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ETERNAL
INDIA
encyclopedia
A GREAT DESTINATION
MADHYA PRADESH
26)
PANCHMARHI (Alt)
l,705m/3,256 ft.
Best time
: June-
Oct.: A lovely hill-girdled plateau nestling in the lap of Satpura
hills in Madhya Pradesh; ideal for long walks, camping, hiking
and trekking.
Places of interest
: Pandava caves, Dhupgarh, Mahadeo,
Chauragarh, Jata Shanker and Mahadeo caves, Duchess Falls,
and Raj at Parvat.
Access
:
Air -
nearest airports are Bhopal & Jabalpur;
Rail -
nearest rail-head is Pipariya on Central Railways'; Itarsi-
Jabalpur section;
Road
- connections with Pipariya, Bhopal,
Jabalpur and Nagpur.
UTTAR PRADESH
27)
ALMORA (Alt)
1,646 m/5,398 ft.
Best time
: March-June
& Sept.-Nov.: A delightful health resort popularly known as
“unspoilt child of nature." There are marvellous colourful val-
leys, extensive glaciers and towering peaks.
Places of interest
: Simtola, Kalimath, Kasar Devi, Matela,
Hira Dungri, Chitai & Brighten End Comer.
Access
:
Air
- nearest airport is Phoolbagh (Pantnagar);
Rail
-
Kathgodam on the metre gauge railway line is the nearest rail-
head;
Road -
connections to Kathgodam, Nainital, Pantnagar &
Pithoragarh.
28)
RANIKHET
(Alt) 1,829
m/5,999 ft.
Best time
: June-
Sept.,Nov.: Ranikhet literally means “Queen’s field” and as a
hill station is full of charm. It draws holiday makers all the year
round. With its salubrious climate, balmy trees, majestic pine
trees and the encircling snow-capped Himalayan Peaks glis-
tening in the sun, Ranikhet weaves an instant spell on the
visitors.
Places of interest
: Chaubatia, Bhalu Dam, Upat, Kalika,
Majkhali, Tarakhet, Corbett National Park and Mainla.
Access
:
Air -
nearest airport is Phoolbagh (Pantnagar);
Rail -
nearest railway station is Kathgodam on metre gauge railway
line (84km);
Road
- good road network connecting Ranikhet
with Kathgodam, Nainital, Almora, Pantnagar and Ramnagar.
, 29)
NAINITAL (Alt)
1,938 m/6,356 ft.
Best time
: March-June
& Sept.-Oct. : A gem in perfect setting Nainital is named after
Goddess Naina Devi. Nainital is a lake resort set at a height of
1,938 m in beautiful wooded valley; famous for yachting compe-
tition.
Places of interest
: (Naina peak, Lariya canta, snow view,
Hanuman Grahi (Religious spot with a temple), Krupa Tal
(excellent place for fishing)
Access :
Air
- Pantnagar;
Rail
- Kathagudam 35.4 km. Local
taxis, buses, tricycle, rickshaws, ponies, boats.
30)
DEHRA DUN (Alt)
640 m/2,100 ft.
Best time
: Throughout
the year : Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, with a charming
sylvan setting. Dehra means cap and Dun means a valley
between the mountains and hence the name. It is surrounded by
the Himalayas, in the south by the Shivalik Hills and in the east
and west by the rivers Ganga and Yamuna respectively.
Places of interest
: Raipur Springs, Robber’s cave (Guchchu
Pani), Shahastra Dhara (Thousands of Streams), Tap Keshwar
Mahadev, Tapovan and Guru Ram Rai’s Gurudwara.
Access :
Rail
- linked with Delhi, Howrah (Calcutta), Bombay
and Amritsar by broad gauge railway line;
Road :
linked with
Hardwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie & Chamba (via Mussoorie).
31)
MUSSOORIE (Alt)
2,005 m/6,576 ft.
Best time
: Mid
May-mid July & Sept.-Oct.: Popularly known as the “Queen of
Hill Stations” and is one of the most popular hill resorts of
Northern India; famous for its scenic beauty, gay social life and
entertainments.
Places of interest
: Lai Tibba, Gun Hill, Benog Hill, Kempty
Falls, Mossy Falls & Bhatta Falls.
Access
:
Rail
: nearest rail-head is Dehra Dun (35 kms);
Road
- links to Dehra Dun; during season the bus service is also
introduced between Delhi & Mussoorie.
EAST
WEST BENGAL
32)
DARJEELING (Alt)
2,134 m/7,000ft.
Best time
: April-
June & Sept.-Nov. : One of the most magnificent hill resorts in
the world. It is a plant lover’s paradise. The greatest attraction
for the tourists are the Tibetan and Nepalese ornaments and
curios.
Places of Interest
: Tiger Hill, Batasialoopahoom, Buddhist
Monastery, Observation Hill, Dhitdham Temple.
Access
:
Air -
nearest airport is Bagdogra (90km);
Rail-
connected
by narrow gauge line with Siliguri;
Road
- good
network of roads connecting all the major cities.
33)
KALIMPONG (Alt)
1250 m/4,062 ft.
Best time
:April-June
& Sept.-Nov. : Quieter resort. The town nestles between the