Chandigarh | Kullu | Rohtang Pass |
Dharamshala | Dalhousie | Katra |
Mata vaishno Devi | Amritsar | Wagah Border |
Golden Temple | Kurukshetra |
Chandigarh
Chandigarh - The present capital city of the States of both Punjab and Haryana is the first planned city of India. However, it does not belong to either of the States. It is a Union Territory, administered by the Government of India. The city is very modern and has derived its name from a temple on the slope of the Sivalik hill, Chandi Mandir (deity Chandi, goddess of power), and a fort or "garh" beyond the temple, called Chandigarh. .
Kullu - The Valley of Gods is perhaps the most delightful region in the Western Himalayas and is now the district headquarters of the valley but is not the main tourist centre. It was once known as Kulanthpitha- "the end of the habitable world”. This town has long been a centre of faith and is famous for its temples and the annual Dussehra festival.
Rohtang Pass - is the highest point, 4,112m, on the Manali-Keylong road, 51-km from Manali town. It provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is a sight truly breath-taking. It offers only limited skiing opportunities, but trekking possibilities are immense.
Dharamshala - popularly known as the Scotland of India, stands on a spur of the Dhauladhar range amidst magnificient deodar and pine forests. It is the district headquarters of Kangra district and is also known as "The Little Lhasa in India". It has every thing for a perfect holiday and is full of life and peace. The headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are here.
Dalhousie - is a quiet town, with a sense of enchantment. This hill station spreads over five low-levelhills at the western edge of the Dhauladhar range, just east of the Ravi River. The picturesque town is interspersed with the colonial-era buildings, low roofed stalls and hotels. The pine-covered slopes around it are intersected with paths and treks, which are ideal for short undemanding walks. The gateway to the Chamba Valley, this colonial town was established in 1854 by the British governor-general Lord Dalhousie.
Katra - is the small town around 50 kms from Jammu. It is the entry point for the pilgrims visiting the world famous shrine of Vaishno Devi. The pilgrims are expected to take a trek of around 15 kms to visit the shrine from Katra. Although a tedious trek, it has scenic and picturesque surroundings with a climate
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is one of the oldest shrine of India, located at a height of 5300 feet on the holy Trikuta Hills of the Shivalik Hill Range. The Holy cave is 13 Kms from the Base Camp Katra. The Town Katra is 50 Kms away from Jammu and 35 Kms from District HQ Udhampur and is linked by road. The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is one of the most popular Shrines of India.
Amritsar - The Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, founded Amritsar, meaning 'a pool of nectar'. It has grown from a sacred village pond into a spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture. Amritsar is the soul of Punjab and today it is India's important distribution centre of dry-fruits. It is one of the most ancient and fascinating cities of India. It is also the city where Jallianwala Bagh, the garden where scores of innocent Indian people were massacred by the British. Amritsar is an institution by itself.
Golden Temple - Har Mandir Saheb, popularly known, as the Golden temple is the holiest shrine for the Sikhs, so called because the entire upper half was inlaid with copper covered over by gold plate. The architecture of the Golden Temple, is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles.
Kurukshetra- The ancient land of Kurukshetra is regarded as the birthplace of one of the greatest religions of the world, Hinduism. It is the land where the sage Manu penned his 'Manusmriti' and where learned 'rishis' compiled the Rig Veda and Sama Veda. Kurukshetra, named after the great sage king Kuru, is also the site of the epic battle of Mahabharata. It was graced with the visits of Lord Krishna, the Buddha and the Sikh gurus.