City: Himachal Pradesh
Top Things to do in Himachal Pradesh
Top Hotels in Himachal Pradesh
- 1. juSTa Cliffend Resort & Spa Mashobra, Shimla
- 2. The Orchard Greens
- 3. The Orchard Greens Resort & Spa
- 4. Apple Country Resort
- 5. Snow Peak Retreat & Cottages Manali
- 6. Snow Valley Resorts
- 7. juSTa Birding Dharamshala Resort
- 8. Marigold Sarovar Portico Shimla
- 9. Sun Park Resort Manali
- 10. The Posh Hotel
Things to do in Himachal Pradesh, India: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Himachal Pradesh ([ɦɪmaːtʃəl prəd̪eːʃ] ( listen); literally "snow-laden province") is a state of India located in North India. Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is bordered by states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west, Haryana on the southwest, Uttarakhand on the southeast, and the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east. At its southernmost point, it also touches the state of Uttar Pradesh. The state's name was coined from the Sanskrit—Him means 'snow' and achal means 'land' or 'abode'—by acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma, one of the state's eminent Sanskrit scholars.
Restaurants in Himachal Pradesh
1. Langha Mata Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Temple of Langha Mata situated amidst Dhauladhar Mountain forest and is on simple and easy yet stiff trek
2. Thosamling Nunnery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
We are a not-for-proft Nunnery and Institute practicing in the Tibetan Buddhist Lineage. Our Nunnery is home to several ordained nuns, who teach our weekend meditation retreats. Thosamling has also recently opened its doors for women from all over the world to stay affordably for extended periods of time (5 days to 2 months) as a base for their own private retreat practices.
Reviewed By username19654
I joined Thosamling's two-month group winter retreat 'Cultivating Shamatha to Reveal Insight' from Dec. 2018 to Feb. 2019. I can only rave about the Nunnery and retreat, which provided wonderful outer conditions for cultivating inward contemplation and meditation in a supportive retreat setting. What I appreciate deeply was the opportunity Thosamling and its community gave me to focus on developing and deepening daily contemplative practice in a beautiful and nurturing setting. Without question, I hope to return and highly recommend Thosamling as a place to visit year-round as a guest, volunteer or retreatant, or even for longer term residential stays for studies and contemplative living. During retreat, we were gently awakened, early mornings, to the sound of a gong, beckoning us to gather in the beautiful temple (gompa) where we set our intentions and began our first session for the day. The opportunity to sit as a group with other retreatants and our teacher first thing in the morning was very supportive for me in terms of establishing motivation and regularity in practice. After a short one-hour early morning session, to my delight, we were often greeted and escorted outside the Temple by Queenie and Nyima, Thosamling's beautiful resident dogs of Thosamling, as we walked to the dining hall for breakfast. These two beauties somehow provided a nurturing warmth to my retreat, fueling bodhichitta practice for me. Meals, prepared by knowledgeable local staff and volunteers were tasty, nourishing and prepared with care. Daily lunch and holiday spreads were notably delicious and filling that I found myself being careful about the amounts and times I ate so as not to affect my meditations throughout the day. Planning ahead to have some fruits and nuts to snack on between meals might be helpful, allowing for light eating during meals as a support for deep meditation. But overall, the food was very yummy, and Venerable Sangmo's pastries and cakes a welcome surprise on occasion. Fred and Maya, in particular, made sure we were fed. During retreat, the temple offered a wonderful shared space for practice. We were given a relaxing daily structure and instructions, as well as freedom to join in or sit out of teachings, meditation sessions, and pujas held in the temple. The balance between structure and flexibly allowed me to feel guided and supported yet open to experimentation (which was encouraged) so I could find a personal balance between study, contemplation, meditation, and other activities (walks, yoga, 1 hour of daily karma yoga, rooftop sky-gazing, sleep, etc) throughout my day. Silence, mindfulness and introspection throughout all activities day and night were encouraged and cultivated. Daytime hours were, for the most part, dedicated to teachings and particularly practice, with the focus primarily on Shamatha, Vipashyana, and later in retreat, Mahamudra and Dzogchen as presented by skillful teacher Doug Veenhof. As retreat progressed, teaching time was reduced and practice time was increased. Delivery of the teachings were relaxed and clear, and the amount of practice time was abundant, allowing me, step-by-step, to cultivate relaxation, clarity and stability in my daily practice. Yippee!! Hurray! Thank you Thosamling for making this possible! As a change from the temple, I found the rooftops as exceptional "training grounds" for blue-sky gazing to cultivate awareness of awareness and to practice mindful walking and yoga asana. Outside of the temple, Thosamling's natural setting offered abundant and unique opportunities for peaceful contemplation and practice of simultaneous stillness and motion. Nestled amongst terraced fields where locals cultivate the land and a gorgeous backdrop of snow-capped mountains, the beauty of Thosamling's surroundings is sublime. On site, bamboo, citrus, bougainvillea, rose, banana bushes and trees, are only a few of the flora to enjoy while meandering the pathways through shaded picnic areas and numerous organic vegetable gardens. I loved doing karma yoga in the garden in the mornings and seeing the chickens fed. Countless exquisite birds of all sizes, colors, and shapes serenade with birdsong mantras from morning to evening and soar through the expansive sky of pristine awareness. Dusk signals a change in scenery with pristine sunsets gracefully painting a vast dreamscape on the canvas of sky, reflected on snowy mountains. I found this to be a special invitation for me to enjoy sky-gazing from the celestial rooftops on many evenings, cultivating a sense of wonder and awe as the mystery of nightfall arrived and stars began to twinkle. I loved the shared bathrooms, which were spacious and very clean. The rooms also were spacious and comfortable with large windows. I spent most of my time meditating in the temple or rooftop, but found my room very suitable as well. As there is no central heating during winter months, some people arranged for small space heaters through the office. I definitely recommend bringing a rubber hot water bottle in the winter to fill up and keep you warm when you climb into bed in the evening. As night falls, temperatures drop, so bring ample clothes for layering. I also brought a light waterproof raincoat which turned out to be helpful on a few occasions. Beyond the wonderful teachings and natural setting, it was also the dedicated and supportive people that made Thosamling special. What a pleasure it was to retreat alongside three of the resident nuns--Venerables Sangmo, Yeshe, and Yangkyi--each an inspiring example of service, compassion, and wisdom. As a wrap up, post-retreat, I loved joining some of the nuns and our retreat teacher in making rounds to regional monasteries and nunneries to deliver food basket offerings during Losar--Tibetan New Year--as well as joining a 3-day pilgrimmage to Tso Pema. If staying for a while, not to be missed is a visit to the library, a jewel atop the Temple, managed mindfully by Venerable Yeshe, who knows the books inside and out, and can help you find just what you are looking for! I could literally, spend months reading in that library! Yangkyi is another inspiration to watch. See how she takes on any task, from giving medicine to the dogs and making water bowl offerings to setting up tech systems in the Temple, with zeal and readiness. And how much I learned watching Venerable Sangmo, who would fly in and out of the Temple and cross the grounds swiftly and silently, making sure everything ran smoothly for retreat. An embodiment of giving, she would lead us through weekly pujas, tirelessly load firewood to keep everyone warm, generously bake special breads and pastries to everyone's delight and care for everyone, including Queenie and Nyima without a bat of the eye. Venerable Tenzin, staff, and volunteers were also amazing in taking care of retreatants' needs. Post-retreat, Fred in particular was so helpful in answering questions about local activities and teachings in Dharamshala and many other things. Bottomline, Thosamling opened its doors to me generously and gave me a place to take refuge during retreat. With everyday concerns of food, laundry, shopping, cleaning, etc taken care, I could focus on practice. This alone is reason to retreat at Thosamling. The rest is icing on the cake. I highly recommend Thosamling as a place for individual or group retreat or as a place to stay for only a few days, or longer term for contemplative practice and living. From Thosamling, also visit Norbolingka Institute, Queenie's Bakery, local tea gardens and terrraces for quiet walks, and regional monasteries and nunneries.
3. Gurudwara Shri Guru Granth Sahib Manali
4. Grave of Barog
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By SandeepSaha1967 - New Delhi, India
A British era railway station for the metre gauge trains on the Kalka-Shimla route, complete with a ghost tunnel, station building of colonial architecture, food stalls typical of small places, railway managed refreshment and rest rooms. One needs to treck down a good 20 minutes from the highway if you're not on the train and likewise for leaving it. But it's well worth it. When the train trundles in out of the darkness of the tunnel, the station suddenly loses its calm poise and there's a hurly-burly of activities. A ring (an old tradition), newspapers and other papers are thrown on the platform by the railway staff. You can chat with the station master, guard, driver and official on the train. The stop is long enough for photo opps, before it chugs out.
5. Deer Park Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 480rakeshc - Kangar Dharyar, India
Hospitality and campus are very good. You make lots of friends from across the country and abroad. It's very much like staying at home.
6. Awa Devi Temple (Jalpa Devi)
7. Aghanjar Mahadev Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By wandering_booknerd - Bengaluru, India
A place filled serenity and tranquility where god and nature live together in harmony. Just a half hour drive from Dharamshala, this temple is indeed a hidden gem. A cluster of small temples spread across the premise welcomes you into the peaceful sanctuary. And then, there are steps leading to the boulders where a river flows gently and clearly. You can spot the Shiva Linga under a huge boulder painted in vermilion. It is believed that Lord Shiva granted a boon to Arjuna before the Mahabharata war on that very spot. And the priests are always very polite and insist on having langar. Truly, a wonderful place to visit.
8. Hatu Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 412 reviews
Reviewed By mrs_kumra - New Delhi, India
Recently, I and my husband visited Hatu Peak. The peak is at 7 Km distance from Narkanda and located at an elevation of 3400 m above sea level. We decided to go there by our own car and I swear, this was the scariest ride I have ever had. The lane was so tiny, with sharp twists and turns, and cars have to brake and move aside or go back, again and again, to give space to other incoming cars. I was on the co-driver seat and had my heart in my mouth quite a few times. But the moment I reached the peak, I completely forgot how scared I was. The beauty on the top was captivating with unique views of snow-lined Himalayan ranges. Along with its mesmerizing beauty, Hatu Peak is also famous for the Hatu Mata temple, dedicated to Mandodari, the wife of Ravana. The return was easy as compared to going up to the peak. It was so great experiencing this paradise on earth and I would not think twice if I get a chance to go there again!
9. Sach Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By abhisheksinghamo - New Delhi, India
Sach Pass also known as the death road or most dangerous road to drive on. It's a bucket of of every road tripper who loves to drive on himalayas and live the life. It opens up up in June end and connects Killar and kishtwar. One should must try this in his or her life once. When you reach on top of it you feels like you are in heaven. One of the best place i have ever visited in my whole life. It's worth all the efforts you put in to reach there.
10. Kangra Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 303 reviews
Reviewed By Nanakolkata
One of the moKst prominent attractions of Kangra district, Kangra Fort is located at the outskirts of Kangra town [~3Kms. from the Bus stand] and around 22 km from Dharamshala. The fort is spread over an area of around 4 km and is guarded by high walls and ramparts. Kangra fort is located atop a hill on the base of which the river Banganga and Patal Ganga embrace each other. There are plenty of doors in this fort which are made by the rulers of several dynasties. The entrance to the fort is designed with stone carvings and known as Ranjit Singh Gate. The next entrance door to the fort is Jahangiri Darwaza followed by Ahni and Amiri Darwazas. There are three temples inside the fort called Ambika Devi Temple, the Shitlamata Temple and Lakshmi Narayan Temple. There is a temple dedicated to Jaina Tirthankaras where a stone image of Lord Adinath is installed. A staircase in between the temples of Shitlamata and Ambika Devi leads to the Sheesh Mahal where a small hall-like compartment is designed with a block of stone at the edge of which a polygonal watch tower is installed. While exploring the part of the palace opens towards Andheri Darwaza one can see the remains of a historical mosque. Also stepwell called Kapoorsagar is a significant attraction of Kangra Fort. Kangra Fort is claimed to be the oldest fort of our country, which is still existing and find a mention in write-ups from the time of Alexander the Great. The ruling clan claims to be continuing since 4th century BC and to get an insight do visit a small family museum on the way.
