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. 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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