HIMACHAL PRADESH

CAPITAL-SHIMLA

LIST OF CHEIF MINISTERS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

#	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
01	Yashwant Singh Parmar	08 March 1952	31 October 1956	Indian National Congress
	President's Rule	31 October 1956	01 July 1963
02	Yashwant Singh Parmar [4]	01 July 1963	28 January 1977	Indian National Congress
03	Thakur Ram Lal	28 January 1977	30 April 1977	Indian National Congress
04	Shanta Kumar	22 June 1977	14 February 1980	Janata Party
05	Thakur Ram Lal [2]	14 February 1980	07 April 1983	Indian National Congress
06	Virbhadra Singh	08 April 1983	08 March 1985	Indian National Congress
07	Virbhadra Singh [2]	08 March 1985	05 March 1990	Indian National Congress
08	Shanta Kumar [2]	05 March 1990	03 December 1993	Bharatiya Janata Party
09	Virbhadra Singh [4]	03 December 1993	23 March 1998	Indian National Congress
10	[[hcvjl bgcolor=#ff9900 ] 24 March 1998	05 March 2003	Bharatiya Janata Party
11	Virbhadra Singh [5]	06 March 2003	30 December 2007	Indian National Congress
12	Prem Kumar Dhumal [2]	30 December 2007	Present	Bharatiya Janata Party

ELECTED POLITICAL OFFICIALS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Lok Sabha members of Himachal Pradesh

S.No.	Name of Member	Constituency	Party
01	Thakur, Shri Anurag Singh	Hamirpur	BJP
02	Sushant, Dr. Rajan	Kangra	BJP
03	Singh, Shri Virbhadra	Mandi	INC
04	Kashyap, Shri Virender	Shimla	BJP

Rajya Sabha Members of Himachal Pradesh

#	Name	Party
01	Anand Sharma Shri	INC
02	Shanta Kumar Shri	BJP
03	YHakur Smt. Viplove	INC

FOOD

DRESS

OCCUPATION

The mainstay of the people of Himachal Pradesh is agriculture on which 66.71% population depends for their livelihood. The topography being mostly hilly, the type of cultivation is terraced. Close to 80 percent of all holdings fall in the category of small and marginal farmers. Due to ideal climate for fruit cultivation, horticulture and vegetable growing (seasonal as well as off-season), a well-diversified farm economy has developed rapidly during the past three decades. The percentage of main workers to total population is 32.31 and the percentage of cultivators to main workers is 55.45. The percentage of agricultural labourers to total workers is 1.22 as per 2001 census.

IMPORTANT PLACE

Shimla-

The place derives its name from Goddess Shyamala, an incarnation of Kali. Shimla is a tranquil place and the only urbanized city of the Himachal. From noted hotel chains to luxury villas, capital city has many accommodation facilities. Tranquility and peaceful atmosphere makes it different from many urban cities in the country. There are number of temples, parks, and valleys to tour here apart from trekking trips.

Kullu Valley-

This valley is nothing different from Kashmir in charm and elegance. You start envying nature’s potential to fend human lives and enhance tourism activity over the years. The town of Kullu though small in land area draws immense number of tourists especially honeymooners. Temples, apple orchards, gardens, and the festivals make it a worthwhile place of visit as well. Take a tour of the handicraft textile in the region making shawls, caps, and other woolen accessories. Dushera is celebrated infull spirit at Kullu.

Manali-

A place in Kullu Valley at the foothills of the Himalayas and cradled amidst the natural beauty that the place exudes. Just a few kilometers from Manali, you have the Rohtang pass. Rich in greenery in summers, the place has a complete different look when it is snowing. The snow covered peaks, chunk of the glaciers in the streams, and the dry trees all appeals to the tourist’s eyes.

Dharamshala-

The backdrop is that of the Dhauladhar ranges having a height of around 4,000 meters. The refuge of his highness the Dalai Lama, it is an important place of the Buddhist followers. Kangra Valley is another place that you can visit along with Dharamshala. In Kangra Valley, there were 80 hill resorts constructed in the 17th century. Little Lhasa is the place that the world knows today as the residence of the Dalai Lama.

Chamba-

The ultimate attraction of the Shivalik range is the small hamlet of Chamba, famous for the temples of Shiva since several centuries. The architectural styles of these temples have great influence on the minds of the travelers. A seat of the erstwhile rulers of the state, Chamba is a historical site in Himachal.

Dalhousie-

It is a heavenly Himalayan tour destination ornate with beauty spots like Khajjiar, Satdhara springs and Kalatope. Tours to Dalhousie sets you on the gateway to the enchanting Chamba Valley. A serene colonial town Dalhousie offers you a unique hill station experience with low-roof tea stalls, colonial bungalows and exotic colonial grandeur.

Chamba-

With a history that dates back to the 6th century, Chamba is one of the favorite tourist spots in Himachal Pradesh India. Tour local temples and meet the warm people of Chamba valley on Himachal Pradesh tours with Taj Mahal Tourism tours. Set at an altitude of 996 meters above sea level, Chamba nestles near the enchanting foothills of Shivaliks. See Chamuda Devi Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Rang Mahal and Bhuri Singh Museum during your Chamba tours in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Dharamshala-

It is a great favorite with newly wed couples and quietude seekers. Enjoy nature and freshen up with lush valleys, deep gorges and majestic snow-capped peaks that never cease to enthrall in Dharamshala- i.e. counted among the star tourist spots of Himachal. Enjoy para gliding, skiing, mountaineering and fishing while on Dharamshala tours. Visit Triund, Macleodganj, Kunal Pathri and Bhagsunath apart from a host of other hill attractions with Himachal Pradesh tours.

Shimla-

It is the capital city of picture pretty Himachal Pradesh India. One of the earliest hill resorts developed by the British to escape the scorching Indian heat, Shimla has many tourist spots such as the Viceregal Lodge, The Mall, Annandale, Chadwick Falls, Sanjauli, Glen, Jakhoo Hill and Daranghati Sanctuary.

Manali-

It is a serene tour destination blessed with magnificent Himalayan peaks, breathtaking gorges and gurgling hill streams. Tour Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Manali Sanctuary, Rahla Falls, Keylong and Kothi on your tours to Himachal Pradesh, India.

Kushinagar-

It is a popular Himachal tour destination that gives you the impression of having traveled back in time to a sleepy hamlet set in the midst of exotic nature greens.

Pragpur-

It is an ethnic haven of cobbled streets that wind their way through tortuous mountain tracts with magnificent palaces and old homes located all over the place.

Solan-

Offers you an opportunity to enter heaven. Wild apricots and walnut trees interspersed with Chir pine forests clothe the Himalayan rages all around you. Breathe in fragrant hill air and tour attractive destinations such as the Kamru Fort, Gurkha Castles, Arki Fort and Sholoni Devi Temple with Himachal Pradesh tours and Taj Mahal Tourism tour packages.

Chail-

It is a great favorite with holidaymakers during summer months. Experience a "Slice of Heaven," in Chail - a little village set in the midst of luxuriant forest greens.

LANGUAGE

• Hindi

• Pahari

FESTIVALS

Halda Festival-

This is the very first Himachal Pradesh festival, celebrated in the month of January. This is a Buddhist fiesta that is celebrated as a private event in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh. During this festival you will be flabbergasted to see people with cedar twigs moving to a place that has been selected by the Lama. These twigs are then thrown in a bonfire and various dancing acts are performed for many days, further on.

Lohri or Maghi-

After Halda, begins the preparation for Lohri, held during the mid of January. This is an agricultural festival that is very popular for its folk songs and dance that goes all night long. You should come during this festival, as a grand fair is held during this very time. Seeking plenty of tourist attraction, one can experience the outburst of joy, the locals basks as they get an excuse to free themselves from the monotonous lives.

Enjoy the Snow During the Himachal Winter Carnival-

You should not miss coming to Himachal Pradesh in the month of February, when the whole state is bustling with tourists. Yes, they have all come to be a part of the Himachal Winter Carnival that gives them a rare chance to enjoy ultimate fun. This event is a great delight and has the capacity to make even the chilling winter – a happening time. Manali is the host of this festival where various contests like 'winter queen' and other are held. Winter sports too are conducted making this festival a placating experience. Participate in these contests and sports to enjoy a resplendent experience.

March Comes With Cradling Festivals To Win the Smiles-

In the month of March various festivals enliven these sleepy mountains. Some of the most illustrious festivals during the month are Holi, Chaitrual and Shivratri. Though Holi and Shivratri are celebrated all over the country, Himachal's exclusive is Chaitrual. This festival is popularly known as festival of pictures and is celebrated in the Sirmaur area. Between the month of March and April, the night of the full moon light is selected to perform the rituals. Be a part of this festival and be a spectator when the deities of all the families are carried to the fields and an elaborate dish known as 'Poltu' is prepared and offered to the goddess. While returning after the celebration, you will be surprised to see people breaking clay pots, in order to chase away the evil spirits.

Phulaich Festival-

No other festival is as rosy as the Phulaich festival that is also called festival of flowers. As the rains give way to autumn, the hills of Himachal Pradesh wears a colorful look with numerous flowers adorning the villages. Held in the month of September, this festival is celebrated in the Kinnaur region to commemorate the dead relatives and pray for the peace of their souls. The 'Ladra' flower steals the show with the villagers climbing on the hills to pluck the flowers. Animals are sacrificed and food and wine are served to the dead on mounds of brick. These are later distributed among the impecunious and 'Harijans'.

Kullu Dussehra-

This is the most important festival in Himachal Pradesh and you cannot miss seeing the Dussehra festival of Kullu that is popular all over the world. October in Himachal Pradesh is the most sacred time of the year, when the Dussehra festival is in full swing. This ten day long festival has interesting ritual that are performed everyday from dawn to dusk. During the celebration of Dussehra, International Folk Festival is also held. During this fiesta wide range of cultural items are at demonstrated. Besides, displaying the local handicrafts of Himachal Pradesh, artifacts from all over the country are put for demo.

Lossar Festival-

Welcome the winter season by participating in this Buddhist festival that is held between mid November and mid December. A local deity is worshipped in hope of restoring the happiness and prosperity through the winter season. This essentially marks the beginning of the Tibetan year by the kindling of the lamps by the natives. After singing the religious songs in the morning, the people offer their prayers to God and make some square lumps of mixed flour known as Brang-Gyas and place it in a plate. This plate is then placed around the statutes of Gods and animal figurines. Seeing this platter in the early morning has auspicious significance.

Ice Skating Carnival-

Ice skating carnival is a gala time for the Himachal Pradesh people. With its rink in Dalhousie, this carnival is held at Shimla as well. During the sessions, this place is flooded with tourists and visitors from various corners of the country and world. You should see this festival during the month of December, when various fancy dress competitions, ice hockey and dance performances adorn the occasion. If you are a sports freak, then Ice Skating Carnival in Himachal Pradesh is the place to be. Here you should also check out the locals in their colorful traditional garbs that seem to mix up the warmth of the Himachal culture.

International Himalayan Festival-

As the snow flakes start making their presence felt in Himachal Pradesh, arrives the time to get ready for the International Himalayan Festival. December is the month when Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader, blesses McLeodganj, which further prepares itself for this festival. This is a three day event, that is celebrated with pomp and grandeur and invites huge tourist attraction.

Manimahesh Fair-

Manimahesh is one of the most pious pilgrim destination in Himachal Pradesh. Believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, this town has a rich cultural and heritage. But the fair held here in the month of February, surpasses it all. You should be aware that Himachal Pradesh has given this fair the title of 'State Level Fair'. You cannot miss is fair as it is one of those rare festivities that are organized by the tribal groups. Nomadic Gaddis hold this fair and a lot of tourists also make their participation felt in this fair.

Fair of Kullu Valley-

Get into your best and most colorful clothes, if you do not want to feel aloof. After all this is the Kullu fair, where festive colors have filled the air as well as the hearts of people. To see this fair you should step in Kullu region in the month of April or First and Second Week of May. This fair, called as the Birshu, is held in every village of Kullu valley. The brightest part of this festival is the jovial hearts of people who seem to be drenched with excitement. During this fair, Home Gods are worshipped.

Another important fair in Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh is the Dussehra Fair that is held during the month of October, after the famous Dussehra festival. Dussehra fair is all about history, ethnicity and the opulence of Indian Culture – so make sure you are a part of it.

Minjar Fair-

Now there is one more reason to visit the Chamba valley – Minjar Fair. This fair is also very popular in Himachal Pradesh and is celebrated in the month of July. This is a fair that is notable by silk costumes, stalk of Maize and the impressive procession where Raghuvir Verman idol along with other gods and goddesses are taken in palanquins for immersion in the Ravi river. Enjoy a colorful Himachal during this seven day long festival which has historical as well as religious significance attached to it. But you do not have to go skin deep in the myths. Just enjoy and make merry – Minajar fair is all about that!

Lavi Fair-

You should not miss coming to Himachal Pradesh in the month of February, when the whole state is bustling with tourists. Yes, they have all come to be a part of the Himachal Winter Carnival that gives them a rare chance to enjoy ultimate fun. This event is a great delight and has the capacity to make even the chilling winter – a happening time. Manali is the host of this festival where various contests like 'winter queen' and other are held. Winter sports too are conducted making this festival a placating experience. Participate in these contests and sports to enjoy a resplendent experience.

Some Famous Fairs and Festivals of Himachal are-

• Kullu Dussehra
• Summer Festival
• Doongri Fair
• Minjar Fair
• Sajo Festival
• Pori Festival
• Ladarcha Utsav-Spiti
• Legend of Kullu Dussehra