Region: South Asia
Area Total: 3,287,240 km2
Coast Line: Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal
Capital: New Delhi
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Capital : SHIMLA
Area : 55,673 sq km
Population : 6,077,900 (2001 Census)
Languages : Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, Dogri, Mandialli Kangri, Gojri and Kinnauri
Major Festivals : Janmashtami, Navaratri, Diwali, Rakshabandhan, Holi etc.
Shimla Hill station
"The Queen of Hills" - Night view of Shimla Hill Station
Himachal Pradesh, a fascinating state of India. Blessed with apple orchards, wild flowers, rushing streams, Himachal Pradesh is a place worth exploring. With lots of venues for skiing, mountaineering, rock climbing, parasailing and river rafting, Himachal Pradesh is a great place for adventure tourism in India.
Himachal Pradesh is a land endowed with abundant natural beauty. From snow clad mountains to rushing rivers and streams, from tall green trees to colourful flowers, its all there. This state is one of the best places to explore. Encompassing tourist destination like Chamba, Manali, Kullu, Himachal is much visited place in India. Himachal Pradesh is a tiny hill state whose pleasant summers make it a popular holiday resort. The Raj still lingers in Shimla, the state capital and former summer capital during British rule.
Vice Regal Lodge, Shimla
This state is in Northern India. It is spread over 21,495 sq mi, and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south,Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Regionon the east. The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is Region of snowy mountains.
Himachal Pradesh was also known as Deva Bhumi (the land of the gods). The Aryan influence in the region dates back to the period before the Rigveda. After the Anglo Gorkha War, the British colonial government came into power. It was initially part of Punjab, except the Siba State of Punjab Hills which was under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh until 1857. In 1950 Himachal was declared as a union territory but after the State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971, Himachal emerged as the 18th state of the Indian Union. Himachal has many prestigious boarding schools. Hima means snow in Sanskrit. It was named by one of the great Sanskrit scholars of Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma.
Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest per capita incomes of any state in India. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such as Delhi, Punjab & Rajasthan. The economy of the state is highly dependent on three sources: hydroelectric power, tourism and agriculture.
Hindus make up 95% of the state population, making it the most Hindu state (proportionally), in India. According to a 2005Transparency International survey, Himachal Pradesh is ranked the second-least corrupt state in the country after Kerala.
Beas River
HISTORY
The history of the area that now constitutes Himachal Pradesh dates back to the time when the Indus valley civilisation flourished between 2250 and 1750 BCE. Tribes such as the Koilis, Halis, Dagis, Dhaugris, Dasa, Khasas, Kinnars and Kirats inhabited the region from pre-histotic era. During the Vedic period, several small republics known as "Janapada" existed which were later conquered by the Gupta Empire. After a brief period of supremacy by king Harshavardhana, the region was once again divided into several local powers headed by chieftains, including someRajput principalities. These kingdoms that enjoyed a large degree of independence were devastated by Muslim invaders a number of times. Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the beginning of the 10th century. Timur andSikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills of the state and captured a number of forts and fought many battles. Several hill states acknowledged Mughal suzerainty and paid regular tribute to the Mughals.
The Gorkhas, a martial tribe came to power in Nepal in the year 1768. They consolidated their military power and began to expand their territory. Gradually the Gorkhas annexed Sirmour and Shimla. With the leadership ofAmar Singh Thapa, Gorkhas laid siege to Kangra. They managed to defeatSansar Chand, the ruler of kangra, in 1806 with the help of many provincial chiefs. However Gorkhas could not capture Kangra fort which came underMaharaja Ranjeet Singh in 1809. After the defeat the Gorkhas began to expand towards the south of the state. However,Raja Ram Singh,Raja of Siba State re-captured the fort of Siba from the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Samvat 1846.
This led to the Anglo-Sikh War. They came into direct conflict with the British along the tarai belt after which the British expelled them from the provinces of the Satluj. Thus the British gradually emerged as the paramount powers. The revolt of 1857 or first Indian war of independence resulted due to the building up of political, social, economic, religious and military grievances against the British government. People of the hill states were not as politically active as the people in other parts of the country. They remained more or less inactive and so did their rulers, with the exception of Bushahr. Some of them even rendered help to the British government during the revolt. Among them were the rulers of Chamba,Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami. The rulers of Bushars rather acted in a manner hostile to the interests of British.
The British territories in the hill came under British Crown after Queen Victoria's proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba, Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule. During World War I, virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort both in the form of men and materials. Amongst these were the states of Kangra, Jaswan, Datarpur, Guler, Nurpur, Chamba, Suket, Mandi and Bilaspur.
After independence the Chief Commissioner's Province of H.P. came into being on 15 April 1948. The province comprised the hill districts around Shimla and southern hill areas of the former Punjab region. Himachal became a part C state on 26 January 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution of India. Himachal Pradesh became aUnion Territory on 1 November 1956. On 18 December 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25 January 1971. Thus Himachal emerged as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.
Geography and climate
Himachal is situated in the western Himalayas. Covering an area of 55,673 kilometres (34,594 mi), Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state with elevation ranging from about 350 metres (1,148 ft) to 6,000 metres (19,685 ft) above the sea level. The drainage system of Himachal is composed both of rivers andglaciers. Himalayan rivers criss-cross the entire mountain chain. In fact the rivers are older than the mountain system. Himachal Pradesh provides water to both the Indus and Ganges basins. The drainage systems of the region are the Chandra Bhaga or the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, the Sutlej and the Yamuna. These rivers are perennial and are fed by snow and rainfall. They are protected by an extensive cover of natural vegetation. There is great variation in the climatic conditions of Himachal due to extreme variation in elevation. The climate varies from hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern tracts to cold, alpine and glacial in the northern and eastern mountain ranges with more elevation. The state has areas like Dharamsala that receive very heavy rainfall, as well as those like Lahaul and Spiti that are cold and almost rainless. Broadly Himachal experience three seasons; hot weather season, cold weather season and rainy season. Summer lasts from mid April till the end of June and most parts become very hot (except in alpine zone which experience mild summer) with the average temperature ranging from 28 °C (82 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F). Winter lasts from late November till mid March. Snowfall is common in alpine tracts (generally above 2,200 metres (7,218 ft) i.e. in the Higher and Trans-Himalayan region).
Economy
The era of planning started in Himachal in 1948 along with the rest of India. The first five year plan allocated .5.27 crore to Himachal. More than 50% of this expenditure was incurred on road construction since it was felt that without proper transport facilities, the process of planning and development could not be carried to the people, who mostly lived an isolated existence in far away areas. Himachal now ranks fourth in respect of per capita income among the states of the Indian Union.
Agriculture contributes over 45% to the net state domestic product. It is the main source of income and employment in Himachal. Over 93% of the population in Himachal depend directly upon agriculture which provides direct employment to 71% of its people. The main cereals grown are wheat, maize, rice and barley. Himachal has a rich heritage of handicrafts. These include woolen and pashmina shawls, carpets, silver and metal ware, embroidered chappals, grass shoes, Kangra and Gompa style paintings, wood work, horse-hair bangles, wooden and metal utensils and various other house hold items. These aesthetic and tasteful handicrafts declined under competition from machine made goods and also because of lack of marketing facilities. But now the demand for handicrafts has increased within and outside the country. Himachal is extremely rich in hydro electric resources. The state has about 25% of the national potential in this respect. It has been estimated that about 20,300MW of hydro electric power can be generated in the State by constructing various major, medium, small and mini/micro hydel projects on the five river basins. The state is also the first state in India to achieve the goal of having a bank account for every family> As per the current prices, the total GDP was estimated at 25,435 crore ( 254,350,000,000), as against 23,024 crore( 230,240,000,000) in the year 2004-05, showing an increase of 10.5%.
Culture
Himachal was one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain. With the technological advancements the state has changed very rapidly. It is a multi-religional, multicultural as well as multilingual state like other Indian states. Some of the most commonly spoken languages includes Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, Dogri, Mandialli Kangri, Gojri and Kinnauri. The Hindu caste communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, Rajputs, Gujjars, Gaddis, "Girth (choudhary)," Kannets (come under RAJPUTS), Rathis and Kolis. There are also tribal population in the state which mainly comprise ,Kinnars,Pangawals, Sulehria, and Lahaulis.
The state is well known for its handicrafts. The carpets, leather works, shawls, metalware, woodwork and paintings are worth appreciating. Pashmina shawl is one of the product which is highly in demand not only in Himachal but all over the country. Himachali caps are also famous art work of the people. Extreme cold winters of Himachal necessitated wool weaving. Nearly every household in Himachal owns a pit-loom. Wool is also considered as pure and is used as a ritual cloth. The well known woven object is the shawl, ranging from fine pashmina to the coarse desar. Kullu is famous for its shawls with striking patterns and vibrant colours. Local music and dance reflects the cultural identity of the state. Through their dance and music, they entreat their gods during local festivals and other special occasions. Apart from the fairs and festivals that are celebrated all over India, there are number of other fairs and festivals also that are of great significance to Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla, the state capital is home to Asia's only natural Ice skating rink The day to day food of Himachalis is very similar to the rest of the north India. They too have lentil, broth, rice,vegetables and bread. Some of the specialities of Himachal include Pateer, Chouck, Bhagjery, jhoul, Patrode,Sidku, Beduan, Chutney, Madra, Khatti Dal, Khatta and Ambua. Famous people associated with Himachal include Dalip Singh Rana, Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri (who studied here),Prem Chopra (brought up here) , Mohit Chauhan, Shahrukh Khan from Bilaspur who studeid in D.A.V Public School Bilaspur and the third Supreme Court chief-justice and former prime minister of Kashmir in 1947 Mehr Chand Mahajanand economist and former vice-president of World Bank Shahid Javed Burki, Bollywood actresses Preity Zinta, Kangna Ranaut, Satyananda Stokes who introduced apple in the region, writer Idries Shah, ornithologist Allan Octavian Hume (had his home here), former general of Pakistan Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and current President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai who both studied here.
Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest literacy rates in India. Hamirpur District is among the top districts in the country for literacy. Education rates among women are quite encouraging in the state.
The standard of education in the state has reached to a considerably high level as compared to other states in India. The state has several reputed educational institutes for higher studies. The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla ,the NIT, Hamirpur,the Jaypee University of Information Technology,Waknaghat,The Chitkara University,Distt.solan, IITT college of Engineering, Kala Amb, Distt. Sirmour and Baddi University of Emerging Sciences & Technology Baddi are some of the pioneer institutes located in the state. The soon upcoming Central University of Himachal Pradesh which shall come up with its main campus at Kangra, and subsequently, two campuses will be set-up at Dauladhar and Dehra in the majestic hills of the state.Himachal Pardesh Agriculture University (HPAU) is one of the most renowned hill Agriculture Institutes in world. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry has earned a unique distinction in India for imparting teaching, research and extension education in horticulture, forestry and allied disciplines. The government is working constantly to prepare various plans and projects in order to strengthen the education system of the state. Recently, the State Government has decided to start three nursing colleges to develop the health system in the state. There are over 10,000 primary schools, 1,000 secondary schools and more than 1,300 high schools in Himachal. The state government has decided to start up with 3 major nursing colleges to develop the health system in the state. In meeting the constitutional obligation to make primary education compulsory, Himachal has now became the first state in India to make elementary education accessible to every child in the state. The State has got Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital. Besides that there is Himachal Dental College which is the first recognized Dental Institute in the State.
Capital City - Shimla
In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills" (a term coined by the British). Located in north-west Himalayas at an altitude of 2,130 metres (6,988 ft), the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is famous for its buildings styled in tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture reminiscent of the colonial era. Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes still operating in India. Shimla is approximately 115 km (71.4 miles) from Chandigarh, the nearest major city, and 365 km (226.8 miles) from New Delhi, the national capital. The city is named after the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali. The city is spread on a ridge and its seven spurs. The city stretches nearly 9.2 km from east to west. The highest point in Shimla, at 2454 meters (8051 ft), is the Jakhoo hill. The climate in Shimla is predominantly cold during winters, and moderately warm during summers. The temperatures range from 3.95 °C (39..11 °F) to 32.95 °C (91.31 °F) over the year. The average temperature during summer is between 14 °C and 20 °C, and between -7 °C and 10 °C in winter.
"The Destination Resort" in Shimla Hills
Siwalik Fossil Park, Saketi:
THE Shivalik Fossil Park at Saket, a small village, 14km south of Nahan, and about 5 km from the industrial town of Kala Amb, on the border of Haryana and Himachal Pardesh, is one of the most unique attractions in this state. It is the first park in Asia which has been developed at a site, where fossils were actually found.
Situated amidst picturesque sceneries of the Siwalik hills in the Markanda Valley, The Siwalik Fossil Park, saketi is located in the Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh and is located 1480 metres above the sea level. The Park has been established for the preservation of Prehistoric animal sites, restoration of their natural environment and utilization of the same for scientific, educational and recreational purposes. It is from Saketi and adjacent areas the fossilized remains of many animals which thrived in the area about 1 to 2.5 million years ago have been excavate . A small museum in the Park exhibits many spectacular fossil specimens of vertebrates. The site is also been developed as a panorama of Plio-Pleistocene period (2.5 million years ago) through massive afforestation efforts to provided a green cover to the Park as well as to enhance its beauty.
The world famous Siwalik rocks contain the embedded remains of various vertebrate animals and plants that flourished about 25 million years ago and evolved into various forms giving rise to the present day forms of land animals and plants. The fossil Park, is one of the rare gifts of nature in Siwalik hills and is a rich geological heritage.
Boarding and lodging facilities are available in the nearby Nahan and Kala-amb area.
Renuka Ji, Sirmour:
Renuka Ji enjoys a tremendous important as a place of religious and tourist interest. Located in the Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh, it lies about 40 km. away from Nahan. It is is well linked with motor able metalled roads and lies about 645 metres above the sea level. The place is well known for Boating in Renuka lake, which is one of the biggest attraction for the tourists. The weather of this place is very pleasant in the winters.
The whole area offers an ideal picnic spots during day time.
This place is visited by thousand of Pilgrims every year on Kartika ekadashi especially during the month of November. The place is a hub of Nightlong festivities including Kirtans are held by various groups.
The place remain full capacity during the days of the fair and offer a spectacular variety of activities. A brass iodl of Lord Parasu Rama is brought from village Jamu, in a silver palki accompanied by musical instruments with great pomp and show during the festival.Some people also offer sacrifices for the fulfillment of their wishes such as deliverance from some misery or recovery of health from a disease. On dwadashi, the people offer alms after the holy dip in the Renuka lake.
Railway Station, Shimla
Train service to the Hill station
Snowfall in Christ Church area
Summer Hill: Situated at a distance of 5 km from the Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill at a height of 6,500 ft on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Mahatma Gandhi lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.
Kullu
The most charming and beautiful Kulu valley spreads out its charm on either side of river Beas. The valley runs north to south of this river and is 80kms. long and about 2kms. at its broadest. Yet with awe inspiring glens and mossy meadows encircled by the rushing streams and meandering brooks, flung east & west, a fairly wide area is open to the tourists, the trekkers, the mountaineers, the artists and to anyone who wishes to escape the heat & dust of the plains to breathe the exhilarating air of the Himalaya and enjoy the spectacle of the variegated mountain scenery. The valley is also famous for its exquisitely woven colourful hand made shawls and kullu caps.
Kullu, HP
Snowfalls, Kullu
Manali :
40 kms. away from Kulu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as the SWITZERLAND OF INDIA
Manali
Scene from Manali
Rohtang Pass:
Rohtang Pass is located at an altitude of 3979 m (13,050 ft) above sea level, is another adventure tourist site where it can be cold even on a summer day. It is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road and provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is truly breath taking. Close by is a small lake called Dassaur Lake. Beas Kund, the source of river Beas, is also nearby. In winter, the road of Rothang Pass is closed
Rohtang, Kullu-Manali
Scenes from Rohtang Pass
Scene of Rohtang Pass
Rohtang Pass
Another scenes of Rohtang Pass
Arki town
Arki: 40 km away from Shimla, Arki is a town and a Nagar panchayat in Solan district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The town is notable for its fort built in late 18th century when Arki was the capital of hill state of Baghal
Dharmashala of H.P. :
In 1848, the area was annexed by the British, and a year later, a military garrison was established in the town. Dharamsala eventually became the administrative capital of the Kangra District in 1852.
The history of Dharamsala dates back more than 3,500 years. The earliest known tribe was the "Dasu Warriors", who were later assimilated by the Aryans.
In 1849, the British posted a regiment here, but this small township did not remain a military base for long ! The pine-clad hillsides continued to flourish as a romantic – health resort for the English Sahibs and Mem-Sahibs. The two main areas at that time were Mcleodganj , named after Lt. Governor of Punjab, David Mcleod and Forsythganj. Lord Elgin, Viceroy of British India liked this sleepy hamlet so much that it was his desire to be buried here at St. John's Church in the Wilderness in 1863.
Dharmashala is also renowned as the Home of Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama in Exile
After India achieved Independence in 1947, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet on his "famous" flight to freedom from his native place of birth – TIBET, under Communist occupation…came to India in 1959. In March 10, 1960 His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet along with his people came to Dharamsala and made it His Home..in effect the Tibetan Govt-in –exile. Today, thousands of Tibetan refugees have made this scenic Kangra Valley, their home. With them came the different..Tibetan flavours of Lhasa making it popularly known as the Little Lhasa of Tibet.!
Areal view of Prashar Lake
Sunset in Shimla
Thanks & Regards, Raj. Kumar (Information & Images gathered from various Websites)
www.keralites.net |
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Himachal pradesh is one of the wonderful place in India. It is also known as queen of Hill stations.Mussoorie is also one of the hill station in Himachal.It's amazing beauty is breathtaking. One should visit the place once in their lifetime.
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Himachal Pradesh in Himachal Pradesh is also offers you its beautiful and picturesque views of nature
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