Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is a beautiful Himalayan region bordered by Jammu and Kashmir to the north, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the south, Uttarakhand to the south-east, and Punjab to the west and to the south-west. Himachal Pradesh is the region of snowy mountains, as it is located in the western Himalaya. Its capital is Shimla, which was formerly British India’s summer capital.

Places to visit
Major attractions of Himachal Pradesh are Shimla, Dalhousie, Chamba, Kullu and Manali, Kangra-Dharamshala-Palampur and Paonta-Nahan.

Climate
Himachal Pradesh experiences three seasons: hot, cold and rainy seasons.

Languages
Himachal Pradesh comprises 12 districts. There are Hindi, Pahari, Dogri, Mandialli, Kangri, Gojri and Kinnauri.

Communities
There are Brahmins, Rajputs, Gujjars, Gaddis, Gojri, Bilaspuri, Kannets, Rathis, Kolis and Punjabi in Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest literacy rates in India.

Culture
The Himalayan state offers handicrafts, comprising carpet, shawl, leather work, metalware, woodwork and paintings. Pashmina shawl is high in demand all over the country. Kullu is famous for shawls with vibrant colours. However Kangra and Dharamshala are famous for miniature paintings.

Himachal Pradesh is home to a variety of birds and animals. There are around 1200 bird and 359 animal species in the state.

Cuisine
Himachal Pradesh’s cuisine is charming. It includes Pateer, Chouck, Bhagjery, Jhoul, Patradoe, Sidku, Bedaun, Chutney, Madra, Khatti Dal, Ambua, Pahari Aloo and Pahari Murga.

Air Transport
There are three domestic airports in Himachal: Shimla Airport, Bhunta Airport and Gaggal Airport. However, most international flights land at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.