenary event was held to commemorate long cherished history of Sikhs and to reaffirm, rejoice and rejuvenate the global Sikh community. This event involved the remembrance of the 300th year of the consecration of holy book of the Sikhs – Guru Granth Sahib as the eternally steady master – Guru - of entire Sikh community by Guru Gobind Singh. The event lasted for 8 days.
The celebrations began on Simran Diwas, 15th November 2007, when the devotees across the world meditated, participated and celebrated together. For 15 minutes, devotees everywhere recited the Mool Mantra together. On the same day, commenced the Jagriti Yatra, a journey of faith from Nanded to the world. A rath carrying the puratan hand written Bir of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji & Shastars of Guru Gobind Singh Ji & other shaheed Singhs started it's journey. Jagriti Yatra has covered almost 200 cities in India and culminated on 10th August in Nanded amongst great devotion.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil had too became a part of the history, visiting Nanded town to participate in the tercentenary celebrations of Gurta Gaddi on October 30 and November 3 respectively.
Official sources said the Prime Minister and the President visited the Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara besides attending the ‘samagam’ or convention at the samagam hall during their brief stay.
About NANDED:
Nanded is a place with great historical significance. Situated in Marathwada region of Maharashtra on the north bank of Godavari, it is famous for Sikh Gurudwaras. Nanded is a very old town, the history of which is traced down to the Puranic days. In Puranic period, Pandavas traveled through Nanded district while Nandas ruled over Nanded through ages. The last guru of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh visited the city in 1708 and decided to settle here until he breathed his last. Sri Guru Gobind Singh proclaimed himself the last Guru – the spiritual leader- and established the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru after his demise. A monument has been constructed at place where the last Guru breathed his last. Around 1835, Maharaja Ranjit Singh constructed a beautiful Gurudwara at Nanded which features an imposing golden dome with intricate carvings and spectacularly beautiful artwork. This Gurudwara is known as Shri Huzur Abchalnagar Sachkhand Gurudwara. Considering its occurrence in 100 years, the Gurta Gaddi celebration was deemed with high importance for Sikh Community. An estimated 30 to 40 lakh Sikh devotees were gathered in Nanded from around the globe to commemorate 300 years of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – 300 saal guru de naal (reliving 300 years with the Guru).
The year 2008 had certainly gone down in the pages of history as a golden year for the Sikh community. The eternal Guru (Akal purkh) celebration took place on October 30, 2008 while the heavenly journey (Parlokgaman) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh was organised on November 3, 2008, while the revolution of devotion that started with the Jagriti Yatra had touched and replenished millions of lives during the historical 'Shatabdi Samagam' from 29th October to 4th November.
Due to expected massive influx of tourists to the Nanded town, large scale infrastructure preparations concerning accommodation, transport, utilities, and Gurudwara development was taken care of. Maharashtra Government in advanced had earmarked a budget of Rs. 817 crore to create infrastructure facilities for pilgrims. The central government was contributed to it. The entire Gurudwara complex was redesigned with modern amenities to accommodate at least 40,000 devotees in its prikrama. Close to the Gurudwara, a complex called the Guru Granth Sahib Bhavan was constructed to spread the message of the last Guru with the help of various traditional modern media. This complex can now accommodate 4000 devotees.
Arrangements for Devotees: Free stay at several camp-sites was arranged for millions of devotees expected to visit Nanded for the celebrations. These modern camp-sites had all necessary facilities like medical, electricity, langar halls, wash areas and parking. From September 20th, special trains to Nanded were being run from all over the country.
The Hazur Sahib Gurdwara with the golden dome and intricate art work, was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh between 1830 and 1835. Nanded also has 10 other gurdwaras that have historical importance for Sikhs. The Nagina Ghat, Bandh Ghat, Maltekdi, Heera Ghat, Mata Saheb, Shikar Ghat, Sangat Sahib, Ratangarh, Gobind Bagh and Damdama Sahib (Basmat) are located in the vicinity of Nanded. The Nanaksar, Langar Sahib and Bhajangarh Sahib were later additions to the list of pilgrim sites.
Ladakh, a Heaven on Earth
A Nightmare but still worth it
Ladakh, a Heaven on Earth
It’s human nature to dream, so is the nature to do what few have done and is considered as a “foolish thing”. There is some allure in doing what only a select few can do, to make it to “The Top of the world”. Once your heart and mind is set on such a task, few things in the world can divert you from it.It is impossible to overcome the lure and fascination of the Himalayas if you love mountains. There are innumerable options right from simple sight-seeing to adventure, or a mix of both. No better place than Ladakh for this, what experienced a group of seven youth, who went to Leh in June, this year.
Tarun, Danny, Jaiveer, Doll, Jaggi, Sobi and Tony, all working had embarked a journey to the vary heart of Himalayas, a place known as Ladakh, land of passes
No sooner did they reach Manali, their adventure began.
Manali in Himachal Pradesh is the roadhead for the trans-Himalayan highway for the near-legendary two-day journey to Ladakh's capital, Leh.
The breath-taking view at every turn of the Manali-Leh highway imprints images that remain long after. In summer, a stream of buses and Enfield motorcycles set off from the Kullu Valley to travel along the second highest motorable road in the world, which reaches a dizzying altitude of 5,328m. This highway is open only for 3 months (between July 15th and Sep 15th approx.) every year. During the other seasons of the year it is closed because of the snow.
BOX:
The 485 km route from Manali, open only for 3 months in the year, takes around 24 hours with an overnight camp at Sarchu at an altitude of 4,000 m.
From Manali, the road crosses the Beas to begin its long ascent of the Rohtang Pass (3,900m). The views over the eternal snows of Solang Nala improve as you progress up, ranging from the coniferous forests to grassy mountain pastures. Just below the pass, we stood for a breakfast halt beside some dhabas. Nearby, a temple crowns the top of a bluff from where you get a great panoramic view of the upper Beas Valley.
The descent from Rohtang to the floor of the Chandra Valley affords tantalizing glimpses of the shining white sail massif. Koksar is where the road finally reaches the river. I can't forget the parathas we had there. They were aaloo-stuffed parathas, deep fried, yet not oozing oil, served with Tibetan chutney. Finger-licking irresistible!
The next few hours were some of the most memorable of the entire trip. As the road runs across the slopes of the valley, you see towering peaks and hanging glaciers. A sharp descent around the base of the sacred Rangcha mountain brings you to the Chandra-Bhaga confluence at Tandi, after which the bridge across the river takes you along the Bhaga Valley to Keylong. Beyond Keylong, the Bhaga valley broadens.
A hot bowl of Tibetan thupka from a roadside dhaba is a favourite. This is a dish of noodles in Chinese soup. The Tibetan chutney adds to the taste of thupka. We had a tasty samosa-like Tibetan dish called Momo.
From Darcha, the road climbs steadily along the mountain side of wine-red and pale-green scree to Zingzing Bar. As you move from this desolate land, you approach Baralacha La, which will blow your mind. The "twelve-horned" pass forms the head of three valleys, the Bhaga, the Chandra, and the Yunan. By the time you get to Sarchu Serai you'll be ready for a night's rest, which is in a tent.
Lachlang La (5,059m) from Sarchu, the second highest pass on the highway, before descending to Pang at 4,500m. 3 km from Pang is the extraordinary Moray Plains (4,800m), a 45-kilometre-long plateau encircled by rolling hills and brilliant white Himalayan peaks.
The road starts its ascent from Dibring Camp to Tanglang La at a head-spinning 5,328m. This is the second highest pass in the world and by the time you reach there, your nose might well start bleeding slightly. All along the route you can see slogans of "Save Tibet" and "Free Tibet". Tibetans cherish their dream of freedom from Chinese domination.
The Gateway to Ladakh from Manali is Upshi. This is where the project for constructing and maintaining the highway, undertaken by the Indian army concludes. Considering the rugged terrain of the mighty Himalayas, maintaining this road itself is a Herculean task. Project Himank, as it is called, is amazing. One roadside board read, "If you want a road to the moon, please contact Himank". And we didn't find any exaggeration in it!
On the way from Upshi to Leh (40kms) there are high peaks crowned with village houses and gompas. Gompas are Buddhist monasteries, ranging from solid stone structures to fairly large temples.
“The first impression of Leh was that of a desert with green patches fed by the Indus. One of the first things that we noticed was the prayer wheels with ringing bells”, asserted Tarun.
As Leh is 3,505 m above sea level, most tourists experience a degree of altitude sickness. The symptoms are persistent headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, bleeding and blocked nose, and/or shortness of breath. It is because your body has not yet acclimatized to the comparative lack of oxygen. So the tourism department suggests you take complete rest for at least 48 hours. Since we couldn't afford so much rest, we had to make do with 24-hours rest, before venturing out.
Predominantly Buddist, Leh has 25% Muslim population.These are Ladakhi Muslims, with their own cultural heritage, quite distinct from elsewhere.
Ladakh is a trekkers' paradise. Foreigners move around with their backpacks, heading in different directions. Attractions in and around the town itself include the former palace and Namgyal Tsemo gompa.
The power situation in Leh is very bad. Much of the time, including the nights, there was no power at all. That forced us to have many candlelit dinners. Telephone connection is through satellite. In the evenings, it is very difficult to get connected by telephone to the rest of India. Since Leh is cut-off from the world for around 8 months each year, they have to get most of the necessary cargo (like building materials, etc) during the 3-months' season. The only solace is that they are connected by air almost throughout the year. But the villages on the Manali-Leh highway remain completely isolated for 8-9 months a year.
If only there were more time to explore Ladakh as it deserves to be. The spectacular Zanskar valley, the blue-green Pangong Tso (Lake), the 7,000m Nun peak (situated at the Indo-China border).
Khardungla Pass, the highest motorable road in the world (18,380 feet) was the end point that made their journey “worth going”.
Ladakh, a Heaven on Earth
It’s human nature to dream, so is the nature to do what few have done and is considered as a “foolish thing”. There is some allure in doing what only a select few can do, to make it to “The Top of the world”. Once your heart and mind is set on such a task, few things in the world can divert you from it.It is impossible to overcome the lure and fascination of the Himalayas if you love mountains. There are innumerable options right from simple sight-seeing to adventure, or a mix of both. No better place than Ladakh for this, what experienced a group of seven youth, who went to Leh in June, this year.
Tarun, Danny, Jaiveer, Doll, Jaggi, Sobi and Tony, all working had embarked a journey to the vary heart of Himalayas, a place known as Ladakh, land of passes
No sooner did they reach Manali, their adventure began.
Manali in Himachal Pradesh is the roadhead for the trans-Himalayan highway for the near-legendary two-day journey to Ladakh's capital, Leh.
The breath-taking view at every turn of the Manali-Leh highway imprints images that remain long after. In summer, a stream of buses and Enfield motorcycles set off from the Kullu Valley to travel along the second highest motorable road in the world, which reaches a dizzying altitude of 5,328m. This highway is open only for 3 months (between July 15th and Sep 15th approx.) every year. During the other seasons of the year it is closed because of the snow.
BOX:
The 485 km route from Manali, open only for 3 months in the year, takes around 24 hours with an overnight camp at Sarchu at an altitude of 4,000 m.
From Manali, the road crosses the Beas to begin its long ascent of the Rohtang Pass (3,900m). The views over the eternal snows of Solang Nala improve as you progress up, ranging from the coniferous forests to grassy mountain pastures. Just below the pass, we stood for a breakfast halt beside some dhabas. Nearby, a temple crowns the top of a bluff from where you get a great panoramic view of the upper Beas Valley.
The descent from Rohtang to the floor of the Chandra Valley affords tantalizing glimpses of the shining white sail massif. Koksar is where the road finally reaches the river. I can't forget the parathas we had there. They were aaloo-stuffed parathas, deep fried, yet not oozing oil, served with Tibetan chutney. Finger-licking irresistible!
The next few hours were some of the most memorable of the entire trip. As the road runs across the slopes of the valley, you see towering peaks and hanging glaciers. A sharp descent around the base of the sacred Rangcha mountain brings you to the Chandra-Bhaga confluence at Tandi, after which the bridge across the river takes you along the Bhaga Valley to Keylong. Beyond Keylong, the Bhaga valley broadens.
A hot bowl of Tibetan thupka from a roadside dhaba is a favourite. This is a dish of noodles in Chinese soup. The Tibetan chutney adds to the taste of thupka. We had a tasty samosa-like Tibetan dish called Momo.
From Darcha, the road climbs steadily along the mountain side of wine-red and pale-green scree to Zingzing Bar. As you move from this desolate land, you approach Baralacha La, which will blow your mind. The "twelve-horned" pass forms the head of three valleys, the Bhaga, the Chandra, and the Yunan. By the time you get to Sarchu Serai you'll be ready for a night's rest, which is in a tent.
Lachlang La (5,059m) from Sarchu, the second highest pass on the highway, before descending to Pang at 4,500m. 3 km from Pang is the extraordinary Moray Plains (4,800m), a 45-kilometre-long plateau encircled by rolling hills and brilliant white Himalayan peaks.
The road starts its ascent from Dibring Camp to Tanglang La at a head-spinning 5,328m. This is the second highest pass in the world and by the time you reach there, your nose might well start bleeding slightly. All along the route you can see slogans of "Save Tibet" and "Free Tibet". Tibetans cherish their dream of freedom from Chinese domination.
The Gateway to Ladakh from Manali is Upshi. This is where the project for constructing and maintaining the highway, undertaken by the Indian army concludes. Considering the rugged terrain of the mighty Himalayas, maintaining this road itself is a Herculean task. Project Himank, as it is called, is amazing. One roadside board read, "If you want a road to the moon, please contact Himank". And we didn't find any exaggeration in it!
On the way from Upshi to Leh (40kms) there are high peaks crowned with village houses and gompas. Gompas are Buddhist monasteries, ranging from solid stone structures to fairly large temples.
“The first impression of Leh was that of a desert with green patches fed by the Indus. One of the first things that we noticed was the prayer wheels with ringing bells”, asserted Tarun.
As Leh is 3,505 m above sea level, most tourists experience a degree of altitude sickness. The symptoms are persistent headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, bleeding and blocked nose, and/or shortness of breath. It is because your body has not yet acclimatized to the comparative lack of oxygen. So the tourism department suggests you take complete rest for at least 48 hours. Since we couldn't afford so much rest, we had to make do with 24-hours rest, before venturing out.
Predominantly Buddist, Leh has 25% Muslim population.These are Ladakhi Muslims, with their own cultural heritage, quite distinct from elsewhere.
Ladakh is a trekkers' paradise. Foreigners move around with their backpacks, heading in different directions. Attractions in and around the town itself include the former palace and Namgyal Tsemo gompa.
The power situation in Leh is very bad. Much of the time, including the nights, there was no power at all. That forced us to have many candlelit dinners. Telephone connection is through satellite. In the evenings, it is very difficult to get connected by telephone to the rest of India. Since Leh is cut-off from the world for around 8 months each year, they have to get most of the necessary cargo (like building materials, etc) during the 3-months' season. The only solace is that they are connected by air almost throughout the year. But the villages on the Manali-Leh highway remain completely isolated for 8-9 months a year.
If only there were more time to explore Ladakh as it deserves to be. The spectacular Zanskar valley, the blue-green Pangong Tso (Lake), the 7,000m Nun peak (situated at the Indo-China border).
Khardungla Pass, the highest motorable road in the world (18,380 feet) was the end point that made their journey “worth going”.
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