Una Tourism, Una Hotels, Tourism in Una, Himachal Pradesh, India


01 Una in Himachal

Una district is in the South-Western part of Himachal Pradesh. In the Western part also there is hill range whose maximum height is about 600 metres. The altitude varies from mere 350 metres to over 1,200 metres on the Solahsinghi Dhar. Shivalik ranges experience heavy rainfall. The hill ranges are covered by scanty vegetation comprising mostly of shrubs. Una has been carved out of Hoshiarpur district of Punjab in 1966 when the hilly areas of Punjab were transferred to Himachal Pradesh and the whole area is warm. It has borders with Kangra Hamirpur and Bilaspur and then acts as a gateway to these regions. Efforts are being made to develop same places in Nangal and Bhakra areas.

Una in Himachal

02 Tourism in Una

Tourism in Una is mainly related with religious places. The famous places in Una are Dera Baba Barbhag Singh, Bangana Lathian Piplu and Una town. The famous temples around Una are Chintpurni temple, Dera Baba Rudru temple, Shiv Bari, Baba Barbhag Singh, Dhyunsar Mahadev Temple, Baba Rudranand Ashram. A number of fairs and festivals are celebrated in Una i.e. Hola MOhalla fair, Chintpurni fair, Sawan Ashtami Fair, Paanch Bhisham fair, Piplu fair, Baisakhi festival, Prakash Utsav. There is a famous lake named Gobind Sagar lake which starts from district Bilaspur and extends into district Una. There is a wildlife sanctuary near Una named Gobind Sagar sanctuary which falls in district Bilaspur and is easily approachable from Una.

The temple of Mata Chintpurni is the prime attraction of Una and attracts a huge number of visitors throughout the year.

Tourism in Una

03 Una Access Routes

Delhi to Una :

Delhi to Una
this access route leads via Sonipat - Karnal - Kurukshetra - Ambala - Chandigarh - Ropar - Nangal - Una

Delhi to Una
this access route leads via Sonipat - Karnal- Kurukshetra - Ambala - Solan - Bilaspur - Una

Delhi to Una
this access route leads via Sonipat - Karnal- Kurukshetra - Ambala - Chandigarh - Solan - Bilaspur - Una

Shimla to Una :

Shimla to Una
this access route leads via Shimla - Solan - Bilaspur - Una

Shimla to Una
this access route leads via Shimla - Mandi - Hamirpur - Una

Shimla to Una
this access route leads via Shimla - Solan - Ambala - Chandigarh - Ropar - Nangal - Una

Chandigarh to Una :

Chandigarh to Una
this access route leads via Chandigarh - Ropar - Nangal - Una

Chandigarh to Una
this access route leads via Chandigarh - Hoshiarpur - Phatankot - Jassur - Nurpur - Kangra - Hamirpur - Una

Air Route :

Nearest airport is Jalandhar 78 km. via Hoshiarpur.

Train Route :

Una is well connected by broad gauge rail.

04 Una Quick Facts

Location
Una district lies within 31°21' to 31°50' North Latitude and 71°55' to 76°28' East Longitudes. It is bounded by Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh in the North, East and South, by Hoshiarpur district of Punjab in the West. Una district is in Himalayan foothills zone bounded by palins of Punjab in the West and Solahasinghi Dhar in the East.

Headquarter
Una ( altitude 750 meters )

Altitude
varies from 350 meters to 1,200 meters.

Important Distances
Jalandhar 78 km., Hoshiarpur 39 km.

Area
1,549 sq. km.

STD Code
+91-1976 or 01876

Local Codes
Amb 951976, Bangana 951975

Police Assistance
+91-1976-226028

Fire Services
+91-1976-238699

Ambulance
+91-1976-223496

DFO Forest Department
+91-1976-223636

Climate
Ranges from semi-tropical to semi-arctic. The summer temperatures range between 8° C and 45° C, while the winter temperatures usually remain between -3° C and 33° C.

Population
Total population of Una is 4,47,967 ( according to Census 2001 )

Best time to visit
All Seasons. Una can be visited in all seasons as the temperatures usually remain warm.

05 Una Famous Places

Dera Baba Barbhag Singh :
Dera Baba Bharbhag Singh lies in village Mairi of Amb Tehsil, is 3 kms. north-east of village Nehri which situated on Una-Amb-Nadaun-Hamirpur road is almost 40 kms. from Una. A visit to the ‘dera’( the holy shrine ) is believed to cure patients possessed by evil spirits or affected with other malign influences. The place has famous Gurudwara where thousand of Sikhs visit every year to receive the blessing of Baba Bharbhag Singh, who was a saint and established this Gurudwara which was earlier known as Dera. It is about 40 Kms. from Una Town and one can reach this place by bus directly or by train upto Una or by air upto Chandigarh. The Gurudwara is situated on the top of the hill and is surrounded by Ecyluptus trees. The Gurudwara Sarai apart from PWD Rest House is available for the night stay. A famous fair also known as Baba Bhar Bhag Singh Mela is held here in the month of February in honour of Barbhag Singh ji who was reowned for his magical powers. This fair is held at the time of holi and is famous for the treatment of mental problems and is unique fair of its kind in the country. A large number of visitors suffering from mental problems come to this fair and are treated at the gurudwara by the priest called 'Masands'.

Bangana Lathian Piplu :
This area falls on the Una Barsar-Hamirpur road. Piplu is situated on the top of Sola Singh Dhar from where the view of Gobind-Sagar is fascinating. This area can attract tourist during winter season especially, when they propose to visit other religious places like Jogi Ponga and Naina Deviji.

Una town :
The town of Una which happens to be the district headquarter is situated by the side of Swan river which is the tributary of the Sutlej river. As per a belief prevalent in the area the great rishi Balmiki had named this river as “Som Bhadra” in Ramayana while Rig Veda had mentioned it is “Swastu”. Una had been mentioned as a state of Jalandhar Doab in “Aainey Akbari” a historical treatise of Mughal period having in its fold eight revenue mohals out of the 60 recorded in the said book.

Una Famous Places

Una Famous Places

Una Famous Places

06 Una Famous Temples

Chintpurni Temple :
It is located on Dharamshala-Hoshiarpur road on a ridge. Thousand of devotees visit this temple. The main fair is held during the 10 days of "Shukalpaksh" in August. In addition to many religious festivals. There is a Yatri Niwas which is managed by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

The temple is a single storeyed building made of stones. Its base is square and a dome provides the center of its roof. The main entrance to the temple faces north. An old banyan tree, with a raised platform at its feet, stands in front of the entrance. On other side of the entrance gate, the idols of lord Ganesh and Hanuman are placed in the recesses of the façade. Big brass bells hang high along the entrance inwards. Devotees who come to pay homage to the Goddess toll these bells bothway while going to and coming back from the deity. The deity, a stone idol (pindi) of the Goddess stands placed in a palanquin of white marble in the room inside. The priests who are descendants of Mai Dass, sit beside the ‘pindi’ and do its ‘puja’. On the western part of the roof of the temple are placed engraved stone images of Bhairon and Hanuman. To the south and west of the temple, some verandahs and additional rooms have been constructed. They are meant for the temple trust officials, priests and devotees during the celebrations. There is another banyan tree in the campus of the temple where ‘mundan’ (first hair cutting) ceremony of children is performed.

Dera Baba Rudru Temple :
Dera Baba Rudru, established by a celibate solitarian Baba Rudranand in village Nari about 10 kms. from Una, is situated on Una-Amb road near Basal village. It is said that Baba ji was named Rudra as he was considered to be a part of lord Shankar. The important fairs and festivals celebrated at Dera Baba Rudru which draws a large number of devotees are Panch Bhisham Mela, Nirjala Ekadashi Fair, Baba Rudru’s Jayanti on the shukla navmi of Phalgun month and Vyas Puja (Guru Purnima). Amlehar is the main branch of Dera Baba Rudru where an akhand dhoona is constantly burning since past many years. Besides organizing a special congregation on every ‘Sankranti’ a large fair is held on ‘Kushokpatini amavasya’ every year.

Shiv Bari at Gagret :
On Hoshiarpur-Dharmsala road, near Gagret on the bank of river Swan (Sombhadra) is located the SHIV BARI which is believed to have been the practicing range for archery pupils of Guru Dronacharya. As per a belief the lord Shiva’s temple in the Shiv Bari was got constructed by Guru Dronacharya to facilitate his daughter Jayati to worship lord Shiva. Thousands of people from the nearly area visit Shiva temple to offer bouquets to the Shiva linga during the months of July/August. There is a very thick forest around the temple but for burning the dead, no piece of wood from the forest can be used for another purpose.

Baba Barbhag Singh at Mairi :
The place has famous Gurudwara where thousand of Sikhs visit every year to receive the blessing of Baba Bharbhag Singh, who was a saint and established this Gurudwara which was earlier known as Dera. It is about 40 Kms. from Una Town and one can reach this place by bus directly or by train upto Una or by air upto Chandigarh. The Gurudwara is situated on the top of the hill and is surrounded by Ecyluptus trees. The Gurudwara Sarai apart from PWD Rest House is available for the night stay. A famous fair also known as Baba Bhar Bhag Singh Mela is held here in the month of February in honour of Barbhag Singh ji who was reowned for his magical powers. This fair is held at the time of holi and is famous for the treatment of mental problems and is unique fair of its kind in the country. A large number of visitors suffering from mental problems come to this fair and are treated at the gurudwara by the priest called 'Masands'.

Dhyunsar Mahadev Temple :
Sitiuated at a distance of about 40 kilometre from Una the district headquarters, Amlehar is a picturesque place studded in the lap of the culminating ridge of Jaswan Dhar which commences near Talwara and forms the border between Una and Kangra districts. A fair is held here every year on the auspicious day of ‘Kushotpaatini amavasaya’ besides special celebrations on ‘Krishan Janam ashtami’, Shiv-ratri and every sankranti. There are proper and sufficient arrangements of good and stay for the devotees in the ashram.

Baba Rudranand Ashram at Amlehar :
This temple is located behind the City Police Post and Treasury building. This temple was built by Raja Sahil Varman in memory of his daughter Champavati who is believed to have influenced her father to set-up Chamba at its present location. The temple is in the Shikhara style with elaborate stone carving and the wheel roof. The size of this temple is equivalent to the largest of the Laxmi Narayana Temple.

Una Famous Temples

Una Famous Temples

Una Famous Temples

Una Famous Temples

Una Famous Temples

07 Una Lakes

Gobind Sagar Lake : The beautiful and vast Gobind Sagar Lake starts from district Bilasput and extends into district Una. It is an artificial lake formed as a result of the world famous Bhakra Dam on the river Sutlej in district Bilaspur. It is one of the world's highest gravity dams, the Bhakra rises 225.5 m above its lowest foundations. Under the supervision of the famous American dam-builder, Harvey Slocum, work began in 1955 and was completed in 1962. Incidently, Slocum had no formal training as an engineer, but his conceptions and designs had been proven successful. To maintain the level of water, the flow of the river Beas was also channelled to the Gobind Sagar by the Beas-Sutlej Link whish was completed in 1976. Today, this dam feeds electricity and water to several states of north India. Its reservoir - the Gobind Sagar - is 90 km long and encompasses an area of approximately 170 sq. km.

Water sports are available as are speed-boat and ferry rides. In october and November, when the water and water level of the reservoir is at its peak, a series of regattas are also organised by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Water-skiing, sailing, kayaking and water-scooter racing become available at this time.

Una Lakes

08 Una Wild Life

Gobind Sagar Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 350 meters to 500 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1155 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from 2 to 45°C.
Area : 10,034 hectares ( 100.34 sq. km. ).
Location : constituted out of Bhakra Dam reservoir.
Approaches : Bilaspur to Bhakra Dam to inside sanctuary

It was first notified as a sanctuary on 5th December 1962 and re-notified on 27th March 1974. It is controlled by the Bhakra Management Board. The sanctuary is constituted out of the Bhakra Dam reservoir and forms a habitat for several species of fish and a winter refuge for migratory waterfowl. The area adjoining the South-West boundary of the reservoir has been notified as the Naina Devi Sanctuary.

Flora
Primarily wet land. Forest types on the periphery include Northern Dry Deciduous forest.

Fauna ( Fish )
Singhara, Chilwa, Catla, Jhalli, Mrigal, Grass crap, Misror crap, Topra, Silver crap, Beta, Gid, Kuni Rohu, Guj, Ticto, Sarena, Gungli and Mahseer or Mahasheer.

09 Una Fairs and Festivals

Fairs in Una

Hola Mohalla Fair :
This is a very famous fair in Una which lasts for ten days i.e., a week before the full-moon in the Vikrami month of Phalgun (February-March) day and two days after it. and celebrated at Baba Gurbarbhagh Singh, Mairi, Teh. Amb. This fair attracts a lot of people from near and far.

Chintpurni Fair :
It is locally known as Mata-Da-Mela ( fair of mother goddess ). It is held in the village Chintpurni near Bharwain ( a hill station on Hoshiarpur-Kangra road in Una district ). According to one legend a certain Mai Das had the first darshan of the Mother goddess who appeared to him as a girl and asked him to perform the Pooja (worship) of the Pindi (idol) of the mother. Henceforth generation after generation, the mother has promised to ward off the worldly worries and anxieties of those worshipping her. On the 8th day during Navratras the offering of Karahi ( sweet halwa prasad ) and Chhattar are made by the devotees.

Other Important Fairs :

Sawan Ashtami Fair
held at tehsil Amb and begins from 1stSawan Navratra ( July-August ).

Paanch Bhisham Fair
held at Baba Rudra Nand, Nari, tehsil Una and celebrated on Guru Nanak Dev Birthday.

Piplu Fai
held at Piplu, tehsil Bangana and celebrated on Nirjala Ekadashi ( June ).

Gugga Fair
held at Chaksarai, tehsil Amb and begins from Gugga Navami ( 9th Bhadon ) ( Aug-Sept ).

Festivals in Una

Baisakhi or Bisoa :
It is knows as Bisowa in Kangra, Bissue in Shimla hills and Lisshoo in Pangi-Chamba. This faestival is celebrated with enthusiasm in Una as well. This festival is generally celebrated on 13th of April. Preparation for the festival starts much early. The houses are white washed. People take holy dip at Haridwar, Tattapani near Shimla, Banganga near Kangra, Markanda near Bilaspur. During day time, Baisakhi fair is held at many places with traditional gaiety and attraction. Women's participation in large number add special color to the festive mood of the people.

Prakash Utsav :
This festival is celebrated at Una at Gurudwara Baba Sahib Singh Ji from 26 to 28 March every year. It is an immportant festival for the people of Una and they celebrate it with joy.