Himachal Pradesh Natural Beauty

Durga Temple Nehran Pukhar

Durga Temple is a major pilgrimage center and one of the Shakti Peeth in Himachal Pradesh. The Durga Shakti peeth is located in kangra distt Himachal Pradesh state (Nehran Pukhar, Himachal Pradesh 177104, India), surrounded by the western Himalaya in the north and east in the smaller Shiwalik (or Shivalik) range bordering the state of Punjab.


                                          


Balram Sharma, living in nearby Nehran Pukhar village, told me that he had seen the Beas covering the steps and flowing close to the temple in yonder days. Here I would digress and appreciate the villagers of Nehran Pukhar, who have constructed a beautiful temple of Durga on the lake (pukhar) itself through their own contributions and public donations. The initiative taken and efforts put in by Late Shashi Dogra, who had served in the IPS, in building it are still remembered by the people of Nehran Pukhar. The temple inaugurated in 2010 is a beautiful sight at night when its lights and their reflection in the water give star-studded vista.

Manali Tourism

Manali

Just 40 kms away from Kullu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Bara Bhangal (Kangra), and Zanskar ranges. From temples to antiquity, to picturesque sight-seeing spots and adventure activities, Manali is a popular resort for all seasons and for all travellers.

Approach

    Rail: Nearest convenient rail head are at Chandigarh and Pathankot. Manali can be reached from road from these stations.

    Road: Manali is well connected by road with Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Dharamsala and Chamba/Dalhousie. Regular buses ply between these stations. It is connected with Leh during July to October.

                                                     Map of places to visit in Manali

Distances from Manali

Places to visit                                                              Km

                

    Arjun Gufa                                                              4

    Club house                                                              2

    Hidimba Devi temple                                               2.5

    Jagatsukh                                                                6

    Kothi                                                                      12

    Manu temple                                                            3

    Mountaineering Institute                                           3

    Nehru kund                                                             5

    Rahala water falls                                                   16

    Rohtang pass                                                        51

    Solang valley                                                        13

    Vashisht hot water springs and temples                  3

    Mandi                                                                 110                                               

    Keylong                                                              120

    Trilokinath                                                           152

    Kaza                                                                   200

    Kangra                                                               240

    Shimla                                                               260

    Chhatru (L&S)                                                  81

    Batal (L&S)                                                     110

    Kunzum Pass                                                  122

 

Dalhousie Tourism

Dalhousie (2036 m) is a hill station full of colonial charm that holds lingering echoes of the Raj. Spread out over the five hills (Kathlog, Potreys, Tehra, Bakrota and Balun) the town is named after the 19th century British Governer General Lord Dalhousie. It was popular with the British Army personnel in 1860's. The town’s varying altitude shades it with a variety of vegetation that includes stately grooves of pines, deodars, oaks and flowering rhododendrowns. Rich in colonial architecture, the town preserves some beautiful churches. St. John church is the oldest one built in 1863, St. Francis was built in 1894, St. Andrew in 1903 and St. Patric in 1909.




There are also magnificent views of Chamba valley and the mighty Dhauladhar range with its awe-inspiring snow covered peaks filling an entire horizon. By road Dalhousie is about 555 km from Delhi, 52 km from Chamba via Banikhet and 46 km via Khajjiar and the nearest railhead at Pathankot is 85 km away.
In & around Dalhousie the visitable places are:

Subash Baoli: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose spent a large portion of 1937 contemplating here. A nice secluded place.

Panjpulla: It means five bridges. It is a picturesque spot with water flowing under the five small bridges. A samadhi of Sardar Ajit Singh, uncle of Bhagat Singh, adds to its importance. A small fresh water spring Satdhara is close by.

Bakrota hills: Visit for a brisk walk round the hills and have a view of snow clad peaks. It is 5 km from Dalhousie.

Kalatope: It is a picnic spot and a wild life sanctury, 10 km from Dalhousie and offers a fine view of the countryside.

Bara Pathar: It is 4 km from Dalhousie enroute Kalatope. In village Ahla here, there is atemple of Bhulwani Mata.

Dainkund: It is 10 km from Dalhousie. On a clear day this tall peak (2745 m) affords a birds eye-view of the hills, verdant valleys and the Beas, Ravi and Chenab rivers threading their silvery passage down to the plains.  

Distances from Dalhousie

         
     Places to visit                            Km
   

•     Banikhet                              7
•     Bharmour                            110
•     Chhatrari                             90
•     Kalatop                              10
•     Khajiar                               23
•     Kynance                             5
•     Mani Mahesh                     145
•     Norwood Paradham           5
•     Panchpula                          3
•     St. Andrews Church          1
•     St. Francis Church             1
•     St. Johns Church               2
•     St. Patricks Church           2
•     Subhash Baoli                    1
•     Jot                                    41