May 11, 2008

•  My Favorite Places in India -
  The Hill Stations

  These are small towns on the hills at an average elevation of about 5000 to 7000 feet from the sea level. These small towns are called hill stations in India.

  Why are these hill stations my favorite, and not places like Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, etc.? There are many reasons, such as:

  1. The hill stations are never hot, not even in summer (because of the altitude, of course). And even in winter they are not excessively cold. Because of the weather, during the British regime, The British government used to move the capital from Delhi to Shimla (Simla), from Calcutta to Darjeeling, and so forth in summer.

  2. The hill stations are smaller towns and therefore, not as crowded.

  3. The hill stations are by far pollution free. No smoke from factories, no dust, no smog.

  4. All hill stations provide superb views of the surrounding areas. Generally you can see the peaks of the surrounding hills or mountains from any place and the valley or plain below from certain places. Many hill stations such as Srinagar, Nainital, Bhimtal, Ooty, and Kodaikanal have grown up around a lake. This adds to the beauty of the town and offers watersport facilities like boating, kayaking, surfing, fishing etc. to the visitors. And all hill stations have evergreens like pine that completes the picture-book like scenary of the place.

  5. Lastly the local hill people, called paharis, are one of the best classes of people in India. They are hard working, yet very gentle, honest, and hospitable people by nature. They are very trustworthy and safe. They always wear a sweet, innocent smile on their faces. Usual city crimes are almost non-existent in India’s hill stations.

  When I used to live in India, I always visited a hill station during my vacation. The serene atmosphere of the hill stations quickly washed off the stress and strain of city life and I always returned home completely rejuvenated. Taking a small walk and sitting down in a quiet place by the side of a hill stream and watching nature and hearing the birds chirping and the leaves rustling by the soft cool breeze of mountain air can lower blood pressure and take out mental strain so quickly that unless you have experienced it yourself, you will never believe. Yoga, meditation etc. can help and city dwellers, even in advanced countries, are taking recourse of these. But the same effect can be had much quicker just by sitting down for sometime and relaxing in a quiet spot by the side of the mountain in a hill station. It can be very romantic too if you have your spouse/fiance(e) with you. I had my honeymoon in Darjeeling!

  Somewhere (don’t remember where) I said I miss India. I think, more specifically, I miss the Indian hill stations. Next time (probably this October) when I go to India, I want to visit places like Dehradun, Mussoorie, Nainital, Bhimtal, Ranikhet, Almora etc. Talking about Almora my mouth waters thinking about Balmithai (a local desert) I tasted there. And will the Boatman #24 in Nainital still recognize me? I was his regular patron last time when I went there. He did say, “How can I forget you?” when I asked him if he would recognize me when I came on the next day for boat riding. I probably had tipped him a little too generously.

  

  • 6:08 pm
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