Amazing Himachal Pradesh: Mountains and River Valleys

Himachal Pradesh (‘Land of Snow’) in India’s mountainous north stands out for its breathtaking natural beauty. Its lofty mountains, glaciers, passes, alpine meadows, lakes, valleys, forests, hill-stations, hot springs, and the spectacular cold deserts of the Trans-Himalaya…all invite the traveller with a love for the outdoors.

Himachal’s capital Shimla is called the ‘Queen of the Hills’. Once the summer capital of the British administrators, they came here initially to escape the fiery Indian summer and finally left leaving behind a beautiful colonial legacy that is seen to this day all over Shimla.

Himachal’s Buddhist heritage is rich and ancient. The remote valleys of Lahaul, Spiti, and Kinnaur have strong Buddhist traditions, owing to their proximity to Tibet. Many splendid monasteries, built along bare and precarious mountainsides, blend beautifully with the rugged terrain. But any tour of Himachal’s Buddhist treasures must begin at Dharamsala (also called Little Tibet), a hill-station established by the British in the 19th century and the official home of the 14th Dalai Lama since 1959.

Situated on the banks of the River Spiti, the magnificent Tabo Monastery in Spiti – a cold desert region that has retained its Tibetan character – was built over 1,000 years ago and is a glorious testament to esoteric Buddhist art.

Lahaul is home to hanging glaciers and rocky massifs. Drugpa Kardang Gompa is the largest monastery here.

Himachal offers lovers of adventure and adrenalin every opportunity to indulge themselves – trekking, mountaineering, skiing, heli-skiing, jeep safaris in high-altitude deserts, paragliding, as well as a range of water sports such as whitewater rafting, angling etc.

Himachal Pradesh celebrates a remarkable variety of fairs and festivals. Losar, the Tibetan New Year is celebrated throughout the state, especially at monasteries in Lahaul which witness fabulous performances. The Kangra Festival here is phenomenal for it sheer cultural display. The annual Dussehra Festival in the Kullu Valley is dramatic, colourful, and full of surprises.

There is so much more to see in Himachal – charming hill-stations such as Dalhousie, antiquated temples, and marvellous spectacles of wildlife and nature. The Pin Valley National Park in Spiti is home to the ibex and the elusive, stunning snow leopard. The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Natural).

Dharamsala

The quiet hill town of Dharamsala lies in the north Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh and offers some of the most picturesque views of the snow-clad Himalayas beyond. With its unique mix of British, Tibetan, and Himachal cultures, Dharamsala is divided into Upper and Lower Dharamsala. Upper Dharamsala or McLeodganj was discovered by the British in the 1850s, some of whom built homes here. By 1960, long after the British had left, the 14th Dalai Lama found refuge in this tiny pine-covered retreat in the mountains. And McLeodganj never looked back. This is where the Dalai Lama has his official residence and where a large Tibetan community lives – a sort of new Lhasa. Lower Dharamsala (the commercial hub) lies 3 km down the hill.

The Tsug-lha-Khang Temple Complex houses the Dalai Lama’s residence with his private office and temple. The Complex also houses the Kalchakra Temple and the Namgyal Monastery. The Namgyaima Stupa is a memorial to martyred Tibetans; the Church of St John-in-the-Wilderness (1852) has exquisite stained-glass windows and is one of the earliest British era buildings here; the Bhagsunag Temple is dedicated to Shiva; Dal Lake is a popular local spot and is home to the Tibetan Children’s Village; the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts is the social heart of the town, drawing innumerable fans to its annual 10-day Shoton Festival in March-April. The main bazaar offers Tibetan carpets, thangkas, brocade, ponchos, lamps, jewellery, unusual curios, wall hangings, rugs, metalware, and trinkets.

Around 14 km from McLeodganj is one of the finest and greatest repositories of Tibetan heritage in the world – the Norbulingka Institute. Established in 1995 and spread over seven acres, the Institute is a living record of Tibet’s rich, ancient culture. It holds traditional Tibetan buildings created by the master craftsmen who arrived here with the Dalai Lama. Visit the library, college, design studio, workshops, guesthouse, and café. Pick up authentic Tibetan souvenirs from the showroom. Finally, don’t miss the outstanding collection of Tibetan dolls at the Losel Doll Museum here, crafted by monks.

Shimla

Situated at 6,890 feet in the Shivalik Hills in southern Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, with its lovely deodar forests and mountain views, combines the beauty of the magnificent Himalayas with the old-world, laidback charm of a hill town. Shimla owes its distinct character and place in history to its position as the British Raj’s summer capital in the 19th century.

The Mall is one of the longest stretches of open-air, pedestrian promenades in the world. The Ridge-to-Viceregal Lodge stretch is the core of Shimla’s ‘Heritage Zone’ and showcases several beautiful pieces of colonial architecture. As you stroll down this stretch you will see the Ridge, Lakkar Bazaar, Christ Church, State Library, Bandstand, Gaiety Theatre, Municipality Building, Telegraph Building, Catholic Church, State Bank of India building, Railway Board building, Gorton Castle, Vidhan Sabha, The Oberoi Cecil, Cecil Annexe, State Museum, Yarrrows, and the Viceregal Lodge.

Also visit the Jakhoo Hanuman Temple (atop Jakhoo Hill, the tallest of Shimla’s hills), Himachal State Museum, Annandale (best known as a helipad, it is a large glade with a golf course, bounded by dense woods) and The Glen (a wooded ravine) while you’re here.