Himachal
Pradesh is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the India.
You may be looking for a break from your hectic life and a
communion with nature or exploring India's cultural diversity, you may be
seeking the spiritual upliftment of a pilgrimage or the thrills and
excitement of adventure sports - Himachal has it all. And what is more, the
State has a well developed infrastructure and is easily accessible as well.
Rising from the plains of the Punjab in the south, Himachal is a series of
valleys, notably the verdant Kullu, Kangra and Chamba valleys which lie near
the heart of the State, and the barren, high altitude Lahaul and Spiti
valleys in the north. Each of these has its own distinctive character and
appeal. Five mountain ranges run through the State - the Shivalik, the Pir
Panjal, the Dhauladhar, the Great Himalayan and the Zanskar ranges. (The
last extends into Ladakh in neighbouring Jammu & Kashmir.)
The
four of the five rivers after which Punjab gets its name (Chenab, Ravi, Beas
and Sutlej) originate in these ranges and flow through the land.
The heritage culture and traditions of the State are as fascinating and
diverse as the landscape. And these can be seen in the rich variety of
customs, rituals, clothes and handicrafts. The most fascinating are the
unusual customs of the Kinnauras who live in the eastern district, Kinnaur.
These are a curious mix of the Buddhist practices followed in Lahaul &
Spiti and the Hindu traditions in the rest of the State. At all important
social functions the hereditary oracle of the local deity recites the
mythology through the oral tradition of the 'chirong'. The popular folk
dance 'naati' (or 'natti') of Kullu forms a part of all celebrations. Though
earlier it used to be performed only by men dressed in their traditional,
swirling tunics, 'churidars' (pyjamas that resemble jodhpurs) and decorated
caps, accompanied by four to eight musicians, now women join in too. There
are thirteen variations of the dance depending on the tempo.
Other
colourful folk dances include the 'karthi' harvest dance of Kullu, the
exhilarating 'birsu' and 'ghugti' from the upper Shimla hills, and the
'kayang' and 'bakayang' from Kinnaur. The isolation imposed by the
mountainous terrain of Himachal has permitted its people to develop their
own unique tradition of handicrafts. These include the extremely ornate and
beautiful silver jewellery worn by the women; richly embroidered scarves,
footwear and caps; leather embroidery; beautifully patterned rugs and
carpets; and woollen blankets and shawls of varying degrees of fineness. The
State is also internationally renowned for the exquisite miniature paintings
referred to as the 'Pahari' School which thrived during the 16th to 18th
centuries. SHIMLA In the early part of the 19th century the British occupied
a crescent shaped hill around a tiny village named Shymala in southern
Himachal. This was developed as a retreat for British officers and slowly
grew to become Shimla (2130 m), the summer capital of the British in India.
Today, this charming hill station is the capital of the State and one of the
most popular year-round holiday destinations in northern India. Being close
to the plains of the Punjab it provides an easy get-away from the oppressive
summer heat.
Shimla and its environs provide splendid views of the
snow-clad Himalayan peaks, fine walks through oak, pine and rhododendron,
numerous pretty picnic spots such as The Glen and Chadwick Falls (a 67 m
waterfall), and several quiet retreats such as Summer Hill (1982 m),
Sanjauli (2257 m), Mashobra (2149 m), Kufri (2622 m) and Fagu (2509 m). No
visit to Shimla is complete without climbing up to Jakhoo Hill (2438 m)
which looms over the town. The steep climb is rewarding because of the fine
views it offers not only of the town but also of the surrounding valleys and
mountains out to the snow-capped peaks. The Hanuman Temple, dedicated to the
monkey-god and built at the highest point on the hill, attracts many
pilgrims.