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Tourism Places In Himachal Pradesh
Main tourist are 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
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 loveliest states in India. Himachal Pradesh
is bordered on the north by Jammu and Kashmir state, on the west and southwest by
Punjab state, on the south by Haryana state, on the southeast by Uttar Pradesh state,
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.
History
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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 reorganisation 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.
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Society & 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, Kulla, 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 colours. Kullu Dussehra (October),
Lavi fair (November), Minjar fair (August-September), Manimahesh fair, 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 colourful, festive clothing.
Himachal Pradesh is also known for its Kangra Valley School of paintings.
Economy & 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. It now gas 144 large
and medium units, and 21,143 small scale units which provide employment to over
100,000 people. The weaving of woolen garments is the main craft industry.
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
Hotels In Himachal Pradesh
The State has hotels of star and non star category catering to the needs of the
tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh. Besides it has resorts, restaurants and cafés
which cater to the needs of all segment of travelers.
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