HIMACHAL PRADESH STATE INFO.

Himachal popularly known as the Devbhumi ­– "Land of the Gods", Himachal Pradesh has God gifted beautiful hills and mountains in northern India nestled in western Himalayas. The state is surrounded by the Tibetan plateau to the east, Jammu and Kashmir to the north, and the Punjab to the west. However the state stands apart from its neighbours in terms of its sheer topographic diversity and breathtaking pristine natural beauty. From vast tracts of high-altitude Trans-Himalayan desert to dense green deodar forests, from apple orchards to cultivated terraces, from snow capped high Himalayan mountain ranges to snow fed lakes and gushing rivers.

Political History - The earliest known inhabitants of the region were Dasas tribals. Later, Aryans came and they assimilated in the tribes. In the later centuries, the hill chieftains accepted suzerainty of the Mauryan empire, the Kaushans, the Guptas and Kanuaj rulers. During the Mughal period, the Rajas of the hill states made some mutually agreed arrangements which governed their relations. In the 19th century, Ranjit Singh annexed/subjugated many of the states. When the British came, they defeated Gorkhas and entered into treaties with some Rajas and annexed the kingdoms of others. The situation more or less remained unchanged till 1947. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and Himachal Pradesh was formed on 15th April, 1948. With the recognition of Punjab on 1st November, 1966, certain areas belonging to it were also included in Himachal Pradesh. On 25th January, 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a full-fledged State.

Activities in Himachal Pradesh : Mountaineering, Ttrekking, River Rafting, Rock Climbing, Heli skiing, Para Gliding, Skiing, Angling, Mountain Biking, Ice Crafting beside cultural activies, Tea tours etc.

Well known destinations of Himachal Pradesh:
Parwanoo, Shimla, Lahaul Spiti, Manali, Kullu, Manikaran, Rewalsar, Mandi, Palampur, Baijnath, Dharamsala, Chamba, Bharmour,Khajjiar,Paonta Sahib,Dalhousie, Kangra.

Temples in Himachal Pradesh : Mata Naina Devi, Chintpurani Temple, Jwala Ji, Brijeshwari Mata Temple, Chamunda ji Mata temple, Baba Balak Nath Temple, Baijnath Shiva Temples, Mata Shitla Temple,Chaurasi Temple Complex, Laxmi Narayan Temple. Beside these famous temples Himachal Pradesh is full of other temples, Monasteries, Churches and Gurudwaras.