10. Himachal Pradesh

 

Himachal Pradesh is ideal for outdoor activities such as skiing.

 
Tourism in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is famous for its Himalayan landscapes and popular hill-stations. Many outdoor activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, ice-skating, and heli-skiing are popular tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla, the state capital, is very popular among tourists. The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a Mountain railway which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Shimla is also a famous skiing attraction in India. Other popular hill stations include Manali and Kasauli.

Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama, is known for its Tibetan monasteries and Buddhist temples. Many trekking expeditions also begin here. 


Great Himalayas

‘Himalayas in Himachal’ or one must say Himachal in Himalayas. ‘Him’ in Hindi literally means ice or snow and ‘alaya’ means home, which makes Himalayas ‘The Home of Snow’ and from there Himachal gets its name meaning ‘Land of Snow’.



The Himalayas affect the climate of Himachal as well. Huge variations in the elevations of mountains (from 450m to 6500m) cause big differences in climatic conditions.

Different climatic conditions according to the elevations are:

450m-950m - Hot & Sub-Humid Tropical
900m-1800m - Warm
1900m-2400m - Cool
2400m-4800m & Above - Cold Alpine & Glacial

The Himalayas, fulfilling its promise, are a reservoir of immense amount of ‘Him’ in the forms of Ice, Fresh and Underground Water. And the seeping of this moisture originates a number of rivers, which flows through the land of Himachal, namely Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Yamuna. It is also the reason of dozens of lakes that covered Himachal Pradesh.

From the underground waters to the peak of mountains, Himalayas has blessed Himachal with great natural riches. In between, the Passes, the Valleys and the Hot Springs are also the gifts of Himalaya to Himachal.

History

Himachal Pradesh has been inhabited by human beings since the dawn of civilization. It has a rich and varied history which can be divided into several distinct eras.

Prehistory and Protohistory

About 2 million years ago man lived in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh, viz in the Bangana valley of Kangra, Sirsa valley of Nalagarh and Markanda valley of Sirmour. The foothills of the state were inhabited by people from Indus valley civilization which flourished between 2250 and 1750 B.C. People of Indus valley civilization pushed the original inhabitants of Ganga plains who were known as Kolorian people towards north. They moved to the hills of Himachal Pradesh where they could live peacefully and preserve their way of life.

In the Vedas they have been referred to as Dasas, Dasyus and Nishadas while in later works they have been called Kinnars, Nagas and Yakshas. The Kols or Mundas are believed to be the original migrants to the hills of present day Himachal.

The second phase of migrants came in the form of Mongoloid people known as Bhotas and Kiratas. Later on came the third and most important wave of migrants in the form of the Aryans who left their Central Asian home. These laid the base of history and culture of Himachal Pradesh.

Early History up to Harsha

According to the Mahabharta the tract which forms the present day Himachal Pradesh was made up of number of small republics known as Janpadas each of which constituted both a state and cultural unit.

Audumbras: They were the most prominent ancient tribes of Himachal who lived in the lower hills between Pathankot and Jwalamukhi. They formed a separate state in 2 B.C.

Trigarta: The state lay in the foothills drained by three rivers, i.e. Ravi, Beas and Satluj and hence the name. It is believed to have been an independent republic.

Kuluta: The kingdom of Kilita was situated in the upper Beas valley which is also known as the Kully valley. Its capital was Naggar.

Kulindas: This kingdom covered the area lying between the Beas, Satluj and Yamuna rivers, i.e. the Shimla and Sirmour hills. Their administration resembled a republic with members of a central assembly sharing the powers of the king.

Gupta Empire: Chandragupta slowly subdued most of the republics of Himachal by show of strength or use of force though he usually did not rule them directly. Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta extended his boundaries to the Himalyan region. He introduced Buddhism to this tract. He built many stupas one of which is in the Kullu valley.

Harsha: After the collapse of Gupta empire and before the rise of Harsha, this area was again ruled by petty chiefs known as Thakurs and Ranas. With the rise of Harsha in the early 7th century, most of these small states acknowledged his overall supremacy though many local powers remained with the petty chiefs.

Rajput Period: A few decades after Harsha's death (647 A.D.) many Rajput states ascended in Rajsthan and Indus plains. They fought amongst themselves and the vanquished moved to the hills with their followers, where they set up small states or principalities. These states were Kangra, Nurpur, Suket, Mandi, Kutlehar, Baghal, Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Keonthal, Dhami, Kunihar, Bushahar, Sirmour.

Mughal Rule: The small hill kingdom enjoyed a large degree of independence till the eve of Muslim invasions in northern India. States of the foothills were devastated by Muslim invaders from time to time. Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the begining of the 10th centuary. Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills and captured several forts and fought many battles. Later on as the Mughal dynasty began to break up; the rulers of the hill states took full advantage. The Katoch rulers of Kangra availed of this opportunity and Kangra regained independence under Maharaja Sansar Chand who ruled for nearly half a centuary. He was one of the ablest administrators of the region. After he took formal possession of Kangra fort, Sansar Chand began to expand his territory. The states of Chamba, Suket, Mandi, Bilaspur, Guler, Jaswan, Siwan and Datarpur came under the direct or indirect control of Sansar Chand.

Anglo-Gorkha and Anglo-Sikh War: The Gorkhas, a martial tribe came to power in Nepal in the year 1768. They consolidated their military power and began to expand their territory. Gradually the Gorkhas annexed Sirmour and Shimla hill states. With the leadership of Amar Singh Thapa, Gorkhas laid siege to Kangra. They managed to defeat Sansar Chand, the ruler of kangra, in 1806 with the help of many hill chiefs. However Gorkhas could not capture Kangra fort which came under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in 1809. After this defeat the Gorkhas began to expand towards south. This resulted in the Anglo-Gorkha war. They came into direct conflict with the English along the tarai belt after which the English expelled them from the hill states east of the Satluj. Thus British slowly emerged as the paramount powers in this tract. After the Anglo-Gorkha war the common border of the British domain and Punjab became very sensitive. Both the Sikh and English wanted to avoid a direct conflict, but after the death of Ranjit Singh, the Khalsa army fought a number of wars with the British. In 1845 when the Sikhs invaded the British territory by crossing the Satluj, the rulers of many hill states sided with the English as they were looking for an opportunity to settle scores with the former. Many of these rulers entered into secret communication with the English. After the first Anglo-Sikh war, the British did not restore the hill territory vacated by Sikhs to their original owners.

Revolt of 1857: The revolt or first Indian war of independence resulted due to the building up of political, social, economic, religious and military grievances against the British. People of the hill states were not politically alive as the people in other parts of the country. They remained more or less aloof and so did their rulers with the exception of Bushahr. Some of them even rendered help to the Britishers during the revolt. Among them were the rulers of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami. The rulers of Bushars acted in a manner hostile to the interests of British. However it is not clear whether they actually aided the rebels or not.

British Rule 1858 to 1914: The British territories in the hill came under British Crown after Queen Victoria's proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba, Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule. During the first World War, virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort both in the form of men and materials. Amongst these were the states of Kangra, Siba, Nurpur, Chamba, Suket, Mandi and Bilaspur.

Freedom Struggle 1914 to 1947: The people of the hill also participated in the freedom struggle. Praja Mandal launched agitations against the British yoke in areas under direct British Rule. In other princely states agitations were launched for social and political reforms. However these were directed more against the princes than against the British and as such were mere extensions of freedom movement. The Mandi conspiracy was carried out in 1914-15 under the influence of the Gadhr party. Meetings were held in Mandi and Suket states in December 1914 and January 1915 and it was decided to murder the Superintendent and Wazir of Mandi and Suket, to loot the treasury and blow up the bridge over Beas river. However conspirators were caught and sentenced to long terms in prison. The Pajhota agitation in which the people of a part of Sirmour state revolted is regarded as an extension of the Quit India Movement of 1942. Important freedom fighters of this state during this period included Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Padam Dev, Shivanand Ramaul, Purnanand, Satya Dev, Sada Ram Chandel, Daulat Ram, Thakur Hazara Singh and Pahari Gandhi Baba Kanshi Ram. The Congress party was also active in the freedom movement in the hill state particularly in Kangra.

Post-Independence Period: The history of present day Himachal Pradesh in the post-independence era has been outlined below:
The Chief Commissioner's province of H.P. came into being on 15th April, 1948.
H.P. became a part C state on 26th January, 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution of India.
Bilaspur was merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1st July, 1954.
Himachal Pradesh became Union Territory on 1st November, 1956.
Kangra and most of the other hill areas of Punjab were merged with H.P. on 1st November, 1966 though its status remained that of a Union Territory.
On 18th December, 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25th January, 1971. Thus H.P. emerged as the eighteenth state of Indian Union.
Himachal Pradesh has come a long way since then. It has seen a number of full-fledged governments which have led the state towards economic self-reliance.

Topography

The Land of Himachal

Popularly known as the Devbhumi ¬– "Land of the Gods", Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hill state in India, nestles in north-west region of western Himalayas. The state is landlocked with 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.

Flora & Fauna

Along with this diversity, comes a vast range of flora and fauna. The outer fringe of Himachal is formed by the Siwalik Hills which are characterized by shallow dips and low dense scrub. The extravagance of the Indian sun mellows as the hills climb higher and tropical vegetation parts to woods of scented pine - which merge into forests of oak and flowering rhododendron. The mid-ranges have the majestic Himalayan cedars (the almost legendary ‘deodar’), and spruce. Then close to the snowline, come stretches of fir, alder and birch. The chil pine which gives the tasty kernel – the ‘Chilgoza’ and huge elms tiling and horse-chestnuts, make cameo appearances.

Wild flowers, a variety of ferns and grasses and rare medicinal herbs form the groundcover - while vast meadows just under the sky, are lined by juniper and lichens. Past the snow peaks, the land is largely arid for the monsoon rains – India’s lifeline; that are forced to remain south of this impassable mountain barrier.

For countless centuries Himachal has been home to a variety of birds and animals. There are pheasants whose colours can place rainbows in the shade; then there are partridges and patient kites, ibex, antelopes, deer, bears, leopards, the rare bharal and thar - and the elusive snow leopard.

The Stunning Rhododendrons

The word 'rhododendron' comes from the Greek rhodon, rose and dendron, tree. Of the bushes and trees of this species that grow in Himachal Pradesh, the most common is the rhododendron arboreum.

Locally called 'brass', this is a tree that normally grows to a height of 20 to 25 feet - though there are numerous cases where it has shot beyond twice that height. Crowded on large corymbs, the flowers are displayed on a platter of oblong leaves that are up to five inches long. With ten stamens, the corolla is bell-shaped. The rhododendron arboreum grows between 6,000 and 8,000 feet and seems to have struck a symbiotic relationship with the oaks and normally shares the forest slopes with this other remarkable tree.

Until 1820, the spectacular Himalayan varieties were unknown in Western botanical circles. That year - carefully packed in brown sugar – the first rhododendron arboretum seeds reached England. They had been sent by Nathaniel Wallich, a Danish surgeon who for 30 years was the director of the Calcutta Botanical Garden. These seeds were to become a part of the genetic heritage of hundreds of hybrids and today, the rhododendron reigns supreme over the world's flowering evergreens.

Unlike the rhododendron arboreum which grows as a full tree, the rhododendron campanulatum is a bush that exhibits all the beauty of the flower at eye level; the latter is the state flower of Himachal.

The Great Western Tragopan and the Monal

Himachal Pradesh is home to several breeds of pheasant. These roly-poly birds are visually stunning and have a rare plumage. The best known among them are the Monal, the Khalij, the Koklas and the Great Western Triagopan. Till recently, the Monal was the state bird of Himachal and the role has now been taken by the Great Western Tragopan. The Tragopan, Tragopan melanocephalus is locally called the 'Juju Rana', or the king of birds. Local lore has it that when God finished making the world, He was still not satisfied with what He had made; the perfect creature had still not been created. He then took a colour from every being and then, brought into the world the delicately coloured Great Western Tragopan. For a long time, these birds were hunted and their meat was prized - and the feathers were used to decorate clothing that varied from brooches to adornments on caps. Their habitat was also greatly encroached upon and the oak and cedar woods which support them were bordered by villages, farms and orchards.

The bird finds mention as an 'endangered species' in the Red Data Book of the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is also a Schedule I species in India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The Western Tragopan is found across the Western Himalaya from Northwest Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir and further east, in Himachal Pradesh and in the Tehri Garhwai and the Kumaon regions of Uttaranchal.

The Monal, Lophophorus Impejanus is found on the forested tracts of the mid-Himalayan slopes between 2,000 and 3,500 metres. The Shimla hills and the upper Bens valley abound with the bird. In sharp contrast to the male's brilliant plumage, the Monal hen is as dull brown with dark streaks, mottles and a white patch near its tail.

Decadent Apples

Apples account for the mainstray of Himachal’s rural-agrarian economy and annually, thousands of crores worth of this temperate fruit enter the market from the orchards of Himachal Pradesh. Behind this transformation and behind the beauty blossoms across the hills is a remarkable story. The earliest apples to be introduced into India were the English varieties – Captain Lee took to Kullu valley and Alexander Coutts grew them at Hillock’s head, in Mashobra near Shimla. These varieties were never popular and it was the arrival of Samuel Stokes (who later converted to Hinduism and changed his name to Satyanand) and the American hybrids that accounted for the real transformation.

Born on 16th August, 1882, the son of a Quaker millionaire from Philadelphia, Samuel Evans Stokes arrived in India on 26 February 1904. Stokes moved to Kotgarh beyond Shimla and this was to become his ‘karambhoomi’. Here, he married a local girl, worked ceaselessly to uplift the local people. In 1916, the famous Stark brothers of Luisiana had developed the Red Delicious apple variety. Stokes brought the apple seedlings from the U.S. and distributed them to all who would accept their worth. In 1926, first lot of these apples entered the market and thus were placed the foundations of what is now a thriving horticultural industry that dramatically improved the subsistence agricultural economy of the hills. When Stokes died in on 14 May 1946, apple production had touched 15,000 boxes.

Today, apart from apple per se, one of the finest ways of experiencing rural Himachal is to stay in one of the numerous orchard homes.

Culture
Unlike many of the other great mountains of the world which have been treated in popular lore as the homes of demons and evil spirits, the Himalaya and Himachal have always been considered as benign and life-giving. These are places of solace and sanctuary. With just the woods and snow and icy winds for company, to these heights retreated the great sages of yore and their wisdom gave India the spine of much of its identity.

Culturally and geographically, the state has three fairly well-defined zones. The 'tribal belt' that holds the districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti is largely Buddhist and the language belongs to the Himalayan belt of Tibeto- Burmese.

The mid-belt hugs this close and is characterised by forested hills and cultivated valleys — with hamlets, farms and orchards interspersed over the slopes.

Himachal’s sub-montane dwellers practise settled cultivation and this is the area that has traditionally held the greatest concentration of population.

Religion

In Himachal, the freshest of leaves are nurtured by roots that go centuries deep – and the nourishment has come from scores of different strands.

South of the Greater Himalaya, the presence of Hinduism is strong. In the mid-hills, pastoral presences appear in the worship or numerous local ‘devtas’ and ‘devis’.

In the Trans Himalaya, Buddhism has thrived for over a thousand years.

The presence of Christianity came with the arrival of the British and the state has over a dozen churches spread over its area.

Similarly, there are several places across the state that are held sacred by the Sikhs.

Islam registers its presence in and around Nahan and in some of the larger towns.

Fairs and Festivals

Most of the fairs and festivals of Himachal are a celebration of life, or have religious or agrarian roots. Practically every major festival of North India is celebrated in Himachal — and each one has its own special touch.

In addition, there are some two thousand deities worshipped in Himachal – and numerous fairs and festivals are held in their honour. There are others that began as if yesterday and have added their colours to a grand collage. From seasons to sports and from religion to trade this is a joyous celebration of life.

Practically without exception, every village has its little fair or festival. There are some which are small family or community affairs and there are others where people by the thousand may be present. Some are very unusual, like the Phulaich/Flaich or Ookhayang in Kinnaur; this among other things commemorates the end of summer and the onset of winter. Every village sends out its members to collect flowers from the hillsides and these are then gathered in the village square. It is a time of festivities and traditional dances. Other festivals are marked with buffalo fights and wrestling matches. Almost all have dances, music and folk-singing.

One of the most spectacular festivals, with nuances that are special to Himachal is the Dussehra celebration in Kullu in the month of October. This commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana — an event that has come to symbolise the triumph of good over evil in Indian tradition. On Kullu's open Dhalpur Maidan, the chariot of Raghunath Ji (as Bhagwan Ram is known in the valley), is wheeled out of the temple and the celebrations begin when the image of the goddess Hadimba Devi arrives from neighbouring Manali. Some two hundred deities from all over the area also gather to pay tribute to Raghunath Ji.

Dance and music

Himachal Pradesh is a land of festivals and dances that form an inherent part of its culture. Dances are notably performed at festivals and other special occasions like weddings, lending color and variety to everyday monotony. The varied forms and styles of dances reflect the true spirit of the people. Through beautiful folk dances and honey sweet pahari songs, they express merriment and exhibit a close bond with their roots.

The most popular dances of the state are Rakshasa (demon), Kayang, Bakayang, the Bnayangchu, the Jataru Kayang, Chohara, Shand and Shabu, Lang-dar-ma, Nati, Jhanjhar, Jhoor, Gi and Rasa. A myriad of musical instruments like Ranasingha, Karna, Turhi, Flute, Ektara, Kindari, Jhanjh, Manjara, Chimta, Ghariyal and Ghunghru are played to provide music for the songs and the dances.

Chham dance is one of the most colourful and splendid dance forms of Himachal. It is performed by a sect of Buddhists — usually monks and lamas in monasteries on special occasions and festivities. Dancers dress up in monstrous appearances and embody the evil spirits that are supposed to bring natural disasters and disease among mankind. According to legend, the dance form is pious and performing it is known to ward off evils and spirits.

Kullu Nati is another famous dance of the state that is performed with much fanfare. Dancers dressed in ethnic attires groove to the beats of several musical instruments like dhol, nagara, narsimha etc. People gyrate their bodies in slow swaying movements; they dance either by making circles or by standing in rows. This dance form is performed during the New Year and celebrates the new harvest ready for reaping.

Thoda from the hinterlands of Himachal Pradesh is a dance form that derives origins from martial arts. Also known as the dance of archery, Thoda is performed by two teams, descendants of Kuaravas and Pandavas respectively. The two opposing parties make continuous attempts to attack each other and defend themselves at the same time. They use arrows and bows swiftly and skillfully to create an illusion of real battle.

Handicrafts

Himachal's diverse cultural and historical influences have produced a variety of handicrafts and arts. Some were created for household use – and then there were a few court crafts, like the fine miniature paintings and the Chamba rumal, the handkerchief.

There are fine skills in the spinning and weaving of wool — the delicacy of the pashmina shawl and the thicker, more functional, brightly patterned woollen shawls. The vivid shawls of Kangra, Kullu and Kinnaur are famed worId over. The local tweeds, pattu are rough, rustic and unbelievable warm. The need to keep the chill at bay has given rise to warm and wonderfully embroidered footwear and the distinctive caps of Himachal. The paiche of Kinnaur and the kapul of Lahaul and Spiti keep feet as warm as the proverbial toast. The pullas of the Kullu are perfect carpet slippers. The range of carpets has gained richly from the ties with Tibet. There is a boldness of design and their use was once as varied as saddle drapes curtains, bed-spreads and wall coverings. The jewellery is ornate to say the least. The women of Himachal are often adorned by such a mass of exquisitely worked silver that their faces are barely visible. An unusual item of Himachal's metal ware lies in the moharas or busts of deities and village or household gods. Then there is a range of statuettes, vessels, bells in brass or copper - and occasionally, silver.

Wood makes its presence felt in carvings, walking sticks, furniture and bowls. Bamboo and grass mats, leather products and the little dolls of Himachal are both souvenirs and utility items.

Cuisine

Himachal Pradesh offers a range of culinary delights to tourists. There is a wide range of lip smacking and savoury food items available to choose from. The cuisine of Himachal Pradesh is influenced by Punjabi and Tibetan styles of cooking. Himachalis are known for their simple lifestyles and are very hardworking. In their daily and regular routine most of them prefer simple dishes that are easy to make and tasty to eat.

One of the most important food items of the people of Himachal is dal or lentil and chawal or plain rice. The simple preparation of rice and pulses provides the daily intake of carbohydrates and proteins, the two important components that help in building a healthy body. Roti or flat bread with any vegetable is also one of the staple food items of the people of this hilly state.

Cooked with wheat flour and savoured with ghee or butter, Sidu is a well known dish of the state. Sidu is generally made at weddings or other festive occasions and consumed mostly in the winter months. It is made both with a savoury or a sweet filling. Patande is a well known dish from the district of Sirmour.

Made from wheat, Patande is like a pancake, popularly known as the Indian Pancake of Himachal Pradesh. Meat is commonly consumed throughout the state. It is generally cooked with whole spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, red chillies and coriander leaves. The aromatic meat is very appetizing and a source of energy in the cold weather of the state.

Himachal Pradesh celebrates the Food festival of ‘Dham’, which attracts several tourists from far and wide. There is a wide variety of food items reflecting the vibrant, dynamic and simple life of the people of Himachal Pradesh.


Fairs & Fests

Ages of rich tradition, warm and hospitable people, a landscape of breathtaking variety and beauty - all combine to pack each year in Himachal with a variety of fairs, festivals and celebrations. There are some 2000 deities worshipped in Himachal and numerous Fairs & Festivals are held in their honour. From religion to trade, from seasons to sports - and month by month - here is a joyous celebrations of life.

Dec to Feb
March to May
June to Aug
Sept to Nov

Manali Winter Carnival Much gaiety and fanfare marks the 5-day long national level Winter Carnival that is held in the popular tourist township of Manali in the month of January every year. The carnival attracts a large number of Indian and foreign tourists, and brings cultural teams from different States to perform folk dances, solo and group dance competitions, fashion show, song competitions, besides the Winter Queen Contest.

Christmas celebrations Christmas celebrations overtake Shimla and Dalhousie (Chamba) and as the church bells chime, they carry away another event-packed year.

New Year Celebrations A cliche if you will - but often laced with snow - the year opens with a heady cocktail. Thousands of revelers head to celebrate the new year in Shimla, Chail (Solan), Manali (Kullu), Dharamshala and Dalhousie (Chamba).

Halda Around New year comes Halda in Lahaul, which is a more private celebration of the event. Along the valleys of Chandra and Bhaga rivers, a few members of every household step out with lighted cedar twigs to a west oriented place selected by the 'lamas'. These slender branches form the first flames of a bonfire which is then dispersed. Shiskar Apa, the goddess of wealth is worshipped, and the dancing continues for a couple of days.

Lohri There is greater sobriety, but no less joy, when Lohri or Maghi comes along in mid January. This is the traditionally mid winter day and also commemorates the last sowing of the Rabi crops. Community bonfires, folk songs and dancing, mark the festival. Pragpur Lohri festival is now state level fair.

Dechhang In tribal Spiti, Dechhang is celebrated at the height of winter in January, while the Lahaul area reserves it for early April. At Paonta Sahib (Sirmour) the major focus is on Guru Gobind Singh's birthday. The town and other gurudwaras close to it are closely linked with the Guru's life.

Phagli On a mid-night towards the end of Paush (December-January), Phagli begins in Lahaul's Pattan valley with snow being packed in a conical basket - kilta. This is upturned on the roof, this resembles a Shivalinga. Shiva, Naga and the goddess, Hidimba are worshipped, and the younger generation mark this by venerating the village elders. Chhang and lugari, locally brewed liquors flow freely, and ritual dishes are eaten. Kinnaur's Sazi (or Sazo), also comes at around this time.
To make this wonderful time of year all the more attractive, Himachal Tourism offers special discounts and packages in its wide network of hotels.

Gochi Celebrated in the month of February, Gochi in the Bhaga Valley is an unusual festival when the villagers celebrate the birth of male children. Token marriages of children below the age of six are also performed - comes when children throw snow balls at each other.

Baba Barbhag Singh Mela In February, Baba Barbhag Singh Mela is held in Una to honour the sage who was renowned for his magical powers.

Basant Panchmi Basant Panchmi marks the arrival of spring in the lower areas, and every town seems to keep a reserve of colour for the occasion and the skies are filled with a medley of kites.

Lossar Ritual dances and an unbelievably rich imagery mark Lossar. This is celebrated in Buddhist areas throughout the state while Lahaul's monasteries have some of the most spectacular performances. On its eve, the stylized chhaam dance with elaborate costumes and masks, commemorate the assassination of the cruel Tibetan king, Langdarma of the 9th century. Often - though wrongly - called 'the devil dance', it symbolises the triumph of good over evil.
To visit the traditional fairs or to participate in the festivals, do confirm the dates as many vary from year to year. A range of accomodation is available at, or close to almost all the places.

Heritage

Set high where they lord over the surrounding countryside, or tucked in wooded nooks, or placed by elegant promenades, Himachal has an enormous range of Heritage properties. These range from ancient forts that breathe of tumultuous past, colonial mansions that speak of an age of leisure and graciousness. There are palaces that belong to a time when opulence marked the lifestyles of India's princes - and there are century old hotels that are maintained in a pristine glory, which have been painstakingly restored. This spectrum offers a range of decor and ambience - and a richly varied experience. From time-worn battlements, where the very stones speak of glory and courage, you can move to a lush countryside and savor the traditions of 'haveli' life. Just as easily, you can slip into distinctive mansions where time seems to have stood still for decades and where an easy elegance wafts under the watchful weave of priceless tapestries. Then there are hotels that justly pride themselves for years of tradition and service and whose guest-list reads like an international who's who.

Shimla, the state capital of Himachal Pradesh has some of the world's finest examples of British-colonial architecture. There is the English renaissance-inspired grey-stone former Viceregal Lodge (now the Indian Institute of Advanced study), the neo-Gothic structures of the Gaiety Theatre and the former Imperial Civil Secretariat (now the Accountant General's Office), The Tudor-framed 'Barnes Court' (now the Raj Bhavan), the Vidhan Sabha and the Secretariat of the Government of Himachal Pradesh. Colonial buildings can be found elsewhere in the state, especially in the 'hill stations' of Kasauli and Dalhousie.

In addition, there are forts, palaces, temples, monasteries and residences that follow a much older tradition, to be found all over the state. The thousand year old BuddhistPadam Palace monastery of Tabo in Spiti with its fine wall-paintings and stucco statues has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The village of Pragpur with its age-old and well preserved architecture and cobbled streets has been declared a 'Heritage village'. Many of Himachal's forts, palaces and residences are privately owned, and naturally, the discretion of their use rests with their owners. Yet, we are proud to have them as a part of our rich heritage. Some remarkable places within or easily accessible from the main holiday stations are - Padam Palace, Rampur, The Palace Sarahan, Jandrighat Dalhousie, The Palace, Jubbal. The Palace, Sunni. The Palace, Nahan. Many traditional farmhouses all over Himachal, are also making accommodation available on their premises. These will provide visitors an insight into local lifestyles, cuisine and culture. 

With nostalgia and comfort skillfully interlaced, here is a window that invites you to share a bygone era and hold its enduring charms.

Himachal Pradesh has around 1200 bird and 359 animal species, including the leopard, snow leopard (State animal), ghoral, musk deer and Western Tragopan. It has 2 major national parks and sanctuaries — the largest number in the Himalayan region. The Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu district was created to conserve the flora and fauna of the main Himalayan range, while the Pin Valley National Park to conserve the flora and fauna of the cold desert.