India is a land of amazing treasure troves. It is a world famous destination for memorable vacations that will linger into your heart and mind for rest of your life. India has distinct topographical features like plains, verdant valleys, barren desert, hills which makes it a picture perfect land.
Hills stations in India are the most sought after tourist destinations for both Indian and foreign tourists. There are several hill stations in India which are located amidst the Himalayan mountain ranges. Due to their proximity to Himalayas they have a pleasant atmosphere through out the entire summer season. Some of the popular hill stations of northern India are Srinagar, Gulmarg, Shimla, Dehradun, Nainital, Manali etc. Even there are some more popular hill stations which are located in southern part of our country such as Kodaikanal, Ooty, Coorg etc.
Beside these popular hill stations, India is also blessed with some more hill stations which are still unexplored but can be an ideal destination for a great weekend or honeymoon vacations. Such hill stations are available in each and every region of India like in northern India, there are Chopta, Kausani etc, Kalimpong in eastern India, Chikaldhara hill station in western region and last but the not the least in southern India there are Anantgiri hills and Yercaud hill stations.
Unexplored Hill Stations:
Chopta Hill Station: Chopta is a picturesque hill station located on the Gopeshwar-Ukhimath Road about 40 kms. from Gopeshwar in the Garhwal region. It is perched at an altitude of about 2,900 m above sea level. This tiny hill station is enriched with some beautiful tourist attractions such as Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Tungnath Shiv Temple, Gopeshwar, Kanchula Korak Musk deer sanctuary, Ukhimath etc. This beautiful place is decorated with alpine vegetation, orchids, and many high altitude vegetations.
Kausani Hill Station: Kausani is a hill station of awesome view, located just 53 km north of Almora in Kumaon region of Uttaranchal state. It is only 14hours drive from Delhi by road. From Kausani, one can have the privileged to view the snowy Himalayas and the high snow-capped mountain peaks of Nanda Devi and Trishul. Plan your trip to Kausani, from April to June, as it is the best time to visit Kausani. At this time of the year, temperature ranges from 11c to 26c.
Kalimpong Hill Station: Kalimpong is a serene hill station located in the northern fringe of West Bengal at an altitude of 1250m. It is a place of spectacular scenery, famous mostly for its monasteries, churches, libraries for study of Tibetan and Himalayan languages and culture. Some of the favorite spots of tourists in Kalimpong are Durpin Dara, Kalibari, St, Theresa Church, Mangaldham, Flower nursery producing orchids and gladiolis. This place is linked to Darjeeling, Siliguri and Gangtok by road. Even the Bagdogra airport is 80kms from here. You can visit this place any time in summer.
Chikaldhara Hill Station: Chikaldhara is the only hill station and coffee growing area in entire Vidharba region. It is situated at a height of 1,118m in Maharashtra. This place is famous as a summer resort and has marvelous tourists hotspots like Wan and Chikaldhara Sanctuary, Melghat Tiger Reserve, Gavilgadh Fort, Bhimkund, Devi mandir, Shakkar lake and three points namely Sunset point, Panchbol point, Hariken point etc.
Anantgiri Hill Station: Anantagiri is a splendorous hill station located just 40km from Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It is situated atop of the Elysian Tirumala Hills approximately 17 km from Araku valley. Unmatched beauty of this place attracts loads of tourists to some of its awesome tourist attractions such as Bheemunipatnam, Ramakrishna and Rishikonda Beach, Sri Venkateswara Konda, Borra Caves, Vuda Park and Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Simhachalam Temple and Dolphin’s Nose. This hill station is a perfect site for honeymoon due to its cool and pleasant environment through out the year.
Yercaud Hill Station: Yercaud is another less explored hill resort of southern India. It is located at an altitude of 1, 515m in Shevaroy hills in Tamil Nadu. The climate of Yercaud is very cool, in contrast to the other nearby regions. Temperature here never rises above 30c. It is an ideal place for trekking in forested slopes and boating at Yercaud and Small lake. Yercaud is famous for its vast coffee plantations. It is dotted with some breathtaking tourists spots such as Lady’s Seat, Killiyur Falls, The Grange, The Servarayan Temple and Anna Park. Yercaud is well connected to Coimbatire, Bangalore, Salem by road. Tiruchirapalli has the airport which is very close to Yercaud.
By: Jolly Mazumdar
Posts Tagged ‘Southern India’
A Journey Through Cultural India
October 8th, 2009
Are you considering India as the destination of your next wild adventure? Below you’ll find an account from a fellow traveler of the amazing views and experiences to be had in this breathtaking, culture filled land.
Long haul vacations have become commonplace today as more of us seek out exotic destinations. There is nothing more fascinating than discovering the hidden wonders India has to offer. It is a country of contrast, with wonderful scenery, top class accommodation and ancient temples. India really offers the best of both worlds, you can visit the amazing sites and experience the tourist culture on offer, and just five minutes down the road you can stumble upon true third world conditions where for some, every day is a struggle to survive. Visiting these parts of India can be very humbling experience, to have the opportunity to see how a hidden majority of the population lives, and even to inspire oneself to take the steps to giving something back to these communities in need.
By far the most attractive tourist destination is the state of Goa in the west. It is a particular favorite amongst the younger generation, having gained a reputation for its beach lifestyle and dance parties. There are several beaches to choose from and the annual carnival is the highlight of the year. This region is a former Portuguese colony and much of the colonial architecture remains. The main religions are Hinduism and Roman Catholicism as is evident by the many breathtaking church and temple tours on offer. While every part of India offers a unique experience, Goa has been rated one of the most popular tourist destinations, offering a world away from the hectic, culture packed cities of India, a chance to relax and unwind, and to make the most of the beautiful weather, beaches, and take full advantage of the tourist comforts on offer.
Southern India is another tourism hot spot offering a relaxed surrounding as you take in the culture, the ancient temples, and the spectacular tropical forests and beaches. There are also a number of vibrant cities and two National Parks. The regional cuisine is known as an outstanding contribution to Indian food. Many travelers make it a point to go through Tamil Nadu to see the hill stations, noted for their scenic locations. There is wonderful architecture, temples and cultural traditions.
Tamil Nadu contains the city of Madurai, an unforgettable place on any agenda for India travel. The city is full of temples, the most famous one being the Meenakshi Temple. Madurai also contains the Gandhi Museum, where his robes are displayed and there are workshops, a store selling fabrics woven on a hand loom and a bookstore containing spiritual publications.
Where-ever you decide to travel in India, One aspect of your trip that you will notice is how welcoming the locals are. Despite their sometimes extreme-poverty, you will always find a smiling, generous face.
The people are a contributing factor in making India such a spiritual place to visit, along with the breathtaking sights and rich cultural history held by the buildings and landmarks. The state of Bihar contains the village of Bodhgaya, which is a sacred place, cherished by Buddhists. Buddhists travel here on pilgrimages from all over the world to see the famous Mahabodhi Temple. The most sacred feature is the descendant of the Bodhi tree that the Buddha sat under and gained his enlightenment.
Obviously the most well-known landmark in India is the Taj Mahal, an incredibly beautiful structure of white marble, built in the Islamic style in the 17th century. Known as one of the seven wonders of the world, it is located in Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Its origins are pure romance as a Mughal emperor built it as a tribute to his wife, whom he adored. The mosque, ornamental gardens and mausoleum are simply stunning and more than live up to its reputation.
By: Ceb Matheson
