Himachal Pradesh is a tiny hill state whose pleasant summers make it a popular holiday resort. It came into being in its present form with the partition of the Punjab into Punjab and Haryana in 1966.The Raj still lingers in Shimla, the state capital and former summer capital during British rule. Kullu-Manali are neighbouring resorts, surrounded by pine covered hills and lush meadows. Himachal has, in addition to popular resort towns, a series of secluded hill retreats ideal for interested anglers, trekkers and those  wanting a quiet getaway.

It is a "mountain state" and a delight for visitors, particularly during the summer season when people flock here to escape the scorching heat of the 

plains.  Many of these include: from Shimla – Mashobra, Kufri, Naldehra; those around Kullu-Manali include Manikaran, Naggar and Brighu Lake; the barely accessible valleys of Lahaul and Spiti are a trekker’s delight.
 

The State is bordered by Jammu & Kashmir on North, Punjab on West and South-West, Haryana on South, Uttar Pradesh on South-East and China on the East. 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.

The earliest known inhabitants of the region were tribals called Dasas. 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 the Kanauj rulers. During the Mughal period, the Rajas of the hill states made some mutually agreed arrangements, which governed their relations. In the 19th century, Maharaja 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.

Hiamachal Pradesh 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. For more info on Organic Farming, please refer to www.maati.com.

The State is bordered by Jammu & Kashmir on North, Punjab on West and South-West, Haryana on South, Uttar Pradesh on South-East and China on the East.

PLACES OF INTREREST

SHIMLA

Shimla is the State Capital of Himachal Pradesh, with its population around 1.6 lacs (Shimla town). It was the Summer Capital of India under the British rule. Shimla has 

witnessed many important historical events, such as the famous Shimla Pact between India & Pakistan, which was signed here. The place is also famous for its natural beauty, architectural buildings, wooden crafts and apples. Shimla also is a convenient base for variety of adventure sports such as Skiing, Trekking, Fishing and Golfing etc. 

Shimla is magnificently robed in dense forests of oak and pine, fur and rhododendron, and it is best to travel here on the slow train from Kalka.

CHAMBA

The town of Chamba, the district headquarter of Chamba district is situated in the western Himalayas between north latitudes 32°10' and 33°13' and east longitudes 75°45'  and 77°33'. The town stands on a plateau on the right bank of the Ravi river valley between Dhauladhar and Zanskar ranges south of the inner Himalayas. This town was founded by Raja Sahil Varman when he conquered the lower Rani valley from the petty chiefs called Ranas and Thakurs in the beginning of 10th Century. It seems the 

original name of the town was Champa as mentioned in Kalhan's Rajtarangani. In the bansauli or genealogical rolls of the Chamba Rajas a reference occurs of place which was adorned with highly fragrant Champaka trees and guarded by Goddess Champavati or more popularly known as Chameshni. The temple was built by Sahil Varman in the honour of his daughter Champavati who is worshipped as a goddess in Chamba. Champavati temple became the family temple of the ruling family.

KANGRA

The Kangra valley is one of the most picturesque valley of lower Himalyas. The valley, sheltered by the sublime Dhauladhar range, is green and luxuriant. It provides a  tremendous contrast in nature of places to be visited. Dharamshala is full of Buddhist air whereas ancient Hindu Temples like Brajeshwari, Baijnath, Jawalamukhi and Chamunda Devi dot the country side.

The history of Kangra valley dates back to the Vedic times more than 3500 yrs. ago. The area was exposed to successive invasions, the last being the British domination over the princes of the hill states. Despite the onslaughts and political upheavels, the arts and crafts of the region continued to develop and found lyrical expressions. Crafts like the exquisitely designed shawls and miniature paintings of this region are internationally appreciated.

DHARAMSHALA

Dharamshala is the district headquater of Kangra district. This is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 18kms north east of Kangra town. Hill station is  wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow capped mountains enfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snow line is perhaps more easily  accessible at Dharamshala than at any other hill resort and it is possible to trek to snow point after an early morning's start.

KULLU

The most charming and beautiful Kulu valley spreads out its charm on either side of river Beas. The valley runs north to south of this river and is 80kms. long and about 2kms. at its broadest. Yet with awe inspiring glens and mossy meadows encircled by the rushing streams and meandering brooks, flung east & west, a fairly wide area is  open to the tourists, the trekkers, the mountaineers, the artists and to anyone who wishes to escape the heat & dust of the plains to breathe the exhilarating air of the  Himalaya and enjoy the spectacle of the variegated mountain scenery. The valley is also famous for its exquisitely woven colourful hand made shawls and kullu caps.

LAHAUL VALLEY

Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan Valleys of H.P. lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are unsurpassed in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks.

Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains and massive glaciers. The two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga which rise on either side of the Baralacha La, flow through the narrow Chandra and Bhaga valleys. Lahaul is a land of fascinating Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories of ancient murals, thankas, wood carving and golden images of Padmasambhava. The valley lies at a height of 2745 metres above sea level. Summer in this valley is cool and pleasant with green grass and alpine flowers. There are little monsoon in both these valleys and this enables climbers & trekkers to enjoy a long and unbroken season in perpetual sunshine to explore the wilderness and grandeur of the inner Himalaya. This unique feature makes Lahul-Spiti as an ideal destination for tourists and trekkers in the month of  July, August and September. Keylong is 115 kms. from Manali and is the District Headquarters of Lahul-Spiti District.

SPITI VALLEY

Spiti is the sub division of Lahaul & Spiti district with its hqrs. at Kaza. It is called "Little Tibet" because it has almost the same terrain, vegetation & climate . Spiti also  means "Middle Country". It lies between Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul & Kulu. From Shimla via Kinnaur there is a motorable road which remains open upto Kaza for 8 to 9 months. About 10kms. ahead of Pooh, satluj enters India near Shipki la & Spiti river joins it at Khab. The road then goes to Sumdo via Hangrang valley. From Sumdo Spiti valley starts. The Spiti river flows fast through deep gorges at some places. The valley is not wide but there are villages and some fields where people grow barley, buck- wheat, peas & vegetables. It has an area of 4800 sq. kms. Some inhabitants have adopted Budhism as there faith and Bhoti is the spoken language. The people are simple and honest. The main Spiti valley is split into eastern and western valleys. They are connected with Ladakh & Tibet on eastern side & Kinnaur and Kulu on western side  through high passes. UNA Una has been carved out of Hoshiarpur district of Punjab in 1966 where the hilly areas of Punjab were transferred to Himachal Pradesh and the  whole area is warm. It has borders with Kangra Hamirpur and Bilaspur and then acts as a gateway to these regions. Efforts are being made to develop same places in Nangal and Bhakra areas.

SOLAN

Blessed with a pleasant climate all the year round. Solan has an old brewery and a sprawling horticulture and forestry university. KASAULI: 77 k.m. from Shimla and 35 k.m. from Kalka, at 1927 metres is a quaint little town that seems to exists in a time wrap in an era that reminds one of the 19th century. Its colonial ambience is reinforced by cobbled paths, quaint shops, gabled houses with charming facades and scores of neat little gardens and orchards. Kasauli is surrounded by a mixed forest of chir-pine, 

Himalyan oak and huge horse-chestnuts. Its narrow road slither up and down the hillsides and offer some magnificent vistas. You can get vantage views from Monkey Point, 4  k.m. from the bus stand

CHAIL

43 k.m. from Shimla and with a lush green setting, this was the former 'summer capital' of the Patiala state. At 2250 metres it has the world's highest cricket pitch and a polo ground, the old palace.

MANDI

The historic town of Mandi (800 m) is built along the banks of the river Beas. It has long been an important commercial centre and the sage Mandva is said to have meditated here. This one time capital of the princely state of Mandi is a fast developing town that still retains much of its original charm and character. Today, it is a district headquarters. Mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving, it is often called the 'Varanasi of the Hills'. The town has remains of old palaces and notable examples of 'colonial' architecture.

KINNAUR

Located in the dizzying heights of the Himalayas, with passes that remain closed for six months linking them with the rest of the world, Kinnaur, Spiti & Lahaul were till now a forbidden land. Only a chosen few were granted permission to visit this secret world, officials, Moravian missionaries who settled here in 1853 and a few mountaineers. 

Now this area has been opened for the daring and adventurous to discover what had been hidden from the world for centuries.From the riotous green of the Sangla Valley  filled with orchards of apricots, peaches, chilgozas and apples to the magnificent desolation of the Hangrang Valley, Mother Nature's portrait is an ever changing one in  Kinnaur. This land lying on the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, ringed by the majestic mountain of the Himalayan and Dhauladhar range is the land of plenty. 

The gushing rivers of Kinnaur abound in Trout-the angler's prize catch, their waters have over the centuries chiseled beautiful gorges across this picturesque land and  nurtured one of the most unique societies on there banks. In the lush land live the descendants of the Kinners-the demi gods of the Hindu pantheon, whose deeds have been immortalized.

SIRMAUR

Himachal Pradesh is not only the land of snow and high mountains but also has lower hills known as Shiwalik, where too the tourists can spend their vacations, see the  wonders of nature like the big lakes, wild life parks/ sanctuaries and the fossil parks etc. One such area is district Sirmaur, where a triangle of 3 important tourist places  namely Nahan, Renuka and Paonta Sahib, have attracted many tourists all round the year. There are many attractions available in this triangle. One can visit these places either in the order we have explained or first visit Renuka then Nahan and lastly Paonta Sahib from Shimla side or the vice versa.

NAHAN

The first in the triangle is the town of Nahan situated on an isolated ridge in the Shiwalik hills, overlooking greenfields. Nahan is a well laid-out picturesque town, known for its cleanliness and dust free streets. Saint and princes are linked with the origin of Nahan. The city was founded as a capital by Raja Karan Prakash in 1621. Another version recalls a saint who lived with a companionable Nahar on the site where the Nahan palace now stands "Nahar" means a Lion and probably the town takes its name from this  saint. Nahan situated at an altitude of 932 meters, is a good base for visits to the surrounding areas viz. Renuka, Paonta Sahib, Trilokpur temple and the Suketi Fossil Park. 

It has a pleasant climate throughout the year and is watered by man made lake and decorated with temples and gardens. It is the headquarter of Sirmaur district.

ACTIVITIES

Golfing: Nine hole Golf Course at Naldhera, 23 km from Shimla.

Fishing: Trout fishing at Rohru 110 km from Shimla and at Seema -1 km from Rohru. Mahaseer fishing at Tattapani 43 km from Shimla. Licence fee Rs.10 per day per 

person. Licencing Authority: - Assistant Director-Fisheries, Khaline, Shimla (H.P.), Tel : 4732 & 6985.

Skiing: The skiing season generally commences in the first fortnight of January and continues till Mid-March depending upon snowfall. HPTDC organises ski courses of 7  days and 15 days duration at Narkhanda (65 km) every year. The facilities for the participants include boarding, lodging and equipment. Cost for 7 days Rs. 1500/-, for 15  days Rs. 3000/-

Trekking: The Shimla-Kinnaur region offers some exciting trekking opportunities.

a) Shimla to Kulu via Jaloni Pass (66 kms).

b) Shimla to Kulu via Bashleo Pass (56 kms).

c) Sarahen to Sangla (106 kms).

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area: 18 km²

Altitude: 2,213 metres.

Temperature (°C):

Summer: Max.27, Min.14.5

 Winter: Max.16.5, Min.5.2

Clothings: Summer - Light woollens, Winter - Heavy woollens.

Best Season: April to Mid-July, Mid-September to Mid-November.

Languages Spoken: Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English.

HOW TO GET THERE

Air : Vayudoot services connect Jubbor-Hatti (23 kms from Shimla) with Kullu, Chandigarh and Delhi. Delhi is in turn connected with Culcutta by Indian Airlines flights. 

Jagson Airlines has also flights from Delhi to Shimla. 

Rail: Shimla is connected by a narrow gauge railway line with Kalka (90 kms) which in turn is connected with the major cities in India.

Road: Regular bus services connect Shimla

Distances from Shimla: Chandigarh 117 kms, Kullu 220 kms, Manali 260 kms, Delhi 343 kms, Mandi 150 kms, Pathankot 380 kms, Ambala 151 

kms, Chail 43 kms, Dehradun 240 kms