Barot Valley - Himachal Pradesh

 

A project of the 1920s for Shanan Hydel Project is now a traveler point in Mandi district of an Indian state Himachal Pradesh. The place is currently known as the Barot Valley, is a beautiful green place for tourism.  The small town is an amazing picnic spot and is blessed with a thick forest of deodar. There are two beautiful rivers full of trout fishes, makes this place extremely beautiful. There is a government trout breeding center at Barot along with other private centers from where fishes are released into the Uhl and there is a 30 km section of the river which is excellent for anglings anyone can grab fishes for themselves by fishing rod and start angling.

Besides this, Barot is a prevalent backpacker and daytime sightseer destination. Numerous trekking tracks surpass through Barot, including trails to Bada Bhangal, Manali, and Kullu. Most of the day, tourists are captured by the serene environment and affordable accessible of a lodging house. The valley is likewise developing into an angling destination. The Uhl river supports trout breeding and Barot has a few fish farms. Barot also draws up the entryway to the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary which lies cross-ways the Uhl. The sanctuary is home to the monal, black bear, and ghoral. Within it are forest rest house s at Thaltuckhod and Silbandhwari. Through woods of cedar and pine, a trek route cuts across the sanctuary to Kullu.

Climate:

Weather of Barot is very pleasant throughout the year especially summer which is cool, winter is very cold and heavy woolen clothes are required, temperature varies from -5 degree to 30 degrees over the year. there are moderate to heavy snowfall in winter, summer is the best time to visit and explore Barot, please avoid Rainy season as there might be landslides and cloudbursts in the region.

The Barot Valley tourist’s activities

Travelers in the valley can spend their leisure time by performing various activities

Trekking at Barot Valley- It allows for a large extent of treks, these treks provide the glimpse of the local cultural heritage of Himachal, inhabitants are living their traditionalist life and cheerful with that. The natural heritage which provides a selection for bird and wildlife sighting

along with amazing scenes of snow covered mountains of Himalayas.

Paragliding in the valley- The paragliding, site which is known globally for paragliding world cup of October 2015. Trekkers can trek for 16 km to access paragliding take off point from the Barot valley side. This is allowing for large selection of trekking in tribal villages, enjoy wildlife, camping, Cultural heritage and Paragliding in 2-3 days trekking. Anyone can trek such graceful treks and relish the real color of nature and end up with Paragliding from 2400 meters from sea level (20-40 minutes flight)

Angling in the Barot Valley- This is one of the best leisure activities which make everyone delighted. Uhl watercourse is awash of rainbow Trout fish and Brown Trout fish. Instrumentations are easily accessible here by spending a small amount. But never miss getting permission from fishery department which is easily accessible on the pay of 30 INR to them. The stream leads up from Thamsar Glacier which is 50 km upstream.

Mountain Biking- It is always difficult in mountains to do biking, but Barot valley provide a big prism for mountain biking as the roads are less engaged and several are seldom utilized by vehicles. A visitor can cycle for odd 100 km in the valley for dissimilar route and some trails are really very exciting.

Walking in the village- Here, villagers are very helpful and rich in their culture. The locals are shy for talking first, but once they start can give you every single information about the village tourist attraction points. Farming and tourism are their main source of earning. Walking to the village can help you to know more about the valley, it people and culture too.

Wildlife Sanctuary- Cross-ways the UHL watercourse in the valley is an area of the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home of Monals, Black bear, and ghoral. Woods of Oak, Cedar and pine forest all around the valley.

Nearby attractions

Not only Barot Valley but its surrounding areas are also world class tourist attractions. After completing their tour to the valley tourists can also visit some other nearby tourist points such as; Mandi, Devidarh, Parashar Lake, janjehli, Rewalsar Lake, Kamru nag lake and temple. These places have various Budhist, Hindu and sikh temples along with beautiful deep blue lakes, pine woods, various adventures activities and many more. 

Tips to be remember

·       Book the accommodation on a prior basis as the room might not be available due to many visitors or peak season from April to August.

·       During winters there could be the chances of pipes owing to freezing temperature. So, travelers should carry some extra bottles with them.

·       It is mandatory to fully fill the fuel tank as there is not much availability for fuel stations.

·       June is the festival season and tourists can enjoy in this month too.

Distance from Major Places (Approx):

• Delhi To Barot: 455Km
• Chandigarh To Barot: 266 Km
• Manali To Barot: 176 Km
• Shimla To Barot: 230 Km
• Mandi To Barot: 66 KM
• Jogindernagar to Barot: 40 Km
• Palampur To Barot: 114 KM
• Pathankot to Barot: 192 Km

Transportation

By Road- The valley is well connected via road from all major cities. Barot is situated 25 km off NH 20. The diversion to Barot is at a village, Ghatasani, 14 km from Joginder Nagar and 35 km from Mandi. Barot is connected by public transportations from Mandi, Jogindernagar, and Palampur along with regular taxi services, which are also available at reasonable cost. Buses plying to Kozhikode, Bada Gran and Luhardi also pass through Barot.

By Train- The nearest railway station is at Jogindernagar (Narrow Gauge) and Pathankot (Broad Gauge). A haulage trolley of the British times connects Barot to Jogindernagar. This trolley link was set up to facilitate transport of construction material to Barot for a reservoir on Uhl River for Shanan Power House.

By Air- By air from Delhi to Bhunter(Kullu) or Gaggal(Kangra) airport and then by Taxi to Barot, you can easily reach the Barot.

Contributed by Harneet

Pinjore Gardens

The residential township is located near tri-city in Haryana State also known as Yadavindra Gardens has one of the 17^th century beautiful Mughal Gardens. Besides this, the city also has HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools) factory.

The flora underlies at the foothills of the lower Shivalik ranges and stands as a viable sample of the Mughal Garden style. Extend over an arena of 100 acres and also serves as the venue for the annual Mango Festival. As per the Hindu Mythology, the Pandava Brothers rested here during their exile. If I talk about climate, the average temperatures for summers and winters are 35 and 18 degree Celsius respectively, with rainfall concentrated over the summer months of July, August and September.

The Pinjore Garden was abandoned just seven years after it was built, for a very unusual reason. According to folklore, the local king, the Raja of Bhawana, dreaded the coming of the Mughal Court to Panchkula and feared that he would lose more land to the Mughals.

History of Pinjore

The design of the garden is similar to the classical Charbagh pattern and introduced a central waterway in the area. The Architect of the garden was designed by Nawab Fidai Khan a cousin of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and the Governor of the province at that time. He planned both sides of the waterway to be planted with the patches of green bordered with flowers, along with covering the entire place with a number of trees, like traditional palm, cypress, and magnolia.

Later the zone fell primarily under the rule of king of Sirmaur and finally, in 1775 AD, under Maharaja Amar Singh of Patiala. Then, latter consolidated Pinjore to his lands. He has had a big liking for the attractiveness engulfed in the garden and utilized it to tour the place frequently. Maharaja of Patiala has credited it to improve the garden manifold. In 1966, Haryana was declared as an independent state and Pinjore Garden was handed over to it, till today the garden continues to be one of the prime attractions of Haryana.

Features and other tourist attractions

Pinjore Garden is built in the typical Mughal manner. It has a slanting ground and is jeweled with fountains and impressive pavilions. However, it varies from the other Mughal Gardens in the respect that the seven terraces at Pinjore, instead of ascending, descend into a distance, develop a sorcerer’s sight. The garden is full of different species of graceful, fragrant flowering plants, big trees, mango orchards, litchi orchards and several shrubs. The garden presents cool, shady walks and flagged pathways, which run to the reaches of the creeper-covered walls.

Besides the greenery and nature, one can find separate affinity inside the Garden such as a mini zoo, historic places, Japanese garden, nursery, and a number of picnic spots. The inside gardens are brilliantly lighted at night. There is a Jalmahal within the garden, which is presently utilized as a restaurant. The garden is open from early morning to the late night. The entry ticket for the garden is very low.

Bhima Devi Temple

The outside stone fence of the temple was decorated with the sculptures of the Gods and Goddesses. A vast figure of sculptures portraying Shiva and Parvaati, Agni, Varuna, Surya, Vishnu, Ganesha, Kartikeya was also found on this site. Some other decorative patterns included social performances, floral designs, animal motifs, musicians and erotic scenes etc. A few notable stone inscriptions have also been found at this site linking it with the name of Raja Rama Deva, possibly a local king of repute, who patronized this temple.

 There is an ancient temple adjoining Pinjore gardens. The temple is named Bhima Devi Temple Site Museum. It consists of various erotic statues of ancient deities. The temple contains some statues of Lord Shiva in his Nataraja form. The temple has been made into an open museum accessible to the public. No ticket is required for entering the temple. It was constructed between 8th and 12th century AD. It is also under the protection of Haryana government

Kaushalya Dam

It is an earth-filled barrage dam on Kaushalya River in Pinjore. It is an important wetland that becomes home to many endangered migratory birds.

This is the first plan, which never materialized, for a dam on Ghaggar river was first proposed by the British people in the mid of 19th century to provide drinking water to Ambala Cantonment.

The proposal was revisited only in the 1960s to construct a dam on Ghaggar river at Gumthala near Chandimandir to provide water to Chandigarh and control floods in Punjab, India, this plan was abandoned in 1999 as it would have submerged over 4,000 acres of land resulting in the relocation of a large number of people.

In 2005, the revised plan to build series of smaller dams on the tributaries of Ghaggar river was approved by the Government of Haryana and the construction of the Kaushalya dam commenced in 2008 which was completed in 2012.

 

Sheesh Mahal and Rang Mahal

The Royal residence in the premises of the Mughal Gardens is a bewitching sight to behold. It was where the women would reside during their visit to the garden. The view of the garden from the Sheesh Mahal spans throughout, starting from the gates towards the boundary wall. At the next level is the Rang Mahal— residence of the Maharaja of Patiala. This too has a landscape view of the garden and the orchard surrounding the hill. It only becomes more spectacular under the moonlight.

Fair and Festivals

Special programs are organized in the garden during festivals, like Baisakhi and Mango Festival, which attract visitors from all over the country.

Stay options

Hotels within the multiple price range are available from 2 stars to 5 stars. 

Location

By road-The Pinjore Gardens are 20 km from Chandigarh and 42km. from Shimla. Taxis and buses ply regularly between Pinjore, Kalka, and Chandigarh.

By air- The nearest airport to Pinjore city is Chandigarh international airport and Mohali national airport, which make it easy to reach from all over the world by air conveniently.

Accessibility

Bus Services, Cabs which makes it easily approachable by road.

Contributed by Harneet

Ponmudi - The Golden Peak

Placed in the Southern part of Kerala, it's easy for me to find some interesting and unknown
places since most of the southern strip are mostly coastal region and the rest being hill stations.
As a huge admirer of both hiking and swimming, I always love revisiting such places whenever
I feel dull or bored. Ponmudi is one such hill station which I had pleasure visiting thrice this year
alone. 55 km away from the capital city of Trivandrum, Ponmudi is blessed with a beautiful topography which will taunt you to come back again. Thanks to a perfect terrain and roads, it is never that hard for one to travel there.

My trip to Ponmudi was a memorable one and I still remember my
first road trip with a bunch of my friends. Having been visited there for a past couple of times, a
Bike Ride to Ponmudi with my friends was the best. Starting the journey from Trivandrum in the
morning, we were able to reach the destination after 2-3 hours of driving and refreshment.
The Hairpin curves were scary at first, but once we started climbing up, we started getting views
that continued to cherish us until we reached the peak. After clearing the legal formalities, we reached the spot and began walking towards the viewpoint. One has to climb the three-storeyed
concrete structure to get a nice view. Taking your children with you is not advisable as the place
itself is quite dangerous.

We got off and the next thing we did was to spend some quality time trading stories and jokes amonst ourselves. In such a perfect place for get-togethers, we spent almost an hour talking and couldn't believe that we strayed ourselves from gadgets for that much time. Just as the evening darkness began subsiding, we decided to get off the place as it is a bit dangerous to climb down the hill after 5 PM as the evening fog begins to congest the roads. 

Ponmudi is a place which serves as a perfect spot for those who love long rides and trekking. If you love hill stations, Ponmudi is a place worth visiting at least a dozen times as one doesn't get enough of it. So, grab a bunch of your friends or relatives and head to Ponmudi to spend your holiday right, instead of being occupied by the four walls of your house. 

Quick Facts about Ponmudi

1. How to reach – Frequent Buses from Trivandrum, well-maintained roads make it easier for two wheelers and four wheelers to reach the spot without much difficulty

2. Nearest town – Palode

3. Nearest railway station – Trivandrum, 59 kms 

4. Nearest Airport – Trivandrum, 65 km 

5. Places to stay – KTDC Hotel

6. Best time to visit –Monsoon 

7. Things to do – Get the view of your life from the Ponmudi viewpoint and spend your evening there to experience breezy and refreshing air. Perfect for picnicking and get-togethers. 

8. Is it Child-Friendly - No

Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Kasauli - North India's Heaven

It is an outstanding experience to make a trip to Kasauli by Chandigarh Shimla motorway and relax for few days is a mastered weekend getaway with exotic & composed surroundings, along with the great eating choices, not only beside the highway but also inwards the township. At that place, there is multitudinous colouration to catch sight suchlike monkey point, sunset point, sunrise point, Upper mall, lower mall, Dharampur, Barog and many another.

Kasauli is a small-scale town in the province of Himachal Pradesh situated at an altitude of 1,927 m. The town is 77 km from Shimla and 70 km from Chandigarh. As per a Hindu Mythology, it comes up into presence after Lord Hanuman settled his feet here in order to go along to the Sanjeevani hill. The place where the Almighty actually kept his feet is count to be at a hillock which is 300 m high.

Historically, Kasauli is one of those hillock series that was matured by the British Empire during its extreme duration in India. It is one of those places that, despite its loveliness still has yet to encounter itself prominently on the tourist's chart. In fact, it is really superb for all those who desire to spend some time alone with their family or, for that matter, even themselves.

If you have an aspiration to tour the town during the off-season (November to February), it is quite likely that you will not come up to across any person for a long while on your walk. However, you will be attended along with your move by the sweetish and comfy sounds of the birds along with the mild rustling of leaves. For those who are quite the opposite and see for sportiness and risky venture at every step, Kasauli will be dissatisfaction as in that location is barely anything to make. At that place, there are several puny attractions inside and around the town that will preserve you more or less active.

Tourist’s attractions

• Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanakji is a historical Sikh temple is located inwards Gharkhal marketplace on the chief way towards Kasauli, also having a living accommodations station. In addition, the routine devotion, a sustaining program is held every Sunday and Saturday during early morning time. 

• Sunset Point is located around 1.5 km from the motor-coach stand. The Sundown point provides a glorious sight of the close hillside zone, and of plains, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali, Kalka, Pinjore, Parwanoo, Baddi and Nalagarh all are viewable equally a bird of prey eye view from this intersection point. The Evening hour point has a teeny-weeny eating place which serves freshly processed items for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

• Manki Point This is the altitudinous point in Kasauli, in that place Lord Hanuman is considered to have set his feet while on his path to give the once over for the Sanjeevani buti (herb). About 4 km from the Kasauli bus stand, at its top, is a place of worship devoted to Lord Hanuman and travellers are not allowed to carry bags or cameras inside. The hiking to the temple can be small indefinite amount rigorousness for those who are not in use to mounting.

• Christ Church at walking distance to the bus stand, it was constructed by the British people that founded the town of Kasauli itself. It is made with a superb superstructure the form of a cross. Before, theCatholic Church was famed as the Anglican Church. In 1970, it was brought back under the protection of the CNI (Church of North India) and is presently carry off by the bishopric of Amritsar.

• Timber Trail Resort on two side by side hills and united untidily with a wire car, Timber Trail is a perfect vacation way station. A visitor can relish the ride to and back to the hilltop and move frontward or stop for a time of day at the resort. The spotlight of Timber Trail Resort is Cable Car. The compartment has a capacity of 10-12 people and flies tourer from Timber Trail Resort to Timber Trail Heights, at the distance of 1.8 km and takes tourists to a height of 5,000 feet from 3,000 feet a rise of 2,000 feet.

Staying options

Kasauli is not truly a tramper terminal due to the shortness of affordable settlement. Visit in the forth-period or on working day will retrieve you finer cost. Hotels like Himlay Hotel, Blossom, Kasauli Regency, and Him Darsah Regency are some of those stay options which provide options for tourists to stay within a limited expense.

Chandigarh to Kasauli

Chandigarh to Kasauli is about 60km, by the driveway to the location there are two ways first via Parwanoo and the other one is from Chandigarh via to Dharampur on Kalka Shimla highway and move to left from Kasauli circle. Roads are in good conditions.You can go by bus but no regular bus service is available from Chandigarh.  From the circle frequent road travel services are available.

If travellers are planning for a tour to the city by bus, have to take the bus for Solan/Shimla from sector 43 ISBT of Chandigarh and get the ticket for Dharampur (a small town before Solan District). Moreover, tourists can get numerous buses heading towards Kasauli. Furthermore, tourists with a high budget can hire a cab too.

Shimla to Kasauli

The distance between Shimla and Kasauli is nearly of 3 hours through national highway 5 from Volvo to Himachal roadways buses are providing their services from time to time. Another way to travel is by Taking the train from Shimla to Kasauli to reach nearly in 2 hours. Sonwara is the nearest railway station. It is about 4 km from Shimla airport.

Climate and Ideal time to visit

The Environmental condition of Kasauli is healthy around the year, summertime brings pleasantness and wintertime gentle with infrequent Snowfall. In winter, the temperature can get down just above freeze-drying point when the heavy textile is needed. During summertime, the environmental condition is mild and light woollens or cotton are recommended. The monsoon is particularly pleasing when coltish clouds fall down upon you and the mist surrounds you.

Contributed by Harneet