Top 5 places to visit in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful state situated in the lap of the Himalayas. The grandeur of the lofty peaks and the magical beauty of the rivers that flow across its beautiful land are majestic. It is also known for its perpetual Monasteries and temples, which offer tranquility and peace of mind to tourists. Himachal Pradesh is a great weekend getaway for North Indians and is the first choice for people who love snow. Being a curious traveler, I have explored the length and breadth of Himachal Pradesh and brought to you the top five places to visit in Himachal Pradesh.

Manali
Located in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is a beautiful combination of sky-touching peaks and icy cold river Beas, which flows through its land. Visiting Manali is not restricted to any season and it can be explored throughout the year. If you are a snow lover, then you should opt to visit during the months of November to February. I was here in the month of May, and I experienced a pleasant moderate weather. Manali attracts tourists for its lovely climate and adventure activities like white water Rafting, Zorbing, Skiing, Paragliding etc. It is also known for its temples which have historical as well as mythological significance. Some of the prominent places to visit in Manali and nearby areas include Hadimba Devi temple, Vashisth temple, Rohtang, Manikaran, Kasol, Solang, Gulaba etc.

Dalhousie
Located in Chamba district, Dalhousie still retains the charm of the British Era. It is one of the most popular hill stations in India. It is famous for its natural beauty and serene climate. The snow capped mountain range of Himalayas, thick forests of oak and pine trees, which appear like a beautiful green carpet, fresh breeze touching your body, chirping of birds, picturesque views and tranquil environment of Dalhousie makes it a favorite destination for honeymooners. This place is not commercialized as compared to other famous hill stations, which kept its beauty intact for the tourists to see. There are many awesome places to visit, which will make your trip memorable. Khajiar, the mini Switzerland of India is breathtakingly beautiful, the beauty of Chamera Lake is enchanting, If you are a wildlife lover, then Kalatop wildlife which is an open forest will make you spellbound, boating at Khajjiar lake, beauty of Panchpula, trekking at Ganji Pahari, amazingly beautiful Dainkund Peak and Majestic views of the Himalaya from the lanes of Dalhousie will make you fall in love with this place.

Shimla
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh was once, the summer capital of India before Independence. It is presently one of the most popular hill stations in the country. Because of proximity to Delhi and Chandigarh, this place has become a weekend getaway destination for north Indians. Shimla is well connected via bus, train, and air. Shimla tops the list of best honeymoon destination in India. The beauty of Shimla attracts Bollywood directors to shoot their movie scenes at this place. Snow covered mountain peaks, beautiful lakes, enjoyable climate and alluring greenery, Shimla has everything one can ask for. The colonial architecture, the quaint cottages of British era and the mesmerizing beauty of the Himalayas form a great combination. Some of the important places in Shimla and nearby are the Ridge, Lakkar Bazar, Jakhoo hill, Johnnie's wax museum, Tara Devi, Fagu, Kufri, Tattapani, Chail, Green Valley etc. Tattapani is famous for its hot Sulphur water which has medicinal values. Shimla offers a variety of shopping spots for shopaholics and sport & activities for adventure lovers.

Dharamshala
Dharamshala, also known as ‘Little Lhasa’ is a calm and serene hill station of Himachal Pradesh. The ever beautiful Dharamshala is located in the scenic valley of Kangra. Covered with thick deodar trees all around the city, Dharamshala is also famously known for 14th Buddhist lama(Dalai Lama) presence and a major hold of Tibetan refugees. The snowy hills, deodar forests, and tranquility of the environment make it a perfect holiday destination. Walking on the lanes of the hilly roads and watching the picturesque view is something which will rejuvenate your mind and soul. If you love Tibetan food then you can enjoy delicious Tibetan food offered by local refreshment stalls. The calmness and purity of the hill station reflect in the simplicity of local inhabitant. If you want to buy something very ethnic and unique then the handicraft items of Dharamshala is really up to the mark. There are some beautiful places in and around Dharamshala such as McLeod Ganj, Masrur, Kangra Museum, Kangra Fort, Dalai Lama Temple, Dal lake of Dharamshala, Namgyal Monastery etc. See the complete guide of Dharamshala, in order to plan your trip.

Kasauli
Kasauli is believed to be a place where Lord Hanuman placed his feet on his journey in search of Sanjeevani. It is a small piece of a gift from nature in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 1927 meters. It is near from Shimla and Chandigarh, at a distance of 77 kilometers and 70 kilometers respectively. Despite its beauty, Kasauli is yet to find its importance in tourist's heart. Kasauli is a place to lay down and relax, take a walk and hear the birds singing in praise of nature, it is a place to take exile in the lap of mother nature. People looking for fun and activities should ignore this place, but people looking to rejuvenate their mind and soul should definitely visit.

Himachal Pradesh has no shortage of Hills and valleys and entire state possess beautiful landscape and amazing valleys. The above list of top places to visit in Himachal Pradesh is prepared after completing my tour of Himachal and is entirely from my personal experience. If you have been to any of these places, please share your experience.

Author's Bio
Saurabh is Freelance Web developer and a passionate traveler. He loves to travel along with his family to offbeat destinations. He loves nature and wildlife photography, in his free time he likes to document his travel stories on his travel blog.