ALL ABOUT THE HIMACHAL PRADESH , “THE INDIAN SWITZERLAND”

Amazing Himachal Pradesh in India is also reffered to as “Dev Bhoomi” or “Land Of God”, situated in the foothills of the Western Homalayas, around 6500 meters above the sea-level. The “Himachal” means “The abode Of Snow.” shimla is it’s capital. Himachal is one of the most popular tourist destination in the world because of it’s immense natural beauty. Wide valleys, snow clad mountains, exotic-lakes and rivers and gushing out streams are the few features that Himachal is known for. Around 64% of the area is covered by forests.

The state is divided intp 12 districts, 75 tehsils, 52 sub-divisions, 75 blocks and almost more than 20000 villages and 57 towns. Himachal Pradesh is a multi regional, multicultural as well as multilingual state.

The Hindu communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. There are also tribal population in the state which mainly comprise Gaddis, Kinnars, Gujjars, Pangwals and Lahaulis. A percentage of people are also Tibetans. Sikhs, Muslims and Christians are in minority but they also enjoy the same rights as Hindus.

Himachal Pradesh is also famous for handicrafts, fairs and festivals.  Himachal Pradesh has a rich historybecause it has been inhabited by several clans of people at different ages from the begining of civilization. The earliest of all were the people from the Indus Valley Civilization, during the second ans third millennium BC, and they came here from Gangetic plains. Soo, the Mongolians occupied the region and they were followed by the Aryans. According to the Indian epic, Himachal Pradesh was a conglomeration of several small republics, each constituting a state as well as a cultural unit. Then came Mughals and kings like Mahmud Ghaznavi, Sikandar Lodi, Timur, etc had conquered many places of the state to establish their supremacy. After their kingdom, the Gorkhas captured the land  and then the British. The British continued their supremacy here from 1858 to 1914. Post-Independence, 30 princely states of the area was brought together to form Himachal Pradesh in 1948.

There are some facts in Himachal Pradesh all are not aware of! Himachal Pradesh is called The Indian Switzerlanda World Hewritage Site by the UNESCO and hold the World Record of ” has a lot of mysteries.

Renukaji: The area ha breathtaking architectural sites which shows the delicate craving of the artists. The renuka Lake is also the another mirror like lake that reflects the image of God in it’s beauty.

• The most exciting way to communicate to Shimla is by the “Toy Train”, Kalka-Shimla Railway. The amazing fact is that it declared  a world Heritage Site by the UNESCO and the world record of being the train to cover the steepest slope in least distance(96 km).
• Himachal Pradesh has 33 Sanctuaries and 2 National parks of which The Great National Park has been declared a heritage site by UNESCO.
• Himachal Pradesh proudly holds the title of being The second least corrupt state of India after Kerala.
• Himachal pradesh has some most famous boarding schools that are the oldest running schools established during the British era.
• Kasol is famous as “Mini Israel” because of it’s most of the tourists being that of Israeli origin.
• Malana, an unexposed village is also famous by the name of “The Village Of Taboos.” It is also infamous as “Weed Tourist Destination.”
• Sigri Glacier in Lahaul-Spiti is the largest glacier in Asia.
• Manali-Leh National Highway is the highest motor able-road in the world.
• On 2nd July, 2013, Himachal Pradesh was declared as The first smoke-free state of India.
• All types of polythene bags is banned here.
• Himachal Pradesh is The second largest producer of apple in India.
• The legendary Silk Route, trusted to have been the path for the traders to go to and from other countries such as China, Tibet, Laddakh andKashmir for selling wool,  precious stones and of course silk, is located in Himachal Pradesh.
• Himachal Pradesh is The Land Of God. Almost every village has it’s own Gods and Goddess.
• Himachal towns and villages show traces of the mythological era of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Jakhoo Temple in Shimla is believed to be the place where Lord Hanuman rested while in pursuit of the Sanjeevani booti.
• The Manimahesh Kailash Peak is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
• Renukaji: The area ha breathtaking architectural sites which shows the delicate craving of the artists. The renuka Lake is also the another mirror like lake that reflects the image of God in it’s beauty.