 |
| Location |
North West India bordered by Punjab, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir |
| Area |
55673 sq km |
| Population |
60.7 lakhs |
| Altitude range |
400 ft.- 22878 Ft. |
| Temperature |
Dec-March- -5C to 25C in lower hills
and -5C to 15C in mid hills
April-June- 15C to 35C
in lower hills and 10C to 25C in mid/higher hills
July 15th-Sept- 15C to 30C in lower hills and 10C to 25C in mid/higher hill |
| Rainfall |
1400mm |
| Languages |
Pahari, Hindi, English |
|
Best Time to Visit |
March- September |
Himachal Pradesh came under British control in the middle
of the 19th century. The British annexed Kangra District,
which includes present-day Kangra, Kullu, Hamirpur and Lahaul and Spiti districts in 1846 at the conclusion of
the First Anglo-Sikh War. The remainder of Himachal
Pradesh was made up of a number of princely states.
India became independent of the United Kingdom in 1947 and
current Himachal Pradesh was a part of Punjab. Till
October 1966, Himachal Pradesh comprised only of six hills.
In November 1966, it was expanded with the inclusion of
some of the hilly towns of Punjab like Shimla, Kangra,
Kullu, Lahaul, Spiti, Nalagarh tehsil of Ambala district,
and certain areas of Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts.
Himachal Pradesh was formed into 10 districts and was
declared the 18th state of India on January 25, 1971, with
Shimla as its capital.
Himachal Pradesh ("Snowy Mountain State") is located in
the extreme north-west of India, almost at the extremity
of the large, densely populated part of Asia influenced by
the southwest monsoon. It has a long border with Jammu,
Kashmir and Ladakh on the northwestern side and in the
northern districts of Spiti and Kinnaur, there is a border
with China (Tibet). All these borders, except in the
extreme southwest extremely high passes that are snowbound
except between mid-July and mid-October form where there
is a major road to Jammu town.
Himachal Pradesh is known for the natural beauty of its
forests, rivers, valleys, hills and dales and is rich in
natural resources. The state is located in altitudes
ranging from 450 meters to 6500 meters above sea level. It
is veiled from the plains by the Shivalik range of
mountains. (Shivalik literally means the tresses of Lord
Shiva). There is a general increase in elevation from west
to east and from south to north.
Himachal has rich flora. Forests cover about 38% of the
area. Several varieties of vegetation from the Himalayan
meadows and high altitude birch and down to the tropical
shrub and bamboo forests of the low foothills are found
here. It has a variety of wild life too.
There is great diversification in the climatic conditions
of Himachal due to variation in elevation. It varies from
hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern Low tracts,
warm and temperate (900-1800M), cool and temperate
(1900-2400M) and cold alpine and glacial (2400-4800M) in
the northern and eastern high mountain ranges.
The main season is the spring from mid- Feb to
March-April. The air is cool and fresh. Colourful flowers
adorn the valleys, forest slopes and meadows. In the hill
stations, the climate is pleasant and comfortable. The
rains start at the end of June. The entire landscape
becomes green and fresh. Streams begin to swell and
springs are replenished. The heavy rains in July and
August cause damage leading to erosion, floods and landslides.
Himachal provides water to both the Indus and Ganges
basins. The major river systems of the region are the
Chandrabhaga or the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, the Sutlej
and the Yamuna. These perennial rivers are fed by snow and
rainfall and are protected by a fairly extensive cover of
natural vegetation.
The Himachali economy is mainly dependent on tourism and
apples. Kullu, Manali, Shimla, Palampur and Dharamshala
are famous tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. There
are also some natural minerals in the state. There are two
large cement factories catering not only to the people of
Himachal but also selling in other states. The state has
got significant service class and is one of highest per
capita income states in India.
The tribal population of the state comprise of the Gaddis,
Kinnars, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis. The Gaddis are
the traditional shepherds who migrate from the alpine
pastures to the lower regions during the winters. The
Kinnars are the inhabitants of the Kinnaur region and have
traditionally practiced polyandry and polygamy. The
Gujjars are nomads who rear buffalo herds. Himachal also
has a sizeable population of Buddhists.
About 90% of the population of Himachal Pradesh consists
of Hindus. There main communities are Brahmins, Rajputs,
Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. Other religions are Sikhism and
Buddhism. The Lahaulis of Lahaul and Spiti region are
mainly Buddhists.
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.
HOW TO GET THERE
| Rail: |
Himachal is connected by rail
till Chandigarh, Kalka, Pathankot, Una and Kiratpur
Sahib. It is also connected from Kalka to Shimla by
narrow gauge.
For train schedules, please visit
www.indianrail.gov.in
or book at www.irctc.co.in |
| Road: |
Among all hill states,
Himachal has the highest density of road connection.
Most villages and towns are connected by road. |
| Airport |
Delhi- Shimla |
DN 549 |
0715 hrs |
0830 hrs |
|
| Shimla- Delhi |
DN 550 |
0845 hrss |
1000 hrs |
|
| Delhi- Bhuntar |
DN 557 |
1015 hrs |
1130 hrs |
Daily |
| Bhuntar- Delhi |
DN 558 |
1150 hrs |
1310 hrs |
Daily |
| Delhi- Shimla- Delhi: Jagson
airline flies to Shimla- please check with the airline
for firm flying schedule. |
Gaggal airport (Dharmshala):
Air Deccan flies regularly to Dharmshala via Pathankot
|
| DN 541 |
0630 hrs |
0845 hrs |
DAILY |
| DN 541 |
0900 hrs |
1115 hrs |
DAILY |
|
|
