Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh Map

Himachal Pradesh the land of eternal snow peaks is a charming mountain state. Blessed with charming crystal lakes, pretty flowers, ancient shrines and beautiful people; Himachal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful states in India. Himachal Pradesh is bordered on the north by Jammu and Kashmir, on the west and southwest by Punjab, on the south by Haryana, on the southeast by Uttar Pradesh, and on the east by Tibet (an autonomous region of China). Himachal Pradesh is enveloped by the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges in the northwest, dominated by the great Himalayas in the north and east and marked with lower ridges of the Shivalik ranges in the south-east.

Himachal has five mighty snow-fed rivers flowing through it - the Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Yamuna. Climatically, this state is divisible into two regions - the south which is as warm as the plains, and the north where the summers are temperate and winters are extremely cold.

Himachal Pradesh has a single-chamber legislative assembly with 68 seats. The state sends seven members to the Indian national parliament: three to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and four to the Lok Sabha (Lower House). Local government is based on 12 administrative districts. Shimla, also a beautiful hill resort is the capital of this state.

Himachal Pradesh - Facts

Below is a table representing important facts about Himachal Pradesh

Facts on Himachal Pradesh

Date of Formation	Jan 25, 1971
Size	55,673 sq km
Population	60,77,900
Capital	Shimla
Rivers	Ravi, Beas, Chenab, Sutlej, Yumana
Forests & National Park	Pin Velley NP, Greater Himalaya NP, Renuka WS, Chail WS, Kalatope Khajjiar WS
Languages	Hindi, Punjabi, Kinnauri, Pahari
Neighbours State	Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Uttrakhand
State Animal	Snow Leopard
State Bird	Western Tragopan
State Tree	Deodar
State Flower	Pink Rhododendron

History of Himachal Pradesh

The earliest known inhabitants of this region were tribals called Dasas, who entered the hills from the Gangetic plains, between the third and second millenium B.C. They were joined by the Aryans around 2000 BC and a number of tribal republics, called the janapadas, began to emerge in geographically separate regions of this state. The close of the 10th century saw the entry of Muslim rulers, in North India, through the north western passes. The Mughals were followed by the British, who were so taken up by the beauty of the state, that they made it the summer seat of the British viceroy. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and Himachal Pradesh was formed on 15 April 1948. With the reorganization of Punjab on November 1, 1966, certain areas belonging to it were also included in Himachal Pradesh. It was declared a state of the Indian Union with Shimla as the capital, on January 25, 1971.

Society and culture

The population of Himachal Pradesh consists of various hill tribes, all speaking their own languages. These tribes include the Gadis, Gujaris, Kinnauris, Lahulis, and Pangwalis. More than 95 percent of the people are Hindus, although the caste system of social groupings is less rigid than elsewhere in India. Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian minorities total about five percent of the population. Himachalis lead a simple and quiet life, tending their orchards, fields and flocks. Hindi (the official state language) and Pahari are the principal languages.

Himachal Pradesh is the least urbanized state in India. Its urban population accounts for less than 10 percent of the total. There are about 55 towns, of which only the capital, Shimla, has a population exceeding 80,000. Other major towns are Bilaspur, Chamba, Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kasauli, Kullu, Mandi, Nahan, Palampur, Solan, and Sundarnagar.

Himachal also has a rich cultural heritage, and has a variety of dances, musical forms and architectural styles. The fairs and festivals of the hill people are occasions of joyful song and dance; they are a veritable riot of colors. Kullu Dussehra (October), Lavi fair (November), Minjar fair (August-September), Manimahesh fair, " class="content-link">Shivaratri fair (February-March), and Navratri fair (April and October) are among the famous religious celebrations of Himachal. The 200 odd temples of Himachal Pradesh, diverse in style are dedicated mainly to Shiva, Durga and Buddha. Baijnath, Chintpurni, Jwalamukhi and the Laxmi Narayan temples are a few of these shrines.

Exquisitely designed shawls of Kinnaur, the distinctive woolen caps of Kullu, and the embroidered handkerchiefs of Chamba accent their colorful, festive clothing. Himachal Pradesh is also known for its Kangra Valley School of paintings.

Economy and Infrastructure

The state's economy is almost entirely based on the land, with about 80 per cent of the people depending on farming, horticulture, and livestock raising for their livelihood. The main crops are wheat, corn (maize), barley, rice and potatoes. One of the chief fruit and vegetable producing states in India, Himachal Pradesh produces apples, plums, peaches, apricots, and pomegranates, as well as ginger and mushrooms. There is small scale mining of slate, gypsum, limestone, barite, dolomite, and pyrite. Himachal Pradesh's main industries include iron foundries, resin and turpentine, factories, breweries, and fertilizers and electronic units. Over the last few years the industrial scenario in Himachal Pradesh has made significant progress. At present the state has 36845 Micro, Small Medium & Large Enterprises of which 444 are in Medium & Large Scale which provide employment to about 2.42 lack persons

Except for the scenic, narrow-gauge rail line from Kalka (in Haryana) to Shimla and the narrow-gauge track connecting Pathankot (Punjab) and Jogindarnagar through the Kangra valley, there are no railways or waterways in the state. Roads are the communications lifeline of Himachal Pradesh. The state-owned transport system operates more than 140 bus routes in Himachal Pradesh.

Tourism of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh Travel Map

Himachal Pradesh blessed with a wonderful climate and all the bounties of nature is one of the most frequented tourist destinations in India. Travelers flock to this paradise of beauty from all corners of the world. Some of the main tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh include; Shimla, Palampur, Dharamsala, Kullu-Manali and Chamba-Dalhousie. Temples at Bhima Kali, Sarahan, Hatkoti, Jwalajee, Chamunda Devi, Chintpurni, Renuka and Rewalsar, Deoth Siddh and Naina Devi are major attractions for pilgrims. Hang-gliding competitions are held in Kangra valley. Solang Nallah slopes are getting popular for winter sports. There is an art gallery in Naggar and museums in Chamba, Shimla and Dharamsala.The beautiful tourist resort of Khajjair in Chamba district has been christened as the Switzerland of Himachal

Hotels of Himachal Pradesh

Due to the excessive downpour of students all round the year Himachal Pradesh is home to some of the most sought after accommodation options. Ranging from the elite five star hotels to the colonial style cottages the hotels in Himachal Pradesh are comparable to the best in the world..

Nestled amidst the Western Himalayas, the state of Himachal Pradesh is often referred as "Devbhumi" meaning "Land of the Gods". It is a captivating hill state where on one hand you would find the snow covered rivers and lakes and on the other the mighty Himalayas. While there is the lush greenery of forest, Himachal Pradesh also has the Trans-Himalayan Desert.

While at Himachal Preadesh, the tourists get the unique opportunity to take pleasure in various activities. Moreover, if you are an adventure freak, then there is nothing to stop you in this beautiful hill station.

Go out for trekking at Zanskar Range, Dhauladhar Range or Pirpanjal Range; engage in bird watching or jeep safaris and if that isn't enough, then try mountain climbing near Manali or camping at Lahaul, Kullu-Manali, Spiti, Simla and Dalhousie.

Tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh are many. When it comes to tourist attractions, each of the districts in Himachal Pradesh, wrapped in natural beauty, has something to offer. The sought after and well-known tourist locations in the state are Shimla, Chamba, Rohtang Pass, Kangra, Manali, Kullu, and Dalhousie and many more.

The various important tourist points or routes through which Himachal Pradesh can be reached are Kullu and Manali, Shimla, Kangra, Dalhousie, Dharamshala-Palampur, Chamba and Paonta-Nahan. The three airports serving the state are situated in Bhuntar, Gaggal and Jubbarhatti. Although the state has a very hilly landscape and it is difficult to lay railway tracks or carve out roads, yet Himachal Pradesh is also linked by roadways and railways.