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Places to Visit near Haridwar

Rishikesh is a tehsil located in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal region right on the banks of the holiest of Indian rivers, the Ganges. This ancient city has several mythological and religious legends associated with Lord Vishnu, Lord Bharat, and various prominent sages and is said to have been established in the 9th-century AD by Adi Shankaracharya.

The scenic beauty of Rishikesh is due to its location at the foothills of the lofty Garhwal Himalayas is accentuated by the mighty Ganges cutting right through the city. The picturesque city looks suspended between the stunning riverside promenades, acres of forests, lush mountains, and clear blue skies lending it a surreal appearance.

The city is synonymous with its grand temples, rituals, architectural marvels and yoga ashrams. Every temple here, be it the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Raghunath Temple, or the 13-storey Trimbakeshwar Temple, has its own beautiful legend that attracts people from all over the world. The twin Ram & Lakshman Jhulas are outstanding architectural feats in themselves. These suspension bridges span for over 750 ft. over the Ganges. There are numerous ashrams here that lead people into the spiritual world of ancient forms of yoga, meditation, and vipasana to cleanse their soul and de-stress.

Rishikesh has its share of offbeat and adventure activities too. If you are not enjoying the adrenaline rush of white water rafting available up to grade 6, you can spend time enjoying amazing experiences like cliff jumping, kayaking, body surfing, etc. There are picturesque waterfalls here like Patna fall and Neer Garhi fall, etc. that are perfect to escape into the raw wilderness of nature. If you are the spiritual kind, you can’t miss attending the jaw-dropping spectacle of the Maha Aarti.

The summer months (March-June) here are extremely hot & humid with temperatures reaching up to 36°C. Winter months (October-February) are cold and sunny with temperatures dipping to a low of 6°C, making them the best months to visit. Monsoon months (June-September) see a lot of rains accompanied by humidity.

When one speaks about a family vacation, the first few things that strike one’s mind are green trees, blue skies, chilly weather, great food and a place where you can forget all your woes and calm down. This holiday destination is among those that fall under the category of delivering this experience to its visitors.

Lying at the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun which is the capital of Uttarakhand is known for its beautiful climate and the lovely landscapes it encompasses. One of the most astonishing facts about this place however, is that it is also one of the most important education hubs in the whole of India. How a place so small and petite be able to give a tough competition to other financial sectors of India is truly unimaginable.

Dehradun lies in Doon Valley which is located on a varying height of approximately 410m. The region is especially known for its climate. While one will experience a pleasant cool weather in Dehradun, the city is often times referred to as the ‘Rainy city of India’ due to the continuous rainfalls especially during monsoons.

Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand. In the recent years – there was a sense of construction boom that took place wherein endless residential property emerged in the city. Modern buildings have gradually been constructed making up for the good portions of Dehradun.

We do not need to describe Mussoorie because great author Ruskin Bond has already done that in his immortal novels and short stories. He used this amazing town and the tourist places in Mussorie as the backdrop of his stories and the natural beauty of this town has created many landmarks in the field of “nature’s romanticism.”
If you are in love with nature’s romanticism and follow literature for that then the enchanting beauty of Mussoorie is your wonderland waiting for you. Sir Sachin Tendulkar, the demigod of the cricketing world loves this place as his regular hideout in a great climate and pleasant city.

Located at the height of almost 1900 meters from the sea levels this landscape of nature has become a paradise for the tourists with a passage of time. This advantage point of nature has a history dating back to19th century when the officers of ruling East India Company developed it as a holiday paradise in the hills. Located at the distance of 40 Kilometers from the state capital of Indian state of Uttranchal, Dehradun, Mussoorie also won this moniker of being the “queen of the hill stations.” More than 15 attractions full of nature, religion and culture are at your disposal when you are planning a stay in Mussoorie Resorts. This hill station also serves as a gateway to the glaciers of Yamunotri and Gangotri and we can consider it as an ideal place to spend summer vacations.

The year of 1991 brought this town into the spotlight because of certain cultural events and movements of political celebrities. We can term this phase as the beginning of the modern history of "Mussoorie the tourism Destination." Now this hill station has become a modern town where nature and modern day amenities are developing a new eco-system of fun, frolic, and entertainment for all age groups and honeymoon couples in particular. Withpassage of time, Mussoorie has also become an educational hub because of the presence of some premium educational institutes and convent schools. The presence of these tourist places in Mussoorie also added a youthful spirit in the ambiance of this hill station.

Nainital, the hill resort town in the district of the same name, derives its name from the emerald, glassy, eye-shaped lake (tal) which the town is built around. The British Sugar trader, P. Baron, founded the town in the year 1841 and thank God that he did! There could not be a better getaway spot from the hustle and bustle of the cities. The moment you enter Nainital district, you step into a new, parallel world. With the best tourist places to visit in Nainital, the transition to scenic splendour of the likes of the place is a treat to the senses, a characteristic balming bliss of an experience that one can only understand through live experience.

No wonder then that the Kumaon Himalayas are regarded as “devbhoomi” ( land of the Gods), a divine manifestation of the most intricate natural laws, working for millennia, to carve out the perfect cradle in the arms of the lofty peaks, who remain standing as sentinels, offering solace and inspiring awe in humanity. Nainital’s appeal comes across as no less than a dreamscape. The British elites had used the location as a retreat during the harsh summers of the Indian mainland once upon a time, and the tradition remains alive for native Indians, as well as our foreign guests to this day.

With the changing climatic patterns ushering in harsher summers, Nainital as an easily accessible and highly affordable getaway vacation spot appears as no less than a prayer answered. With the best tourist places to visit in Nainital, the Naina Devi temple, St John in Wilderness, Hanuman Garhi for the pious ones, Mall road market,Tibetan market for the spendthrift ones, Naini Lake, Nainital Zoo, Jim Corbett National Park, Snow Viewpoint for the nature and adventure lovers, Nainital has a very inclusive agenda in terms of provisions - there is something for everyone.

Kasauli is a beautiful, picturesque town and cantonment, situated in the district of Solan, in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Even though there are a lot of unique attractions in Kasauli, it is primarily known for its scenic beauty and serenity. This town is accessible both from Chandigarh, which is 65km away and Shimla, which is 77km away from Kasauli.

The most convenient way to travel to Kasauli is by train since it is a railway junction itself. The Kalka Mail, which is one of the most important trains in the country connecting cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Amritsar, is a great way to reach Kasauli, as the town is a mere 40 km away from the town of Kalka in Haryana. If one wants to reach by air, then Chandigarh Airport is the nearest airport from where you can easily hire cars or avail buses to take you to Kasauli. Buses are also frequently available from Delhi and Chandigarh, making trips to Kasauli easy and convenient.

Despite Kasauli being a small town, it has many spectacular places to visit, which has made it a popular tourist destination. The main attractions of Kasauli are Manki Point (a Hanuman Temple), the Gilbert Trail on Kachcha Road, Sunset Point, the Gurkha Fort, Baba Balak Nath Temple Christ’s Church, Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, and the Central Research Library which is famous for its virological research and studies in the fields of immunology.

Since the town is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, it experiences moderately cool to humid climate throughout the year. Therefore, the best time to visit this beautiful town is from March to June, and again during September, October and November. The town has several comfortable hotels and lodges that range from moderately priced to luxury accommodations, depending on the budget and requirement of the visitors.

Thick oak forests, mesmerizing hills, and spellbinding views, there are numerous places to visit in Lansdowne which will take you a step closer to nature. A quaint hill station which is perched at an elevation of 1700 meters, Lansdowne brings to you a potpourri of attractions and memorable experiences. From trekking the treacherous trails of Lover’s Lane and exploring the vibrant streets of Lansdowne Main Market to visiting the holy shrines of Jwalpa Devi and Durga Devi Temple, there are multitude of ways by which you can quench your wanderlust in this snow-clogged beauty.

A town situated in the Pauri district of Uttarakhand, Lansdowne is well-known for its pine timberlands and rich history of Garhwal rifles. Apart from this, it has also enjoyed an undisputed attention of nature buffs for its exotic wildlife. Its close proximity to the Jim Corbett National Park makes it an ideal site for bird watching and nature walks. Here you can also get to see some of the beautiful wild creatures including tiger,sambhar, barking deer,hog deer, and porcupines. Hence, if you are planning a trip to Uttarakhand, don’t forget to pay a visit to these key tourist places in Lansdowne.

Chandigarh shows itself off to global travellers much like greater India would wish to be seen – prosperous, comfortable and cosmopolitan. Officially a union territory controlled by the central government, Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. It is also the first planned city of independent India. Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India, with architecture which is world-renowned, and a quality of life, which is unparalleled and must visit tourist places in Chandigarh.

The dream city of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru located at the foothills of the grand Shivalik range, has earned a good name as a tourist destination for its great planning, the clean environment, the grand structures and the magnificent gardens and splendid things to do in Chandigarh.  It is an incredible city, with many sectors that are intertwined by a great network of roads. Therefore, roaming around is not a problem and you will never be bored at all with so many tourist places in Chandigarh. Today, it takes a prominent place as a tourist destination of India.

The word Serenity and city hardly goes hand in hand with each other. This beautiful city has trees and plants are as much a part of the construction plans as the buildings and the roads with best places to stay in Chandigarh having beautiful surroundings. Chandigarh is India’s first planned city. It is a rich, prosperous, clean and green city and is rightly called “ THE CITY BEAUTIFUL ”.

This place is a true beauty for all those who love to travel and explore. Travel operators offer a variety of Chandigarh tour packages for those travelling depending on the number of days. It ranges between INR 20,000 to INR 50,000( USD 300 - 700). The tall skyline of the Shivalik Hills and the faint image of an old temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi protectively lies over the city guarding many tourist places in Chandigarh.

The town is a beautiful blend of architecture, design, natural beauty, gardens, heritage and urbanization. Some of the must visit tourist places in Chandigarh include the Rock garden which is an absolute marvel of art and design, Rose garden, Pinjore gardens and the Government Museum and Art Gallery along with a few others.