Dudh Sagar

Unrivalled beauty, amazing scenery in Goa

The Dudh Sagar waterfall is situated in the Indian state of Goa around 60 km off Panaji, the capital of the state. It is connected to the other places in the state like Panaji and Margao with a road and railway network. Legend has it that in the days gone by, there lived a powerful and rich king on the top of a mountain in the Western Ghats along the Goan frontier. He lived in a lavish palace made of pure ivory and embedded by precious stones. And around this palace, there were luxuriant gardens abounding in a vast variety of flowers. At one end of the forest, which fringed the king's palace, there was a picturesque lake. In the panoramic setting of this lake, the king's daughter, accompanied by her ladies-in-waiting, went to bathe and to sip sugared milk which one of her maids served to her in a pure gold jug. One day, while she was sipping at the milk, a prince, who was passing by, stopped on hearing the sound of people nearby. Immediately, the princess poured the milk in the pond to shield her body from the glances of the stranger. It is believed that the sugared milk that was poured by the virtuous and modest princess still comes flowing down in torrents along that side of the mountain.

Tourist attractions: Perched on the lofty peaks of the Western Ghats, the Dudh Sagar waterfalls offer unrivalled beauty and amazing scenery full of exquisite charms when in full flux after the monsoon showers. Like an idyllic Eden cradled luxuriously in the mountains, the Dudh Sagar waterfalls, which from a distance appear like milky streams, gradually climax into a gushing cascade as they come into full view of the onlookers. Undoubtedly there are other wonderful waterfalls in the rest of this wide world, but the Dudh Sagar waterfalls with their strange, mystical fascination are a dream come true. The uneclipsed vision, furnished by this native waterfall as it plunges over crag-covered precipes and stupendous steeps, belies description.

How to reach: Dudh Sagar is situated around 60 km off Panaji. Buses and taxis are available from Panaji to reach Dudh Sagar.

Kasauli

Picturesque hill-station, oozing old-world charm Kasauli is a beautiful hill station located just 77kms from Shimla. The small town was built in 19th century by the British and it has an old-world charm. The Central Research Institute in Kasauli set up in 1900, is the oldest in India, taking care of pet, police and army dogs as well as their masters. It was also featured in the Time's best of Asia list under "Best Literary Excursion".
The narrow roads of Kasauli slither up and down the hillside and offer some magnificent vistas. Directly below is the spread of vast plains of Punjab and Haryana which as darkness falls, unroll a gorgeous carpet of twinkling lights. At 3647 m, the peak of Choor Chandni (also called the Choordhar) powerfully dominates the lower hills and across the undulating ranges, Shimla is visible.
The upper and lower malls run through Kasauli's length and one can enjoy long walks on it. A mixed forest of pine, oak and huge horse-chestnut encircles the town. Its colonial ambience is reinforced by a stretch of cobbled roads, quaint shops, gabled houses with charming facades and scores of neat little gardens and orchards. This picturesque hill-station, oozing old-world charm is covered with tall Deodar, wild flowers, rhododendrons, wild roses, flame of the forest, and flowering Kichnar in summer and is a popular hub for bird-watchers. Winters, with snowfall, are beautiful too.
What to see
Monkey Point: 3 ½ Km from Hotel Ros Common a hill which derives its name from Rishi Man-ki who used to worship an idol of Lord Hanuman and later the summit is crowned with a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and presently being looked after by the personnel of Air Force, stationed here. The area being restricted from security point of view, no belongings like camera, bags are allowed. Legend has it that Kasauli came into being when Lord Hanuman, on his way to getting the Sanjeevani herb, stepped here for jumping on to the Sanjeevani hill. At Kasauli there is a Hanuman Mandir atop the 300-mt high hillock, called Monkey Point, where Hanuman is supposed to have rested his feet.

The other attractions: An ancient Church is worth seeing located on the Upper Mall Road. A little above this place, there is a Central Research Institute established in 1906 by Dr. Sample, It prepares vaccines for treatment of typhoid, cholera, smallpox, and snake-bite and is only of its kind in Asia. Close to this there is Pasteur Institute founded in 1900 to produce anti-rabies vaccine against dog-bite. There is a sanatorium for TB patients who benefit by its healthy environment. TV Tower is another landmark. Baptist Church established in 1923 is also worth seeing.

Baba Balak Nath Temple: On the Graner Hill top is a famous temple of Sidh Baba Balak Nath. It is believed that Baba Balak Nath one night appeared in dreams to a local resident named Vijay Kumar and told him to build a temple at the place. This temple is one of its own kind where issueless couples visit to be blessed with a child. Baptism ceremony of children is also performed in this temple. Photographs of such blessed children are kept as record by Baba Vijay Kumar in the Temple.
Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir: Built in 1989 by Sai Sudha Trust, it is a famous temple located half km away from Garkhal. The idol of Sai Baba was built in Jaipur and the burning flame in this temple signifies the divine power of Sai Baba of Shirdi.
When to go: Best time to travel to Kasauli is between April-June and September-November.
How to reach:
Air – From Kasauli the nearest airport is Chandigarh. Shimla is nearest airport for Solan.
Rail – Nearest railhead is Kalka in Haryana, which is 40-km from Kasauli and 44-km from Solan. Solan is also connected with narrow gauge railway line from Kalka.
Road – Solan and Kasauli are well connected by road. Buses, coaches and taxis are easily available from Chandigarh and Delhi.