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India, the land of mysticism is also
the land of mountain splendors, for each of
the hills stations of India has a unique local
flavor, distinctly its own and a cultural charm
preserved even today, years after the British
that helped colonize these places have been homeward
bound.
Salubrious air, solitude that is comforting and
rejuvenating, scenery that is natural and breathtakingly
beautiful and a life that can be conducted at
the pace of whispered foot-steps, like a saint
in heaven unshod-that's the unmistakable stamp
of all the hill-stations of India.
Some perennial favorites among popular hill
stations of India make the following list
a must-have for mountain lovers:
Beginning from the Northern tip, a tour of
Dalhousie,
Manali,
Kufri
is sure to appeal to seasoned and first-time travelers
to the hills alike; spread over five low-level
hills
at the western edge of the Dhauladhar
range, just east of the Ravi River, the
valley offers a stupendous snowline and opportunities
for adventure sports like hiking, skiing, cycling
and paragliding with festivals adding flavor to
the local scene.
Nainital,
a lake-town set amid the unending harmony of green
hills topped with tall deodars and pines in Kumaon,
offers great shopping deals for woolen garments
and home use items as well as distinctive flavor
of local sweets with equal opportunities for wearing
the calories off by boating, mountain biking,
fishing, camping and trekking.
Darjeeling,
in West Bengal, offers a toy train coming from
Siliguri as the highlight of a tourist dream of
misty mountain air captured in a fistful of wishful
thinking as cloudy capers and great cuisine delight
both the eyes and the taste buds, and provides
enjoyment for both young and old holiday makers.
Ooty,
the capital of Nilgiri district, known as the
Queen of Hill Stations is located 105 km away
from Coimbatore and has been an old favorite of
film-makers and holiday travelers alike with its
green hills, sweeping strokes of God's hand evident
in rich, luxurious surroundings of tea-estates
and regal bungalows as well as climate that is
welcoming and comfortably cool.
Sikkim has splendors that are distinctly different
from the other hill stations in India and its
architecture speaks for itself. Literally meaning
Lofty Hill, Gangtok,
its capital, is home to a beautiful monastery
built in 1716 and the source of most of the town's
culture, spiritual essence and tourist attraction.
Small churches, colonial bungalows, picture postcard
like meadows with meandering cows and their musical
cowbells mingle with the gasps of appreciation
the average tourist exclaims when met with exquisite
hand worked items in this mountain town.
Higher in the Himalayas,
Gulmarg
has been a hot-spot for many famous movie locations
and the backdrop for innumerable hit-songs in
BollyWood block-busters, with Aamir Khan and Kajol
starrer 'Fanaah' being the latest one.
Stretching South, we have Kodaikanal,
situated among verdant Pali hills and rich coconut
groves, and among the most popular serene hill
stations in India, wooing both foreign and Indian
tourist alike with its sheer, natural beauty of
lakes and hills in one power-packed package.
So, experience the magic of the mountains:
book a trip to one of these hills stations of
India today after consulting a reliable tour operator!
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