Himachal Pradesh came into being after the separation of Punjab and Haryana. Although it is small and not very densely populated, it is a popular holiday resort. The Raj still lingers in Shimla, the state capital and former summer capital during British rule. Kullu and Manali are neighbouring resorts, surrounded by pine covered hills and lushy meadows. The soothing environs with the fresh air mingling with the fragrance of flowers and mingled with the singing of birds prove to be a heady combination. Subhash Baoli, provides a panoramic view of the snow covered mountains,while Satdahra, as the sparkling springs are known, are noted for their medicinal properties due to the presence of mica and other minerals. At Panjpulla you can get an interesting view of water from a natural tank flowing under five bridges.

The state capital is Shimla. Much of the state is mountainous with the Himalayas in the north and east and the smaller Shiwalik (or Shivalik) range in the south. The Ghaggar River originates in the Shivalik range. The main rivers are the Sutlej (home of the Bhakra Nangal Dam Project) and the Beas. The bridge on the Sutlej River at Kandraur, Bilaspur is one of the highest bridges in Asia.

Places of interest in Himachal Pradesh:
Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Una, Chamba, Lahul and Spiti, Sirmaur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Solan, Shimla.

Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh:
Simbalbara Sanctuary, Renuka Sanctuary, Churdhar Sanctuary, Chail Sanctuary, Majathal Sanctuary, Maharana Pratap Sagar, Manali Sanctuary, Kanawar Sanctuary, Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary, Daranghati Sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Nature Park, Kufri, Nature Park, Manali, Nature Park, Gopalpur.

Lakes:
Beas Kund, Dashaur Lake, Dal Lake, Chandra Tal, Manimahesh Lake, Suraj Tal, Bhrigu Lake, Mantalai Lake, Prasar Lake, Rewalsar Lake, Renuka Lake, Khajjiar Lake, Bhakhra Lake, Seoralsar Lake, Kareri Lake, Nako Lake.

India Travel Destination Guide

Mail services in India

Mail services in India are quite reliable. Apart from Government opertaed General Post Offices (GPO's) known as "Daak Ghar" in India, there are many courior option available in India. FedEx, UPS, XPS, DHL and other major players operate from many cities. Many other local courior services operate from all other

Photographing in India

Keep in mind to ask before directing your camera to all that could be considered "strategic", including airports and anything military, but even with the bridges, the stations and the principal roads. The film of camera, sold with the average Western prices, is largely available in India (but check the

Airline Services from Delhi

Airline Services Flights can be taken from Delhi Domestic Airport The various airlines that operate in India are: Indian Airlines (Govt. Operated) Jet Airways (Privately Runned) Air Sahara (Privately Runned) Air Deccan (Privately Runned) Spice Jet (Privately Runned) Kingfisher (Privately Runned) Delhi to: Agra (INDIAN AIRLINES 4 weekly; 35min); Ahmedabad (INDIAN AIRLINES, JET AIRWAYS 3-5 daily; 1 hr 25min);

Contacts for disabled travelers in India

Contacts for disabled travelers Britain and Ireland Can Be Done 7-11 Kensington High St, London W8 5NP ® 020/8907 2400. Specialist tour operators for the disabled. Carefree Holidays 64 Florence Rd, Northampton NN1 4NA © 01604/634301. Specialist tour operators for the disabled. Holiday Care Service 2nd Floor, Imperial Buildings, Victoria

Bargaining in India

Don't worry too much about the first quoted prices. Some guidebooks suggest paying a third of the opening price, but it's a flexible guideline depending on the shop, the goods and the shopkeeper's impression of you. Bargaining is very much a matter of personal style, but should always be lighthearted,

Katchal: Nicobar

Katchal is a tiny island in the Nicobar group. It was this island, which heralded the new millennium with the first sunrise on 1st January 2000. This island has beautiful beaches at East bay, Jhula and West bay. The island of Katchal is one of the 572 islands, islets and

Car Nicobar Island

Car Nicobar, in the northern part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is one of the only 12 inhabited islands in the Andamans archipelago. The two groups of islands, Andaman and Nicobar, are separated by a deep ten degree channel. The islands are pristine with palm-fringed beaches and deep blue

Safety & Security

Rajasthan is a peaceful state and its people are friendly and well meaning. This piece of an advice is meant to caution but you should not be paranoid otherwise you miss knowing about the very vibrant people and culture of Rajasthan. Like anywhere else, reasonable caution is your best weapon

Harminder Bay Beach

This picturesque beach of Harminder Bay is situated 100-km from Port Blair at Hut Bay Island in Andaman and Nicobar. You can travel to this beach by ship from Port Blair. These beautiful beaches are situated at Hut Bay Island at a distance of 100-km from the city of

Cuisine of Rajasthan

Land of Princes, as Rajasthan is called, shows off, many a fine gastronomic both within the palaces and outside. The royal kitchens of Rajasthan, the preparation of food was a very complex matter and was raised to the levels of an art form. Thus the ‘Khansamas’ (the royal cooks) worked