Himachal Pradesh is one of the major tourists attracted states in Northern India and is famous for some of its most magnificent hill stations. The state of Himachal Pradesh is situated in the lap of the Himalayas and has abundant natural beauty, thus making it highly tourist attracted. The area of Himachal Pradesh is considered as one of the oldest inhabited areas and dates back to the 2250 and 1750 BCE when the Indus Valley Civilization flourished here. This state was then ruled by several rulers including King Harshavardhana, Mahmud Ghaznavi, Timur, Sikandar Lodi, Sansar Chand Katoch, and later the Britishers. Thus, one also gets to see a huge number of archaeological, historical, and heritage sites that are worth watching. Apart from the historical destinations, the state is also rich in discrete flora, fauna, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks. Thus, visiting this state is enchanting and gives you many unforgettable experiences. Let us now take a look at the major cities and must-visit destinations in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Major Cities in Himachal Pradesh
Dalhousie: This town is one of the famous hill stations and a major tourist attraction in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The place was established by the British Governor-General of India, Lord Dalhousie and thus is named after him.
The place was initially developed as a retreat for the bureaucrats and troops of the British Empire. The town gives a picturesque view of the snowcapped Himalayan ranges and the nearby mountain peaks. Some of the major attractions here include Alla (mesmerizing landscape), Karelanu (famous for its natural spring), Dainkund Peak (one of the highest peaks in Dalhousie), Khajjar (a major tourist attracted destination surrounded by green meadows and dense forest), Tibetan Market (famous for several items from Tibet), and the Sardar Bazar. The other attractions around Dalhousie include Bakrota Hills, Village Lohali, Gandhi Chowk, Panchpula, and the Dalhousie Cantonment.
Shimla: This city is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is one of the major tourist attractions in this state. The city of Shimla is a famous hill station and is counted amongst the top ten preferred entrepreneurial locations in India.
Shimla is generally famous for its discrete culture and the magnificent scenic beauty it possesses. Some of the major tourist attractions here include Christ Church (this is the second oldest church in Northern India), Jakhu Hill (highest peak in this area that offers an awesome view of this town and the snowcapped Himalayas), Shimla State Museum (which presents a cultural wealth of the state), Summer Hill (a lovely place where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during their visit to Shimla), Tara Devi (a hill temple dedicated to Goddess of Stars), Anand Vila (a temple of all faiths dedicated to Mother Nature), and Tattapani (holy temple with sulphur springs). The other attractions around this place include Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Junga, Mashobra, Kufri, Chharabra, Arki, and Sanjauli.
Manali: This is another major hill station and tourist destination in the state of Himachal Pradesh as well as northern India. Situated in the Beas River Valley, the city of Manali is blessed with beautiful hills, captivating deep valleys, culture, and heritage.
This place is also considered as one of the holy places in India, as it is said to be the home of seven great sages known as the Saptarishi in several ancient kinds of literature. Some of the major tourist attracted destinations in this region include Hadimba Temple (an ancient temple built in 1533 AD has a worth seeing architecture), Manu Temple (this temple is dedicated to sage Manu), Vashishta Temple (this temple dedicated to Lord Rama and sage Vashishta is well known for its hot water springs), Monasteries (worth visiting Tibetan monasteries), Jagatsukh (has ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Sandhya Gayatri), Solang Valley (well known for several adventurous sports conducted here), and the Rohtang Pass.
Kullu: One of the best tourist spots in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Kullu is a leading hill station in northern India. Formed due to the valley created by the Beas river, this place is covered with dense pine and deodar forests.
Kullu is also famous for its sprawling apple orchids and the magnificent view of the Himalayas one gets to see from here. Some of the major tourists attracted destinations here include Raghunath Temple (temple built by Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu in the 17th Century and is dedicated to Lord Rama), Shringi Rishi Temple (a temple dedicated to Sage Shringi, who is the presiding deity of Banjar), Maha Devi Tirth Temple (a temple dedicated to Goddess Maha Devi is also known as the Vaishno Devi Mandir), Bijli Mahadev (an awesome temple on the highest point in Kullu from where one can see the entire town and nearby areas), and the Devta Narsingh (temple dedicated to Lord Narsimha). Some of the other tourist attractions here include Raison, Shoja, Basheshwar Mahadev Temple, Kasol, Naggar, and the Kullu valley.
Dharmashala: Dharmashala literary means “Spiritual Dwellings” or the “Pilgrim Destination”. Dharmashala is the centre of the Tibetan exile world in India and is one of the major tourist attractions for people all over the world.
The town of Dharmashala is surrounded by dense coniferous forests and has several worths visiting places. Some of the major tourist attractions here include Masrur (finely carved rock temples from the monolithic period dedicated to Lord Ram, Laxman, and Goddess Sita), Bhagsunag Temple (temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with a magnificent waterfall just behind the temple), Kangra Museum (artefacts displaying the Buddhist and Tibetan cultures), Kunal Pathri Temple (a temple dedicated to Goddess Kalpeshwari), Chamunda Temple (this temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and myths depict that the demons Chand and Mund were killed by Maa Kali at this place), Dal Lake (surrounded by deodars and junipers forests, the lake is one of the major attractions of Dharmashala), and Triund (famous trekking destination).
Must-Visit Tourist Destinations in Himachal Pradesh
Barot: This place is one of the well-known tourist locations in the state of Himachal Pradesh and is famous for several historical monuments, wildlife sanctuaries, and adventure sports. A huge number of tourists from all over the world visit this place to experience its beauty.
Some of the attractions here include ruins of the summer palace of the former rulers of Mandi, the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary that houses animals such as Ghoral, Himalayan Black Bear, monal, black bear, and many more. The rest houses set up by the forest departments in this sanctuary offer a great experience of this wildlife sanctuary.
Kasauli: The place has one of the best scenic beauties in Himachal Pradesh, making it one of the famous tourist attractions here.
Some of the major tourist attractions here include the Baptist Church (a fantastic example of colonial architecture made up of brick and wood), Central Research Institute (an institute working in the fields of immunology and virology since 1904), Christ Church (possesses Spanish and Italian imported stained glass windows depicting Mary, Saint Barnabas, Christ, and Saint Francis), Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Ji (a Sikh worshipping place dedicated to Guru Nanak Ji), and the Kasauli Brewery (oldest distillery for scotch whiskey in Asia).
Chamba: One of the oldest inhabited towns in northern India, the presence of Chamba dates back to the 2nd Century BC.
The place is famous for several historical monuments including Champavati Temple (built by Raja Sahil Varman in memory of his daughter Champavati and is dedicated to Goddess Mahishasurmardini), Lakshmi Narayan Temples (10th Century temples built by Raja Sahil Verman considering the local climatic conditions), Chamunda Devi Temple (built by Raja Umed Singh in 1762 is dedicated to goddess Chamunda), Akhand Chandi Palace (residence of Raja Umed Singh, well known for its green roof), Church of Scotland (Presbyterian church also known as the St. Andrew’s Church was built in 1899), and the Bhuri Singh Museum.
The scenic beauty, lush green landscapes, dense forests, etc., never fail in entertaining its visitors. The tourists visiting this state often experience the eternal bliss of a perfect holiday forgetting all their tensions, stress, and depression. Thus, the state of Himachal Pradesh is a perfect “A Destination for All Seasons and All Reasons”
