HIMACHAL PRADESH
Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern part of India. Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is bordered by states of Jammu & Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west, Haryana on the southwest, Uttarakhand on the southeast, and Tibet on the east. At its southernmost point, it also touches the state of Uttar Pradesh. The state's name was coined from the Sanskrit—Him means 'snow' and achal means 'land' or 'abode'—by Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma, one of the state's eminent Sanskrit scholars.
The state is spread across valleys. About 90% of the state's population lives in rural areas. Many perennial rivers flow in the state with numerous hydropower plants producing surplus electricity that is sold to other states, such as Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal. Tourism and agriculture are also important constituents of the state's economy. The state has one of the highest per-capita incomes among the Indian states and union territories.
Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla district has the largest urban population in the state at 25%. The villages have good connectivity with roads and public health centers. Practically all houses have a toilet and 100% hygiene has been achieved in the state. Notable actions by the state government include a ban on polyethylene bags and tobacco products. According to a survey of CMS - India Corruption Study 2017, Himachal Pradesh is India's least corrupt state.
Himachal Pradesh in Summers
GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE
Himachal is in the western Himalayas. Covering an area of 55,673 square kilometres (21,495 sq mi), it is a mountainous state. Most of the state lies on the foothills of the Dhauladhar Range. At 6,816 m Reo Purgyil is the highest mountain peak in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
The drainage system of Himachal is composed both of rivers and glaciers. Himalayan rivers criss-cross the entire mountain chain. 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.
Due to extreme variation in elevation, great variation occurs in the climatic conditions of Himachal. The climate varies from hot and subhumid tropical in the southern tracts to, with more elevation, cold, alpine, and glacial in the northern and eastern mountain ranges. The state's winter capital, Dharamsala receives very heavy rainfall, while areas like Lahaul and Spiti are cold and almost rainless. Broadly, Himachal experiences Five seasons: Spring, Summer, Rainy, Autumn, and Winter season. Summer lasts from mid-April till the end of June. Rainy season starts from June till the end of August. Autumn starts from September till the end of November. From December to February its winter and Spring starts from March till the mid of April. Snowfall is common in alpine tracts (generally above 2,200 metres (7,218 ft) i.e. in the higher and trans-Himalayan region).
Himachal Pradesh in winters
CULTURE
Himachal Pradesh was one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain. With remarkable economic and social advancements, the state has changed very rapidly. Himachal Pradesh is a multireligious, multicultural as well as a multilingual state like other Indian states. Western Pahari languages also known as Himachali languages are widely spoken in the state. Some of the most commonly spoken individual languages are Kangri, Mandeali, Kulvi, Chambeali, Bharmauri and Kinnauri. The Hindu communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, Rajputs, Kayasthas, Sunnars, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. The tribal population of the state consists mainly of Gaddis & Gujjars.
Local music and dance also reflects the cultural identity of the state. Through their dance and music, the Himachali people entreat their gods during local festivals and other special occasions.
LOCAL DANCE
TOURISM
Tourism in Himachal Pradesh is a major contributor to the state's economy and growth. The mountainous state with its Himalayan landscapes attracts tourists from all over the world. Hill stations like Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Chamba, Khajjiar, Kullu and Kasauli are popular destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists.The state also has many important Hindu pilgrimage sites with prominent temples like Naina Devi Temple, Vajreshwari Devi Temple, Jwala Ji Temple, Chintpurni, Chamunda Devi Temple, Baijnath Temple, Bhimakali Temple, Bijli Mahadev and Jakhoo Temple. Manimahesh Lake situated in the Bharmour region of Chamba district is the venue of an annual Hindu pilgrimage trek held in the month of August which attracts thousands of devotees. The state is also referred to as "Dev Bhoomi" (literally meaning Abode of Gods) due to its mention as such in ancient Hindu texts and occurrence of a large number of historical temples in the state.
LAKE MANIMAHESH
It is also called the Land of the Gods on account of the Hindu belief that deities like Lord Shiva considered the Himalayas their abode, and much of the state is located among the Himalayan mountains. Although modern pop-literature writers online have often also referred to Uttarakhand as the land of the gods because it also contains Himalayan mountains, officially it is Himachal Pradesh that has been considered the land of the gods since before the state of Uttarakhand existed. A tourism department board on the road when entering Himachal Pradesh from the state of Punjab states "Welcome to the Land of the Gods."
The state is also known for its adventure tourism activities like ice skating in Shimla, paragliding in Bir Billing and Solang valley, rafting in Kullu, skiing in Manali, boating in Bilaspur and trekking, horse riding and fishing in different parts in the state. Shimla, the state's capital, is home to Asia's only natural ice skating rink. Spiti Valley in Lahaul & Spiti District situated at an altitude of over 3000 metres with its picturesque landscapes is an important destination for adventure seekers. The region also has some of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries in Asia.
PARAGLIDING IN BIR BILLING
Himachal hosted the first Paragliding World Cup in India from 24 October to 31 October in 2015. Venue for paragliding world cup was Bir Billing, which is 70 km from the tourist town Macleod Ganj, located in the heart of Himachal in Kangra District. Bir Billing is the centre for aero sports in Himachal and considered as best for paragliding. Buddhist monasteries, trekking to tribal villages, mountain biking are other activities to do here.
ART & CRAFTS
Himachal is well known for its handicrafts. The carpets, leather works, Kullu shawls, Kangra paintings, Chamba Rumals, stoles, embroidered grass footwear (Pullan chappal), silver jewelry, metal-ware, knitted woolen socks, Pattoo, basketry of cane and bamboo (Wicker and Rattan) and woodwork are among the notable ones. Of late, the demand for these handicrafts has increased within and outside the country. Himachali caps of various color bands are also well-known art work of the local people, and are often treated as a symbol of the Himachali identity. The color of the Himachali caps has been an indicator of political loyalties in the hill state for a long period of time with Congress party leaders like Virbhadra Singh always donning caps with green band and the rival BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal always wearing a cap with maroon band.
HIMACHALI CAPS
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
In Himachal Pradesh, every festival is celebrated in peace or by dancing the hours away in carefree abandonment. There are so many cultural festivals in Himachal Pradesh that it is really hard to pick some.
LOHARI
Lohri is a feisty festival celebrated by the people of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. In the villages of Punjab, Lohri is celebrated as a ceremonial ritual to jumpstart the harvesting of Rabi crop. Lohri festival is famous by the name of Maghu as well because it coincides with the onset of 'Magh' month which commences just a day before.
On this festival, people dress in vibrant clothes and prepare dance performances. Children sing folk songs and go door to door, especially to the newly married couples consciously to collect funds for community bonfire. Around dusk, people from different households come together and lit a bonfire. People throw pop cans and puffed rice in the flames as a way of offering sacrifice to God so that they get blessed with a rich harvest. People from different communities come together for the grand holy celebration. On the whole, Lohri celebrates oneness and encourages people to rise above personal differences.
- When: 13th January
- Where: All over Himachal
- Special Attraction: Bonfire, dancing acts
- Duration of Festival: 1 Day
Maha Shivratri is celebrated in the month of February with great zeal and enthusiasm. Shivratri was the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. Maha Shivaratri literally means ‘The Night of Shiva.' All the religious ceremonies and celebrations take place during the night. During the daytime, people make sculptures of the main deity Shiva and Parvati with the help of cow dung or earthen soil. A 3 day fair called Mandi International Maha Shivratri Festival is organized in Mandi, a small town of Himachal Pradesh.
- When: February or March
- Where: Throughout Himachal
- Special Attraction: Folk music, dance, trade of general commodities
- Duration of Festival: 1 Day
KULLU DUSSEHRA
Dussehra celebration in Kullu is not at all similar to celebration in other parts of the country as no figurine of Ravan or Kumbhkarna is burned. The traditional Kullu Dussehra is organized in the month of October and gets off a spectacular start with the traditional procession of Lord Raghunathji. The Rath Yatra of the idol of Lord Ragunath is led by the Kullu Raja and village deities, and is known as the running of the Gods. Lord Raghunathji saddled on a gaily attired chariot is pulled from its fixed place in Dhalpur Maidan to another spot across the Maidan by big ropes. The pulling of ropes is regarded sacred by the local people. All the deities from various temples are brought from the temple to the foreground in order to pay homage to Raghnathji. Here one can see one of the most spectacular processions in the country as well as the state; it attracts a huge number of tourists.Celebration commences on ‘Vijaya Dashmi’ day; over 250 people gather here and camp at Dhalpur Maidan for a week in order to pay obeisance to Lord Raghunathji, the presiding deity. The festival is celebrated with complete fevours for a week. This Hindu festival is celebrated all over India to mark the triumph of good over evil (Lord Ram over Ravan). On the last day of the festival, the chariot of Raghunath ji is taken to the bank of the river Beas. Then a heap of wood along with grass is set on fire, symbolizing the burning of effigies of Ravana, the demon of Lanka, and is followed by the sacrifice of chosen animals.
- Where: Kullu
- When: November or October
- Special Attraction:
- Duration of Festival: 1 Day
Diwali is the integral part of Indian festivals which is celebrated with huge zeal throughout the nation. Though the celebration everywhere is almost same but Himachal Pradesh has a unique way of celebrating Diwali. Upcoming fairs and festivals Himachal Pradesh Diwali is a traditional 5 days festival in the state. Preparation of Diwali famous festivals of Himachal Pradesh begins a month before the fest arrives. The first day is the Dhanteras, second day is Choti Diwali, third day is the Laxmi Poojan, fourth day is the Goverdhan puja and finally the fest concludes with the Bhai Dooj.
Diwali is a popular festival included in the Himachal Pradesh festival list which is rejoiced in a different way by the local people. It usually falls in the category of festivals of Himachal Pradesh in November. Houses are cleaned, decorated with flowers, cow-dung, paints, little vessels are exchanged with best friends and last but not the least Laxmi Poojan is the main part of the entire celebration. There are many times when tourists visit Himachal Pradesh to capture the exclusivity of this festival.
Enjoyment and contentment is the main objective of famous festivals of Himachal Pradesh which is full filled on every occasion. Diwali is celebrated during November as per Festival calendar Himachal Pradesh. People generally clean their houses and paint them with white clay and cow-dung. Flower garlands are also hung on the walls and the courtyards are painted with colored clay in red or black square form containing pictures of animals and birds. After sunset clay lamps are lit, sweets are distributed. Also as the part of the cultural Festivals Himachal Pradesh on the main day, designs are made out of the powder of the soaked rice and these designs are worshipped by young girls with grass and camphor at night.
DIWALI RANGOLI & DIYAS
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