7 monuments in this category
Picturesque landscapes featuring lavishly forested hills that stay engulfed in mist present Horsley Hills as an outstanding holiday resort for nature lovers and honeymoon couples. However, the place is not limited to any particular category of tourists, as it is equally charming for adventurers, wildlife lovers and religious travellers. The spectacular covers of trees like sandalwood, gulmohar, eucalyptus (including a 150-year old eucalyptus tree called Kalyani), allamanda and jacaranda and fabulous expanse of flowering plants like blue gum, sampangi, reeta and red sanders add multiple hues to the place. It is not rare to sight animals like bear, sambar, panther and wild dog and some gorgeous birds at Horsley. Lake Gangotri, Horsley Bungalow (also called Governor’s Bungalow) and Horsley Hills Museum and numerous vantage points add to the place’s worth. Adventurers can have their share of delightful experiences like zorbing, rappelling and trekking. The nearby Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary can be included in the adventure list. Spiritual-minded tourists can visit the popular temple of Mallamma and a nearby Shiva Temple. Other attractions are the Punganoor cows, bred by the local Chenchu tribes and known for their high milk-yielding trait. Handicrafts made by the tribal people are worth purchasing as well.
Introduction Once tagged as the ‘forgotten land’, Khonsa developed as a popular hill station of northeast India during the British rule. Today, it attracts flocks of visitors in the categories like nature lovers, trekkers, wildlife explorers and more. Flanked by the stunning row of Himalayan peaks, this small hill resort is located on the easternmost end of India, sharing border with Myanmar. Enjoying an elevation of about 3.900 ft., the town serves as the headquarters of District Tirap. Deep gorges, sprawling valleys and numerous rivers and streams create heart-warming landscapes all around the town. Rich tropical forests adorn these landscapes opulently, adding unbound magnificence everywhere. The adjoining forest areas are home to varied fauna, which includes musk deer, leopard, tiger, clouded leopard, bear, mithun, red panda and many more. In addition, there are several hundreds of orchids adding unique shades to the region. Khonsa is also popular for numerous natural trails and trekking and hiking routes through marvellous natural settings. Some of the must visit attractions in and around the town include Khonsa Museum, District Museum, Namdapha National Park and the tribal villages of Lajo and Kheti. Restricted area permit for foreigners and inner-line permits for the domestic visitors are necessary to access the place. Visiting the place during annual festivals of February and March allow great explorations of the local tribal culture.
Enjoying the elevation of around 3.400 m., Hatu Peak is apt for nature lovers as well as passionate adventurers. It is the highest peak in the region, with blissful natural splendour spread all over. The top of the hill accommodates an old temple, called Hatu Mata Temple, and a serene lake (or pond) surrounded by opulently green meadows. Trekking to the top is completely exhilarating, as one makes way through the dense forests of blue pine, spruce, deodar, walnut, chestnut, oak and rhododendrons. Mesmerizing Dhumari slopes and pristine meadows of Jau Bagh greet the trekkers on the way. Mountaineering and hiking expeditions are organized across the year to conquer the beauty of Hatu Peak. As one emerges triumphant for accessing the top, he or she is rewarded with the breathtaking spectacles of snow-clad mountain peaks, lavish green valleys, luxuriant paddy fields and many other nature’s wonders. Cool and fresh breeze and wonderful camping opportunities add to the pleasure of being there. Mud huts and a PWD guesthouse offering seating facilities are some manmade attractions. The new Hatu Temple that replaces the older one boasts of magnificent carvings on the wood obtained from deodar. These are no less than visual feasts for the visitors. Highly experienced bikers can access the peak on bikes, though it is an extremely difficult task. When visiting Narkanda during winters, an additional adventure of skiing can be enjoyed.
Located at a height of 603 mt. Shatrunjaya Hills is one of the oldest and most sacred sites in Gujarat. Home to a unique and first of its kind largest Jain Temples, Shatrunjaya literally means ‘Hills of Victory.’ Visitors can go on foot or hire a doli (lift chair) to reach Shatrunjaya Hills. Shatrunjaya Hills have 863 temples soaked in white shining marbles that is 900 years old. Presenting a gorgeous view of Gulf of Khambat, the place is perfect to experience utmost purity and serenity. Delicately carved with animal themes, ivory illuminations and statuettes, Shatrunjaya Hills mesmerizes its visitors from top to toe. Known for its rich culture and majestic sculptures, Shatrunjaya Hills is believed to be accommodated by Pandavas, who first constructed shrines here. Tourists to this place can also explore nearby attractions like Takhteshwar Temple, Gandhi Smriti Museum, Ganga Devi Mandir and Gaurishankar Lake etc.
Known as the heart and soul of the city, the Leisure Valley in Chandigarh is a great escape from the fast paced city life. Presenting a gorgeous amalgamation of several gardens, it will not be wrong to term Leisure Garden as the ‘Garland of Gardens’. Leisure Valley houses total 12 parks. Starting from Sector 1 Rajendra Park, one can check out the mesmerizing beauty of the Smriti Upvan in Sector 1, Bougainvellega Garden in Sector 3, Fitness Trails in Sector 10, Botanical Garden in Sector 14, Rose Garden in Sector 16, Children Traffic Garden in Sector 23, Terraced Garden in Sector 33, Topiary Park in Sector 35, Hibiscus Garden in Sector 36 and Garden of Fragrance in Sector 36 etc. It is rightly said that your trip to Chandigarh is incomplete without a trip to the popular Rock Garden. Also, people who love greenery and seeking a place to relax their body and soul, the Leisure Valley is the right place. While in the city, one cannot afford to miss the ‘Festival of Gardens,’ that generally takes place in the month of February.
Ooty, nature’s very own paradise is full of surprises, Doddabetta Peak being one of them. ‘Doddabetta’ in the local language means ‘Big Mountain’ and it completely justifies the peak’s height of 8,650 ft. above sea level. Located about 10 km. from the main city centre, it is the highest peak in the whole of South India. It is a part of the Nilgiri Range which acts as the merging point between the Western and Eastern Ghats. As a magnificent vantage point for the visitors, the top of the peak lets one enjoy the unlimited beauty of nature. Dense forests, sholas, valleys and open plain lands are all remarkably visible from here. A telescope house with two telescopes offers the opportunity to admire each of these alluring facets of nature from close. Trekking is a fun-filled activity one can enjoy at the peak, admiring the vegetations like herbs, shrubs, rhododendrons and grasses. Eucalyptus, for example, leaves the visitors mesmerized. The forest reserve surrounding the peak is home to many wild species like wild boar, bison, barking deer, hare and panther.
Among the many exciting tourist attractions in Mussoorie, Gun Hill is chosen by many for numerous reasons. The second highest hill of this picturesque hill station, Gun Hill got its name from the daily practice of firing a gun from its top during the colonial era to assist the residents in adjusting their watches. At the height of about 2,122 m., the top of the hill promises fascinating views of marvellous Himalayan peaks like Pithwara, Bunderpunch, Gangotri and Shrikanta. Equally charming views of Mussoorie and Doon Valley are visible on the other side. A 400 m. ropeway ride (costing INR 60 per head) is a thrilling trip to access Gun Hill from the Mall. Slowly ascending towards the misty hill top in the cable car is an exclusive adventure. Many tourists also prefer to access the hill by climbing. It takes about 20 min and the climb is steep at numerous places. However, the adventure is completely rewarding. Attractions at the Gun Hill include a huge water reservoir and balloon shooting. Tourists also love to get dressed in the traditional attires and get photographed. A telescope (costing INR 20 per head) installed here can be used to relish the amazing views of the snow-clad mountains.
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