Khasi Hills - Beautiful Hill Area of Meghalaya

“Different destination diverse features” this is the common thought that comes in mind when we plan a trip on holidays. However, finding the best location for holidays is confusing task because there are numerous finest Indian tourist places when we search on google. Khasi Hill range is the place I have selected as the top tourism location of India for today. Khasi hills are basically part of Garo-Khasi area of Meghalaya. 

Earlier these hills were part of rich agricultural state Assam. Here travelers will get subtropical jungle Eco region that means if you reach this place you will get a chance to watch the natural beauty closer.

​If I say Khasi region is full of tribal then it’s somewhat true. Stunning images of Khasi states that how important this place is. There are countless waterfalls, jungle areas and reserve where you can visit in Khasi range. You might hear the world’s wettest place Cherrapunji that is closer to Khasi hills. 

When we talk about Khasi Hills district it is divided in two parts, one is West Khasi and other is East Hills. The top peak of such range is Lum Shyllong at good altitude of 1968 meters from the sea level. However, Lum is just a few kms away in the south direction from Shillong town.

​Meghalaya state is mostly covered with hills, but some locations are too good to visit. You will not get similar destinations throughout the world and Khasi hill ranges are one of them. The headquarters is in Shillong for Khasi hills. As per census the average population of this location is 824,059 that is a big part of the whole Meghalaya population.

​Geography: The district headquarters is in Shillong which is another quite tourist destination.

​Greenery, valley and jungles are the best tourist attractions of the Khasi hills. The north part of the hills are bounded by plain area of RI-Bhoi region. Rolling grasslands of the plateau of the Shillong are impressive and the river valley is another attraction for travelers. Once you reach the spot don’t forget to attain sharp waterfalls in the South direction of Khasi Hills. Some part of the hills are under the rural development block bordered by Bangladesh country.

Climate: Summer is hot, though winter is not that chilled but it is the best place to visit on rainy or winter season. Monsoon comes in May that continues till end of September. In summer you might face the humidity so you can plan a trip to Khasi hills between December and March.

Attraction in Khasi Hill ranges: 

However, you will find limited areas in the Khasi hills for tourism though surrounding locations are available where you can reach on your holidays. You can enjoy the wonder hill areas and the stunning cities located closer to Khasi hills.

Such cities and tourism spots are mentioned in the below list:

1. Shillong is the best holiday spot closer to this hilly region.
2. Next place is Cherrapunjee that is wettest place of the earth known for living stem bridges.
3. Nohkalikai Falls are listed as top waterfalls of the world. This fall is again closer to Cherrapunjee.
4. Nohsngithiang Falls, Kynrem Falls and Umiam Lake are some more impressive spots closer to Khasi hills. Umiam is the manmade lake located on the way to city Shillong.

​Apart the mentioned places Mawlynnong village is another spot closer to Pynsursla block. This place is famous for its cleanliness so you must reach the village and enjoy their hospitality. Even you will face heavy rainfall in this village, but still the land areas are beautiful and completely clean. The root bridges, cottages and jungle areas are famous attractions of Mawlynnong village.

​How to reach Khasi Hills?

Reaching Shillong is the best option for Khasi hills and you will get the buses and private taxis for Shillong from various parts of Meghalaya state. Guwahati is properly connected to Shillong and Silchar is also having the direct connection through NH 44 to Shillong. Distance between Silchar and Shillong is nearly 240 km only.

The closest railway station for Shillong is again Guwahati that is connected to almost every big city of India. Umroi airport is available at only distance of 35 km from Shillong, but it is connected through private planes so you won’t get frequent service to reach the spot.

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Uttarkashi is the holy town of India

Uttarkashi is the holy town of India and our next prime target for travelers. This Indian tourist place is located in Uttarakhand State closer to Bhagirathi River. The altitude of Uttarkashi is 1352 meter from the sea level. It is the home of numerous ashrams, shrines and holy Ghats. Mountaineering institute is another identification of the town. If we compare this town with any other holy place then the first name comes is Varanasi. People also recognize the place as Kashi so we can use such short name for our understanding. Uttarkashi is basically a hill area closer to Varun Parvat. Famous ghat of town is Manikarnika and Lord Shiva temple is main holy spot of the town.

Geography:

Maximum part of Uttarkashi is hill area and the altitude is 1,165 meters equal to 4,436 feet. If you check the map of Uttarkashi region you will find lots of small and big rivers flowing from this district. Amongst all rivers Yamuna and Ganga are two biggest holiest rivers. Uttarkashi is also the origin spot of Yamunotri and Gangotri as well.

Special Morning of Uttarkashi:

This small town is less populated and surrounded with natural beauty. According to 2001 census the population count was 16,220 for the town. Maximum people in the town are from Garhwal following Kumao, Punjabi and some other parts of India. You will find people from Buddha religion as well.

Attraction of this wonder tourism spot:

Uttarkashi: Town itself is the first place for visitors because of surrounding sightseeing. It is known as Kashi of the North India popular as abode of goddesses and gods. Nearly 30 big temples are constructed in the town having different features.

Gangotri temple: Do you love to attain river sight areas? Visit the Gangotri and the temple located at elevation of 3200 meters from the sea level. Gangotri shrine is only 100 km away from the town Uttarkashi established in late 18^th century by General Amar Thapa. This temple is listed as most valuable holy place for Hindu community.

Mountaineering Institute of Uttarkashi: This is the institute beautifully structured. However, entry to center is not allowed, but you can visit the outer area of the center and nearby locations are beautiful as well. Foundation of this center was done in 1965 in memory of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Gaumukh: When talk about the main source of Ganga River the first names comes is Bhagirathi River. This holy river origins from Gaumukh glacier comes under Uttarkashi region. Because of such reason people have huge religious values for this place. Large number of devotees come to the town and take holy dip in chilled water of Bhagirathi River. The distance of Gaumukh is just 18 km from Gangotri but the route is quite difficult.

Dodital: A wonder spot at 3307 meter height is another location of Uttarkashi. Pure clean water and the dense forest surrounding is key attraction of this lace. Fishing and Forest visit is events that visitors can do at this place. Dodital is world famous having resorts and guest house for travelers.

Shakti Temple: Shrine located in front of the Shiva temple. There is a huge Trishul with 6 meter height and 90 cm circumference.

Nachiketa Tal: A wonderful lake place on the hills is always special and Nachiketa Tal is one of them. Lake is just 32 km far from central part of town famous for scenery and boating feature.

Vishwanath Temple: Temple of Lord Shiva known as Vishwanath Temple positioned at 300 m distance only from Uttarkashi local stand. Renovation done in 1857 gave the different looks to this temple. Construction was done by Sudarshan Shah’s wife Queen Khaneti.

Yamunotri: A holy river sight at hills is next best place to visit here. Yamunotri is one of the chilled places of India listed in four pilgrimage places of India. Yamuna River origins from this spot and Gangotri is closer to Yamunotri.

The list of temples and holy places is longer in Uttarkashi so it’s not easy to mention all details in this note. But then also we present you maximum locations so that you can enjoy the spots of this wonder place.

Some other knowing destinations of Uttarkashi are Maneri, Harsil, Gangnani, Dayara Bugyal, Kedar Tal, Har Ki Doon, Kuteti Devi Temple, Nandanvan and Tapovan and some more.

How to reach Uttarkashi?

By Air: Closest airport is Jolly Grant located at 160 km distance from Uttarkashi. Flights for Jolly Grant Airport you will get the flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Dehradun and many other major cities of India.

By Rail: The closest big railway station is Rishikesh at 143 km distance from Uttarkashi. You will find the buses and taxis from outer part of railway station for Uttarkashi. Rishikesh is having direct trains from almost every city of India.

By Road: Road is always a big mode of transport in India. NH 108 passes from the town connects many big cities of India. Rishikesh is best source to get the buses for Uttarkashi, though direct buses from Delhi are available as well.

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Una -Hill station of Himanchal

Amazing hill station Una is our target for the day. Our search for today gets completed at Una. This place is located at South-West Himachal Pradesh. Una is the big region of HP and there are countless ranges comes under this district. Shivalik ranges are best among all hills famous for heavy rainfall throughout the year. The impressive part of Una hills are most of the areas are covered with scanty vegetation. Hoshiarpur district is closer to Una, though it was the part of Himachal Pradesh till 1966. As per the present status Una is bordered with Bilaspur and Kangra Hamirpur.  

This Indian tourist place could be your favorite location for holidays as the place is all time cool in temperature and the surrounding is covered with greenery. If we talk about the tourism in Una some spots are on the top such as Mata Chintpurni idol, Bangana Lathian Piplu, Dera Baba Barbhag Singh, and the Una town. Hills are always reasonable for holy locations and Una is having similar feelings for Indians. Few best temples of the location are Chintpurni temple, Shiv Bari, Dera Baba Rudru temple, Baba Barbhag Singh, Baba Rudran, Dhyunsar Mahadev Temple and Ashram.

Geographical Structure:

A town located at altitude of 1200 meters from the sea level and closest nearby big destinations is Jalandhar (78 km) and Hoshiarpur (39 km).

Weather Conditions:

Hills of Una are basically with semi-tropical and semi-arctic conditions. Average temperature in summer is between 8° C to 45° C, though winter temperature rises between -3° C to 33° C. You can reach the Una town in any season, but winter is a most preferred period to reach this place.

India is famous for not only for locations, but also for religious values. In Una the popular fairs are Hola MOhalla fair, Sawan Ashtami Fair, Chintpurni fair, Paanch Bhisham fair, Baisakhi festival, Piplu fair, and Prakash Utsav. However, known lake of this place is Gobind Sagar lake starts from Bilaspur region. 

Some of the key locations that you can visit in Una town are mentioned here:

Baba Bharbhag Singh: A first place to visit in town Mairi of Tehsil Amb is 3 kms. You have to reach village Nehri comes with the route of Una to Hamirpur. Dera is basically a holy place which is believed to be the spot for curing the patients possessed by evil spirits. Here you can also find the famous Gurudwara visited by the large amount of Sikhs throughout the year. This Gurudwara was established by Bharbhag Singh the popular saint of Himachal Pradesh. This Dera is located at distance of 40 Kms from Una Town. Direct buses are available Dera from almost every part of the region. Chandigarh is the biggest station for reaching Dera. The best part of the Gurudwara is it is on the top of a hill surrounded by eucalyptus trees.

Bangana Lathian Piplu: Positioned on the peak of Sola Singh Dhar popular for amazing sceneries. This place is impressive in the winter season and some big religious celebrations are conducted at such period. Don’t forget to visit Jogi Ponga and Temple Naina Devi at Piplu.

Una Town: I am sure you are having amazing feeling as you are going through this document. Though the next spot is more impressive than other places of town because the spot name is Una Town. You are getting a chance to visit one of the beautiful rivers of India known as Swan River. This river is tributary to the holy river Sutlej. Local people believe that the famous saint Valmiki named the river as Som Bhadra and also mentioned in his myth book Ramayana. He mentioned the river as Swastu Una. 

As I have mentioned that every hill station of India is having holy locations so the Una is also listed in similar locations. Few of the famous shrines of Una are Chintpurni Temple (famous for Shukalpaksh festival), Dera Baba Rudru Temple, and Shiv BariShiv Bari at Gagret, Mairi, Dhyunsar Mahadev Temple, Baba Rudranand Ashram, and some more holy places.

Gobind Sagar Lake: I like boating specially at different locations or hill stations and if you are on the list, then enjoy the boating at Gobind Sagar Lake of Una. However, there are several other lakes as well at Una but Gobind Sagar Lake is special then all. This is the artificial lake, though many other spots, areas available closer to this lake. The lake area is famous for water as well as events like speed boats and ferry rides. Water skiing, kayaking, sailing and scooter racing at lake are few more impressive sporting events available at this place.

Bhakra Dam: Built on river Sutlej at Bilaspur region is the next wonder place to visit with Una. Bhakra dam is listed as world's highest dams. Constructed under the supervision of American dam expert Harvey Slocum started in 1955 completed in 1962.

Una Wild Life Sanctuaries: Most of the hill areas are covered with greenery and dense forest. There is a sanctuary managed by the Bhakra Management Board constituted in outer area of Bhakra Dam.  

How to reach Una?

Himachal Pradesh is connected through road to various parts of India. However train project is also implemented in major parts of the state. To reach Una you can get the transport from Delhi, Sonipat, Kurukshetra, Chandigarh, Ambala, Nangal, Bilaspur and some more cities. Shimla is another source available to reach Una because Shimla is closer to this Indian tourist place.

By Air: Biggest airport is Jalandhar located at 78 km distance. Jodhpur is a domestic airport but flights to Jodhpur are available from almost every city of India.

By Train: Una railway station is properly linked to many major stations of India as a broad gauge line is available in the town to reach easily.

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