Himachal Pradesh

Area: 55,673 sq km
Language: Hindi, Pahari, Himachali and English
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.
Capital : Shimla
Airports: Kullu and Palampur.

Location: Himachal Pradesh is a small state situate on the bottleneck of the Indian subcontinent while going towards northern state of Jammu and Kashmir from the plains. Nested quietly on the foothills of the vast Himalayan range, Himachal Pradesh was developed into a state in 1971. It stretches from the Naga Parbat peak in the northwest to the Namche Barwa peak in the north east. It shares its borders with Tibet in the east, Jammu Kashmir in the north; Uttar Pradesh in the south-east, to the south-west is Haryana and Punjab in the west. The whole territory of Himachal Pradesh is mountainous with attitude varying from 350 to 1000meters above the mean sea level.

Himachal, literally means the land shadowed by snow, or a land which has a veil of snow, and that is exactly what Himachal Pradesh is. Himachal Pradesh has been known to be inhabited since the pre historic days. The Kangra and the Sirmour valleys were inhabited by the tribe called Dasa which finds a mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures. Himachal Pradesh has always welcomed the migrants from all across and has eventually become the dwelling place of the Aryans, the Gorkhas and the Kols. Himachal thus was the base of many tribes which ruled individually and it was only Chandragupta Maurya who assimilated them and brought them under his rule. Later Ashoka asserted his rule and sent his religious emissaries to the region for the spread of Buddhism.

After the decline of the Gupta Empire the region was almost independent till the Muslim invaders and the Mughal rule started. Later with the downfall of the Mughal Empire, the Katoch rulers of Kangra came to power and regained their independent status. It was Maharaja Sansar Chand who was the most able and also popular ruler who directly or indirectly ruled the regions of Chamba, Suket, Mandi, Bilaspur, Guler, Jaswan, Siwan and Datarpur.
 

The British found Himachal to be the most suitable place to shift their political administration to Himachal Pradesh in the summers, thus making the city of Shimla their summer capital. Post independence the present day Himachal Pradesh received the status of Union Territory under the Indian constitution along with some parts of Punjab as well. It was in 1971 that the present day Himachal Pradesh was born and was conferred total statehood.

This beautiful state is full of splendid surprises. Himachal Pradesh literally means the land under the shadow of Him; that is the Himalayas. And indeed it is situated in the lap of nature surrounded by the Himalayas. The beauty spreads throughout the year and is probably one of the few states of India experiencing all the five seasons of the year. Each season in this small hilly state carries its own distinct flavour and attraction. Due to the pleasant weather the people are mostly cheerful and welcoming. Busy in their daily rituals of tending the orchards or minding the livestock and their fields, they still keep alive their age old traditions and cultures. There are various celebrations of some or the other festival that goes through out the year. Although the Dusshera of Kullu is world famous festival, the visitor can find many traditional festivities at every place being celebrated by dances and songs all around Himachal.

Visitors have many options in Himachal Pradesh. Places of scenic beauty such as Shimla, Manali, Chail, Chamba and Kasauli are world famous. But the visitors can spend their time by trekking through the dense forests watching the beautiful birds and a variety of flowers, go for mountaineering, raft in the thunderous Beas River or fish a good catch in the Ravi River, Ski down the mountain slopes in Mandi or explore the snowy ridges of Solang, just relax in one of the many resorts throughout the state admiring the natural charm or get an bird's view paragliding through the mountain ridges. There are ample of options in Himachal Pradesh.

The apples of Himachal and its various preparations are the most favoured souvenirs that are carried home by the tourists apart from the splendid memories of the time spent here. The others are the local handicraft items with peculiar design made of wool like caps and shawls. Jams and pickles made by the locals are sold all over the state and are easily available.

Life here moves at a gentle pace, far from the maddening crowd of the developed cities. The winters are chilly, the summers are pleasant and the people are ever inviting! Taste their peculiar spicy cuisine with a mixture of Kashmiri spice and Tibetan bland food. Dance in rhythm to match their footsteps and altogether enjoy the enchanting place … that is what Himachal Pradesh is all about.

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