Hill Stations in India

Manali has derived its name from Manavalaya, which means "the abode of Manu". According to myth, Manu the divine law-giver, was the only survivor of the Mahajal Pralay - the great flood - and is said to have been the father of the human race. He certainly chose enchanting environs.

Queen of Hill Stations, this is how the British people used to call Shimla. Situated in the north-West Himalayas, Shimla the summer capital of India before independence is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

Dharamshala set against the magnificent backdrop of the towering Dhauladhar ranges. The mountains enfold the town from three sides and which rise up to more than 4000 meters.

Darjeeling is the dreamland of the east and boasts of extraordinary natural splendor. At an altitude of 8,586 meters, the Darjeeling hills are the highest mountains in India.

A small town in the hills of Kumaon, Nainital is a lovely hill station surrounded by mountains on three sides. The name "Naini" is derived from a temple of 'Naini Devi" goddess built on the upper edge of the lake and was destroyed by the landslide of 1880.

Udhagamandalam (Ooty), the capital of Nilgiri district, is popularly known as the "Queen of hill stations' among the tourist circuits. It is situated at a distance of 105 km away from Coimbatore.

Mount Abu is the only hill station of Rajasthan, at an altitude of 1,220 Mt. It is located on top of Aravalli hill, surrounded by the dense thorny forest. Mount Abu is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites of the Jains and known for its grand Dilwara Jain Temples.

Matheran is a fascinating hill-station 80-km East of Mumbai in Alibag district, is situated at an Altitude of 800m. This little hill paradise has been left largely undisturbed, since the time when an Englishman, Hugh Mallet, Collector of Thane, discovered it in 1850 and declared it a fine place for shady walks.