India Travel

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is a "mountain state" and a delight for visitors, particularly during the summer season when people flock to this tiny hill station to escape the scorching heat of the plains. Himachal Pradesh is a major product in the Indian tourism market. The winding roads and high passes link its high mountains and valleys are the high points of a visit to this state. While the picturesque valleys of Kullu and Kangra are a blend of colours, in marked contrast the stark and barren terrain of Lahaul and Spiti have a stunning moonscape like beauty. Neighbouring regions are Tibet to the east, Jammu and Kashmir to the north and northwest, Punjab to the southwest, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the south and Uttarakhand to the southeast.

Hiamachal Pradesh offers much for those looking to experience the Himalayas. While it doesn't claim the highest peaks in the range, there is plenty to do aside from mountaineering. The is developing Eco Tourism and Organic Farming destinations, where quite a few villages are turning as eco tourism destinations, and farms being converted to Organic Farming.

Weather

Due to variation in elevation (450-6500mtrs), the weathert varies from hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern Low tracts, warm and temperate, cool and temperate and cold alpine and glacial in the northern and eastern high mountain ranges. The year can be divided into three seasons - Cold (October to February), hot (March to June) and rainy (July to September). By October, nights and mornings becomes very cold. Snowfall at elevations of about 3000mtrs is about 3mtrs and lasts from December to March.


Tourism:

Himachal Pradesh is the eco-friendly hill state, offers breathtaking scenery and has history of rich culture and heritage. One can witness celebrations, fairs and festivals, wild life and nature. There are also opportunities for trekking, mountaineering, fishing, river rafting, skiing, para-gliding, ice skating and golf. Himachal Pradesh Tourism has segregated the state into four circuits:

1.The Sutlej Voyage circuit passes through the Shiwalik foot hills through ski slopes and the Sutlej river. This circuit covers Delhi - Rohru - Rampur - Sarahan - Narkanda - Naldehra - Tattapani - Shimla - Kiarighat - Delhi. This voyage also includes Renuka, Paonta Sahib and Nahan.

2.The Beas Voyage covers the highly picturesque Beas, known as the valley of gods and covers Delhi - Shimla - Mandi - Rewalsar - KulluManali - Rohtang - Nagar Manikaran - Delhi. One can also continue to Leh across the Baralacha pass.

3.The Dhauladhar Voyage circuit passes through Delhi - Chintpurni - Jwalamukhi - Kangra - Dalhousie - Khajjiar - Chamba - Dharamsala - Chamunda - Palampur - Jogindernagar - Delhi.

4.The Tribal Voyage Circuit covers: Delhi - Shimla - Narkanda/Hatkoti - Sarahan - Sangla - Kalpa - Pooh - Nako - Tabo - Dhankar - Kaza - Losar - Kunzam - Koksar - Sissu - Keylong - Udaipur - Trilokpur - Rohtang - Manali - Delhi.

The other attractions of Himachal Pradesh includes Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries, Lakes and Rivers, Heritage Monuments and Museums, Temples, Buddhist Monasteries, Sikh Pilgrimage Centres and Churches.

Places of Tourist Interest:

Hill Stations : The major hill stations of Himachal Pradesh are Shimla, Manali, D alhousie, Kufri, Dharamshala and Chail.

Temples : There are more than 2000 temple in Himachal Pradesh. The important temples are Bajreshwari temple, Baijanath, Jwalamukhi temple, Chamunda Devi Temple (all around Kangra); Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Chaurasi Temple and Chattari Temple (in and around Chamba); Tarna Devi Temple, Prashar Temple, Shikari Devi Temple (around Mandi); Raghunathji Temple, Bijli Mahadev Temple, Dhoongri Temple (in and around Kullu); Hatkoti and Jankhu and Sankat Mochan (in Shimla).

Monasteries : Since Buddhists are the second largest section of the population, the abundance of monasteries is, therefore, obvious in Himachal Pradesh. Guru Ghantal Monastery, Kardang Monastery, Shashur monastery, Tayul Gompa, Kye monastery, Thang Yug Gompa, Dhankar monastery and Tabo monastery are some of the well known and important monasteries of the state.

Adventure Tourism : The majestic Himalayas along with its numerous lakes, rivers and forest provides opportunities for tourists to induldge in exciting adventure sports like trekking, camping, skiing, paragliding, river rafting and mountaineering. Trekking areas in Himachal include Manali, Chamba, Sach Pass, Dharamsala, Shimla. The camping sites are available at Sarchu in Lahaul, Sangla and Kalpa in Kinnaur and Kaza in Spiti. The slopes of Kufri near Shimla is good for skiing and there is no need to be trained to enjoy skiing in Himachal Pradesh. The important places for paragliding are Bundal Dhar near Bilaspur, the Kullu valley and the Intkali near Rohru. River rafting can be enjoyed on the Sutlej river near Shimla, the river Beas near Kullu and the river Rabi near Chamba. Mountaineering is possible in area around Manali.

Festivals & Events:

Shivratri Fair - is an international fair, full of colours and pageantry. Held every year in Mandi, the event involves assembly of hundreds of local deities, cultural programme in the evenings, exhibitions and trade of different items.

Rafting Cup - is a Rafting competition and teams from different countries participate in the event. Rafting starts from Pandoha and ends in Tattapani. Pandoha is 70Kms. from Shimla.

Baba Balak Nath Fair - is held during march and april and is organized to worship the Sidh Shri Baba Balak Nath Shrines. Pilgrims from all over the country including abroad visit for the blessings in the Sidh Shri Baba Balak Nath Shrines. Place of event : Shah Talai, 42 Kms. from Bilsapur.

Spring Festival - is held during 28th to 30th April every year at Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra, Kullu. A wholesome entertainment, the festival is full of cultural programmes showcasing the folk music and dances of Himachal Pradesh.

Summer Festival - Held during 1st Week of June at The Ridge Shimla, this festival is a wholesome entertainment for the tourists. Cultural programmes are organized duing evenings.

Prashar Mela - Prashar Mela is held in Prashar which is 48 Kms from Mandi. Local pilgrims, Indian & Foreign tourists visit this mela.

Shravan Ashtami Fair - is held at ancient Durga Temples like Chamunda, Naina devi ji, Bajreshwari and Jawala ji. Large number of pilgrims visit the temples to seek the blessings of the Goddess.

Minjar Fair - is held in Chamba on 2nd Sunday of Sawan month & culminating on 3rd Sunday July/August. Most prominent, peculiar & popular fair of Chamba which is celebrated in the memory of victory of Raja of Chamba over Raja of Kangra exhibits traditional crafts and cultural programmes.

Dal Lake Fair - is organized on the Radhaashtmi Day which falls in Aug/Sept. every year. The devout take a holy dip in the sacred Dal Lake. The site is also a famous tourist spot.

Tribal Festival - is organized at Police Ground, Keylong during 14th to 16 Aug. every year. The cultural events held during the festival highlights the folk and arts of the tribal and other areas of Himachal Pradesh attracts the tourists and locals alike.

Ashiwin Navratra Mela - is held in Naina Deviji, Chintpurni. Large number of pilgrims visit the temples to seek the blessings of the Goddess Durga.

Kullu Dussehra - is held every year during Dussehra in Kullu. This is an international fair marked with assembly of hundreds of local deities with the main deity Raghunathji. Other activities like cultural programmes, sports competition, exhibitions are also organized.

Hamir Utsav - is held in Hamirpur during November every year. The event is marked with cultural programmes show casing the folk music and dances of Himachal Pradesh and other states. The Hamir Utsav is celebrated in the memory of existence of Hamirpur District.

Great Himalayan Marathon - is held during November in Shimla. The Theme and the massage of this event is nourishing the unique bio-diversity of the Great Himalayas.


When to Go

The best time to visit Himachal Pradesh is during middle of February to March-April.

 

Interesting Fact

The world's highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Built in 1893 after levelling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level.

Kullu Holi is marked by mixing snow with colours- making it an 'Ice-Holi'. While, the main celebrations are held at the world famous Slang Pass, which witnesses heaviest snowfall in the country.

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