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

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

Indian embassies outside

Indian embassies Australia High Commission; 3-5 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600® 02/6273 3999, © 62731308,® hicanb@ozemail.com.au. Consulates; Level 27,25 Bligh St, Level 27, Sydney, NSW 2000® 02/9223 9500,® 9223 9246,® indianc@enternet.com.au; 15 Munro St, Coburg, Melbourne, Vic 3058® 03/9384 0141, ® 9384 1609. Honorary Consulates; Level 1, Terrace Hotel, 195

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,

International Airlines Offices in New Delhi

Internation Airlines with thier office addresses: Aeroflot, Tolstoy House, 15-17 Tolstoy Marg; Air Canada, 1st floor, ALPs Building, 56 Janpath 0014; Air France, 7 Atma Ram Mansion, Scindia House, Connaught Place; Air India, Jeevan Bharati Building, opposite Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place; Air Lanka, Room 1, Hotel Janpath, Janpath Air Ukraine, C-37,

Time Zone in India

India is all in one time zone: GMT+5hr 30min. This makes it 5hr 30min ahead of London, 1Ohr 30min ahead of New York, 13hr 30min ahead of LA, 4hr 30min behind Sydney and 6hr 30min behind NZ; however, summer time in those places will vary the difference by an hour.

Getting Around & Visiting Rajasthan

Getting around the state is rarely problematic, though there's no avoiding some tedious long hauls. The state-run bus company, RSTDC, has regular services between cities, but since it hiked its prices by fifty percent in 1997, private operators have become a more popular option, offering cheaper fares and greater comfort.

Electricity in India

Generally 220V 50Hz AC, though direct current supplies also exist, so check before plugging in. Most sockets are triple round-pin (accepting European-size double round-pin plugs). British, Irish and Australasian plugs will need an adaptor, preferably universal; American and Canadian appliances will need a transformer too, unless multi-voltage. Power cuts and

Cigarettes in India

Indian cigarettes, such as Wills, Gold Flake, Four Square and Charms, are OK once you get used to them, and hardly break the bank (Rs10-30 per pack), but if you find them too rough, stock up on imported brands such as Marlboro and Benson and Hedges, or some rolling tobacco,

Train services from Delhi

Train Serices from Delhi There are 4 major Railways stations in Delhi. New Delhi Railway Station Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station Old Delhi Railway Station Sarai Rohilla Railway Station New Delhi Station is situated at the eastern end of Paharganj, less than lkm north of Connaught Place. All the trains leave for the major destinations

Metalware and jewellery in India

The south is one major area for metalware in India (dancing Shivas, : known as Nataraj, are a favourite here -check out the quality in the palace art gallery ! at Thanjavur), the Himalayas another, Dokra, j a speciality of West Bengal and Orissa, uses this very same lost-wax technique