“India- The one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for all the shows of all the rest of the globe combined”~ Mark Twain
Monsoon is around the corner, and who could miss the astonishing beauty of hill stations in rains!
Last week we asked a question to our Facebook fans: “What’s the most beautiful hill station they have been to?” Quite a few answers came back. Based on those responses, below is a list (in no particular order) of the most popular hill stations:
- Patnitop, Jammu: 112 kms from Jammu, Patnitop is a beautiful picturesque spot surrounded by beautiful mountains & Dedor trees. Enveloped with thick wooded forests, it offers peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the mountainscape of the Chenab basin.
Major Attractions: Chinar Garden, Skating Garden, Nag Temple, Three Springs.
(Photo Credit: Vinay Tiwari)
- Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh: Home of his Holiness Dalai Lama, Dharamshala is a small beautiful town of Himachal Pradesh surrounded by snow capped mountains, mysticism and divine energy.
Major Attractions: Kangra Art Museum, Bhagsunag Fall, Dharamkot, War Memorial, Dharamkot, Triund, Dal Lake, Naddi.
(Photo credit: Partha C)
- Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh: 45 mis from Kullu, Manikaran is a well known pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs. The area is well-known for its hot springs and its beautiful landscape.
Major Attractions: Lord Ramchandra Temple, Sri Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara, Hot spring in the Parvati river.
(Photo credit: Munish Chandel)
- Lansdowne, Uttaranchal: Far from the crowded, overdeveloped and noisy places, Lansdowne is a quiet place to relax and rejuvenate yourself away from the hustle & bustle of city. Surrounded with dense oak, bamboo and pine trees, Lansdowne welcomes you with breathtaking views & amazing sceneries.
Major Attractions: Tip-in-Top, Garhwali Mess, war memorial, St. Mary’s church, St. John’s Church, Bhulla Tal, Hawaghar.
(Photo credit: euttaranchal.com)
- Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh: Named after the British governor General of the 19th century, Lord Dalhousie, the hill station is full of old world charm and an ultimate place for rejuvenation. Dalhousie has charming colonial architecture, including some beautiful churches
Major Attractions: Panch Pulla, Dainkund Peak, Central Park, Church of Scotland, Satdhara Falls.
(Photo Credit: hotelkhoj.com)
- Ooty, Tamil Nadu: Widely known as “Queen of Hills”, Ooty is located in the verdant hills of Niligiri range of mountains amidst the serene beauty of nature. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens is all you will find here.
Major Attractions: Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake, Centenary Rose Garden, Doddabetta Peak, Pykara Lake & Falls, Wax World, Pine forest, Dolphin’s Nose.
(Photo credit: Shachi Sitaram)
- Gulmarg, Kashmir: A beautiful hill station that lies at a distance of 56 kilometers from Srinagar. Nestled with stunning peaks in the Himalayan ranges, Gulmarg is an eye catching place with picturesque surroundings, serene lakes & beautiful gardens with mind blowing flowers and fragrance. If you’re looking for some adventure, this is one of the best ski resorts in India.
Major Attractions: Gondola Lift, Alapathar Lake, Maharaja Palace, Rani Temple, St. Mary’s Church, Ziarat of Baba Rishi
(Photo credit: Jibran Bhasir)
- Darjeeling, West Bengal: Adventure, romance, serenity, inspiration – whatever it is that you seek, you will find it at Darjeeling. This is the land of the most favored Darjeeling tea revered by connoisseurs across the globe.
Major Attractions: Chowrastha, Natural History Museum, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Observatory Hill, Shrubbery Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Toy train, Tiger Hill
(Photo credit: darjeelingtours.wordpress.com)
- Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu: Often known as the Princess of Hill Stations, Kodaikanal is a favorite place for honeymooners. With her wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enchanting waterfalls and a beautiful lake, Kodaikanal is a charming hill station which mesmerizes any visitor.
Major Attractions: Coaker’s Walk, Bear Shola Falls, Green Valley View Point, Pillar Rocks, Guna Caves, Silver Cascade, Dolphin’s Nose, the Kurunji Andavar Murugan Temple
(Photo Credit: Java Cafe)
– Deepali Pareek
