2. Contents
1. Introduction
2. Geography of Himachal Pradesh
3. Tourist Destinations
4. Flora and Fauna
5. Agriculture
6. How To Reach Himachal Pradesh
7. People And Culture
8. Music And Dance
9. Fairs and Festivals
10. Cuisine
11. Famous Personalities
12. Interesting Facts
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3. Himachal Pradesh : The DevBhumi
• Himachal Pradesh is known as the Devbhumi of India because here it is the cumulation of so many
pilgrimage centre of different religions believes. The few very famous of them are :-
• The Naina Devi Temple at Bilaspur District
• The Hadimba Temple at Dhungri
• The Lakshmi Narayan Temple at Chamba valley
• The Baijnath, Jwalamukhi, Bajreshwari temple at
• Kangra Valley
• The Raghunathji Temple at Kullu
• The Gurudwara at Manikaran, Rewalsar Paonta
• Sahib
• St. Michael's Church at Shimla and many more.
• The land is blessed with very beautiful scenic views all over, a heaven for nature lovers and the
photographers.
• Himachal is a thrill land for the adventure lovers. Tourist from all over the world gather here for various
adventurous activities.
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4. The Land
• Being a sub-Himalayan state, Himachal Pradesh has a varied
climate that changes with altitude. The climate ranges from warm
and sub-humid tropical at low altitudes to cold and icy at high
altitudes. There are three main seasons: winter from October to
March, summer from April to June and rainy from July to
September.
• Himachal Pradesh is located in the Northern region of India. The
state is surrounded by Jammu & Kashmir on the North, Punjab on
the West and the South-West, Haryana on the South, Uttar
Pradesh on theSouth-East and China on the East.
• Thecommon languages spoken are Hindi, Pahari, and Punjabi.
AREA 55,673 km
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5. Tourist DESTINATIONS
• Himachal is peppered with the awesome landscape that is a dream of everyone.
• With lofty Himalayas draped with snow, deep valleys, vast woods, chilled rivers, green
surroundings, scenic lakes and deep gorges, Tourist attractions in Himachal appeals to
your sight and mind.
• In addition to this, there are a number of tourist places in Himachal Pradesh that add to
its overall charm.
• Various adventure sports such as trekking, skiing, ice-skating, river rafting, paragliding,
etc. that give many reasons to tourists to get drawn to Himachal.
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6. SHIMLA
Shimla is one of the best refuges during vacations and a perfect
destination for tourist. Various tourist attractions are Mall Road,
Kali Bari Temple, Christ Church, Summer Hill, Shimla Ridge, etc.
The place is a wonderful abode for nature lovers who feel like
exploring all the tourist places in Himachal Pradesh.
MANALI (265 Kms. away from Shimla)
Manali is an amazing destination for mountain lovers and
especially the snowcapped mountains. People can have fun over
the snow blanket of the Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass or can
visit the holy Hadimba Temple or the Vashisht Temple.
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7. LAHAUL AND SPITI (Tabo (Spiti) – 355 Kms away from Shimla)
Lahaul and Spiti showcase a number of heritage spots and primitive
places. Here, you come across monasteries, lakes, valleys, rivers,
gorges, mountains, temples, etc. that make the place completely
arresting. One can explore the royal heritages of Gondla or can have
the sacred essence of the Guru Ghantal Monastery. This makes
Lahaul and Spiti one of the best Himachal Pradesh tourist spots.
KULLU ( 208 kms away from Shimla )
Kullu is a heavenly valley that is considered to be one of the best destinations for
tourists. The hill station is marked with the splendid River Beas as well as a series of
attractions such as Bijli Mahadev Temple, Jagannathi Devi Temple, various wildlife
sanctuaries, Raghunath Temple, etc. The place is also an amazing spot for trekkers
and adventure lovers
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8. Flora and Fauna
Himachal Pradesh is one of the states that lies in the Indian Himalayan Region
(IHR), one of the richest reservoirs of biological diversity in the world.
According to 2003 Forest Survey of India report, legally defined forest areas
constitute 66.52% of the area of Himachal Pradesh. Vegetation in the state is
dictated by elevation and precipitation. The state is endowed with a high diversity
of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Lahaul-Spiti region of the state, being a cold desert, supports unique plants of
medicinal value including Ferula jaeschkeana, Hyoscyamus niger, Lancea
tibetica, and Saussurea bracteata.
Himachal is also said to be the fruit bowl of the country, with orchards being widespread.
Meadows and pastures are also seen clinging to steep slopes. After the winter season, the
hillsides and orchards bloom with wild flowers, while gladiolas, carnations, marigolds,
roses, chrysanthemums, tulips and lilies are carefully cultivated.
Himachal Pradesh has around 463 bird 77 mammalian, 44 reptile and 80 fish species. Great
Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Pin Valley National Park are
the national Parks located here. The state also has 30 wildlife sanctuaries and 3 conservation 8
9. Agriculture
• Agriculture accounts for 9.4% of the net state domestic product. It is the main source of
income and employment in Himachal. About 90% of the population in Himachal depends
directly upon agriculture, which provides direct employment to 62% of total workers of state.
• The main cereals grown include wheat, maize, rice and barley with major cropping systems
being maize-wheat, rice-wheat and maize-potato-wheat.
Pulses, fruits, vegetables and oilseeds are among the other crops grown in the state.
• Apple is the principal cash crop of the state grown principally in the districts of Shimla,
Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and some parts of Sirmaur and Lahaul-Spiti with an average
annual production of five lakh tonnes and per hectare production of 8 to 10 tonnes.
• The apple cultivation constitute 49 per cent of the total area under fruit crops and 85% of
total fruit production in the state with an estimated economy of ₹3500 crore. Apples from
Himachal are exported to other Indian states and even other countries. In 2011-12, the total
area under apple cultivation was 104,000 hectares, increased from 90,347 hectares in 2000-
01.
• According to the provisional estimates of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, the
annual apple production in Himachal for fiscal 2015–16 stood at 753,000 tonnes, making it
India's second-largest apple-producing state after Jammu and Kashmir. 9
10. How to Reach Himachal Pradesh ??
By Air
• For those tourists who come outside India the best airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport.
However, Kullu also houses an airport that is only 23km away. There are regular flights from Delhi to
Kullu.
• Himachal has three Domestic Airports in Kangra, Kullu and Shimla districts. The air routes connect the
state with Delhi and Chandigarh.
• Bhuntar Airport is in Kullu district, around 10 kilometres (6 mi) from district headquarters.
• Gaggal Airport is in Kangra district, around 15 kilometres (9 mi) from district headquarters
at Dharamshala, which is around 10 kilometers from Kangra
• Shimla Airport is around 21 kilometres (13 mi) west of the city.
By Road
• The most beautiful Indian State is well connected via road to all the major cities of the country.
• Three National Highways criss-cross Himachal Pradesh.
• NH-20 enters Himachal through Pathankot, which connect Nurpur, Dharamshala, Palampur,
Joginder Nagarand ends at Mandi.
• NH-21 begins at Chandigarh and goes up to Leh via Bilaspur, Mandi and Kullu Manali.
• NH-22 starts from Ambala and goes upto Kinnaur via Solan, Shimla, Narkanda and Rampur .
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11. By Rail
• In fact, there are no railway tracks in the entire state because of the loft hills. But, Kalka(90km
away) is the nearest railway station to reach to Himachal Pradesh to explore major tourist spots
in Himachal Pradesh.
• There are regular trains from Ambala to Kalkaand Pathankot - Joginder Nagar through a Narrow-
gauge line.
Kalka-Shimla Railway
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12. People and Culture
• Around 96% of the population of the state is of Hindus. The major communities includes
Brahmins, Rajputs, Choudharies, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. The tribal population
comprises the Gaddis, Kinnars, Jadun, Tanolis. Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis.
• The Lahaulis of Lahaul and Spiti and native of Spiti, Kinnaur region mainly comprises
Buddhists.
• Muslim, Christian and Sikhs are in minority but they also enjoy the same rights as
Hindus.
• Around 40% of the population of the state like Himachali Topi to wear. Himachali Topi is
one of the symbol of Himachal. Himachali Topi recognize that we are Himachali.
• Hindi is the official language of Himachal Pradesh and is spoken by the majority of the
population as a lingua franca. Sanskrit is the additional official language of the
state, though it is largely restricted to educational and symbolic use.
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13. Music and Dance
• Music and dance of Himachal Pradesh reflects its cultural identity. Through their
dance and music, they entreat their gods during local festivals and other special
occasions. There are also dances that are specific to certain regions of the state.
• Some of the dance forms of Himachal are Losar Shona
Chuksam (Kinnaur), Dangi (Chamba), Gee Dance and Burah dance,
(Sirmour), Naati, Kharait, Ujagjama and Chadhgebrikar (Kullu)
and Shunto (Lahaul & Spiti).
• People of the state generally prefer folk music. There is no classical form of
music, as for the Himachal Pradesh is concerned.
• Himachali dance forms are highly varied and quite complicated.
• These dances are very vital part of the tribal life. It reflects the culture and the
tradition of Himachal Pradesh.
• Hardly any festivity here is celebrated without dancing. Some of the dance forms
like Dulshol, Dharveshi, Drodi, Dev Naritya, Rakshas
Nritya, Dangi, Lasa, Nati and Nagas are danced all over the region.
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14. Fairs and Festivals
• There are a variety of festivals celebrated by the locals of Himachal
Pradesh who worship gods and goddesses.
• There are over 2000 villages in Himachal Pradesh which celebrate
festivals such as Kullu Dussehra, Chamba’s Minjar, Renuka
jiFair, Lohri, Halda, Phagli, Lossar and Mandi Shivratri.
• These festivals are the time for the Himachalis to adorn colourful dress
and accessories and get mixed up with the rest of their kins.
• The centuries-old Sair festival is celebrated mainly
in Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu and Solan districts every year in mid-
September. It is celebrated to mark the end of the crop harvest and also
the rakhi thread are removed and offered to the mother Sairi.
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16. Cuisine
• The day-to-day food of Himachalis is very similar to that of the rest of north India. They too
have lentil, broth, rice, vegetables and bread. As compared to other states in north India non-vegetarian cuisine
is preferred.
• Traditionally, Himachali cuisine is dominated by red meat and wheat bread. Thick and rich gravy, with aromatic
spices, is used in abundance as the base of many dishes. Dham is the traditional food served in marriages or
other functions.
• Siddu, Patrode, Pachole, Cheele and Babru are the authentic snack dishes of the state.
Dhaam (complete meal) Pachole Chha Gosht Siddu
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17. Famous Personalities From The Land Of Snow
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Priety Zinta
The dimpled beauty with a number of amazing movies to
her name too has her roots in the pahari terrain. Born in a
small town of Rohru in the Shimla district she has done
her schooling from the very celebrated The Convent of
Jesus and Mary school and an another very famous all
girls college in Shimla, St. Bedes.
The Great Khali
Dilip Singh Rana, better known as The Great Khali is an
internationally famed wrestler who needs no introduction.
This 7 ft 3" tall wrestler is famous for his unique fighting
skills.
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Ruskin Bond
This Padma Shree and Sahitya Academy award winner
author is a well known name with children and adults
alike. He has stretched out some fantastic characters and
stories like Room on the Roof, A Face in the Dark, The
Blue Umbrella and many more of which many have a plot
rooted in the pahari region of Himachal Pradesh and
Uttrakhand.
Kangna Ranaut
The beautiful Kangna Ranaut has established her
name in the Indian film industry through hard work,
brilliant acting skills and her bold and upfront
persona. The winner of many awards, she hails from
a place called Bhambha in the Mandi district of
Himachal Pradesh.
Captain Vikram Batra
Hailing from a small village called Ghuggar in the
Palampur region of Himachal, he is the brave army officer
of our country who showed his valour in the Kargil war,
1999. He was awarded the highest bravery award of the
nation, the Param Veer Chakra posthumously.
19. Interesting Facts About
Himachal Pradesh
1. The word Himachal is a combination of the Sanskrit words, “Hima” and “Anchal”, which means
“snow” and “lap” respectively. It is no coincidence that the state is located in the lap of the Himalayas.
2. The integration of four districts, Mandi, Chamba, Mahasu, and Sirmour, with 30 princely states, led to
the formation of Himachal Pradesh as a Union Territory in 1948. Eventually, in 1971, the province
attained statehood and become the 18th state in India.
3. The capital of Himachal Pradesh is Shimla. The city sits atop seven hills, and is popularly referred to
as the Queen of Hills.
4. The principal languages spoken in Himachal Pradesh are Hindi and Pahari.
5. The animal symbol of Himachal Pradesh is snow leopard.
6. The bird symbol of Himachal Pradesh is Western Tragopan.
7. The flower symbol of Himachal Pradesh is Pink Rhododendron.
8. The Indian Cedar or Himalayan cedar is the tree symbol of Himachal Pradesh.
9. Among India’s greenest states, Himachal Pradesh has a staggering 37,033 square kilometres of forest
area, which makes 66.52% of the total land area.
10.Himachal Pradesh is home to 33 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 5 National Parks.
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20. Done By : Sneha
Shaji
Class: X
Subject : English
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